Tis the season for fretting over what to get the people. To help with the endeavor, every year, we write about our most recent favorites. So, coming just in time for the holiday season, here’s our 2017 gift guide – things that would be awesome for anyone in your life.
Before we get started though, we’d love it if you’d check out stuff from our beloved sponsors. Proper Cloth is an online custom clothier that specializes in made-to-measure shirts. They’re distinct in that they provide the quality fit of custom tailoring with the unique fabrics of ready-to-wear. Bespoke tailors typically only offer the kind of broadcloths and oxfords that you’d wear to the office, but Proper Cloth has Japanese indigo, washed denim, and distinctive prints. You can also check out Gustin, a pioneer in the online direct-to-consumer business model. Whereas most other companies sell MiUSA raw denim jeans for $200+, Gustin is able to offer than for under $100 due to their pre-order model. They recently released a new straight fit that’s higher in the rise and slightly fuller in the leg (more about that in an upcoming post).
Dapper Classics’ over-the-calf socks would be great stocking stuffers. Get the solid navy over-the-calf socks for a failsafe options for anyone who wears tailored clothing (they literally go with anything short of a black suit), then maybe sprinkle in some conservative patterns such as birdseye, grenadine, and pin dot. Festive patterns are also great for holiday parties (I’m an unapologetic supporter of all things dog or cat related). Spier & Mackay has all of the soft-shouldered sport coats and textured knits you’ve been eyeing at other shops, but offered at much lower prices. Chipp Neckwear offers MiUSA ties, including the unassailable grenadine that will add visual interest to plain outfits without clashing with patterned ones. And lastly, LuxeSwap has a bunch of inventory from The Armoury, one of our favorite clothiers. Remember, as an online consignor of high-end menswear, they can help clear out your closet, allowing you to recoup some of your money spent and make the financial sting of holiday gift giving season a bit less painful.
OK, now onto this year’s gift guide! We’ve been doing these for over 10 years, so you can also check previous gift guides for more ideas (we stand by all of our previous suggestions).
Comedy Crafts
Two of the funniest human beings I’ve ever known—Sara Schaeffer and Eliza Skinner—have expanded their artistry to include fine craft. Both are stand-up comedians and writers who’ve worked on all kinds of television shows and played every kind of stage. Both are also aesthetic geniuses.
Sara makes miniatures. Indeed, during lockdown, she created a miniature comedy club and staged shows with miniature versions of her comedy friends. (Really!) In her Etsy shop, she sells miniatures sure to delight anyone, including miniature evidence boards (the kind with photos of suspects and webs of yarn), miniature gift wrapping kits, and even miniature file boxes full of miniature classified documents. Plus miniature neon signs that say “Nah, bro.”
Eliza has become an incredible ceramicist over the past few years. Her work includes these pill bowls, which are decorated with glazed pills and tiny pulled teeth and incredible vases in the shape of monsters. She’s also been making some wonderful mugs inspired by great children’s literature, though they’re sold out for now. Check in the store and see the latest. —Jesse
Turkish Shoes
I’ve been loving a pair of bright yellow Turkish slip-on shoes I bought on Etsy. They come in all kinds of colors, mens and womens sizes, and they’ve got enough sole to wear out of the house. They look great with wide, short trousers or even just shorts. I get compliments every time I wear mine. —Jesse
Vintage Taxco Silver
I’ve been obsessed with the silversmiths of Taxco, a small city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It would be fair to describe it as the silversmithing capital of the world. Many of the finest makers anywhere are there, along with a number of people who make more generic designs but in quality materials. The arts and crafts movement blossomed in Guerrero during the early- to mid-20th century, and the industry has never left. Silver made in Taxco is always stamped with its origin and often signed. They make necklaces and earrings and bracelets, but also plenty of things that are suitable for men, such as tie clips, money clips, and rings. We have quite a bit in our shop right now, including some from great makers like Los Castillo, but of course you can find Taxco silver on eBay, Etsy, First Dibs, or in your local estate jeweler’s shop. —Jesse
A Donation to Al Otro Lado
I believe human beings have a right to travel the earth and work to support themselves and their families. So this year, my family is supporting Al Otro Lado, a non-profit which provides direct assistance to migrants on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Sometimes that’s legal help, sometimes connections to services or even simply food and water. They’re a small-scale, trusted organization that stands up every day for people who need advocacy and simple, neighborly help.
