Giving the gift of home decor can be a bit of a gamble. Do you base your gift choice on your hostess’ known love of garden gnomes? Or her devotion to home brewing? Would your present of a chicly framed Metallica poster kill Grandma’s mellow vibe? Or be brilliantly counterintuitive?
Put those cares aside. If it’s a home-themed gift you need, these three ideas will more than cover your bases, from treats for a neighborhood host to a big ticket gift for your sister — even if her Hummel collection is a lot to work around.
Go vintage in the kitchen
If you have a great cook to buy for, you’re lucky in more ways than one — an avid cook can be an easy-to-please gift recipient. The simplest get? Amazing ingredients from a gourmet shop or online source such as Dean &Deluca (deandeluca.com) or Blackberry Farm (blackberryfarm.com). But the added attraction of a one-of-a-kind touch is also easy to achieve: Just head to your nearest antique mall or thrift shop, where kitchen items with vintage style are yours for the picking.
Focus your shopping on items that are in abundant supply. Serving pieces such as platters frequently end up in thrift stores, as does glassware. Look for interesting details that make a piece stand out. Try glassware in small sets — a collection of clear glass mugs in different shapes, one for each member of a family, plus a 6-pack of great root beer (and maybe some ice cream?) could launch a new family tradition.
Use your imagination. Explore ideas beyond the original use of an item. A cool, 1970s ice bucket makes a fun cookie jar. Vintage items can also become clever packaging for smaller gifts — a teacup might be the perfect package for a small homemade treat.
Choose your sides. Let a vintage item be a launching pad for your gift idea, adding food items, special condiments, or other kitchenware (a set of beautiful salad servers, plus a new, modern bowl in a great color). If appropriate, throw in a cookbook or a treasured recipe of your own.
Go chic in the living room
A gift that lands in the living room has to be a looker. Our tip? Go for a simple, modern tray.
Choose something simple but beautiful, so that it mixes easily with any interior. Any of Alessi’s rectangular Vassily trays ($160 to $225 at store.alessi.com), created by Italian industrial designer Giulio Iaccheti, would look right at home on a coffee table, side table or ottoman. We’re particularly fond of the stainless steel version with a polished mirror surface and handles in white thermoplastic resin. Tres chic!
Emphasize utility. Feel free to point out that you don’t expect your gift to be left out on display — unless they love it so much they can’t bear to put it away. Leave it lying around, or bring it out now and then: Either way, a tray is the perfect place to set a drink, serve hors d’oeuvres, stack magazines, store coasters/remote controls, display flowers or candles and more.
Go comfortable in the bedroom
Nothing pulls a wintertime bedroom together like a soft, cozy blanket. And an investment in quality bedding is something that can be appreciated again and again — it’s a treat that’s an actual life-changer.
Go for the upgrade. Choose a blanket in quality wool or organic cotton to bring a hit of luxury into the room where they’ll come into close contact with it every day.
Don’t be afraid of pattern. Since a blanket can either be left out or tucked away in layers of other bedding, you don’t have to fret about matching. Pick something that catches your eye, whether neutrals for a friend who loves a calm palette, or a bold color for someone who likes to make a splash. Woolrich’s jacquard-woven flock of sheep blanket ($190 at woolrich.com) does double duty: It’s both comfy — composed of 95 percent fine-grade soft wool — and visually interesting. Stamped with Woolrich’s iconic sheep logo, it features a classic and fun pattern without veering too far into cutesy. The blanket comes in “natural” and “old red,” but we’re partial to the latter, which could add a festive punch of color to a neutral-colored room. Other tried-and-true blanket outposts include Pendleton, Fairibault and Brahms Mount.
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