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What Modern Mrs Darcy readers want for Christmas

Jo Malone orange blossom scented candle

Well, actually, that’s a little bold. I can’t speak for all of you–and even I wouldn’t necessarily want everything on this list! But I can tell you that, as a group, MMD readers like good books and strong coffee, gorgeous necklaces and scarves, Downton Abbey and Jane Austen.

If you need a gift idea for a fellow MMD reader, want to pass this along to your significant other, or finally let your family members know what’s on your list, well, this is a good place to start.

Le Creuset red stoneware french press

Brighten your morning ritual with the Le Creuset red stoneware french press, in cherry. (Another winning combination: aeropress + frother for easy lattés at home.)

Inca steps necklace from Noonday Collection

Gorgeous, versatile, and responsibly sourced: Inca steps necklace from Noonday Collection, in coral or teal, $72.

Cookbooks to give

There’s always room on the shelf for one more (fabulous) cookbook: like Giada’s Feel Good Food, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, or Well Fed 2.

Kate Spade required reading shopper

Works like a bag; looks like a card catalog. Kate Spade “required reading” shopper. Was $228, on sale for $136.

Jane Austen action figureMeet your muse: Jane Austen action figure, $13.

Extra-large tote bag from Lucy Jane totes

Extra-large tote bag from Lucy Jane Totes, $68. Use it to schlep your baby gear, your pool toys, or your library books.

Downton Abbey boxed set

Downton Abbey boxed set, $52

good books

A gift-y book with mass appeal, like Art that Changed the World, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book, Princesses Behaving Badly, or The Most of Nora Ephron.

A Jane Austen Education

Fanfiction stinks, but this Austen-inspired memoir sings. The chapter on Mansfield Park is my favorite. A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter, William Deresiewicz.

Kindle paperwhite

For those who have finally succumbed to the e-reader craze: Kindle Paperwhite, $119. (The basic Kindle is $20 off at Amazon today, so just $49 if you’ve been thinking about one…)

Jo Malone orange blossom scented candle

Everyday indulgence: Jo Malone orange blossom scented candle, $65. If that price makes you woozy, try Pacifica’s mexican scented cocoa, Trapp’s black pepper, or even Mrs. Meyers Clean Day’s Iowa pine candles.

Rifle Paper Co botanical journals

Beautiful stationery, notepads, or journals, like these from Rifle Paper Co, are always welcome. ($12.95 for 3)

Helen scarf from fashionABLE

Beautiful scarf with a beautiful story: the Helen scarf from fashionABLE, $28.

5-year journals

A 5-year journal, like this Jane Austen-themed one, or this one from The Happiness Project, $14. I snagged this one in the sale room at Anthro last week for my husband to slip into my stocking. (You’re welcome, babe.)

A gift card for Amazon or her favorite local indie bookstore is sure to please.

Credit to a service like Stitch Fix will keep on giving after the holidays are over.

On my personal wish list: a gift certificate for a massage (or three).

What did I forget?

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16 comments

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  1. sheila says:

    Can I ask you about that Le Creuset french press, bc I have coveted it for years. Does it keep the coffee hot?? I didn’t get that one and got the Braun insulated stainless french press instead (not nearly as pretty, but my coffee is HOT for hours). Thx.

    And, I think you’ve finally pushed me over the edge to start watching Downton Abbey. That box set is a deal. (Can I even admit that I haven’t seen a single episode in this space? Yikes!)

    Love all these ideas.

    I asked for this cute faux woodstove for our Dickensian (no heat!) schoolroom – http://www.plowhearth.com/energy%2dsaving%2dportable%2delectric%2dstove%2dwith%2dstay%2dcool%2dsurface_p6257.html
    Perhaps we’ll get some gruel as well.

    Merry, merry to you and yours.

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks for asking the Le Creuset question, Sheila. I LOVE the look, but would like to know how effective it is, as well. AND I am right there w/you RE: _Downtown Abbey_. I would like to get into it, but just haven’t yet – not even 1 episode’s worth either. But, I def. am tempted by its being on this list.

      I love this list Anne. Your readers have great taste! The notebooks are lovely.

      • Anne says:

        Well, I love Downton, at least. And I’m in good company here. 🙂 (If you’re thinking about getting it for yourself, you might want to consider just getting an Amazon Prime membership. Seasons 1-3 stream free for prime members, and the cost difference between Prime and the box set is pretty small. 🙂

    • Anni says:

      Sheila, my sister had that French press and loved it! It does keep the coffee nice and toasty, and does the job very well. The only reason she doesn’t have it anymore is because their naughty cat knocked it down and broke it.

    • Anne says:

      I don’t have it, I just think it’s gorgeous! And the reviews on it are really good. If my Bodum ever breaks, I’ll replace it with one of these. 🙂

      That woodstove is darling!

    • Karlyne says:

      We have two of these “wood” stoves. The first one that we bought from Lowe’s was such a success that we ordered another one! It’s an even better one, because it was a clearance, end-of-season one and I had a Lowe’s coupon. They shipped it to the store for free, and what with all of the discounts, it came to about $50! Best deal of all time?

  2. Anni says:

    One of my dear friends just sent me that Jane Austen 5-year journal in the mail as a surprise gift, and it’s absolutely beautiful! I can’t wait to start using it in the new year.

  3. Tuija says:

    Amen to good books and strong coffee!
    But what I would really, really want for Christmas is that someone else would wash my windows. I wouldn’t say no to other sorts of cleaning help, either. I wonder if there are gift cards for that? 🙂

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