No More Boring Presents!
86 Next-Level Holiday Gift Ideas
Don’t let your loved ones suffer among everyday objects. These gifts take luxury to a higher plane.
Photographs by Hannah Whitaker for Bloomberg Businessweek
Commercials have got it all wrong: The easiest way to win the holidays is not by giving your lucky recipients something they never expected—it’s giving them a better version of what they already have.
Your significant other may already own an overnight bag, but it’s probably not a handmade leather one that converts into a clutch. A yoga-loving nephew likely has a mat, so get an extra-grippy one that does double duty as both towel and padding. The outdoor-grilling guru on your list may have a favorite pit in mind, but there’s no denying the appeal of an open-fire structure from meat master Francis Mallmann. (Or a professional-grade pizza oven.)
Here, then, are 86 gifts that operate on another level. Just remember to keep an eye out for something of your own, too. Whoever said that it’s better to give than receive never unwrapped a $4,000 pair of Hermès roller skates.
Spice Up the Kitchen
New West Knife Works Teton Edge Santoku
The etching on the side of this ultrasharp knife is an outline of the Grand Tetons: the exact view from the company’s workshop in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The jagged dimple keeps food from sticking to the blade, so slicing is easier.
$349; newwestknifeworks.com
Mr. Black coffee liqueur
This grown-up Kahlúa is delicious enough to pour over ice and pretend it’s just another cold brew—but the high alcohol content makes a powerful spiked coffee. Mixes well with mezcal or rum, too.
$40; mrblack.co
Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana juicer
The second collaboration between the famous appliance maker and the rowdy fashion brand takes its aim at breakfast, with designs inspired by the landscapes of Southern Italy.
$650; neimanmarcus.com
Glass dessert spoons
For an extra-sweet end to a meal, London designer Max Frommeld’s lilac- or green-tinted spoons are as unique as a favorite dinner guest. Bonus: The 3- to 5-inch utensils are made of nonreactive Pyrex, making them perfect for caviar.
$32; eastfork.com
Roku gin
Whisky isn’t the only Japanese premium spirit. This Suntory gin is light and floral, with notes of cherry blossom, yuzu, and green tea. It finishes with a spicy, lemony hit of sansho pepper that’ll tempt drinkers to skip the tonic.
$28; suntory.co.jp
Cocktail salt set
Add some zing to salted rims with one of three blends in this set. The boldest is a fleur de sel called Fleur de Hell that gets its heat from Indian bhut jolokia peppers.
$35; themeadow.com
Francis Mallmann outdoor grill
Summer entertaining will never be the same again after your friend gets her hands on this open-fire, Argentine-style grill structure.
$2,298; bestmadeco.com
Cups by Margaret Braun
Before she was an artist in porcelain, Braun made wedding cakes for the likes of Mariah Carey and Marilyn Manson. Her thin, confection-styled cups are now available to a wider audience.
$480 for a set of 6 (tall); $600 for a set of 6 (small, with saucers); margaretbraun.com
Kentucky Owl #8
Talk about aged: The newest name in small-batch bourbon has been brought back from extinction by Dixon Dedman, whose ancestor founded the distillery in the 1870s. Now the smooth, sweet spirit sells out almost as soon as it’s released.
$300; kentuckyowlbourbon.com
Instant Pot Ace multi-use cooking & beverage blender
Instant Pot gets in the blender game. Prepare hot soups and purée vegetables and baby food all in one spot, or make your own alterna-milks, whether almond, nut, soy, or rice.
$100; instantpot.com
Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking With Weed
If that special someone comes down with a case of the munchies, this should fill that need.
$30; penguinrandomhouse.com
Andy Warhol tree plate
Add a little taste to the table with one of these iconic dishes, which harks back to Andy Warhol’s days as a designer of advertisements.
$150; gagosianshop.com
Penfolds Lot. 518 spirited wine with baijiu
To put it mildly, Chinese baijiu is an acquired taste. But mix it with premium Australian shiraz, and you have a complex after-dinner winner even naysayers will thank you for.