The United States makes it monumentally difficult to conform to our immigration laws, even if you are the rare person who qualifies for what we call “legal status.” Like most of you, I’m the descendant of immigrants. I have a direct family member who is an immigrant who did not have legal status. I live in a community full of people who’ve come here from elsewhere, and that has enriched my life immeasurably. None of these people should have any less rights than I just because of where we were each born.
As someone who worked in a deportation defense law firm, I’ve seen the horrors the legal system imposes on migrants, including those trying to follow the rules. Some in our government are bent on using the instruments of state to harass and abuse immigrants. Included among those are people I know and love. I’m supporting Al Otro Lado because I trust them to directly aid the most vulnerable people in our country.
Borders are not real. —Jesse
Tickets to a Show
I’m so thrilled to be going to see Stevie Wonder in an arena in a couple of weeks. And to go see standup by my friend Guy Branum in a little theater. What could you bring that friend to? An improv show? A musical? An early music concert in a beautiful church? It’s a great way to share some time and a special experience. —Jesse
A Wonderful Scarf
Cozy things make great holiday gifts. Why not a scarf? Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
Our old friends in Donegal, Molloy & Sons, make some glorious scarves in the distinctive, mottled Donegal style.
I feel like I’m a broken record, but vintage Scottish cashmere is always a winner. Search for “Scotland” and “cashmere” on eBay, and filter by “used.” (Or don’t filter by used if you prefer a new gift and are cool with newer stuff maybe being slightly lower-quality.) Or search for brands like Begg, Crombie, Ballantyne or Barrie. Or if you want something fuzzy, try looking for mohair!
My own scarf collection contains several from the Japanese brand Kapital, and I’m struggling to resist these new models featuring a bizarre (and bizarrely beautiful) eyeball motif. They’re only one of an array of incredible styles, ranging from far-out to almost-not-far-out.
And of course we have both vintage and new scarves in our shop, including colorful rayon from the mid-20th century, cozy wool and (most notably) our new Selvage-to-Selvage scarves, which are woven from old, narrow-gauge Japanese textiles. We retained both selvage edges, and the ends are hand-rolled. —Jesse
Clothes by Kosa Arts
Oakland, California is the home of Kosa Arts, a tiny atelier that focuses on sustainably-produced, small-batch clothing. The founders are a mother-daughter team, and they hand-dye textiles and build patterns by hand. The other day, I tried to plug them to my pal Avery Trufelman, who makes the podcast Articles of Style. “Oh yeah! I know all about them! I love that stuff!” They make men’s, women’s and unisex styles, and the oversized, hoodie-cum-shawl I bought my wife two years ago is perhaps her most favorite clothing item. —Jesse
William Lockie Shawl Collar Cardigan
Fancy Chocolates
I’m of the belief that you should always have something in your hand if you’re going to someone’s home this holiday season—a bottle of wine or whisky, some unusual fruits from the Asian market, or a fancy box of chocolates. Of the three, you can’t go wrong with the third. Everyone recognizes fancy chocolates when they see them and you’ll be a hit.
I like San Francisco’s Dandelion Chocolates. They use ethically sourced, well-roasted chocolate beans to make all sorts of things—chocolate dipped fig truffles, single origin bonbons, and caramelized almonds. Their hot chocolate mixes are also delicious, albeit less party friendly.
