15 days, people. Do you have your stockings stuffed and presents purchased? Or are you a big bunch of impoverished procrastinators like me? Well, hark, the herald angels are singing about all the (relatively) cheap and awesome gift ideas I’m about to post for your shopping pleasure. If your head is a swirlin’ with confusion because there is just too much stuff out there, then let me clear it up for you: buy this, that and the other. Details to follow.
Need an elegant gift for a decor junkie? Any of these quirky beauties will do in a pinch. Clockwise from top left: 1. Vintage French Bedside Carafe, $50, P.O.S.H. Chicago. 2. Eva Solo Glass Bird feeder, $55, Uncrate. 3. Flavour Design Udon Noodle Bowl, $28, ReForm School. 4. Gold Mustache Key Hook, $45, benfloeter at Etsy.
Or maybe this canine du jour Porcelain Pug by ag & kb will fill the hearts of your dog lover friends with happiness. $40, available via Poppytalk Handmade.
These soft and cuddly pillows make easy gifts for people with a voracious appetite for style. Clockwise from top left: 1. Terrier in Egg Chair (!), $35, by Designer Cushions via Etsy, 2. Piebald Polo Pony, $35, by Designer Cusions via Etsy, 3. Embroidered Wolf Cushion, $35, by alisonalison via Etsy, 4. Seargant Cushion, $35, by katrinakaye via Etsy, 5. Nordic Punch Knit Pillow, $42, Urban Outfitters, 6. Out For Blood Pillow, $35, by Grand Array via Etsy.
Help your loved ones keep track of time with this hand-printed letterpress calendar that’s sure to bring cheer to the new year. $40, by paperedtogether via Etsy.
Nothing says, “Welcome!” like some substantial hardware on the front door. Left: Large Ring Door Knocker in Antique Brass, $50, Restoration Hardware. Right: Vintage Lion’s Head Door Knocker, $45, BIN on Ebay.
Did I mention that I’m a little obsessed with door knockers right now? These Hand of Fatima style knockers are playful but laden with historical and cultural weight. Clockwise from top left: 1. Hand Door Knocker, $42, The French House. 2. Tiny picture of Hand and Ball Door Knocker, $32.99, Creative Direction Products. 3. (another tiny picture) Hand of Fatima Moroccan Brass Door Knocker, $32.99, BIN at Ebay. 4. Door Knocker Inspiration courtesy of Never in All My Life.
These simply beautiful Dovo Stork Scissors are the perfect gift for a crafty loved one. Made in Germany, the quality is sure to please. $29.50, Quilter’s Paradise.
Vintage Nesting Dolls are make charming gifts for the old and young alike. Use them as dolls, toys, or containers… hide some treasures inside. Matroyshka Doll Set, $35, White Elephant Vintage.
What would Christmas be without toys? For a fun loving individual, check out these gems: 1. Bow and Mallow Marshmallow Shooter, $29.99, Think Geek. 2. Lomography Pink Fisheye Camera, $48, Urban Outfitters. 3. Juno Cheeseburger Phone, $26, Fred Flare. 4. 3D Pig Anatomy Puzzle, $40, Unica Home.
For the kid at heart — or even just a kid! — Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are plush dolls are sure to put on a happy face. Moishe and Barnard, $40 for both, from Shop Rock Candy.
Dipping temperatures equate to a soaring lust for anything warm and fuzzy. Keep your pals under wraps with these stylin’ cabled goodies. Clockwise from top left: 1. Something I had to remove from Etsy. 2. Small White Cloud, $55, by super nice fellow Austinite rosetung via Etsy. 3. Cashmere Arm Warmers, $55, by Lauren Urstadt at Intermix. 4. Blue Alpaca Cowl, $35, by rosetung via Etsy.
A little bling never hurt a thing. This one goes out to all the ladies. Clockwise from top left: 1. Brass Arrow Necklace, $30, by Loyalty and Blood via Etsy. 2. Wildlife Necklace, $34, by luxedeluxe via Etsy. 3. Sterling Silver Forget Me Knot Ring, $50, ReForm School. 4. 14kt Tiny Treat Necklace in Cupcake or Pretzel, $50, Fred Flare.
Prints by Leah Giberson are perfect for your favorite swimfan… in fact, I know someone who would love these! $30 each, via Etsy.
Christmas stories don’t always end well… This print by Wilhelm Staehle from his Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre series shows what might happen to those who have been naughty instead of nice. $30 for a framed print of both images, available via The Bazaarium.
