“Block Shop Textiles has you covered with a collection of handmade, ethically-sourced napkins, placemats, and tablecloths.”
Handmade, ethically sourced napkins, placemats, and tablecloths in vibrant prints, with great service.
“I promise you'll get a better drink out of a 2 piece, metal on metal shaker.”
A two-piece metal-on-metal cocktail shaker and barware, curated for quality over the usual big-box gear.
“It is a delightful read and has a lot for anybody interested in a fancy drink alcoholic or otherwise.”
A book on making cocktail ingredients at home, what matters, and the ethics behind them, a delightful read.
“This set offers everything I was looking for, and it's under $30.”
A clear glass sake set under thirty dollars that shows the pour level and keeps the tokkuri hot or cold.
“Since everything is made by hand, no two items are exactly the same.”
Hand-blown glass houseware from a studio where no two pieces are exactly alike.
“You deserve some metal pics. You are an adult who can clean them when you are done.”
Reusable metal cocktail picks to retire the splinter-prone bamboo skewers for good.
“Because Cocktail Kingdom's glasses are designed for commercial use, they are dishwasher safe. And at $40 for the 6-pack, it's a fantastic deal.”
Gold-rimmed Nick and Nora glasses that are dishwasher safe thanks to their commercial-grade design.
“I really like the Mondo mugs because they are a bit of a nod to classic tiki without being, um, colonial.”
Pop-culture tiki mugs that nod to classic exotic drinkware without the colonial kitsch.
“My personal faves are the hand-painted sangria pitchers.”
A hand-painted Spanish pitcher with a pinched spout that pours cleanly and doubles as a flower vase.
“This year we switched from regular white kitchen towels to dark gray bar mops and, my goodness, it classed up the joint.”
Dark gray cotton bar mops that hide stains and look more put-together than standard white kitchen towels.
“What I am into is making bespoke house blends of whiskey or rum.”
Small oak barrels for aging bespoke house blends at home, a niche gift for the hobbyist mixer.
“These guys do a lot of interesting mugs for exotic cocktails.”
Inventive ceramic mugs for exotic cocktails, including a conquistador-skull design that flips the script.
“A perfect glass. I like a small glass, I'll have a second cocktail if I want more.”
A small, spill-resistant coupe-style sour glass that also suits an Irish coffee.
“Forest Ceramic Company makes some of the most lovely tumblers and mugs I've ever seen, in vivid rainbow hues.”
Vividly colored handmade tumblers and mugs from a small Washington pottery studio.
“I've sent out a couple of these gift baskets and they are overkill, but nobody complains.”
An over-the-top Hanukkah gift basket from Zabar's that reliably pleases, with no shopping-around required.
“My buddy Neil and I exchange them when we buy expensive bottles.”
Small 2 oz bottles for sampling, sharing tasting pours with friends, or smuggling drinks into the movies.
“I love their pots. Right size. Right weight. Right shape. Cadillac.”
Italian-made cookware with the right size, weight, and shape, easy to scrub and built to last.
“These placemats from Quince are machine washable and made from eco-friendly organic cotton.”
Machine-washable organic cotton gauze placemats that shrug off spills from kids and everyday life.
“These soaps literally look like a piece of art for your sink. The kind of gift no one would likely buy for themselves, and they'd think about you every time they washed their nasty hands.”
Sculptural bar soaps that look like art objects — the kind of small luxury people don't buy themselves.
“This gift box has become my go-to gift for new parents, sick loved ones, and any friend who needs a little extra support.”
A soup, bread, and cookie gift box with a metal ladle, a go-to for new parents or anyone under the weather.