By a certain age you should like giving presents more than receiving them. How nice when everything aligns and you find the right old book for the right person in your life. I’m lucky to have some remarkable gift givers in my life, starting with my mom who’s the rare combination of thoughtful, generous and insanely disciplined. She’ll stow an antique cigar case for months before Christmas. I could never wait that long! As soon as I’m back from Japan you’re getting fancy wooden chopsticks right away.
A present is an opportunity to show somebody you appreciate their sense of taste. Presents can be funny or knowing, but they shouldn’t be too improving. Christmas is not a time to tell somebody they should loosen up. If they wear grey don’t get them a whimsical Hermès tie. Similarly don’t get too practical. You hear stories about wives unwrapping kitchen appliances, and they never end well. If this whole enterprise is too fraught then a good bottle of Champagne is a bulletproof solution.
Like so many things giving should be simple but it becomes complicated. We’re swimming in a sea of gift guides, which are like the holidays themselves: We go through this ritual every year whether we want to or not. So let’s make the best of it. This is a chance to recommend things I like that you might like too. Among familiar names the principles remain the same. It’s nice to give something that’s a better version of what your loved one uses every day, from a corkscrew to a fountain pen.
For more ideas you can see the piece I wrote for the FT here (including the famous meat slicer). Last year’s guide is here. And ideas for the woman in your life is here. And for those new here, just a reminder that I don’t receive money for what appears on the list or anything you click to buy. They’re just things I like!
HOME. Like many people, I enjoy things that are useful and attractive. You can call them into action or just admire them on the shelf.
WMS & Co sells design-oriented paper goods and other objects for the design obsessed. I’m very into this Stoneware Match Strike.
John Derian is so, so good for so, so many presents (and tree ornaments). It’s impossible to choose, but what about an ambitious antique rug?
Chiarastella Cattana is our beloved store in Venice with lovely linens and textiles. Towels, pillows and the world great placemats like this and this.
These ceramic vases from Roman & Williams Guild are terrific. They also have these extremely elegant martini glasses that you have to promise to never drop.
I just discovered this insane portable smoker from Snow Peak, which is naturally very Japanese and beautiful.
CLOTHING. It’s elegant to give somebody an overcoat. But that’s a commitment, unless it’s on your better half’s wish list. Sweaters are good and scarves of course. The idea is to be interesting but not too interesting.
-Drake’s is expert at shawl-collared cardigans (I’m wearing one right now!).
-J. Mueser shirts are getting better and better, especially the Westerns, but Oxfords too.
-Really into Wythe and their terrific new store. A good place to start is a shirt, either moleskin, flannel or a strong Oxford.
-The Butcher Jacket from Sid Mashburn is excellent, especially in corduroy.
-This Herringbone sport coat from RRL is robust tweed and not too pricey.
-Bare Knuckle on Etsy is particularly good for vintage field jackets in the heavy canvas that we all love.
-Campbell’s of Beauly has lovely Scottish knits including these Fair Isle vests.
-Any of the extraordinary shirts from 100 Hands made in India.
-Massimo Alba is a master of knitwear (and many other things!) this cashmere sweater is exquisite.
-If you’re not afraid of a little…itchiness, then enjoy the wonderful colors of the Shaggy Dog sweater from J. Press. Or graduate to this Shetland sweater from ACL Golf courtesy of our friend Michael Williams.
-Have a shirt made at Charvet in Paris (unlike most shirt-makers there’s no minimum order) and it really is chic. If that’s too much of a commitment go downstairs and get a silk pocket square.
-Now this is a little self-interested but you will be well-loved if you get the woman in your life a custom-made Clementina suit. That, of course, is designed by Emilie Hawtin, the well-loved woman in my life, and made in Italy by J. Mueser.
FISHING. These are all indulgences because if somebody loves to fish then they’ll probably have the basics.
-What about this leather Ghurka rod case. Insanely great. If that’s too rarefied then what about their Cavalier Duffle?
-Nobody says no to an Orvis Helios 3 Rod. If you’re thinking about a saltwater rod, the 9’ 8-weight is what I’m using on my bonefish trip next week!
-A nice reel is so satisfying. Just set it on your desk and admire it. Hardy’s is a classic and perfect for the Anglophile angler in your life.
PERENNIALS. There’s something reassuring about getting a new version of something every year. It can be a box of truffles from Maison du Chocolat or really good tea from Té Company.
-I’ve recommended Smythson Panama Weekly Agendas many times—but that won’t stop me! It’s such a nice thing, even for the digital obsessed. Think of it as a diary that can still go hand in hand with your online calendar.
-Stationery is a great indulgence. This Pineider paper with blue trim is delightful.
DINING and DRINKING. My favorite New York restaurants to celebrate are French. And I guess I want to drink French too, for that matter.
-Le Bernardin, try the bar (salon, I think they call it) if you can’t get in at lunch. It’s still festive and lovely and adult in the best way.
-Le Roc (from the good people behind Frenchette), if you’re admiring the tree at Rockefeller Center.
-The excellent Libertine in the West Village is a new favorite.
-Don’t get fussy. Get a bottle of Champagne. These aren’t too hard to find. Deutz (house Champagne at Le Bernardin), Roederer, and any Blanc de Blancs, like Ruinart. A year ago I suggested getting buying from Sherry-Lehmann. We know how that turned out!
-A large bottle of wine makes a good impression. A large bottle of Barolo makes an even better impression.
-And of course a bottle of bas-Armagnac is always welcome.
HOTELS. Sometimes the best solution is to just get out of town.
-Nobody can argue with a long weekend in Venice. Use those AmEx points and get a suite at the Gritti Palace.
-It’s easier to get to Belize than you think. I love the Turtle Inn. Good for families. Good for anglers. And the Francis (as in Coppola) Family Pavilion has more privacy. Charming!
-Closer to home is Frank Muytjens’s wonderful Inn at Kenmore Hall.
SUBSCRIPTIONS. I recommend these every year: The Met, Morgan Library, Criterion Channel, New York Review of Books, Film Forum, all great, all welcome. And of course, you can give a subscription to a newsletter (ahem).
Hope that doesn’t overwhelm you. Here’s to a festive and (relatively) stress-free holiday season that will go by, as it always does, quicker than you think.
Salut!
Thanks for compiling! Great list with great recs that I would not have thought of, grateful, for the inspiration.
Quick note- on Campbell's of Beauly rec: Beautiful sweaters! But a slight typo...
Reached middle age and found myself shopping for vintage rugs often this year rather - cheaper than cars more expensive than nearly anything else! I think Michael said on last weeks Central Division that buying vintage is the highest form of taste - I’ll keep telling myself that to feel better.