The Happy Home: Hunker's 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
This was the year we learned how to do everything at home. The one thing we kind of forgot? How to enjoy ourselves. This holiday, let's dive into a chromatic candyland that makes us forget about the world outside. Inside, everything should be technicolor tie-dye, games to make us feel like kids, homewares that border on wacky, and scents to color your atmosphere. This year's gift guide is all about making home happy.
Stephen Paul for Hunker
FUN & GAMES: True, your loved ones have probably already done several puzzles over the past few months and taken up needlepoint, but that doesn't mean they don't still need things to keep busy. Try one of these joyful crafts.
Piecework Power Lunch Puzzle, $36
These days, there's a "millennial" everything, and Piecework has become the de facto millennial jigsaw puzzle brand — and we're not mad at it. Featuring photographs of scenes chock-full of playful elements, take our word for it: These puzzles ain't easy! But distraction-worthy? Definitely.
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Mickalene Thomas 204 Piece Puzzle, $28
For your younger family members, try this smaller, 204-piece puzzle featuring the artwork of New York-based contemporary painter Mickalene Thomas. Easy to accomplish in an afternoon!
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Scout Regalia Paint-by-Numbers Cactus Duo, $40
Paint-by-numbers — a quarantine favorite — now becomes 3D artwork thanks to Scout Regalia's paintable wood flats, which come with standing bases. Also perfect for the loved one who always complains about their plants dying.
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Urban Outfitters Tie-Dye Kit, $18
These days, it's hard to walk twenty feet without spotting someone wearing tie-dye. If you've got a crafty pal who loves being on top of the trends, they'll delight in this petite tie-dye kit to get them started on a colorful journey.
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Fredericks & Mae Colorful Chalk Set, $30 & Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, $37.99
With some chalk paint and some vibrant cubes of chalk, your giftee can transform a corner of their home into DIY art.
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Fredericks & Mae Wildflower Cannon, $14
Whether your loved one has reached the "gardening phase" of quarantine or not, they'll be sure to appreciate some home-grown florals, which explode with a pop of wildflower seeds.
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Block Shop Wood Printing Kit, $84
If you've ever lusted after L.A.-based Block Shop's wood block prints (and who hasn't?) then you (and your similarly minded pal) will go nuts over their most recent release: a DIY wood block kit so you can make mini versions of your faves, or come up with your own unique combo of lines and circles. We're giddy with the possibilities.
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KITCHEN, DECOR & DINING: Add some rainbow accessories to their space with these whimsical ceramics, glassware, and decor.
Wilcoxson Handmade Color Drip Mugs, $129
We can't think of a better way to start the morning — faced with a rainbow of mug choices.
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MINNA Sunrise Stripe Napkins, $20 each
Even winding down the day can still feel colorful with the addition of MINNA's Sunset napkins to your dinner table. Hand-woven in Guatemala, these textiles are ethically made using traditional crafting techniques — something equally nice to think about as you sit down for a family meal.
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Golde Original Tonic Blend, $29
Healthy and colorful, Golde's morning-friendly blend features turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper — and with no added sugar.
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Justina Blakeney Emuna Hook Pillow, $65 & Justina Blakeney Noa Hook Pillow, $52
Justina Blakeney, the brains behind the blog and decor brand, Jungalow, has a knack for creating items that just feel happy. To wit: These spirited hook pillows that would be a gorgeous addition to any corner of your loved one's home.
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Alison Brent Ceramic Salt and Pepper Pots, $39.24
Here's one for the loved one obsessed with details — funky salt and pepper shakers, handmade by U.K. creator Alison Brent.
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Drew Barrymore Flower Home Acrylic Tray Set, $39.99
Drew Barrymore's three-piece set totally took us by surprise. After all, her Flower line is a Walmart exclusive ... and it. is. AWESOME! Gift this tray set to someone who recently moved to a first apartment and could use a bit of glam, or a loved one who has a bit of '60s style.
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Sophie Lou Jacobsen Wave Pitcher, $215
Product designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen's pieces are focused on creating pleasure in everyday objects, and with her Wave Pitcher, she clearly succeeded ... because we can't stop smiling at it. And there are so many different ways you could use it: Wine decanter! Floral vase! Bedside carafe!
