Giving the Gift of Home

Tired of handing out unexceptional presents that you just know get consigned to the back of the hall closet come January? Check out our list of goodies guaranteed to make great gifts.

We've scoured the country for the season's most unique, inspired pieces. Some are playful, some are stately, some are for humans, some are not, but all are united by inspired design and quality craftsmanship. No matter which ones you choose, chances are your gift-giving skills will reach expert level immediately.

Butterfly Blanket
Wrap someone special in warmth - and gorgeous design - this holiday season with this cozy blue tapestry blanket from Native American small business Eighth Generation. Made from 100 percent cotton in the U.S., it features artwork from renowned Acoma Pueblo artist Michelle Lowden depicting a butterfly in the Acoma tradition. Five percent of the profits from the sale of this blanket go to support Native American scholarships, so you can feel extra good about giving it. Measures 60 inches by 50 inches.

$69.00

"Luddite" iPad Case
Ideal for that person on your gift list who gets grumpy about technology (while using it, of course), Thomas Paul's Luddite iPad Case is crafted of soft flax, quilted to offer extra protection and embroidered by hand with a smart, signature design. Other items in the line include a camera case, toiletry bag and eyeglasses case. Referencing the 19th-century British movement that protested changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution, the Luddite iPad case slyly recalls a simpler way of living.

$50

Wrap Heating Pad
Who says that self-care products can't be elegant? Pamper with a present of soothing warmth from this line of dual-sided satin brocade and crushed velvet wrap heating pads. Filled with all-natural flax seed, the non-electrical pads can be heated or chilled depending on desire. They are also available with lavender blossoms for added aromatherapy benefit and measure a generous 20 inches by 9 inches. Handmade in upstate New York by a fifth-generation seamstress.

$44

Calamityware Volcano Plate
Combining whimsy with high design and fine craftsmanship, the Calamityware Volcano Plate is guaranteed to produce delighted chuckles from anyone who receives it. Produced at the award-winning Kristoff porcelain workshop in Poland, it was designed by artist Don Moyer to recall traditional Blue Willow pattern plates, but with a crucial difference: disaster. Other Calamityware plates and mugs include depictions of UFO invasions, rampaging giant robots and aggressive pterodactyls. Dishwasher, microwave and food safe.

$42

Zest Orchid Sleeper Bed for Dogs
Man's best friend deserves a berth fit for Lassie and this super-lux sleeper bed from Jax & Bones is it. Constructed of soft, stylish premium flocked fabric that is durable and long-lasting, it comes with a tufted center pillow perfect for older dogs who need firmer support. The pillow can be washed on gentle cycle and air dried for easy cleaning. Made in California with eco-friendly fiber, it's also available in the "Citron" color palette.

$119

Bowtie Doggie Biscuit Tin
Spoil your favorite pooch this holiday season with delicious, nutritious cheese puff flavored biscuits from Harry Barker. Wheat, corn, soy, sugar and salt free, these treats are also low in fat and contain no preservatives. For maximum freshness they come packaged in a resealable pouch bag inside the adorable tin. As part of Harry Barker's commitment to community partnership, the Bowtie Biscuit Tins are hand-packed by people with disabilities working in the Hope Center of Charleston's skills training program.

$14

Ambergris Hobnail Glass Diffuser Kit
As elegantly packaged as it is finely scented, the No. 72 Ambergris Hobnail Glass Diffuser Kit from Simpatico-Home makes a thoughtful hostess gift. Reed diffusers offer the perfect method of dispersing the sweet, musky aroma of Ambergris, a fragrance so alluring it is said to have beguiled Queen Elizabeth I. Includes a graceful amber hobnail bottle, pretty enough to be saved as a keepsake, that protects the perfumed essential oils within from light.

$48

Geo Planter from Ashware Studio
Lovingly handcrafted in a ceramic studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this planter is the work of designer Megumi Yoshida. Blending Japanese tradition and western modernism, her work melds art with purpose for pieces that are as lovely as they practical. Sure to be admired and used for years to come, the Geo Planter is available in terra-cotta, white, black and gray. The mini Geo Planter comes in terra-cotta and white.

$38