Olivia Riegel Garnet Christmas Tree Bottle Stopper. Gift-swap present: found. Because when you don’t know what to bring, a festive bottle stopper (and accompanying bottle of wine) is almost always a sure bet.
The Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique is now open.
It’s better to give than to receive – sage advice we should all be following, especially during the holiday season. This nugget is doubly important to bear in mind when shopping for your next Yankee Swap soiree.
I know I can’t be the only one who suffers from severe shopping anxiety when it comes to finding the perfect communal gift. Your purchase is bound to change hands multiple times throughout the night, so it needs appeal to everyone.
Whether you’re shopping for family or friends, men or women, or a mixed bag of the aforementioned, show up with any of the following and your gift will be the envy of the evening.
Wine. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to gifting a bottle of vino. Stick to classics like Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Riesling to accommodate even the most discerning of taste buds. Dress it up by pairing your bottle of choice with a set of new wine glasses or wine charms to adorn the neck. Voilà! Instagift.
Gift cards. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone at a party who won’t appreciate saving a few bucks on their everyday staples. Coffee, music, and book purchases all fall under this umbrella, but feel free to get creative – try filling a decorative coffee mug with eye-catching tissue paper and resting the gift cards on top.
Think cozy. Pair winter-friendly items together to create an irresistibly comfy gift set. A fleece throw and a lightly scented candle will make the weather outside seem not-so-frightful.
Gourmet touches. The holiday shelves are stocked with plenty of tasty, pre-packaged gift packs. From hot cocoa to pastry mixes, there are more than enough appetizing options out there for aspiring chefs (or anyone with a sweet tooth). Find a unique bowl or platter to jazz up your presentation.
By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer
What are you bringing to your next Yankee Swap? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.
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Nambé “Eclipse” Wine Rack. The hostess with the mostess has almost everything – except for this. The perfect gift to bring along with that bottle of Chardonnay, this modern wine rack keeps all those gifted bottles on display before it’s their turn to be popped open.
The Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique is now open.
THE INSIDE SCOOP BEHIND THE STORIED FAMILY VILLA
We caught up with Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the iconic fashion company’s late founder, for some insider insight about their family estate that he describes as “historic, luxurious, and picturesque.” There are so many amazing details about the estate (and our Tuscan adventure as a whole!) but we’ve zeroed in on five little-known facts about the Ferragamo family, wines, and estate that get us dreaming of the dolce vita.
1. When Salvatore said the property was historic – he meant it. The estate once belonged to the world-famous Medici-Tornaquinci noble family, as well as Italian royals throughout history.
2. The estate’s library is chock-filled with the family’s private collection of books and photographs – a treasure-trove of family heirlooms.
Continue reading “5 Telling Tidbits: Salvatore Ferragamo Talks Family Wines” »
BY ZIGGY CHAU, LUXURY LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST AND RUE LA LA MEMBER
Besides being a fashionista, I’m also a foodie. Imagine my excitement when I was invited to the Zagat “Off the Menu” dinner held exclusively for Rue La La Members.
We gathered at Bar Boulud, Chef Daniel Boulud’s wine bar and bistro at Lincoln Center, for a four-course wine pairing dinner presented by Chef Damian Sansonetti and Sommelier Michael Madrigale.
Continue reading “A Once-In-A-Lifetime Dinner at Bar Boulud” »
