Well, it may not yet be the 11th hour, but it’s close! If you’re like us, there may be a few names left on your Nice list that are lacking a gift and you’re wracking your brain to think of the perfect thing. Don’t worry - we got you covered!
Before we dip into the list, there is one gift idea you won’t see below but that we feel is among the more meaningful gifts that can be given: the gift of a donation to charity on a loved one’s behalf. Sometimes, just knowing that they’ve supported a cause close to their heart is the best gift you can give someone. So please, consider making a charitable donation on behalf of someone who would treasure the knowledge that help is being offered in their name.
OK, on to the stuff that gets wrapped and ribboned!
Our gifting philosophy is pretty straightforward: we try to gift our loved ones something they would absolutely adore but wouldn’t buy for themselves for whatever reason. While practical gifts are lovely and so appreciated, there’s a little bit of magic in giving someone a gift that surprises and delights.
Most of the links below are from Amazon. As much as we’d love to have a list that only includes small businesses, the facts are that if you want a gift fast to get under that tree, Amazon is the way to go with their shipping infrastructure. That said, we did try to focus our list on small businesses selling through Amazon’s small business program, so there’s that!
To help you and your elves navigate the list, we’ve organized it by category. All prices are current as of December 19, 2023 and the links should take you directly to the product page on Amazon.
One last thing: this is NOT an affiliated post and these are NOT affiliated links. These are just products we either know and love, are on our own wish lists, or that we’ve gifted. Without further ado, let’s get shopping!
Upgraded Candle Care
You knew this would be the first category, right? If you’ve got a candle aficionado on your list, check out these Aglynt-approved accessories to help them give their candle collection a little love!
1. A fantastic 3 piece set of candle tools including the best wick trimmer on the market WICKMAN Wick Trimmer, Wick Dipper & Candle Snuffer in Matte Black for Candle Wicks
2. Another Wickman set that includes the wick dipper and (amazing) wick trimmer. Wickman Wick Trimmer and Wick Dipper Gift Set
3. The Wickman trimmer on its own would make a fantastic stocking stuffer (and it’s the one we use) Wickman Candle Wick Trimmer, Matte Black
4. A beautiful set of cast iron candle holders wide enough to hold most container candles (including ours!) and protect furniture from the heat of the candle. Plus, they have that industrial-chic look going on which is always cool. 2 Pieces Black 4.3 Inch Iron Candle Holder
5. This colorful set of ceramic coasters with cork bottoms is perfect for someone with eclectic decor who will appreciate having a funky place to feature their candle collection. Set of 6 Coasters for Drinks Absorbing Round Ceramic Stone Coaster with Cork Base
6. Sometimes less is more. For that special someone with a more organic vibe, these cork coasters are the perfect way to protect furniture from the heat of a burning candle.
7. We love these plasma arc lighters. They’re rechargeable and have a flexible neck for maximum reach.
8. Perfect for someone who loves to post their candles on social media, this gold arc lighter is just beautiful and will add an elegant touch to their photos or videos. It’s rechargeable, too!
9. Obsessed with these ceramic match holders! We actually use matches quite a bit to light our candles (who doesn’t love the smell of a lit match, after all) and keep our matches in these modern looking little guys.
10. Know someone who wants to enjoy the scent of a candle but can’t have an open flame? Enter the candle warmer! We have a couple of these handy little contraptions on our list and they’re amazing. Highly recommend. Oh, and it’s pink! Ohenjoy Candle Warmer, Candle Warmer Lamp with Timer 2/4/8h, Dimmable Candle Lamp with 2 Bulbs for Jar Candles (Pink)
11. This warmer oozes modern with its sleek lines. It’s also height adjustable, dimmable and has a timer! Adjustable Candle Warmer with Timer, Height & Brightness Control - Compatible with Most Candles - Black
Let’s talk wax melts. Melts are starting to really come into their own as more and more people find themselves in spaces where a candle with an open flame isn’t allowed or desired. We have two options for melts — one less expensive and one on the pricier side — both are fantastic.
