T&C's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Holiday Psych 101
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The Joy of...Inspiring Envy
There’s a scene in the 1991 Steve Martin film Father of the Bride when the eponymous bride breaks down in tears upon being given a blender by her betrothed. Now, a good blender is nothing to sneeze at—many of us would be thrilled to receive a Vitamix A3500. But in this case the appliance did not stimulate the pleasure centers of her particular brain.
Sure, some gifts are straightforward (he needs a new raincoat; she collects perfume bottles), but most gifts—the best—are about more than just the thing itself. They’re about the way that thing makes both giver and receiver feel, the psychological itch it scratches. In the case of really spectacular jewels, there is the pleasure one gets from possessing shiny, beautiful things. But there is also the delicious sensation of knowing others in the room wish they were similarly adorned. It’s not our fault: Myriad scientific papers document the neural pathways involved in envy, schadenfreude, and social dominance. We are built according to certain codes. The key is finding that one special thing that unlocks them. By Danielle Stein Chizzik
Top Image: Chopard Necklace
Don't get green, get even
“The thermometer of success,” Salvador Dalí once said, “is merely the jealousy of the malcontents.”
Vhernier
Blue velvet necklace, Inquire by phone 332-267-2900
Ana Khouri
Phillipa Bracelet
Dior Fine Jewelry
Les Jardins de la Couture necklace, Inquire by phone 800-929-DIOR
Lugano Diamonds
Emerald & Diamond Weave Earrings
Paul Morelli
Twilight Cuff ($11,000)
Tiffany & Co.
Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock Earrings
David Webb
Landing Ring ($52,000)
Just in Case
It sure is fun to make others jealous—as long as you’re well protected from their evil glares.
Evil Eye Charm
Elle Aventurine Locket
Turquoise Lucky Move Ring
Owl Amulet
The Joy of...#IYKYK
Even if you don’t understand art, doesn’t it feel good to pretend that you do?
The Joy of...Spoiling the Kids
The latest in must-have kitchen upgrades are made for a small—but discerning—clientele.
Essential Play Kitchen Starter Duo
Mini Cashmere Teddy Bear
101 Dalmatians Wallpaper
Dinner Plate
Pizza Plush
Popcorn Plush
Pig Plush
Dinosaur Plush
Now Let the Grown-Ups Play
Why should the kids get to have all the fun?
Sterling Silver Ketchup Sleeve & Lid
One-Of-A-Kind Dinner Plate
Hand Forged Cheese Knife Set
Vintage Serving Dish
Murano Glass Jar
Ratio Eight Coffeemaker
CornuFe 110 Range & Hood
Live a Little
A la carte delights for the foodie whose kitchen doubles as a shoe closet.
Celebration Cake
Pineapples
Chocolate Glace Peaches
Osetra Caviar
The Joy of...The Fairytale
For Her
How to keep the romance alive? Proven methods below.
Kayu Jen Clutch
Dianora Salviati Scarf
Akris Shearling Reversible Coat
Manolo Blahnik Pointed Toe Pumps
Lewis Miller Design Bespoke Floral Arrangement (Palm Beach and West Palm Only)
Sleeper Party Pajama Set
One-of-a-Kind Locket
For Him
Get him to remember you fondly, no matter what.
Honda Motocompacto Scooter
Pent Fitness Visla Water Rower
Alice Mushrooms Brainstorm Functional Mushroom Chocolates
Gump's Leather Cocktail Set
Celine by Hedi Slimane Razor
Corgi Handmade Monogrammed Socks
Walters Faith Sterling Silver and Rose Gold Bracelet
The Joy of...Revenge
Gio Ponti, Nilufar Hanging Wardrobe
Kei Blazer
Indiana Jones™ Vagabond Duffel
Portraits
Graff Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Minifridge
Superfine Glass Fly Rod Outfit
Musette Toile Marbeuf Messenger Bag
Azimut Seadeck 6 Yacht
The Joy of...Hygge
It’s cashmere weather, and it’s time to turn off all screens, alerts, and notifications. A silent night indeed.
