Postcards from Home—#1
Marie Home's Christmas Gift Guide 2024
Hello from my home to yours!
This is Marie, behind the Marie Home, and this is my first post on Substack with the Christmas(or any occasion, honestly!) gift guide.
I know there are so many gift guides pouring out given the season, from big companies to a small individual blogger like me. But as an enthusiastic shopper and a chronic wish-list builder, I thought, why not make my own gift guide for this year's holiday?
This list won't have anything obvious, like sweaters—which I love! Gobi Cashmere always has a huge Black Friday sale, and you can't go wrong with J.Crew sweaters, which just kicked off their Black Friday sale as well.
I wanted this list to be filled with things you never thought of or forgot in your busy day-to-day life. And I wrote this in the hope that this will make your holiday shopping a little breezier.
I chose mostly affordable items—most of them are under $60— and many of them are tried-and-loved or have been on my wish list for months to years.
So, let's jump right in!
Gemini Espresso Maker, $56: This is one of the living-on-my-wish-list-forever items. I even picked up the box in the MoMA store in SoHo so many times, but I thought our French Press at home would be sad if I converted it. But! French Press is a French Press, and this will give you an espresso shot to make lattes at home.
It's way affordable compared to even the cheapest espresso machines, and most importantly, it'll be cute on your stovetop. The one that I linked is from the MoMA Design store and comes with two cups and saucers. It comes in green, yellow, and red, and green is my personal favorite.
Hair Oil from Linc Original Makers, scent 997, $46: This is a very lightweight, almost watery, hair oil that I use every day. The scent is very nature-like, not too flowery, I-see-greenery-with-blossoms kind of scent. According to their website, the product contains ceramides for repair care, which I can feel from using it.
I bought this in person when I was visiting Tokyo last winter since there was no official way to buy it in the US. But now, they have an official US website, and this November, they opened their first outside-of-Japan boutique in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So, if you're in NYC, you're in luck.
I love their scented candles as well, and this was the original reason I got into this brand. I bought Scent 993, which was a new scent when I visited the store. 993 is a very soapy-clean scent, which gives the illusion my desk area is always clean. Below is a photo of mine on the shelf, and it's $120 on their website.
Anna Wine Glass from June Home Supply, $10 each: I don't know where it all started, but I've been *obsessed* with goblets lately. And there are myriads of beautiful goblets out there, but somehow, this one just captured my heart. I also love their Italian Wrapping Paper($9, set of three), which I've been waiting to get restocked.
Ripple Wine Glasses by Ferm Living, set of 2, $55: If you like a more modern design, this is the one for you. This is a tried-and-true gift I have given to my girlfriends, and you can never have too many wine glasses. The very delicate, thin glass makes it feel even more fancy when you touch it with your fingers.
Blue Ivy Pattern Kobachi Bowl, $28, from The Moss & Green: I came across this shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, through an Instagram reel. They offer Kokedama bonsai, which means bonsai using moss balls, which are incredibly beautiful and the most unique planter gifts you can ever give to others—or to yourself. A Bonsai planter's price starts at around $46, according to their website. But as you can see, I picked a bowl as a gift because I'm a huge fan of beautiful dishes(blue dish has a plus point), and I did buy an antique dish when I visited their shop. Here are photos of the Japanese antique dishes they had, including the one from the Meiji era that I purchased. Prices vary but are reasonable; mine was $63.15, including taxes.
The first two are photos from their Williamsburg shop, and the last one is my shelf picture. 
Swags and Bows Dinner Plate, $42(with Black Friday sale, $34), at The Six Bells: Speaking of dishes, especially blue dishes, I've been eyeing these bows dinner plates ever since I saw them on the Six Bells. They have a physical store in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and you have to visit their shop to appreciate these beauties in person. They have matching mugs, side plates, and oval platters as well.
Bistrot Cutlery set by Sabre Paris, Set of 4 starting at $59: On the topic of dinnerware, let's move on to the flatware. I mean, who doesn't know Bistrot cutlery from Sabre Paris? But did you know they offer customization on their official US website? You can go wild with putting different colors or patterns on the front and back of your Bistrot cutlery and make them your very own.
And if you're getting one as a gift, I think you can't go wrong with getting them a Tart slicer($40.50) or a Tart server($36) since these are things you don't need necessarily but would be great to have in your kitchen—especially for the coming holiday season! My favorite colors are Lapis Blue, Pastel Blue, and Gingham Blue, as you expected.
