Norlha Ombré Hand-Felted Yak Blanket (79in/2m)
$1,770
Holiday Gifting with Lucinda Chambers
The most original gifts for the most particular people.As one of the design and fashion world’s most respected editors, stylists and tastemakers, Lucinda Chambers is adored for her personal sense of style as much as her curations as co-founder of Collagerie—which makes being a name on her holiday gift list a much sought-after spot.
Naturally, her approach to gift-giving is an original one. The number one rule? No ego. “It really has to be all about them and I think you should take yourself out of that equation,” she tells ABASK. “I think if you give a signature present, it's sort of pushing you into the picture, which I don't think gift giving is about.”
Instead, Chambers points to digging a bit deeper if you want your gift to land well.
“It's about imagining the recipient as a person, who they were and what they have in their home, and then finding the thing that's perfect for them,” she says. “I always think what makes an original gift is when you walk in someone's shoes. I've never bought a present that I didn't love myself, but I wouldn't just buy a present that I would buy myself.”
Her top tips include finding something “that they're going to really cherish and love, something that is totally unexpected, or something that's necessary”, and make it different for everyone. “I'm really not a kind of cookie cutter gift giver,” she smiles. “I think everybody is an individual and so I don't rinse and repeat.”
Enjoying the search for the perfect present is also to be cherished, she says. “I think gifting is one of life's absolute pleasures—in fact, nothing gives me so much pleasure. I love buying presents, almost more than I love receiving. Some people are really good at it, and some people aren't, and I guess that's why ABASK exists!”
Here, she selects the most original gifts on ABASK for the most particular people on any holiday gift list.
“Some people are really good at gifting and some people aren't, and I guess that's why ABASK exists!”
Lucinda Chambers
For the Creature of Comfort
“I have really lusted after this ombré hand-felted yak blanket by Norlha and can think of a million places one could put that as the colors could go anywhere, from the back of the sofa to on top of the bed. I'm a huge fan of anything that's tie-dye or felted where the edges are blurred. It's just the most beautiful thing, and I do admit I would find it very difficult to give that away.”
Gifts for the Creature of Comfort
Pemberton Qwilts Kuba Quad Patchwork Quilt (94in/2.4m)
$4,455
Pemberton Qwilts Kuba Quad Patchwork Quilt (94in/2.4m)
$4,455
Studio Shamshiri x ABASK Handwoven Cashmere Bold-Stripe Blanket
$3,120 - $7,540
Studio Shamshiri x ABASK Handwoven Cashmere Bold-Stripe Blanket
$3,120
- $7,540
Rosemary Milner Floral Hand-Embroidered Cotton Cushion (19.5in/50cm)
$570
Rosemary Milner Floral Hand-Embroidered Cotton Cushion (19.5in/50cm)
$570
Kate Owen North Star Patchwork Cotton Cushion (23.5in/60cm)
$455
Kate Owen North Star Patchwork Cotton Cushion (23.5in/60cm)
$455
La Fetiche Viola Hand-Knitted Wool Sweater
$2,430
Valentina Hoyos Hand-Dyed Patchwork Cotton Throw (106in/2.7m)
$1,750
Valentina Hoyos Hand-Dyed Patchwork Cotton Throw (106in/2.7m)
$1,750
Suzusan Shibori Linen Wide Dress
$870
Kate Owen Leaf & Berry Patchwork Cotton Cushion (23.5in/60cm)
$455
Kate Owen Leaf & Berry Patchwork Cotton Cushion (23.5in/60cm)
$455
Libeco Spruce Belgian Linen Guest Towels (Set of 6)
$290
Libeco Spruce Belgian Linen Guest Towels (Set of 6)
$290
For the Dinner Party Host
“This Otzi Studio tray has to be seen to be believed. It's edged in red leather with brass handles and an oak center. I actually have this, and it's not something that you necessarily give yourself, but once you have it, you think, how could I not have this? We talk a lot about modern heirlooms, but this really is, because I think the more it's used, the more beautiful it gets. It's just so beautifully made; it’s like a piece of furniture. There are trays, and then there's this.”
