Gift Guide 2016: Local Home Goods and Tableware

Forget about giving garishly wrapped gifts to your racist aunt or your crazy cousin who keeps writing #pizzagate on all his Instagram posts. Those folks don't deserve your largesse. And, besides, 2016 is about giving to yourself. Decorate your bunker with muted neutrals and nubby textures. Eat all the carbs that you want. Roll your eyes at Love Actually one more time. We promise we won't judge. In a year of increasingly bad hangovers, you deserve to take it easy.

So what if your relatives drive you to drink? That's not necessarily a bad thing. Bury your feelings in style with Backbeat owner Jessica Sander's cocktail of champagne, cognac, and the latest local liqueur. Crystal coupe glass, the Austin Shaker ($12); Humble Ceramics 12-inch Cazuela platter, Kettle & Brine ($185); wooden channel knife, Métier Cook's Supply ($7.50); Martine honeysuckle liqueur, available at Twin Liquors. Full Glitz cocktail recipe below. (Photos by John Anderson)

Even P. Terry's will look fancy if you serve it on everyday dinnerware that works as well for takeout as it does for holiday feasts. Mepra flatware in brushed gold, Kettle & Brine ($62, 5-piece set); matte charcoal Mira dinner plate by Foxware Ceramics, Kettle & Brine ($38); matte lavender gray bowl, Kettle & Brine ($34); Serax light green glass, Jacoby's Mercantile ($15); ombre Mexican glass tumbler, Hacienda Collection ($12); Jono Smart stoneware milk pourer, Kettle & Brine ($48); tan Mayarte hand towel, Ara Collective ($35); Duchman Family Winery 2015 Vermentino, available at 34 Wine & Spirits, Bread Basket, and Far West Liquor & Fine Wines; William Chris Vineyards 2015 mourvédre, available at Whip In.

Take some time this season to cuddle up with a good book (we suggest Sun Tzu's The Art of War). Nodo chair, Petrified Designs ($520); Break stool, Petrified Designs (from $340); gray Chamarra blanket, Ara Collective ($168); custom floral arrangement, Gypsy Floral.

Our idea of holiday entertaining? Buy a bunch of snacks, set them out on beautiful platters and trays, and see how long we can get through Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life before angrily throwing food at the screen. Keith Kreeger Hudson serving tray in Linea, available at the Porcelain Lounge at Billy Reid through December ($140); marble & walnut cutting board, Jacoby's Mercantile ($64); Jasper Hill Farm Harbison cheese, Antonelli's Cheese Shop ($38.99/lb.); walnut spreader, Hacienda Collection ($12); cutting board/serving tray, Petrified Design ($65); sourdough boule, Easy Tiger ($4); vegetables throughout, Johnson's Backyard Garden (CSA boxes starting at $22).

Full Glitz

2 dashes Angostura bitters
1/4 oz orgeat
3/4 oz lemon
3/4 oz Martine
1.5 oz PF 1840 cognac
2 oz brut champagne

Shake all but champagne. Strain into a wine glass. Top with champagne. Orange twist garnish. (Editor's note: We used a coupe and a lemon twist. It still tasted great!)