Ever since I can remember, gifting has been my love language. So holiday shopping, naturally, has always been in my wheelhouse. Throughout the years, I have learned the secret to great gift-giving and, on the contrary, what makes a gift feel mediocre real quick.

The #1 way to lose the intention behind gifting is by basing your shopping on promotions only. We see a great price and immediately start sifting through the names of loved ones to give it to. More often than not, they don’t need or even want the item. I’ve found that the easiest way to buy a great gift is by asking a simple question: “Did an artist make this?”. The question is a loaded one. It invites us to look at the item in terms of design, how it’s made, what vibe it evokes, and whether it is a true fit for your giftee.

In a time where data dictates what gets manufactured by big box stores, it is the artist-owned brands that offer an exciting break from all the monotony. This is why, in a sea of likeness, I turn my attention to brands that are created by artists themselves. They create what seems like an entire ecosystem based on their design and aesthetic.

This holiday season, I have my eyes set on these special 10 brands that continue to inspire me through their innovation. Whether it’s a blanket or a mug, gifting artist-made products is always a winning strategy in my book. 

1. Orb Stash Jar by Summer School, $88

Not one to shy away from the experimentation process, Summer School offers beautiful ceramics that are playful with their shapes and bold with their colors. The vases have a Grecian ethereal touch, while their show-stopping mugs offer a modern air to the selection. The orb stash jar is currently flying high on my radar.

2. Scoop Lamp x Analuisa Corrigan by Wooj, $120

There is nothing more comforting than the warm glow of a fixture on the days when sunset occurs at 5 PM sharp. Wooj, an innovative 3D-printed lighting brand, has recently upped its product offerings, and it does not disappoint. Their recent collaboration with designer Ana Luisa Corrigan resulted in the perfect petite lamp: The Scoop. 

3. Jaguar Candleholder by Casa Veronica, $275

From figurines to proper sculptures, Casa Veronica captures the design and architectural elements of renowned Mexican Modern figures such as Luis Barrágan. Their ceramic creations, like this candleholder, were made with a collector in mind.  

4. Pina Colada Throw Blanket by Bien Mal, $199

Have you ever come across a blanket that is so cool that you can’t decide whether to use it for its intended purpose (to keep you warm) or to frame it and display it as a work of art? Bien Mal consistently brings good design to beautifully functional and cozy blankets.

5. Eclipse by Copito, $38

The color curation of Copito is deserving of an award—talk about using color theory! The candle brand features geometric wax sculptures that offer a zen vibe, while their muted colors bring a nostalgic element from decades past. The only thing cooler than that is the fact that they grow and forage their pigments in the wild, making their beeswax candles 100% natural.

6. Ripple Cup by Sophie Lou Jacobson, $30

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I say that SLJ was the original ripple glass designer before a certain e-retailer became festered with look-alikes. The soft yet bold allure of the ripple glass transcends to the rest of the collection, with coupes, pitchers, and coasters up for the pickin’.

7. Bean Pot Mitts by Gohar World, $48

Bows have taken over the interior decorators’ world, and it is a trend that will always remind me of Gohar World—a brand that celebrates tableware with a nod to surrealism and humorous designs. From an egg chandelier to a bean-shaped oven mitt, Gohar World brings the sass to the tablescape.

8. Ceramic Mini Watercolor Palette by Sunday Studio Brooklyn, $52

If squiggle-core is your thing, look no further than Sunday Studio Brooklyn for ceramic ware that features wiggles and squiggles while retaining a clean modern edge to it all. My personal favorite piece is the mini watercolor palette. 

9. Book Club Membership by So Textual, Price varies

I don’t think a cooler book club subscription exists. So Textual offers two books a month, something old and something new to shake up your literary world and a community to offer discussion. Being well-read has never looked so good!

10. Mini Malm Burners by Kate Schroeder Ceramics, $185

While not all MCM fans can obtain a Malm fireplace for their abode, leave it to ceramicist Kate Schroeder to fulfill your dreams in miniature form. This mini Malm burns incense so that your living room is not without this mid-century modern staple.