The Editors’ and Influencers’ Guide to Holiday Gifting

"Every woman needs a chic clutch for nights out. Velvet makes this one feel extra luxe." —Kristen Maxwell Cooper is the Editor in Chief of The Knot, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective, an advisory board that helps create experiences for Platinum Card Members.

$64; rebeccaminkoff.com.

"It's the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year—and who doesn't love cheese?" —Kristen Maxwell Cooper is the Editor in Chief of The Knot, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

murrayscheese.com

"Because it is the Museum of Ice Cream's first accessory collaboration." —Manish Vora is a co-founder of the Museum of Ice Cream, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

Available starting December 15 at the Museum of Ice Cream's San Francisco location.

"My choice this year for holiday giving has to be something involving music! It is my life, my passion, and everyone's favorite feel-good medicine. This is why my girlfriend and I came up with the idea to gift the latest generation iTouch from Apple, with a plethora of playlists—like 'Hamptons Chill,' 'St.Tropez,' and 'Soulcycle Jams from SG.' Tip: once you get the music from your laptop onto the gift, be sure to change your iTunes password!" —Stacey Griffith is a SoulCycle Senior Master Instructor, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

From $199; apple.com.

"The latest arrival to the headphone game is about to blow your socks off. The MH40-style headphone is like wearing a classic Hermès watch on your ears. Master & Dynamic has stylized modern day headphones; they have a Bluetooth option if you're a wireless junkie. You can wear them around your neck, but be warned—you're about to get a lot of head turns!" —Stacey Griffith is a SoulCycle Senior Master Instructor, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$399; masterdynamic.com.

"If you're a beauty product lover, the new facial line by Madonna is MDNA! You want to talk about looking younger—this is your new go-to. Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank's office [the dermatologist that consulted on the formulas] will handle your gift with kid gloves. I can't think of anything better than an afternoon facial with MDNA chrome magnet facial wands. It's also available at Barneys if you don't have time to go see Dr. Frank." —Stacey Griffith is a SoulCycle Senior Master Instructor, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

barneys.com

"We’ve teamed up with Brooklyn watercolor artist and illustrator Traci Page on these fun tote bags featuring our leafy greens and urban greenhouses." —Puri Viraj is a co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

The collection is available exclusively at gothamgreens.life.

"This onesie is my go-to gift for all the babies in my life." —Puri Viraj is a co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

The collection is available exclusively at gothamgreens.life.

"With four urban greenhouses (in NYC and Chicago) and a handful of new locations in the works, I swear by my carry-on from Away. Its built-in USB charger allows me to plug in and recharge when I’m on the road and between meetings." —Puri Viraj is a co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$225; awaytravel.com.

"Since starting The Wing, I've gotten very into home décor. This is one of the most unique pieces I've seen in a while. I love that it's Memphis-inspired and that it was designed by a brother-sister duo." —Audrey Gelman is the founder of The Wing, a New York City women's social club and co-working space, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$215; sightunseen.com.

"A resort travel piece that will become a staple in your closet. This dress will take you from the plane, to the beach, to the bar—super flattering and adjustable." —Natasha Oakley is an Australian entrepreneur, designer of Monday Swimwear, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$119; mondayswimwear.com.

"My favorite bag this year, the YIELD Pack, is a gorgeous accessory for anyone. I particularly love the construction, which juxtaposes geometric lines with raw edges. Made in the USA, YIELD is a husband and wife duo who create contemporary classics—all of which I’m obsessed with." —Patrick Janelle is a New York-based entrepreneur, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$470; stay.ssssociety.com.

"Handmade in Los Angeles, these handsome, dark walnut serving boards by De Jong & Co are perfect for the aesthetically-inclined cook. Use when serving cheese or snacks—or just whenever you need an Insta-ready backdrop for the latest kitchen creation." —Patrick Janelle is a New York-based entrepreneur, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$220; stay.ssssociety.com.

"This beautiful silk pajama set is perfect for my husband's mom to leisurely lounge in this holiday season." —Julia Engel is the founder of Gal Meets Glam, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$215; matchesfashion.com.

"I use my Cuyana travel case sets every day both for home and travel and want to treat my amazing, beauty loving employees to their own monogrammed set this holiday season." —Julia Engel is the founder of Gal Meets Glam, and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

$110; cuyana.com.

