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HC Children’s Gift Guide by Alice Ryan

by habituallychic

12 . 08 . 14

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The day after I thought about asking my friend Alice Ryan Miller to contribute ideas for a children’s gift guide, she announced that she was pregnant with her third child with husband Kirk Miller. Talk about serendipity. Alice and Kirk have an precious six year old son Grey and an adorable two year old daughter Elliott Grace.  They already know that their third baby due in March will be a boy so Alice has chosen gift ideas that would work for each age.

You may remember Kirk from my post on his bespoke clothing company Miller’s Oath.  Alice owns her own public relations and event company A Company.  She previous worked in PR for Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and special events for Ralph Lauren for many years before going out on her own.  She is well known for her gorgeously designed events and also her holiday decorations at their home on the North Fork of Long Island.

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“Our favorite Christmas traditions are gingerbread house making, Grey and Elliott love it. I am not a very good baker but they always look pretty. We love to go to the local tree farm in Southold and ride out into the fields to chose our perfect tree. The boys cut it down and then we all decorate it when we get home along with a wreath for our door. I have collected so many lovely decorations that I really feel nostalgic when they all get unwrapped and put on the tree.” – Alice Ryan Miller

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My six year old son is endlessly on a quest to be rewarded with gum. I think if he was given a gum ball machine he would think that was the ultimate gift ever!

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This epic giant coloring poster requires both artistic creativity and a great deal of focus. Coloring inside the lines is an art we are trying to master with Grey.

[Editor’s Note: The website where this can be found Fawn Shoppe is full of the cutest clothes and gifts for children.]

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Grey learned to ride a two wheeler last Summer. He loves his weekend bicycle rides and we think he is ready for his first big boy bike.

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I know Grey would love this Maileg Pixie Calendar. Each night the little pixie writes the new date on the chalkboard and puts a little present inside the wooden drawer. The excitement of the countdown to Christmas Day is always sweet to see.

[Editor’s Note: How cute is this?!  I want someone to leave me a little present in a drawer every night.]

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Grey loves all things “London” – he is very into his British heritage these days and This is London is perfect for him. After spending Thanksgiving with my family there and going on The London Eye and seeing all of the sights, he is very much the family tour guide. I love his enthusiasm for the place where I spent my childhood.

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The best present I ever received  was from my father. It was a set of cream parchment steamer trunks with ‘RYAN’ on each one. My grandparents had them made for their maiden voyage on the Queen Mary from England. I still haven’t managed to bring them all to New York from London.

[Editor’s Note: Some of the luggage live in this room in their Long Island house.  It’s such a nice place for the kids to run around and play on weekends and during the summer.]

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I would love to buy Elliott a Silver Cross Oberon Doll Pram which is a replica of the Balmoral Silver Cross pram I had as a baby in London. Elilott could push her beloved Bonpoint Cerise dolls, which are handmade in beautiful linen.

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The chicest Bonpoint Tent and suitcase for her Cerise dolls, I love to watch my daughter in her moments of imaginative play, and she loves to wear a lovely dress, Bonpoint is always my first choice.

[Editor’s Note: Alice works with Bonpoint but I’m pretty sure she would shop there even if she didn’t. They make the chicest clothes for children as I witnessed in Paris this summer.]

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I would also buy Elliott the prettiest gold brocade dress from Bonpoint that I know she will adore.

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Thrilled to say that my little girl loves beautiful things as much as I do. I dream of meeting this artist,Tamar Mogendorff. I simply love her aesthetic and this swan.

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“The best present I have ever given was for my mother’s 60th birthday. I was with Ralph Lauren in Tokyo and saw the most glorious necklace at the store – it was truly spectacular. When I showed him a photograph of her, he said that he thought that it was made for her. She loved it all the more.” – Alice Ryan

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As I’m six and half months pregnant and beginning to think about a nursery for our new baby in the Spring, here are some of my wish list gifts for him (but more truthfully – me!) How beautiful would these Pratesi heirloom quality bassinet bed linens be for a new baby?! By special order by Pratesi on Madison Avenue 212 288 2315.

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“Striped Onesies” framed watercolors by Kate Schelter for John Derian & Company would be perfect for the new baby’s room.

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Chilote hand knitted baby booties from Hatch Collection, my go to online store for my own wardrobe pre/during and post pregnancy.

[Editor’s Note: Alice works with Hatch and they are also one of my sponsors so I can attest that they make beautiful pieces for mom’s and non-mom’s as well as babies.]

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And to hang above his crib when I can pry Elliott out of it, and he can no longer fit into his bassinet, another gorgeous hand made Tamar Mogendorff bird creation.

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“If money were no object I would love to see keys to a beach house in the Bahamas under the Christmas tree this year. As a family, we love to escape to the sun, nothing makes me feel happier than watching my children play in the pristine pink sands – we love being there more than anywhere. Eleuthera, Lyford Cay, Old Fort, Harbor Island – we adore them all.” – Alice Ryan

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Family photos by Vanessa Tierney.

Vanessa Tierney

Vanessa Tierney