Hinsdale native finds items to delight family, friends in first of four-part holiday series
Heather Hester found this stylish and practical Fendi crossbody bag for her daughter, Kayleigh, at Kelsey Resale Shop. Hester found great gifts for her whole family while "shopping" in downtown Hinsdale. (Jim Slonoff photos)
Bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner or party is a nice gesture. Adding a sparkly wine collar from Marabella Home really makes the gift shine.
With the official start of the holiday shopping season set to begin Friday, The Hinsdalean is launching its annual four-part gift ideas series today.
Every year, four shoppers agree to accompany us to a dozen or so stores in town where they select items that just might be perfect for someone on their gift list. This year, as was the case last year, our volunteers are all individuals who serve the village on one of its boards or commissions.
Today's shopper is Heather Hester, a member of the parks and recreation commission who grew up in town and moved back to raise her own family here in 2006. She and her husband, John, were high school sweethearts (while her last name was still Oostendorp) at Hinsdale Central and now are parents to three: Kayleigh, in her first year of graduate school at Northwestern; Matt, a junior at the University of Illinois; and Peter, a senior at Central.
From Little League games to days at the pool (where she worked as a lifeguard in college) to pickleball games with friends to the Fourth of July parade, the village's parks and recreation department has had a big impact on her and her family's life, Hester said. And she wanted to give back.
"The parks and recreation commission - it's the perfect thing for me," the mom of three said.
• having grown up in the shadows of the Windy City, John will enjoy seeing this Nikolay Blokhin oil on canvas painting title "Rush Hour in Chicago" hanging in their home. Expressions Gallery of Fine Art, $68,000
• sisters Kim and Kristin, who both live nearby, will spend the winter warm and stylish in Rexx black vegan puffer quilted jackets with a stand-up collar and gold zippers. J. McLaughlin, $428 each
• the perfect treat for Christmas morning is a homemade holiday stollen bread filled with candied fruits, nuts, a hint of Grand Marnier and a cinnamon-sugar coating. Toni Patisserie & Café, $25.95
• sons Matt and Peter will enjoy spending the holidays lounging in soft, comfortable Lululemon ABC joggers. Peak Performance, $128 each
• daughter Kayleigh can keep all her necessities close at hand in a Fendi duo baguette crossbody bag in saddle brown. Kelsey Resale Shop, $1,299
• a sparkly silver wine collar will dress up any bottle of wine Hester brings to a holiday dinner or party. Marabella Home, $45
• Holly Jolly Vibes plush PJ pants from IScream in pink with an adorable camper design will be a hit with twin nieces Naomi and Fiona. My Sister Kate, $36 each
• celebrating the New Year will be that much more special with a bottle of Laurent Perrier Ultra-Brut champagne. Hinsdale
Wine Shop, $84.99
• Hester's pickleball friends will get a kick out of a set of four linen cocktail napkins embroidered with pickleball paddles and a hilarious "Pickled" message. Yankee Peddler, $49.95
• with mom and dad Diane and Virgil downsizing next year, a new bedding set will be a welcome addition to their new home. Hester chose a satin 100-percent cotton organic coverlet in a botanical print called Grimani and two matching shams. Yves Delorme, $695 coverlet, $120 each for shams
• a Lune + Aster set of five shining lip glosses with vitamins C and E is the perfect item to stuff in any girl's stocking. Blue Mercury, $40
• to dress up her holiday - or everyday - outfits, Hester chose an 18-carat yellow gold 7 stone 18-inch diamond necklace by Diamonds by the Yard as a treat for herself. Browning & Sons Jewelers, $2,850
