Don’t sweat the small stuff. We’ve got under-a-dollar pencils from India, hand lotion with the most intoxicating smell, and canned sake (yep, you read that right) to top off any set of gifts to loved ones with an unexpected, non-bank-breaking note.
Photo courtesy of Aesop
Aussie line Aēsop’s new Reverence hand balm has a downright intoxicating scent thanks to a blend of sweet almond, carrot, cacao, and bergamot. Despite being made of natural oils, it moisturizes without that greasy feeling. aesop.com, $27
Photo courtesy of CW Pencil Enterprise
Each of Indian manufacturer Nataraj’s paint-marbled pencils is different from the next and made from vetta wood, which sharpens even more smoothly than traditional cedar. cwpencils.com, $0.30 each
Photo courtesy of Tea Collection
Not that the babes will care much, but Hazel Village’s Max Racoon is hand-stitched and can be washed in the sink. (They will, how- ever, adore his fuzzy fleece fur.) teacollection.com, $42
Photo courtesy of True Sake
This year, we’ve seen travel-ready cans of sake in hotels (the new SLS Las Vegas) as well as boutique liquor stores. The Funagachi line ranges from honey sweet to aged and mellow. truesake.com, $5-$10 per can
Photo courtesy of Yonder
Bay Area ceramicist Linda Fahey glazes porcelain spoons, then matches them to wood scraps she finds along California’s coast. In other words, each is a one-of-a-kind creation. yondershop.com, from $40