An independent gift edit: every piece chosen for someone specific, with a reason to buy it and an honest reason to skip it.
The Shnoop Edit
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Editor’s pickSlipFor her
For a nightly bit of indulgence
A queen-size (20 × 30 in) pillowcase in 22-momme, 6A-grade mulberry silk with a hidden zip, and it is machine washable. A nightly indulgence most people never think to buy for themselves.
Skip it if her pillows are king-size; the queen case will not fit them
$120.00at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
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Editor’s pickFishers FineryFor him
For the commuter who walks in the cold
Pure two-ply cashmere in a herringbone pattern, 66 by 12 inches with fringed ends. A classic he can wear over a coat from first frost to spring, and it arrives gift-boxed.
Skip it if he lives somewhere warm or won't hand-wash or dry-clean knitwear
$89.99at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
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Editor’s pickBarefoot Dreams
For the one who claims the sofa
The brand's original lightweight CozyChic knit at 54 by 72 inches, machine washable and made not to shrink or pill. Crimson suits a sofa in December; in our view it is the throw people actually use, not fold away.
Skip it if they prefer natural fibres such as wool or cashmere
$158.00at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
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Editor’s pickWedgwood x Vera Wang
For the anniversary toast
Two fine-crystal flutes from the Vera Wang for Wedgwood Duchesse collection, packed in a grey gift box. Made for the anniversary toast itself, and a natural pair to bring out again each year.
Skip it if you need glasses that go in the dishwasher; these are hand-wash only
$117.25at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
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Editor’s pickWhite + WarrenFor her
For cold flights and colder offices
A long brushed-knit cashmere wrap, roughly 81 by 36 inches: wide enough to wear as a shawl on a cold flight or as a blanket at the theatre. Taupe, in our view, sits well with most coats.
Skip it if she finds wool or cashmere itchy against her skin
$385.00at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
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Editor’s pickMarquis by WaterfordFor him
For the whiskey drinker at home
A 30-ounce square decanter with two 11-ounce double old fashioned glasses in lead-free crystalline, cut in a traditional Irish wedge pattern. Arrives in a gift box; hand wash only.
Skip it if he drinks only wine or has no shelf space for display barware
$136.49at Amazon as of Oct 12, 2:17 PM ET Details
See it at AmazonWe don’t run a testing lab and we won’t pretend to. Every pick is chosen from the maker’s and retailer’s own information, with our reasoning shown and a reason to skip it.
How we pick