There’s a beloved and oft-replicated needlepoint pillow design that reads, “You never know how many friends you have until you have a country house.” Well, the sun’s out, the vaccine is in, and it’s high time to reunite with friends and family, preferably in a balmy, waterfront location belonging to someone you love. So what is the perfect gift to bring your weekend host or hostess? Of course, there are some one-size-fits-all options—a Barney Greengrass brunch basket, a Paul Arnhold blown glass vase—but the best gifts are the most thoughtful ones, targeted to the recipient and his or her interests. Herewith, a curated gift selection by type of host from the Southampton doyenne who considers tablescaping the eighth art to the Catskills bohemian who is very excited about New York’s marijuana legalization.
For the Southampton Doyenne…
Who considers tablescaping the 8th art: Flatware and wicker is her love language, get her something she may not get herself like the cheeky “this or that” place cards from House & Parties or the lovely new Lily of the Valley cereal bowls from Moda Operandi to glam up her breakfast table. If you really want to knock her socks off, order a custom Elizabeth Mayhew cake that matches her favorite vintage china.
For the Pandemic Patty….
Who hasn’t left her house in 18 months: She fled the Upper East Side in March 2020 and has been holed away in the Berkshires ever since. She is now—very warily—accepting vaccinated guests. Show her the respect her caution deserves with the most elegant sanitizer spray from Santa Maria Novella and a year’s worth of books from Heywood Hill since that is all she has been filling her quaran-evenings with.
For Your Chill College Roommate…
Whose Catskills cabin cohorts are pumped about New York’s recent marijuana legalization: They’ll need the most elegant Edie Parker Flower x Paul Arnhold glass bong, the coziest La Ligne Baja sweater, and some Levain cookies, now available frozen from FreshDirect.
For the Friend Fond of Marrakesh Souks…
But has had to content herself with the aisles of her local health food store: Bring the world to her with Tamam’s Turkish serving bowl, Malaika’s Egyptian embroidered napkins, and the perfect block print dress to make Hudson feel like Jaipur any day of the week.
For the Newly Acquired Green Thumbed…
She’s gone from green pinky finger to green thumb in record time. She started the pandemic not being able to identify forsythia. Now she attends weekly Zoom horticulture lectures. Reward her new hobby with these elegant Japanese secateurs and Page Dickey’s wonderful new gardening volume.
For the New Dog Mom…
Who only has eyes for her puppy: They adopted Fido mid-quarantine and the whole family is obsessed, treat this treasured canine to a Barkbox subscription or the most delicious—I am told—peanut butter dog treats from Mah-ze-Dahr.
For the Gentleman Farmer…
Who just wants you to take home more zucchini: They refer to their farmhouse in Litchfield County exclusively as “The Farm” and are desperate for you to appreciate their bounty of heirloom tomatoes. Encourage this family endeavor with Stephen Heyman’s biography of Louis Bromfield and a gift box from a family farm success story Westwind Orchard.
For the Bed-Zoomer…
Like Proust, she’s used quarantine to relocate her office to her bed with her headboard as her official zoom background. Encourage this luxurious habit by making her breakfast in bed with this chic crepe pan and Matilda Goad’s vibrant breakfast set served on a wicker tray.
For the Late-Night Board Gamer…
Who never tires of another round of Boggle: Provide the perfect set up for an evening of gaming with a trio of wine from this female-owned vineyard, a deluxe cheese board, or personalized pencils and Monopoly board.
For the Mom of four…
Who’s had a long pandemic: The best gift you can possibly give her is a cold cocktail and some babysitting. Set her up with a Mezcal margarita and keep the kids busy for the afternoon with an inflatable sprinkler dino.
For the Beachfront Betty…
Who spends all day long on the beach: They’ve spent quarantine upgrading their oceanfront Amagansett cottage with sea-inspired accents so even when they’re not on the beach, they’re still thinking about it. Help add to that collection with this ingenious umbrella friendly beach blanket and Land of Belle’s ceramic sea urchins.
