For last-minute shoppers the pressure’s persisting. Now stop all the fretting, resist all the listing! So just pick a letter and without even trying, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying the buying. The presents are here, from jewelry to treats. But just to be safe, always get gift receipts.
By Michael Solomon, Forbes Staff
Westward; Clermont; frey ranch
|A| American Single Malts
Unlike bourbon or rye, there aren’t strict rules about what constitutes an American single malt whiskey. About all that’s required is that the whiskey is produced from malted barley at a sole U.S. distillery, but after that things are, well, pretty fluid. And that’s what makes the category so interesting right now as independent and major distilleries experiment and innovate. Above all, there are no shots to be found here—only drams.
Westward Whiskey Milestone ($250); Clermont Steep ($60); Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked Whiskey ($60)
Bentley; vespa
|B| Baby Buggies
Are these strollers? Toys? Or just a clever way to make sure a child begins life with a fine set of wheels? The Bentley Trike ($499), for instance, is a 6-in-1 convertible tricycle (for children 6 months to 5-plus years) designed in collaboration with the legendary British car marque. The seats feature Bentley’s signature cross-stitching, the wheels are based on the Continental GT and, yes, the famed Bentley emblem is on the trike’s hood. For those who prefer a two-wheeled ride, the Vespa 12V Scooter ($269) is delightful way to introduce your favorite bambino to la dolce vita. The Vespa (meant for children 3 to 6) runs on a 12V battery and comes with genuine leather seats, side mirrors, and functioning headlights for little night riders.
louis vuitton
|C| Coffee
Louis Vuitton’s Louis Monogram Cup ($995) may be a cheeky upgrade from your local Starbucks’ finest, but there is a serious eco-friendly message behind it—the reusable porcelain cup with leather trim is meant to replace the disposable ones. Bonus points for spelling Louis’ name right.
Tudor; Seiko; Omega
|D| Divers
Most people who wear dive watches may not even wade past the shoreline, but that doesn’t diminish their rugged (and practical) good looks—including legible dials with bright luminescent indices. And for those who really do go deep, these timepieces can be a life saver.
Tudor Pelagos FXD ($4,150); Seiko Prospex Marinemaster ($2,800); Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer ($14,300)
trek
|E| E-Bike
Riding a bicycle can be a great way to get around town, but for those who appreciate a little pedal pushing now and then, using an e-bike makes those uphill battles easier. The Electra Loft Go 7D ($2,000) can reach an assisted top speed of 20mph from the 250Wh battery that powers the rear hub. It features a 7-speed derailleur and an LED display on the handlebar that allows a rider to monitor battery life.
Williams Sonoma
|F| Fridge
Looking for a gift for the coolest Champagne drinker in your life? You can do no better than the SMEG x Veuve Clicquot Retro Refrigerator ($6,000). Clad in Veuve Clicquot’s signature orange, the one-door refrigerator has three adjustable glass shelves, racks and bins, and a freezer compartment. And if you can live with one less bottle of Champagne in the fridge, it can probably even hold some fresh orange juice—you know, for mimosas.
Dior
|G| Goggles
Designed in collaboration with the Swedish equipment brand POC, these Dior ski goggles ($900) feature a flexible frame with triple-layer foam and blue mirror lens with an additional lens for low-light conditions. As for the style cred, it can only go downhill from here.
Our place
|H| Hot Stuff
Like its kitchen cousin the Always Pan, the Wonder Oven ($195) by Our Place is a triumph of form and function—or in this case, multifunction. The compact device has six cooking settings—roast, toast, bake, broil, air fry and reheat—with temperatures that range from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. (It can also preheat in less than two minutes.) Think of it as a smart toaster—a really smart toaster.
Moleskin
|I| Ingenious
Moleskine’s Smart Writing Set ($279) may have been around for a few years, but it still feels like it was sent from the future. Combining a smart notebook with a smart pen (that uses actual ink), the writing set brings notetaking into the 21st century by creating a digital copy of every page in a companion app. Like any good magic trick, don’t try to figure out how it’s done—just appreciate the sleight of hand.
Piaget; cartier; Jager
|J| Just Because…
The holidays are a time to indulge so why not mark the occasion with an elegant timepiece? Piaget’s Limelight High Jewelry Watch (price upon request) features a rose gold bracelet set with sapphires and a turquoise dial. Meanwhile, the Cartier Baignoire ($11,800) made a triumphant return this year—the oval watch, which dates back to 1912, was reborn as a mini bangle. And Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso One Precious Colours (price upon request) embraces its timeless androgyny—the watch, which was created for polo players in the 1930s with a reversible case to protect the dial, now features a case back with Art Deco-inspired grand feu enamel and 277 diamonds.
Bodman
|K| Knife
Here’s a sharp idea for the serious cook in your life: Bodman Blades’ six-inch Nikiri Knife ($985) is hand-forged from Damascus steel with a handle made of Indonesian Spalted Tamarind wood. Created by British chef and farmer Ben Bodman, the Nakiri knife is ideal for slicing or chopping vegetables and cutting boneless meats. It’s also just beautiful to look at.
ray ban
|L| Lenses
The new Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses ($299) aren’t just Instagram-worthy—they can post on it, too. Designed in the classic Wayfarer style (either for shades or clear lenses), the Ray-Bans are packed with a suite of multimedia options: a camera, speakers, and other communications tools. Just don’t let someone become a “glasshole.”
Verdura
|M| Magnificent
As the late astronomer Carl Sagan famously taught us, “The cosmos is within us. We are all made of star-stuff.” For those who take that celestial sentiment to heart, Verdura’s Stardust Necklace ($87,500) is fashioned from rainbow moonstones, diamonds and white gold. And it’s out of this world.
