Gifts for Women with Discriminating Taste

There's something for every character in the book here.

Well, the holidays are so close I can practically taste my 102-year-old grandmother’s pizzelles, and the trees aren’t the only things getting lit. And I don’t know about you, but my hand-made, type-written Christmas cards have yet to be sent (oops), and I am not even remotely close to having all of my shopping done (fashionably late per usual). With the help of Net-A-Porter (who is graciously sponsoring this newsletter), I’ve assembled a smattering of gift ideas for the hyper-specific women in your life. Or, perhaps, different facets of the same woman because, if she’s like me, she contains multitudes and embodies a different character depending on whichever way the balsam-scented wind is blowing.

Please note: those on the Naughty List will not be receiving Alaïa this holiday.

For the Femme Fatale Who Can’t Stop Watching ‘The Hunger’

She sleeps in black eyeliner, cooks in black leather, and considers 7-inch stilettos a form of self defense.

The Row Simon Leather Gloves | Saint Laurent Patent Leather Slingback Pumps | Wolford Strapless Jersey Maxi Dress | Khaite Leather Over-the-Knee Boots | Saint Laurent Patent Leather Mules | Nour Hammour Leather Trench Coat | Celine Oval-Frame Acetate Sunglasses | Khaite Simona Calf Hair Shoulder Bag | Saint Laurent Tassel Earrings | Kiki de Montparnasse Charmeuse Bodysuit | Tom Ford Gold-Tone and Croc-Effect Leather Cuff | Saint Laurent Patent Leather Clutch | Trudon Salta Room Spray

This Khaite SImona bag has been high atop my list for months.

For Your (Maybe) Single, (Probably) Rich Aunt

She’s that sort of mysterious aunt who is unattached, always traveling, and impossible to shop for because everything she wants she simply buys herself.

Sophie Bille Brahe Velvet Jewelry Box | Vibi Venezia Velvet Slippers | The Row Scarf Detail Cashmere Coat | Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream | Olivia Von Halle Silk-Twill Robe | Toteme Shearling Pillbox Hat | Alaïa Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag | Loro Piana Cable-Knit Wool and Cashmere Sweater | Toteme Wool and Cashmere Gloves | Smythson Leather Laptop Case | Sophie Buhai Matchbook Silver Onyx Necklace | Frame x Ritz Paris Baseball Cap | Saint Laurent Faux Fur Scarf | Agmes Recycled Sterling Silver Cuff | Celine Triomphe Oval-Frame Acetate Sunglasses | 111 Skin Cryo Depuffing Facial Masks

The Alaïa Le Teckel bag reminds me of a wiener dog and an old-fashioned pencil case all in one.

For the Sun-Avoidant Disciple of Morticia Addams

She calls sunlight “oppressive,” is fluent in dark humor, and is still mourning the closure of The Vampire’s Wife.

Completedworks Embellished Ceramic Vase | Liberowe Velvet-Trimmed Wool Coat | Saint Laurent Feather-Trimmed Satin Slippers | Toteme Triangle Maxi Wool Scarf | Gohar World Napkin Bows | Astier de Villatte + Serena Carone Mon Prince Ceramic Jewelry Box | Loewe Perfumes Liquorice Scented Candle | Abadia Crinkled-Voile Maxi Dress | Astier de Villatte Ceramic Vase | Simone Rocha Faux Fur Pumps | Gohar World Wrought Iron Candelabra | Hunting Season Woven Iraca and Wood Fan | Sophie Buhai Onyx Pillbox | Ileana Makri Little Snake 18-Karat Gold, Diamond and Tsavorite Earrings | Saint Laurent Oversized Aviator Sunglasses

‘Twas a dark and stormy night, and forget the sugarplums.

For the Refined Homebody

She has an impressive silver collection (which she polishes as a self-soothing activity), a knack for home fragrance, and always answers the door with a cup of tea and house slippers (she doesn’t even like tea).

Louise Roe Stainless Steel Cup and Saucer Set | Gohar World Bean Silver-Plated Candle Holder | Fourth Street Egg Gold-Tone Paperweight | Louise Roe Stainless Steel Champagne Coupe | L’Objet Swan Large Gold-Plated Porcelain Bowl | Loewe Perfumes Oregano Scented Candle | Astier de Villatte Coquillage Ceramic Box | Gohar Large Nickel-Plated Cloche | Louise Roe Stainless Steel Candle Holder | Byredo Rinse-Free Hand Wash |Astier de Villatte Ceramic Tea Cup | Jia Jia Onyx Tra | Charvet Suede Slippers

The Neutrals-Obsessed, Long-Lost Olsen Sister

She dismantled Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to include cashmere (fair), wears a maxi coat all year long, and still has a tube of Mary-Kate and Ashley brand lip gloss from 1999.

The Row Hooded Brushed Cashmere Scarf | Birkenstock Boston Suede Clogs | Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Travel Blanket | Róhe Travertine Incense Holder | The Row Catena Coat | Rayban Wayfarer Sunglasses | Lisa Yang Ribbed Cashmere Socks | The Row Leather Ankle Boots | Toteme Shearling Coat | Loewe Perfumes Mushroom Home Fragrance | The Row Double-Breasted Wool-Twill Coat | Lié Studio Gold Vermeil Earrings | Róhe Tie-Detailed Silk-Satin Blouse | Toteme Cashmere Track Pants | The Row Hook Large Leather Tote | Gigi Burris Wool-Felt Bucket Hat

Santa Baby, honey, these will do.

For the Frazzled Maximalist

She loves stuff–and is always jingling with her gaggle of rings, bag charms, and pill bottles full of coins.

Chloe Gold-Tone Bracelet | Smythson 2025 Textured Leather Diary | Balenciaga Rodeo Medium Leather Shoulder Bag | Simone Rocha Micro Egg Clutch | Astier de Villatte Printed Ceramic Box | Completedworks Recycled Glass Martini Glasse | Gigi Burris Wool-Felt Pillbox Hat | Chloe Tassel Necklace | Anya Hindmarch In-Flight Cosmetics Case | La Double J Set of Two Dessert Plates | Jacquemus Leopard Print Calf-Hair Shoulder Bag | Bottega Oversized Aviator Sunglasses | Balenciaga Bag Charm | Chloé Banana Earrings | L’Objet Playing Cards

She already wears many hats (literally and figuratively), so let’s give her one more.