An international guide to finding the perfect holiday present.
Author Jacqueline Detwiler Photography John Lawton
Giving Dad handmade leather slippers says “I care about your feet.” That’s much nicer than “I care about your golf game,” or “You need a new dress shirt.”
$70 /// www.thepyjamastore.com
Rimowa’s Topas Business Trolley protects against humidity, so your clothes can handle Miami in July-even if you can’t.
$405 /// www.rimowa.de
More festive than a Christmas sweater and substantially less cheesy, MelanyBe’s elk necklace screams “holiday office party.”
$207 /// www.melanybe.com
Why do you need Citizen’s Eco- Drive Blue Angels Skyhawk A-T watch? Because it keeps time in 43 world cities, that’s why. (And because Eli Manning has one.)
$699 /// www.citizenwatch.com
The buttery Tuscan leather of Floto’s Venezia travel tote ages like a saddle. Just don’t tell friends you got them saddlebags. They may not appreciate it.
$349 /// www.flotoimports.com
It’s hard to imagine a more wholesome gift than Bead for Life’s Mandaala necklaces. Made from recycled paper, their sale supports Ugandan women.
$25 /// www.beadforlifestore.org
Adding a cowl neck was the only way to make the trench coat more stylish. Go figure-Allsaints Spitalfields thought of it first.
$390 /// www.us.allsaints.com
Hansa’s plush yak is so realistic, you may find yourself trying to feed him. But be honest, do you know what yaks eat?
$86 /// www.sweetwilliamltd.com
Staring at the clock used to mean you were waiting for something. Now it means you’re fascinated by QlockTwo’s nonnumerical time telling.
$995 /// www.qlocktwo.com
A tot who knows K is for potassium might take over the world, making Xylocopa’s Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks a smart gift.
$39 /// www.xylocopa.com
Part of Sony Ericsson’s Greenheart program, the Naite does everything your smart phone can do but in recycled plastic and with a lot less energy.
(U.S.A.) Undeterred by that other vacuuming robot, Neato Robotics designed a floor cleaner that uses laser mapping. Here’s hoping their next project involves sharks.
$400 /// www.neatorobotics.com
You might think there’s no way to improve a game as old as backgammon. Dos Reis disagrees: Its set has a silent playing field, leather cups and precision dice.
$750 /// www.zontikgames.com
Not only does the Parrot AR Drone run on commands from an iPhone, it can set up a Wi-fi hotspot for multiplayer battles. Remote controls are so 1980.
$300 /// www.brookstone.com
DC Men’s Snowboarding Status boot is the company’s most supportive-ideal for boarders who have weak ankles, enjoy hard landings or just need a hug.
$350 /// www.snow.dcshoes.com
Because the lens is on the outside of the frame, POC’s Cornea goggles enlarge skiers’ fields of vision. Watch for snow bunnies.
$150 /// www.pocsports.com
Heidiskis’ All-Mountain PRO skis carve so effortlessly because they are 35 percent stiffer than the original version. That means you won’t be.
$1,640 /// www.heidiskis.com
Six crampons and a heel lifter help Baldas Lys snowshoes adhere to steep slopes, because you want to go snowshoeing, not snow-slipping.
$159 /// www.mountaingear.com
Would more people become mountaineers if sleeping outside were cozy? With the Bloody Mary sleeping bag, Valandre intends to find out.
$489 /// www.moosejaw.com
When forester Bo Hilleberg met his wife on the slopes, he knew his future was in the outdoors. No wonder his tents are so comfy.
$765 /// www.hilleberg.com
Norway’s Mount Fagernes inspired the windproofing and warmth of Norrona’s narvik jacket, so it should do for your commute.
$500 /// www.norrona.com
A little larger than a briefcase, the Picnic at Ascot suitcase un- folds into a table with four seats. You’ll never have to worry about grass stains again.
$150 /// www.robertsanddore.homestead.com
A reproduction of a classic ’60s camera, Lomography’s Diana F+ takes dreamy stills that will make your friends look like they live in a Belvedere ad. Take that, DSLRs.
$95 /// www.microsites.lomography.com
Hey, Spicoli, Mr. Hand knows you’re on Surfline instead of paying attention in class. Might as well do it on the Billabong Sony Vaio and score cool points.
$450 /// www.sonystyle.com
Sanyo’s Xacti hi-def video camera can capture any “indoor or outdoor” adventure in up to 10 feet of water. If you have 10 feet of water indoors, please be careful.
$350 /// www.us.sanyo.com
Standing up on a paddleboard isn’t easy, but Ocean Kayak’s Nalu paddleboard is maneuverable when you’re seated.
$749 /// www.oceankayak.com
Topeaka casts aside concerns about bike commuting with the Jango Flik. All you have to do is figure out how to fold it.
$1,295 /// www.jangobikes.com
What could Swiss Army Knife maker Victorinox craft if they concentrated on a single knife at a time? The supersharp zirconium oxide ceramic collection.
$110-120 /// www.swissarmy.com
When you serve Galilee Osetra Caviar, friends can accuse you of being extravagant, but not wasteful: It comes from sustainably raised Russian osetra sturgeon.
$125/ounce /// www.caviar.com
The curved shape of Philips’ Fidelio iPod/iPhone dock doesn’t just look pretty, it mimics the acoustics of a live performance. That said, it’s awfully pretty.
$200 /// www.store.philips.com
Handmade out of rosewood, these Twig Servers will make your salads look all natural-even if you put American cheese in them.
$64 /// www.globaltable.com
The worst thing about a garlic press is cleaning the tiny holes. Eva Solo has a better idea: easy- to-wash slits. Vampires beware.
$90 /// www.evasolo.com
You haven’t had too much malbec: For his Origo Mix series, Alfredo Häberli added verticals to his iconic striped bowls.
$12-$28 /// www.sfmoma.stores.yahoo.net
Apart from the colorful glow it creates, the best part about the Shine Candle Holder is that it protects a flame from moths, wind and enthusiastic storytellers.
$22 /// www.globaltable.com
November 1st, 2010 at 10:42 am
If you’re looking for the perfect present, come to Spitalfields Market in London. It’s the place Allsaints loved so much they added it to their name.
At Spitalfields Traders Market there’s a range contemporary and vintage fashions, music, bespoke children’s toys, jewellery and accessories and home interiors. The market is also surrounded by a host of independent boutiques, food shops and restaurants. Plus you have Old Spitalfields Market right next door.
Take a look: http://www.spitalfields.co.uk
November 9th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Great magizine with great stories of interest about countries & restaurants to visit as well as information on products. In the current issue there is an article about a one cup coffee maker for camping. I left te magazine and may not be on another flight this month. Can you send me that article.
Russ Porter 00414328628
November 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I work at Victorinox Swiss Army and love the spread on pages 84/85 in The Right Stuff article. I’ve been promoting this knife as a great holiday gift.
Do you have a reprint of that spread so I can show it to my customers. An electronic version is fine!
Thanks.
December 30th, 2010 at 4:15 am
I figure life is a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you’re going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you.