This is genuinely the most terrific time of year: holidays, parties, and gifts. Of course I love receiving gifts (who doesn’t?), but I also really and genuinely love giving gifts, a lot of especially when I know that the gift is something that the recipient will absolutely love.
Don’t be fooled: gift giving is very fun and rewarding, but if you are someone like me, who really tends to overthink things, it can also be stressful. I worry. I obsess. I am terrified that my gift isn’t good enough, or the recipient will just pretend to like it, or maybe I have possibly overspent…again. So while gift giving is one of my favorite things, I really like to plan a well-thought-out gift. However, this time of year that’s not normally possible. We are all so busy; from Thanksgiving on, it’s like the starter at a race has blown the horn and we are off at breakneck speed, bounding our way furiously to the finish line, which is located at around 12:01 am new Year’s Day (well, in my case, probably a lot more like 10:30 pm on December 31st). So on top of my worry I also delay, which makes it worse.
There are gifts we can plan, there are gifts we avoid planning, and there are last minute gifts we may have completely forgotten about. definitely the most welcome gifts come wrapped in an orange box, right? Right…well, sorta. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it’s wrapped in an orange box it will be a winner. Unless your significant other really, really ,really loves ties, or socks, no matter how great the box is, you are going to see that tiny flicker of disappointment, and you will know deep in your heart that you just kind of put lipstick on a pig (and I say this as someone who is absolutely guilty of giving my husband socks, although in my defense he keeps a special stash of extra socks, so in case the Zombie Apocalypse comes,our feet will be warm!).
So here we are: the holidays are swiftly approaching, and you need some great gifts, whether for your significant other, best friend, boss, sibling, neighbor… that is, for people you love, or at least, for people you will have to interact with in some capacity for the foreseeable future. You want to give them an orange box. What are your gifting options?
I have done the work for you. I have scoured through the Hermès web site and come up with some viable gift options at every price point (yeah I know, I really “took one for the team” here).
My policies for this article:
It has to be somewhat easily available, and even better if you can get it directly from the Hermès website. This post would be really short if I said “okay folks, get your friend a Birkin or tiny Kelly, what a great gift!” which is something you already know. If you can swing it, great; otherwise, read on.
It has to be something a little different; if you want to do this swiftly and just get something great and easy, find their favorite color and get a scarf, shawl or tie. This works for just about anyone, but often a deeper dive is a lot more rewarding. If you need a basic choice, I will include an “easy call” under each header in the less stratospheric price categories, for which department will offer you the best option in that price range.
It can’t need another component to be a complete gift.
It has to be something one would receive as an actual gift, not just something nice. The beachwear is charming but I wouldn’t give any individual a bathing suit. nothing on this list must be opened to the “sad trombone” sound.
A variety of Hermès departments must be represented. I may even manage to represent everycategory Hermès offers. Something for everyone.
So, let’s begin!
$100 and Under
In this price range, there admittedly isn’t much, but what’s available is well-packaged and visually attractive. The easy call would be something from the fragrance department, but there are some other choices, too.
Fragrances: Eau de Pamplemousse rose Moisturizing face and Body Balm $69
Hermès makes a good variety of fragrance, bath and body products for under $100 (including Twilly d’Hermès soap for $23!) but I personally love the face and Body Balm, which smells great and can be used all over the body. It also comes in 6 other scents and all works as an aftershave for men. The Clou de Selle tin packaging makes this gift a winner visually, too.
Hermès Moisturizing face and Body Balm. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Writing: Notebook PM (3.9” x 6.3” x .2”) $45; A5 (5.8” x 8.3” x .2”) $70
These notebooks come in several sizes with a beautiful cover illustration, normally from a scarf design. This is a very appealing option for the writer-as-nature-lover, as the web site describes these as a notebook and “poetic herbarium”, continuing with “we invite you to observe your surroundings, with this double page book including seeds to tear off, crumple and plant”. If any individual does do this, please report back and let me know what grows from this notebook!
