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The Gift Guide1

THE Gift Guide for Designers

Design-forward gifts for everyday rituals (and every kind of design lover)

’Tis the season: Welcome back to the IIDA holiday gift guide. Now in its second year, this annual roundup has officially become a tradition — and your trusted source for finding design-forward gifts that delight, surprise, and stand the test of time. From analog revivals to thoughtful rituals, this year’s picks celebrate objects that spark joy, invite pause, and elevate the everyday. Whether it’s a scent that smells like summer, a throw that doubles as art, or a mini guitar for the next musical prodigy, consider this your shortcut to giving — and living — with great design. You’ll find objects for every moment of the day, from early morning sweat sessions to aperitivo hour and mindful nighttime routines. Let’s unwrap some good design together!

move

A sleek, futuristic Nike sneaker in shades of pink, featuring a transparent upper, unique lacing, and a striking red sole.
Color-forward, sculptural footwear
KNWLS × Nike Air Max Muse
A fashion-grade trainer that still means business. The pointed toe cap and corset-inspired lacing nod to KNWLS’ sculptural edge, while the cushioned sole keeps it firmly in Nike territory. Equal parts statement and staple — surprisingly versatile with denim or at the gym.
$208, knwls.com
A set of light blue Bala fitness accessories, including weights, a circular weight, and an undulating bar, arranged neatly.
A home gym that doubles as good design
Bala The Weight Kit + Tangram SmartRope (LED)
Design-forward bangles, bars, and hand weights that are as aesthetic as they are efficient — plus a high-tech jump rope that projects and tracks your reps mid-air in a flash of LED light. Proof that movement can look as good as it feels.
$312.30, shopbala.com; $79.95, tangramfactory.com
A stylish light green bicycle with a brown seat and a classic design, featuring large wheels and a streamlined frame for comfortable riding.
Designed for the ride — and the living room
Linus Dutchi 3
A step-through classic with modern components — upright comfort, easy handling, and a timeless silhouette. This bike is an everyday essential that doubles as a décor statement. Meaning: park it next to your sofa and it'll only add to the visual vibes.
$869, linusbike.com

WORK

A wooden organizer displays a notepad with a checklist, accompanied by stacked green boxes labeled "Analog." Perfect for planning.
Plan your day like a designer, not a multitasker
Ugmonk Analog Starter Kit
Three tactile cards and a handsome stand turn priorities into something you can actually see — and finish. It’s analog on purpose: fewer distractions, better focus, prettier desk.
$99, ugmonk.com
A brown leather notebook and a gray notebook are placed on a beige surface, complemented by a light wooden strip in the background.
Carry inspiration, refill forever
Paper Republic Grand Voyageur + Acrylic Fountain Pen
A leather travel notebook you can endlessly refill, paired with a vivid acrylic fountain pen that turns note-taking into an elegant ritual. Picture analog tools made for those who still love the feel of pen on paper.
$68, paper-republic.com; $150, topdrawershop.com
A pair of black scissors designed with a modern aesthetic, standing upright on a circular base for easy access and display.
Scissors as totem
HMM Scissors
When Japanese stainless steel meets Taiwanese craftsmanship, the result is an award-winning design. Black titanium blades stand upright, and razor-sharp utility pairs with desk-art presence to turn every snip into a design moment.
$50, hmmproject.com

CREATE

A neatly arranged collection of art supplies, including paint, brushes, gloves, and a wooden palette, all on a light background.
Repair the crack, celebrate the story
Humade “New Kintsugi” Kit
Kintsugi — a Japanese art form that traces its origins to the late 15th century — embraces imperfection by mending broken ceramics with golden seams. This modern kit gives favorite pieces a second, more interesting life. It’s wabi-sabi you can hold.
$185, omakase-forest.com
A stylish electronic device featuring intricate circular patterns and organic designs in black and gold, with hints of iridescence.
Make nature audible
Pocket SCÍON Biofeedback Instrument
A handheld device — portable, battery-powered, and pocket-sized — that listens to the tiny electrical signals in plants and turns them into sound. A little science, a lot of wonder, and endless creative rabbit holes.
$149, pocketscion.com
A canvas tool roll featuring four black hand tools: scissors, pliers, a small knife, and a curved tool, neatly organized and tied.
Tiny forest, big craft
Kaneshin Bonsai Tool Roll
Japanese steel tools designed for shaping, pruning, and styling miniature trees. Pair with a bonsai — whether a humble starter or a well-tended specimen — for a meditative hobby that rewards patience and precision: a living sculpture with serious design cred.
$28, gardenheir.com

