The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means: gifts. Even in this strangest of years, there’s still joy in bringing out the wrapping paper, bows, and miles of tape as you select special presents for the people you love. As 2020 comes to a resounding close, we’re all looking for gifts that are not only thoughtful, but also practical for our day-to-day lives — and Bloomingdale’s is a one-stop shop whether you’re thinking of upgrading the family’s kitchenware, creating a cozy living space for a loved one, or elevating a work-from-home nook. We tapped six members of our team to tell us what gifts they’re eying up this year.
Long-Lasting Gifts That Keep Giving Past the Season
LaQuan Smallwood, Vox Media Solutions Planner
The equation for a successful present is consideration + love + longevity. Sure, a gift is a gift is a gift, but nothing adds extra care like a present that lasts beyond December. “This year I have my eye on gifts that are practical yet durable, but the overall idea is to give out gifts that make people smile,” says Smallwood. For him, that ranges from a Burberry Logo Organic Wool Jacquard Scarf to a CHANEL N°5 L’EAU Gift Set. “I love shopping at Bloomingdale’s for the holidays,” he adds, “because you get to see the wonderful holiday window displays in the city, and they always have everything for everyone all in one place.”
1. Burberry Logo Organic Wool Jacquard Scarf – $350
2. Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Kimono Cotton Velour Robe – $90
3. CHANEL N°5 L’EAU Eau De Toilette Twist And Spray Gift Set – $172
4. Gucci Ophidia GG Small Shoulder Bag – $1,390
One-of-a-Kind Gifts They’ll Never Forget
Katie Hendrickson, Vox Media Senior Analyst, Insights & Innovation
Gone are the days of everyone gets the same thing gifting. Is everyone in your friend group the same? Probably not. The unique snowflakes on your nice list deserve something special, Hendrickson notes, like, oh, let’s say a Sleeper Feather-Trim Pajama Set or a Mr. & Mrs. Night Water Jug & Cup Set. “My gifting mantra is to always buy something special that they wouldn’t purchase for themselves,” she says. “I put a lot of effort into my holiday shopping as an outlet to show my loved ones how important they are in my life.” So whether you’re buying for your best friend, roommate, or very, very cool mom, reflect on your giftee and consider what’ll spark the most joy.
1. Nude Glass Mr. & Mrs. Night Water Jug & Cup Set – $110
2. Sleeper Feather-Trim Pajama Set – $320
3. Raawii Strom Collection – From $60
4. Birkenstock Men’s Boston Shearling Mules – $165
Gifts That Keep Us Together, Even When We’re Apart
Remy Fine, Vox Creative Senior Creative Strategist
A special gift can transcend location and time, which is especially important while a lot of us are away from our families this holiday season. “Unfortunately, I’m not able to see my family for the holidays this year since they live out of the country,” says Fine. “So I have my eye on some great kitchenware I can use to make family recipes while on Zoom with them. Also, I live to host dinner parties so technically this kitchenware will benefit all my friends.” Fine has her sights set on the Apeloig Collection Menorah and a Champagne Coupe Set, which should make great gifts for virtual festivities.
1. Waterford Elegance Optic Belle Coupe, Set of 2 – $75
2. Riedel Punk Whiskey Decanter and Double Old Fashioned Set – $160
3. Pastificio G. Di Martino Pasta & Apron Tin Set – $160
4. Apeloig Collection Menorah – $380
Homebody Gifts for the WFH Crew
Shama Rahman, New York Magazine Director of Brand Strategy
This year has been quite the wild ride, but the one thing we’ve all collectively grown to appreciate: our homes. The bedroom, the living room, the floors, the walls — so many areas to fine-tune. “This year, I’m looking forward to giving gifts that make staying at home a little more exciting than the rest of this past year,” says Rahman. “Whether that’s elevating things they already plan to buy or adding a fun activity that gives their streaming accounts a break, I want my loved ones to feel like staying at home can be just as special as traveling afar.” Items like the BYREDO Woods Fragranced Candle are perfect for creating at little at-home ambiance, and even unexpected choices like an A.P.C. Leather Crossbody can store little WFH goodies in a more stylish way than, well, scattering them all across your kitchen-table “desk.” As Rahman adds, quite astrologically: “My Saturn return has taught me a few things, including not to procrastinate on buying holiday gifts. I try my best to avoid unnecessary stress by collecting everyone’s addresses in early fall and diving deep into my search process by November.”
1. Brightland Olive Oil – $37
2. BYREDO Woods Fragranced Candle 8.5 oz. – $85
3. Kodak Smile Instant Print Digital Camera – $100
4. A.P.C. Demi Lune Small Leather Crossbody – $485
Gifts With a Little Bit of Luxury
Corri Skinner Levine, Vox Creative Executive Director of Client Success
We all have those friends and family who’d never purchase something for themselves unless they absolutely need it, so this is your time to swoop in and do it for them. Skinner Levine takes her lead from the Bloomingdale’s gift guides online. “The curated guides are a go-to for inspiration,” she says. “I especially love that there are options for every price point, and I always discover something I hadn’t considered but now I have to buy.” Skinner Levine’s looking at the Ultimate Beauty Sleep Gift Set by Slip and the C by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Jogger Pants, both ideal finds for people who deserve a little moment of indulgence this year. And as Skinner Levine advises, best to start looking for those indulgences early: “I have a running list of ideas by person on my phone. If they happen to mention something in passing that I want to remember, I jot it down for later.”
1. Roberto Coin 18K White Gold “Love Letter” Initial Pendant Necklace with Diamonds, 16” – $580
2. slip The Ultimate Beauty Sleep Gift Set – $139
3. C by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Jogger Pants – $198
4. Courant Catch:3 Leather Wireless Charging Pad and Organizer – $175
Cozy Gifts to Bring on the Calm
Jill Hilbrenner, Vox Creative Executive Editor
This year, as mentioned here and everywhere, has been quite the year, filled with unexpected plot twists that would rival even the most out-there fiction. As the dust settles, gifting can be a much needed tone-setter for a calmer new year. Take, for example, the calming powers of this Loafer Tie Dyed Cropped Sweatshirt by Mother. “Coziness is definitely the theme,” Hilbrenner says. “I feel fortunate to be working from home right now, and my husband is, too. But some of my family members aren’t — like my sister-in-law, who’s a children’s librarian and masks up to go put on these rad, socially distanced story hours for stir-crazy kids.” Her perspective on gifting: “This year is a lot, and I feel empathetic that everyone is kind of going through it in their own way. So when I look for gifts for people, I ask things like: Is this going to feel like a hug when they put it on? Is this going to distract them from their day-to-day, even for a bit? Is this something that they can enjoy, over and over, if they need a bright spot in their day?” Take it from Hilbrenner — give the gift that feels like a warm, cozy hug to keep the calm into 2021.
1. Piecework Forbidden Fruit Puzzle – $36
2. Ware of the Dog Cotton Crocheted Bone Dog Toy – $14
3. Dr. Barbara Sturm The Glow Kit – $210
4. MOTHER The Loafer Tie Dyed Cropped Sweatshirt – $148
For all your holiday gifting needs, shop at Bloomingdale’s anyway you want: in-store, or online for curbside pick-up, in-store pick-up, same-day delivery, and free shipping.
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.