Palma wears glitter and gold: Christmas presents

Are you thinking about Christmas presents for your loved ones? Instead of buying stuff online at the very last minute, now is the best time to stroll the illuminated streets of Palma. I have discovered a few things that make real treats. And browsing the beautiful stores is a treat for yourself. All the streets are ablaze with lights, illuminated by stars, snowballs and glittering garlands. Plaça Major and Plaça Rei Joan Carlos are covered with starry canopies. Shops boast shiny windows and Christmas markets, musicians, and puppeteers are turning La Ciudad into a magical place. Even though it’s a busy time for most of us we’re anticipating the holidays to celebrate with our friends and families.

No party without a bottle of nicely chilled cava or white wine. I just found the perfect wine cooler from Uashmama at SASU, the new concept store next to Plaça Major. The Italian brand combines traditional manufacture with modern design and introduced a series of bags from washable metallic paper. Key purses, duffle bags, phone and notebook cases. SASU has all of them and a lot more pretty things in their store. The wine cooler comes with an insert that goes in the freezer before you use it. Together with your favorite bottle it is the perfect gift to bring along.

When it comes to presents jewelry is always special. One of the most unique pieces of jewelry I was given a few years ago was a llibre-anell (book-ring). A beautiful winding silver ring with a quote from Pablo Neruda engraved on it. We had discovered the rings at Aram, Auba Pont’s modern jewelery shop on the corner of Carrer Missio, and I instantly fell in love with them. They are designed and handcrafted by Núria Farré Pàmpols, aka idili, and they also come in gold and bi-metal, with quotes from Tagore, Saint-Exupéry and other major writers.

Just as unique and fun to wear are the little hand embroidered brooches from Macon & Lesquoy. Due to the creativity and love for storytelling of their two Parisian designers they come in countless fancy motives. Their designs are witty, slightly eccentric and simply put you in a good mood. Flowers and fruits, rockets and airplanes, blinking eyes, hearts, spears, and many more. Designs for any occasion or passion you can possibly think of. So fabulous it’s often hard to decide which one’s the best. Amen has a very cool choice in store.

In daily life we always need small change but never like to cram our pockets or purses with it. A most elegant way to carry coins is the portamonete tacco from Il Bussetto. The Milanese label re-introduced an old Tuscan technique to produce leather goods completely free of seems which makes them last for ages. Accordingly the small leather pouches were traditionally handed down from father to son. They come in two sizes and several colors and besides being incredibly handy they simply look and feel great. People often ask me where I got mine. Well, I found it at Calame amidst other fine objects.

I don’t like synthetic fabrics that much but I was thrilled by this one’s lettering “Because there is no planet B”. That’s how I learned about Ecoalf. The innovative brand from Madrid creates a new generation of sustainable products made from recycled cotton and plastics. I love the label for its trendsetting approach as well as for the minimalistic urban designs. This summer, they opened a flagship store in Berlin but in Palma so far you could only buy their products online. Just now I discovered a small selection of Ecoalf products at Rialto Living. The waterproof backpack ‘Oslo’, super versatile and always in style, makes a great gift.

Whether you decorate your home for Christmas or not it’s always nice to have a few items that remind you of the season. A candlestick maybe, a nutcracker or a bowl of oranges. Terra Cuita, the family-run pottery from Pórtol, is well-known for its authentic tableware. Preserving the traditional Mallorcan colors and pattern they also incorporated modern maritime and floral designs. Recently, they introduced a charming set of dishes and cups bearing plain Christmas motifs. I particularly like the plates with the friendly red reindeers. Together with a selection of your favorite chocolates they make lovely presents for young and old.

And at la noche vieja we will meet at Plaça Cort. This year I will make sure to bring a bottle of cava in my new wine cooler from Uashmama to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Don’t forget your twelve grapes to get lucky in 2019.