Atari
|N| Nostalgia
Barbie wasn’t the only vintage toy that made a comeback this year. The Atari 2600—which debuted in 1977 and was inducted into the National Toy Hall of fame 30 years later—was rebooted in 2023. The Atari 2600+ ($130) has the same look as the original console and comes with a joystick and a 10-in-1 game cartridge. Among the old school lineup: Missile Command, Combat and Video Pinball.
mont blance; globe trotter; airwheelshop
|O| Overhead
Prudent packers have long known the secret to stress-free air travel: Keep calm and carry on. But such a strategy also requires having the right luggage. Earlier this year, British luggage maker Globe-Trotter collaborated with Tyler the Creator’s Golf le Fleur brand to create a second capsule collection. The Globe-Trotter x Golf le Fleur Carry-On ($2,295) is made of cream-colored vulcanized fiberboard with pastel leather corners with an interior that features a water-resistant cheetah-print lining. The Montblanc #MY4810 Compact Cabin Trolley ($965) is a sleek polycarbonate suitcase with leather trim that has smart organization pockets inside. But the Airwheel SE3S Smart Luggage Carry-on ($899) may outsmart them all. The Airwheel trolley can be pushed, pulled, or (with one switch) ridden to a gate, thanks to an internal motor that can travel up to 6 miles at a top speed of 8mph. And should someone forget where they parked, the suitcase has an anti-loss alarm.
leica
|P| Photography
The Leica Sofort 2 ($399) is the venerable German camera brand’s second foray into the hybrid market—meaning it’s an instant camera that marries digital and film photography. The Sofort 2 also allows a user to print from the camera’s internal memory, a microSD card (for many more images), or over Bluetooth from the Leica app. And, no, it doesn’t make phone calls.
sleeper
|Q| Quiet Time
Ever since the world began working from home, the loungewear trend has shown no signs of slowing down. Thanks to the festive detachable feathers on its pants cuffs and shirt, the Sleeper Party Pajamas Set ($399) can go from day to night—and back again,. Either way, don’t lose sleep over it.
Rower
|R| Row, Row, Row
A stationary bike or a treadmill may provide intense at-home workouts, but they’ll never be mistaken for a work of art. The Waterrower Performance Ergometer Rowing Machine ($1,599), shown here in walnut, is a piece of exercise equipment worthy of the MoMA Design Store. And the patented water-filled flywheel makes a whooshing sound while you row, giving you the illusion that you’re actually on a river.
Chanel
|S| Skates
Start someone’s new year on a roll with a pair of calfskin Chanel Roller Skates (price upon request). And should they decide to hit the brakes on skating for a while, the wheels detach to create a pair of chic high-top sneakers.
dressing; CARBON; Slim Aarons
|T| Très Chic
You know what glams up a room? A beautiful coffee table book. In Dressing The Part ($40), veteran fashion journalist Hal Rubenstein chronicles television’s most stylish shows and characters—from Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe obsession to Olivia Pope’s white trench to Mrs. Maisel’s marvelous hats. In Pharell: Carbon Pressure & Time ($65), musician and Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director Pharrell Williams takes readers inside his personal jewelry collection, including several pieces he created with Jacob & Co., Lorraine Schwartz and other designers. And nearly 20 years after his death, fashion photographer Slim Aarons is still inspiring designers, decorators and other photographers with his eternally sophisticated images of high society. Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection ($175) is the definitive celebration of his glamorous career, including 100 previously unpublished works.
scullyandscully
|U| Unnecessary
Let’s face it, the kind of person you would actually buy a backscratcher for, probably wants a fancy one—like Scully & Scully’s sterling silver and ebony backscratcher ($895). The rest of us can just make do with a wooden spoon.
Obsidian
|V| Volume
Taking its inspiration from the glassy stone formed by volcanos, the Pantheone Obsidian ($1,399) is a portable stereo speaker with a 15-hour battery life. Perfect for a hard rock lover.
new-Angels Envy-Russells-Mitcher
|W| Whiskey Heaven
There are two main issues with giving someone one of the most collectible whiskies in the world. For one, they’re almost impossible to buy in a local liquor store. For another, the suggested retail price is barely a suggestion—they sometimes sell for two, three or even 10 times as much. But why let that stop you?
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F ($300); Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye ($600); Michter’s 25 Year Bourbon ($1,500)
Minerva
|X|XXX
This simple gold-plated necklace by Minerva ($130) has a naughty (but nice) secret. When the wearer turns it on, it does the same in return.
PETROSSIAN; GUCCI; BONILLA CHIPS;
|Y| Yum!
For those who celebrate season’s eatings, these tinned treats may not make it to New Year’s Eve. Bonilla a la Vista Patatas Fritas ($46) can deliver a Spanish café vibe to any potato chip lover. Gucci Osteria’s Traditional Pannetone ($160) is a modern take on a holiday favorite from Michelin-starred Italian chef Massimo Bottura. And Petrossian’s Masterpiece Trio ($490) features three 50 mg tins of caviar, including Royal Baika, Royal Daurenki, and Royal Ossetra.
alef
|Z| Zowie!
Depending on how old you are, flying cars have been promised since somewhere between The Jetsons in 1962 and Back to the Future in 1985. And while plenty of entrepreneurs and automotive brands are vying to produce one, very few actually look like cars. But this fall, at the Detroit Auto Show, California-based Alef Aeronautics unveiled its Model A flying car prototype, which resembles the kind of sports car Batman might drive on weekends. For a $500 down payment—or $1,500 for priority ownership—customers can pre-order the Model A (with an estimated sticker price of $300,000), which is expected to begin production in 2025. By the way, you know who else doesn’t need roads? Santa. Just sayin’.
All products were independently selected. Forbes is not compensated by the retailers listed in this gift guide.
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