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Sugahara Glassworks Duo Sake Glass, $52 each
Everything by elegant Japanese glassmaker Sugahara is hand-blown. These petite glasses would be a delight to the sake or whisky connoisseur in your life.
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Estelle Colored Wine Stemware (set of 6), $175
"Obsessed" doesn't even begin to explain how we feel about Estelle's colorful glassware. Hand-blown by artisans in Poland, the company's rainbow wine glass sets became the darling of Instagram this year. So, for the buddy who has been talking about having a bar setup forever, or has been lamenting the lack of grown-up wine glasses in their life — boom!
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Handmade and hand-painted in Spain, you don't need a full set for these charming and sturdy bowls to make an impact in a pal's home.
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SCENTS & SOAPS: At the beginning of this mess, soap was just something to get your hands on (assuming your local store wasn't pillaged); now there's space to make soap something lovely. And candles have proven that they can add new layers of calm and escapism to our homes.
Italian Fruit Candles, $18-$22
A little BTS info: The concept for our gift guide began with these candles. We saw them and just thought, How freakin' fun??? Plus the backstory makes them even better: They're created by Cereria Introna, a tiny, sixth generation company that's been in biz since 1840.
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Boy Smells Agua De Jardin & Rhubarb Smoke, $39
Boy Smells describes its Hypernature collection as "a limited series of sensorial simulations to awaken your inner alchemy and transport you to new worlds where the beauty of nature is magnified into an eruption for the senses." We can confirm that these fantastical candles induce daydreaming, because we just went somewhere for the past 15 mins ... no clue where.
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British Color Standard Striped Candles (set of 4), $24
Pillar candles have never been so fun — this British brand stacks layers of color for a feel that's both bright and homespun.
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Every Golden Detail Mustard Candle Holders, $24-28
These delicate glass candleholders come in a variety of shapes. Select a couple to create a candlescape that's full of texture.
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Handmade in Maine, Wary Meyers' soaps combine psychedelic hues with wit and unexpected fragrances. And they look magnificent on a sink ledge.
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If we've learned anything this year, it's that you can never have enough soap! Every person on your gift list could certainly take a break from whatever's available at the supermarket with something truly upscale — like these Byredo (famous for luxury perfumes) hand soaps.
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BOOKS: Contrary to popular belief, sometimes (sometimes), the cover is just as important as what's inside.
Missoni Family Cookbook, $50
We couldn't think of a more appropriate cookbook to add to this list — The Missoni Family Cookbook channels the fashion clan's love of color alongside Italian home cooking.
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Corazón by Yesika Salgado, $22
This book of poetry celebrates love and heartache from writer Yesika Salgado is filled with transporting pieces reflecting on her Salvadoran roots and Los Angeles home. Equally dreamy is the persimmon-hued cover, just begging to be put out on display.
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Paris by Design by Eva Jorgensen, $21.99
Take the trip (in your mind) that got cancelled this year with Eva Jorgensen's Paris by Design, a city guide that asks dozens of creative locales about their lives and go-to spots.
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Making Living Lovely by Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, $19.59
London's 2LG Studio is known for dominating Instagram with their crazy-bold color blocked spaces — think rainbow rooms with lots of wave and curve forms. Their debut book is a guide to living in their world — somewhere we all want to be right now.
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Wild Interiors by Hilton Carter, $19.19
You probably know Hilton Carter from his extra inspiring, plant-filled Instagram. In his new book, the stylist and botanical expert photographs plant-happy interiors that inspire him.
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Words to Live By by Jade Purple Brown, $14.49
Illustrator Jade Purple Brown's (best name ever, btw) oh-so-giftable book features the quotes of inspiring women — from Janet Mock to Jane Goodall to Michelle Obama, and more. Ideal for kids and growns alike!
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Gestalten's New Residential Garden Concept & Architecture for a Greener Planet might not exactly be the type of book you read cover-to-cover in one sitting (then again: depends), but the images of fascinating gardens and architectural homes are instantly soothing.