Gift Guide Editor Cara Barrett's Holiday 2017 Picks

The winter holidays are fast approaching, and that means it's gift buying time. We thought it would be fun this year to have our editors put together their picks for the best gifts of the season. Each has selected a handful of products spanning categories and price points, as well as something from the HODINKEE Shop. We'll be bringing you a new guide each day this week, so keep checking in for more ideas.

As basic as it may sound, I love the holidays. The cheer, the food, the parties, the family time, and the gifts are all things of which I will never tire. But let's get real: Overspending on the ones you love can be overwhelming and stressful. So I have created a list of my favorite gifts to give and receive. Some are practical, some are ridiculous, but all will make for a happy holiday.

There is nothing more frustrating than checking a suitcaseonly to find that your expertly packed cashmere sweater smells of airplane funk upon arrival (you know what I'm talking about). These Dyptique scented ovals can be placed in your suitcase (or in your drawers at home or in a hotel) to ensure that your clothes always smell like your favorite Dyptique scent, no matter the circumstances.

$48, dyptiqueparis.com

Cold weather calls for a roaring fire, a glass of red wine, and cashmere. Lots of cashmere. Everlane makes the best cashmere sweaters for the price and in a number of styles. This year, give the gift of cozy with a cashmere sweatshirt and matching cashmere sweatpants in subtle grey. Soft and sort-of-Bodega-run-appropriate, this indulgent tracksuit checks all the athleisurewear boxes. 

Sweatpants, $140 + Cashmere Crew, $100, everlane.com

In the spirit of travel, my second pick is this Paravel Stowaway suitcase. While I love my Away roller suitcase for longer trips, this bag is stain-resistant, chic, and takes up almost no space when you aren't using it (ideal for small NYC apartments, amiright?). If the classic rectangular shape isn't for you, they have a few other choices in a number of colors – and you can personalize them, which makes for an extra special gift. 

From $325, tourparavel.com

Cartier is the queen of timeless and elegant jewelry, and a maker that I have long admired. Earlier this year, they released a new collection dubbed Cactus de Cartier. The collection is Southwestern in flavor and features a range of demure floral bands, bracelets, and stunning cocktail rings like this one. The price tag on this emerald-set beauty is a whopping $75,000, but there are other winners in the collection for under $5,000. 

$75,000, cartier.com

I love Venetian sneaker company, Golden Goose Deluxe Sneakers. The shoes are cute, comfortable, and chic AF. I wear my white pair pretty much every day. To up the ante this holiday season, I am lusting after this sparkly pair of crackled gold leather Superstars. They are handmade and hand-distressed (yes, that's extra) and the quality is unbeatable. If gold isn't your thing, they have a range of other finishes, and they make them for men too.

$495, goldengoosedeluxebrand.com

Obviously this holiday gift guide wouldn't be complete without something watch-related. Understandably, gifting a watch for the holidays can be tough, whether for cost or taste reasons (watches are personal!). Instead, give the gift of reading with the Day-Date: The Presidential Rolex book. It's chock-full of stunning pictures of a range of different Day-Dates, will help you master the different references, and looks great on a coffee table.

$530, shop.hodinkee.com