"This honey-and-lavender hand wash is made from a base of coconut and olive oils from the French region of Provence. It’s in a luxe glass bottle, smells amazing, and works into an indulgent lather—and it’s made of 96.5% natural ingredients. Not only does the bottle elevate any bathroom sink, the formula leaves hands feeling clean and unbelievably soft and hydrated. I never knew I could be so excited about a hand soap." —Erin Lengas, Editorial Operations Coordinator

$35; bastide.com.

"An at-home test that traces your DNA/genetic background, this kit is an amazing way to learn about your family heritage—and even uncover a few surprises. I was shocked to learn I had Iberian ancestry, and am now determined to uncover where my relatives came from!" —Jacqui Gifford, Travel Director

$99; 23andme.com.

"I had the opportunity to stay at The Dolder Grand last winter, and it is by far the most luxurious hotel I have experienced. In 2008, Norman Foster completed a thorough renovation, giving the 19th-century chateau a modern, sleek feel. The hotel’s art collection is impressively rich and comprehensive (it includes a sculpture by Ferdinand Botero and a painting by Salvador Dalí, among others). The 43,000-square-foot spa includes an indoor lap pool, outdoor heated pools (right next to the Botero), an ice room, saunas, steam rooms, and many more full service amenities. Chef Heiko Nieder is both innovative with his cooking and charming with his guests. Daniel Humm, chef and co-owner of the Michelin three-star Eleven Madison Park, considers The Restaurant to be the best fine dining in Zurich. "—Rachel Hurn, Associate Features Editor

From $1,777 for two people in a Junior Suite; includes one night including breakfast, house tour, meet and greet with Heiko and mise-en-place work in the kitchen (for one person only), aperitif in the bar, 8-course dinner for two with accompanying wines in The Restaurant, late checkout until 3pm; Saturdays only;
valid until March 31, 2018; thedoldergrand.com.

"Treating myself to nice coffee is my little everyday indulgence, and this subscription kit from Brooklyn-based Driftaway Coffee allows you to fine-tune the monthly selections of single origin coffees to fit your taste preferences—fruity, classic, balanced, or bold. And each bag of beans comes accompanied by a postcard with information about the farmers it's sourced from." —Laura Sant, Digital Photo Editor

driftaway.coffee

"Everyone should have a few classic cocktails memorized; I’ve always kept a note on my phone filled with the common whiskey-based ones (my spirit of choice), but this poster created by a bartender is a much more comprehensive—and aesthetically pleasing—way to keep track of all the cocktails that you can make by tinkering with whiskey and just four major ingredients (bitters, lemon, lime, and sweet vermouth)." —Laura Sant, Digital Photo Editor

$35; abottleofwhiskey.com.

"Merrily Grashin has been a bartender at New York staples like Roberta’s and Tia Pol. She’s now mixed her night job with her illustration career, using quirky puns to connect cocktail recipes to celebrated moments in women's history. Along with each recipe—like the 'Margarita Atwood' and the 'Simone de Boulevardier'—there’s a short writeup about the meaningful inspiration behind the punny names. There are tons of mixology books out there, but this one brings the cocktail-party conversation to a whole new level with drinks like 'Debbie Hair of the Dog' and 'Slouching Toward Bethele-Hammered.'" —Joe Harper, Associate Editor

From $10; amazon.com.

"Aside from enjoying the look of the elegant black and gold glossy jar—pretty enough to stand alone—I love the variety of the carefully curated selection of fragrances in Tobi Tobin's candle collection, any of which transform any environment into a sensual and rested space." —Hannah Belport, Editorial Assistant

From $38; tobitobin.com.

"Inspired by a classic vanity case, this understated bag is crafted from smooth bordeaux calf leather into a sleek, boxy silhouette that is detailed with the label’s signature textured gold hardware and an internal mirror for quick makeup touch-ups on the go. I love Victoria’s modern interpretation of a timeless style, that you can carry by hand or over the shoulder—and the color feels extra fresh this season!" —Annie Davidson, Assistant Fashion Editor

$1,561; editorialist.com.