$108; penfolds.com
Stagg Pour-Over System
Stagg's minimalist setup brews perfect coffee every time—the dripper is vacuum-insulated to retain heat, while its angles are engineered to maximize extraction. Visual guides even keep your water-to-grind ratio in check, and the kettle (with integrated thermometer) pours like a dream.
$189; fellowproducts.com
Mugnaini Prima 120 conical dome oven
For home cooks who want to pretend they’re a professional pizzaiolo, Mugnaini makes a version built for any kind of weather. Using either wood or gas, it can heat well over the optimal pizza temperature of 700F.
$10,950; mugnaini.com
Regalis white sturgeon caviar
These rich, creamy sturgeon eggs are the only ones served at Eleven Madison Park, the restaurant ranked No. 1 in the world last year.
$6,000 per kilogram, or $175 per ounce; regalisfoods.com
Dress Up the Closet
Moncler gloves
The ribbed cuffs ensure a snug fit and are detailed with red, white, and midnight-blue stripes, a nod to the brand’s French roots.
$205; mrporter.com
Ferragamo small studio bag
This purse is the first signature handbag launched since Paul Andrew became the women’s creative director at Ferragamo. Make your gal pal the belle of the ball with a metallic version in gold.
$2,200; lyst.com
Loewe scarf
Warmth has rarely felt—or looked—as good as it does in this green-and-white-striped mohair and wool scarf.
$270; loewe.com or Loewe Miami Design District
Taffin brooch
Founded by the nephew of renowned couturier Hubert de Givenchy, this New York-based jeweler continues to push boundaries, whether using amethyst or spessartite, the orange-reddish form of garnet, in the image above.
From $125,000; for more information, taffin.com or 212-421-6222
Thomas Kay jacquard baseball caps
You don’t have to worry about endorsing the wrong sports team when gift-wrapping one of these wool hats from heritage favorite Pendleton.
$55; pendleton-usa.com
Balenciaga “BB” round chain bag
The fashion house has doubled down on irony for its last few collections of “it” bags. But this blue-and-purple velvet number shows the Kering-owned company still knows how to do straight-ahead luxury as well as anyone.
$1,950; inquire at Balenciaga Rodeo, Beverly Hills, 310-854-0557
Chanel No. 5 eau de parfum collector’s edition
The bottle for this world-famous scent hasn’t changed much since it was introduced in 1921, but this fall, the brand released a limited-edition container in dark burgundy.
$160 for 3.4 oz; chanel.com
Pichulik necklace
A black-and-white rope with gold and teal colors, adorned with white jade drops and brass beads, from the emerging Cape Town jewelry designer.
$115; pichulik.com
Panthère de Cartier watch
This mini model from the beloved Panthère collection has a bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold that’s long enough to wrap three times around the lucky recipient’s wrist.
$35,800; for more information, cartier.com or 800-CARTIER
Loro Piana waterproof vicuña bomber jacket
Super soft vicuña is made functional with Loro Piana's “Storm System” weatherproofing treatment, which means this elegant coat can take a beating from the wind and rain.
$16,395; loropiana.com
Belperron “Wave” necklace
When in doubt, go for the gold. With diamonds.
$62,500; inquire at Belperron, 745 Fifth Ave., Suite 1210, 212-702-9040 or belperron.com
Lady Arpels Zodiac Lumineux watch
Though the stars on these zodiac-inspired dials light up, there’s no battery in this watch. Instead, electricity is generated by the timepiece’s mechanical movement.
$148,000; vancleefarpels.com
Pump Up the Workout
HX-One home essential kit
Hex keys are the tools cyclists use most frequently, and this set from Silca is generally regarded as the best around. The keys are made of chrome-plated steel and sprayed with a textured finish for better grip. The kit comes in a hand-sanded beechwood box.
$125; silca.cc
Hermès leather roller skates
Yep, that’s right. Hermès roller skates. The leather-clad pair may conjure memories of junior high weekends at the skating rink, but at this price, they’re best suited for a see-through display case.
