When it comes to holiday spirit, Nicole Richie might be right up there with Mariah Carey. “We go pretty big on Christmas,” the actor and fashion designer, who shares two teenagers with Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden, tells AD. “We start with holiday music the day after Thanksgiving. Sometimes it even bleeds into Thanksgiving.” In addition to decorating her chicken coop and making a point of trimming the tree and sipping homemade apple cider with her family every year, Richie always gets into the gift-giving spirit. Last year, her jewelry and fashion brand, House of Harlow 1960, launched a holiday collaboration with Etsy. This year, she partnered with the shopping platform once again to curate a comprehensive holiday gift guide filled with handcrafted products that match her chic, down-to-earth style.
With some input from her social media followers, Richie selected a diverse mix of Etsy wares for the holiday guide. The products, which range from a linen robe to glass-blown drink-ware to Italian marble coasters, nearly all share a common thread: “I just really love things that are natural. I love things that come from the earth,” Richie explains. “I think it creates an energy in your home, and it’s something that I’m attracted to.” Many of the items have an unexpected quality, such as a blue and white floral ceramic egg dish rimmed with gold, and ornaments custom-painted with detailed pet portraits. “I think it’s nice to give people things that they probably wouldn’t get for themselves,” the former reality star says. Below, she shares more of her favorite gift-giving tips with AD.
Architectural Digest: What is your approach to picking out a gift for someone?
Nicole Richie: I like giving gifts that have a personal touch; getting something engraved, having someone’s initials put on something. I also like making people laugh, so I do a lot of joke gifts. Sometimes I’ll do two gifts: one where you open it and the gift will have nothing to do with anything, and then I’ll give the real gift. I find that gifts are the most special when they are personal. I think that gifts are an opportunity for you to say to someone, “I see you.”
What is your favorite type of gift to receive?
I also like to be seen. For my 40th birthday, one of my girlfriends gave me a sweatshirt from this woman who stitched portraits of animals. She did all of my animals on one sweatshirt. It was so special and personal, I cried.
Of the items on the gift guide, what are you most tempted to buy for yourself?
I got the pet ornaments. I had them made for every one of my pets: my dogs, my cats, chickens, and turtles. I think they’re so special and truly the perfect gift for anyone with a pet. I associate Christmastime with being home and being with family. I really do believe that the epitome of that is being with your pets. They deserve a moment on the tree.
What are some of the other gifts from the guide that you’re excited to give out this year?