What's On Maria Dueñas Jacobs's Holiday Wish List?

No one has mastered the art of Dress Up quite like Maria Dueñas Jacobs.

The former Elle Accessories Director is certainly not shy when it comes to layering on stacks of colorful jewelry pieces. As the mother of three equally chic daughters, it's no wonder Maria felt the call to translate her style for a younger crowd, founding Super Smalls, the most brilliant kids brand bringing high jewelry style to a mini audience.

Seriously, these playful costume pieces are so fabulous you'll no doubt found yourself desperately trying to squeeze into them!

Curious what's on the accessory queen's holiday wish list?

Us too!

How do you celebrate the holidays?
My parents are Spanish and Italian, so we have typically spend some part of the holidays with our families back in Spain and Italy.

Lately, with travel restrictions, we have tried to bring traditions from those countries home to NYC instead. In Spain we eat Turron after meals, drink wine and play card games. In Italy we eat Panettone (I love the one from Sant Ambroeus) and also play cards. My kids took to sweets and cards with no hesitation, and even though they aren’t the traditional cards, we agreed that UNO works too!

Where will you be this season?
If everything works out, we will take a short trip to Miami, where I grew up. Its close by and our family will reunite there. Vitamin D is the best gift I can give my active children!

Are you a last-minute or way-in-advance shopper?
I usually start shopping way in advance and then hit a wall and leave the rest until last minute.

I also love to see what makes the gift guides (we made Oprah’s Favorite Things this holiday with our Bead Kit!) and see the launch of special holiday editions, so waiting also has its benefits.

What's the best gift you've ever received?
Last year my sister started giving our family members donations made in our honor. She had found a local food bank that had families in need, and she covered the groceries for those families over a given number of weeks in our honor. Each of us received the names of the families (and family members) that we were supporting. It felt right and important.

What's your go-to hostess gift?
The chocolate slabs from Läderach are insanely good and really social, because you have to break them into pieces to share. They come quite large (12in x 12in) and have incredible blends like almonds and cranberries or dark chocolate and pistachio. And, of course, if I’m ever visiting anyone with kids, I am sure to hit a home run of bringing some sunshine in the box in the form of Super Smalls ;)

Favorite spots to shop?
I love going to holiday fairs to support local artisans and new brands – the Union Square one is a classic and they have great apple cider. I also really love shopping in the West Village during the holidays. The store fronts come to life and the restaurants are buzzing – it feels like the holidays.

What's on your list to get?
I usually love slippers and robes (Olivia Van Halle for a splurge, and SKIMS are actually really soft), but this year I’m hoping for a new bathing suit (I like Zimmermann and Eres) and a pair of sunglasses (my favorites are from Oliver Peoples and Lowercase). I need that vitamin D myself! 

What's on your list to give?
We have really worked on giving less, which seems anti-climatic, but it’s a discipline that forces you to really think about the gifts you are giving. 

My siblings and I do Secret Santa now, and for my kids I watch out for repeat asks throughout the last few months and then try to surprise them with what they really want. It’s hard to show restraint with little kids, but it’s probably the most important place to do it.

Last year, out of pandemic guilt, I had flying horse figurines in every corner and stickers on every surface. This year, we are sticking to their crafting obsession and their love of gardening, but trying to streamline it! We got them this awesome “smart garden” that’s perfect for NYC, and I know they will bling it out with their Super Smalls gems and glow in the dark stickers and make it all their own!

[Photos by Christina Emilie, Taylor Jewell]