The Cozy Holiday Gift Guides Edit
[Last minute] top COZY gifts I’m considering for family, friends and You!
Days are shorter, cooler and cozier. Three things I am relishing at the moment. What is it about shorter days that makes the day all that more productive and comfortable? It’s as if the mood is re-wired to consider the time throughout the day and fill it with just the essential priorities and the joyous moments. For me, I find myself leaning on the warm embrace of my favorite oversized sweaters, luxe pajamas [a featured gifting idea] and sitting fireside, wine in hand, to think and to talk the evening hours away with my family - planning upcoming ski season holidays, dreaming up whimsical tablescapes for our family holiday dinner, and of course, writing.
I don’t know about you but, I am actually relieved that the past few week’s crazy sales have passed. This year felt especially chaotic with the amount of texts, emails and ads out there exhausting the fact that everything was on sale yet, nothing seemed to stand out enough from the rest. The only real discounted purchase I made during this discount wave was a H2OFagerholt dollar jacket and for two reasons. One: I had been eyeing this jacket for the better part of the past year and a half! And two: it was on a sale called the “Archive Sale” (no BF/CyMon titles in sight so, even more reason to take a slow look through this particular sale) down to 170Euro from its usual luxe price of over 700Euro. Basically, a fuzzy, timeless, collectibly irresistible no brainer purchase.
Side note: I did do some phenomenal shopping during our family trip to the Ojai Valley (the mohair sweaters and vintage jacket shopping was insanely good!) and if I am being honest, one of the stores was offering 20% off their clothing collection but, as it was only one item and at a more “standard” discount, let’s call it a memorable day of sartorial adventures v. crazy holiday week sales. If you’re ever in Ojai may I suggest stopping by: Ali Golden, Oso Modern & Vintage and Dekor (all three on the Main Street of Ojai’s downtown shopping district).
Now, with that in mind, here is my quick holiday gift guide of all things cozy in my attempt to make a very edited selection for your gifting inspiration. I am focusing in on 5-6 key gift ideas (most are ones I am considering for my own gifting list!) per category ranging from gifts for Her, for Him, for Kids, for Pets, for the Holiday Dinner Hosts, for the Styling Ski Fam, for the Fashionable Foodies, for the Tech Obsessed, for the Wine Connoisseurs, and of course, for You! Everything is with quality and uniqueness in mind, gifts that are memorable and with purpose either via function or emotion or maybe, both. These pieces will speak for themselves and as a complete outfit per category (this is the comfort, cozy, festive season after all!) and make for a memorable gifting occasion.
For a Versatile Holiday Dinner to Après Lounging for Her
I have come to realize the power of a proper set of lounge wear or pajamas! They are comfortable, versatile and insanely chic, when purchased well. A longtime favorite is Sleeper and this set is as festively fashionable as a dream (already envisioning wearing this set to host my holiday dinner here at home!) Pair with a damn good pair of mule heels, a fun handbag (similar bag here) glam earrings (bonus!: these are clip on. I have a damaged ear lobe so when I find an amazing clip on pair, a small celebration is deserved!) Finish the look with an ode to a cozy bathrobe but, not to be confused with a bathrobe!, sleek neutral coat.
For Luxe Lounge for Him
Similar to For Her, I thought why not include a cozy night in casual comfy dinner host look for Him, as well. This silk lounge set paired with a fun take on a Sherpa vest (and make it one you could borrow anytime to pair over those Vuori leggings!) and my all time favorite fashion and function sneakers. For his holiday gift, why not surprise him with a sleek set of tech gear via headphones and a luxe speaker to fit in with the home decor and which can be put to use right at the holiday dinner!
For A Comfy Holiday for Kids
For the little ones its all about fun and comfort. I am loving Jacadi for all their whimsical winter knits perfect for the festive mood now and for fun ski layers, later: here, here. Including the perfect cozy outfit base via fun sweatpants, luxe shearling moccasins and boots. Finish the look with a Sherpa style zip up jacket and! Why not add a kids corner for the holiday dinner via this cute as can get macrame tent. The favorite new gift unwrapping corner, anyone?!
For the Modern Pet
Ok, so for our lovable furry family members, only the best would do, too! I am loving a modern neutral aesthetic for them in luxe finishes like leather, wood and lush felt. A whole pet look, if you will: for walking, for picking up after them, for playing, for hydration, for sleeping in style and for looking damn good on those walks.
