Houston’s Haven of Distinctive Gifts — One River Oaks Store Understands Unique: Uncommon Holiday Presents From Cotton Club Collection

This article is promoted/partner content and not produced by the editorial staff.

Twinkling Christmas lights dangle from doorways, sparkling red bows shine across town, charming carols pour out over shop speakers. Christmas season is upon us, and it’s time to get shopping.

Why not make this year your best gift-giving year yet? Earning the reputation as the best gifter in your friends and family group, noted for your uncanny ability to pick out presents that are unique, whimsical and simply perfect, is within reach.

And it’s easier than you think. All of your gifts can have a personal touch — and they can all come from the same carefully curated place.

Cotton Club Collection, Houston’s upscale-yet-approachable specialty shop in casual luxury, has a host of chic gifts lining its shelves. Shop owners Jennifer Cunningham (formerly of Foley’s and Tootsies) and John Maguire (formerly of Saks Fifth Avenue, Lillie Ruben and Tootsies) have created a gifting wonderland at 3941 San Felipe.

Cotton Club Collection brings a curated a selection of distinctive gifts for your family, friends who love to play hostess, fashionistas and the ones you love for being so over-the-top — and put-together. You’ll find gifts galore for every last person on your shopping list. And more than a few unbelievable items for yourself.

From exquisite, intricately detailed jewelry and cufflinks to luxurious candles and spectacular cutting boards, Cotton Club Collection has you covered. Let’s take a closer look…

For the Family

Game On

There’s no better way to up your game than these playful treats from The Cotton Club. These luxury acrylic game sets will revolutionize your family’s game night. Even a sore loser can appreciate a little ooh la la.

They’re inspired twists on all your favorites. Think back-to-back games of Backgammon in neon pink and round after round of Tic Tac Toe with stylish playing pieces. Face off on the most aesthetically pleasing game of Jenga ever, with luxe blue blocks that look like legit works of Modern Art. Connect Four and Mah Jongg never looked so good.

Sock It To Me

Put your best foot forward with these socks fit for even the pickiest foodie in your family. These one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers come straight from Japan, the worldwide epicenter of whimsy and novelty gifts.

Dip your toe into these creative confections that are as soft as they are sweet, whether you choose ice cream, cupcake or ice pop. There are even sushi socks for those of you on a gift-giving roll.

All Dolled Up

Be a doll and give your little sis the true symbol of friendship — a friendship doll, of course. A new take on the traditional Japanese Kokeshi friendship dolls, these celebrity-inspired toys put your favorite artists, fashion symbols and superstars in the palm of your hand.

Coco Chanel is dripping in painted-on pearls, Anna Wintour looks her finest in her signature oversized shades, Frida Kahlo gives you a stare-down beneath a crown of flowers and her distinctive, and distinguished, unibrow. Van Gogh isn’t far behind with a signature sunflower. Piet Mondrian and Amy Winehouse are also easy on the eyes and perfect for playtime.

Cashmere Comfort

There’s nothing quite so classic, comfortable and chic as cashmere. This Christmas, say I love you in the luxurious way, with sumptuous pillows and throws lined with suede borders from Italian designer Rani Arabella.

Make no mistake — these aren’t your everyday beige blankets or cream-colored cushions. Pillows come in quirky designs, like a bulldog that’s all business in a collar and hipster frames. Casual-chic throws are made modern in leopard print and color block.

For the Fashionista:

Python Perfection

Nothing will tip the scales in your favor like these instantly iconic python purses and clutches. Each stunning accessory is lovingly handcrafted in Italy, the mecca of all things fashion.

Miami-based brand Ximena Kavalekas adds flair to the pieces, transforming one clutch with pops of fuchsia and making one sweet as cotton candy in an unexpected baby pink.

Reading for Pleasure

Coffee table books have never been so glamorous. 100 Contemporary Fashion Designers isn’t just about a sneak peek. The in-depth book behind the eye-popping cover gives a comprehensive overview of fashion design from the world over.

Get ready to discover new designers on the rise taking the fashion universe by storm, and industry veterans and revered practitioners.

Just Bead It

Feast your eyes on jaw-dropping, intricately detailed accessories as delicate as the name Mignonne Gavigan itself. Gavigan’s vibrant, signature scarf necklaces are known for a surprising pop — hand embellishments and beads. These accessories are essentially pieces of jewelry.

Her whimsical earrings feature clusters of gems and feathers, bold colors, striking geometric shapes, even fur. These playful pieces truly transform every outfit into a special occasion.