12. This little wax warmer doesn’t have the bells and whistles of our upgraded pick, but does the job and does it well for not a whole lot of cash. It also has a very cool ceramic and metallic finish that will compliment most spaces. 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer for Warming Scented Candles or Wax Melts and Tarts
13. Happy Wax makes fantastic wax warmers. With a removable silicone dish, it’s easy to pop out the old wax and pop in new melts in a flash. No cleaning out a ceramic dish or scraping out old bits of wax. This particular warmer is their Himalayan Salt Lamp warmer and the glow it emits when in use is absolutely perfect. It also has a timer! We use ours daily in our bedroom a few hours before bed to fill the room with our preferred sleepy time scents. It’s an upgrade over the basic warmers, but it’s so worth it. Happy Wax Himalayan Salt Wax Melt Warmer for Wax Melts, Tarts & Cubes - Electric Wax Melter with Automatic Timer, No Mess Silicone Top (Pink Himalayan Salt)
Coffee Table Books They’ll Actually Read - and Talk About!
Candles aren’t just for ambience — they’re decor pieces as well. Compliment that “home well lived in” vibe with the perfect coffee table book (or two).
14. The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home for the person who loves interior design and has created a beautiful home that looks like someone actually lives there without the untouchable and antiseptic feel.
15. On a related note, this is an incredibly well written book for anyone who is looking to upgrade their home’s style to better reflect their personal aesthetic. It’s packed with little details you’ve never thought of before. An essential read. Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life
16. This book actually fits in two of our categories but the photography is so good, we’re including it here. Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks
17. A book near and dear to my heart. I love kitsch and i love kitschy hotels. Also, the photography is stunning. Hotel Kitsch: A Pretty Cool Tour of America’s Fantasy Getaways
18. For the dog lover. It’s a classic and there’s a reason why. Who wouldn’t love this ode to our beloved best friends? Dogs
19. Wes Anderson. He makes two appearances on this list. The first is a beautifully done collection of places around the world that he cites as the inspiration for his work. What can one say about Wes Anderson? He’s a genius and this book is definitely on my list! Accidentally Wes Anderson
20. Wes Anderson part 2! This book focuses on his film work and would look gorgeous on any coffee table. Wes Anderson: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work (Iconic Filmmakers Series)
21. If you’ve followed Aglynt for any length of time at all, you’ll know all about our obsession with Vanity Fair and its illustrations. This is THE homage to the history of Vanity Fair and, at least in my opinion, should have pride of place in any vintage-lover’s home. Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age
22. Know a music junkie or audiophile? Here you go! Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
23. This is a bit niche, but I love maps and this book ticks all my boxes. If you know someone who loves old maps, this is the perfect book for them. It’s also just such a fun conversation starter. Great Maps: The World's Masterpieces Explored and Explained
24. An art book that’s a work of art in and of itself? Yep! Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
25. We have this book and love it. The Vatican has one of the most impressive and extensive art collections in the world. Here it is, catalogued and photographed for our viewing pleasure. Highly recommend. Vatican: All the Paintings: The Complete Collection of Old Masters, Plus More than 300 Sculptures, Maps, Tapestries, and other Artifacts
Cocktail Hour
Tell them to light a candle, sit back, and relax with a drink. These are some of the best cocktail books around that are not only masterpieces of their genre but are gorgeously presented as well. If you know someone who is always looking to up their mixology game, this list is for you!
26. Over the past 15 or so years, the craft cocktail has made a huge comeback from the watered down, bottom shelf premixed madness of the 80s and 90s. This book is a large part of the reason why. Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
27. Hollywood + cocktails + drinking games? Peffect! Gone with the Gin: Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist
28. If we had to pick one cocktail book to have with us on a deserted island that also happened to have a stocked bar, it would be this one. This book launched us into our obsession with tiki and the world of craft cocktails. A tour de force masterpiece about the history of tiki -- the good and the bad — and the finest collection of tiki craft cocktails you’ll find. It’s a grail of cocktail books even though it’s so much more than that. Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki
29. If you know someone who loves both history and cocktails, this is a must-have. It’s incredibly informative, entertaining as heck, and written so well that I finished it in a weekend. Who would’ve thought the history of booze in America was so riveting? Imbibe! Updated and Revised Edition: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar
30. From cocktails to mocktails, this book has it all. A compendium of drams, smashes, martinis, REAL daiquiris (not the frozen ones from a Slushee machine), fizzes and more, this is the ultimate cocktail book for the home bartender. Trust me, it’ll be a hit for the up and coming mixologist in your life. The Art of Mixology: Classic Cocktails and Curious Concoctions
Reads for the Scent-Obsessed
Getting back to the heart (notes) of the matter, these are the very best books out there on the science and history of scent that aren’t perfumer’s textbooks. Having read them, we can vouch for all and highly recommend each.
