holiday gifts

The Luxist Gift Guide for Spoiled Pets

Filed under: Pets

While every fashionable poodle worth her pastel hair bows knows that nothing beats the gift of a forever home and a reliable bowl of kibble, human companions have long sought ways to help Fido and Fluffy experience a little holiday cheer -- and that certainly doesn't include a taste of the bubbly. As such, we here at Luxist have some recommendations for pet products that set our whiskers twitching.

1) Smart Interactive Toy for Dogs -- a Nina Ottosson puzzle toy, recommended by Victoria Stilwell on Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" show. $54.95. Dogs need to be intellectually challenged, just like our human children. Teaching them to problem solve will go a long way toward building self-confidence. And should you not be blessed with a canine Einstein, we guarantee you'll be amused for hours watching your goofy Golden figure out how to find the treat you stashed under one of the little wooden pegs. Just be careful that Dumbo doesn't start chewing the wood. Available from various retailers, including Poochie Heaven.

Tags: animals, dogs, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, pets

Continue reading “The Luxist Gift Guide for Spoiled Pets”

GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Books

If you're looking for an interesting and unique gift for the Muhammad Ali fan or sports memorabilia collector on your holiday list you should find out if they have a copy of GOAT (Greatest of All Time): A Tribute to Muhammad Ali. The massive tribute collection created by Taschen is not brand new to the market but remains a great holiday gift (or personal splurge?) nevertheless considering it's an exclusive collector's piece and numbered editions are still available. With a $15,000 price tag it's only for the most serious of collectors but this unique book includes over 3,000 photographs, art, and memorabilia and includes several gallery quality prints and the sculpture "Radial Champs" by Jeff Koons. Packaged in a white and pink (the color of Ali's first Cadillac) silk-covered clamshell box and signed by both Jeff Koons and Muhammad Ali, The "Champ's Edition" is limited to just 1,000 individually numbered copies.

Source

Tags: art books, coffee table books, holiday gifts, jeff koons, muhammad ali

Kelly Van Halen Launches Cashmere Travel Blanket with Fred Segal

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Given that we live in a time when we are all busy reinventing ourselves, perhaps it's not such a stretch that interior designer Kelly Van Halen is launching a line of cashmere travel blankets. Van Halen, who went from being hard rock drummer Alex Van Halen's second ex-wife to being a real estate developer, house flipper, interior designer, and now blanket designer, will be selling her soft-as-can-be cashmere travel blankets exclusively at Fred Segal.

The blankets are the first product in the new line designed by KellyBaron -- the company named after Van Halen and her partner Baron Rogers -- that will be carried by the up-end Fred Segal stores.. The 4"x6" blankets come in matching 8"x10" silk-lined cases that look like pillows. The cashmere used is of superior quality and is 287 grams, or two-ply cashmere. The label is crafted in cashmere as well. Retail price is $425.

Tags: alex van halen, cashmere, fred segal, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, kelly van halen, kellybaron, travel blanket, van halen

Continue reading “Kelly Van Halen Launches Cashmere Travel Blanket with Fred Segal”

$10,000 Skull Cufflinks & More from Ralph Lauren for the Holidays

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

Ralph Lauren is offering a number of exclusive, ultra-luxurious gifts this holiday season, starring an eye-popping pair of skull cufflinks for $10,995. The luxe links, with a skull in a top hat motif, are finished in white gold with diamond eyes. The designer's new Holiday Collection encompasses chic decorative accents, entertaining accoutrements and luxurious travel accessories. Iconic tartans, a signature palette of cashmere cable-knits and rich velvets have a classic appeal, while items like the cufflinks and crystal barware appeal to a more modern sense of sophistication.

The skull motif also appears on a velvet throw pillow for $195 and even a cashmere dog sweater at $115. Other items of note include tartan leather bags and accessories for both men and women, including a men's Cooper Bag at $3,995; a women's Tiffin Bag in black alligator for $16,995; retro style sunglasses finished in red tartan for $375; and exclusive timepieces priced from $17,500 – $32,000. In addition, RalphLauren.com will be offering multiple programs under the RL Custom Boutique for the ultimate in personalization, while the designer's Gift Vault site features a collection of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from $650 - $55,000.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Holiday 2010

Tags: cashmere, cufflinks, diamond, gifts, gold, Holiday 2010, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, holidays, mens style, Ralph Lauren, sunglasses, timepieces

Juicy Couture's Diamond Zipper Pull For Holiday 2010

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

For Holiday 2010, Juicy Couture has dreamed up a new treat for fans of the brand's tracksuit which is distinguished by the signature "J" zipper pull. Beverly Hills jeweler Martin Katz created a limited edition diamond encrusted "J" pull for the iconic tracksuit. The pull is made of 18-karat white gold and pave set with one carat total weight of diamonds. The J-pull comes in a specially designed box and will be sold as a gift with purchase. The diamond J-pull can replace the traditional shiny nickel "J" pull, or be worn on a necklace or charm bracelet.

