Gifts Most Welcome: Time is on your Side

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12 19 2011

Gifts Most Welcome

We make no judgments about those among us who have not crossed off every name on their Christmas list. What are the holidays without an extra serving of stress? But stay calm, there’s still time to do this right.

Most people in New York lack apartment space—they don’t need more clutter they need less. We’re not offering to help them rearrange their living rooms, but we do believe in indulgent gifts that disappear once you’ve consumed them. To wit: Maison du Chocolat truffles have never been turned down. Good olive oil is on topic, as is an elegant collection of tea. There’s no problem guessing somebody’s size, there’s no problem if they already have one—you can never have too many bottles of scotch.

Chateau d'estoublon Olive Oil Bergdorf Goodman Tea la maison du chocolat truffles

CHATEAU D’ESTOUBLON Olive Oil, 212 872 8872
BERGDORF GOODMAN BLEND Tea, 212 872 8872
LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT Truffles, 212 872 2758

Accessories are also welcome when they bring a little touch of luxe—a nice scarf goes a long way, but a nice cashmere scarf goes even further. People who don’t think gloves are appreciated probably haven’t had nice gloves. You know they’re nice when you don’t want to take them off.

Remember, a good gift doesn’t seem like a random shot in the dark. It shouldn’t feel like the first thing that caught your eye and you just happened to settle upon. It should be personal. If your best man likes wine, don’t just get a bottle at the corner store, splurge for a magnum. It will be greatly appreciated—and you’ll be invited to the party when he opens it. If that’s not enough, think how much better your present will be next to everybody else’s. That’s the spirit.

Don’t delay!
Enjoy free overnight shipping with BGHURRY

DAVID COGGINS is a regular contributor to Art in America and Artnet. His work has also appeared in Interview, Modern Painters, The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He is currently working on a book for Taschen. This holiday season, Mr Coggins will be elaborating upon the perilous art of gift giving with his weekly Gifts Most Welcome series here on 5th/58th. In addition, he’s our in-house scribe and usual tumblr contributor.