Make it Sparkle: 25 Great Gifts

From exotic truffles to a chess set made of screws and spark plugs, we’ve got the perfect picks for everyone on your list.

Produced by Alyssa Ford and holly saari
Make it Sparkle: 25 Great Gifts
Photo by Maki Strunc Photography
Take your seasonal mailings up a notch with letterpress cards from Ceci New York and Elūm. See our buyer’s guide for shopping information.

 

For the Ecoist

1. RECYCLED NEWSPAPER PLACEMATS

Coiled, recycled newspapers make for intricate and colorful placemats; handmade by the Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines, $12 each; available at Ten Thousand Villages, 867 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-225-1043, www.tenthousandvillages.com.

2. GATSKI METAL “FLEXIBLE FISH”

For the artsy friend, a fun-loving sculpture made from reclaimed farm machinery parts, $500; available at Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, www.thegrandhand.com.

3. MOTHERBOARD CARD CASES

Business card cases made from reclaimed circuit boards by Motherboard Gifts, $25; available at Re-Gifts, 1832 E. 42nd St., Minneapolis, 612-276-0105.


4. METAL SPROUT BOWL

Top your table with an elegant bowl made from brass-welded and recrafted metal, $49; available at Viva Terra, 800-233-6011, www.vivaterra.com.


5. VACAVALIENTE PIGGY BANK

Save money and the environment with this red “Piggy” bank made from reclaimed leather by Vacavaliente Amigos, $52; available at Ataz, 3480 Galleria, Edina, 952-925-4883.

Photo of sprout bowl and placemats by Maki Strunc Photography; other images provided by Gatski Metal, Motherboard Gifts, and Vacavaliente Amigos

 

For the Guys

1. DESTROYER BOT

The pewter-cast “Destroyer Bot” with synthetic gemstones is a space-alien experiment created by Minneapolis designers Sean Tubridy and Karin Jacobson, $75; available at Chambers Hotel Shop, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-767-6900.




2. LEICA C LUX 2 CAMERA

This 7.1 megapixel camera shoots in wide-angle, high-definition format, but is sleek and small enough to fit into a pocket, $499.99; available at National Camera Exchange, 9300 Olson Memorial Hwy., Golden Valley, 763-546-6831, www.natcam.com.

3. GENEVA MODEL L SOUND SYSTEM

He’ll love you for this: a stereo system with a Class D hi-fi amplifier and 2-inch tweeters, covered in sumptuous piano lacquered wood. Designed by Geneva Lab of Switzerland, $818 with aluminum stand; available through Geneva Lab, www.genevalab.com.




4. VESPA LAMP

A conversation starter with cool: handmade desk lamp from reclaimed Vespa parts by Maurizio Lamponi, $2,200 with shipping from Milan, Italy; available through www.lamponislamps.com.


5. ARMANDO RAMÍREZ CHESS SET

“Rustic Joust” chess set made of screws, cogs, and spark plugs by London artist Armando Ramírez, $162.95; available at Novica, www.novica.com.

Photo of destroyer bot by Maki Strunc Photography; other images provided by Geneva Lab, Leica, Lamponi’s Lamps, and Novica

For the Zen Master

1. WATERWORKS SOAP SET

Luxurious soaps with olive, honey, and milk essences to soothe the body and soul, $46; available at Waterworks, 275 Market St., Suite 133, Minneapolis, 612-338-9991, www.waterworks.com.

2. MODERN INCENSE BURNER

Recycled aluminum incense holder adds modern appeal to any serene setting, $65; available at Zanisa, www.zanisa.com.


3. RIVER ROCK DOORMAT

Hand-applied, washed and polished river rocks make a stunning entree to any peaceful abode, $45; available at Acacia, 102 S. Second St., Stillwater, 800-944-0474, www.acaciacatalog.com.


4. TEA FORTÉ

Clear glass “Sontu” Teapot by Tea Forté, $32; available at Patina, 5001 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-821-9315, www.patinastores.com.


5. AKEEWAKEE LEMON TEA TREE CANDLE

Hand-poured soy candle with scents blended by a fifth-generation perfumery, $26; available at Origins at the Mall of America, Suite W-292, Bloomington, 952-858-9665, www.origins.com.

Photos provided by Waterworks, Zanisa, Design Ideas, Tea Forte, and Akeewakee
 

For the Foodie

1. ALESSI SALAD SET

White, stoneware bowl, $132, with glass and bakelite oil and vinegar holder by Alessi, $61; available at Walker Art Center Shop, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-375-7633, http://shop.walkerart.org.

2. ROCK SALT AND GRATER

Pure Himalayan pink salt rocks packaged with a stainless steel grater. Makes an elegant display, $25; available at Zanisa, www.zanisa.com.


3. GOURMET MARSHMALLOWS

Handmade “Perfectly Peppermint” marshmallows by St. Peter’s own Laura’s Candy, $6.49; available at Golden Fig Fine Foods, 790 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-602-0144, www.goldenfig.com.


4. VOSGES TRUFFLE BOX

16 fresh cream truffles from haute Chicago chocolatier, Vosges. Exotic ingredients, include Chinese star anise, organic pumpkin seeds, pasilla chilies, and sweet Hungarian paprika, $39; available through Vosges Chocolate, 888-301-9866, www.vosgeschocolate.com.

5. ART AND COOK “CAGE” WHISK

A colorful stocking stuffer for the resident cook, the ergonomic “Cage Whisk” is designed for whipping and blending thick mixes, $15.95; available at Corazon, 204 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis, 612-333-1662, www.corazononline.com.

Photo of salad set and marshmallow by Maki Strunc Photography; other images provided by Zansia, Vosges Chocolate, and Art and Cook

 

For the Pups

1. EMBROIDERED DOG LEAD

Argyle lead in orange, cobalt blue, and teal, by Fab Dog, $38; available at Lulu & Luigi, 3844 Grand Way, St. Louis Park, 952-929-1200, www.luluandluigi.com

2. YÖGHUND

Organic peanut butter and banana frozen yogurt, for an extra special treat, $5.99; available at Lulu & Luigi.


3. YOGURT-COVERED TREAT BONES

Drizzled “Birthday” bones made of peanut butter, yogurt, flour, and other wholesome ingredients, by Kool Dog Kafe, a Rio Rancho, New Mexico bakery, $6.99 for a box of 4; available at Lulu & Luigi.

4. WOOFERANG TOY

Reinforced rubber fetch toy in a fun boomerang shape, $12; available at Satinbox, 781-475-3722, www.satinbox.com.

5. ECO NAP MATS

Soft and comfy mats by West Paw Design, made in Montana from a fabric composed of 85 percent pop bottle waste, $42.95–$98.95 depending on size; available at Urbanimal, 2106 Lyndale Ave. S., 612-879-0709, www.urbanimal.com.

Photos provided by Fab Dog, YÖghund, Kool Dog Kafe, Satinbox, and West Paw Design

 

*For additional gift ideas, read our  online gift guide.

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