Blue Linen Zodiac Coasters by Nickey Kehoe, $48 for the set of four: When I was accumulating these items to build this gift guide, it was very organic from everything I loved and eyed on over time, so I didn't know it'd be this blue-ish when they are all together. But how soft and delicate beauty are these? And am I the only one who didn't know Nickey Kehoe has a NYC store around the NYU area??! I'm definitely making a visit soon.
Early Bird Cereal Bowl by Studio M', $34, from Little Sure Thing: I have a soft spot for hand-made potteries, and I think this Early Bird series from Japanese pottery studio Studio M' looks timeless and modern at the same time. I already have their oval plate in size small, and I would love to expand my collection of them. Their coffee cup($32) is also super cute to match.
Little Sure Thing offers international shipping worldwide, but if you live in NYC, they can arrange pick-up in Bryant Park to save you the shipping fee.
Angel and Devil Porcelain Coffee Mug by MezzogiornohXII, $38.49 per mug, $65.98 as a set: I came across Mezzogiornoh's work on Thread(now it sounds like I'm on every possible social media), and I instantly fell in love with these hand-made porcelains from Italy. My personal favorite is their colored espresso cups, which are unfortunately not on their Etsy shop or their website yet, but these mugs come close to second. Also, I think it's a cute Christmas gift for yourself and your partner, and you can decide who the angel and the devil are in your relationship.
Tiny Plate, Bean Trompe L'oeil from Gohar World, $58: If you follow closely with all the beautiful interior decor and art world, you'll know that Gohar World has returned to Mott Street in SoHo. As much as I love every product they offer, if I have to pick one thing, I would love to get their hand-painted bean plate. My personal favorite out of three different bean designs is Christmas Lima(it's season-appropriate, too).
Decorative Matchbox- Ski Chalet(currently out of stock, but has different designs, too) $34, from Acorn Toys & Goods: On the topic of hand-made goods, I came across these little decorative faux matchboxes with different scenes in them from a toy shop, and I can't help but adore them. These are only for display, not to play, so maybe it's a more appropriate gift for adults who would appreciate trinkets—like myself. They have various scenes to choose from, and the shop itself is an actual toy shop, so you can fulfill your holiday gift needs for children on your list here as well.
Mudle Crayons in Neutral Tones, $39, from Wms & Co.: This is another great gift for a child or an adult who appreciates cute little objects. It's a crayon set made out of volcanic stones, mudle, from Jeju island in South Korea. Every kid will love to grab and draw with these crayons, and as an adult, I think it could be a great objet d'art. Even the package is so poetic. They also have a colored version($28), which is currently sold out but will come back, I'm sure.
Wms & Co. has a great selection of products for you to become the best gift-giver among your friends and family. I think these Black Shaker Boxes(starting at $48~) are beautiful to look at and also a functional storage solution. And I've been eyeing these XL Letter & Number Rubber Stamp Sets(Number set $68, Alphabet set $100) from Japan for a good amount of time. Also, this book, A Designers Eye by Paul Rand($62.50~), can be a gorgeous addition to your art book collections.
Brass Bow Candle Holder by Love Ally, $65(Black Friday sale, with code BFCM24, $49): This is another one I had on my wish list for so long that I can't remember when I first loved it, but I finally pulled the trigger and bought it for myself. It's a brass candle holder hand-made in Australia, and they are currently having a Black Friday sale. They say it'll ship out at the end of November, and I can't wait to get mine on my hands!
I read somewhere that edible gifts are superior, so here are some food-related gifts of my choice:
Wilkin & Sons LTD, Tiptree Lemon Curd, prices vary—here’s one from Amazon, $6.34. I bought it in person from the Tin Building by Jean-Georges. It's a very decadent cream to enjoy with your morning toast. If you like lemony custard creams like me, you will love it. Also, the Tin Building has an array of eye-pleasing and mouth-watering gifts you can choose from, so I highly recommend making a visit yourself.
Yiayia and Friends, Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml, $35 for a can, $40 for a ceramic bottle: Our household believes in EVOO almost religiously, mainly influenced by my Greek husband, and I do believe it's a healthier choice and also tasty. I first saw this in person a couple of years ago when I was in the Hyundai Mall in Seoul, South Korea, and it's definitely eye-capturing. Yiayia(Grandma in Greek) must know something about her olive oil, and it looks cute on the countertop.
Last Summer Whisper Wine, $27: I'm a longtime follower of Cabagges World on Instagram, and I've been eyeing this beautiful label, LA-based natural wine they were sipping with their incredible meals. Maybe it's time for us to sip the taste of last summer and long for the sunnier time of the year.
