TRUTH BE TOLD, I haven’t been to Paris in far too long (hint, hint), but that hasn’t diminished my obsession with French artistry, quality, and sophistication. If you want to be truly inspired in your gift-giving, there’s no better muse than the global capital of chic. Here are my picks with a certain je ne sais quoi for everyone on your list, from canines to colleagues.
APTWARE MARBLE CERAMIC VASE BY REBECCA UDALL
Aptware, the iconic faience handmade using centuries-old techniques in Apt, France, features a beautiful marbleized pattern. This vase is unusual in its coloration—and will look just as stunning sans flowers.
$260, rebeccaudall.com
HAND-GLAZED CERAMIC BRAIDED BOWL BY MAISON PICHON UZÈS
This eighth-generation maker in Uzès, France, crafts distinctive braided bowls and baskets from coils of clay in a process that takes up to a month to complete. It would instantly elevate a kitchen counter or dining table.
$445, abask.com
PARISIAN PUP SHIRT IN BRETON STRIPE BY ST. JAMES
Your dog will be the chicest chien on the block in this classic navy-and-white striped sailor’s shirt. St. James has been knitting Breton fishermen’s jerseys in Normandy since 1889. The heavyweight cotton shirt comes in seven sizes to fit your pup to a T.
$85, us.st-james.com
ZODIAC CANDLE BY MAISON LA BOUGIE
If you’re in NYC, a visit to Printemps— the venerable French department store’s first U.S. outpost, with its incredible design by Laura Gonzalez—is a must. A perfect souvenir would be this zodiac candle in your recipient’s star sign, made using fragrances from Grasse.
$143, us.printemps.com
BRIDES DE GALA EN FLEURS SCARF BY HERMÈS
French women are well-known for their effortless élan with a scarf. This floral interpretation of the classic 1957 Hermès design of horse bridles and harnesses would brighten even the most mundane winter coat. (And check out the videos on the Hermès site for styling tips!)
$620, hermes.com
FLEUR DE SEL NOIRMOUTIER BY LES TERRES BLANCHES
Harvested by hand on the island of Noirmoutier in France, this sea salt’s small, even grain makes a superb finishing salt. The ceramic pot is lovely enough to leave out on the counter, with a cork lid that allows it to breathe.
$35, hudsongracesf.com
Un Air De Jazz Scented Candle BY BIENAIMÉ
Bienaimé is a revived French brand prized for its elegant Art Deco designs and natural ingredients. This candle, in a chic gold-edged ceramic vessel, is scented with woodsy notes of cedar, clove, and cardamom balanced with hints of rose and vanilla.
$135, gardenheir.com
BEARD BRUSH BY OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY
He’ll be babying his beard in style with this boar-bristle brush with a beechwood handle, which can be personalized with initials or a first name.
€42, buly1803.com
CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDAR BY MAISON DU CHOCOLAT
From the esteemed French chocolatier, this imaginative Advent calendar is inspired by the Place de l’Étoile and its twelve avenues, with 24 windows revealing delicious treats behind each one.
$100, lamaisonduchocolat.com
CHEESE SET BY JEAN DUBOST LAGUIOLE
Expertly crafted Laguiole cheese knives are paired with a wooden serving board for the perfect hostess gift. Add your favorite French cheeses (see ideas below!).
$55, overthemoon.com
SMALL ODILE WEDDING BOX BY ANTOINETTE POISSON
This Parisian atelier has revived the art of handprinted domino papers, a precursor of wallpaper. This charming papier mâché box is inspired by an 18th-century wedding box in their archives.
€121, antoinettepoisson.com
PAM STAND BY ASTIER DE VILLATTE
This artisanal ceramics workshop in Paris is beloved for its handcrafted all-white pottery, including this petite pedestal bowl, ideal for elevating favorite jewelry or proffering keys.
$137, astierdevillate.com
VEUVE CLICQUOT CHAMPAGNE WITH PORTABLE COOLER
Champagne may be a somewhat predictable (yet always welcome) gift, but when you pair a classic bottle of Veuve with its own portable cooler, you take it to the next level, non? Stock up before they sell out.
$80, woodencork.com
READY-TO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CROISSANTS BY GALAXY DESSERTS
The next best thing to eating pain au chocolate in a Paris café may be these chocolate croissants fresh from the oven. Leave them out to rise on Christmas Eve, then bake in the morning for an easy, delicious petit-déjeuner de Noël. They’re a gift I often send to far-flung friends.
$30, williams-sonoma.com
CANDIED ORANGE CHOCOLATE GIFT BOX BY LADURÉE
A classic hostess gift in France is orangettes, or candied orange peel robed in rich dark chocolate. This box from Ladurée offers a handsome presentation.
$55, laduree.com
FOREVER PARIS BY MARIN MONTAGUT
An utterly charming store and site for whimsical French gifts is Marin Montagut. His new book is “a love letter to hidden Paris,” featuring 475+ insider sources, illustrated with his winsome drawings. The book won’t be out in the U.S. until January 20, but you can get it now from France (or opt for his earlier book, Timeless Paris).
€30, marinmontagut.com
PIERRE THE FRENCH DOG BY MON AMI
Any child is bound to become besties with this sweet stuffed ami, Pierre, with his jaunty striped sweater and cap.
$39, maisonette.com
LE VEHICLE DUET BY OEUF
These whimsical all-wood rolling vehicles made in France leave room for imagination.
$65, oeufnyc.com
L’OCCITANE ADVENT CALENDAR
Can you tell I’m a sucker for Advent calendars? Who doesn’t love to open delightful little gifts for a month? L’Occitane’s is filled with petite skincare, fragrance, and body care products from Provence that they’ll actually want to use.
$210, loccitane.com
BISOU BALM BY VIOLETTE
French women know how to rock a red lip, but also the more natural “bouche mordue”—“just-bitten” look. I’m a fan of this moisturizing lipstick-meets-balm with “a sheer kiss of color” in Bêtise—a stocking-stuffer that looks great on almost everyone.
$29, violettefr.com
DOTTED PALM CANDLESTICK
This statuesque showstopper is handmade in the south of France by a potter who’s exhibited at the Sèvres Museum in Paris. Each candlestick is one of a kind.
$395, schumacherdesignshop.com
LE PLIAGE ORIGINAL L TRAVEL BAG BY LONGCHAMP
This lightweight, durable carryall is a classic for a reason. Inspired by origami, it folds up in four simple steps and snaps closed, then unfolds just as easily, making it the ideal travel companion.
$190, longchamp.com
LEATHER CIGAR CASE BY BOSQUET PARIS
For the cigar conoisseur, this refined, beautifully crafted leather case keeps two cigars at hand, with an inner layer of vegetable-tanned leather that helps ensure the right level of humidity.
$475, abask.com
BEST OF FRANCE CHEESE SAMPLER BY MURRAY’S CHEESE
Murray’s Cheese may be based in NYC, but they know their fromage, and this mouthwatering sampler of five top-notch picks—from a tangy Loire Valley chèvre to a nutty Basque mountain cheese (my favorite)—ships cross-country.
$95, murrayscheese.com
JUMBO TOTE BY CLARE V.
As a mom, I’d be charmed if my kids gave me this capacious denim tote (chicer than a mug)—and even better, 30% of the price supports Every Mother Counts.
$65, clarev.com
MADELEINE ROUND CAKE DISH BY EMILE HENRY
This heritage brand’s ceramic bakeware made from Burgundy clay ensures gentle, even heat distribution, in a dish that’s pretty enough to go from oven to table.
$60, emilehenryusa.com
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