Celebs, they are just like us! When it comes to holiday shopping, they sure are. They face the same challenge as everyone else: just what to buy for friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.
So we tapped eight notable personalities from across industries—sports and entertainment to hospitality and design—and asked them what their go-to treat is for this holiday season. Here’s what they had to say.
Locally-made home goods
Chef, restaurateur, and television personality Marcus Samuelsson is a huge proponent of supporting your community. Since he lives in New York’s Harlem neighborhood, which is also home to his famed Red Rooster restaurant, he’ll be holiday shopping at a nearby boutique, NiLu, known for its curated selection of gift-able items that celebrate Black culture. That includes books, candles, home goods, and these colorful coasters featuring iconic murals from the Harlem streets. “This year, more than ever, it is important to support those in your community who are working hard, taking risks, and going after their dreams,” Samuelsson says. “I love shopping for family and friends at Nilu. They have an incredible selection of original gifts from Black makers and artists in Harlem and beyond.” Suggested retail price: $28
Best-in-class mattress
Fashion designer and Project Runway star Christian Siriano credits a part of his success to his commitment to quality sleep—so much so that he launched his own sleep collaboration earlier this year. During the process, he discovered the Beautyrest Black, a medium firm, cooling, memory foam mattress, and he’s planning to share that find with close friends and family. “After the last year and a half, everyone deserves a good night’s sleep and to feel well-rested,” Siriano says. “Good sleep is crucial to my routine, and something I prioritize because it helps me show up as my best self the next day. I can’t wait to share that with my loved ones.” SRP: $2,699 for a queen
Fruit tree
Actress Garcelle Beauvais has several co-workers to think about this holiday season. As a co-host on Fox’s award-winning talk show The Real as well as a cast member on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Beauvais wants to present her collaborators with something “that’s different than a candle.” “There is a company that I love called PlantOGram, and I am giving it to the ladies of The Real,” Beauvais says of holiday gifting fruit trees this year. “They’re getting something special that they can watch grow, while also giving back to the environment.” PlantOGram stocks everything from lychee and mango trees to spice-producing saplings, but an avocado tree may be the biggest hit with the sunny California weather near their Burbank studio. SRP: $99
Vintage Champagne
Grammy-performing pianist, composer, and official Steinway artist, Chloe Flower has collaborated with everyone from Babyface to Nas and Cardi B with her imaginative blend of pop and classical music. One gift she goes to time and time again? A great bottle of Champagne. “Connoisseur or not, everyone appreciates a bottle of Krug,” Flower says. “It’s an expression of generosity, even perfect for the person who has everything. This year, I’ll be giving Krug 2008. It’s a vintage Champagne that I love to enjoy with close friends and family during the holiday season too.” SRP: $395
Spice collection
Celebrity chef and Food Network star on Chopped, Maneet Chauhan knows a thing or two about using spices when it comes to cooking. Her latest cookbook, Chaat: Recipes From the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India, follows her love of them growing up in India, so she plans to celebrate all-things cardamom and ginger this year for the holidays. She’ll be giving a customized selection of hand-picked spices called a Masala Dabba from food company Diaspora Co. “This will be number one on my list to give to my friends and family this year,” Chauchan says. “The build your own Masala Dabba kit makes it both easy and fun to change up your cooking routine. The spices smell heavenly and taste phenomenal. The personalized engraving also adds such a special touch for gift giving and is something you can pass onto future generations for years to come.” Plus, each Masala Dabba kit comes with membership to Diaspora Co’s quarterly Zoom cooking club that shows you how to maximize your experience cooking with ingredients like turmeric, chiles, and coriander. SRP: $200
Casual dress shirt
Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez now spends his days as a game analyst for Fox Sports. So he has a few tips about looking camera-ready any day of the week. For this holiday season, he’s sharing the secret to his always presentable outfit: Mizzen + Main shirts. “Mizzen + Main shirts are the perfect gift for anyone on my holiday list,” Sanchez says. “They are comfortable, they fit perfectly and for my friends that always forget to pick up their dry cleaning, machine washable.” The brand stocks everything from formal dress shirts to pullovers, but Sanchez is partial to the no-tuck Leeward line. SRP: $128
Wooden platter
Nicole Miller may be a household name when it comes to women’s fashion, but she is also quite the hostess. Her passion for cooking and entertainment has led to her home furnishings collection with Bed Bath & Beyond and her namesake label of rosé wine. Naturally, her idea of the holidays involves a lot of social gatherings, and it’s helpful to have a great wooden platter, like this recycled wood one that is hand-forged in Brooklyn, N.Y. “After a long year and a half of social distancing, I know that my friends and family are looking forward to entertaining again,” Miller says. “I plan on gifting these gorgeous oak cheese platters from Provence Platters along with a bottle of my rosé to make hosting this holiday a little easier.” SRP: $390
Wellness package
Actress Ashley Greene Khoury has parlayed her Twilight movie fame into entrepreneurship with her company Hummingway, a women’s health platform that specializes in menstrual products and education. For the holidays, she wants to share her focus on wellness and health with her family and friends. “After seeing the effects of the pandemic, I think everyone could use a little extra health and happiness,” Greene says. “I’m gifting my friends and family a Kroma Wellness Package. I did Kroma a few months back and it was an incredible reset both mind and body, hands down my favorite cleansing experience to date.” She’s also adding a membership to guided meditation resource, Open, and goodies from her favorite clean beauty brand, Ilia. SRP: $475
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