Gift Guide: The Artist

Source Unknown

For your most creative companion who possesses the perfect mix of talent and skill - give gifts that are both pretty and practical; as easily put to work as they are put out on show.

An incredibly cool candle holder, that happens to be a gorgeous take on a paint palette. From Terrain.

A whimsically washed out watercolor scarf. From Anthropologie.

A drawing machine. For fun. From All Lovely Stuff.

An inspiring collection of illustrations. From Mill Mercantile.

The perfect pencil. From Kaufmann Mercantile.

A vinyl pocket for stashing sketches. From Madewell. 

Dioramas for grown ups. From Poketo.

A perennial favorite, the custom address stamp, for her every correspondence. From Primele on Etsy.

Handsome heavyweight heirloom scissors. From West Elm Market.

Some sweet treats, because good design certainly will make them taste better. La-Dee-Dahs from New York Mouth.

For quick fixes. Eraser ring from Artware.

A pocket pencil sharpener. Faber Castell from Moolka.

So she can make her mark. Pen with built-in stamp. From the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.

A classic sketchbook for compositions on the fly. In every size. Moleskine.

A paper mache menagerie. For the studio wall. From Restoration Hardware.

Pantone postcards. For quick notes. From MoMa.

A colorful case for her phone. From Pencil Shavings Studio on Etsy.

An industrial clip for corralling piles of paper. Ephemera Clip from Anthropologie.

Enamel butcher trays. The best for mixing watercolors or piling paintbrushes. From Utrecht.

A paint chip table runner, a different shade for every place setting. From Leif. 

A shirt that's only improved by a few stray drops of paint. From Madewell. 

An original piece - I've been loving all of these artists lately. All on Etsy - Zoe Tilley, Natalie Eve Garrett, Kate Pugsley,  Amber Alexander, and Joel Penkman.

A delicious set of fragrances in a dramatically gorgeous package. Tokyo Milk from Beauty Bar.

For wearing her passion around her neck. Paint tube necklace. From Red Sofa on Etsy.

A luxurious set of leather pouches for keeping paints and pencils contained on the go. From Cuyana.

Finally the perfect table for sitting and slaving over every sketch. Drafting desk from World Market.

Gift Guide: The Politician

He's had a big year of election highs and lows, but the work never ends. Celebrate your political junkie with campaign kitsch and classic gifts of  form and function so he always feels like a winner. 

A political pillow. From Red Barn Mercantile.

A rad retro flip clock. Because it's so much cooler than checking the time on his iphone.  From Amazon.

A back up battery so he's never without email. Power Mate Plus for J Crew.

A pocket square with a purpose. Hankie notebook from Animi Causa.

A pocket square without a purpose. From the Tie Bar.

The best dress shirts money can buy. Brooks Brothers non-iron slim-fit button down shirts.

Cufflinks for wearing his party on his sleeve. From Classic Cufflinks on Etsy.

A daily pledge, and a place to keep his soap. From Izola.

For a different take on go fish, old maid and war. PolitiCards.

Seriously stripey socks to add a little something to his basic blue suit. From Lands End.

A collection of presidential biographies, for the education of a future one. Whether Adams, Jackson, Lincoln, Kennedy or Johnson - or for a full list, check out this guide.

A completely custom suit, lapels to linings. From Indochino.

A rad collection of vintage campaign buttons. On ebay.

A cool QWERTY pen, so no one mistake his for theirs. From Ewin's Dry Goods.

For campaigning, or boxing. Same difference. From NoMas. Want something more literal? Try these vintage campaign tees. 

So the emails don't stop on the walk to the office. Touch screen compatible gloves from Nordstrom.

For after work drinks on a public servant's salary. Spin to pay bottle opener from Partners and Spade.

A brilliant umbrella, for more diplomatic sidewalk passings.  Blunt Umbrella.

A non-electoral map. For campaign stops. Breweries of the United States by Pop Chart Lab.

A party tie that also works as a white elephant. From Tuckernuck.

Handsome shoes, with a hint of red to break up the basic. By Steve Madden on Piperlime.

The world's easiest puzzle. For his desk. From Red Barn Mercantile.

The real reason he moved to Washington. The West Wing complete series on Amazon. If he already has it - try POTUS' favorite. 

A classic case with a more rugged edge that will just get better with age. From Fossil.

Finally to feed his caffeine cravings. Nespresso Citiz espresso machine from Crate and Barrel.