Gift guide: 21 feel-good holiday picks

From $1.25 seed packets to a sunny tray for breakfast in bed, here’s what our Sunset staffers and friends are lusting after this season––including 12 picks for $25 or less

Hanging terrarium

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Terrarium

This 5-inch globe contains its own little garden, which your special someone can marvel over (while thinking of you) every day. Plants are included. $25;  floragrubbgardens.com

Mini ceramic creamers

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Mini ceramic creamers

As place-setting pitchers or solo with a tiny bloom, these cuties are a winsome, affordable entrée to handmade ceramics. $8 each; 11/2-inch diameter;  pigeontoeceramics.com

Book of watercolors

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Walton Ford: Pancha Tantra

Ford’s lush watercolors depict the animal kingdom as you never dared imagine it; this coffee- table book is a sure conversation-starter. Taschen, 2009; $70;  taschen.com

Cedar candlestick holder

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Cedar candlestick holder

This easy-to-assemble piece is lovely in its simplicity―and priced right. It makes a wonderful hostess gift with a box of wax tapers. $20; 11-inch diameter;  raredevice.net

Organic cotton dish towels

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Organic cotton dish towels

Add a splash of color to the kitchen with textiles that are part utility, part artwork. $20 each; about 20 by 271/2 inches;  branchhome.com

Milk carton star ornaments

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Sustainable stars

These hardworking reclaimed stars can add the finishing touch to a gift or decorate a tree. Made from recycled milk cartons, they’re available with red or green ribbon. $15 for set of three; 53/4-inch diameter;  branchhome.com

Glowbowls by Diana Fayt

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Glowbowls

These luminous, delicate bowls (connected by thin wire) appear to float. Hang them indoors or out, with tea lights or air plants inside. $95; 4 1/3 feet long;  dianafayt.com

La Chamba handmade clay pot

Photography by Jeffery Cross

La Chamba handmade clay pot

Pair this pot ($75 for 6-quart size shown; stovetop- and oven-safe;  bramcookware.com) with Paula Wolfert’s exotic, soulful cookbook Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking (Wiley, 2009; $35;  wiley.com) for a thoughtful gift combination.

Heirloom seed packets

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Heirloom seed packets

Inspire friends to start an edible backyard with seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds’ new location in Petaluma, California; try Little Marvel peas and Japanese Climbing cucumbers. $1.25–$4 per packet;  rareseeds.com

A red USB flash drive

Photography by Jeffery Cross

USB flash drives

Our staff photographer loads these pocket-size drives with pics from the year, then sends them to friends and family. They’re available in a rainbow of colors that will make you smile. From $13 (1 gigabyte); free engraving;  pantone.com

Concrete planter

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Concrete planters

Turn houseplants into art with modern Obleeek Objects planters, made from a custom concrete blend that’s 40 percent lighter than the usual stuff. From $43; $83 for 11-inch diameter shown;  areasanfrancisco.com

Bird cake stand

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Bird cake stand

Give your baked goods the elevation (and applause) they deserve. $78; 7-inch diameter;  whitneysmithpottery.com

A selection of neckties

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Neckties

These silk ties from Coto are super-sharp. From $110 each;  cotoluxe.com

A bottle of Krogstad Aquavit liquor.

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Krogstad Aquavit

Flavored with star anise and caraway seed, this Portland-made spirit (based on a traditional Scandinavian recipe) is a must-have for your liquor cabinet. About $25;  housespirits.com for stores

Orange juicer

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Orange juicer

Share the simple joy of fresh- squeezed OJ or a homemade mimosa in the morning. $16;  surlatable.com

Vintage silverware garden markers

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Vintage silverware garden markers

These quirky garden labels are made from flatware (some pieces are 75 years old); each has a patina that’ll wear nicely in the window box. $8 each;  monkeysalwayslookshop.com

Gizmo headlamp

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Gizmo headlamp

No, it’s not just for camping. This little headlamp works for nighttime grilling or any other task where a flashlight might be cumbersome. $20;  blackdiamondequipment.com

Satellite GPS messenger

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Satellite GPS messenger

Stay in touch with civilization when out in the wild― and when there’s no cell-phone signal. $99 for original, $170 for new model shown; annual subscription fee from $100;  findmespot.com for stores

Reusable produce bags

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Reusable produce bags

They cut down on plastic at the farmers’ market and can also double as toiletry bags. $11 for set of five; 12 by 14 inches;  flipandtumble.com

Soda pop top necklace

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Soda pop top necklace

Made from recycled aluminum pull tabs, this chic strand shows that it’s possible to be eco-conscious and stylish. $38; 18 inches long;  escamastudio.com

A yellow tray with built-in vase.

Photography by Jeffery Cross

Le Petit Dej’ Tray

For breakfast in bed or a Saturday night’s worth of cocktails, this bold tray can handle it all. $92; 151/2 by 22 inches;  aplusrstore.com

Sunset's mobile gift app

Find Sunset gifts and more on your iPhone

Sunset gift picks are featured on a new Holiday Gift Guide app you can download to your iPhone for free.

The app, built by NearbyNow, allows you to find our 2009 gift ideas online or by using the app’s GPS technology to locate the closest store and reserve them for pickup.

You can use the app to search for gifts by category, recipient, or price. Along with Sunset's picks, you'll find gift ideas from sister magazines like Real Simple and Cooking Light, and from major retailers such as Nordstrom and Macy's. 

Download it here

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