I do one of these posts every year, but I know people are looking for something fresh. (Here are the 2024, 2023, and 2022 lists if you feel like checking out the back catalog. Some of the seasonal products are gone, but lots are still around, and I tend to be pretty consistent with my favorites.) I don’t need anything else in life, but here’s what I’d recommend to everyone who needs Christmas presents for the men in their life on December 15. They’re things I’d like to give… but would also be pleased to get myself. In fact, some I already own.
Like, for instance, Hubs Peanuts. This year, every year, every flavor. Be careful with the chocolate-covered ones because I left them on my desk in our very sunny office and they softened together into one big goo-goo cluster. I guess that’s how you know they’re really natural.
A washed crewneck sweater. Very friendly price point and the crofter color is just wonderful. Seals & Crofts-er.
Swallow tie. A desert-island tie for me — I have both the navy and the green. And it goes with a loooooot of jackets. It might be the chicest one on our line. Don’t tell the others.
Pajamas. You gotta know your audience, but a nice pair of pajamas goes a long way in life.
The Bartender's Pantry handbook. Bart, one of the co-authors, and I spoke on a panel in Tampa together this fall and we hustled to get this book, by “the world’s most creative bartenders,” on the floor for the holidays. It’s just so good. I’m not a big drinker myself, so I love that all the ingredients here are non-alcoholic. I really wanna try making the orgeat.
Everyone needs a Christmas jacket. The Brown/Forest/Brick Plaid Tweed is a good one.
One of the chicest watches ever is the Max Bill Automatic Watch in 27/4002.46. Kind of steep, price-wise, for Christmas, but it’s an investment piece. I really want it.
Soap on a Rope in Alto Mar. Soap is a guaranteed hit, and I like the scent of this one a lot. Translates to “high sea.” For his High Sea Era.
Binu Binu Incense. For the incense-itive. These add another dimension to your surroundings… for me, there’s no situation where a little incense doesn’t make everything better. Anything catalyzed by fire is already off to a good start. I like all the scents, but the Hydrangea Tea is recommended to burn as a ritual for celebration… which sounds pretty good. Actually, you could combine the Seascape scent with the Alto Mar soap and make a whole theme out of it.
Chamois Ranch Gloves in Natural Yellow. These are super cool… and would have been helpful this weekend when I was putting up the Christmas tree. Nothing like a pair of work gloves to get someone fired up about doing some chores.
Speaking of chores… and fires... You can use the Wildlife Hatchet to chop up some kindling for all the fires to be started.
Cashpad Traveler’s Jacket. I have recommended it before but I wear this almost every day in the winter months. I gave one to my son-in-law a few years ago and he’s considering buying a backup, so… there you go.
The Blackwing Pencil Essentials Set is an excellent size-free gift. These and Caran d’Ache Fixpencils are the only ones I use. As much as I love a fountain pen… an eraser is a powerful thing.
A navy Escorial sweater is one of the greatest travel companions of all time. You can wear it 365 days a year, resists wrinkles well, and looks unassuming but has a cool backstory. You’ll have to feel out just how much your recipient wants to hear about the natural helical crimp of the sheep’s wool… or how the yarn basically turns into a black hole… or if they just want to know that you were thinking of them and it’s a killer navy sweater (with a helical crimp). Did I mention the helical crimp?
CPO Shirt in Forest Heavyweight Flannel. Just killer. The color… the pockets… the fabric… everything about it is killer. The kind of shirt they’ll want to put on over their pajamas on Christmas morning.
One last thing. You didn't ask for this, but I'm just finishing the playlist for our company holiday party tonight at, uh, Taqueria del Mashburn, and wanted to share in case you, too, need a set of fast-paced Christmas tunes for your own soirée. I'll warn you that there aren't a lot of deep cuts on this one. It's more crowd pleasers than anything. Think of it like Christmas wallpaper... good background music that's not gonna weird anyone out.
Enjoy. And thanks for writing in, Taylor.
