Christmas with The Gilded Bellini | Holiday Gift Guide 2023
Welcome to The Gilded Bellini’s very sweet annual holiday gift guide 2023! I know I say it every year, but I just can’t believe we’re here again — at year 8, nonetheless! As you know, every year there’s a different look and theme here. Something about the whimsical essence of pastel colors and candy instantly told me that this year, the guide’s theme would be nostalgic and nothing short of bright and airy… kind of like the faux cotton candy I am holding in the photo above, ha! If it isn’t already obvious, the theme is Candyland! I have wanted to do this one for years so it really was a treat to style the tree in such a fun way with lollipops, donuts and other sweet-inspired decor. With the holidays comes a little touch of magic and I am hoping with the sparkles and sweets in this post, there is a glimmer of cheer that sparks within you that reminds you of happy holidays and innocent joy of the past.
As always, this guide is dedicated to introducing you to fabulous brands and products each year that will spruce up your season and life as the months go on. From mocktails to wine and spirits, to gilded accessories and statement pieces, to quality skincare and wellness items, plus so much more… I am so excited to share with you for the 8th year in a row The Gilded Bellini’s curated list of this season’s holiday must-haves… for your friends, family, AND for you!
The most gorgeous, luxe faux fur coat for that chic person in your life. There’s no doubt that with this coat, you’ll be making a huge statement and will definitely be turning heads. It gives old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist.
Peepers Glasses
Functional and stylish! The Georgia Blue Light glasses are the ultimate gift or stocking stuffer for the one in your life who is always in front of a screen. Peepers Blue Light Focus™ Lenses utilize proprietary baked-in technology that filters over 40% of high-energy visible blue light. Plus, its 7 Layer Anti-Reflective Coating enhances contrast and visual acuity by reducing reflections (glare) on the surface of the lens.
Know someone who’s a sun seeker? The Center Stage glasses have UV400 Protection that blocks 99.9% of UVA/UVB rays. Choose the crowd-pleaser Tortoise for a traditional look, or opt for the gray tortoise or blue tortoise for pops of wow.
Candier Candles
Grab a blanket and curl up with your favorite cuddle buddy, because it’s officially cozy season! These candles not only set the mood, but they transform a room into an experience. I personally love gifting candles, whether it’s to a friend, family member, co-worker or acquaintance. Because who can resist a delicious fragrance? These are a few of my wintery favorites.
Hot Cocoa Candle: smells like dark chocolate, caramel, buttercream, almond, and hazelnut
Love You More Than Ice Cream Candle: smells like Smooth Buttercream, Gourmand, Vanilla, Soft Serve Ice Cream
MINGLE MOCKTAILS SIGNATURE GIFT BOX
Perfect for friends or family who may be newly sober, pregnant or simply scaling back on drinking, this female-founded collection of sparkling craft mocktails will make everyone feel part of the celebration this season. Each Gift Box includes a bottle of signature Mingle Cranberry Cosmo or Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, 4 cans of Mingle Mocktails in variety of flavors and more in a vibrant box.
ANTHROPOLOGIE Vintage Bookshelf CANDYLAND GAME
A classic, fun gift for any age. Designed exclusively for Anthropologie, this special edition Candyland features one-of-a-kind vintage designs. Bound in a beautiful fabric box, this makes a delightful gift for the holiday season and a lovely display piece on your bookshelf when not in play.
LUXE SHELL-EMBELLISHED PURSE BY CANDY’S COTTAGE
This is a total must-have for the girl who loves to embrace her inner mermaid or plans to travel to a tropical, beachy getaway in 2024. This luxury handbag is made to order and perfect for island vacations or even beach weddings. Crafted from exquisite rattan, this beautiful handbag features intricate details, including rattan/straw "flowers" with faux pearls. The most enchanting touch comes from the addition of strategically placed creamy golden seashells and mini starfish adorning each side of the bag.
PUREOLOGY HOLIDAY GIFT SETS
Pureology is back this holiday season with their new holiday hair care kits. The professional color care brand is releasing their newest iteration for 2023, designed in partnership with San Francisco-based illustrator Nadzeya Makeyeva. The whimsical boxes with celestial designs feature enchanted animals that reflect each products’ formulation. These much-anticipated kits are a sell-through every year, delivered in giftable boxes that contain their much-loved, 100% vegan, concentrated formulas that have professional stylists and consumers completely enchanted. For the hair and beauty obsessed, these perfectly packaged boxes illustrated with whimsical creatures and fanciful flora create a celestial celebration across the ethereal night sky.
DUNE JEWELRY Customizable Sea Shell Bracelet Set
This is for all the mermaids at heart! Customize the teardrop charm with sand or shells from your favorite Seaside Memories™ to pair with the sweet sea shell charm. You can add more Collectible Travel Treasures™ to this set as you make more memories across the globe. This is such a unique way to add a personal touch to this stunning 14k Gold Vermeil bracelet. Dune handcrafts jewelry and accessories using sand & earth elements from thousands of iconic locations around the globe, so by choosing sand from an area that’s meaningful to the recipient to match the charm will surely bring nostalgic moments from the past back to life, and close to heart.
