2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For urban dwellers, country folk, and $25 and under
From a colorful carafe and glass set to a sleek and modern star tree topper, we have gifts for everyone on your holiday list.
FOR URBAN DWELLERS
Wool and the Gang’s Dog’s Life Coat knitting kit comes with everything you need to whip up a fabulous rib-stitch sweater in all-natural, machine-washable merino wool for a furry friend to wear on snowy walks in the city. From $31 at A Garden For Knitters, 52 Water St., North Andover, 978-682-3297, agardenforknitters.com
The Beosound 2 wireless speaker puts out a powerful sound all the way around, and it’s smart, too, with Google Assistant built in. Its conical shape, modern markings, and brass-toned aluminum finish make it a stand-alone standout, too. $2,250 at Bang & Olufsen, 141B Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-4949, bang-olufsen.com
Enough with the 1950s-style thermostat. Kono’s smart Wi-Fi thermostat by Lux Products boasts a clean-lined contemporary look and interchangeable faceplates (sold separately) that come in a handful of colors.$99, plus $10.03 for snap cover in Hibiscus Red at Home Depot, 100 First Ave., Waltham, 781-672-0900, homedepot.com
The carafe and glass set by Dutch design house Pols Potten adds a gorgeous spot of jewel-toned color to a night stand, bar, or a holiday table. The glass can be used as a lid for the carafe. $32 at Lekker Home, 1313 Washington St., Boston, 617-737-7307, lekkerhome.com
City slickers need to keep up appearances, even when decorating their Christmas trees. This palladium-plated brass star tree topper by longtime Georg Jensen designer Flemming Eskildsen is cutting-edge sleek and shiny. $85 at Simon Pearce, The Street, 33 Boylston St., Suite 3315, Chestnut Hill (Newton), 617-862-2352, and 103 Newbury St., Boston, 617-450-8388, simonpearce.com
FOR COUNTRY FOLK
Maintain that California coastal vibe through the holiday season with 10-inch-high natural wood nutcrackers marching across a mantel festooned with greenery and white lights. $17 at Piper & Chloe, Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water St., Newburyport, 978-255-1675, piperandchloe.com
As a trained musician and founder of Woodstock Chimes, Garry Kvistad has made sharing notes his life’s work. This Sea Glass Chime, composed of 13 blue and white wave-shaped pieces of frosted glass, is an abstract, modern take on a favorite beach house accessory. $32 at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, 781-259-8692, decordovastore.org
As decorative as it is functional, this ram-shaped bottle opener by Tesoro, made from hand-forged iron, looks great hanging from a nail on the wall or left out on the sideboard. It beats rifling through a junk drawer. $18 at December Thieves, 88 Charles St., Boston, 617-982-6802, decemberthieves.com
An apothecary-like vial shows off the seasonal green hue of Vapor Bath Elixir by Farmaesthetics. Two capfuls in a steaming tub creates a relaxing herbal soak for soothing sore muscles and relieving congestion. $42 for 4 ounces at Follain, 65 Charles St., Beacon Hill, 857-233-5211, follain.com
Fog Linen Work’s patchwork one-of-a-kind linen cloth has a country-feel with a major dose of sophistication. Drape one over a table for the holidays, or pack it up for a picnic come spring. $152 at Pod, 35 Sacramento St., Cambridge, 617-576-1600, shop-pod.com
FOR $25 AND UNDER
While hard-hitting spirits such as whiskey and gin have their places, potions starring low-proof liqueurs like elderflower and Aperol are on the rise. “Session Cocktails: Low-Alcohol Drinks for Any Occasion,’’ by Drew Lazor and the editors of online magazine Punch, presents 60-plus recipes for day drinkers and night owls. $18.99 at Wellesley Books, 82 Central St., Wellesley, 781-431-1160, wellesleybooks.com
Give plant lovers and puzzle meisters twice the fun. This 500-piece Succulent Garden jigsaw puzzle is double-sided, picturing two aerial views of the trending greenery. $15.99 at Daytrip Society, 4 Dock Square, Kennebunkport, 207-967-4440, daytripsociety.com
Cubes are so last year. Smash ice (and take out frustrations) with this heavy beechwood mallet and sturdy canvas ice bag by Viski Professional. The canvas material absorbs excess water, making for dryer ice. Good for impromptu slushies, too. $25.49 at Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens, 218 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-643-0842, derby-farm-flowers.com
The ancient art of smudging, which involves burning an herbal bundle, is said to clear negative energy. This large floral smudge stick by Catherine Rising, handmade from white sage wrapped with colorful rose petals and buds, is enticing even without the purported added benefits. $25 at Kestrel, 22 Masonic St., Northampton, 413-341-3115, kestrelshop.com
The Snake Block, designed by Clara von Zweigbergk for Areaware, is a fidget toy-meets-puzzle that balances form and function. Users manipulate 24 colorful wooden triangular pieces to create a sphere, a swan, and a fish, among other shapes. $19.95 at MIT Museum Store, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-324-2849, museumstore.mit.edu
Marni Elyse Katz blogs about design at StyleCarrot.com. Send comments to [email protected]. Subscribe to the Globe’s free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at pages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @globehomes.
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