"We are thrilled and flattered, to collaborate with such a vibrant and iconic brand as Juicy Couture," said Martin Katz. "Our diamond "J" pull is made with the same quality and attention to detail as our one-of-a kind jewels, and we hope that will be just as envied and desired."

Juicy Couture flagships and JuicyCouture.com will carry just 100 of the limited-edition pieces. The diamond "J" pull will retail for $1000 and is now available.

Tags: diamonds, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, juicy couture, juicy couture tracksuit, martin katz

Mad about Mosaics

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Art

When artist Sybil Sage made one of her mosaic vases for food writer Ruth Reichl, she did her homework. Many of the picture frames, planters, candlestick holders, lamps and vases Sage designs are customized to reflect the person who will display it. For Reichl's vase, she nipped shards from plates with pictures of vintage food-can labels. For a well-known flutist, she found antique French opera plates, The mosaic style Sage uses is called "pique assiette" which loosely translates as "broken plate." But Sage's work is far from traditional.

Tags: broken plate mosaic, holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts, mosaic, mosaics, sybil sage, vases

Continue reading “Mad about Mosaics”

Pricey Handmade Chess Set Made Entirely of Legos

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Art

Chess is a sophisticated game that often lends itself to rare and expensive materials but for this version designer Derek Seiple chose to create a chess set out of common plastic black and white Legos. LEGOs might be common (who hasn't build a Lego fortress at some point in their lives?) but what they lack in intrinsic value they seem to more than make up for in nostalgia and collectability (as Wired pointed out this set costs more than a Macbook Air). The design takes almost 4000 lego bricks to create and the board is made using a special "no studs on top" technique so the squares have a smooth surface. The board measures 22 3/4" square by 1" thick and the King stands 4 1/2" tall. Each set is made to order and can be done in any color combination, with a lead time of about three weeks. Order now for the Lego-lover on your Christmas list. $1,295

Gallery: LEGO Chess Set

Source

Tags: board games, chess, games, gifts, holidash, holiday gifts, lego, legos

Harry & David Launches Pop-Up "Orchards"

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Harry & David is a gift-giving tradition around the holidays. This year the company famous for its fruit and other mail-order delectables is opening up "pop-up orchards" in neighborhoods around the country. The stores were inspired by Harry & David's home in Oregon's Rogue River Valley and feature Harry & David's new customizable options, such as the "Create Your Own" Bento Box, in addition to Harry & David favorites including new flavors of Moose Munch snacks. The holiday collections will feature exclusive wines, artisanal cheeses, baked goods and of course, fresh fruit. Harry & David is also offering special pricing at the rate of $19.34 on select holiday items to commemorate their anniversary year.

"We're absolutely thrilled to launch our Pop-Up Orchard concept just in time for the holiday season," says Steve Heyer, who has the title of Chief Happiness Officer. "It's a unique platform for us to share our rich brand heritage and showcase our farm-to-table expertise while engaging with consumers across the country's most bustling cities for the first time."

The stores will be open through January 2011. A store locator is available on the Harry & David website. Locations include the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia; at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, Georgia; at Beachwood Place in Cleveland, Ohio; at Cherry Creek Mall in Denver, Colorado and on Greenwich Ave in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Tags: christmas gifts, harry and david, harry david, holidash, holiday gifts, holidays

Petrossian's Caviar Holiday Experience

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Caviar purveyor and Luxist Reader's Choice winner, Petrossian has created a new luxurious feast, the American Caviar Holiday Experience. This package includes four varieties of American Caviar, caviar complements, chocolate truffles and a bottle of white wine.

Two of the caviars in the American Caviar Holiday Experience, the Royal Transmontanus Caviar and Alverta Caviar, are sustainable caviars, taken from White Sturgeon grown in the Stolt Sea Farm in California. The package also includes Hackleback Caviar and Chataluga Prestige, harvested wild from rivers in Tennessee and Illinois. The wine, Chateau Olivier White 2005 Pessac Leognan, was selected by Petrossian's sommeliers to accompany caviar. Petrossian also adds in creme fraiche and blini. For dessert, the Petrossian's Chocolate Truffle Sampler features flavors like Salted Butter Caramel, Chile-Limon Mayan Truffle, and Lime with Coconut and Ginger. This package retails for $537 and includes free shipping.

Source

Tags: american caviar, AmericanCaviar, caviar, holiday feast, holiday gifts, HolidayFeast, HolidayGifts, petrossian

Luxist Gift Guide 09: Yo-Yo Ma 30 Years Outside the Box & Giveaway

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Holiday Guides

There's classical music and then there's Classical Music. Yo-Yo Ma defined the latter, carving out best-in-class recordings for the entire history of classical music. Now fans of this musical genius are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the definitive collection.