$3,975; inquire at Hermès stores nationwide, 800-441-4488, or hermes.com
Livall smart bike helmet
Wearing head protection doesn’t have to be a drag. This streamlined model has embedded lights to signal turns and brakes; it also gives directions, takes phone calls, and plays music. A small remote on the handlebar controls the whole operation while you’re on the go.
$169; moma.org
Zojirushi thermos
Its double-wall, stainless-steel vacuum insulation construction has turned many otherwise sober humans into gushing fanboys. You may end up buying another one for yourself.
$25; amazon.com
Wahoo Kickr
Yeah, it’s expensive, but it beats riding a bike outside in winter.
$1,200; wahoofitness.com
Tom Dixon dumbbell
This 5.5-pound weight, hand-carved from marble, isn’t the only tool needed for bulking up, but it’ll do as a decorative accessory if exercise isn’t your giftee’s thing.
$225; tomdixon.net
Crossrope Get Fit bundle
This collection of weighted ropes is the easiest way to jump into a healthier 2019.
$216; crossrope.com
Tiwal sailboat
A boat you can put in the back of your SUV: Carried in two 62-pound bags, this 10-and-a-half-foot sailing dinghy assembles in 20 minutes.
$5,400; tiwal.com
Yoga Design Lab yoga mat
No need to bring a towel and a yoga mat to class anymore, thanks to the sueded microfibers of this absorbent, soft option that provides a firm grip, whether in Crow Pose or Downward Dog.
$68; yogadesignlab.com
Bang & Olufsen H5 wireless earbuds
Splash- and dust-resistant, these durable headphones come with a cord encased in braided textile.
$250; beoplay.com
Cole Haan GrandPro leather “spectator” sneaker
A leather sneaker designed specifically for the athlete who prefers to watch? Talk about taking spectating to the next level.
$170; colehaan.com
Strider 12 Sport balance bike
Training wheels are so 1980s. Stick your kid on one of these, and let them push themselves around for a few months. When they’re spending more time with their feet off the ground than on it, add the crank and pedals.
$120; striderbikes.com
Big Bear home sauna
The health benefits of infrared saunas are already established, but they can be a little lonely. The Big Bear home sauna, in contrast, comfortably seats four, or is large enough to lie down and forget that—at least for the moment—you’re all alone.
$4,895; rockymountainsaunas.com
Beautify the Bathroom
LV Dreamy slippers
Warm and comfortable, these snuggly feet warmers are made of mink and stamped with the unofficial logo of leisure.
$2,000; inquire at select Louis Vuitton stores, 866-VUITTON, or louisvuitton.com
Genaissance de la Mer serum essence
Think of this 24-karat-gold-infused “miracle broth” from Estée Lauder as more investment than gift.
$640; cremedelamer.com
Triumph & Disaster Coltrane clay
Pomades are mostly created equal; not this New Zealand one. Its beeswax and pracaxi oil are flexible enough to mold but strong enough to hold.
$30; triumphanddisaster.com
Granado Um Sonho soap
Don’t underestimate the pleasures of a high-end bar soap: This cult cleanser adds Amazonian murumuru butter for sumptuous suds.
$17; 24sevres.com
Augustinus Bader “the Rich Cream”
A tiny dab of this skin-care cream can do wonders for wrinkles. It relies on TFC8, made from amino acids, vitamins, and a synthesized version of natural skin molecules. A big bottle will last.
$265; violetgrey.com
August vanity comb
Substantial in the hand and easy on the skin, this Italian-made comb is an indulgence that quickly becomes essential.
$55; augustgrooming.com
Le Labo Santal 26 home diffuser
It’s a lamp—and a sweet-smelling, seductive statement piece.
$590; lelabofragrances.com
Grön CBD moisturizing mask
Cannabidiols are all the rage: Here they pair with lavender to act as a moisturizing clean.
$40; groncbd.com
Linen bathrobe
Instead of a bulky terry-cloth version, try one handmade on the coast of Turkey. It’s lightweight, quick to dry, and gets softer with every wash.
$130; ahalife.com
Pili Ani beauty elixir facial milk serum
The firming elemi oil and moisturizing pili oil both come from the pili nut, a popular Filipino snack.
$120; piliani.com
Mount Lai jade roller
These massage tools are the latest face-care bandwagon worth jumping on. They’re great at reducing tension on the forehead and jaw line.
$34; sephora.com
La Prairie Skin Caviar sleep mask
Gives new meaning to the term “beauty sleep.” An indulgent formula for lifting and firming skin overnight.
$375 for 50ml; laprairie.com
Frette 1806 for St. Regis eye mask
When Frette, the iconic luxury linen brand, and five-star hotel brand St. Regis partnered for a product line, it was a match made in dreamland. (Literally.) This plush mask is no exception.
$65; stregisboutique.com
Harry’s post-shave mist
An alcohol-free stocking stuffer that refreshes and hydrates with a single spritz.
$12; harrys.com
Dignify the Den
LG CineBeam laser projector
It’s less than 20 inches long, but this year’s best 4K home theater can still cast a 150-inch image from 14 feet away. Streaming apps are built in, and a handle lets you carry it to another room or mount it to the ceiling.
$3,000; lg.com
Blocks by Speks
If you know a colleague (or small child) who likes to stack and clack with his hands, this addictive magnetic desk accessory is part-Lego, part-Tetris. Blocks come in four color schemes; each set includes nine pieces that form a small cube.
$30; getspeks.com
Rayleigh desk lamp
Sean Augustine March designs memorable lighting that’s often inspired by a prism’s color spectrum. This one, about the size of a football, will turn heads even when it’s turned off.
$1,600; seanaugustinemarch.com
Questions & Empathy playing cards
This ingenious deck, created by studio Sub Rosa, organizes players into “seekers,” “confidants,” “cultivators,” and other empathic archetypes. Each card poses a question that, at best, encourages mutual understanding. At the very least, it’s a fun icebreaker.
$25; questionsandempathy.com
Orb bookends
Pyrite might be known as fool’s gold, but these large spheres are real enough. Formed into imperfect, glittering orbs, they make the perfect bookends—or, failing that, very weighty gazing balls.
From $125 to $1,500; inquire at 212-327-4281 or creelandgow.com
Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color
A fascinating study of a most misunderstood shade.
$50; thamesandhudsonusa.com
Pelle Tessuta Master & Dynamic headphones
Everyone at WeWork may be using the basic headphones from this New York-based audio powerhouse, but who else will have a pair hand-wrapped in Ermenegildo Zegna’s signature Pelle Tessuta leather?
$895; zegna.com
Gold Slinky
Accidentally designed by Richard James in 1945, the Slinky is a classic American toy. This one, thanks to 14-karat-gold plating, still serves up childlike joy.
$150; theglasshouse.org
Yves Saint Laurent Accessories
Even if there isn’t a fashionista in your household, this handsome tome shows how the designer’s recurring themes—gold buttons, shells, butterflies, even corn—gave the smallest details big-time glamour.
$60; phaidon.com
Dubuffet print
French artist Jean Dubuffet is a giant of modernism, but unlike his paintings, this signed, limited-edition print from 1976 won’t cost you millions.
$18,250; 1stdibs.com
Meisterstück Le Petit Prince LeGrand fountain pen
Inspired by one of the greatest stories ever put to paper, this pen is slim but substantial—in your hand, it feels like you should be writing weighty things.
$900; montblanc.com
Ghost Paper notebook
For those who like to color (not too far) outside the lines, these handsome journals use embossing and debossing to give faint structure to what otherwise look like blank pages.
$25; ghostpaper.com
Creedence Clearwater Revival vinyl record set
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic American band with a deluxe seven-LP box set that comprises the band’s complete studio output.
$260; craftrecordings.com
The Science of Supercars
An inside look at the technology that powers the most powerful, and most expensive, automobiles ever made.
