At The Queen and the Bohemian, our editors have been cultivating a favorites list (like Oprah) over the years. We are now sharing it with you. These items are so good that we keep adding to the list every year.
We handpicked every recommendation and can vouch for how happy you’ll be with this year’s gift giving or shopping for yourself. From sending flowers, dinner party hostess gifts, to designing charcuterie boards, this year’s selection is for you, your coworkers, friends and family. Try not to spend it all on yourself!
Time is ticking. Time to get our holiday shopping guide.
Flowers
Order and send flowers as gifts. From arrangements to long stem roses in a box to holiday dinner table centerpieces, everyone enjoys receiving flowers, as long as they’re beautiful. Always go big on flowers. Expect to spend at least $100 – $150 including tax and delivery.
When you want to send an arrangement to someone out of town and don’t know anyone to call for a referral, go to Google and search florists by the ZIP Code of your recipient. Visit their websites to see samples of their work and/or pick up the phone and call the florist to see what will be available for the date you need it delivered.
What flowers to order and what to avoid
One can never go wrong with full, red roses and magnolia leaves during the holidays. If the florist doesn’t have that – call a different one.
When ordering over the phone, ask the the florist what they have available. Try to avoid flowers from the forbidden flower list. This includes carnations (unless you send 100), mums, snapdragons, gladiolas and daisies (except Gerberas). These are filler flowers and your arrangements will look like a funeral basket. If you are unsure and not sure what to do, you can’t go with full, red roses and magnolia leaves during the HOLIDAYS. Also, an all white or off-white bouquets are nice options. Order the clear glass vase.
We have ordered online from Bouqs, Proflowers (no vase) and BloomNation as they are consistent. Avoid Avasflowers.net. They come up at the top of the list when googling for florists. They are often delayed and often have to credit back the customer as they miss delivery dates. There is no point in scheduling a delivery if things aren’t delivered on time.
From our experience, you will never know what you will get when you order something from an online florist, regardless of the picture on the screen. Always give them a call or go into the shop.
For holiday arrangements, we love Olive and Cocoa.com, a fabulous catalog with festive holiday arrangements – they are pricey but NONE of them are tacky. The Roxette arrangement is a personal fave of the Queen.
Another holiday gift we like is J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Craft Cocktail Gift Basket and its about $60.
It’s hard to choose what to get from this family owned business from West Virginia. Their products are the highest quality on the market. Their salts will change the way you cook. Their story makes you feel good about buying and gifting their products.
Wreaths
L.L.Bean Wreaths are also a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season to a friend or family member that lives far away.
LL Bean has great values on these at $55 and free shipping:
24” Woodland Eucalyptus Wreath or the 24” Woodland Canella Berry Wreath.
Looking for something a little higher end? Lynch Creek Wreaths.com has you covered. The Majestic Magnolia wreath includes a beautiful bow (that is not tacky) at $85 for a 24” and $125 for a 32”. The Pacific Pepperberry is a showstopper as well.
Stocking stuffer or gift for ladies at the office
Explore Pre de Provence 20% shea butter hand cream in lavender made in France. With all this hand washing of late, this item is kept on our bedside table, our living room coffee table, desks and on the kitchen sink! $14 on Amazon.com.
Looking for something fun? Give your dog person/cat person a customized pet ornament.
Choosed gifts that make a difference. Give a gift to a charitable organization in someone’s name. Make sure they have a high rating on charity navigator. Be mindful of your recipient’s hobbies, interests and passions. Know your audience.
Going to some holiday parties?
For a wonderful host or hostess gift, wrap up a bottle of DiTrapano Extra Virgin Olive Oil in festive tissue paper and use a wine bag instead of a regular gift bag. Your host will be surprised when they find this instead of a bottle of wine! Treat yourself to a bottle while you’re at it. Our editor have been to the orchard in Sezze, Italy. Small batches, BIG flavor. The oil is sublime even used straight up on raw veggies or on freshly cooked pasta. Excellent for bread dipping with fresh grated parmesan reggiano – perfecto! $35.
Yummy savory snack Torres black truffle potato chips.
Charcuterie boards with a roadmap to delicious!
Large:$85
Small: $45
Unique and fun ideas
Vinglace bottle cooler and flutes. Anything monogrammed. Anything Marimekko.
Lux ideas for the special ones in your life
Anything silk–like a blanket.
Book a holiday stay at the Ritz Carlton or have Christmas brunch or dinner someplace special.
Give away a piece of your jewelry to your BFF. You know you have a piece that she always compliments you on when you wear it. Give it to her now, so you can see her enjoy it—while you are alive.
Give Champagne
And finally, check out The Queen and the Bohemian Champagne list. Give a bottle of bubbly!