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Gathering with friends and family is one of the most meaningful rituals of the season. And although the most important thing to share will always be the gift of time and presence, it is also considered good form not to arrive at the party empty handed. A thoughtful token of appreciation celebrates the time, effort and expense required to host a seasonal soirée —and gratitude for including your name on the guest list!
Artisanal chocolates
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Chocolate Dispensary
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The classic choice. The Beach Girls Bundle, $55, from Chocolate Dispensary in Echo Park, packages artisanally sourced sweets from four of the area's noted female chocolatiers: Maya’s Brigadeiro in Sherman Oaks, Chocovivo in West Los Angeles, Beato Chocolates in Ojai and Moiré Cacao in Highland Park. And for the record — it’s not that kind of dispensary! This newly established small batch chocolatier deals in sugar highs only.
A pretty plant
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Courtesy Trader Joe’s
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Potted plants, succulents and flowers usher the beauty of nature inside. If you’re tempted to bring flowers, opt for something potted — it doesn’t require a busy host to find a vase and it will last longer! Always a favorite: A potted orchid, such as the one from Monrovia-based Trader Joe’s, $6.99 - $17.99.
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Resolution dolls
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Courtesy Tortoise General Store
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In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, traditional Japanese Daruma Dolls are believed to be a symbol of good luck and encouragement. According to custom, the recipient draws a dot on the doll’s blank left eye and places it as a reminder of set goals. Upon achieving the goal, the recipient marks a matching dot on the right eye in celebration. Minimalist, desktop-size Daruma dolls in traditional red or modernist black, $24 at Tortoise General Store in Los Angeles.
Handmade dinner bell
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Courtesy Tortoise General Store
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Help your host signal when dinner is served with a stylish handcrafted bell by Tomoro Pottery, $110-140. The one-of-a-kind ceramic bells are made in Los Angeles by artist Tomoko Morisaki. Inspired by imperfections found in nature, Morisaki aims to create simple, warm, comfortable pieces for daily use. As the old saying goes, Call me anything, just don’t call me late for dinner. Also available at Tortoise General Store.
Veggie-forward cookbook
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Courtesy HarperCollins Publishers
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Sun-Kissed Cooking: Vegetables Front and Center, $35, by Los Angeles-based “Top Chef” winner Brooke Williamson includes more than one hundred plant-based recipes (including cocktails!), organized by ingredient and complete with mouth-watering photography. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay said, “Brooke is one of America’s best chefs, period.” Perfect for the Food Network or Bravo fan on your gift list.
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Needlepoint kit
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David Robert Jones
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Everyone has that one, crafty friend. You know who they are. Gift the creative host or hostess with a thoroughly modern needlepoint project from Los Angeles-based LOOP Canvas. HTH x LOOP Idyllwild Bear Needlepoint kit, $68 available at Heather Taylor Home in Westwood.
Rainbow trivet
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Courtesy The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
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Show your love with a fair trade-certified rainbow-striped Heart Trivet, $24.95, handcrafted from sheep’s wool. The trivet is designed to hold everything from steaming tea kettles to piping hot platters — and steal your heart in the process. Available at The Huntington Store in Pasadena.
California ornament
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Courtesy The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
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Deck the halls with Golden State pride. Inspired by a vintage sheet music illustration circa 1913, the molded glass I Love You California Bear Hug ornament, $16.95, is hand painted and ready to trim any tree. Also available at The Huntington Store in Pasadena.
Gorgeous giftwrap
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Courtesy The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
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Friends help friends with holiday prep. The Still Life Gift Wrap book, $18.99 at The Huntington Store, includes twelve 19.5 inch x 27.5 inch sheets of high quality gift wrapping paper. The wrap features fine art prints from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and will be put to good use this holiday season and beyond. Bonus points for accessorizing your package with a roll of transparent tape, scissors and ribbon.
Stained glass coasters
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Mathew Scott
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Dinner and drinks? Yes, Please! Set of four handcrafted stained glass coasters, $78, by Pasadena-based artist Janel Foo. Cool, colorful and contemporary. (Note that these are currently sold out, but we expect them to be restocked soon.)
Glass catchall
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Ariel Gordon Jewelry
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So very thoughtful. An artisanal hand blown glass jewelry catchall, $98 by artist Maria Ida for Los Angeles-based Ariel Gordon Jewelry is a uniquely beautiful place to place one’s favorite bits and bobs.
Kitchen apron
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Courtesy Hedley & Bennett
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Whether you know a dedicated Trad Wife, a super stylish at-home chef, or someone who’s love language is cooking, the Essential Apron by Los Angeles-based Hedley & Bennett is a Michelin-worthy choice. French Blue Essential Apron, $105.
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Credits
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Editing and writing
- Rene Lynch, Gift Guide Editor
- Suzanne Levy, Gift Guide Editor
- Ross Brenneman, Education Editor
- Bonnie McCarthy, Freelance Writer
- Gab Chabrán, Associate Editor, Food and Culture
- Mariana Dale, K-12 Reporter
- Larry Mantle, AirTalk Host
- Laura Hertzfeld, Best Things To Do Reporter
- Julia Paskin, Host, All Things Considered, The L.A. Report P.M. Edition
Art
- Erin Hauer, Visual Designer
- Olivia Hughes, Illustrator
Other support
- Nubia Perez, Community Engagement Administration
- Sabir Brara, Digital Product Project Manager
- Chanelle Berlin Johnson, Director Audience Engagement
- Megan Garvey, Senior Vice President, News
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
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