For vegan friends, Stick With Me also has dairy- and egg-free bonbons filled with praline, cashew coconut, yuzu, and other delicious fillings. Colorful confections like these look great on a well-decorated dining table, which is something I think your host will appreciate. —Derek
Rototo Room Socks
I know socks are the sexiest gift, but hear me out—we old people are cold. Rototo’s “room socks” are more like puffy, warm slippers than traditional hosiery. They have small rubber grips on the bottom for smooth floors and come in a variety of patterns and designs (I like the Nordic ones pictured above best). Most importantly, they keep your toes toasty. Certainly too chunky to be wearing inside boots, shoes, or even indoor slippers (these basically function as indoor slippers), but terrific if you know someone who often gets cold feet at home. You can find them at Omoi, Standard & Strange, Stag Provisions, Bridge & Burn, and Huckberry. —Derek
Stoffa x Solimene Cups
Stoffa makes these wonderful cups with Ceramica Artistica Solimene, a third-generation family-owned company in Vietri, Italy that produces charming hand-painted ceramics that you’ve probably seen in fancy seaside shops. I love their designs, although Stoffa’s collaboration with them feels a bit more sophisticated. These are plain colored, albeit still handpainted, and come in little wobbly shapes just big enough to hold a cup of espresso. Agyesh told me years ago that these terracotta cups were inspired by tea accessories used on Indian railways. They also have non-wobbly versions, if you want something a bit less funky. Buy two or three so the person you’re giving this to can share a cup of espresso with people in their family. —Derek
Waverley Notebook
For guys who use pocket notebooks, I think the go-to recommendation is Field Notes, partly because they often have such pleasing covers. Those are OK, but a few years ago, I discovered Waverley, which I think are better. These tartan clothbound hardcover notebooks feature stained edges, a ribbon marker, and a little expandable pocket on the inside to organize receipts, subway tickets, and miscellanea. They come in every tartan imaginable and the fabrics are woven in Scotland. I’ve found that my Pilot Custom 823 with a medium nib just barely ghosts to the other side of the paper, so it’s reasonably fountain-pen friendly. My only gripe is that the pages are only lined on one side, which effectively cuts the 176 pages into a useable 88 unless you like blank pages for doodling. You can find them on eBay for about $20. I use mine to jot down to-do lists, grocery lists, and reminders. If you’re feeling spendy, Fox Brothers and Rampley & Company also sell notebooks covered in the same fabrics used for men’s tailoring. —Derek
Smart Birdfeeder
My Droll Yankee birdfeeder is easily the best $30 I’ve ever spent. Since purchasing it in 2020, it has been my little oasis of happiness, bringing fluttering chickadees and mourning doves near my bedroom window every morning and afternoon (although, it also attracts squirrels, which has led me to also becoming a squirrel feeder). I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve been thinking about getting a smart birdfeeder. A friend tells me that he really enjoys his Bird Buddy, which has an app that not only takes photos of the birds, but is reasonably accurate at identifying them, thus allowing him to learn more about the species in his area. At $250, it’s a little pricey, especially when you consider the $30/ year subscription fee. For something more affordable, you could try the Wasserstein Bird Feeder Camera Case ($55). It won’t have the bird identification app, but my guess is that you can upload the photos to Google Images and get reasonable accurate results. —Derek
Anything from Norlha
Norlha is a Tibetan company that’s helping herders transition to a more economically stable job by having them produce upscale clothes inspired by Tibetan dress. A lot of what they sell is made from khullu, the soft undercoat that insulates yaks from the Tibetan plateau’s harsh winters (think of it as the yak version of cashmere). I find myself admiring their line often, although many of the more interesting pieces seem like they require you to go all-in on the look and may not mix well with the suits, sport coats, and offbeat Japanese workwear that dominates many PTO readers’ wardrobes.
That said, they have luxurious baby blankets and charming plush toys that would make for excellent gifts if you need to find something for new parents. There are also unique beanies, scarves, and shawls that would work for almost anyone. The archive section has discounted stock from previous seasons. A bit expensive, yes, but the quality is unassailable and the backstory is charming. —Derek
Brooks Brothers Pajamas
I love pajamas. Mine from Brooks are good quality for a good price. It’s nice to get this as a pair or group gift because if you think it’s dorky to wear the same clothes, the only ones who will see it are your loved ones. —Ryan
Bombas “Gripper Slippers”
These are very comfortable, very easy to slip into, and warm. We’re a no-shoes household so we only wear these inside, they don’t clomp around, and they feel as easy as socks. I recommend buying from the Women’s page, because they have more and better colors! —Ryan
Custom Sid Mashburn Shirt
Buy someone a gift card for $200. If they can make it to one of the Sid stores, they’ll have a great experience looking around, talking to the guys, checking out the fabric swatches, and they will get a shirt that 100% fits them. It’s wonderful! I think the cost for most of the MTM fabrics is $205… so toss a little extra cash in the envelope. —Ryan
Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller by Joseph Lambert
This short graphic novel is approachable, formally inventive, and very emotional! The way the author draws Helen’s inner life is amazing. I cried when she made her big breakthrough. Even though I already knew Helen Keller’s story, the drawn storytelling here helped me understand it like I never had before.
Kelly’s Habanero Pepper Jelly
Have you tried this stuff?? It’s great!! It’s sweet AND hot. It’s great on toast or on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. —Ryan
FAF Memo Pad
These hardy refillable metal-backed notepads feel extra special. They’re just notepads but they really class up that corner of your kitchen counter. Made in Paris. —Ryan
Decanter For An Infinity Bottle
One of my favorite projects this year was starting an infinity bottle, which is a personal blend of whiskey made by combining the last ounces of other bottle you have on hand.
Some people like to be adventurous and mix everything carefree while others approach it in a more methodical manner and measure out specific whiskeys, even tasting blends before committing them. However you do it, the point is that the bottle is completely unique to you and becomes a physical representation of your personal whiskey profile and journey, which makes it more intimate compared to any store bought whiskey.
You can use any decanter to start an infinity bottle. The one I have is made by Oneida and it comes with matching glasses. For a more affordable option, try Ikea; for something luxurious, check out Soho Home. —Edwin
Pimsleur
Every year I make a New Year’s resolution to learn a new language and I’ve failed miserably until now. What changed? I discovered Pimsleur.
Pimsleur is a language learning method created by Dr. Paul Pimsleur that focuses on spoken language acquisition through interactive audio lessons. Instead of traditional memorization techniques that you’d find in a textbook or Duolingo, this method emphasizes conversational learning by guiding you to construct sentences through active recall and strategic repetition. Lessons are designed to help learners anticipate and respond to questions, gradually building vocabulary and grammatical understanding while reducing the anxiety often associated with speaking a new language.
I completed the 30-day beginner’s French course and became conversant enough to comfortably navigate my family around Nice and Chamonix. Now I’m learning Castilian Spanish in preparation for my upcoming trip to Spain and it’s great to learn about contextual things like regional accents (e.g. in Spain gracias is pronounced “grathias”) to avoid sticking out.
Lastly, one other thing the website doesn’t mention is that a single subscription can be shared across multiple users, making it the perfect tool for family learning. —Edwin
Little Lu Stamps
I’m a fan of handwriting letters to friends and family to let them know how much I care. Lately, I’ve been adorning these letters with rubber stamps that I’ve collected. Some of my favorites come from Japanese artist Littlelu who captures daily life in a humorous, whimsical manner.
LA based stationary store Pinky Elephant carries a whole selection. Among my favorites are working hard, glasses push (great for when you win that eBay auction), and cat therapy. —Edwin
Wythe Liberty Barn Jacket in Washed Indigo
I know it’s no longer summer but I cannot wait for the temperature to rise again so that I can wear this jacket from Wythe. Everything about it is perfect—the soft cotton touch, striking brass buttons, and beautiful stripes, which make it easy to wear with light or dark pants. Wythe also makes a non-washed version, but I prefer the washed one so that it already has the lived-in feel. —Edwin
