What's On Mini Hay Avant's Holiday Wish List?

It takes a brilliant creative to turn bugs into beautiful ornaments even the most squeamish person couldn't resist! 

Inspired by the Palmetto Bug, an often unwelcome Southern house guest, Mini Hay Avant teamed up with her sister Kathleen Hay Hagood to create their boutique jewelry brand Goldbug, a gilded menagerie of unexpected creatures too chic not to fall in love with.

Curious what's on this fourth generation jeweler's holiday wish list this year?

Us too!

How do you celebrate the holidays?
Our holidays revolve around our family jewelry store, Croghan’s Jewel Box on King Street in Charleston. It’s a bustling shop usually, but during the holidays, it’s on another level. It’s like a cocktail party - all of our old friends come in, family friends, and visitors. It's such a busy and happy place to be in December! 

We’re here up to the last minute on Christmas Eve, go straight to church and then out to a fancy supper somewhere local. That night is always so funny, we relive all the crazy days and happy stories of the season!

Where will you be this season?
We will be in Charleston. We were initially going to go to Charlotte, NC on Christmas Day to spend a few days with family, but Covid has thrown another wrench in the plan! 

So we might try to do a drive by visit one day to see everybody, but as with most things in 2020, we will play it by ear!!

Are you a last minute or way in advance shopper?
A lot of our shopping is done on the way home on Christmas Eve, so I’d say last minute!

What's the best gift you've ever given?
That’s really hard! A few years ago, I made a painting for my mom of a party she threw at our house with all of our family and other usual suspects in it. So it’s fun to pick everybody out! My dad helped me frame it and we gave it to her for Christmas. She hung it in their room and loves it. I think that might be my best yet.

What's on your list to get?
A Tecovas store just opened on King Street, so I think it’s going to be boots for the whole fam this year! I’m excited about the short cowboy boots.

What's on your list to give?
Lake Pajamas! They are totally worth the hype. I adore them and sleep in them every night. I think it’s such a nice gift because it’s something you might not buy for yourself. And Goldbugs! I tie our bug ornament on champagne as a fun hostess gift whenever I go to a little holiday shindig.

Also, I just got married and we created charm bracelets for my new nieces. They’re so cute, they wear them anytime we get dressed up. Christmas tree charms are on the way for them this year!

[Photos courtesy Mini Hay Avant]