What's On Sterling McDavid's Holiday Wish List?

Sterling McDavid isn't only in the business of good taste, she's also in the business of good deeds!

The Upper West Side tastemaker heads up her own interior design firm (I mean, who wouldn't want to live in her Aspen home!?), runs Starling Project, a brilliant candle company providing solar energy to countries in need, and sits on the New York Board of Directors for UNICEF. Pretty impressive, no?

Curious what's on the chic aesthete's holiday wish list?

How do you celebrate the holidays?
We celebrate by hosting intimate dinners for friends and family and by enjoying an abundance of holiday music and decor. Also, the occasional martini at Bemelmans throughout the month of December always gets the holidays feeling bright!

Where will you be this season?
We will be in New York for Hannukah, Fort Worth for Christmas and Aspen for New Year's Eve.

Are you a last-minute or way-in-advance shopper?
A little bit of both this year, but I always try to keep an eye out throughout the year for meaningful gifts I come across for friends and family.

What's the best gift you've ever given or received?
The best gifts I've given or received have always been experiences and/or surprise vacations. It just doesn't get any better, especially for those of us with wanderlust.

Who's the toughest to shop for on your list?
My husband Carey is impossible to shop for. 

What's your go-to hostess gift?
Starling Holiday scented candles, of course!

Favorite spots around town to pick up something in person?
Saks, ABC Home and MoMA Design Store are three of my go-to's in the city.

What's on your list to get?
A pair of Atlas Fine sustainable diamond and emerald drop earrings.

What's on your list to give?
Vintage barware is always my go-to gift. It is fun to surprise friends and family with beautiful barware in line with their interests. 

As an example, every year I give my car-loving dad vintage car lowball glasses. It's always such a hit!