For this holiday season, we are so smitten by our beautiful new wrapping paper that makes bundling up even the most simple of gifts feel extra special. Designed by Karolin Schnoor, a German freelance illustrator and designer based in London, it is dressed in a botanical pattern screen printed by hand with highly pigmented gold ink.

Karolin is also the designer behind the Garland Pullover, part of our new line of women’s pullovers. In our latest ‘Meet the Artist’ feature, we ask Karolin about her inspiration and in the spirit of the season, her Poketo picks for the holidays.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the origin of the design for the wrapping paper?

I wanted to do something simple and clean and a floral pattern just didn’t seem right for Christmas (my usual go-to subject) so I decided on some berries and fir-tree branches, can’t go wrong with a seasonal classic!

2. How about the shirt design?

I was working on the shirt designs and wrapping paper at the same time and I actually find it quite helpful to work in that way. It’s good when you have a starting point and create a complimentary design to something you already made. So the shirt design is a bolder design, picking up on the shape of the berries in the wrapping paper pattern.

3. Please tell us about your favorite holiday memory?

I’m from Germany so Christmas there is pretty great. All my childhood holidays were snowy white which is all you really need when you’re a kid. We also celebrate on the night of the 24th which means you can spend all day in suspended anticipation. I think my favorite Holiday memory might be one I can’t recall but that my mother told me about. When we were very little, a neighbor would play Santa for my brother and me and one year it suddenly dawned on me what was happening. I consulted with my parents and we all decided I would keep quiet for the benefit of my younger brother who was still totally fooled. I felt very clever for figuring it out and was excited to be in on the secret.

4. Tell us about your plans for this upcoming Holiday?

I plan to eat lots of potato salad which is a German Christmas tradition and drink Glühwein on the Christmas market in my hometown of Potsdam. The wooden booths that make up the market have been the same since I was a kid and they have scenes of the Grimm Fairy tales painted on them (rather badly to be honest). It’s the best. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for snow as we didn’t have any last year.

5. Would you tell us some of your favorite items on Poketo.com that you’d love to receive for the holiday?

I’m partial to these:

1. Handprinted Leather Clutch
2. Japanese Enamel Kettle
3. Forget Me Knot Ring
4. Agenda Planner

In our final gift guide, we hit the ground running with ideas for the fitness enthusiast, avid cyclist or anyone who loves the great outdoors. Highly functional as they are bright and stylish, these gifts will stand up to their activity-packed days and fast become part of their outdoor essentials.

1. Swedish Light Bike Set
2. Hand-Painted Bike Bells
3. Share the Road Tee
4. Tyvek Tote
5. Wild Harvested Bar Soap
6. Striped Fleece Backpack
7. Sun and Shore Eco Sweatshirt
8. Colorful Wide-Angle Camera
9. Tribal Ombre Scarf

We hope that you have enjoyed the gift guides that we have put together for you, and that that they have made your holiday shopping much easier. Coming up next week, we share with you our gift wrapping essentials, so you can bundle up your thoughtfully chosen presents in style while adding personalized touches to make them extra special.

Missed out on our earlier gift guides? See them all here.

If you have your eye on that super-soft tee or roomy backpack, or have yet to start on your holiday shopping, mark your calendars for Poketo’s long-awaited Annual Holiday Sale Event happening this weekend!

The first to be held at our brick-and-mortar store, the holiday sale will take place from December 8-9 (Saturday and Sunday) from 11am-8pm. Here’s what you can expect:

• First 12 shoppers each day will receive a gift bag (pictured below) worth over $100 with treats from Poketo, Juniper Ridge, Baxter of California, Tattly, Capsule Parfumerie and Fatima Fazal. It pays to come early!
• Up to 75% discount on a wide selection of apparel, accessories, housewares, stationery, and lifestyle goods.
• Never-seen-before sample items, and store-only exclusives not available online.
• Homemade apple cider and a fresh brew of Handsome Coffee while you shop.

For those who have yet to drop by the store, the holiday sale is an excellent time to soak up some festive fun while you shop. We look forward to seeing you at the sale this weekend! Please RSVP here.

Poketo Annual Holiday Sale Event
Date: December 8th-9th 2012 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 11am-8pm
Location: Poketo Store, 820 E. 3rd Street, Downtown LA.
Phone: 213-537-0751

If you dread playing Secret Santa at the office every year, our new gift guide will change your mind. No matter who your co-worker is, these fun and practical picks will help get them more organized. Have pals who are busy professionals, favorite cubicle mate or freelancer friends? We have fabulous finds for them too. The bottom line – nifty time savers, multitaskers and colorful stationery are always well-received.

1. Everything Shopping Tote
2. Agenda Planner
3. Pattern Pens
4. Tiffin Carrier
5. Infusion Coffee Maker
6. Stick-Up Weekly Calendar
7. Scattered Seeds Ceramic Mug
8. Eco Planner in File
9. Animal Bookmark Tabs

Searching for more holiday inspiration? See our previous gift guides here.