
16 minute read
Gift Guide
Holiday Gift Guide
You’ve packed away the Halloween pumpkins, tasted all the Thanksgiving goodies and trimmed the tree. We have officially entered the season of giving. This holiday season, our gift guide was curated by members of the community who know a thing or two about giving of themselves to help others. We asked the co-chairs of Symphony Ball, La Bella Notte, Ballet Ball, Swan Ball and l’Ete du Vin to curate specific themes for our gift guide. Whether you are shopping for little ones or adults in your life, stocking stuffers or signature gifts, this guide offers a little something for everyone.
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Sharon and Todd Sandahl
Co-Chairs, La Bella Notte
Sharon and Todd Sandahl, co-chairs of La Bella Notte bene ting the Nashville Opera, love to entertain and were thrilled when we gave them “entertaining” for their theme for the gift guide. After a visit to a beloved Nashville store — Corzine & Co. — they created a perfectly entertaining guide for gifts.
PLACE CARD HOLDERS These Herend acorn place card holders are simply exquisite. They can be used for seating, or for cards to identify your cheeses on a cheese board, or food on a buffet. These are available in several colors, and are small enough to travel well for gift giving. Definitely, these are a favorite that everyone would enjoy for many seasons and years. Available at Corzine & Co.. OLD-FASHIONED GLASSES These old-fashioned glasses are colorful and elegant enough to serve your finest liquors neat or on the rocks. They are heavy and the quality is exquisite. I love that Corzine’s has a “wish list” for customers, and these are going to be added to mine. One of my favorite things about Corzine’s is that they gift-wrap, and everyone loves to see a Corzine’s box and ribbon. There is always something beautiful inside. Available at Corzine & Co..



CHAMPAGNE URN The silver champagne urn is one of those beautiful pieces that one should buy once and enjoy a lifetime. Using the same beautiful champagne urn for the celebrations of life will build memories that last forever. I use my champagne urn most often as a vase for large centerpieces. Available at Corzine & Co.





HOLIDAY SPIRITS Having a stocked bar is always a good idea during the holidays, and ... well ... anytime! Both house guests and hosts alike often look forward to a cocktail. And most people welcome a fun bottle of spirits as a gift. Our favorite places to purchase liquor and wine are The Wine Chap, Village Wines and Mr. Whiskers.

SERVING TRAY This French oak wine barrel serving tray is heavy and beautifully crafted with forged iron handles. It would be a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys entertaining. Of course, Santa cookies arranged on here would be fabulous, and Santa wouldn’t have to worry about breaking a keepsake plate. Available at Corzine & Co. CHAMPAGNE FLUTES What better way to toast the new year than with a beautiful bottle of Veuve Clicquot and these Vietri champagne flutes? These are fun and whimsical. I’m sure mimosas would be delicious anytime of the year from these. Available at Corzine & Co..



CHEESE KNIFE SET A fabulous cheese knife set that is rolled into a heavy canvas roll will delight as a gift or as an addition to your own entertaining staples. The set has beautifully textured tortoise handles. The quality is outstanding to the eye and to the touch. This set pairs beautifully with the wine barrel tray. Available at Corzine & Co.

Sheila Shields and Shaun Inman
Co-Chairs, Symphony Ball
Always dressed to the nines, Symphony Ball co-chairs Sheila Shields and Shaun Inman are a veteran co-chairing duo who know their way around planning A-List events in Nashville. As fashion experts, we asked them to curate a gift guide to fashion and accessories.

TURQUOISE CRYSTAL SHOES BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN These crystal shoes offer a gorgeous pop of color to add to your wardrobe for instant drama and holiday cheer. Perfect for your next soiree, this shoe is covered in tiny crystals which sparkle in any light. The iconic red soles finish off a holiday glamor style. Available at Nordstrom. (Shaun) RED BAG BY JUDITH LEIBER I love a red accent and this red bag by Judith Leiber dazzles in rich red ruby crystals. This bag is a “must have“ for your formal bag collection. Available at Nordstrom. (Sheila)


GREEN BAG BY VALENTINO Speaking of holiday events, this beautiful green bag by Valentino gives holiday vibes to any outfit. Whether pairing with a sleek black top for a pop of color or choosing the ideal accent for your Symphony Ball gown, it is hard to go wrong with Valentino. Available at Nordstrom. (Shaun)
L.E.N. BELTS The perfect accessory for him is an L.E.N. belt. Each belt is personally sized to the exact measurements of each customer. These belts are the perfect way to finish a look and make a statement without saying a word. Available in 13 different leather styles from Italian Nubuck to American Alligator. Available at Levy’s, Oak Hall and the Oxford Shop. (Shaun)


VEST & BOOTIES, BOTH FROM DESIGNER MONCLER Whether taking a quick trip to the store or heading off on an Alaskan adventure, this down-filled vest paired with Moncler faux-fur-trimmed booties will keep her cozy and warm and looking great. The lug sole and platform of the boot offers a stylish look while offering hours of comfort in the colder temperatures. Available at Nordstrom. (Sheila)