Cloudy Bay Sauvingnon Blanc
For the guy who knows and appreciates style. Detailed leather side zipper boots that exude pure confidence. Whether you find yourself in creative meetings or walking through downtown on a Saturday afternoon, Uptown Maverick is versatile and sophisticated.
Malie Organics TIARe Collection
Introducing, Malie’s new collection Tiare. Alluring, warm, tropical…A Pacific Island dream! Feel the warm sunshine on your skin as this exotic aroma transcends you to an island in the sea where teal waters sparkle and fragrant tiare flowers bloom vibrantly in the shining sun! A botanical blend of tropical coconut, aromatic vanilla and brilliant tiare create this classic Monoi from Hawai’i’s sister islands of Tahiti. For a transcendental skincare experience, this collection includes so much to choose from including beauty oil, a soy candle, roll-on perfume, body polish and more. Each item makes a fabulous stocking stuffer, or combine them all in a box for an exciting and aromatic gift set.
Top: Zesty Bergamont. Sunny Neroli, Ylang Ylang
Mid: Star Jasmine, Tiare Blossom, Vanilla Orchid
Base: Exotic Coconut, Tonka Bean, White Musk
SWAROVSKI GEMA HOOP EARRINGS
One word: Swarovski. Iconic, timeless and set to stun. Featuring a mix of dazzling, precision-cut crystals arranged in a random formation, these hoop earrings are an elegant yet playful twist on the essence of Swarovski crystals.
CASA LUIGI PROSECCO
Doesn’t it seem like everyone is traveling to Italy lately? Well, you don’t have to get on a plane to get the same feeling sipping some bubbly on the other side of the world. Casa Luigi Prosecco comes in these ready to drink cans that taste as fun as they look. These are perfect for the one in your life who loves to entertain or is hoping an Italian getaway is on their list of gifts from Santa.
Wellamar Glow: 100% Amaranth Oil Serum & Bloom Gummies
For the beauty lover in your life. This oil is a premium cosmetic oil designed for use on the skin, hair and joints. With its high concentration of squalene, it provides intense hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Its versatile application makes it an excellent addition to any beauty routine, providing natural, plant-based support for healthy, glowing skin and strong, lustrous hair. Add the Bloom daily dummies to complete the gift or as an additional stocking stuffer.
Three Spirit Super Collection Bundle
Trying to decide where to start, or want the best of both the spirit and wine alternative worlds? Try the award-winning Botanical Elixirs and Blurred Vines and automatically save with this mood-making bundle. Three Spirit is the plant-based alternative to alcohol that celebrates what goes into a drink, rather than what is taken out. The intricate flavors are absolutely remarkable and really do get you in a celebratory mood. Combining active plants, Three Spirit’s non-alcoholic drinks stimulate the palate, mind and body - before, during and after the party. Delicious on the rocks or in cocktails!
East Imperial Tonic Water
Iconic to keep on your bar cart knowing that this luxury cocktail mixer brand is preferred by the world’s finest cocktail bars. It incorporates a traditional small-batch production method to enhance the freshness and subtleties of any spirit’s botanicals. Low in sugar; all natural ingredients; no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. For the one in your life who loves a quality cocktail.
ATHLEISURE BY VITALITY
For the girl who loves to go from barre to brunch, or who just likes to feel extremely comfortable while still looking put together in athletic apparel. Vitality will easily become a favorite, especially any piece from the brand’s Cloud II line! Want to gift a full look? My personal faves include the Cloud II Pant, the Cloud II Corset Bra and the Cloud II Shrug.
Wolves Whiskey
This is a bottle you will want to save forever. It is a collaboration between 13th-generation master distiller Marko Karakasevic and streetwear icons Jon Buscemi and James Bond. These 12 barrels were distilled in 2015 in an antique brandy still, from two-row pale malted barley and fermented with California ale yeast. 11 of the 12 barrels were blended and together and bottled at 110 proof for this expression. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, the sheepskin label is printed with UV light and laid by hand in Los Angeles. This bottle is for the ultimate whiskey connoisseur who appreciates an exclusive experience. Availability for other batches is directly on Wolves Whiskey’s website.
LINNÉ ACTIVATE
Bring the spa to your shower experience! This is not your average body wash. ACTIVATE may be used as both a daily cleanser or a deeply purifying mask. It has proven to treat even the most stubborn body acne as well as dry rough skin. It contains ingredients known to absorb impurities, soothe and soften skin, aid in cellular renewal, bring balance to oily skin, prevent and treat blemishes and help decongest both the skin and respiratory system.
LITTL SELFIE MINI PORTABLE RING LIGHT
The LITTIL Selfie Mini is the perfect mini portable, pocket ring light to capture selfies with phones or laptops while on the go. It's bright, lightweight and quick to charge. Plus, it makes a great gift that can be used by anyone, young or old. It's the perfect selfie light for Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok influencers on the go!