Yo-Yo Ma 30 Years Outside the Box, out now from Sony Music, features a mind-blowing 90 CDs, every original album Yo-Yo Ma has recorded to date (including 15 Grammy award winners) and two bonus discs featuring the first release of John Williams' Suite from Memoirs of a Geisha for Cello, all entirely re-mastered with DSD technology. The limited-edition, numbered set comes packaged in a velvet-lined cello box complete with a beautiful hard-bound book full of rare archival photos, essays and more.

Yo-Yo Ma created modern classical music, collaborating with artists from Bobby McFerrin to Mark O'Connor and Edgar Meyer, to recording his interpretations of an entire genre of music, with his groundbreaking Obrigado Brazil record. Throughout his career he has worked to bring classical music to young people. Such an extraordinary collection only befits such a legendary man. Give the music lover on your list this amazing collector's set, and trust us, they'll be set for life.

The entire collection retails for $789.98 and is available from Amazon.

We're giving away one lucky Luxist reader a selection of our top five favorites (total value $98.93):

Brahms: The Piano Quartets

Beethoven: Complete Sonatas for Cello and Piano, Vol. 1

Bolling: Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio

Mozart: Divertimento, K. 563

Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams

To enter, leave a comment below on your favorite composer Yo-Yo Ma has recorded. Hint: It's basically all of them. Winners will be randomly selected. Contest ends Friday, December 18th at 7 PM EST. Good luck!

Some other important details:

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before December 18, 2009 at 7:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive five albums from the collection, a total value of $98.93.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete contest rules here.

The contest is now closed.

Tags: box set, BoxSet, cds, giveaway, holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, music, yo yo ma, YoYoMa

Wilderness Shot Glasses

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Holiday Guides

These wilderness shot glasses would be a great gift someone who has everything. These detailed glasses are made of black glass with a metal head. They are shown in an upright position here but each head is designed to serve as a base for the glass as well. The choices include a rhino, a bull, a deer or a bear and sell for $30 each.

Source

Tags: holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, shot glasses, ShotGlasses, wilderness

Sketchbook Pottery from Luna Garcia

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides, Children

When I was a child, my favorite plate was my Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit place from Royal Doulton. Today's young diners might fall in love with this bunny plate, part of the Sketchbook Pottery series from Luna Garcia. The Sketchbook series features intricate illustrations drawn in underglaze and then covered with a clear gloss glaze. This plate sells for $48 and can be personalized with a name and birthday under the bunny.

Source

Tags: gifts for children, GiftsForChildren, holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, pottery, sketchbook pottery, SketchbookPottery

Recycled Bullet Casing Earrings

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

These bullet earrings are a new twist on recycling that might be a great gift for eco girls with an edge. The earrings are sterling silver hoops with found reclaimed brass bullet casings from the mountains of Colorado. Each pair is unique and sells for $125 from Cake Jewelry.

Source

Tags: earrings, gifts, holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, jewelry

Fluid Forms Custom Made Streets Clock

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Holiday Guides

This custom clock would certainly make a good gift. Why? Well for one anything that is "custom" implies that you inserted that appreciated degree of personal touch. Which instantly makes a gift emotional and unique. At the same time it is functional. I mean who doesn't have space for just one more wall clock. Then, you can make the clock sentimental to the recipient, by choosing a city streets map that means something to them. Whether it is of a city live in, a city they miss, or where they were from. All good choices.

Fluid Forms is a site where you can get all sorts of custom made things, and this clock is one of them. I am not totally sure how it works, but you choose not only the city, but the proper segment of the map that you want to have as the backdrop to the clock. You then choose the material (wood or acrylic), one of many colors available. About $181 later (plus shipping) you can get the clock. It is made in Austria, and the quartz movement is apparently German. Designer John Briscella will go over the final design in detail with you before it gets made.

Learn more or get one at Fluid Forms here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: christmas gifts, ChristmasGifts, city, clock, custom, Fuild Forms, FuildForms, gift ideas, GiftIdeas, holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, map, streets, wall

Miss Feeney's Candy Cane Tie

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Holiday Guides, Men's Style

It's time for the annual reappearance of the Christmas tie, the holiday standard often seen at holiday parties and around the office this time of year. Miss Feeney's Finery takes this tradition and adds a little fun. The brand has a whole line of silk ties that are formal on the outside but flip over to reveal a vintage pinup illustration on the inside. Their Candy Cane tie features a pin-up girl dressed as Santa's helper. The crimson Candy Cane tie sells for $85. Check out their whole line of ties and a fedora or two on the Miss Feeney's website.

Source

Tags: holiday gifts, holiday tie, HolidayGifts, HolidayTie, miss feeneys, MissFeeneys, tie

← Previous Page|Next Page →

holiday gifts

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL