On the Blog:
Friends of JB Get Gifting
MAKE IT MERRY
We caught up with some of our friends to seek inspiration for holiday gifting, creating new traditions and getting into the spirit of the season.
Liz Trinnear
TV personality
@liztrinnear
What are you gifting from JENNY BIRD this holiday?
LT: I’m getting the Doré Lobe Huggers for my Mum, because they’re like a stud but elevated, and classic and chic—but with little bit of edge. They’re perfect for anyone on your Christmas list.
What was the first piece of JENNY BIRD you saw/tried?
LT: I remember it exactly. When I started as a VJ at Much Music, I was really new and we didn’t have a clothing budget. I was 21 and living in Toronto, it was on us to figure out our fashion game. One of our producers said to me, “you should start wearing this girl JENNY BIRD; she has some edgier pieces.” Jenny was the first designer to lend me anything. It was a leather rope necklace with chains.
What’s your typical gift giving approach
—and has that changed at all?
LT: If 2020 taught us anything—the 2020 vision—is that we have everything we need. We have health, and a roof over our head. I love gifts but the best gift you can give someone is a meal and shelter, so my husband and I donate to a homeless shelter. I donate to one in his hometown of Colorado, and he donates to one for me, in Toronto. When I’m thinking about what to get others, I think about what they truly need, and what will spark joy. Those are two things we need in 2020! I believe if I can spark joy with the person I’m giving it to, and bring a little sunshine—that is the spirit of Christmas.
How will your plans change this year?
LT: Instead of flying home to Toronto, I’ll be in Colorado with my husband’s family, in our small bubble. I imagine I’ll put my parents on a Zoom call or FaceTime them throughout the day, and maybe do something baking with my Mum, in our own kitchens, but in the presence of each other, because we like baking together.
Have you started shopping yet? Or are you a last minute person?
LT: I’m one of those people who starts in September. The best tip I have is a trick I picked up from someone. I keep a list in my phone of ideas, and when someone drops a hint or mentions something, I write it down. Then I’m not scrambling at the last minute.
The Doré Lobe Huggers in silver and gold.
Dianna Cohen
Founder & CEO @crownAffair
@dianacohen
What was the first piece of JENNY BIRD you saw/tried?
DC: I’m deeply in love with my Elli Gold Chain. I wear it every day, it matches with everything, and I get so many compliments on it. It’s a subtle piece that feels like a second skin.
What are you gifting from JENNY BIRD this holiday?
DC: I’m very here for a statement piece that also feels classic. I’ll be gifting the Mega Link Necklace to my sister to wear in her meetings. She’s a total badass in her business and I feel like her showing up to a zoom with this is a vibe. And I’ll be gifting the Stevie Necklace to my best friends. Call it an ‘adult’ version of a friendship necklace between us, but I love the links and simplicity it adds to any look.
What’s your typical gift giving approach—and has that changed at all this year?
DC: I’ve been thinking a lot about the new rituals in my life that will be taking on new meaning this holiday, and may, over time, become traditions. I have new rituals with myself to honour my quiet time— I think this year will be filled with more reflection and space for the things that feel good to my mind, body, and spirit. I also have new rituals with friends— weekly calls and catch ups that are entirely new for this holiday season. I hope we keep these traditions as we grow older.
What’s your earliest/favourite holiday memory?
DC: I was raised celebrating both Christmas and Hannakuh. Seth Cohen may have coined the term, but I’ve been a Chrismukkah Cohen my whole life. I loved when both sides of my family would come together in early December to decorate the tree and have a full on latke feast.
The Mega Link Necklace in silver and gold.
Micaéla Verrelien
Digital Content Creator, Model & Creative Director
@micaelaverrelien
What was the first piece of JENNY BIRD you saw/tried?
MV: The first JB item I ever wore were the Edith hoops and I’m still obsessed with them!
What are you gifting from JENNY BIRD this holiday?
