Some fun (and some silly) birthday gifts 🎁

Gifting isn't easy for everyone. Let me help you.

Nice Stuff: Batch 003 

It’s been a minute since my last post. It’s hard to think about Nice Stuff with everything going on right now. But to celebrate my birthday, I put a list together of fun gifts for the home. 

Shall we? 

Coffee table worthy gifts: 

Let’s start with some objects for the home that could easily go on your friends coffee table – a great place to collect and present gifts.

Pretty and functional: Mau House Oyster Bottle Opener, $60.

I’ve got this tissue box, my therapist’s got this tissue box, you should get it for your friend: Areaware Tissue Box Holder by Dusen Dusen, $42.

My friend Alex is into taxidermy and fine art objects, so I got her this leggy DADA match striker, $75 - she loves it (photo of her coffee table above). Btw, Alex is a DOCTOR and single — hit me up eligible bachelors.

Can you really go wrong with a coffee table book? A few that caught my eye: HAY - one of my favorite design duos - $48 on TRR, Menu Design in Europe - I’m OBSESSED with restaurant branding - $70, and J Crew’s new book with lots of vintage catalog inspo, Forty Years of American Style, $125. 

A vase is a great gift if your friend doesn't already have too many. I like this one from Completedworks, $150, that comes with its very own bracelet?!?  

Always a safe gift, candles: 

Last year between a house-warming, birthday, and an engagement party, I received a record number of candles. It’s a safe (not to be confused with boring) gift. Here are some fun burners.

These Carl Durkow candles would add some flair to a bookshelf, $38-$48. 

If you’re hoping to impress and willing to splurge, Loewe makes beautiful scents - Tomato Leaves, Orange Blossom, Cucumber, Beetroot(!)  - in sturdy glazed terracotta pots. I was very graciously given a medium Marihuana scented one for my birthday a few years ago and it’s been my most enjoyable candle. I now save it for special occasions. $110-$475, depending on the size.  Pro tip: you can sometimes find these on The Real Real for a steal. 

Your DIY-loving friend might enjoy one of these Sculpd candle making pottery kit, $59-$104. How fun!? 

For trinkets:

People usually need more vessels to hold all their spare coins, keys, matches, jewelry and what-have-you. I recently got this Printworks jewelry box that looks like a book, $45, for my nightstand and I’m such a fan. 

This wavy Littala glass catchall dish designed by Alvar Aalto feels easily giftable - $40 on TRR, normally $165.  

Equally fun and much more affordable, this flocked stoneware lips trinket Box from UO Home is super cute, $24. 

For the host or friend who likes to have fun in the kitchen:

How about some Farfalloni pasta pot grips? We have the Carraway cookset, which I love, but the handles get super hot, so I bought these fun holders. Yes, chef, $16.  I found this set on Amazon, too. 

I’d be very pleased if I received a set (or two) of these Dusen Dusen stripe cotton napkin set, $44. Just saying…

Likewise, receiving these fun wooden serving spoons would certainly put a smile on my face. Serving Friends by Selena Liu, $42.

These Gohar World gloves are fantastic. Especially the pearl ring and cuff details. 🤌 For the friend who likes a little ✨ drama ✨. $38.

Bodum never fails when it comes to practical kitchen ware with a design flair. This wood salt & pepper grinder set is a great gift, especially for your friend with open kitchen shelving. $49.

A much sillier but no less functional option is this cake salt & pepper shaker set, $24. How cute?! 

And, just for fun:

With the holidays coming up I think I’ll do a whole batch on visually appealing game sets. As a teaser, when’s the last time you played dominoes? This colorful wooden dominoes set looks like a riot. $30.

If you’re looking for a gag gift with some flair, how about this little guy? Pee My Plants watering statue, $18.

And just in case you’re looking for something outrageous to win someone over or maybe a gift for a sheik, perhaps you should consider this silver and wood Louis Vuitton spaceship paperweight, only $1,945 on the TRR. 

As always, I hope you enjoyed this batch of nice stuff as a little break from more serious matters. If you did, please share with your friends, family, and anyone else who might enjoy this kind of thing. 

Have a great week and happy Scorpio season! ✨

Esther