HOLIDAY JEWELRY BY SWAROVSKI We love the canary yellow crystal, new for this holiday season, adding a touch of sparkle to any outfit. Founded in 1895, Swarovski features beautiful designer-inspired jewelry to wear from casual to formal events. Available at the Mall at Green Hills. (Sheila) SPARKLING JEWELRY We love these pieces at Grogan Jewelers from Shy creation, a contemporary fine jewelry brand with a twist for the modern woman. Available at Grogan Jewelers By Lon. (Shaun)

CAMEL JACKET Sometimes shopping for him can be hard. What do you get for that special man in your life? Ideal for keeping him warm this winter, this camel jacket is 100% cashmere from Manto. Perfect to pair with jeans for casual days or add a cashmere and lambswool scarf for a dressy brunch. A camel jacket is a staple for any wardrobe. Available at J. Michael’s. (Sheila)

Meera Ballal and Catherine Grace
Co-Chairs, Ballet Ball
Ballet Ball Co-chairs Meera Ballal and Catherine Grace are busy moms on the go and were given “Children” as the theme for their gift guide. With suggestions for the littlest of elves to Santa’s most helpful helpers — teenagers — this guide o ers ideal gifts for the children on your list.


CHILDREN’S BOOKS Parnassus has the best selection of books, even for Nashville’s youngest readers. You can usually find my kiddos cozied up in the children’s nook on Saturdays! They love the gift of a new book, and this Christmas is the perfect time to introduce new titles like Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd or The Worried Wiseman by Susan Eaddy, two Tennessee authors. Available at Parnassus Books. (Catherine) MOMMY & ME HEADBANDS Every little girl (and her mom!) needs a Poppyland headband. With three sons and only one daughter, I never miss a moment to match with my girl. Our favorite headbands are designed by a pair of Nashville sisters, and come in a wide array of themes, from mermaids to princesses to unicorns. All mother-daughter duos will look stylish in these unique headpieces, guaranteed. Available at The Mill & Plaid Rabbit. (Catherine)
TICKETS TO LIVE THEATER A ticket to a great performance in Nashville is a perfect gift for kids and teens. Break in the holiday season December 9-24 with a ticket to Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker. I love the mix of local children (including my own) who audition and perform with the company dancers to live music by the Nashville Symphony. For us, and so many, it is a Christmas tradition. Available at nashvilleballet.org (Meera)


STONEY CLOVER LANE BAG Every girl and woman needs a bag, and Stoney Clover Lane has every size and color – each one customizable to include initials, sayings, sorority names or little icons to fit the mood for holiday, birthday, wedding or any event really. The founders Kendall and Libby graduated from Tulane, where my daughter is now a freshman, which is what took me to the 12 South store initially. Available at Stoney Clover Lane. (Meera)
JAMMIES AND JELLYCATS Is it really a holiday unless your children have themed pajamas? Maggie Tucker keeps my family well dressed with all of her stock at Magpies. Stop in for the cutest Christmas jammies for your littles this season, and snag a few coordinating Jellycats while you’re in this precious local store. Available at Magpies. (Catherine)

HAND-MADE JOURNAL My daughter loves to write, sketch and mount her photography and, like me, put pen to beautiful paper. These one-of-a-kind books are designed and crafted by local artist Katie Gonzalez, who makes these books by hand using time-tested traditional techniques and luxurious materials. For the tree, I love her tiny hand bound book ornaments that hold holiday messages and memories. Available at linenlaidfelt.etsy.com. (Meera) APPAREL If you want to be a super hip gift giver, for my 17-year-old son there really isn’t anything he doesn’t like from ROOTED. A couple of his favorite items and brands include Brain Dead, with its disruptive, graphic-led approach that takes its cues from post punk, underground comics and the spirit of subculture as a whole. Carhartt WIP reflects the hip-hop and street scenes and today is the face of every mood board and the inspiration behind almost every trending label today. Every person passionate about clothes has heard of Comme des Garcons and every kid knows KAWS – the two collaborated to create a great scent for the multifaceted teen. The shorts and socks are Stussy, known as the classic skate/surf lifestyle brand that was the coolest 30 years ago and has resurfaced stronger than ever as they collaborate with Dior, Nike, Converse and many more. We all know this – nothing beats a Nike Dunk. The coolest shirt on and off the court is Honor The Gift, especially with the nod to Nashville.




Jay Jones and Rob Turner
Co-Chairs, l’Ete du Vin
Expert travelers and event hosts with the most, l’Ete du Vin co-chairs Jay Jones and Rob Turner know how to live life on the road. Between travels to their home in St. Thomas and enjoying spectacular trips to Burgundy and Bordeaux, Jay and Rob have travel down to a science.

