Christmas shopping isn’t easy, which is why every year, we try to help our readers along with a holiday gift guide. Things that we think are super awesome, and know your giftee will appreciate as well. This year, we have everything from PTO-approved books to electronics to style-related accessories.
Want even more suggestions? We’ve been doing this for years, so check our previous guides. You’ll find dozens of ideas that we still love.
And of course don’t forget – not only are there hundreds of beautiful and unique gifts in our shop at putthisonshop.com, we’ve even set up some special ideas in there at budgets under $25, $50 and $100.
Beams at Home 2: Beams at Home 2 is a look inside the remarkable homes of folks who work for Beams, the famous Japanese vendor of Americana style. The homes are distinctly Japanese, but also distinctly Americanized. They’re modern, but often full of vintage. It’s a great combination – my wife loved this book as much as I did. Though it should be noted: the words are in Japanese. -Jesse
Anything From Santa Maria Novella: I’m not a guy who loves luxury for the sake of luxury. I usually hate all that fancy-pants branding. But man, oh man am I a sucker for Santa Maria Novella. They’re an Italian line of beauty and home products that’s been in business for literally hundreds of years. They’ve only recently automated anything, everything comes in a beautiful bottle, and everything is just amazing to use. I don’t know if it beats the latest Korean skin-care science for wrinkle removing or whatever, but the smells they produce and the feeling of the products are like nothing else in the world. Everything is too expensive to buy for yourself, but that just makes it a better gift. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try the Latte per il Corpo or Body Milk. -Jesse
Vintage Cufflinks: I know, I know, every year I suggest vintage cufflinks. But vintage cufflinks are a perfect gift! And I’m not just saying that because I sell them. Whether you buy them from us, an antiques mall, or eBay, it fulfills all the great gift checkboxes for a guy. For one thing, they’re unique. For another, they’re special – even magical. For another, they’re something every man needs at least one pair of, but can never have too many. Best of all, you can find a pair at any budget. Truly any budget. -Jesse
New Yorker Subscription: There’s no magazine better than the New Yorker. Full stop. It’s consistently fascinating, beautifully written, and it shows up to your door every week. And you can get someone a subscription for about fifty bucks, which is a perfect gift price for someone you actually like. -Jesse
A Case of It’s It: Any San Franciscan can tell you, Rice-a-Roni is garbage. It’s It is the San Francisco treat. It’s It is an ice cream sandwich – two oatmeal cookies, ice cream and a chocolate dip – but it’s also so much more than that. It’s the Platonic ideal of a frozen treat. And I just found out you can mail order them. So do that. Sometimes mint is my favorite, but actually a lot of the time it’s just good old vanilla. -Jesse
Japanese Fashion Magazines: If you live near a Japanese bookstore (the biggest US chain, Kinokuniya, has ten outlets), get yourself out there and grab a stack of cool Japanese fashion magazines. They usually cost about $20 apiece, and sometimes there are cool special issues on the stands. I just bought a huge one that’s just pictures of Nike sneakers from the 70s and 80s. Even if you don’t live in a city with a Japanese bookstore, you can usually order back issues from eBay for $20 or so shipped. Try starting with Free & Easy (now defunct, so you have to search eBay), Lightning, Popeye, Men’s Ex, and Oily Boy. (Yes, really, Oily Boy.) -Jesse
A Yellow Hook Necktie: I love supporting a bedroom operation – especially if they make something really special. Rob from Brooklyn is a teacher who’s been featured in Put This On many, many times over the years. In 2012, he started manufacturing neckties in New York. His business has grown, but it’s still a passion project. You won’t find the ties at Macy’s, but you will find them on the necks of discerning menswear fans. If I was going to pick one to recommend, it’d be this beautiful navy herringbone. -Jesse
Yusef Lateef’s “Eastern Sounds”: A perfect album is a perfect album, and this is a perfect album. Lateef recorded this just as he began to branch from traditional jazz and get into experimentalism. It features numerous unusual instruments – ouds and sitars – but it’s incredibly tuneful and beautiful, as well as perfectly suitable for a beginning jazz listener. Get it on LP for someone with a turntable, or send someone the MP3s who’s always on the go. -Jesse
Balsa Wood Gliders: If you don’t think balsa gliders – the ones you punch out and slide together and then throw from the highest hill or window you can find – are cool, then you are not cool. Sorry, not trying to be a jerk or anything, that’s just reality. -Jesse
Iron Heart Brass Triple Ring Keyhook: After losing my keys
on the DC Metro (and twice rooting through the giant, sad box of lost
keys Metro’s lost and found office collects each month), I decided I
needed a more secure key ring, and this one is tough. The three
rings are tightly wound and the hook secures well to a belt, loop, or
pocket. Plus if you ever need to root through a trashcan full of lost
keys, this chain is pretty distinctive and they’ll be easy to find. -Pete
Bailey Works Messenger Bag: When I started riding a bike
more often, I quickly got annoyed by my undersized backpack and sought
out something weatherproof, purpose built, and above all, cool. Bailey
Works Super Pro line of bags is what a messenger bag is supposed to be (ie not a simple floppy canvas shoulder bag). It holds a lot – room for a
laptop, pad, lunch, gym clothes, and a spare tube/tools – keeps dry,
and is easy to carry. The best feature for me is the split strap, which
makes it easy to sling the bag around, access what you need, and hoist
it back up on your bag without having to unshoulder the bag altogether.