CONNECT

A round, silver portable speaker partially obscured by a black leather cover, resting on a tan surface alongside a notepad.
Sound that travels
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1
Pocketable 360-degree audio in a beautifully engineered shell — from picnic to party, podcasts to playlists. It pairs Danish design with rich, detailed sound. (Bonus: it’s waterproof.)
$399, bang-olufsen.com
Projector
Movie night, anywhere
XGIMI Elfin Flip Projector
Crisp projection in a slim, portable body with quick setup for spontaneous screenings. Small enough to stash in a tote but powerful enough to fill a wall, it pairs best with popcorn, blankets, and friends who’ll inevitably ask, “Where’d you get this?”
$249, xgimi.com
Four stylish rings in varying pastel colors—white, mint green, pink, and navy—stacked with a reflective silver interior.
Form, function, and eight hours of sleep
Oura Ring Gen 4 (Ceramic)
The newest Oura Ring, reimagined in ceramic, tracks the metrics you actually care about — sleep stages, a physical and mental readiness score, and recovery — hiding world-class tech inside a minimal band that looks as good as it performs.
$499, ouraring.com

HOST

Oyster Plate
Half a dozen reasons to throw a raw-bar party
Oyster Half Dozen Platter
A sculptural platter with six tidy wells and a center sauce nest that makes shucking feel chic. Add lemon, hot sauce, and a little crushed ice, and you’ve got instant “wow” with minimal effort and maximum style.
$53.95, coton-colors.com
Colorful wooden blocks stacked to form two smiling faces, featuring various patterns and colors that create a playful design.
Joy at the table
Dusen Dusen “Everybody” Grinder
A cheerful beechwood grinder that brings color (and well, seasoning) to the table. Designed by pattern-happy studio Dusen Dusen, it’s a rare crowd-pleaser that looks as good on the shelf as it does in action.
$48, dusendusen.com
A blue glass bottle stands among four orange drinking glasses, creating a vibrant and stylish table setting against a neutral background.
Carafe, but make it cute
Maison Balzac J’ai Soif XL Carafe
A playful silhouette with a satisfying pour, inspired by the traditional drinkware found on French bedside tables. Expertly crafted from amber borosilicate glass, it turns the simple act of drinking water into a small moment of design — hydration, elevated.
$120, maisonbalzac.com

SAVOR

Gardenista IMG2
Spritz hour, with or without the spirits
Gardenista Ready-to-Serve Cocktails + Ghia Cocktail Box
Two ways to toast in style: Gardenista’s bright, garden-driven blends for the classic cocktail crowd, and Ghia’s bitter, citrusy apéritifs for those skipping the alcohol but not the flavor. Both look stunning on a bar cart — and taste like golden hour in a glass.
$59.97, drinkgardenista.com; $99, drinkghia.com
A neatly arranged open box containing a green tea ceremony set: a bowl, a bamboo whisk, a tea container, and accessories.
A ritual, not just tea
DONA × Hario Matcha Tea Set
From Brooklyn to Japan, the collaboration blends heritage with modern simplicity. Ceremonial DONA matcha paired with Hario’s double-walled chawan (aka a matcha bowl) set you up for a daily ritual you’ll actually look forward to — and one worth leaving out on the counter.
$125, drinkdona.com
A textured cake dusted with powdered sugar rests beside a patterned box featuring bold black and gold typography.
A star on every holiday table (literally)
Olivieri 1882 Pandoro Classico (750 g)
Handmade in Italy since 1882, this cloud-soft, star-shaped cake is the elegant cousin of panettone. Naturally leavened and long-fermented for exceptional flavor and lightness, it’s dusted with powdered sugar, sliced into rays, and guaranteed to make the room go quiet.
$125, olivieri1882.com

UNWIND

Abstract design featuring layered green mountains and a grid pattern, creating a modern and serene landscape aesthetic.
Graphic warmth that looks like art and feels like a nap
“Panoramica III” Merino Wool Throw by Serena Confalonieri
Woven from fine merino wool with a bold, architectural pattern by Milan-based designer Serena Confalonieri, this throw elevates sofas and quiet moments alike. Whether draped, folded, or hung on the wall, it’s comfort elevated to an art form.
$365, artemest.com
A scented candle labeled "Heirloom Tomato" balances atop a large, green heirloom tomato, showcasing a unique and artistic display.
Smells like your garden is having its best day
Flamingo Estate — Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle
Green, peppery, and sun-kissed, this cult-favorite candle captures the essence of ripe tomatoes and freshly watered vines. A summer garden distilled — fresh without being sweet, nostalgic without cliché, and chic without even trying.
$57.60, flamingoestate.com
Soft terrycloth bathrobe with bold orange, white, and light blue stripes, featuring a shawl collar and waist tie for a cozy fit.
You’ll never want to put on real clothes
Dusen Dusen Striped Bathrobe (MoMA)
A plush, color-blocked robe designed by Dusen Dusen in hues inspired by Frank Stella’s 1960s paintings. Lined with contrasting stripes and woven for pure comfort, it’s the robe you’ll reach for after showers, before coffee, and every lazy Sunday in between.
$158, store.moma.org

