Holiday Gift Giving

My Top 5 Holiday Gifts to Give

Whether it’s baking for a friend who is going through a rough time, putting together a special care package to show that I’m thinking of you or curating the perfect gift selection that you absolutely know the recipient would love; the act of giving is something that brings joy to both the recipient and the giver alike. The twinkle in the eyes of others when presented with a gift brings the bearer much joy and giving truly makes this a wonderful time of the year!

For many, finding the perfect holiday gift could often be met with a feeling of angst; will they use it, is it their size or style? But it doesn’t have to be!

Through the years, I’ve gathered a bit of helpful wisdom when it comes to the art of giving the perfect gift, and I’ve learned that successful gifts break down into three criteria that can be narrowed down with three questions: is it indulgent, is it useful, or is it both?

And to ease the process, if you can recruit help and organize your gift giving; even better!

With Neiman Marcus San Francisco, and my other home, The Rotunda restaurant, (affectionately dubbed, “Ro”), I felt it fitting to share my tradition with Neiman Marcus in making giving both heartfelt and effortless.

Whether you are shopping yourself or have enlisted some help, I find it essential to put everything in a spreadsheet with the recipient’s name, address, gift name, SKU number, size and price so one may easily keep track of who’s receiving what, and it’s a shopping list to print for reference whilst you or the sales associate shop. For over a decade, the executive management at Neiman Marcus San Francisco has personally shopped all my gifts, wrapped them with a personal note from Ed and me and shipped them out, freeing up my time for hosting holiday festivities.

Every year around mid-November, NM emails me the Excel (gift recipient) spreadsheet from the previous year for me to edit – adding new friends, and what I’d wish to send. And then the merriment begins! I’ll get an early start, browsing Neiman’s, exploring their latest goods, taking pictures and adding them to the holiday spreadsheet. Then a quick email including the updated spreadsheet, Neiman Marcus’ marvelous head elf, vice president and market manager Lin Huber and Alysa Stefani (and her fabulous team) get shopping, wrapping and shipping. Making sure gifts make it under the tree in time for Christmas morning!

So without further ado, here are my top 5 gifts to give for the 2024 holiday season!

For Him | NM Cashmere Quarter-Zip Sweater

From simple weaves to cable knit, with a sophisticated stand collar quarter-zip closure makes for a modern and handsome look and is a must have staple in his closet. Whether it’s running errands around the City, a casual look for the office, or pairing it with a dress shirt and blazer when the occasion dictates a more professional appearance or a night out on the town, this luxurious classic cashmere pullover is perfect for the Northern California weather and style, Neiman Marcus’ quarter-zip cashmere sweater will defiantly be enjoyed and useful for many years to come. every season Neiman Marcus offers it in a myriad of colors and styles. With the Neiman Marcus Cashmere Collection, the world seems to melt away the moment you slip it on. Made from cashmere sourced from inner Mongolia, home of the world’s finest cashmere, this exquisite yarn takes him everywhere he wants to go. He can wear it with elegance, ease, and confidence, and knowing that you have made an exceptional choice. Our model Matthew Bagale (LOOK Model Agency) is wearing it in titanium. For inquiries regarding this sweater, please see your personal shopper or contact sales associate Rosemary McCarthy on the lower level in the men’s department.

For Her | The David Yurman “Lexington” Chain Necklace and the “Starburst” Stud Earrings and “Starburst” Ring

I absolutely fell in love with these pieces the moment Neiman’s visual department put them out on display. The name “Lexington” evokes nostalgia with me, and I can’t but help think of my late father’s Lexington, Kentucky roots and it gives me comfort in knowing that my father is watching over me like a starburst of sunshine, hence my affinity for the Starburst collection and what better piece for the holidays and New Year’s Eve?

Ed surprised me last year with a “just because” Yurman 18k gold cuff in David Yurman’s iconic twisted cable design. Silly, I know, but it is these little reminders that make for a special providence to the gifts one gives.

Every day I pass by the David Yurman counter in the fine jewelry department and take a moment to stop to admire their beaty.

In 1980, sculptor-turned-jeweler David Yurman introduced his eponymous collection. His artistic, sculptural pieces were a refreshing new interpretation, but David Yurman truly changed the trends of fine jewelry with his now-classic twisted cable-inspired pieces. 
The Lexington Chain Necklace with Diamonds is offered in polished yellow18-karat gold with white diamond accent links (0.34 total diamond carat weight) and is approximately 18 inches in length.
The white Diamond Starburst Ring is approximately twenty millimeters and is available in both 18-karat yellow gold and white gold with a 1.07 total diamond carat weight. Imported. The Starburst Stud Earrings are also available in both 18K yellow gold and white gold settings and is studded with pavé diamonds with 0.81 total diamond carat weight and approximately .75 inch in width. With post backs for pierced ears. For price and availability inquires for these stunning Yurman pieces, please contact your personal shopper or fine jewelry expert, Cathe Picconi in the fine jewelry department on the first floor.

