There’s nothing like an expert to clear the clouds of indecision (and maybe even panic?) from your holiday gift planning. We asked some of our favorite hometown businesses for shopping thoughts and advice: White’s Mercantile, Taigan, Harpeth Gallery, G&G Interiors, AshBlue, Epergne, and Hillsboro Hardware. Here’s how they answered our most pressing questions.
White’s Mercantile, 12 South.
This deliciously curated modern general store has become a 12 South destination, and it’s really one of our favorites. Owned by singer-songwriter Holly Williams, of Hank Williams Senior and Junior royalty (and whose two other irresistible shops are White’s Mercantile on Franklin’s Main Street, and H. Audrey, in the Nashville Hill Center), White’s Mercantile 12 South occupies an old gas station next door to Sevier Park. Inside, you’ll find an inspiring selection of clothing (including Filson and Frank & Eileen), jewelry, books, cookbooks, writing paper, homewares, local pantry items, and treats and gear for beloved dogs.
1. What is the most popular gift you’re seeing this holiday season?
That’s SO hard to pinpoint one gift as we have a ton of options. For women, it is definitely our Barefoot Dreams robes (come in various colors/sizes).
For men, we are selling a lot of Filson watches, as they are truly amazing.
We also see a lot of shoppers buying stocking stuffers, holiday candles and local food items.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make when planning holiday gifts?
Waiting until the last minute to start shopping!!
3. What has been your own favorite holiday gift to give or receive? What’s been the most surprising?
Our personal favorite/the absolute best gift to receive and/or give is a pair of Golden Goose boots. They are great for any personality and women LOVE them. Very well made boots that last forever.
Most surprising gift…a dog!
4. What’s the most challenging category on your own gift list? What are you considering?
In-laws! Consider putting together a basket at White’s to include: local food/goodies from Nashville along with a cheese tray or cutting board from the Wooden Palate and a few Turkish-T tea towels!
5. “When you’re out of ideas, give _____________________.”
A White’s Mercantile gift card!
To read more about White’s Mercantile and Holly Williams, click here.
Taigan.
Based in Nashville, this exquisite online marketplace collects unique and hard-to-find items from designers, artisans, and vendors in town and across the globe. At Taigan.com, you can shop a wide range of categories, from women’s clothing and jewelry to luxury home goods, wine and specialty foods – and even exceptional travel opportunities, like a Bordeaux wine and chateaux tour we’ve added to our own dream-wish list. Founder Mary Catherine McClellan and CEO Elizabeth Nichols offer this excellent holiday gift advice:
1. What is the most popular gift you’re seeing this holiday season?
Karen Adams 2017 Desk Calendars, which were so popular that we have sold out of them. She still has refills left (and you can add your own easel), and other lovely paper products.
Our shoppers also love Notti Toffee and Colts Chocolates. For the upscale “ski bum”, a jacket from Skea.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make when planning holiday gifts?
Not “pulling” the trigger once they place “it” in their basket. You know the saying, “here today…gone tomorrow”!!!!
3. What has been your own favorite holiday gift to give or receive? What’s been the most surprising?
It is certainly a surprise to send/receive a chocolate salami from Cacao. And we love to give friends personalized gift tags from Carter Lipscomb, or fun watercolor place cards for the Christmas table from Franklin, Tennessee artist Lexie Armstrong.
4. What’s the most challenging category on your own gift list? (Teachers? Babysitters?) What are you considering?
Most challenging are “people who have everything,” which includes many of our friends and family. Because teachers and babysitters are always so appreciative of gifts, it is a pleasure to “hunt” for that special something for them.
5. “When you’re out of ideas, give _____________________.”
Callies Biscuits, Schermer Pecans or “The Twelve Days of Christmas” ice cream sandwiches from Nyes.
All on Taigan.com, of course!
Harpeth Gallery.