Low-Key Luxury

Give a big kiss to beloved British family brand Broderie Cashmere. The renowned designers produce fanciful, statement-making cashmere. Each piece is gorgeous, with contemporary, graphic lip designs.

The best part? They’re designed not to pill and are fully machine washable. No, it’s not too good to be true. They’re ready for you to live, laugh and love in.

For the Hostess with the Mostess:

Czech it Out

Artel’s exquisite crystal glassware is made in an extremely intimate and personal process, mouth-blown and hand-engraved by Czech artists using centuries-old production methods.

This decanter and old-fashioned barware set are good as gold, sleek obsidian glinting with 24-carat gold stripes. All that glitters is gold.

A Cut Above

Each of these Laguiole en Aubrac steak knives make the cut, and then some. The magnificent cutlery all comes from a single devoted, master crasftsperson. It all starts with shaping the gorgeous turquoise handle that set these knives apart. The color makes for elegance and simultaneous timelessness and modern feel.

The sharp, stainless steel blade will keep you cutting for years to come. Any way you slice it, this is the ideal gift for the friend who just can’t stop entertaining.

On the Rocks

For this one, it’s not about what’s in the box — it’s the box itself. ROX Gallery’s unique acrylic and lacquered boxes are topped with breathtaking, one-of-a-kind stones.

They’re the dream of any collector who thinks they already have it all. The boxes are sleek and shiny, the place to hide any of your treasures while being a treasure themselves. Expect marble exteriors in classic cream and black, hot pink and tangerine, cobalt. There are even boxes made to share the soft, striated look of wood.

On Board

These swoon-worthy serving boards are like no other. They belong in a jewelry case in an art museum, made of white onyx marble boasting cream and grey veining.

Your hors d’oeuvres will look fit for a king, delighting your guests with this serene and stylish presentation. The boards positively elevate every affair and come in three different lengths.

See the Light

The Luxuriate candles light up the room, taking you on a sensory journey with their meticulously curated, lush aroma. Fourth-generation master perfumers create unique scents fit for a neck or a wrist to fill up your entire home.

But that’s only one aspect. The refillable vessels are handcrafted from natural elements like onyx and marble. The finished design respects the inherent qualities found in the organic materials’ raw state. Explore scents like Prosecco, orange and rhubarb and floral, citrus and musk.

For the True Luxury Lover:

Just a Crush

Award-winning fine jeweler Pamela Froman crafts exquisite, eye-catching pieces from precious metals and rare natural stones. Pieces share themes, like specific colors 18 karat yellow, pink and green gold and textured crushed surfaces, but each bracelet, each pair of earrings and each necklace are truly one-of-a-kind.

Individuality is the hallmark of every piece of jewelry, from hammered Cleopatra-style climbing bracelets to ornate dangle opal earrings and platinum quartz teardrop pendant necklaces.

Raw and Refined

Todd Reed, American artisanal luxury jewelry designer, is renowned for creating works of art made of sustainably sourced raw and fancy-cut diamonds. His sensational creations are all hand-forged and finished by master jewelers in Boulder, Colorado.

Imagine rugged natural beauty elegant, sculptural settings — a rustic-yet-refined charming gold and patinated silver cuff is set with naturally cut rose diamonds and a signature raw diamond cube and unique circle dangle earrings with white brilliant diamonds.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Style and drama dictate Fern Freeman’s daring fine jewelry. Based in The Big Apple, fashion-forward Freeman mixes metals and gemstones to create bold pieces.

Her remarkable gold rings are statement pieces all on their own, or perfect for stacking, layering turquoise on black and white diamonds on rubies. You can’t go wrong.

Hidden Gems

Suzy Landa’s exceptional collection showcased extraordinary gemstones in a broad array of gleaming colors. Fine jewelry meets fun jewelry for this New York designer.

These are gifts you won’t want to give away — aquamarine earrings surrounded by a geometric snowflake pattern, a curved aquamarine trapeze necklace set in 18 karat yellow gold, an 18 karat rose gold and diamond circa hoopla necklace.

Off the cuff

England’s oldest family jewelry has been producing and manufacturing the finest luxury cufflinks and accessories in the world since 1786. Deakin and Francis’ heritage and skill comes across in brilliant pieces you didn’t see coming.

Striking cufflinks include black rhodium owls with delicate rose gold-plated movable wings for some added energy, Viking skull cufflinks with black spinel helmuts and sun and planet cufflinks reminiscent of the interior of an exceptional time piece.

Click thru the photo gallery above or below this story, for more on these distinctive gifts. The Cotton Club Collection is located at 3941 San Felipe, call (713) 522-9101 or click here for more unique gifts and info.