Shop Gifts for the Dinner Party Host
Otzi Studio Bolster Leather and Wood Tray (24in/61cm)
$1,805
Otzi Studio Bolster Leather and Wood Tray (24in/61cm)
$1,805
Fioravola Birds and Tulips Hand-Painted Ceramic Tureen
$1,035
Fioravola Birds and Tulips Hand-Painted Ceramic Tureen
$1,035
Green Wolf Lighting Ambra I Hand-Blown Murano Glass Portable Table Light
$485
Green Wolf Lighting Ambra I Hand-Blown Murano Glass Portable Table Light
$485
Pigment France Menton Rattan Ice Bucket
$560
Yamani Woodworks Hand-Turned Wood Salt and Pepper Mills (Set of 2) - Japanese Pagoda Tree Wood
$735
Yamani Woodworks Hand-Turned Wood Salt and Pepper Mills (Set of 2) - Japanese Pagoda Tree Wood
$735
Los Vasos de Agua Clara Portofino Hand-Painted Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)
$385
Los Vasos de Agua Clara Portofino Hand-Painted Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)
$385
HestiaLiving Soleil Wood Coasters (Set of 4)
$152
Ruda Studio 60s Rye Straw Inlay Wood Tray (17.5in/45cm)
$2,075
Ruda Studio 60s Rye Straw Inlay Wood Tray (17.5in/45cm)
$2,075
Green Wolf Lighting Curve Hand-Blown Murano Glass Portable Table Light
$515
Green Wolf Lighting Curve Hand-Blown Murano Glass Portable Table Light
$515
Poterie d’Évires Birds Hand-Painted Ceramic Serving Bowl
$385
Poterie d’Évires Birds Hand-Painted Ceramic Serving Bowl
$385
Gather Miami Hand-Blown Wine Glasses (Set of 2)
$380
Maison Pichon Uzès Hand-Glazed Ceramic Braided Raised Bowl
$405
Maison Pichon Uzès Hand-Glazed Ceramic Braided Raised Bowl
$405
For the Heirloom Hunter
“In this digital age, people are returning to film, handwritten notes, and things of sentiment and value, and I think scrapbooks are a wonderful thing to keep—I’ve kept them for years, but it's never too late to start. Something where people can keep thank-you notes, letters, photographs, meaningful things on paper is a really lovely way of preserving history. This marbled album by Giannini Firenze has particular significance for me because my mother was a marbler, and she rediscovered the art of marbling when nobody else was doing it. To buy something unlike candles or flowers that last a lifetime that you know someone can pass on, there is something very, very special in that.”
Shop Gifts for the Heirloom Hunter
Antique and Vintage 1980s Gio Ponti for Venini Murano Glass Decanter
$1,815
Antique and Vintage 1980s Gio Ponti for Venini Murano Glass Decanter
$1,815
Giberto Egeo Hand-Blown Murano Glass Photo Frame
$2,115
Osanna Visconti Iris Hand-Cast Bronze Small Candle Holder
$1,730
Osanna Visconti Iris Hand-Cast Bronze Small Candle Holder
$1,730
Mahnaz Collection Vintage 1979 Sonia Delaunay Abstraction Sterling Silver and Enamel Pendant Necklace
$8,400
Mahnaz Collection Vintage 1979 Sonia Delaunay Abstraction Sterling Silver and Enamel Pendant Necklace
$8,400
Carl Auböck Brass Oversized Foot
$4,600
Carlo Moretti Hand-Blown Murano Glass Bud Vase (7in/18cm)
$265
Carlo Moretti Hand-Blown Murano Glass Bud Vase (7in/18cm)
$265
Carl Auböck Brass and Cane Bookends
$1,130
Venini 1988 Laura de Santillana Monofiore Hand-Blown Murano Glass Perfume Bottle
$355
Venini 1988 Laura de Santillana Monofiore Hand-Blown Murano Glass Perfume Bottle
$355
De Vecchi Max Silver-Plated Candlestick
$2,525
Jia Jia Crystal Mosaic Jewelry Box
$950
Gather Hand-Blown Glass Paperweight
$198
Antique and Vintage 1970s Sommerso Murano Glass Bud Vases – 5.5in/14.5cm (Set of 3)
$660
Antique and Vintage 1970s Sommerso Murano Glass Bud Vases – 5.5in/14.5cm (Set of 3)
$660
“Gifting is one of life's absolute pleasures.”
Lucinda Chambers
For the Home Bartender
“There's something so joyous about mixing incredible drinks at home. I never have before, but I'm completely in the rhythm of it now because I had a spicy margarita the other day and I immediately thought ‘I've totally got to get a bar going!’ For someone who loves doing it, these glasses by NasonMoretti are so joyous, they're just really unusual. And ice coolers can be so ugly, but this rattan and glass design by Viya is beautiful.”