Clean Circle Eye Masks
These make fabulous stocking stuffers that are foolproof - who doesn’t need some quality under eye masks? No matter who you are, you’ll get great use out of these. The best part? They actually work and you can truly see and feel the difference! Clean Circle Days Off Depuffing Dissolvable Eye Mask is formulated with skin loving ingredients like Niaminicide, Glucomannan and Pumpkin seed this eye mask revitalizes tired, puffy under-eyes while moisturizing skin for a firmer, more youthful appearance. Clean Circle Lights On Brightening Dissolvable Eye Mask is formulated with brightening and tightening ingredients like Red Algae, Vitamin C and Peptides, this eye mask is packed with age-defying botanicals to make under-eye circles a thing of the past and revitalize their appearance.
SPERRY Women's Syren Ascend Boot
For the adventurous one in your life! Hear the crunching leaves under a trendy lug outsole, while you maximize comfort and style at the same time with a memory foam footbed. Plus, a water-resistant suede upper and waterproof rubber duck shell keeps you dry and ready for the season. Available in a sharp black or a dreamy cream.
FREE AF TASTING PACK
Buzz-worthy mocktails that you won’t ever want to put down, inspired by real cocktails! Free AF make non alcoholic expressions of your favorite cocktails that taste great — clean, beautifully refreshing, and enhanced with Afterglow™. Afterglow™ is a 100% natural botanical extract that mimics the pleasant warmth of alcohol - without the alcohol. Each pack includes: 1 Apero Spritz, 1 Vodka Spritz, 1 Cuba Libre and 2 Paloma.
Holiday Candy Pop & Cookie Pop Popcorn
This will be the best popcorn you ever try in your life - trust me! The ultimate snack that’s delectable and a gift in itself. Whoever you gift this to won’t be able to put the bag down. New holiday flavors from this brand will instantly put you in a jolly, festive mood with every bite! Savor the season with the Peppermint Hot Chocolate bag and the Iced Gingerbread bag. Great for both kids and adults, or to put out if you’re hosting a holiday party.
LĀ SOL COLLECTIVE SPF
Know someone going on a winter tropical vacation in the next few months? Surprise them with beachy essentials. Suncare went to great lengths to exclude ingredients that pollute the reefs and disrupt your hormonal system, so you can really feel good about protecting yourself and sea life with every use! This line is Reef-Friendly, Gluten-free, Paraben-free, Fragrance-free, Cruelty-free, Vegan, and Made in the USA. It is certified UVA/UVB protection, SPF 30, Water Resistant for 80 minutes, and abides by the Hawaii Care Act for reef safety.
Beam ANXIETY NECKLACE by Moksha
This is truly a gift that everyone can benefit from, especially those who struggle with anxiety or are interested in innovative wellness. Beam is an anxiety necklace and whistle optimized to help deep breathing and reduce anxiety & stress. The perfect split-path airflow design assists mindfulness breathing. It helps with breathing techniques including belly breathing, guided breathing meditation, and panic attack breathing. Beam is scientifically engineered for longer, deeper, and more controlled exhales – naturally calming you down.
Glenmorangie
Known for its delicacy of flavor and finesse, The Original is made in Glenmorangie’s signature giraffe-high stills before spending 10 years aging in bourbon. The result is a bright, easy-drinking whisky with layered notes of citrus, orange, honey, creamy vanilla and peach - perfect for new whisky drinkers and single malt aficionados alike.
YARELI Dead Sea SOAKS
Yareli Dead Sea Magnesium Bath Flakes are 100% unscented magnesium chloride flakes harvested from the Dead Sea. Free from any additives or artificial fragrances, these flakes facilitate a relaxing soak ideal for the bathtub and foot soakers. Magnesium, a mineral crucial to the body's functioning, provides a range of benefits for the entire body. Use as a foot soak, sitz bath, or traditional bath soak. Can also be made into a scrub for face and body. Great for women, men and kids.
DIRTY SUE BLUE CHEESE OLIVES & OLIVE JUICE COMBO
We all have that special someone in our lives that absolutely lives for a dirty martini. Make their holiday by gifting them this delightful combo pack! The perfect marriage of impeccable olive juice and blue cheese olives will take those dirty martinis to the next level. Additional combo packs available with a variety of olives.
VERSINE ILLUMINATE MULTI-TASKING SERUM
Versine’s OBGYN and Dermatologist approved product line makes finding the perfect product to compliment your skin while protecting your baby easy. Perfect for expecting mamas! This serum defeats dryness and signs of aging, leaving you radiant for the summer months coming.
60 Seconds to Glow "The Essentials" Starter Set
A great stocking stuffer for the skincare savvy or for the non-stop traveler in your life! This is a travel-friendly starter skincare set with Dermatologist's Choice best selling essentials powered by non-neutralized glycolic acid.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPy, HEALTHY holiday!
Photography by Marisa Trujillo / Grace & Light Photo