One of Nashville’s Grande Dames, this boutique has served us for over 70 years. Shop here for fine art, antique furniture and silver, lighting, baby gifts, jewelry, and homewares, not to mention a legendary bridal registry. Owner Walton Estes offers this advice as the holidays draw close:
1. What is the most popular gift you’re seeing this holiday season?
One of a kind, unique gifts, i.e., antique boxes, whimsical “found” objects for the home.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make when planning holiday gifts?
Don’t plan – be spontaneous! You never know when the perfect gift will jump out at you!
3. What has been your own favorite holiday gift to give or receive? What’s been the most surprising?
A new serving piece by Montes Dogged, beautifully handmade in Peru. Or a bottle of Walton’s Vodka, small-batch distilled from red winter wheat, right here in Nashville.
4. What’s the most challenging category on your own gift list? What are you considering?
Girlfriends that have everything! But everyone loves Merry Cheese Crisps or a bottle of wine – or olive oil!
5. “When you’re out of ideas, give _____________________.”
A gift certificate from Harpeth Gallery!
Estes Walton favorite
Read more about Harpeth Gallery here, and visit in person at 73 White Bridge Road, in Paddock Place (across the lot from J. Alexanders).
G&G Interiors Nashville.
Jane Anne Pilkinton opened this luscious new gift and interior design center this Fall in the Westgate Shopping Center, on Highway 100 just past the Highway 70 split. Look here to find luxury brands in furniture, lighting, rugs, homewares, and linens. Or just come to explore the beautiful and inspiring showroom, crowned by these Saint-Louis crystal light fixtures:
What do Jane Anne and her elves advise for the giving season? Here are their thoughts:
1. What is the most popular gift you’re seeing this holiday season?
Our signature white G&G plush robes have been incredibly popular. Add a white monogram for a sophisticated, monochromatic touch!
2. What is the biggest mistake people make when planning holiday gifts?
Purchasing the same gift for everyone on your list. A personalized, thoughtful gift is always a favorite under the tree!
3. What has been your own favorite holiday gift to give or receive? What’s been the most surprising?
We love choosing a child to support each Christmas season. Knowing that a local boy or girl will have a smile on their face Christmas morning completes the season for us!
4. What’s the most challenging category on your own gift list? What are you considering?
It’s always hard to surprise the men in our lives. We are loving the handmade items from our Brazilian line, Airedelsur. These masculine items are worked from Alpaca Silver, a variety of rich woods, cow, goat, and deer horns; natural cow and horsehide leathers, and semi-precious onyx.
5. “When you’re out of ideas, give _____________________.”
A Saint-Louis chandelier from G&G Nashville, of course! These special pieces are jewelry for the home.
Join the creative staff at G&G Interiors for holiday shopping Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. And bring your little ones for milk and cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 17th. You can round out your own list while Santa is hearing theirs!
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These hometown experts should at least get you started. And while you’re at it, take a look at the intriguing collection of holiday gift ideas at these Nashville favorites:
At Epergne, owners Laura Chadwick and Susan Dyke have gathered the world’s most beautiful homewares into one luxury boutique, located on Highway 100.
Shop here for fine china, ceramics, linens, baby gifts, and other beauties from names like Vivo, Beauville, Artel, and Juliska. Special holiday hours now through December 24 include Sundays from Noon to 5 PM, and Thursdays till 7 PM. Visit for inspiring holiday ideas, like these.
AshBlue, Susannah Scott-Barnes’ chic emporium on Bandywood Drive, offers a distinctive collection of homewares, jewelry, bags, books, frames, and other treasures. Shop here for jewelry by Temple St. Clair and Kara Ross, and for linens by Nashville’s Turkish-T. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a treat for yourself, while you’re looking after everyone else on your list.
Hillsboro Hardware, on 21st Avenue just south of Blair Boulevard, makes even the least DIY-happy among us feel competent and powerful. Wondering what to give the gardener on your holiday list? Or the tinkerer/carpenter? Or the child who can make anything out of colorful duck tape? This delightfully old-school hardware store – presided over by Hazel, the managing pup – offers charming ideas for the practical loved ones on your list.
Feel inspired? Ready for action? Enjoy your hometown holiday shopping!