Santorini Bag in Black Crystal, $34.50, jcrew.com
With the coming of the holidays, we need a variety of gifts for the many people in our lives. We often look for stocking stuffers or inexpensive presents that express gratitude instead of a big ticket item.
Regardless of the price, it should be thoughtful, fashionable, unexpected, and useful. Naturally, the best gifts are accessories or clothing that is not sized, with a universal appeal.
Everything is so costly these days that it’s hard to find things that are so inexpensive you can buy them in multiples. With this in mind, I selected 11 items priced from $17.99 to $144.50. They are so reasonably priced you can buy them in multiples and so appealing that you’ll want to keep one for yourself!
Santorini Bag, jcrew.com
I love the shape of J. Crew’s Santorini Bag, which features a swingy, easy-looped handle with a magnetic closure inside to keep your essentials secure. It is finished in luxurious satin and crystals, practically guaranteed to be the life of any party this season.
The bag is made of heavyweight polyester, and at 8 inches high, 5 ½ inches wide, and 3 ½ inches deep, it is perfectly sized to hold your essentials. It is available in Black Crystal (refer to lead shot) or Gold (which gives it a completely different look). Currently reduced from $98 to $34.50, it is for sale at jcrew.com.
Santorini Bag with Feathers, jcrew.com
The Santorini Bag is so popular; J. Crew also made it in feathers, adding a whimsy touch to any outfit. It measures 7 1/2″ H x 9” W at the top; 7 ½” H x 3 1/2″ W at the bottom. Available in black, navy, and vintage lilac, the bag is reduced from $248 to $144.50.
Sequin Skinny Scarf, $25, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com
Scarves transform an outfit; they are always a good idea, especially when adding a touch of shine. Banana Republic’s Skinny Sequin Scarf measures 2 inches wide and 85 inches long. Made of polyester and spandex, it is offered in pewter and black, reduced from $100 to $25, and available at bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com.
The Didi Colorblock Scarf in bone with black stitching and tassels is handcrafted using two layers of 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. The chic color combination is hard to beat!
Didi Colorblock Scarf, anchalproject.com
Measuring 28″ x 77″, the scarf is made by an artisan in Ajmer, India. It is Fair Trade Verified, features a hand-stitched signature of the maker, is priced at $74, and is for sale at anchalproject.com.
Hooded Quilted black Cape with two pockets, etsy.com
Give the gift of warmth with this Black Quilted Cape. It is one size, measures 20 X 80 inches, is made of black waterproof and windproof nylon with a synthetic filler, and is designed with two pockets.
Custom designed by Ukraine-based Oxana, owner of LinenbagsStudio, it is also available in green, mint, terracotta, yellow, and copper. Currently priced at $98, it is for sale on etsy.com.
Loqi Museum Zip Pockets, amazon.com
Give the gift of art! LOQI Museum Zip Pockets feature the instantly identifiable, expressive artwork of cultural icon Jean Michel Basquiat. They are the perfect travel accessory or bag organizer, made of water-resistant polyester (Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certified). One satisfied customer said that by adding a little stuffing, she turned hers into accent pillows.
Dimensions for the set of 3 are as follows: mini 13 x 23 cm (5″ X 9″), midi 20 x 27 cm (8″ X 11″), and maxi 25 x 32 cm (10″ X 13″). Priced at $17.99, reduced from $21.58, they are for sale at amazon.com.
Vibrant Cocktail Rings, Mounser
Mounser’s resin cocktail rings feature colorful acrylic bands offset with crystal rhinestones, gems, and zirconia accents. They are available in a variety of mouthwatering colors which beg to be layered, and sized from 5 – 9.
You can wear the rings on any finger, so sizing should be fine, but customization is possible if your preferred size is unavailable. Priced at $95 each, they are available at mounser.com.
Half Whorl Ring and Fata Morgana Ring, oropopo.com
A husband-and-wife duo makes OROPOPO Jewelry. In their Albuquerque studio, Grady and Karole create leather jewelry and small objects drawing from mythologies and iconography of the American Southwest.
OROPOPO’s 2-inch Fata Morgana Ring is priced at $60, and their 1 ½ inch Half Whorl Ring is $50. They are made from sustainable synthetic leather, available in 7 colors and patinas, and for sale at oropopo.com.
Evil Eye Clutch Bags, $45, bestofcolombia.com
Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry is not the only one seemingly obsessed with eyes. Superstitious or not, you would agree that we could use all the help we can get these days! Ward off the evil eye with Best of Colombia’s hand-crocheted evil eye clutch bags. Made by talented Wayuu women in the La Guajira Peninsula of Northern Colombia, they are available in many colors.
Best of Colombia is a Fair Trade company, and their artisans (the company works with about 600) are well paid. Bags are from $45 – $95 depending on the size. The larger bags have removable straps and are for sale at bestofcolombia.com.
Evil Eye Acrylic Clutch, amazon.com
Along the same lines, LETODE’s Evil Eye Clutch Bags are made from non-plastic acrylic. They are well-sized at 8.1 X 4.3 X 1.8 inches, have high-quality hardware, are strong and durable, and come with two different straps to transform into a cross-body or shoulder bag. Priced at $25.90, the bags are available in 24 colors and are for sale at amazon.com.
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