Hermès Notebook, Le Flaneur Design. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Book: Pop-Up Hermes book $40
A fun pop-up book illustrating some of Hermès’ a lot of well-known scarf designs.
Hermès Pop-Up Book, inside View, Zebra Pegasus. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Home: Toutenpapier Tatoo color Coasters, $95
Ok, yes, they are coasters, and I was tempted to pass on these because of the sad trombone potential, but it’s a pack of 12 and they are pretty bold and colorful. I admit to getting a set of coasters a million years ago because I loved the art-nouveau patterns, and I still have one of those on my nightstand. These are double-sided, with visually eye-catching graphic designs based on scarf patterns. Hermès also makes a set of matching placemats for $140.
Toutenpapier Tatoo Coasters (that’s how they spell Tattoo). photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
$100-$250
There is a bit a lot more available in this price range, and from a broader variety of departments. The easy call would still be fragrance, but there are great options from tableware, too.
Games: playing Cards, $120-165
There are several sets of playing cards available, including bridge, poker, tarot, cirque and large size. a lot of of the regular sets include two 55-card decks. I like the sets with the Couvertures Nouvelles scarf design on the back, but the Cirque Roberto cards have fun drawings instead of the normal suits.
Set of Hermès playing Cards, Couvertures Pattern. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Set of Hermès Cirque Roberto playing Cards. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Tableware: Mosaique au 24 Platinum Tray, small model (6.3” x 4.7”) $190
A very pretty tray in the Mosaique au 24 design, this is both decorative and useful.
Mosaique au 24 Platinum Tray, small Model. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Fragrances: compose Your own set of 4 Hermessences $168
This is generally a choose-your-own gift set where you select 4 15ml travel-size spray bottles of Eau de Toilette, and of course it all comes in an orange box.
Set of 4 Hermessences. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Small leather goods (SLG): Bastia Verso change purse $230 for epsom, $235 for chevre
This may not look like much, but if you’ve been on the PurseForum the little Bastia gets a lot of love, especially on the “Rainbow of colors inside Your Bag” thread. intended as a change purse, it can hold quite a variety of odds-and-ends which would otherwise be covering the bottom of a bag. I use mine for change, guitar picks, a small scarf ring and earbuds – all at the same time. For the same price you can often find one in verso (bi-color), too!
Bastia Verso in Noir and Vert Amande. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
$250-$500
Now the gift choices start getting really good. a lot of of the Hermès departments have something available in this price range, and that includes fine jewelry. My easy call would be from the SLG department, especially if you can find something in verso.
SLG: Calvi Verso Card Holder $335 for Epsom $380 for chevre
The salt to Bastia’s pepper, the Calvi is another simply-designed leather item which holds a lot, yet is small enough to go anywhere. intended as a card holder, mine also carries Band-Aids, cash, and packaged wipes.
Calvi Verso in Vert Bosphore and rose Ete chevre, open View. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Accessories: Rodeo or H Bag charm in PM size, $455
Depending on where you live, these bag charms are not impossible to get, and a lot of Hermès aficionados love these, no matter what bag they carry. The Rodeos also come in larger sizes (MM and GM) but PM, the smallest, is the most popular size.
PM Rodeo charm in rose Pourpre.
H Bag Charm.
Fine Jewelry: Birkin Amulette bracelet silver $475, Eclipse ring $450
These fine jewelry silver options are very wearable and opt for any wardrobe. The tiny Birkin charm bracelet is a pretty, delicate piece, while the Eclipse ring is basic and a lot more substantial looking.
Mini Birkin Amulette Bracelet. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Eclipse Ring. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Baby: Hermy Plush, $375
An charming treat for the little ones, and available in pink or blue.
Baby Hermy plush in Blue. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Tableware: Mosaique au 24 Tea cup with lid and Saucer, $290
I love these porcelain cup and lid sets.
Mosaïque au 24 Tea cup with lid and Saucer. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Fragrances: Refillable leather case, $255; with three refills, $324
For the fragrance lover, Hermes has a refillable leather case and a variety of perfume options.