Plus they’re made in New Hampshire. -Pete
Filson 1.5" Width Belts: I have way too many belts
(like everything else) but this is the one I reach for most often. It’s
the kind of belt I imagine Ron Swanson would wear. A simple, dark shade
of brown that goes well with a variety of shoes, a width that’s great
for jeans or more rugged khakis, and a removable roller buckle so I can
swap in for a quick-release or big goofy buckle when I want. The price has
gone up a little in the last few years but they’re still a solid value
at under $100. -Pete
Bill James’ Historical Baseball Abstract: The Internet has rendered encyclopedic books like James’ sort of obsolete (baseball-reference.com
has pretty much all the stats you need at hand), but James’ editorial style, rankings of players, and statistical foresight makes this a near necessity for any baseball fan. I
don’t think it’s been updated in years, so today’s stars aren’t accounted
for in the rankings, but that’s OK with me; baseball’s a lazy and
backwards looking game. In fact, the book reminds me of a baseball
game – dense, sometimes arguably boring, but upon close inspection, and over a
long period, ultimately rewarding. Plus, as one Amazon reviewer put it,
“Best book to read while taking a #2.” -Pete
Bonavita BV1900TS Coffee Maker: I wanted update my parents’ coffee machine last year, and while I know purists love their fancy contraptions, my mom wasn’t trying to get artisanal with her caffeine. The best set up I found was Bonavita’s BV1900TS. It’s as close as you’ll get to cafe-quality brews without needing to do more than push a button. The machine is SCAA approved, maintains constant water temperature, and dampens the coffee grinds with a shower-head-like spray to help with extraction. If your giftee needs a grinder, I like Baratza’s Encore. Sweethome has other good equipment reviews, if you need. -Derek
Roku Streaming Stick: The key to Christmas is gifting something you can enjoy as well. That’s what makes the Roku Streaming Stick so ingenuous. It’s like, “oh here’s this thing that I bought you, so that you can stream Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon to your TV. Let’s test it out now.” Then you can spend the holidays with your friends and family doing what you do 24/7 all year long – looking at stuff on the internet. –Derek
Frank Clegg Commuter Bag: Five years ago, I bought a briefcase Frank Clegg made and it continues to be one of my favorites. Frank is based out of Fall Rivers, Massachusetts, where he’s been making leather accessories for over 40 years. His bags are handsome, built from top-end materials, and backed with a lifetime service in case you need repairs. They are expensive, however, so this will have to be for someone special. My own briefcase is Frank’s English Satchel, which he designed in the 1970s. It’s a little dressy, but goes well with suits and sport coats. For something more versatile, check out the Commuter. It’s fancy enough to go with tailored clothing, but sporty enough for casualwear. Man of the World has some nice photos. -Derek
Riedel Wine Decanter: Everyone could use a good wine decanter, even if they don’t like wine. That’s because everyone has friends and wine is the accepted drink of dinner parties. A good wine decanter will help aerate wine (to be honest, I have no idea what that means) and hide the fact that you bought Charles Shaw (I definitely know what that means). Our friend David Beckwith, who runs the wine consultancy Grand Cru, says his favorite decanter is from Riedel. “It has a precise lip for pouring, is dishwasher save, and doesn’t take much space. Just get the Cabernet version; it’s pretty much all-purpose.” Not bad for $40. -Derek
Town View Leather Moccasins: As an Asian person, I’ve worn my fair share of house slippers. And Town View’s leather moccasins are the absolute best. Their bottoms are made with three layers of leather, which give them enough cushioning to form a proper footbed over time. Once that footbed forms, these will be the most comfortable shoes your giftee has ever worn. A little expensive at ~$100/ pair, but they’re handsome and will last a good ten years of indoor use (just don’t wear them with wet feet). I’ve been thinking about getting an extra pair and putting them on ice. They’re that good. -Derek
The Open Syllabus Project: There’s so much information nowadays, it can be hard to know what’s worth reading. A good first stop: Open Syllabus Project, which is a relatively new site aggregating 1+ million syllabuses and cross-referencing 20+ million books (those numbers will triple on January 17th). Each book is given a “teaching score,” which shows how often it’s been assigned in university classes. The idea is to help educators improve their curriculum, but I also think the database is great for anyone looking for a good book (at least on academic subjects). Just go to the site, key in a subject you’re interested in, and look for a title with a high teaching score. Chances of you finding something worth reading (or gifting) is very high. You can learn more about the project at The New York Times and Nature.
If your giftee happens to be interested in politics and society (two hot topics this year), I recommend Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone. The Harvard professor explores whether American community is in decline and if people are feeling more isolated. Unlike many other books, this one is easy to get through, but still methodologically rigorous. A rare combination. -Derek
Something Unique and/ or Vintage: This patchwork, indigo quilt by Janette Bibby is absolutely incredible. And absolutely expensive at $3,200. If anyone were to gift me this, I would give them a lifetime pass on never having to gift me anything again.
More seriously, I encourage you to stop by your local antique store or flea market, where you’ll find things like Bibby’s quilts and/ or other unique items. If you don’t have good second-hand stores near you, check our guide for how to thrift online. A lot of menswear shops today have “curated” sections for vintage wares, such as Stag Provisions, Independence, and Imogene + Willie. We also have a pretty great shop, where you’ll find amazing stuff from thrifting veteran Jesse Thorn. I’d like to think our prices are better than most (this big metal jack would look great on a desk or dresser, and it’s only $65). Plus, your patronage supports Put This On. -Derek