14th annual gift guide for modern design addicts

The Rissover Family holiday 2023 photo with our littlest co-worker. Oh, what a difference a year makes! Little baby Bernie has grown SO much and has filled this last year with immeasurable joy and love! And she is no stranger to working with ZuZu & Pops, accompanying us on appraisals and all of our Realtor errands.

Seasons Greetings to all of our modern minded followers!  It’s been an unprecedented year in so many ways.  The Real Estate world has undergone the biggest changes in our 21 years in the business, and is settling into the new normal.   We are so thrilled to be on this crazy ride with YOU, our followers, clients, friends and family.  A hearty THANK YOU for all of your support and your vote of confidence to allow us to represent you and the coolest and best houses in town!

This year’s list is loaded with super affordable, handy and well designed items. As you make your holiday lists and check them twice, we hope our curated 14th Annual Favorite Things List of gifts for modern design aficionados offers a little bit of joy for you or those on your list!

 Archie’s |  these old school looking flip flops (thongs in my day 🙄) are anything but old school.  Thanks to a tip from my friend Julia, these bad boys actually fixed my painful feet this summer!  They look neat and trim, and hold your tired old dogs in the perfect position to banish foot pain. Seriously.  Magic.  Also available as slides, they come in men’s and women’s sizes and lots of colors.  If only they made them in metallics to make them a little more dressy, I’d never take them off!

Tweexy Hinge untippable nail polish holder | Where are my peeps who do their own nails?!  I had no idea I needed this until my friend Jenny gifted me one.  Total game changer and makes doing nails in bed (like I do) way less risky!

Chilifrukt Watering Can | You can always count on Ikea for cutting edge design at bargain prices. This  well designed watering can/vase is just lovely.  I have it in yellow metal, and it also comes in light blue.

Swurfer Coconut Swing | Our initiation into grandparenthood came with quite the education on new and cutting edge baby products.  But sometimes defaulting back to simple is the way to go.  This form follows function swing is a total hit with baby Bernie!  And her buddy August actually asked us to cut the boat ride short so he could go back and swing some more.  How’s that for a swinging endorsement?  Available in several colors, we have one hung at the lake on a Swurfer ratchet strap between trees, and one hung from hooks on our carport beams at home.  Bonus points for a very easy to use 3 point harness and it has drain holes.

Our muse, Baby Bernie, in her swurfer coconut swings at the lake and in our carport. green outfit & hat from Primary, one of our favorite baby/kid clothes resoruces.

Gir Kitchen Tools |  I am a kitchen tool snob. IYKYK. I also have limited drawer space, so having the right tool for the job (and not lots of items that don’t get used) is extremely important. These heat resistant silicone spoonulas are perfect for just about everything that needs stirring and or scraping.

Yamazaki Fruit Bowl | Our designer daughter Kirsten found this this go-to hostess gift that works for so many things –  fruit bowl/bread basket/centerpiece and all around well designed and crafted coolness.

Hitster Game |  I challenge anyone out there to a game of Hitster!  Our friends Carrie & David introduced us to this fast paced and immensely listenable party game.  Great for players and groups of all ages, it links to Spotify to play clips of songs, while players put them in chronological order from the 1950’s through now.  I guess all those years of making my kids listen to 70’s on 7 on satellite radio paid off after all!  They are fierce at this game that gives all the feels and sparks lively debate and stories from memory lane.  👍🏼👍🏼 from the Rissover fam!

Baboon to the Moon | Our world traveling kids turned us on to this brand and I just love the saturated gum ball colors.  The dopp kit and and little mesh pouches are great, but the real show stopper is the Go-Bag (basic) Mini, which counts as a personal item for flying and can actually act as a suitcase for light travel.

Big Joe floats |  I have spent my adult life in search of the perfect pool/lake float.  These are as close as it gets!  The sling is great for when it’s really hot and you want to be more in the water.  And you can’t beat the Captain’s Chair for floating around with a drink in your hand!  They are lightweight and dry fast.  Sams Club has the best price anywhere.

Banorah | because why not have some fun at Hanukkah?!  Collecting interesting menorahs has become a thing, and this one is sure to spark conversation.  And I can’t resist a little word play.

Hulken Bags |  This is one of those facebook ads that finally got to me.  After visiting my daughter who lives in a high rise condo, this seemed the perfect way to lug groceries from the car to elevator.  She also uses it for work items.  Love that if folds flat and can easily be stored.

Teleties | As a generation Joneser, I sure miss fiddling with curly phone cords.  These phone cord inspired hair bands don’t pull, snag or stick. They don’t leave crimps. and they come in a bunch of colors & neutrals.  AND they come in sizes to work with fine to super thick hair. For years now, they have been an everyday staple in my wardrobe. Quite simply, perfect!

Tam-Tam Stool (exclusive) from the Museum of Modern Art | A pop icon of French design, the Tam-Tam Stool was designed by amateur fisherman Henry Masonnet in 1968. He designed the hourglass-shaped, hollow stool for himself because its extremely lightweight design makes it easy to carry around.  The Tam-Tam Stool quickly became a best seller and 1960s icon after a photo of Brigitte Bardot sitting on it made the rounds. The pops of color and sculptural shape make them playful little works of art for a super affordable price.

Newfields Midcentury Modern Gifts | I always marvel at the assorted gifts & goodies that our friend Jenny stocks at her museum shop. This link is to the page of the Newfields website that features the midcentury inspired items.  But click around the site – they have lots of items that Jenny curated on buying trips (the jewelry is wonderful!), and items inspired by the Newfields museum collection.

*Items on this list were curated entirely by us (mostly Susan 😉).  We do not receive any compensation for recommending these items**

For more ideas, check out our previous lists from 2011, 2012, 2013 ,2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,  2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 for many more modern classics!

And don’t forget to shop local:

• City Flea Holiday Market – December  7 & 8  at Factory 52 and December 14 at Washington Park
• Crafty Supermarket – November 30 at Music Hall Ballroom
• Hunky Dory Studio – local Cincinnati artist Amy Flesher
• Fern– THE source for modern plants and planters 6040 Hamilton Ave, College Hill
• MiCA 12/v – corner of 12th and Vine in OTR
• Artichoke OTR – coolest kitchen gadgets anywhere.  Adjacent to Findlay Market.
• Highley Vintage – Riverside Antique Mall 3742 Kellogg Avenue 45226. The rest of the mall is fun to browse around, too!
• Midcentury Modern Rescue –  find them on instagram @midcenturymodernrescue and at the shop new 6150 Madison Rd, Madisonville  
• Leftcoast Modern
• Mainly Art – 3711 Madison Road, Oakley
• Modern Art Jewelry– Haguit is carrying on her father’s tradition of making hand crafted modern jewelry at affordable prices. 8316 Plainfield Road, Deer Park
• Fabulous Frames and Art – the definitive source for all things Charley, Edie, and Brett Harper.  Several locations around town including Montgomery, Kenwood, Tri County and Downtown. 
• Cincinnati Zoo – memberships and gift items that support conservation and our local treasure https://cincinnatizoo.org/membership/
• Cincinnati Museum Center –   another great local membership, includes unlimited admission to Cincinnati History Museum, The Children’s Museum, and Museum of Natural History & Science.  And memberships are 20% off until January 6, 2025
• cf3 – gift membership to cincinnati’s only group dedicated to the preservation and celebration of midcentury modern design & architecture, with several interesting member only events offered throughout the year.

Hope this list gives you some inspiration for this season of giving.  Thanks to all of our cincinnatimodern friends for 21 amazing years.  Peace, love and a happy healthy new year to all 💚