The first time I met Starrett Ringbom was when she was working in public relations for Jonathan Adler. She was wearing a high waisted pair of vintage leather pants that belonged to her mother on a pouring down rainy day. I was dressed for the weather and did not look as chic. The first time I met her son Hugo was at Sotheby’s at a preview for the Bunny Mellon auction. He charmed me and a stranger that day who couldn’t help but comment on his cuteness.

Starrett spent many years working in fashion and design but decided to go back to her own interior design work by founding Starrett Hoyt. I couldn’t think of a better person to contribute a children’s gift guide this holiday season, especially one tailored to little boys. Her choices are adorable and charming. Just like Hugo.
Hugo is so darn cute I can’t even stand it.
A set of vintage books, like this old Jacques Cousteau series. Books make the best presents, and your little one will love pouring over these pages, imagining themselves as a scuba adventurer. The bonus for the design minded is that they will add some vintage je ne sais quoi to your child’s bookshelf.

A balance bike! No explanation necessary, your kid will be psyched!

This super deluxe art center is sure to delight your children and keep them busy all throughout cocktail hour, both of which are equally important.
Speaking of cocktails, it is never too early to turn your children on to the fabulousness that is a fondue party. However, if cooking is not their cup of tea, this work bench is sure to please.
My love of travel started early as a fascination with maps—as a child I could look at a globe all day. Endlessly fascinating.
Kill two birds with one stone: teach your child the importance of supporting a loved institution as well as give them the gift of dinosaur sightings every weekend. A membership to the American Museum of Natural History.
Start a family band like the Partridges! A child’s guitar is fun and much nicer for the neighbors than a drum set.

Old school Twister is in fact, still fun for the whole family.
I mean, who doesn’t want this plush canoe? Everyone wants a boat!
Now that your little one has been spoiled rotten, it is time for some thank you notes. With cute and spirited customized note cards, your child will surely learn to love this most important part of receiving so many treasures—being graciously thankful.

What is the best present you’ve ever received? 

My husband gave me a very special ring. He reset three sapphires that were in my grandmother’s engagement ring from the 1930s in a new gold setting that I could wear all the time. It feels so special to have a family treasure newly made just for me.

Editor’s Note: Starrett’s husband is filmmaker Petter Ringbom. I also love the message she posted to him on their recent anniversary. 

You never know how you’re going to meet someone you love. Maybe you are born thousands of miles away from each other in different lands with different tongues and maybe you move to the same city of millions and maybe many years later you live on the same block for seven years and then maybe you suddenly meet and decide to get married just like that. Lucky me. 5 years today. Happy anniversary!

What is the best present you’ve ever given? 

Last year my husband and I put together a photo album for all of our parents of the family pictures (really mostly our son) from the past year. It brought about many tears! We will do it every year from now on. All they want is to see our little son grow up.
Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? 

My favorite holiday tradition is sadly a thing of the past in my life. My family used to host a Christmas party in Vail every year of my life until they got a little too long in the tooth to indulge in so much chaos. There were always around 50 people, and it seemed like everyone I knew. I remember crackling fires, wandering through a sea of legs in wide wale corduroy, a flaming fig pudding, all the champagne chilling on the snow covered deck, making cheese puffs with my Mom and acting as a mini-waitress. Christmas was never an intimate affair, it was truly mirth and joy and laughter and it felt like I had the biggest family in the world.

Now I love all the Swedish traditions that my husband has brought into our lives. St. Lucia is the most beautiful service and incredibly cosy and festive. Every year we also have a traditional Swedish Christmas lunch at Aquavit.
If money were no object, what would you like to see under the tree this year? 

I would die for a pair of G. De Vivo bedside tables . . . (hint hint, anyone???) Also, diamonds, obviously.

Big thanks to Starrett for this truly adorable gift guide!

XOXO,

HC