Best Holiday Gifts To Give

The Holiday season is about appreciating friends, family, health, and for serious shoppers, finding the hottest gifts of the season.  As a San Franciscan, supporting our amazing local brands, boutiques and designers is very important while finding the hottest gifts of the season. This gift guide combines my love for San Francisco, my new city, with Chicago, my childhood hometown, and New York City, where I spent 11 years prior to moving to San Francisco. The guide shares San Francisco’s hottest gifts with a splash of Chicago and New York. For more Shopping ideas and inspiration visit the Shopping section on The JetSetting Fashionista.

During a recent visit to one of my favorite local Laurel Heights Boutiques, Jessie Black I fell in love with the Owensavary for Jessie Black Leather Cuffs at $535-$635 (smaller to larger in size). The Owensavary cuffs are made in France, with either silver or gold closures and they are stunning. The leather is so soft you’ll have a hard time taking it off! 3252 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.

The charming boutique interior

As a huge Leopard fan these adorable JCrew Leopard Slippers are on the top of my Christmas list which makes them at the top of my gifting guide! They are beyond adorable and super soft. I have similar slippers from Uggs that I live in the moment I want in my door at home. JCrew.com.

There’s something about a fabulous fun Jonathan Adler Coffee mug that gets me excited for my morning coffee and my gifting rule of thumb is only give something I love and would want for myself!  It’s hard not to love anything from fabulous home designer Jonathan Adler. After meeting the New York based designer in his Fillmore Street San Francisco boutique I’m not only a huge fan of his adorable products and home decor, but fell in love with him. What a friendly, nice cool guy! JonathanAdler.com or Jonathan Adler Boutiques. 

As you probably already know, I’m a huge Leopard lover! Whether it’s a fabulous leopard flat, clutch, scarf, bag… anything leopard I love! One of my all time favorite pieces is an amazing Banana Republic Leopard Clutch I bought a year or two ago. Almost every time I wear it I get compliments so it’s truly the ultimate leopard accessory. The closet clutch I’ve found to my all time favorite is The Rag & Bone’s Leopard Clutch which is what I recommend for a fabulous leopard clutch option! Rag-Bone.com or Rab & Bone Boutiques. 

The Kate Spade Stone Stud Earrings are the type of earring every girl should have in their jewelry box. They match everything, look great casual or dressed up and are only $38. Pretty great gift if you ask me! They also come in various colors, clear, black, pink with either Gold or Silver hardware. I have both silver and gold which makes it easy to match my jewelry to my shoes and accessories. KateSpade.com, Nordstrom.com or Kate Spade Boutiques. 

Any one that’s a true San Franciscan and a lover of Macaroons should be gifting a set of La Boulange exquisite Macaroons from $3.95-$37.25. As both a Macaroon and San Francisco lover La Boulange Macaroon Gifting Sets  are the perfect mix of both San Francisco and Paris. They offer exquisite French pastries in beautifully packaged gift box sets in delicious flavors. If you’re unsure on which fabulous flavor to gift, try the Caramel, Vanilla, Coffee & Red Velvet which are divine! Multiple locations in San Francisco. 

The R Nichols Coast Candle is one of those items that every time I visit Hudson Grace’s adorable boutique it catches my eye. I usually consider whether to buy it as a gift or to treat myself! At $45, it seems like a steal as not only does it smell amazing; a combination of fresh ocean air, eucalyptus groves and mountain sage, but it also has the Golden Gate Bridge beautifully painted on the candle. And, if a gorgeous looking candle with a lovely aroma wasn’t already enough? It’s created by local San Francisco Fragrance designer Gary McNatton in collaboration with LA artist R. Nichols. Talk about a perfect gift for any Californian! 3350 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94118 or HudsonGraceSF.com

If you’ve read any of my packing lists you will know how much I love My Louis Vuitton Silk Monogram Scarf. It’s the perfect scarf for a chic traveller as it functions as a great scarf or blanket for travel. Upon landing it’s the perfect scarf to dress up a casual airplane outfit or a fancy cocktail dress. No matter what you’re wearing it’s adds that extra finishing touch! LouisVuitton.com. 

As someone who hails from Chicago, the Deep Dish Pizza capital, I can confidently say that Lou Malnati’s makes the best deep-dish pizza. So, for any deep-dish pizza lovers, you know, The Lou Malnati’s 4 Pizza Deep Dish Gift Pack is the perfect gift for them! For $85.99 (including shipping) the recipient receives 3 pizzas (flavors of their choice) delivered to their door-step (freezer packaged with dry ice). What a steal, 3 delicious date night dinners at less than $90! The only thing missing is some Wine.  I’d recommend my favorite Napa Valley Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon which is delicious and only $28. Pretty great price once you taste the wine and see how delicious it is. CultivarWine.com & LouMalnatis.com.

Audi sportscar experience is the ultimate gift for the person who already has everything! It’s a thrill that they won’t forget . If you’re wise, you’ll gift yourself the same experience so you can join in on the fun. Prices range from $395 and up. Why Audi Raceway? First, it’s FUN! You get behind the wheel of an Audi TTS and learn first hand how to drive an Audi race car. Second, you get to ride in an Audi R8 on the Sonoma Raceway with a professional racecar driver. Lastly, because it will make you feel like a kid again<i> enjoying the thrill of a roller coaster on the Raceway! www.audiusa.com/about/experience-audi/sportscar-experience.