Brighton Throw Blanket
Perseo Throw
Pure Cashmere Throw
Stripe Super Soft Blanket
H Dye Blanket
Full Stop
Contrary to popular belief, a life of sybaritic leisure takes work. And the right tools.
Embroidered Dahlia Bed Set
Smartgoggles
Astrea Lounge Armchair
Tortoise Footstool
The Joy of...Discovery
Hard-to-please beauty lover on your list? Show them the door(s).
Sisley-Paris Advent Calendar
Beauty Advent Calendar
25-Day Advent Calendar
La Collection Privée Holiday 2023 Advent Calendar – Limited Edition
Women's The World of La Mer 12-Day Advent Calendar
Women's Valmont Winter Illumination 12-Piece Advent Calendar
Show, Don’t Tell
Consider these vanity upgrades to be public displays of affection.
THE BEE BOTTLE BY BEGHUM KHAN
Rouge Hermès Shiny Lipstick Limited Edition, 72 Rouge Bruni
Radiant Gold Eye Shimmer - Precious Metal Collection
SUBLIMAGE L’EXTRAIT DE NUIT – L’ÉCRIN
The Slow Beauty Basics Kit
Penhaligon's The Omniscent Mr. Thompson Eau de Parfum
Women's Medici Garden Magnolia Eau de Parfum - Size 1.7-2.5 oz.
Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, 100ml
Forever Shine Shampoo
Certificates of Excellence
Spoil someone with a gift card to one of the world’s top spas.
Aman New York
A quick dip, or a vitamin IV drip? A new partnership with bodySCULPT Wellness & Aesthetic takes Aman’s holistic Manhattan spa to another level. aman.com
Raffles at the OWO Guerlain Spa, London
The luxe 27,000-square-foot Guerlain spa at the much-talked-about new Raffles hotel is an invitation to lose track of time—or, with the Ultimate Black Orchid Age Reverse facial, turn it back. raffles.com
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
Simply taking the waters in this resort’s renowned mineral-rich hot springs counts as a spa experience. But why not throw in a massage, too? castlehotsprings.com
Dior Spa at The Hotel Plaza Athénée, Paris
The newly reimagined Dior spa at the historic Hotel Plaza Athénée is elegance incarnate. Guarantee bliss with one of three special treatments (Recharge, Recover, or Rest) in the exclusive Dior Light Suite, which is illuminated with wellbeing-boosting wavelengths. dorchestercollection.com
The Joy of...Being Gwyneth
Admit it: You wouldn’t mind living like her for a day. Now you can.
Let Them Go
Travel is a salve for mind and soul. So is a good souvenir.
Fine Art Glicee Print
Baobab Tree Board Shorts
Artifact Replica
The Joy of...The Score
Is there a secret to getting the most coveted bag in the world? Some call it #birkinbait. Maybe it’s a myth, but a whisper network swears there’s a method to the madness.
The Investment Portfolio
If you need more ideas to max out the spending limit, we’re here for you.
Trunk
De Beers Aura Diamond Necklace
Christopher Flach Portrait of a Lady
Sunday Stand Bag
Bahwah Reserve Elang Private Residence
Loro Piana Weston Jacket
Calatrava Watch
2016 Pomerol Magnum
Lucid Motors Lucid Air Sapphire
Martino Gamper, Nilufar Chair Condominium
The Joy of...The Hack
Shameful no more! How to regift with grace.
Biedermeier Candlesticks
Porcelain Branch Candlesticks
Porcelain Tulip Votive
Linen Tablecloth
Pantelleria Candle
Fir Candle
Melograno Scented Candle
Fall Colored Tiny Taper Candles
Tabacco Toscano Candle
Candles
Yours, Truly
There are ways to guarantee your gift doesn’t recirculate. Here are four of them.
A Parisian Cabinet of Curiosities: Deyrolle (book)
Candle Sculpture
Mezcal Gift Box Set
Wine and Bar 3-Piece Gift Set
This story appears in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of Town & Country.
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