Gifts for the Home Bartender
NasonMoretti Archive Revival 1960 Flutflut Hand-Blown Murano Glass Champagne Coupes (Set of 2)
$325
NasonMoretti Archive Revival 1960 Flutflut Hand-Blown Murano Glass Champagne Coupes (Set of 2)
$325
Viya Nagaland Rattan and Brass Champagne Bucket
$760
Viya Nagaland Rattan and Brass Champagne Bucket
$760
Zanetto Enamelled Silver-Plated Cocktail Shaker
$485
Zanetto Enamelled Silver-Plated Cocktail Shaker
$485
Venini Gio Ponti Canne Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)
$2,520
Venini Gio Ponti Canne Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)
$2,520
Morici Venezia Rialto Wood Inlay Ashtray
$470
The Lacquer Company Wiggle Lacquered Ice Bucket
$515
Lorenzi Milano Bamboo and Leather Bar Set
$4,500
Morici Venezia Mestre Wood Humidor Case (50 Cigars)
$925
Morici Venezia Mestre Wood Humidor Case (50 Cigars)
$925
Ruda Studio 60s Rye Straw Inlay Wood Tray (17.5in/45cm)
$2,075
Ruda Studio 60s Rye Straw Inlay Wood Tray (17.5in/45cm)
$2,075
Yali Glass Classic Hand-Blown Murano Glass Cocktail Stirrers (Set of 6)
$220
Yali Glass Classic Hand-Blown Murano Glass Cocktail Stirrers (Set of 6)
$220
Fornasetti Madrepora Wood Round Tray (23.5in/60cm)
$1,675
Antique and Vintage 1967 Flavio Poli Murano Glass Decanter
$1,040
Antique and Vintage 1967 Flavio Poli Murano Glass Decanter
$1,040
For the Games Master
“ABASK do better on their games than any other, in my opinion! Something like this Giobagnara leather boules set is a wonderful gift as anybody can play—you can be absolutely appalling or really good. And the box is the chicest thing ever. Likewise, a game of snap—and card games generally—bring the family together without the need for a particular skill set.”
Gifts for the Games Master
Giobagnara Leather Outdoor Boules Set
$1,805
Pinetti Leather Pisa Tower Set
$2,600
William & Son Leather Snakes & Ladders and Ludo Games Compendium
$2,280
William & Son Leather Snakes & Ladders and Ludo Games Compendium
$2,280
Giobagnara Leather Backgammon Set
$2,080
F. Hammann Leather Playing Cards Set
$200
Geoffrey Parker Leather Cluedo Set
$7,055
Alexandra Llewellyn Vortex Marquetry Poker Set
$17,525
Giobagnara Leather Rummikub Set
$3,450
Hector Saxe Leather Dominoes Set
$520
F. Hammann Leather Playing Cards Set
$200
Noble Macmillan Leather Playing Cards Set
$186
Renzo Romagnoli Leather Bridge Set
$310
“I think what makes an original gift is when you walk in someone's shoes.”
Lucinda Chambers
Holiday Gifts
Shop AllHoliday Gifts
Shop All
Antique and Vintage 1980s James Carpenter for Venini Calabash Glass Vase (8in/20cm)
$3,570
Artel Sporting Hand-Engraved Crystal Double Old Fashioned Glass (12.5oz/365ml)
$225
Lorenzi Milano Leather Tools with Case (Set of 15)
$3,015
Lorenzi Milano Stag Antler Pizza Cutter
$545
Taf Firenze Donnine Hand-Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins (Set of 6)
$370
Elie Bleu Flor de Alba Sycamore Humidor Case (75 Cigars)
$3,355
Seikado Pewter and Quartz Teapot
$1,990
Heath Wagoner Mermaids Sterling Silver Cocktail Picks (Set of 5)
$730
Lorenzi Milano Bamboo Cocktail Shaker
$675
Leonardo Frigo The Venier Hand-Printed Globe (8in/20cm)
$7,020
Fornasetti Astratti Sezioni di Frutta Hand-Painted Wood Tray (23.5in/60cm)
$2,185
La Fetiche Ultraviolet Hand Knitted Wool Cardigan | Size: M
$2,080
Este Ceramiche Chocolates Hand-Painted Ceramic Trompe-L'oeil Serving Dish
$445
Verdolini Bamboo Hand-Painted Ceramic Coffee Cup and Saucer
$156
Mahnaz Collection Vintage 1960 Vivianna Torun for Georg Jensen Sterling Silver and Rock Crystal Necklace
$4,000
Antique and Vintage 1930s Art Deco Crystal and Solid Silver Decanters (Set of 2)
$1,620