$25; octopusbooks.co.uk
Artiphon Instrument 1
This portable, all-in-one MIDI unit encourages experimentation—without taking up an entire room of your house. The dynamic, pressure-sensitive pad responds to guitarlike strumming, drumlike drumming, pianolike tapping, and practically endless customization.
$399; artiphon.com
Upgrade the Journey
Bottega Veneta Fiandra slippers
Fete some feet in first class with a pair of shoes hand-woven from soft calfskin in the brand’s signature intrecciato motif. A slightly padded interior and durable leather sole mean they’re just as cozy in coach.
$600; inquire at Bottega Veneta, 800-845-6790
A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Up/Down lumen watch
Limited to just 200 pieces, this beloved chronograph design from the German watchmaker adds an illuminating twist: a bright green, glow-in-the-dark pigment on the hands, tachymeter, seconds dials, and date.
$100,500; alange-soehne.com
Leica Sofort camera
If your friends love Polaroids as much as their Instagram feeds suggest, one of the best brands in the camera industry has released an instant-film collaboration with photographer Jean Pigozzi, the “king of the celebrity selfie.”
$395; gagosianshop.com
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 motorcycle
This entry-level Swedish bike will be someone’s first love, even if it’s not necessarily the one they settle down with.
$6,300; husqvarna-motorcycles.com
Ona Hudson backpack
Shutterbugs will applaud this bag’s removable, padded camera insert, which can fit a DSLR camera with the lens attached. There’s more space for one to two extra lenses, as well as a 13-inch laptop. Its undyed, waxed canvas material mixes seamlessly with leather and brass hardware.
$469; onabags.com
Wildsam Field Guides
Travel guides for people who don’t trust travel guides: rich, deep dives into the soul of a destination as told through its history and citizens and Schott’s Miscellany-style factoids. An extra concierge service ($125) can even build them a weekend itinerary.
$20; wildsam.com
Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Hémisphères
Never forget where you came from with this unusual, elegant dual-time watch that lets you track two different time zones—including when it’s day and night.
$29,413; parmigiani.com
Gucci suitcase
Rollers, shmollers: The classic, boxy suitcase shape has undergone a revival as brands revisit the golden age of flying. This version harks back to the 1950s and ’60s but with the au courant maximalism—including a multicolor floral print—of creative director Alessandro Michele.
$2,590; inquire at select Gucci stores nationwide or gucci.com
Paul Stuart traveler blazer
A wrinkle-resistant upgrade for the overnight business trip. The single-breasted suit is form-fitting, with lots of pockets and side vents.
$1,500; paulstuart.com
Pedal Happy wine carrier
The quintessential Brooklyn bike accessory—a leather holder (wine key included) for the bottles of wine your friends always pick up on their way to picnics in the park. There’s one for growlers, too, if they prefer craft beer.
$65; pedalhappydesign.com
LONB overnight bag
A supple leather weekender with an organizing pouch that converts into a clutch. Genius.
$4,650; lonb.com
Bremont Supersonic in white gold
Not only does this watch contain Bremont’s first in-house hand-wound movement, with an impressive eight-day power reserve—it also features a ring of aluminum from an actual Concorde jet.
$23,995; bremont.com
Colnago C64 bike
Colnago’s old C60 was the Mercedes E-Class of bikes: a mainstay for a certain echelon of rider accustomed to reliably top-tier performance. This upgrade to the C60 is lighter, has better shock absorption, and a redesigned fork. Everything you loved, in other words, just better.
Price with components as pictured: $9,455; wrenchscience.com
12 Days of Christmas at Meadowood
For each of 12 nights, the Restaurant at Meadowood invites a world-class chef to prepare dinner. All proceeds go to local charities.
$1,542 per night, per person; therestaurantatmeadowood.com
Ottantacinque yacht by Pininfarina
The legendary Ferrari car designer has partnered with Fincantieri Yachts to create a 278-foot floating castle with a private veranda, infinity pool, jacuzzi, dining room, and helipad.
Price on request; pininfarina.com
Corrects country of watchmaker in blurb about the Datograph Up/Down Lumen.
Photographs: Vendors
