Cups of Cheer
Caroline Sanders Clements, associate editor
Despite the fact that the doors of my coffee mug cabinet can hardly close as is, these beauties from the North Carolina artist Maryfrances Carter are worth making room for. The blue and white designs are elegant as a set, but since every mug is hand-thrown, -fired, -painted, and -glazed, each has a personality of its own. $320 (set of four); ggfieldshop.com
Scattered, Not Shattered
Amanda Heckert, executive editor
My Waffle House order hasn’t wavered for twenty-five years: double hash browns, scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, and, since they added the option, peppered. At my local, in North Charleston, that’ll only set me back around $6. But now that I’ve discovered WH has a catalogue, those diner geniuses are about to get a lot more of my money. I’ll nab a coffee mug (I’ve always wanted one, but am too much of a goody-two-shoes to slip one into my purse) and have added this bold iPhone case, seemingly designed just for me, to this year’s wish list. $22; shop.wafflehouse.com
Perfectly Done
Julia Knetzer, art director
Mine is a family of foodies, but even so, when I gave everyone ThermoWorks DOT meat thermometers for Christmas last year, I got a few weird looks—that is, until we started cooking with them. Shortly after unboxing, we put my dad’s DOT to the test on our Christmas roast—you set the target temperature, and an alarm goes off when it is achieved—and out popped perfection. The easiest holiday meal in recent memory. I’ve spent an entire year with thermometer envy as my family has raved about their flawless meals. That’s why this year it’s at the top of my list. $45; thermoworks.com
Tempting Treat
Gabriela Gomez-Misserian, digital producer
After my school’s Christmas break, I’d always return to college with a shareable two-pound tin of milk chocolate Dottie’s Toffee from my hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina. It took every fiber of my being to avoid cracking open the delicious package of buttery, crunchy chocolate on my drive. But once I got back to my house with five college girls, we would be lucky if it lasted more than twenty-four hours. The handmade toffee is made from an old family recipe, and I’m hoping for my own bag to munch on this year. $47; dottiestoffee.com
Festive Spirit
David DiBenedetto, editor in chief
I’m an unabashed bourbon guy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a frigid gin martini or a fine sipping rum. As for the latter, I’m hoping to see a bottle of 21-year-old Frigate Reserve under my tree this year. Distilled in Panama, the rum is smooth and rich with just a touch of sweetness. Don’t add a thing to it except maybe an ice cube. $116, shopfrigatereserverum.com
Looking Forward
CJ Lotz, senior editor
During those quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s, I pull out a fresh calendar and pencil in anything I already have to look forward to: birthdays, concerts, tentative travel plans, and hopeful garden planting days. There’s no calendar more beautiful than the decoupage-loving designer John Derian’s, with its antique prints of butterflies, sea shells, and for my birthday month of May, a bouquet of roses. $16; bookshop.org
Lovely Layer
Elizabeth Florio, digital editor
This is feel-good fashion in more ways than one: Not only does the Nashville clothing brand ABLE partner with ethical manufacturers around the world to help lift women out of poverty, but its slouchy spin on the bomber jacket—perfect for mild Southern winters—gives all the cozy vibes. $140; ableclothing.com
Treasure Hunt
Emily Daily, newsletter editor
As an avid shell collector, I’ve been coveting a naturalist-guided boat tour with the Coastal Expeditions crew, particularly one focused on finding shark teeth. Founder Chris Crolley was one of G&G’s recently named Champions of Conservation and spearheads the organization’s mission of environmental education. Whether you’re a local or just cruising through the area, they offer plenty of unique opportunities for adventure seekers to explore the wild side of the Lowcountry—and learn a few things along the way. From $40; coastalexpeditions.com
Joyous Jewelry
Ally Sloway, social media editor
Hart Hagerty is a staple in the Charleston community—and for good reason. Her joyful and uplifting designs are a perfect present for the person who has everything. For the last few Christmases, I’ve gifted the ladies in my family one of her iconic “mama” charm bracelets or beaded bracelets. This year, my sister and I are getting each other a custom charm necklace. It’s guaranteed to jazz up every outfit, from a T-shirt and jeans to a dressy night out, plus we’ll be able to add on charms for future gifting events. From $60; harthagerty.com
The Best Kind of Zoom
Dave Mezz, deputy editor
I’ve been sorely lacking a quality pair of binoculars for too long, so this year I’m adding a pair from Maven to my wish list. G&G’s Wild South columnist T. Edward Nickens tipped me off to Maven. It’s a direct-to-consumer brand, which helps keep prices more reasonable as far as high-grade optics go. The B.3 packs the premium components of the original into a more compact frame and should be perfect to keep around my neck while hunting and as an all-around pair for spotting birds during trips to the woods. From $525; mavenbuilt.com
Welcome Home
Lindsey Liles, editorial assistant
Whenever I walk through my parents’ front door in Arkansas, the first thing that hits me is the smell of an Aromatique candle—my mom has been buying them for as long as I can remember, because she says it’s the only candle whose scent really lasts. The business started in the little Arkansas town of Heber Springs forty years ago, and this year it’s celebrating that anniversary with a beautiful gilded candle with notes of clove, orange, cinnamon, spice, and wood. I’m ordering one so that my own house will smell like home—and Christmas. $42; aromatique.com
Versatile Vessel
Haskell Harris, style director
I’m newly obsessed with this two-in-one pan from Le Creuset for Sur la Table because the “lid” is actually a separate saucepan as well, which means you can use them alone or together. I think it’s so smart and charming. $232; surlatable.com
Holiday gift guides from G&G:
>> Splurges for Someone Special
>> Gifts for Everyone on Your Nice List
>> Small but Mighty Picks Under $50
Also see:
>> The Winter Catalogue from Fieldshop by Garden & Gun
Garden & Gun has affiliate partnerships and may receive a portion of sales when a reader clicks to buy a product. All products are independently selected by the G&G editorial team.
