Holiday Gift Guide
Perfect presents for those with consuming passions
by INGRID SCHMIDT / photographs by BRIAN LEATART
After striking a chord with last year’s “Ist List,” we figured, Why not stick with a good idea? Because no matter how short your holiday roster is, there’s sure to be at least one picky person on it. Well, let the solutions start here. We’ve scouted this season’s bona fide desirables to satisfy even the most discerning “ists” on your list.
the Surrealist
With Chimera, Peter Eudenbach hatched an artful objet from a mere frill. Limited edition of 100. $150, artwareeditions.com.
the Sensationalist
Certainly not for the demure, the Erickson Beamon Medieval Swarovski crystal necklace is a big shiny moment that is sure to keep every eye on you. $605, net-a-porter.com.
the Individualist
Be the shining face in the crowd with these 24K Franz aviator sunglasses, handmade and numbered in Berlin by Mykita & Bernhard Willhelm. $749, H. Lorenzo, 310-659-0058.
the Pragmatist
When the woman who has to carry everything needs a big bag, she wants an elegant big bag. And that is the chic foursided, luxe-leather take on the classic Birkin by Slow and Steady Wins the Race. $1,150, Ten Over Six, 323-330-9355.
the Hellenist
Beyoncé gifted Jay-Z with this black sapphire and rhodium Spartan ring designed by Maxim of electronica band the Prodigy for British jewelry line BR Republic. Enough said. $680, House on Genesee, 323-845-9821.
the Romanticist
Hermès’ Les Maisons Enchantées porcelain-faience dinnerware, engraved by printmaker François Houtin, imparts a spot of elegance. Cup and saucer, $90; pot, $715, 310-278-6440.
the Fantasist
Fornasetti Profumi per la Casa packs a clever incense burner with archival graphics and 40 smoky-herbal sticks in a playful wooden box with ceramic lid. $220, ronrobinson.com.
the Machinist
For his Spin Table Candelabra, designer Tom Dixon took inspiration from the cast-iron components of Victorianera steam engines. $600, Turpan, 310-451-9500.
the Cocoonist
These rich, luxurious throws—hand-woven in Argentina from the finest wool for Pehuén Patagonia Designs—are the stuff cozy nights are made of. From $445, pehuendesigns.com.
the Spiritualist
Age has its rewards, especially if it’s a 44-year-old single malt. Bottles of Gold Bowmore 1964 are still available. And at $6,900, you will savor every drop. Wally’s, 310-475-0606.
the Alchemist
When fine bittersweet chocolate gets sprinkled with gray sea salt, it is nothing short of miraculous. The result is Poco Dolce. $24, Turpan, 310-451-9500.
the Hedonist
Equally spicy and sweet, the Babe cigar—part of La Palina Family Series—is Bill Paley’s tribute to his oh so fashionable mother. $24 each, Hollywood Smoke, 310-396-1661.
the Modernist
There’s no need to put down your fine cigar to sip your drink with Arnolfo di Cambio smoke glasses designed by Joe Colombo in three styles. $290–$320 for two, fitzsu.com.
the Cigarist
Those Cohibas call for a smoking-haute resting place. This sculptural glass Battuto cigar tray by Justin Parker for Esque Studio is textured to resemble hammered copper. $4,800, Twentieth, 323-904-1200.
the Gastronomist
Give gilty pleasures: Bottega Louie macarons, dusted with decadent 24K gold, in heavenly flavors from white truffle to Sicilian pistachio. Eleven-piece gift box, $30, 213-802-1470.
the Naturalist
Add tea towels to the “Can’t have too many…” quote. Specifically, Makelike’s hand-screened forest series on 100 percent European linen. $26, shop.makelike.com.
the Mixologist
Home cocktailians can have the crystalline ice bartenders swear by. The Kalorik Ice Cube Maker can freeze 33 pounds of cubes a day in three sizes. Cool. $285, amazon.com.
the Functionalist
Form, function and whimsy come together in Alessi’s Scoiattolo stainless-and-wood nutcracker by Andrea Branzi. Sometimes you just feel like a nut. $120, unicahome.com.
the Linkist
Think of the Garmin Approach S1—the first waterproof GPS watch with thousands of golf-course maps—as an early warning system for hazards. $250, buy.garmin.com.
the Mineralogist
For those who want to keep files close at heart, Swarovski’s crystal-bedecked pink pig USB memory key has a clasp that turns it into a pendant. $100, swarovski.com.
the Illuminist
This sleek, petite Foscarini Binic Lamp by Ionna Vautrin, inspired by a lighthouse on the coast of Brittany, is a beacon of light in a dark world—in six colors. $262, ylighting.com.
the Technologist
The Apple TV’s little black box may be the end of television as we know it and the start of a brave new world of streaming. And you control it all from your iPhone or iPad. $99, apple.com.
the Cubist
Miller Goodman ShapeMaker blocks, made of sustainable hardwood and nontoxic paint, meld function and design. Don’t tell the kids and ruin it! $68, thewoodenwagon.com.
