The DIANI Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1

And just like that the holiday season is upon us, and I’m ready to help you tackle gift giving with ease. I’ve gathered all my favorites - some classics that are proven crowd pleasers and some new finds too. So here’s to kicking off the most wonderful time of the year with part one of The DIANI Holiday Gift Guide. Featuring stylish gifts for the host, the chef, those seeking screen-free time, and everyone in-between, this Gift Guide is packed with no-brainer offerings for you to explore and get your list checked off.

Feed their love for cooking with an assortment of gifts for the kitchen, starting with Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook. A personal favorite, this cookbook is packed with all the holiday classics, as well as edible gifts and new ways to love leftovers. Stock their kitchen with these chic and functional teak Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons, plus a handmade gold Pepper Mill with a steel grinding mechanism built to last.

Add some festive color to the chef's kitchen with this Apples & Pears Tea Towel, made from 100% cotton that is soft and absorbent. Enhance their kitchen décor, with this functional and sleek Marble Spoon Rest, and they will love the elegant look and feel of this Teak Serving Set. A perennial favorite, the Shell Bisque Pitcher is hand glazed and looks beautiful on any table setting or counter. 

James Beard award-winner Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables is my go-to cookbook when I need some veggie inspiration. It's filled with fascinating, delicious and easy recipes for beginner and seasoned cooks alike. A sustainable staple, this Bamboo Bowl is lightweight, great for indoor/outdoor use and comes in a variety of sizes. This multi-purpose Fruit Brush will keep both delicate and hard fruits clean, and for those on dish duty, I'm obsessed with this Kitchen Block, a natural, effective dish soap to scrub plates, pots and glassware.

The Bamboo Bowls also come in this smaller Mini Bowl size, which is perfect for kitchen use or serving nuts, dips or sauces. Adorn their tree with this Truck Glass Ornament, a beautiful gift topper or stocking stuffer. Similar to the other Pepper Mill, this one is handcrafted from gold and chrome and sure to elevate any kitchen or holiday table. A classic for cleaning potatoes, carrots, parsnips and more, this Vegetable Brush is one of my long-time favorites.

Lounge in luxury with some of my very favorite "feel good" gifts. First up, the super cozy Arizona Shearling Sandals. The incredibly soft footbed makes this pair a must for colder weather. This Chunky Turtle Sweater is made from 100% cashmere with an oversized fit and ribbed knit detailing, and one she will wear on repeat all through winter. Wrap her in the Chalet Square Scarf from Jane Carr, and keep her legs cozy and chic in the merino-blend Base Pant from Lauren Manoogian. 

Get her in the festive spirit with the Noel Candle, hand poured using natural soy wax with notes of clove, red currant, and sandalwood. Let her choose her favorite scent with the Maison Louis Marie Perfume Oil Discovery Set – which includes five bestselling fragrances (mine being Vallée de Farney). A felted fleece rug she can feel good about, the Pascal Living Rug is made using only the sheep’s wool, making it cruelty free, and one-of-a-kind. And what’s not to love about this charming handmade felt Dog Ornament, a sweet gift topper or stocking stuffer.

The Holy Night Nativity is a handcrafted holiday heirloom anyone on your list will treasure for years to come. It’s made with ceramic featuring the embrace of the sacred family to celebrate the wonder of the Christmas story. Warm her up from the inside out with this Vegan Drinking Chocolate, made from raw, organic and fair trade Peruvian Cacao infused with turmeric. Pair it with this Natural Handmade Tumbler so she can sip in style. For a warm drink with a kick, this Fine Drinking Chocolate from 24 Blackbirds of Santa Barbara makes a decadent cup of hot chocolate with a cayenne pepper twist.

Ditch the electronics and gift this new Vintage Tree Puzzle, which features 1000-pieces with scientific images of trees. Alternatively, this 500-piece Santa Claus Vintage Puzzle isn't as time intensive but just as fun. A modern twist on a classic game, this Lacquer Tic Tac Toe is the perfect luxury piece to add to their collection. Dim the lights and opt for the Pina Light, a rechargable LED table lamp that is wireless and portable.