Fragrance leather case and Refill. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Writing: Ulysse PM Noteook cover $250 (mini $195)
Although we all keep so much information stored in our phones, lots of people still like to write things down. The PM notebook cover is available in lots of colors, and there are different options for the page inserts, including blank ($55) and lined ($75). Refills for various notebooks and agenda also include calendar and contacts pages.
Ulysse PM Notebook Cover in Bleu Electrique. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Ulysse PM Notebook Refill. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Fashion Jewelry: O’Kelly Pendant, $295 for small, $590 for large, bracelet $560
The O’Kelly is a new line highlighting the familiar lock which comes with certain Hermès bags. used in both gold and silver tone and featuring a leather “shadow”, I think that this is a great fashion jewelry piece for the younger set and can suit just about anyone, especially as my teenage kid just gotten a similarly-designed necklace at the mall (he’s hoping for one of these to replace it!).
O’Kelly small pendant Necklace. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
$500-$1,000
Most product lines also offer something in this price range, so gifts are easy to find, it’s a lot more a matter of deciding because there are so lots of good options! My easy call here would be one of the change trays or ashtrays, which are so beautiful and useful.
SLG: Calvi pouch $970 in epsom (5.9″ long x 8.5″ high x 0.8″ deep)
If it’s good when it’s small, it need to be better when it’s bigger, right? I am trying to find an excuse to get one of these for myself, as the contrasting zipper pouch it comes with makes this even a lot more tempting.
Calvi pouch in Rouge de Coeur and Mauve Sylvestre. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Calvi pouch in Gold and Blue du Nord. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Clou de Selle silver cufflinks, $620
Yes, this is a very standard type of gift, but the Clou de Selle style is just so sophisticated and timeless.
Silver Clou de Selle Cufflinks. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Home: change Trays/Ashtrays $520-$700
No longer really used for ashes but very beneficial for jewelry, spare change or as a decorative piece. I love these. They come in a variety of designs, often from their silk and tableware lines. The prices vary a bit, but unless they are handpainted a lot of of the prices are within this range.
Pegase change Tray. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Savana Danse Ashtray. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Dogs: Etriviere and Rocabar pet dog Collars, $650
A holiday treat for your best friend. Not gonna lie, this is also an excuse to include photos of charming doggos in this article.
Etriviere Collar. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Rocabar Collar. photo courtesy of Hermes.com. Yes, I included both because they are both “good bois”.
RTW: Men’s Dragon t tee shirt $570
Hermès has been adding Dragons to its regular stable of horses, loaning a a lot more whimsical air to their scarves, jewelry and RTW. This t-shirt comes in several colors and has the print across the front to the back.
Dragon t-shirt in Méditerranée. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
Fashion Jewelry: Rivale double excursion bracelet $560 (swift) $830 (lizard)
An easy, go-anywhere leather bracelet that can supply a pop of color or edge to an outfit. easily available in pop colors and neutrals with gold, palladium or rose gold hardware.
Rivale double excursion bracelet in Magnolia with rose Gold Hardware. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
$1,000-$3,000
At this point in my – ahem – research, it became tough to weed out all of the enticing options. While a lot of people might say the easy call would be the Apple Watch, I’m going for the wildcard choice – the Rocabar Poncho.
Fine Jewelry: new Farandole earrings, (2.6″ long) $1,275 (small/silver), $1,925 (medium/silver), $2,425 (very small/rose gold), $3,000 (medium/silver with rose gold)
A few variations on the Farandole theme depending on whether the recipient prefers a bold or a delicate look. The rose gold version has .02ct of diamonds and a very modern asymmetry in length (one is 1.8” the other is 2.6”). The silver pairs include and short and a long drop of the same lengths.
New Farandole Earrings, very Small, in rose Gold. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
New Farandole Earrings, Medium, in Silver with rose Gold. The medium/silver version looks like this without the rose gold. photo courtesy of Hermes.com.
New Farandole Earrin