Here at Michael Graves Design, we love a good product and appreciate good design. When it comes to gift giving, there is no exception. Each year we love to put together a gift guide for you and this year we are making two: one is the best products designed by us and available this holiday season, the other is gifts we did not design, but perhaps wish we had! This post is the later. Below we give you a unique list of products chosen by our designers, filled with personality and why we wish for these gifts.
The Roland Kiyola Piano
We live in a small city apartment, where space is at a major premium. The Roland Kiyola Piano sounds beautiful, looks beautiful, and has a really efficient footprint. It is the perfect hybrid between a piano and a keyboard for players of all skill levels.
Paravel Fold-Up Bag
Alyssa Rudnitskas:
I always want easy travel gear, and this allows me to be prepared for needing more space on the way back from a trip while still being light and compact on the way there. OH! And it made ‘One of Oprah’s Favorite Things For 2018’, so there’s that.”
Stringback Driving Gloves
Matt Schmitt:
Entering the winter months, every car enthusiast and gearhead would love to get their hands in a pair of these beautiful Stringback driving gloves! I know that’s what I’m going to ask Santa for!
Catalina Deluxe, Canvas Weekender
Stephanie Pryor:
I love this weekender bag, it’s perfectly understated but highly functional. The colors are soft and muted, the materials are high quality and it has the most thoughtful features (my favorite is the suitcase handle sleeve). Plus, I thoroughly enjoy their websites user experience. All the information is clear and concise, and they have videos and diagrams that helped me feel confident that I was purchasing the right size bag with the right functionality. They really have thought of everything!
Fellow Stagg EKG, Electric Pour-over Kettle
Vladimir Anokhin:
The Stagg EKG boils down the features of a high-performance kettle into a beautiful, uncluttered form. A slim neck and programmable temperature make this a great kettle for tea and coffee nerds, and its range of colors and finishes is sure to please any aesthete.
The Essential Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Jessica Hurwit:
I can’t think of many things that more luxurious than cashmere. Naadam is a direct to consumer cashmere company with a commitment to bringing you beautiful, durable products while maintaining good ethics such as using clean energy powered production facilities, providing livable wages, and heading programs for healthier goats and more sustainable grazing practices. And at $75 for their classic v-neck you really can’t go wrong buying one for anyone on your list; they’ll feel spoiled and think you spent a lot more.
Composition Notebook pouch
Rob Van Varick:
There are certain triggers for me that make me love a product. Does it make me smile? Does it stir up positive memories? Is it useful? This is the criteria I apply when I design, and I greatly appreciate it when I find these qualities in other goods. That is why my pick for the holiday list is the Composition Notebook Pouch from Out Of Print. Everyone carries around cords, plugs, pens, pencils, lip balm, etc. Pouches are great for this. I love products that make me smile and that is exactly what the print of the iconic composition notebook cover does for me. Happy holidays!
Brod & Taylor Knife Sharpener
Donald Strum:
If you’re like me, when I reach for a kitchen knife when cooking I want it to be super sharp and effortless to cut. When using the sharpening steel that came with my knife set, it never feels that my blades are sharp enough and it leaves me with doubt. Most home sharpeners are awkward, clunky, and provide so-so functionality. When I visit my hardware store, I see they offer knife sharpening services and say to myself, “next time I will bring my knives,” but life gets busy and I forget. However, I did find this fantastic functioning home use knife sharpener that is countertop worthy, since it is so darn stylish (that is important to me, being a product lad) and is meant to be left out so you will use it more. It comes in 3 price points so there is superior quality for everyone’s needs. “Professional” in hefty solid stainless at $119.00. “Classic” in rugged nylon for $59.00, and “Pocket,” hence the name, which is compact foldable and sized for a pocket at $39.00. Now you can have perfectly beveled edges and beautiful design when you need it most. Voila.
Eva Solo Stainless Steel Grating Bucket
Ben Wintner:
Whether grating cheese, potatoes or carrots, the typical box grater requires one to grate onto the counter or into a plate or bowl. The former makes a mess and the latter rarely fits well. The Grating Bucket solves this by keeping the grated food in itself, making it easy to move around the kitchen and to prep ingredients. Simple solution to an overlooked problem.
Stirred Cocktail Set
Alyssa Rudnitskas:
I love to entertain, and good cocktails are the secret to a great evening. This is a simple bar cart starter with some beautiful essentials for a perfect cocktail, and thus a great time.
Hair Tie Cuff Bracelet
Jessica Hurwit:
Hair ties are a necessity for many but they can be unsightly, they get lost, and they just aren’t that comfortable to wear on your wrist. Enter TUCK by Koli, the bracelet that keeps your hair tie exactly where you want it: unseen and easily accessible. There are a bunch of hair tie bracelets on the market, but this one is my favorite because it really looks like jewelry, clean and simple. It’s truly a great accessory – I have one in every color.
From all of us at Michael Graves Design, we hope your gifts are full of purpose and personality, and your holidays are full of joy.
To see more gift ideas designed by us, head over to the Michael Graves Designed Gift Guide.