MV: I want to gift my sister Kermelle the Constance Chain in Gold and the Walter Bracelet in silver. I’ll be giving my other sister Natasha the Constance Lariat in Gold and the Walter Bracelet in silver. I’ll be giving my other sister Natasha the Foli Slider Bracelet in gold. They are the most stunning holiday pieces I’ve seen thus far. They are perfect for Christmas and New Year's. I am looking to give them to my older sisters. I know they will love them just as much as I do!
What’s your typical gift giving approach—and has that changed at all this year?
MV: My typical gift giving approach is to pay attention to what I think the other person actually loves and needs. Not to toot my own horn, but I am a pretty great gift giver!
What’s your earliest/favourite holiday memory?
MV: My favourite Christmas story was when I was younger, and we got to open one gift after church, before we went to bed. This was before iPhones/iPods were a thing. It was a similar gadget, but it only played 2 songs! The songs were Shania Twain “You're Still The One” and Faith Hill “Breathe” It was cute and so memorable!
Have you started shopping yet? Or are you a last minute person?
MV: I used to be a last minute person but as of now I no longer am. I haven’t purchased anything just yet but I began looking.
The Constance Chain Necklace in gold and silver.
Jamie Greenberg
Celebrity Makeup Artist
@jamiemakeup
What was the first piece of JENNY BIRD you saw/tried?
JG: My bestie, Niki, from college sent me a leather cuff piece from Jenny Bird and I remember being like I love this so much. Then a couple years later I was walking about Toronto and I went into a boutique and fell in love and bought a few more pieces!
What are you gifting from JENNY BIRD this holiday?
JG: I’m gifting the Stevie Necklace to a mom that is always there for me, she’s super chic, she’s not afraid to get dirty but always looks on point, and it’s going to go perfectly in her repertoire!
What’s your typical gift giving approach—and has that changed at all this year?
JG: I love to give gifts to people who’ve really helped me or supported me through the year. I love to gift my clients, friends, and people who don’t always expect it.
What’s your earliest/favourite holiday memory?
JG: I remember being super young and every year we’d go to Florida and Santa would come and leave us gifts. (We were Jewish but still celebrated). I got a Cabbage Patch Kid and I was so excited. But it didn’t look quite right. My parents tried to buy me a real one, but it wasn’t possible so they found someone who made “fake ones” and they pawned it off to me as real. My father even signed the butt with the name Xavier Roberts (the creator). I cried when friends at school told me it was fake.
The Stevie Necklace & Stevie Link Drop Earrings in gold
Marko Monroe
Celebrity Stylist to Lizzo
@mark_monroe
What was one of the most memorable gifts you both gave and received?
MM: I think recently, I have been able to really give some solid gifts. It seems a little materialistic to talk about the specifics. But for one of my good friends - I was able to gift her with her first human hair wig! One of the most memorable gifts that I have received would be a time when my family didn’t have much to give. So, my mother decided to decorate the Christmas tree with dollar bills - each one of my four brothers got to pick off 25 one dollar bills! It was cute cause we were broke but it felt special. She had little trivia and a scavenger hunt in between with letters she wrote to us. Super cute!
What was the first piece of JENNY BIRD you saw/tried?
MM: The Stevie Chain! It is so cute - and it has served to be a favorite for my client (Lizzo)!
What are you gifting from JENNY BIRD this holiday?
MM: I’m selecting the Mega Link Necklace in silver for my partner because it fits his style perfectly and he deserves it for all that he has to put up with from me!
How do you get into the holiday spirit?
MM: The holiday spirit for me usually starts to really sink in around the beginning of December when I put on the Amy Grant Christmas album. That may be a little embarrassing but it’s gorgeous - it reminds me of my mom and traveling across the country to visit my extended family in DC and Arkansas.
What’s your earliest/favourite Christmas memory?
MM: Some of my earliest memories of Christmas would be at my Grandparents house in DC. My mom was from a large family so there were 17 grandkids all together. We would pile up in the basement living room and sleep on the floor or cots with our monogrammed sleeping bags that my Grandmother had laid out in the most orderly fashion. In the morning we’d wake up, ascend the spiral staircase and be welcomed with the rest of the family to a wonderful and loving Christmas spread. That was magic!