11 Tiny Holiday Treasures

Our last mini checklist of gifts that go BIG on everyday decadence.

Today’s edition of A Tiny Apt. is affectionately sponsored by our friends at Sézane.

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It is no secret that I LOVE a practical thing—something smart and handy that becomes part of our everyday rituals, and making those things we do often a little easier…and maybe a little more magical.

My favorite hand-knit Brr scarf (from my friend the artist Alyson Fox) as well as this wonderful striped collarless shirt by Sézane.

But ALSO—like most of you—I love a shiny, sparkly, utterly fanciful ridiculous thing that feels rich + a tiny bit decadent. A thing that makes you feel tended to, pampered, and awakens us out of the winter doldrums, elevating its use and purpose to something almost sacred.

I mean…I LOVE THAT 🥹.

Merging the two—the ritual + usefulness with a potent dose of OOOH Yesss Pls! (I wish I could put that type in a COLOR Substack!)—is what my favorite (last-minute) holiday gift lists are made of. The kind of stuff we never seem to buy for ourselves, but probably should. So, that’s what this roundup offers today. A tight list of just 11 super-special treasures that are as functional as they are captivating. Things that you can buy for your favorite people but that you also might want to stash away for YOU (#7…I did!:)). Without further ADIEU—let’s get into it…

1. Magical Paper/Woven Garland—For Anyone/Anywhere.

As soon as I saw the one on the left by TOAST, I knew I wanted it for the cabin. In a perfect world I would have the time to try to make these with Raffi, but until that day comes, I like Toast’s options or R&D Goods/East End Press (center) for lending some cheer and colorful texture to your favorite person and/or doorway. To be fair, I am a bit of a garland freak (read: vtg Danish garland, above right), and the Mexican pom-pom one in our bedroom (below) makes my heart smile whenever I see it.

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2. A Beautiful + Extremely Dependable Hand Towel.

I collect hand and tea towels like my life depends on it. They are just the most reassuring thing ever while also making me notice the subtle joys of my hard-working kitchen/bathroom countless times a day. The ones I would be so happy to see rolled up in my stocking (or ANY time of year): This graphic one above from Boswell. Or, below, from top left: Tekla, GreenRow, Ferm Living, and Angela Adams.

3. Five Everyday Treasures I Chose from Sézane.

I’ve loved working with the wonderful people at Sézane for a few years now, and I was so excited when they asked me to choose a few of my favorite treasures for the holidays from their latest deliveries. What I love most about their designs is that they are truly the most natural link between comfort/coziness and modern style. They offer the feeling of things we’ve loved for a long time, which is why I chose pieces that feel timeless and a little luxe w/out any trendy/slickness whatsoever. Above: The small Traviata table lamp has the soothing effect of a mini hearth in our bedroom (especially at night when we’re getting ready for bed). Below, from top left: The organic cotton Ambre blouse is pure magic (and would make any older-fave trousers feel polished for a party); since learning how to use my vintage Italian Moka-maker, I got these lovely ceramic espresso cups to make those dark winter mornings a bit more festive; this plaid Lellan overshirt is timely for the Arctic weather we’ve been having + Kevin’s been wearing it daily layered under his puffer coat (I will be borrowing it myself); this ❤️ Chamade sweatshirt was a winner for Raf (just $75 and made of organic cotton, too).

4. A Good Luck/Good Vibes New Year’s Necklace.

For your BFF, boss/Chief of Staff, someone special who showed up this past year you’re just so grateful for: I love the red (definitely layered with gold/silver chains or pearls) or the multicolored glass beaded one solo, both by Sisi Joia via No. 6 Store, around $100 and have lovely sterling silver clasps, too. (Ack! Just saw the simple lariat at $88 ⬇️, too).

5. Charming Puppets That Double As ART + An Activity.

My favorite thing about these articulating puppet ornaments by Parcel is that you can spend a cozy afternoon at home assembling them with a friend or little one (maybe with my favorite kind of “home-made” gluten-free cookie warming in the oven).

6. A Year of Our Favorite Magazine—World of Interiors.

There are few things that feed my soul like this 40-year-old British interiors publication. When I lived alone I used to have a subscription, but after it lapsed, I realized there were so many older ones I wanted to discover, so I just started collecting them vintage (I love to snoop out the book/old mags section of thrift stores for them, as well). But for the first time in a long time, I asked Kevin to get me an annual subscription again. I realized instead of buying them in bits-n-bobs, why shouldn’t I KNOW WITH CERTAINTY I can look forward to this absolute happiness regularly?…and conveniently! And, I suspect a few of you feel exactly the same. Note, a visit to your local IRL newsstand is pretty terrific, as well (maybe WE should make a magazine??). PS: SLOFT ❤️✨.

7. THE Notebook. For Dreams, Goals, and Doodling.

I’m going to do a bigger newsletter dedicated to notebooks and 2026 agendas at the top of the year, but for now, I’m just going to suggest this very special hand-painted spiral notebook I jam-packed over the past year with writing, lists, and taped tears/ephemera, the A5 square notebook by the Iowa studio Moglea. What I love most about their notebooks is the spiral binding they use is EXTRA sturdy/doesn’t bend out of shape (and fuck up your paper!), and each notebook has envelopes neatly tucked in the back for collecting notes/clippings, etc. The new one they have (below) is WONDERFUL and I am ordered it for me and a friend (it just arrived and it’s perfect). ❤️ PS: You can monogram it, too:))

8. The Rachel Comey Bag that IS the HOLIDAY.

RC made a similar bag last year that I didn’t buy and I really regretted it. I added this new version called The Electric to my list so I don’t miss out again. I just love the idea of seeing it hanging on my bedroom doorknob as much as I would on my shoulder running to meet my friend/neighbor Amie for a 6 p.m. winter martini.

9. Spaghetti Dust—The Perfect 100% Fool-Proof Gift for ANYONE for about $10.

I have been keeping the last empty bottle of Spaghetti Dust that I bought from Isolina in bulk last year on my desk so I do not forget to put it in this year’s final gift guide. I swear, it’s perfect. It makes ALL ordinary supper prep extra special. It dazzles guests. The package is cute! Do like me and buy it in bulk and bring it to dinner parties tucked in tissue in your purse. The world will thank you.

10. Fingerless Gloves For ALL.

Come winter everyone is losing their gloves with absolute ZEAL. And anyone in your life would delight in receiving these handmade fingerless dexterous beauties from TOAST. I want them, too…in this color.

11. A Very Chic Art Kit For People Yearning to MAKE STUFF.

The people at Art Life Practice created the most alluring and compact kit of go-anywhere art supplies. By the time you read this, I will have brought mine on my writing retreat to Hotel Lilien…and I can’t wait to show you what I made with it. For the friends or person you love a lot who is really yearning to build something new next year or just spend more time using their hands, this would be a One and Only winner.

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Don’t forget, we have more lovely, useful, hella CHARMING gifts right here in our Tiny Gift Shop on ShopMy. As always, if you click on or buy anything from this newsletter, there is a chance we will earn a tiny commission (at no cost to you). And we really do appreciate it. See you soon for one final 2025 ATA edition next week…xxCb