As much as I love holiday gift guides—I mean, who can resist them, amirite?! — I really look at them as personal shopping wish lists.
When’s the last time you looked at a gift guide and didn’t think to yourself, “Ooh, I’d like that for me!”?
Exactly.
So this year, with the help of EG’s contributors, I put together this holiday gift guide with that in mind.
Here are our favorite things we think you’ll love, too—or at least find intriguing. And sure, if there’s someone on your mind whom you think would like one (or a few) of these things as well, buy two
Gift suggestions from EG contributor, Brian Adee
Brian mostly focuses on cigars, accessories, and everyday carry here at Effortless Gent. You can find his articles here. Take a look at his picks for this gift guide!
Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS Watch
$104.95
When the gyms closed and I could no longer train safely with my jiu jitsu partners, I took up a daily running habit for my physical activity. Running had never been my thing before the pandemic, but now it’s a welcome relief from being cooped up indoors all day!
Garmin’s Forerunner watches provide a heart rate monitor at the wrist as well as a sleek and minimalist display, making it perfect for long runs and tracking progress.
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10/22/2020 02:27 pm UTC
Pocket Squares from Cyberoptix Tie Lab
Starting at $7
Delightfully quirky and handmade in Detroit, I’ve been wearing Cyberoptix’s silk screen printed ties for years, but haven’t tried any of their other accessories yet. Maybe this will be the year for an Ampersand handkerchief or beer ingredients pocket square?
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Opinel No. 8 Pruning Knife
$23.00
Decisions, decisions… Even though I already have a few Opinel knives, I can always find room for one more of their beautiful blades. Their mushroom hunting knife looks perfect for wet season foraging, but the DIY multi-tool is the first one I’ve seen from Opinel. Honestly, I’d be happy to get either as a gift!
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10/22/2020 02:27 pm UTC
Opinel No.9 Knife and Multi-Tool
$30.00
Decisions, decisions… Even though I already have a few Opinel knives, I can always find room for one more of their beautiful blades. Their mushroom hunting knife looks perfect for wet season foraging, but the DIY multi-tool is the first one I’ve seen from Opinel. Honestly, I’d be happy to get either as a gift!
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10/22/2020 02:27 pm UTC
Why We Make Things and Why It Matters
$16.31
With so many routines and standbys disrupted by the events of the past year, I’ve taken solace in going back to some of my favorite hobbies -- as well as starting a few new ones.
While at first I took up woodworking to beat my boredom and existential angst, I quickly found myself developing a renewed love and appreciation for making things with my hands. That’s why I’m looking forward to reading this book from Peter Korn: A deeply spiritual take on how making objects shapes our lives and identities.
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10/22/2020 03:27 pm UTC
Full Bodied Cigars Sampler
$59.99
Famous Smoke always has some amazing package deals around the holidays, but this set at this price just blows me away. There’s nothing quite like having rich, robust cigars to share with friends on a cold winter night.
If they’re already out of the Full Bodied Cigars sampler, I’m also a huge fan of just about every stick that Montecristo makes. You can try them all in the Best of Montecristo Sampler, also from Famous Smoke.
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Gift suggestions from EG contributor, Miko Tyack
Miko is our resident watch expert. Tap here to check out his latest articles all about watches. Here are his picks.
Watches: A Guide by Hodinkee
$99.00
This book is today’s watch bible. The chapters are broken down by topics like chronographs, high design, and icons, each chapter written by industry experts (scuba diver Jason Heaton takes on the chapter on dives). With glossy pages and cool images, this compendium is fun for experts and newbies alike.
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10/22/2020 01:27 pm UTC
Garmin Fenix 6S Pro
$714.99
As an outdoor buff, I’m always interested in multisport fitness trackers. Garmin is famed for their superior satellite navigation and power management, so you can go as far and as long with this guy as you want –especially since it includes emergency alerts and incident detection. The Fenix 6S Pro also features cool topographic maps.
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10/22/2020 01:27 pm UTC
Versa Elite Single Watch Winder
$69.95
This is one of the best affordable watch winders out there. A watch winder is a good way to keep your automatic watches ticking and healthy when you aren’t wearing them. With its leather finish and clear display, the Versa Single is also a good presentation box if you leave your watches on display!
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10/22/2020 01:27 pm UTC
Invicta NFL New England Patriots Watch
I'm a Pats fan, but there's an NFL Invicta watch for every team. If you ever hit a wall with what to get your buddy for his birthday (his wife wouldn't appreciate you taking him away for that camping trip every year), this watch safely stays in the bro-lane and every football fan will find an occasion to rep his team with it.