For the Casual Cozy Holiday Dinner Hosts
So, as you may have gleaned from all the aforementioned, I am into a very very casual cozy aesthetic. Make it a very very-elevated-casual cozy aesthetic. Here are a few pieces I believe your stylish holiday dinner hosts will appreciate as A: they are aesthetically pleasing, B: they are functional, C: they could start using them right then and there at the dinner, if they so please! :) Can you think of a more glam and dolce vita espresso vibe? Even more so, if you add these magical glass number in the funnest of forms? Add a neutral dream of a serving platter to carry those espressos? Include a gorgeous alpine-esque café napkin to add to the holiday espresso cheer? And perhaps a fish, to carry your sparkling water to your guests for an après espresso drink? What more?!
For the Fam of Skiers
For those you know that have dreamt of the snow ever since last winter season ended. [Sigh! And yes, that would be our family! Hehe] I am not much to go all out in matchy-matchy looks but, a certain playful sport-chic vibe that transcends from each family member will connect the style dots. You will know this is The skier family. For her: ski suit, helmet, goggles, gloves. For Him: Ski jacket, ski pants, helmet, goggles, ski socks. For Kids: Ski jacket, ski pants, helmet+goggles, gloves. They will be slopes and après ready! Note: picked these various ski pieces as an idea for a whole outfit gift or, equally amazing, as a selection of individual pieces that can be gifted based on what you know they need to complete that ski attire collection they may be sure to have.
For the Stylish Foodie
For the food lovers and chefs, your loved ones that just make your day with a delicious meal or treat. So with that, who doesn’t need olive oil in their life! More is definitely always more when it comes to this liquid gold. A treat or two: an uber chic oversized tin can reminiscent of traditional holiday cookies yet, containing a delicious panettone or an elegant box a la Parisienne via this macaron box. For the luxe foodie, these caviar like earrings are just the thing to gift them. For the tapas loving friend, this set speaks for itself! Finally, truffles. Truffles just exude a festive luxury and an umami note that can’t be beat. Anyone will love!
For Tech Lovers
This. This is for the artistically sleek modern neutral loving luxe persona. These are like objets d'art all their own. Museum worthy headphones, a mid-century design lover’s dream of a speaker, the most design forward alarm I have seen, a high-tech water bottle that will match any outfit, a fun vintage inspired instant camera to capture those artfully stylish moments and something to help them relax and feel their best during their jet-setting travels.
For Wine Connoisseurs
An excellent wine deserves an excellently curated wine gear collection. From opening, to pouring, to carrying, to tasting, to preparing a collectible wine deserves to be enjoyed in style and in good company. These pieces look amazing on their own for the wine counter or room and will be a conversation piece during said wine tasting your hosting. Salud!
& For You
A Little Something, For You?! (I mean, why not!) Especially if it will help you get+feel ready for the holiday dinners! I rounded up things that had immediate glam dinner resonance. The kind of things that maybe are not necessarily practical (in the daily-use sense of the word) but, that bring that festive mood full swing. Because, who wants daily for the holiday? I’m the first to invest in pieces that exude statement versatility and are in essence elevated casual, case in point reference For Her Category above - a perfect casually elegant holiday dinner look, in my books. Yet, here we are, looking at these gorgeously glamorous objects below, perfect for this special season. A perfect festive look if you’re more of the dress it up mindset. I may even consider mixing things up a bit this New Year and going the regal red and gold route vs the typical sparkle outfit. Style for thought. . . :)
With that, I leave you to consider these festive beauties, below.
Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays! -Jazmín
I mean if these two looks don’t scream holiday cheer and glamour, then I don’t know what does! Admittedly I am veering away from my confirmed casualness (elevated casualness) but, every so often I am pleasantly surprised by something completely the opposite of my usual California casual style. These two red dresses by Kika Vargas are regal and they are casual! Yes, I said it, they are casual (well, high fashion casual) in the sense that they look amazing yet comfortable so you will be at your most casual, relaxed best whilst looking divinely elegant. Look 1: If your looking for a midi dress, this is it! Pair with playful long earrings and contrasting bright blue heels to off-set the highly elegant tone of the dress. Look 2: If you’re looking for a mini dress, then may I suggest this. Pair with elegantly oversized stud earrings, a tennis bracelet, and a pair of studded flats to both elevate the mini yet, ground it in its dressed up casual flair. Sure to be a best dressed holiday win! :)
Spot on!