Call me jaded, but the older I get, the more I feel like I need reminders of the delightful things in life, however small.
Surely I'm not alone in this. In a world where we're constantly being bombarded with horrible news all around the world, it can be easy to lose sight of the magic in everyday things. A shame, really.
Which is why I've put together this list of whimsical items you can surround yourself with to bring at least a bit of that magic and delight to your personal life ?
“Drippy Pots” Ceramics by Brian Giniewski »
(Prices vary)
Brian Giniewski is an Instagram-famous ceramic artist known for his line of colorful and whimsical “drippy” cups/mugs/etc that look like they’re covered in cartoonish icing.
All of the glazes he uses are made in-house with his own recipes that he’s been perfecting for years. The colors have a bright, clean look with a smooth “gooeyness” that contrasts nicely with the exposed clay underneath. You can’t go wrong gifting someone one of these to someone; they’d be crazy not to love it.
(He tends to restock in small batches, so you have to check back often to nab anything.)
Kristina Kotlier’s Whimsical Handmade Ceramics »
(Prices vary)
California-based architectural designer and ceramic artist Kristina Arzaga-Kotlier has a shop full of charming stoneware characters that bring a little whimsy to any space, but also some utility where needed.
“Excited Earl” (pictured above, left) can be a planter, pencil holder, or drink tumbler. Meanwhile, “Dynamic Drew” (above, center) offers a nice home for your favorite kitchen utensils. And then you have “Dapper Dan” (above, right), a little porcelain buddy who helpfully holds onto you and your partner’s rings each night. These cute characters and others deserve a happy place in your home.
Note: Kotlier’s stock does rotate in and out and items tend to sell out quickly, so don’t be surprised if something’s unavailable by the time you get there.
Twist-Ending Jigsaw Puzzles by the Magic Puzzle Company »
($23 per puzzle)
It seems that cartoony jigsaw puzzles ~with a twist~ are all the rage these days. The most popular examples we know of are the series of ✨magical ending✨ puzzles by the Magic Puzzle Company.
These puzzles are full of tiny whimsical details and easter eggs for you to discover and enjoy as they’re being assembled, and each one does a “magic trick” when you finish it.
No, they don't sprout wings and fly around or anything like that — they're merely cardboard jigsaw puzzles, after all. But there is something of a surprise awaiting you at the end of each one, and you’ll need to solve it for yourself if you want to find out what it is. Think of it like a “bonus level” ?
+ Honorable mention goes to the Ravensburger “Bizarre Bookshop 2” Jigsaw Puzzle
“miniAlley” Alleyway Diorama Bookshelf Inserts »
($219 each)
If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of book nooks, well then we’ve got a treat for you. They’re essentially tiny diorama worlds that live between books on your shelf, often appearing like portals to other places.
The “miniAlley” series is arguably the most well known example of this that you can buy, rather than making one yourself. They offer a variety of locales to brighten up your bookshelf (we mean that literally; they actually do light up):
- Japan Old Town — The one that started it all.
- Italy
- Wizard — Definitely not themed after Diagon Alley, no sirree ?
- Medieval
Gantri Plant-Based “Cantilever Table Lamp” »
($198)
In case you're unfamiliar, there’s a San Francisco-based company that produces their own corn- and sugarcane-based plastic substitutes (aka Gantri Plant Polymers), which they’re using to 3D-print a bunch of interesting-looking lighting solutions for home and office use.
Take their Cantilever Table Lamp, for example. Those aformentioned plant-based materials it’s made from are nontoxic and sustainably farmed, and they offer a high level of durability and temperature resistance reminiscent of traditional plastics like ABS and PET — without the “feels bad, man” of producing or buying them.
But even without all the nifty eco-friendly material stuff, this is just a neat-looking lamp! We’d even call it cute, in a Marvin the Paranoid Android sort of way. The diffuse light globe sits off-center from its matte-painted base, which comes in a handful of color options. Its warm light is also dimmable via the in-line switch about 18″ from the base.
Wobble Chess Set by Umbra »
($300)
While the price of Umbra's wooden Wobble chess set has certainly gone up over the years, we still think it's a rather charming modern take on an ancient classic that's at least worth a look if you've got the extra funds.
The maple and walnut pieces in this set have spherical steel weighted bases, so they wobble when moved. As for the board itself — with alternating squares of the same maple and walnut — each position is concave to create smooth, rounded surfaces for the pieces to sit in and remain centered. The wobbly effect this creates during gameplay is charming and somehow makes the game feel more lively.
Bialetti “Alpina” Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker »
($32)
If someone gifted you a classic-style moka pot, you’d probably be fine with it. But what if they instead handed you one modeled after Italy’s specialist mountain infantry — feathered cap and all? Even better, right?
Not only is this a unique display piece for the kitchen, it’s also still fully functional as a coffee maker, albeit in small quantities.
Wooden Monster Tissue Holder »
($99)
Sometimes you buy items that offer a real, actual purpose, while others are simply things you’d love to have in your home for no other reason than you like looking at them.
This monster-shaped tissue box made from beech wood falls into the latter camp. C’mon, how cute is that lil’ fella?! Pricy, yes, but adorable enough that we don’t care.
For even more whimsical items worth your time, check out our archive of novelty gift guides!