KREWE SUNGLASSES While Jay and I certainly have the joie de vivre — the joy of life — sometimes we are a little over-exuberant, so sunglasses on our trips help us on those extra sunny days. KREWE is a company based out of New Orleans and has a pop-up store parked outside White’s Mercantile on 12th South. They have great style and their associates help with fittings. Also, don’t forget to pack the Advil. Available at White’s Mercantile. (Rob) TOILETRY BOTTLES With carry-on restrictions and the amount of space they take up, no one wants to lug around full bottles of shampoo or lotion. We found these collapsible toiletry containers and love to travel with them. As the amount of product you use goes down, the amount of space left in your bag goes up. These are great for hiking, sailing and just general travel. Available at REI. (Jay)


BINOCULARS At our home in St. Thomas, we spend time out on the water and enjoying the beautiful, lush scenery of the islands. Binoculars make a great gift for the adventure traveler in your life. Whether birdwatching in the islands or whale watching in Antarctica, binoculars are a great way to get up close and personal without getting too close. Available at REI. (Jay)

RESISTANCE BANDS For the fitness-minded traveler, don’t miss a workout with these resistance bands. Lightweight and portable with their own travel bag. Perfect for a workout anytime, anywhere. Available at REI. (Jay)

LOCHBY FIELD JOURNAL When I am on the road, I like to make notes on the different wines we try or special places we eat. The Lochby Field Journal is ideal not only as a journal but also because it holds my pen, tickets, a passport and other important items that I don’t want to carry around in my pockets. Also, the waxed canvas helps with an extra layer of waterproofing so everything stays dry — which is helpful when someone spills wine on it. Available at gentlemanstationer.com. (Jay) WINE OPENER As avid wine collectors, our travels include purchasing and enjoying wine. We have always found it handy to have a wine opener with us when we travel. (Jay: That’s one of the items carried in the practical backpack.) A wine-opener is an ideal gift for the traveler in your life so they don’t have to ever worry about opening that special bottle. Available at amazon.com. (Rob)


LOUIS VUITTON BACKPACK When traveling, our backpacks are our go-to solution for a day out exploring. Whether we need something to hold water, wine or whatever we bought while out shopping, a backpack is a must-have for travel. The Louis Vuitton backpack adds stylish flair to any outfit. The other backpack is more practical. You can guess who carries which one. Available at us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us (Rob)

Elizabeth Dingess and Ashley Rosen
Co-Chairs, Swan Ball
Co-chairs Elizabeth Dingess and Ashley Rosen were given “Collectibles” as a theme for their gift guide. Whether an avid collector already or looking to begin a lifelong tradition of collecting, this gift guide offers something to suit every interest.

TABLEWARE One of my favorite stores to visit during the holidays (or rather anytime) is G&G in Belle Meade. It’s a collector’s dream with their unique selection of highend table and glassware, lighting, furniture and gifts, not to mention the gorgeous interior of the store itself! Available at G&G. (Ashley) CERAMIC TREES My daughter, Kate, has a passion for all things that grow. Instead of clothesshopping, she prefers to collect plants and beautiful pots to go with them. A few years ago, Creekside upgraded, and added an indoor plant and gift store that keeps me entertained for hours. I particularly love their assortment of quirky ornaments, as well as their beautiful, seasonal ceramics that I often use as centerpieces during the holidays. Available at Creekside. (Ashley)


ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER GOBLETS MADE BY WALLACE Collecting antique sterling silver goblets over the years has been a joy. Silver goblets are timeless and always elevate a table at a dinner party. Corzine & Co. is one of my favorite Nashville stores — there is something for everyone and so beautiful. In fact I worked at Corzine & Co. one summer for Mike Corzine – he was also a Nashville treasure! Available at Corzine & Co. (Elizabeth)



ASTIER DE VILLATTE CERAMIC COLLECTION Some of my most favorite items that I have been acquiring recently are from the Astier de Villatte ceramic collection, created by artisans in Tibet. Black terra cotta is coated with a milky white glaze that adds an elegant yet whimsical touch to any setting. They look as exquisite on the shelf as they do on the table. Available at G&G. (Ashley)

PEBBLES COLLECTION BARWARE BY MOSER It is customary for my family, dating back to my great-grandmother, to include a sit-down bar as a place to entertain in the home. In keeping with this tradition, I added one in my own home. Because of this, I am always searching for unique barware. One of my more recent discoveries is the Moser collection. This crystal barware is blown glass and molded by hand in the Czech Republic, and unlike most hand-blown items, the Moser crystal is quite substantial! The whisky carafe and tumblers come in a variety of jewel tones, my favorite being the smoke color from the Pebbles Collection pictured above. Available at G&G. (Ashley) SANTA CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS My sister-in-law Jamie collects Santa ornaments — it makes it fun to help her add to their tree every year. If you haven’t been, don’t walk, RUN to You’re Invited — they have everything and you can spend hours at this adorable store. You will find everything you need to add to your collections. Available at You’re Invited. (Elizabeth)




COCKTAIL RINGS A grouping of jewelry that I could never be without is my collection of cocktail rings. My mother was a former hand model and they looked best on her, but despite not winning the consummate gene lottery, I never stopped wanting to wear her rings. Rare Gems of India’s cocktail rings are the perfect balance of statement and sophistication that I crave. The emerald and diamond drops that I am wearing in this photo are courtesy of Rare Gems of India, by Heather Asbury. Available at Rare Gems of India. (Ashley)