the Tenderfootist
These fetching handmade booties keep feet warm on chilly mornings—and proceeds support the continued efforts of the Snow Leopard Trust. $12–$25, snowleopard.org.
the Altruist
Part of the Nonlife Zoo project by Asian design duo Biaugust, this kitschy keychain, with an eco-tote tucked inside, raises awareness of animal extinction. $24, mollaspace.com.
the Assemblagist
The art of origami meets the machine age in the Piperoid paper-craft kit—Robot Rokusuke the samurai and his dog Hachi are all cut-and-fold assembly. $16, janmstore.com.
the Motorist
This vintage-inspired push car by venerable French toy company Vilac is a plug-free classic. $130, conranusa.com.
the Revivalist
In the limited-edition My Freedamn! 9: Freak Out Fashions from Hippies to Punks, Rin Tenaka spotlights ’70s rock looks—in a book disguised as an LP. $77, myfreedamn.com.
the Serialist
The 10-volume series in English by French magazine Cahiers du Cinema profiles legendary directors, from Kubrick to Burton. Features rare set photos. $10 each, phaidon.com.
the Musicologist
David Byrne’s label Luaka Bop is releasing Studies of Tom Zé: Explaining Things So I Can Confuse You, a box set of rare vinyl recordings from the Brazilian master. $70, luakabop.com.
the Artist
Doug Aitken transforms 1,000 responses to “What is your idea of the West?”—along with insights from fellow artists—into, yes, The Idea of the West. $70, mocastore.org.
the Adventurist
Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing water sports, which makes Coreban’s line perfect for SoCal gifting. Boards from $1,349, Stand Up Paddle Sports, 805-962-7877.
the Accompanist
It’s a harmonica...no, it’s a keyboard. When instrument makers Suzuki and Hammond collaborate, the Hammond 44 Electric Melodion is both—and more. $499, guitarcenter.com.
the Guitarist
What ax player wouldn’t want to make picks from his expired driver’s license and credit cards with the Pick Punch Tool? Hours of amusement! $25, urbangeneralstore.com.
the Recreationist
These scooters with high-speed racing rims—available in a trio of sizes—prove the Amish, who make them, know about nonmotorized conveyance. From $245, reformschoolrules.com.
the Fabulist
The perfect perch for any storyteller’s rapt audience, these statement cushions are equally good for putting your feet up to read the paper. Zig Zag Poufs by Donna Wilson for SCP, knit at a centuries-old mill in Wales, are hand-stuffed, upholstered calico bags. From $365. thefutureperfect.com.
the Diarist
Limited-edition Holly Fulton for Smythson notebooks, adorned with charming Deco-inspired illustrations by the designer—who once crafted jewelry for Lanvin—are perfect for stylish recollections. Panama notebooks, $122; diary, $205, smythson.com.
the Sartorialist
How truly original. A gift certificate that lets him select any combination of fabric, collar and cuff options, plus all the trimmings (from monogram to buttons to thread color) to create his own made-to-measure shirt with local menswear label Native Son. $300, Confederacy, 323-913-3040.
the Knottyist
Tom Ford’s twist on the bow tie, impeccably tailored in grosgrain or silk, may just make converts to this cravat style. Order only, from $220, Neiman Marcus, 310-550-5900.
the Stylist
This paillette-spangled, floral-embroidered silk and cotton scarf lives up to what Belgian designer Dries Van Noten is known for—a poetic textural mix. $1,432, monamoore.com.
the Pointillist
Tod’s toe-shoe inspired flat—satin ribbons included—celebrate the company’s sponsorship of legendary Milan theater Teatro alla Scala’s upcoming season. $575, 310-285-0591.
the Continentalist
Designer Tsumori Chisato reinterprets Petit Bateau’s perennially stylish French sailor stripes for the mini set in a limited-edition romper, bib and security blanket. $146 for the set, petit-bateau.com.
the Cultist
Nothing quite says Christmas like a comprehensive limited-edition 25th-anniversary multimedia collection of the collaboration between Danny Elfman and Tim Burton. $500, preorder at burtonelfman.com.
the Devotionalist
House Industries transformed one of iconic midcentury-modern textile designer Alexander Girard’s drawings into a stylish crèche. $420, Heath Ceramics, 323-965-0800.
the Shootist
Inspired by images reminiscent of ’60s-era Super 8 mm films, Superheadz created the fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand Harinezumi digital camera. Shoots in black-and-white and color, video and still. $220, aplusrstore.com.
the Fusionist
When brass-toned metal, black-leather and cream textured surfaces combine in the hinged Balenciaga Galuchat bracelet, it’s a formula for style. $470, mytheresa.com.
the Minimalist
Clever of Alexander Wang to create a tailored clutch of croc-textured leather that looks for all the world like a chic notebook. $625, saksfifthavenue.com.
Categories: Art / Entertaining / Fashion / Gifts / Interior / Interiors+Interior Design / Photos
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Thanks for the recommendations! I really like all of the ideas, but I think you're missing something clutch: a skull guitar for the rocker!
Posted by: Skull Guitar Lover | 03/30/2011 at 01:12 PM
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Posted by: jeremy scott wings | 12/08/2011 at 11:02 PM