| Ladies and gents,
Much has been made—often by humorless podcasters and self-diagnosed introverts—of those of us who count “Receiving Gifts” as our love language. They call us shallow. They call us transactional. They call us a symptom of late-stage capitalism. Well, I call us savvy. Anyone who’s ever received a hand-knit sweater from a grandmother, a single stem from a nervous suitor, or a surprise martini from a familiar bartender knows: a well-chosen gift can say “I love you” with more poetry than any Words of Affirmation or, heaven forbid, Physical Touch!
So in that spirit—of generosity, glamour, and great taste—I present my annual holiday gift guide. Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, your nemesis, or your third favorite cousin with the baffling views on vaccines, I have the perfect suggestion to put the jingle back in your bells.
For the beauty-struck bon vivant:
A holiday of the mind—and perhaps the frequent flyer mile account—comes courtesy of Destination Art, a ravishing coffee-table tome from Phaidon that catalogs 500 must-see works around the globe. From the Louvre to the light installations of James Turrell, it’s an invitation to dream big. If you’re feeling particularly flush, let your recipient select one artwork from the book—and send them to see it. (May I suggest a trip to Mexico City, and tickets to the newly opened Museo Casa Kahlo? The palette alone could cure seasonal affective disorder.)
For the thoughtful thinker:
A subscription to The Atlantic is the gift that says, “I think you’re smart… but not so smart you can’t learn a thing or two.” Ideal for the relative who yearns to be the most interesting person at brunch but lacks the stamina for The New Yorker’s ten-thousand-word profiles on some guy who discovered a new bug. And, after all those Washington Post defections, its reporting staff is better than ever!
For the cocktail cart traditionalist:
Nothing screams: I may be a coastal elite but I understand the heartland like a gift tower from Virginia Diner peanuts. These creatively flavored little morsels are America’s answer to beluga—if beluga had a shelf life longer than the average Hollywood marriage.
For the man who still wears real pajamas and not a threadbare college T-shirt:
Anything from Hemen Biarritz will do, but the underthings, darling—the underthings! Their organic cotton dainties are so well-stitched, they could turn a union stagehand into a French poet. And if that doesn’t warm your cockles, you’re clearly not wearing the right underlayers.
For the wine-curious and screenplay-savvy:
Kamen Wines offers more than a heavenly bottle—it offers a plot twist. Proprietor Robert Mark Kamen wrote The Karate Kid, The Fifth Element, and Taken, and then decided to make wine that kicks harder than Mr. Miyagi. The Kamen Cabernet is robust and full-bodied, with a finish that rivals Daniel LaRusso’s triumphant Crane Kick.
All that said, I find myself less enchanted by things and more enthralled by deeds. Perhaps it’s the state of the world, or perhaps it was the emotional wallop I received while attending the New York Cares gala—where Sara Bareilles sang with such transcendent grace, I wept into my starter course. Either way, the message remains: the best gift we can give is a better world.
So this year, let us lift up those in need. Consider a donation in someone’s name to the American Theatre Wing, which continues to nurture the next generation of dreamers. Or to the Entertainment Community Fund, which has quietly saved more lives than it ever boasts about. Or to DIFFA, whose decades of work in HIV/AIDS advocacy remain both vital and valiant. Or to New York Cares, which ensures that New York remains the greatest city in the world by harnessing our best asset: our kindness.
The truth is, darling, no one needs another scented candle. But a little hope? A little help? That never goes out of style.
Tidbits from around town…
Overheard Maude Apatow asking a waiter at Via Carota if the butter was “grass-fed.”
Saw Amy Sedaris riding a CitiBike in a faux-fur floor-length coat.
Spotted gazillion-time Tony-decorated lighting whiz Natasha Katz trying out Jean-Georges Vongerichten new addition to Dumbo’s dining scene: ABC Kitchens.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses, |