"Nothing says holiday like sparkling jewelry. In the past I’ve always played it safe with dainty gold items, but I think it's about time to up the ante with these stunners from Anita Ko. They sit on your ear like a little circle, hence the name Garland earring. They're classic enough that they will never go out of style, but just a little out of the ordinary and a touch more special than your average hoop." —Mallory Schlau, Senior Fashion Market Editor

$7,190; net-a-porter.com.

"Bosca is a 100-year-old, family-run business that hand-stains each of their leather pieces, including this gorgeous amber duffle bag. The Dolce Duffle was introduced last year, and is different from Bosca’s other duffles because it is passed through a buffing wheel with pads made of agate stone, resulting in a soft, lustrous finish. It's perfect for weekend trips, and, like its namesake, will probably last generations." —Rachel Hurn, Associate Features Editor

$795; bosca.com.

"I've been on a pursuit for a bag to carry from gym to work—a duffle that would also work for a weekend trip. (I live in New York. There's not a lot of room for luggage storage.) Louis Vuitton has updated their original monogram keep-all, a style first introduced in 1930. The size is not too big—55 centimeters so it doesn't look like you're carrying a suitcase to the office—and the gray on black canvas is light, stuffable, and, well, black. Again, this is NYC." —Jason Sheeler, Style Director

$1,760; louisvuitton.com.

"Like the proverb goes: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed for a lifetime. So instead of sending your favorite someone a gorgeous bouquet of flowers for the holidays, why not treat them to a floral arranging class?

The Whitby Hotel in New York City has partnered with florist Lewis Miller to host a series of 'Back to Flower School' workshops. Lewis explains the nuts and bolts of flower arranging—from starting with a flower frog (in this case, a balled up piece of wire that sits on the bottom of the vase to hold stems) to offering tips on color palettes and layering techniques. 

The wreath making class in December and Valentine’s Day tutorial in February have already sold out, but book now for a Mother’s Day class. It’s a lot more thoughtful (and creative) than 1-800 FLOWERS and dinner and drinks are included—which seems like the perfect evening out for moms." —Maura Egan, Executive Editor

‘Back to Flower School’ costs $195 per person which includes a two- hour class with Lewis Miller and brunch or dinner in The Whitby Bar; firmdalehotels.com.

"I have lots of destinations to check off my list in 2018, and whenever I travel, my must-have accessory is a good pair of sunglasses that will go with anything. Classic and modern at the same time, illesteva's Portofino sunglasses in white tortoise are stylish without being fussy, so they'll work whether I'm strolling the streets of Paris or hiking in Colorado." —Nina Ruggiero, Digital Editor

$230; illesteva.com.

"Wildsam's American field guides are not your typical travel guides: They're filled with artful storytelling, local anecdotes, hand-drawn maps, and memoirs—in addition to expertly curated recommendations. There may be no better in-flight reading material if your goal is truly getting to know a place before landing. The limited edition box set comes with eight city guides, leaving me to make my favorite type of decision: where to go next." —Nina Ruggiero, Digital Editor

$144, wildsam.com.

"In soft, supple leather with a feminine shape and rubber soles that are ready to take on wear-and-tear, R. M. Williams' boots nail durability without sacrificing style, ideal for exploring cobblestoned streets for hours in a new city. I can't wait to see where they'll take me." —Nina Ruggiero, Digital Editor

$495; intl.rmwilliams.com.

"The 2 Flavor Bitters Bar Set* is the perfect starter gift or stocking stuffer for someone that wants to try their hand at making classic cocktails at home. For a home bartender or chef, the 5 Flavor Bitters Bar Set is also a wonderful host gift—our full line of cocktail bitters rounds out anyone's home bar. 

"For the foodie or cocktail nerd that has everything, the Craft Your Own Bitters Kit equips you with the tools to make your own craft bitters. 

"In addition to being the backbone of Amex Platinum's own signature cocktail, The Platinum Pony, our Moscow Mule mix lends itself to countless variations, making this modern classic awesome year round. Our mix can also be enjoyed warm with apple cider, booze optional. 

"Also a key ingredient in The Platinum Pony, our ginger bitters provide a gingery kick to cocktails and food recipes alike. 

"And finally, our extremely limited, ultra premium Founders Collection set* makes an amazing addition to anyone's home bar." —Tobin Ludwig, co-founder of New York-based cocktail company Hella Cocktail Co., and a member of the American Express Platinum Collective.

*These items are currently out of stock until 12/15; hellacocktail.co.