31. A fascinating read about the origins and science of natural scents Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance
32. Let’s be honest, we all want to know what Marie Antoinette smelled like, right? Well, through this book we can get to know her master perfumer and learn a little bit about the scented life of the palace of Versailles. Given that the palace actually smelled pretty rank on its own apparently with people doing their business against its interior walls and whatnot, this guy basically had the most important job in France (haha) A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie Antoinette's Perfumer
33. If you know someone who wants to get down to the nitty gritty of the science of scent and perfume, this is a very informative read that will change the way you look at perfumes The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell
34. Absolutely fantastic book about the history of perfumes and scents through the ages. I couldn’t put it down. Common and Uncommon Scents: A Social History of Perfume
Game Night by the Flickering Flame
We light candles anytime we spend time together as a family. The scent of a candle just adds that extra bit of fun to the atmosphere, especially on game night! Here are some gift ideas for those people who (like us) live for the art of the game.
35. I could try to explain this one, but it’s really a “you gotta be there” sort of a thing. I will say this: I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
36. If you know someone who is obsessed with card games or an up-and-coming magician, these are a no-brainer. Bicycle Metal Luxe MetalLuxe Rider Back Playing Cards 2 Decks Crimson Red and Cobalt Blue Version
37. Why, you may ask, would I buy this if I can just buy the regular version for 90% less? Because it’s MONOPOLY, that’s why! If you know, you know. And if you know, let’s be friends because this is definitely on my list to Santa. WS Game Company Monopoly Luxe Maple Edition
38. Ok, fine … here’s a cheaper one (but still an upgrade pick over the basic game) Classic Monopoly Signature Collection Board Game Bundle with Mr Dice Drawstring Bag
39. Such a nostalgic game that never got old. Hasbro Gaming Retro Series Clue 1986 Edition Board Game
40. Game night isn’t complete without popcorn and this little guy pops a mean bucket. Also, it’s collapsible to save space! Win/win, right? The cherry color really grabbed my attention. There’s just something so retro about it. The Original Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Bowl BPA-Free and Dishwasher Safe- 20 Colors Available (Cherry)
And finally, some fun little odds and ends for the vintage and comfort lovers out there:
41. This Bluetooth speaker sounds fantastic, sports incredible vintage-inspired look and is basically the coolest accent piece out there for anyone who takes their music on the go and takes it seriously. Sangean WR-7GW Wood Cabinet Mini Bluetooth Speaker with FM Tuner and Aux-in Special Edition Color Gold/Walnut
42. An electric tea kettle with distinctly vintage vibes Bodum 11940-01US Bistro Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle, 34 Ounce, Black
43. Gumby for that special canine in your life Multipet Gumby Plush Filled Dog Toy, Green, 9 inch
44. Why do all dogs love this duck so much? I don’t know but I’m here for it! No Stuffing Duck with Soft Squeaker, Fun for Indoor Puppies and Senior Pups, Plush No Mess Chew and Play - Yellow
45. A tabletop firepit to make s’mores indoors! How perfect is this? Houswise Tabletop Fire Pit, Portable Fire Pit Bowl, Indoor Smores Maker
And an extra goodie for good luck:
You need something adorable and fun to pack it all up (that’s reusable, too)! Gather & Knot Drawstring Christmas Gift Bags 3pk | 16" Medium | Candy Cane Xmas | Premium Canvas | Reusable Fabric Wrap for Holidays | Mix & Match Set
So .. there you go — 45 gift ideas to spread cheer from ear to ear! We truly hope this list was helpful and that you picked up a few ideas to make that special someone smile this holiday season.
Before we sign off, we want to send all of you and your families our warmest holiday greetings. No matter what you celebrate or how you celebrate it, we hope this season is filled with an abundance of love and happiness for you all. Thank you for being a part of the Aglynt family - your support of our small business means more to us than we can express.
-Your Aglynt Family
