Panic buying presents? Missed a few people off your gift list? Forget that mad store dash on Christmas Eve – Boticca is here to help.
We’ve all unwrapped a ‘panic present’ – a rash purchase that in no way reflects you or your tastes. A smelly box of soaps? An obscure kitchen appliance? A pair of slippers in the wrong size? We’ve had them all. So to put a stop to toxic gifts, we’ve made a list of last minute presents that prove you don’t have to go shopping early to find a thoughtful gift.
Hand-picked from our community of designers, each piece is truly unique and has an interesting back story behind it – meaning you’ll stand out as the star gifter under the Christmas tree.
So sit back with a glass of mulled wine, and shop from your sofa – we’ve got last minute gifts covered.
The Gift: Arosha RA Egyptian Earrings
The Story: An Italian transplanted to Israel, Arosha Luigi Taglia is an artist and designer creating sculptural jewelry with a hint of spirituality. Fascinated by ancient cultures and mythologies, Arosha looked at iconography of the Ancient Egyptian sun God, Ra, to create this piece. Despite the historic influences, these earrings are fresh and modern, made of 9 carat gold, clear zircon and freshwater pearls. Simple and elegant, these make a gorgeous gift for Mom.
The Gift: Mei Vintage Ashley Shoulder Bag
The Story: Forget splashing out on the latest ‘It bag’- buy a best friend or sister a convertible clutch. Designer Alice Huang hails from Los Angeles and Asia, a bi-cultural upbringing that’s translated into a unique design style. Her limited edition bags are a cultural melting pot of influences – crafted in vintage Kimono fabrics, but in modern styles made for a night out in Manhattan. With a love for vintage textiles, Alice always uses reclaimed or recycled materials for her bags, and makes them by hand in California – meaning no bag is the same, and each fabric pattern is limited edition. This unique bag is pretty AND practical – the handle is removable so it can be converted into a clutch once night falls.
The Gift: Chic Jewel Couture Gold Age Cuff
The Story: You won’t believe it, but jewelry designer Melanie Falvey is completely self-taught. Made with found treasures and precious metals, gems, silks and brocades, her hand crafted collections can be found in exclusive boutiques around the world. What we love about Melanie is that no collection is the same – leading to some truly original designs. Inspiration for this cool cuff came from some research she was doing into primitive jewelry techniques. She came across some of the first jewelry pieces ever found (artifacts from Spain dating back to 40,000 BC) and decided to make her own Paleolithic style piece – using only the most basic tools as the first crafters would have done! The result is this elegant cuff – available in silver or gold, it’s a gift that’s bound to make a statement.
The Gift: Eastern Mystic Jewellery Sarojini Janya Necklace
The Story: Sonal Talgeri-Bhaskaran was in the throes of a highly pressured banking career when the sudden loss of her father made her rethink her priorities, and yearn for a creative escape. Swapping Goldman Sachs for statement jewelry, she taught herself how to design, and launched Eastern Mystic in 2009. Drawing strongly on her Indian heritage in her designs, her Indali collection embraces the strong women who shaped India’s past. This Sarokini Janya necklace may look delicate, but it celebrates empowerment and beauty, with its blend of fragile gold vermeil, pretty pink opal and tough onyx gems. Give to a girlfriend to ‘unleash the warrior princess within’!