See something a special someone might like? Well, what are you still doing here?! A lot of these items are handmade and will surely sell out quickly. If you’re still looking for a gift with that super awesome wow factor, tune in tomorrow to see Karly’s roundup of gifts under $100. And don’t forget to check out Friday’s guide to gifts under a million… I know that’s what you and your wallet are really waiting for.
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Sometimes I feel like Etsy-folks are REALLY underselling their goods. Some of these handmade things are so inexpensive that it makes me a little sad. Presumably these artists and craftspeople want to make a living doing this, right? I mean, those scarves are priced like mass-produced stuff from Banana Republic…
Anyway, I love your guides. They’re the only ones I’ve been bookmarking stuff from! Now I just need to start ordering…
Thank you thank you. You seriously just solved 3 gift problems for me. I guess I’m shopping today!
Thanks, guys! Happy to be of service! Anna, I saw your pledge to buy handmade and Karly and I feel the same about spreading the love of one of a kind goodness far and wide. I totally hear what you’re saying about the prices on those scarves, but don’t worry… there are a couple for $150 that I, personally, am lusting after!
3 things:
1. i love that wolf pillow, but you know, i thought the background was part of it, so maybe i don’t love it as much as I thought.
2. i’ll take the out for blood one instead
3. i’ve seen those bear prints at the bottom 100 times and I just now got the joke. how lame is that?
ok, 4 things: A+ on the round up
wait, no, i want the sergeant pillow
The door knockers is a neat idea – practical and unexpected!
Seems that we are all lusting after the same things… I need that sergeant pillow, too! And I WILL buy myself a door knocker for Christmas this year.
You left no stone unturned. This is the greatest gift guide ever! Loving those door knockers…even though I live in a rental I’d consider putting one up. And I just adore the bird feeders, though I can see the mangy squirrels in my yard pulling it down in a second. Amazing finds!
These are some really cool gifts. Maybe I just need to know cooler people to give them to.
I’ve actually ordered a (different) print from Bazaarium, but haven’t received it yet.
Hi there, City Sage, welcome! Thanks so much for the kind words! We aim to please here at Design Crisis, so glad you found some cool gifts (or presents for yourself).
Cassie, I hear you. I don’t think my mom would appreciate the wacky Bazaarium print, even though she’s a neat lady. If nothing else, this is a holiday gift guide for myself!
heyyyyy! thank you for spotlighting me! that’s so awesome! good ideas here- i will mention this on my blog. sooo, then maybe someone will take the hint and hook me up with those bird scissors (which i’ve wanted for a long time), the french carafe, the cashmere armwarmers, the wild things, the…. and/or the… mmmyes… nice. much obliged!
-j.
Yokoo’s neck cozies rock my world, as does the entire Fred Flare website. Amy Sedaris used to make stuff for them, but I can’t find it on there anymore. Sadness.
Your accent pillow choices are soo-poirb! You know the supergraphics hold a special place in my heart.
Yokoo asked me to take her stuff down so… whatevs.
Amy Sedaris made stuff for Fred Flare????! Awesome.
Hi J, LOVE your knits cowls and soft cuddly goodness! Who doesn’t want to keep warm in the winter?
Yokoo, seriously? Girl, are you adverse to making money? I mean you must have a pretty hefty budget for hideous 1980s Kanye West wannabe glasses. And keeping your GreatClips stylist on retainer for that immaculate Dorothy Hamill bowl cut must cost a penny or two.
Pffft. Your scarves are acrylic anyway.
Yokoo’s neck warmers are sold out, that could be why she asked that you take it down.
Hmmmm… they still show to be in stock when I check her shop, but you’re right, Connie — it could totally be a supply issue.
Whatever, I’m with Raina. She still has other items to sell and I’ve never heard of anyone turning away free (good) press. Most people have to hire PR agents for that.
I think everyone in my family needs the marshmallow bow. Nothing says holiday or familial love like stalking each other around the house Christmas morn armed with a bag of Campfire mallows.
And that’s a little crazy about that etsy seller … geesh.
I had no idea that you could buy the Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre range! Thanks so much for pointing that out, I’ve added it to my Christmas wish list.
1. Hey – you are promoting my business – please stop at once. don’t get that. odd. but then, I’m not crafty. yet.
2. ERIN – CONGRATULATIONS! I saw you sneaking in the exciting news in a comment over at Raina’s place. Whoo-hoo to you!
Awww… thanks, Sherri!
oh, it’s because she only wants to design for superheroes like… the incredibles??? yokoo is edna mode, people. don’t you understand!? she only designs for gods. acrylic or not, they breath like egyptian cotton and are virtually indestructable, able to withstand temperatures up to FOUR HUNDRED DEGREES!
p.s. the bazaarium has my heart forever.
that was awesome, dude!