DREAM

A sleek digital alarm clock with a glossy black surface displays the time as 7:35 AM and a second alarm at 8:15 AM.
Go to bed without your phone — and wake up happier
Loftie Alarm Clock
Designed to restore calm to your nightstand, Loftie replaces your phone’s glow with a softer kind of light and a gentler wake-up. Its two-phase alarm and mindful soundscapes ease you into rest — and back into your day — without a single notification.
$169.99, byloftie.com
A green blanket featuring playful, white illustrations of various dog breeds, including a corgi, bulldog, and dachshund.
Nordic tuck-in
Marimekko Koirapuisto Blanket (Olive/White)
Graphic, cozy, and just the right weight — your sofa’s new favorite layer or your bed’s best accent. Designed by Finnish illustrator Matti Pikkujämsä, the blanket’s joyful dog-park pattern adds instant Nordic warmth and whimsy without overwhelming the room. Bonus: PUPPIES!
$155, finnishdesignshop.com
A round blue glass vase with a long neck casts a shadow beside a slender, clear stirring rod with a blue tip.
Bedtime glow-up
Kindred Black — Sleeping Beauty Oil
A lush nighttime face oil that softens both routine and skin. Hand-blended from botanical oils and packaged in a sculptural glass vessel, it’s as indulgent on the counter as it is on the skin. A lovely reminder to slow down before lights out.
$225, kindredblack.com

PLAY

Three vintage board game book covers are stacked: Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue, against a light blue background.
Classics that tidy themselves onto the bookshelf
WS Game Co. Vintage Bookshelf Games
Chess, Scrabble, Monopoly, and other classics disguised as linen-spined novels so you can leave them out — not stow them away. Pull a “book,” open a board, and turn a quiet night into game night.
$47, wsgamecompany.com
A tall, rectangular box with a vibrant gradient from yellow to orange stands beside scattered puzzle pieces in similar colors.
Color as a challenge
Areaware Gradient Puzzle
A hypnotic spectrum puzzle that doubles as coffee-table art. Designed by Bryce Wilner for Areaware, it turns color into meditation — arrange, rearrange, and enjoy the slow satisfaction of a perfect gradient coming together.
$20, areaware.com
A sleek red electric guitar with a white pickguard, shortened neck, and a light wood fingerboard, designed for aspiring musicians.
First riffs, best gift
Fender × Loog Stratocaster (Red)
A tiny three-string Strat, developed by Loog in partnership with Fender. Built for kids as young as 6, it brings big sound and real playability to small hands — the perfect start to a lifelong love of music. Looks great on a stand; sounds even better in action.
$229, loogguitars.com

LEAF THROUGH

Aerial view showcasing circular rice fields and a modern pathway leading to a unique architectural structure in a lush landscape.
Indigenous ingenuity
Lo–TEK Water, by Julia Watson
A powerful case for traditional water systems and the Indigenous knowledge that sustains them. Julia Watson’s latest volume explores climate-resilient design through time-tested technologies — lessons for architects, policymakers, and anyone reimagining the future of cities and homes.
$60,taschen.com
The book titled "Making Space: Interior Design by Women" showcases innovative interior design through a vibrant cover featuring bold colors.
Women shaping the spaces we live in
Making Space: Interior Design by Women, by Jane Hall
A sweeping survey of 250 interiors that reframes the canon with women at the center. Spanning styles, decades, and disciplines, it celebrates the visionaries who defined — and continue to define — how we live beautifully. The kind of book you’ll reference and keep within reach. Plus, IIDA members save 25%at Phaidon!
$59.95, phaidon.com
Virgil Abloh Book
Style, identity, and the meaning of getting dressed
Make It Ours, by Robin Givhan
The Pulitzer Prize–winning critic examines how clothing shapes culture and power through the story of Virgil Abloh’s boundary-breaking rise. Blending biography and cultural history, Givhan charts how streetwear stormed the gates of luxury and redefined who gets to belong.
$35, penguinrandomhouse.com

LOOK BACK

A star map featuring a circular design on a dark background, with text reading "Look how they shine for you," and location details below.
The sky from your favorite night, on your favorite wall
The Night Sky — Custom Star Map
Choose a date and place to create a minimalist map recreating the stars overhead on your special night. Printed with museum-grade detail, it’s a love letter in constellations — perfect for anniversaries, new homes, or simply remembering where it all began.
$39, thenightsky.com
A retro-style cassette player with transparent casing and bright orange headphones, combining nostalgia with modern design elements.
Press play on nostalgia
Retrospekt CP-81 Portable Cassette Player
A modern take on the classic Walkman — clear-bodied, tactile, and made for mixtape romantics. With its line-in recording feature and that signature analog sound, it’s nostalgia you can hold (and hear).
$99, bespokepost.com
A portable printer displays a colorful photo of a child holding a balloon, surrounded by snacks on a yellow table in a cozy living room.
Shoot it, share it, stick it on the fridge
Instax Mini 12 + Instax Mini Link 2 Printer
Capture the moment with the Instax Mini 12 — or print favorites directly from your phone with the Link 2 Printer. Create tangible memories, perfect for weddings, parties, or unexpected photo ops.
$93.95, instaxus.com; $116.95, instaxus.com

Craving more design inspiration? Explore IIDA’s inaugural holiday gift guide for even more timeless picks.