gift guide Archives - StyleCarrot

Gift Guide: 25 Last Minute Gifts You Can Get At the Mall

It’s two days before Christmas. Are you panicking over last minute holiday gifts? We celebrate Chanukah in our home, so not only am I finished buying, we’re just about through with our eight nights of giving. If you do the whole Christmas celebration thing, you’re probably required to come up with a whole slew of presents for friends and family. It’s now officially too late to order online unless you’re willing to pay exorbitant overnight shipping costs, and even then, it’s risky. So, off to the mall it is. Here are 25 last minute holiday gifts you can pick up at the mall and/or the free-standing chain stores in town.

S H O P P I N G
1 Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker, $129.99 at Target.
2 Brass Love Object Paperweight, $29 at West Elm.
3 Back-Zip Pullover Sweater, $69.50 at Madewell.
4 Pagoda Salt & Pepper Shakers, $34.99 at Jonathan Adler.
5 Downing Embossed Leather Clutch, $88 at J.Crew.
6 Nate Berkus Faux Fur Stripe Pillow, $29.99 at Target.
7 Magical Thinking T-Bar Jewelry Stand, $34 at Urban Outfitters.
8 Gilded-Edge Agate Coasters,$98/set at Anthropologie.
9 Buttery Leather Satchel Crossbody Bag, $100. at Gap.
10 Oh Joy! Acacia Serving Board, $19.99 at Target.
11 Pascale Monvoisin Georgia Ring, $125 at Club Monaco.
12 Pop Art Dry Erase Calendar, $19.99 each at The Container Store.
13 Tom Dixon Eclectic Mini Candle Gift Set, $120 at Anthropologie.
14 Ribbed Cashmere Hat, $78 at J.Crew.
15 Fuse Sweatshirt, $71.99 at Athleta.
16 Space Age Floral Crystal Studs, $58 at Kate Spade.
17 Printed Tablet Case, $33.99 at Gap.
18 Glass Bud Vases, $14 each at West Elm.
19 Marc Jacobs Beauty Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl , $28 at Sephora.
20 Fujifilm INSTAX Instant Smartphone Printer, $199 at Urban Outfitters.
21 Ray-Ban Sunglasses, $104.95 at Sunglass Hut.
22 Selvedge Japanese Chambray Utility Shirt, $98 at J.Crew.
23 Chemex Classic Drip Coffee Maker, $34.95 at Sur La Table.
24 Dipped Leather Bill Holder, $128 at Jack Spade.
25 Mauviel Copper Butter Warmer, $90 at Williams-Sonoma.

Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

Nothing like waiting until (almost) the last minute to find a Mother’s Day gift, let alone put together a Mother’s Day Gift Guide. I usually order fresh flowers, which are easy, last minute proof, and a special treat (though kinda pricey.)

I was born on Mother’s Day, so I spent many years worrying that I was going to be cheated out of a holiday. Turns out we don’t make a big deal about Mother’s Day, though I do insist we honor it in some way, just in case my sons’ future wives expect a fuss. Last thing I want to do is raise boys that badmouth honoring moms. It’s actually nice that my birthday falls around that time, because it makes both occasions a lot more meaningful.

I especially didn’t want the boys to be at preschool and elementary school and spread the word that it’s a Hallmark holiday, and therefore not important, etc. I can just imagine the call I would get from the school. Believe me, there have been similar occurrences regarding the tooth fairy. I kid you not. And here I thought it was discussions of God that we told them to avoid. Who knew.

I always send my mother-in-law flowers for Mother’s Day. Winston Flowers in Boston does an amazing job finding florists in other areas that align with their aesthetic. I send my own mother flowers too, though sometimes it’s cookies or brownies from a local (very yummy) company Dancing Deer. If I were to buy them non-consumable presents, or get tokens of appreciation for friends, I’d opt for sweet, design-y things, like the ones arrayed here, and above in Mother’s Day Gift Guide Part Deux. Trinket boxes or trays, bubble bath, a breezy scarf, pretty notebooks, an art print, bud vase, canvas tote, or straw clutch. (Feel free to use this as a birthday present guide too.)

It might be too late to order some of these (though not all!), but hopefully it will at least give you ideas so you can get into a store and shop efficiently.

S H O P P I N G

1. Fresh Flowers Beautiful Mother’s Day Range

2. Sweet Pea Vanity Tray

3. Macaron Trinket Boxes

4. Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration

5. Honeycomb Earrings

6. Library of Flowers Arboretum Bubble Bath

7. Pink & Grey Ombre Scarf

8. Palm Cover Up

9. Garden Under Glass Terrarium

10. Gold Flecked Cork Monogram Jewelry Box

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Gift Guide: Presents for Guys Under $50

Guys are always the hardest to shop for (read my friend Jenna’s trial and tribulations of buying for her husband), but there are actually a decent number of options out there once you start to search. Sure, they’re not necessarily showstoppers, but I’m not sure guys have the kind of expectations we do. Jewelry! A romantic getaway! A new puppy! Chances are, these aren’t on his mind. My husband is more than thrilled with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. How easy is that?

S H O P P I N G

1 Bookman LED Bicycle Light

2 CHUP Socks

3 Winter Cocktails

4 Bananagrams

5 The Veggie-Lover’s Sriracha Cookbook

6 Norm Corkscrew & Vacuum Pump

7 Navy Plaid Handkerchief

9 Jack Black Triple Cushion Shave Lather

10 Retro Digital Flip Clock

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Gift Guide: Pet Presents

If your furry little guy is your baby, or you’re visiting a friend where four-legged creatures rule, chances are you’ll be purchasing at least one pet present this season. (One item of my son’s list was a leash and harness for our Oakley, our cat. Needless to say, we spared Oakley the ordeal.) Here are ten cute suggestions of what to buy the cat, dog, or pet owner who has everything.

S H O P P I N G
1 Jax & Bones Coil Pillow Bed
2 Moppets Plush & Rope Dog Toy
4 West Paw Design Mouse Toy
5 ModKat Litter Box
6 Energy Pyramid Cat Teepee
7 Olive Cookie Treat Gift Set
8 Canvas Pet Tote
9 Alpaca Hairy Dog Sweater
10 Green Greek Key Dog Bowl

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Gift Guide: Marimekko Stocking Stuffers

Don’t wait until the last minute and stuff junk into the stocking. Take some time to find a few treasures. Marimekko has lot of colorful stocking stuffers, including iPhone cases, pouches, potholders, umbrellas, gloves, scarves, mugs, and more.