To compliment the exquisite David Yurman pieces, our model, the lovely Georgia B. (LOOK Model Agency) is styled by Ragan Foster in the chic yet cozy Neiman Marcus Cashmere Collection: the relaxed fit, open front Cashmere Cable-Knit Cape with side vents (perfect for those cool autumn and winter nights) and rounded below the waist hem and the mid-rise, flat front for a beautiful silhouette and the full-length Cashmere Straight-Leg Knit Pants, both in Mint. For cashmere inquires and prices, see your personal shopper or sales associate Ragan Foster on level 4 in contemporary apparel.

For Kids | Mercedes Benz G Wagon Ride On Cars

I don’t know about you but with toys this cool, I’m beginning to think that I was robbed of my childhood! The Mercedes Benz G Wagon Ride On Car by Best Ride On Cars (in matte black) has all of the bells and whistles with a wide range of interactive functions for an enjoyable experience that will make any little one the cool kid on the block.

Featuring wireless technology to play your child’s favorite tunes, FM radio, luxurious leather seats (you heard that right, leather seats!), seat belts for safety, pedal button and a shift switch, and horn with musical sounds. The power button and speed functionality button ensure a smooth and customizable ride and the headlight button illuminates the way, and the last song button also serves to activate the volume control by using a long press.

The control board includes USB connectivity to load those favorite songs, a power display, and a socket for easy charging. And it includes a remote control for parental guidance. At approximately 56 inches long by 32 inches wide, there’s amble room for two! Recommended for ages 3 and up. In the spirit of the holiday season, both of our boys, Augustine and Dylan are styled in the Relaxed Flannel Shirt (in navy cranberry plaid) by Appaman. To inquire about the Mercedes G Wagon or the flannel shirts, please see your personal shopper or sales associate Martha Jarvis in the Children’s Department on level 5.

For The Home | NM San Francisco Rotunda® Christmas Ornament

This elegant, limited edition egg-shaped glass ornament is hand painted with the likeness of the iconic beaux-arts style rendition of the Greek god Dionysus that is displayed underneath the building’s iconic glass rotunda for which the restaurant is named.

Located on the fourth floor of Neiman Marcus San Francisco and a home away from home for me and a posh Union Square holiday and afternoon tea tradition and chic hotspot for the SF Bay Area’s ladies who lunch, the famous Rotunda restaurant finally has its own ornament! The Neiman Marcus San Francisco Rotunda® Christmas Ornament by Joy to the World Collectibles.

Founded in 1998, Joy to the World’s goal is to create unique blown glass Christmas ornaments using an innovative approach to ornament design. Each ornament is individually handmade exclusively by some of the finest artisans in Poland using old world production traditions of individually mouth blowing and hand painting each piece with lead-free paint. All materials used are carefully sourced from European countries, and each ornament takes up to 7 days to produce. These methods achieve a new level of ornament detail and artistic direction and is a welcomed addition to your Christmas tree. The ornament is 3.7 inches in diameter by 5.8 inches tall and is available at the Rotunda.

For The Host | NM Lemon Vodka Liquor Cake

When hosting a holiday soiree, hosts are often bombarded with various wines and scented candles that they rarely use or like. Tastes in wine and fragrances are very personal, and I can tell you firsthand that I have accumulated quite the surplus of both! So finding a welcomed alternative that your host can enjoy can be a godsend and will turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

I have been gifting these scrumptious and boozy cakes for decades and over the years, they have become a tradition to many friends and associates on my Christmas list, the lemon vodka being an all-time crowd favorite. These cakes popularity was so great that during the COVID shutdown when they were unavailable, friends made their disappointment loud and clear!

During the holiday season, I keep a few extra in the pantry for last minute gifts. They make for a very thoughtful host gift. Perfect when gifted on their own, paired with a jar of your favorite raspberry, chocolate, or caramel sauce, or include a lovely service ware set or with a white ceramic cake stand for a thoughtful gift that your host may share with their guests right away or save for later if they so choose.

Though incredibly decadent on their own, they’re even better dressed up for the occasion. Every Thanksgiving, I’ll include the Bourbon Pecan cake on my dessert station, decorating the top with pecan halves and serving it with caramel sauce and bourbon flavored whipped cream on the side.

Neiman Marcus offers a variety of delicious flavors (both classic and seasonal) making sure that there is something for every host of on your holiday social calendar. The classic flavors include lemon vodka, bourbon pecan, and chocolate espresso. The full-size cakes measure approximately 9 inches, are a whopping 5.3 pounds each, are presented in a keepsake tin and serve 10. They are also available in a holiday sampler assortment tin of mini cakes in both 4-packs and 6-packs. The holiday 6-pack cake sampler includes: bourbon sticky toffee pudding, bourbon eggnog, rum gingerbread, brandy pumpkin, spiced rum, and chocolate chip amaretto. For availability and to purchase, see your personal shopper or sales associate Martha Jarvis in the Epicure Department on level 5.