Reading just got a lot more chic with the Hooper Reading Glasses. The wire frame is super lightweight and the anti-reflective lenses block 45% of harmful blue light. The Celestial Flowers Notebook is a lovely way to jot down thoughts and get inspired. Bring game night back with this nautical-themed deck of Navigator Playing Cards. And for those that want to learn a thing or two, How To Do Things brings humor to doing things the "old fashioned way." 

The Voyager Playing Cards were inspired by the spirit of adventure and are perfect for quiet evenings at home, travel and family game night. Update her eyewear with the super chic Miklos Reading Glasses. The bold frame works on small and large faces alike and the lenses block 45% of harmful blue light. A New York Times bestseller, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse is a wonderful read for all ages as it explores life's universal lessons. And to top off the gift, this Car Glass Ornament is festive and fun. 

The Elements Of A Home shares fascinating stories behind more than 60 household objects – a charming gift for anyone who loves design, history or décor. For the garden lover, The Scentual Garden explores fragrances in the garden, from plants and shrubs to trees and flowers. Pair this book with my favorite Pruning Shears. And for the health conscious, The Ultimate Guide For Eating For Longevity shares how to integrate healthy eating habits into your lifestyle for a balanced sense of wellbeing.

Ease her mind this holiday season with the Breu Resin Bundle, a set of six palo santo sticks used in healing rituals to invite good energy. Pair it with this handmade ceramic Incense Holder. Channel the healing energy of the heart with this beautiful Brazilian Quartz Crystal. And to further align, The Untamed Elemental is an oracle deck inspired by the elements of Mother Earth to connect you to your body, mind and spirit, and the spirit of the seasons and is perfect for both men and women.

I'm obsessed with this Rice Wax Candle Gift Box, it includes a set of handmade Japanese meditation candles each with a burn time of 40 minutes. Lighting one is a lovely way to relax and unwind at the end of the day. My current read is What I Know Now: Letters To My Younger Self, a collection of letters written by famous women to the women they once were – I highly recommend it. This Restorative Floral Bath takes soaking in the tub to the next level, and a beautiful Brazilian Quartz Crystal will give her home all the positive vibes heading into the New Year.

The Singing Bowl is an old fashioned, hand-hammered Thadobati bowl from Tibet. Its beautiful sound is the first step to helping guide a meditation. Another way to begin a meditation practice is lighting this Wild White Sage. It's used ceremonially by Native Americans, as well as to cleanse and calm a space. I use it with this ceramic Smudge Bowl. One of my favorite stress remedies, the Shatavari Elixir from Sun Potion supports reproductive health, digestion and energy.

Treat the host with the most with my very favorites for her tabletop, home and shoe collection. First up, these 16" Square Tapers are made from 100% pure beeswax and look lovely at the dining table paired with these Antique Brass Candlesticks. To set the table, my go-to Stone Washed Linen Napkins in stripe print from The Stone Jug Collection adds a casual elegance folded into these Cane Napkin Rings. 

A noteworthy addition to any celebration, this Crystal Champagne Coupe is made using a traditional mouth-blowing glass technique. A best-selling favorite that has a permanent place in my home, the handmade Chamberlin Platter can be used as a serving dish or as a place setting. This Crystal Soda Glass can be used solo or paired with other glasses at a table. And for some recipe inspiration, Old World Italian captures Mimi Thorisson's culinary journey through Italy. Every recipe is yum! 

A sweet set of Wee Pine Cone Candles will add a festive touch to any table or mantle in the home, paired with the Oh Christmas Tree Long Matches. And to give her feet a bit of sparkle, the Margi Bow Heels will become her statement heels for holiday parties. Lastly, adorn her Christmas tree with this vintage-inspired Deer Ornament made of glass with glitter detailing.

A little bit of everything for everyone, The DIANI Holiday Gift Guide features my curated collection of holiday gifts to help make shopping simple and fun. It's hard to pick favorites, which is why I had to break this gift guide into two parts. So stayed tuned next week for part two, as we welcome in the holiday season!

Sending lots of love,