2020 Gift Guide: Design Milk Faves

We see a lot of great modern design working here, so it can be hard to “pick favorites.” That said, there are a few that have really stood out to our team and our readers. If you’re still struggling with what to get someone on your list (or what to ask for), here are some top picks from the Design Milk Shop!

Reveal Watch by Project Watches /// from $105
Projects Watches is a small business that celebrates creators around the globe through wearable works of art. Their artistic timepieces make for the best unique, affordable gifts this holiday season and beyond. The Reveal Classic Watch allows you to watch time in the present. This timekeeper reveals the current time through a looking glass while fading the past and the future. Available with either a leather or stainless steel mesh band and comes in both 40mm and 33mm – there’s a style and size for anyone on your list.

Seadpod 5 Pack by Plantseads /// $55
This brand takes its name Sead as an acronym for Sustainable Ecology, Adaptive Design. What makes these Seadpods so cool? They make it easy to create a vertical garden in places you wouldn’t have previously even considered. It’s the perfect way to grow some greenery, even if there isn’t a lot of space.

Large Natural Orbis Concrete Vessel by Konzuk /// $63
This is a great gift for the hard-to-shop-for person on your list. In its simplest guise, the concrete vessel works as a standalone design object. However, if desired, it can also function as a home for a scent diffuser, succulent plant or anything else that fits inside the vessel. Each one is handcrafted, making this work of high-modernism a unique gift for anyone.

Wick Portable LED Candlelight by graypants /// 149
If you blend the romance of candlelight with the functionality of a lantern, you get Wick. It provides portable LED candlelight – and there’s no worry about the candle burning out! Wick’s versatility makes it great for an office, living room, dining room and even outside. That also means it’s a great choice for anyone you’re shopping for. You can feel confident in your choice because this is also one of the Design Milk community’s favorite products of 2020!

Limited-Edition Carl Cashman “Social Distancing” Vase by Venus + the Cat /// $515
Only 50 of these limited-edition vases were made (and each is uniquely numbered) – that makes this a pretty damn special gift. This exclusive was commissioned by renowned contemporary street artist Carl Cashman, and his eye-catching style uses color, dynamism, character and personality with stark negative space that shines through on this vase.

Hagl Black Mat by Heymat /// from $150
Hagl’s design means that guests will notice it the moment they walk by it. The pattern, designed by Caroline Olsson, is inspired by hail against a dark sky, and it is a playful addition to any doorway. And, it’s made to hold up to shoes that have braved the wettest winters (which the design is based on after all).

Monti Taste Set by Sempli /// $100
The Monti Taste Set is designed for beer lovers – and it’s a gift that lasts a lot longer than a six-pack. In it, you’ll find four of Sempli’s glasses, each specially designed to enhance the flavor profiles of different beer styles.

Fade Puzzle by Four Point Puzzles /// $25
Puzzles have consistently been a community favorite this year! The Fade Puzzle image was designed by Swedish artist Sara Andreasson in 2014 as part of a series of work that focuses on form and the application of bold color applied with a gradient pattern. You can see the work of art come to life with each puzzle piece you place. It comes in a puzzle bundle, too!

Snow White Pantone Sneaker (men’s sizing) (women’s sizing) by Cariuma /// $89
OCA is Cariuma’s popular signature sneaker and this version comes with a Pantone twist. It’s crafted from high-end, raw materials, it’s lightweight, and it has a classic cap-toe design for comfort and style. All in all, we see why this shoe is so popular with our community. The neutral Pantone Snow White color makes it a great choice for Pantone lovers and for holiday gifting because it works with every wardrobe.

Boeien Salt and Pepper Set by Puik /// $30
Designed by Ka-Lai Chan, the Boeien Salt and Pepper Set isn’t your basic salt and pepper set. They’re playful, beautifully constructed, and stand out. Really, it’s everything you want in a holiday gift.

Adulting Candle by Anecdote Candles /// $24
Candles are a classic holiday gift because you can’t really go wrong with one. Anecdote Candles raises the bar with creative and nuanced scents, high-quality materials and a hand-poured approach. It’s no wonder these are one of our community (and team!) favorites.

If you’re still undecided or haven’t found the right gift, there’s one universal gift that is well-liked by friends, family, colleagues, and kids alike: the Design Milk gift card. Let your recipient pick out something for themselves from our shop. We’re sure that they’ll find something they didn’t even know they wanted.

In support of the Design Milk Mission and to celebrate Giving Tuesday, we’re donating 10% of our ecommerce sales made on Dec 1st, 2020 to this quarter’s charity recipient Share Our Strength! That’s 10 times our everyday donation, so finish your shopping and help us give back! Share Our Strength is the parent organization of No Kid Hungry, Cooking Matters and Community Wealth Matters and other programs with a mission to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad. Donate today!

Check out the rest of our 2020 Gift Guides here!