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The Impossible Collection of Watches (Ultimate)
$1,095.00
A grand for a coffee table book? Hear me out. This impressive tome is less of a book and more like a piece of art at 15.5” x 18.6”, a silk clamshell presentation, and complete with white gloves and a signature canvas tote. The beautiful watch imagery on art-quality paper pops out of the page, and the content is written and curated by historian and former British GQ Editor-in-chief, Nicholas Foulkes.
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10/22/2020 10:27 am UTC
Gift suggestions from EG contributor, Beau Hayhoe
Beau covers style and many of our buying guides here on Effortless Gent. You can find his articles here. Here are Beau’s picks for the EG gift guide:
Billy Reid Bond Peacoat
$620.49
Simply put, the Billy Reid Bond Peacoat is a surefire classic, as covetable as it gets. It’s been immortalized on screen (at least, for this James Bond) in the excellent 007 flick Skyfall, and ever since then, it’s been on my (mental) holiday wish list.
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10/22/2020 01:27 pm UTC
Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones
$249.00
I’m a big fan of indie rock and all things music, and seeing as live shows are off the table for a good long while, these crystal-clear headphones ought to serve as a fitting replacement when it comes to high-quality audio. They’re both Bluetooth capable and able to be plugged into a turntable, and that’s a 2-for-1 deal I can certainly get behind.
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10/22/2020 12:27 pm UTC
Todd Snyder Italian Suede Snap Dylan Jacket
$998
If you’ve read my work or follow me on social media, you know I’m a huge fan of the work being done by NYC menswear designer Mr. Todd Snyder. The Dylan Jacket is up at the top of my holiday wish list for its perfect blend of refinement, style and just enough rugged appeal. Available in several colors.
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Shinola The Guardian Leather Watch
$588.00
As you might have guessed, my home state pride runs deep, even though I’m in Brooklyn now and not Michigan. Shinola was the “It” brand for me through my college years, and a handsome and refined watch like this is every bit as covetable for me now as then.
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10/22/2020 12:27 pm UTC
Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots
$329.99
Another classic from the annals of modern menswear lore, the Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots have never failed to catch my eye, in the wild or on digital shopping shelves. Growing up in Michigan, I was more of a Wolverine boots fan (home state pride!), but Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots are simply unbeatable these days.
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10/22/2020 09:50 pm UTC
Gift suggestions from Barron
And here’s my wish list, I mean, picks for this gift guide!
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 2-in-1 Wall & Portable Charger
$39.99
I've consistently recommended this over the past several years, and it's still one of the most useful things I own. I always keep one in my work bag or plugged in by my desk. Best of all, it's always charged whenever I'm on the go and need some extra juice. (Pick up these charging cables while you're at it.)
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10/22/2020 06:29 pm UTC
The Pakt Coffee Kit
$160
This thing is beyond cool. If you love great coffee and you travel a lot, you'll want to own one of these. It's basically a portable electric pour-over system in a small case. Comes with everything you need to make great coffee on the road!
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Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Watch
$375.99
This Hamilton has a rugged aesthetic with a 24h military time dial in a compact package (38mm case) that looks great on most wrists. It's the perfect everyday casual / outdoor lifestyle-friendly watch!
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10/22/2020 06:29 pm UTC
Sonos One Voice Controlled Smart Speaker
$199.00
Sonos One is the powerful smart speaker with built-in voice control. Get rich, room-filling sound with Sonos one, and control it with voice, the Sonos app, Apple Airplay2, and more.
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10/22/2020 06:29 pm UTC
Hook & Albert Garment Luggage Carry-On
$495
This is a definite upgrade from the Hook & Albert Garment Duffel, which I also love, but sometimes I'm just lazy to schlep a duffel bag to the airport. This carry-on takes it to the next level, marrying the convenience of a small roller with the utility of a garment bag.
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How To Start Leather Crafting
I've been interested in leather crafting for a few years but never really knew where to start. The folks at Corter Leather (an indie shop who makes awesome leather goods) partnered with Weaver Leather Supply for this how-to video + set of supplies to get you started right away.
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Which of these make your holiday wishlist?
What would you add to it? And what’s on your wishlist this holiday season?
Feature image via GiftPundits
#SmartCasual #GiftGuides
