Mitch here!
As far as I can tell, there are two kinds of holiday “gift receivers.” Let’s call them The Cinch and The Albatross:
- The Cinch is that guy who’s so easy to shop for, you probably already have his present. He may even provide a list of ideas in your price range. The Cinch often encourages gift cards, or you know what? No gift at all!
- The Albatross is an enigma. He offers no gifting clues throughout the year and leaves you hunting around the department store like Indiana Jones all season long. Even worse, the Albatross typically puts great importance on gifts, and might even base your whole friendship or relationship on what’s sitting under the tree on Christmas morning!
Today’s post is for those Albatrosses out there, kicking around at the bottom of your shopping list. I wrote this gift guide because–and this is hard to admit–I… am… the Albatross. I’m a guy who’s impossible to shop for, who has no idea what he wants or needs for Christmas, and who’s beyond excited to see what people get me.
(Good luck, family!)
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Every gift on this list comes from Bloomingdales, which is the perfect place to shop for Christmas. Free shipping, incredible selection and easy returns. (But don’t worry: I promise he won’t return this gift!)
1. Master & Dynamic Wireless Over-Ear Headphones: Now that we carry around super computers that fit into your pocket and are capable of streaming the entire world’s musical history, it’s time to get headphones worthy of the task. Master & Dynamic headphones are not only the best on the market, they’re stylish enough to make anyone look good while they rock out to–and then later complain about–the new T-Swift album.
2. Cole Haan Lawford Leather Briefcase: I’ve always dreamed of carrying a bag like this to work. But teaching is like going to war, and I’ve yet to see a briefcase that can handle hundreds of tests, a lunch, and a gallon of coffee. And now that I’m a stay-at-home dad/blogger husband/entrepreneur guy, I’m no closer to my briefcase dream. What I really need is a briefcase and then a place to carry it to. Is that too much to ask?
3. Shinola Runwell Watch: Watches are “man jewelry,” and while I personally enjoy my simple morning routine (and ditched undershirts and socks to make it even simpler), there are some guys out there with a need to complicate things.
4. Sperry Boat Shoes: Boat shoes are my primary mode of transportation, and their inclusion in this gift guide is purely a call for help as my current pair is falling apart.
5. Burberry Cashmere Scarf: Wu Tang’s seminal “Protect Ya Neck” was likely not referring to a Burberry cashmere scarf, but I took the message to heart and got two of these things just in case.
6. Amazon Echo Show: As the father of a toddler, I judge things purely on their ability to play Moana, and the Amazon Echo Show gets a 1 out of 1 on the “ability to play Moana” scale.
7. Shinola Latino Leather Card Case: I honestly can’t remember the last time I spent cash, and while I doubt Thoreau had wallets in mind when he suggested simplifying one’s life, I think this gift fits the bill(fold).
8. Art of Shaving Shave Kit: It recently occurred to me that women might not realize how much scraping a sharp blade across one’s face sucks. And while there is no way I would describe my shave as “art,” I’d love a gift that gets it over more quickly.
9. Barbour Lowerdale Quilted Vest: Vests are great at simultaneously improving one’s look and warming one’s innards. Your dude would love warm innards.
10. Bloomingdale’s Cashmere-Lined Gloves: Winter technically doesn’t begin until December 21st. If you think about it in terms of the calendar, Christmas is as much a celebration of the end of fall. What I’m trying to say is we have a whole SEASON of cold weather in front of us, and your guy needs warm gloves.
11. Yuneec Breeze Drone: This gift is the thermonuclear bail-out option. How badly do you want to win Christmas? If you’re in desperate need of a holiday victory, this drone will get the job done, guaranteed. He’ll think about it–and you–for decades.
12. Polo Ralph Lauren Kimono Robe: Before I had a kid, robes baffled me. I typically slept in my clothes in front of the TV, and when I woke up, I’d just walk out of the house like nothing had happened. Now that my day starts with an alarm-screaming baby, I can see the usefulness of a quick and comfy kimono robe. Maybe your guy can, too?
Mitch out!
In collaboration with Bloomingdales, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!