Teddy Bear Duo 2.0 by Lysée, $16: I don't know if there is still frantic hype about this exquisite cafe/bakery in the Flatiron area, but I could not get a seat as a walk-in whenever I went there. But even if you can't get a seat, you can still buy their work-of-an-art pastries upstairs as to-go! I personally think their teddy bears are the cutest, and this set is a charming, affordable gift for anyone on your holiday list. You can place a pick-up order on their website in advance to secure your bears.
Little earrings are also a good gift for anyone who wears them. These are a few I think you can't go wrong with them:
Silver Huggie Hoop Earrings-Eva by Linjer Co., $69(with Black Friday sale, $55): This sterling silver with topaz stones will be an elevated version of your everyday hoops. Did you hear that, Santa? Wink, wink.
Birthstone Baguette Studs, $55, from Local Eclectic: These are another simple yet beautiful everyday earrings one can wear that also come in 12 different stones! I think you should choose by the color, not the recipient's birth month, and I'm not saying that as a Libra who prefers Emerald over Opal.
If you prefer something more unexpected, how about this Awaken Amethyst Snake Earrings, $59, also from the Local Eclectic? It's the year of the snake next year(2025), so it's appropriate for a celebration of the coming year as well.
And if you want to splurge: Every earring from LIÉ STUDIO is absolutely gorgeous, elevating everyday earrings to the next level. If I had to pick just one, which would be hard, then it would be Diana Earrings in sterling silver($200). Most of their design comes in both sterling silver and 18-carat gold-plated sterling silver.
Moving on to the paper/stationary section:
Make Onigiri Not War Poster, $38 without the frame, by the Printer's Devil, from Hightide Store DTLA: I encountered this poster when I visited Cornershop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the same space as the Moss & Green. It's a two-color letterpress print with original wood type from the late 19th century. It also comes in many other delicious Japanese food elements besides onigiri, like udon and gyoza. I believe it was around $50-something with the frame when I saw it in person at the Cornershop.
Masking Tape by the New Retro, $5, from Hightide Store DTLA, can be a great stocking stuffer. It comes in 15 different retro designs, and my personal favorite is Gyoza Dumplings.
'Tis the season for a cute New Year's calendar: Greeting Life 2025 Calendar Mini Hedgehog. I saw them when I walked into McNally Jackson Books in SoHo not too long ago. It comes in many different animals over the years, and we had bunnies and dachshunds in past years. The only downside is that they are Japanese calendars, so they have different holidays marked, but they'll still be cute on your desktop. Price varies by the seller and the animal. Hedgehog starts at $12~ from Amazon, $13.95 at MoMA Design Store.
And some extra small things to complete your gifts:
Hinoki Aroma Flakes by Tosaryu, $8, from Jinen: If you're a bath enthusiast, this is for you. It contains two reusable bags of Hinoki Cypress chips from Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It'll make your entire bathroom into a tranquil onsen experience without getting on a flight. And if you prefer mineral powder for your bath, Yunohana Onsen Powder is a good one($25). We bought it in the gift shop of the Ryokan we visited last year in Hakone, Japan, and we love it. It's an all-natural mineral mix extracted from Mt. Yakedake, and also the retro package is cute to look at.
Risograph Printed Matchbox, $13 each, by Sunroom: I've been loving many of Sunroom's risograph flyer designs, which you can find on their Instagram. And beyond their posters, they have these intricate riso-printed and hand-assembled matchboxes in their shop. I personally adore the House and the Candle ones the most.
Fish Lemon Squeezer: Prices vary by seller, starting at $7.50 at Julia Moss or $8.27 at Amazon. A little stainless steel fish for your citrus juice needs on the table! I just ordered one for myself, and I can't wait for my cute little fish to help me squeeze lemon wedges.
Last but not least! Dill Pickles(or any other food element you love) 3" Sticker, $4, by The Silver Spider: There's nothing more for me to say here. This sticker represents my newly found love for dill pickles. Also, I love Oysters ones and Butter ones regardless of my passion for the food because of their color combination.
That's a wrap!
Thank you so so much for reading this lengthy list of things!
I hope you found something that you never expected to spark your joy.
My mind is already moving on to the things that are not on this list, so if you would like to see more, please subscribe. And if you want to see any specific area of gift ideas, please leave me a comment.
Thank you again, and Happy Holidays, everyone!
xxx
Marie