Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Abigail here! For those who may not know me, I'm The McKinley Club's new Director of Marketing and a proud Phoenician. Just before the shopping scaries settle in, I've put together what I think is a foolproof holiday gift guide featuring genderless goods from local shops and small brands I've adored over the years.
For the Home Body
This past summer, I had the privilege of attending Masha Tea's writing retreat in Tuscany, Italy. After a sleepy train ride from Rome to Monte San Savino, we hurled our bags up to our living quarters, a storybook-like olive farm carefully placed on top of a hill. Upon arriving, we were greeted with little snacks and iced tea from Masha Tea. Throughout the week, we took turns brewing teas before bed, creating this unspoken ritual. I sipped on my first Hōjicha latte while learning about Masha Tea's farming practices from the founder, Maria. Tea became a meditative routine that week, then a deeply rooted connection that I brought home with me.
01. Masha Tea's Herb Chai $29
02. Fishwife California White Sturgeon Caviar + Mother of Pearl Spoon $150
03. Cactus Cru Golden Brown 2023 $34
04. Local Nomad Classic Cashmere Socks in Red $24
For the Garden Enthusiast
Some of my fondest childhood memories are the times rustling through my grandmother's garden, plucking cherry tomatoes from the vine, or shaking a fistful of sunflower stocks in hopes of catching its seeds. If you're anything like me, you have quite a green thumb, but only when it comes to outdoor plants. I had been eyeing the Gardenheir clogs for some time before my best friend Alyah graciously gifted me a like-new thrifted pair. They're incredibly comfy and easy to clean, my two prerequisites for buying new shoes.
05. Gardenheir Italian Garden Clogs in Caramel $78
06. Usal Projects Field Journal $52
07. Market by Modern Nest The Seasonal Gardener $50
08. Pueblo Life The Bartley Burbler Watering Can $16
For the Coffee Lover
Practical Art has been a quintessential piece of Phoenix's quilt for more than 15 years. The shop, just nestled across from Uptown Plaza, carries the work of over 100 Arizona-based artisans. While I'm not much of an online shopper, their user-friendly site makes it easy to sift through the hundreds of original works. When I saw this particular mug by Brad Towsley, my heart fluttered. I mean, look at that handle. It's extra sweet knowing there's only one in the world.
09. Practical Art Mug by Brad Towsley $95
10. Palabras Bookstore Poetry Unbound $18
11. Moxie Coffee Co. Coffee Beans $19
12. Casa Bosques Chocolate x Canyon Coffee Ground Ethiopian Coffee & Cacao Shell $18
For the World Traveler
Noto Botanics has all the good buzzwords you want to be etched on the bottles of your skincare: organic, vegan, multi-use, sustainably made and packaged. The Agender Oil is not your boyfriend's 3-in-1. It's universally sexy with an intoxicating scent and can be used as an all-over moisturizer for your face and body, a hair texturizing oil to calm frizz and restructure curls, or a deeply hydrating scalp mask. It's a 2 oz. bottle so you can chuck it in your carry-on for ensured on-the-go hydration. Oh, and it's conveniently sold at one of our favorite local floral shops, Plum Studios.
13. Local Nomad Cowhide Cardholders $32
14. Plum Studios Noto Agender Oil $47
15. Frances Baggu Small Cloud Carry-On $72
16. Framed Ewe Graf Lantz Classic Merino Wool Eyeglass Sleeve $29