You know how I get down. As a lifestyle
writer, auto journalist and beverage expert, it took all year for me to round
up these dope gifts and save you the time. And truly, anyone will enjoy these gifts. I just love writing about what I would dig and wanted to theme it. Enjoy!
Wear It Out!
Michoud &
Irish Timepieces
Michoud &
Irish has addressed a necessary niche: creating high-quality, classy and
stunning wristwatches that are still affordable for everyone ranging from those
starting their collection to the most dedicated timepiece enthusiast. Their
latest addition to the family, LE COMMANDANT, welcomes stylish gents to take a dive
into luxury with this gorgeous, sport-ready, fully functional gift to the wrist. Michoud-irish.com
BM Franklin & Co. Custom Hats
Like their many celebrity clients, consider yourself
royalty and wear a customized crown handcrafted at BM Franklin & Co. Originally
based in New York City, this renowned trendsetter of haberdashery has a new
location in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead District. Set up a custom fitting
appointment and standout from the rest in style. Trust, these hats are dope! Bmfranklinco.com
Kalarô Wrist
Straps
Renowned for her stellar
work in various industries, Filipino-American photographer Kat
Goduco was inspired in 2020 to create Kalarô out of
need and practicality fused with styling reflective of the artistry she has
been emersed in during her globetrotting assignments. Both professional and
novice photographers will appreciate these funky, multi-purpose camera wrist straps
which can also be used for a clutch, flashlights, drone controllers and gimbals
to name a few. The Sentinel is Kalarô’s flagship product that comes in eight
color varieties. Kalarogear.com
Bring It Home!
SawyerTwain
Luxury Gaming Furniture
If you want to
step up and make your game room simply incredible, Sawyer Twain has the perfect solution with their
upscale furnishings focused around fun. Everything from luxurious handmade pool
tables to table tennis, shuffleboard, card tables and luxurious furniture for
everyday use, SawyerTwain’s got your back. Sawyertwain.com
BDI Furniture
Milo Aluminum Laptop Stand
Make your working
from home situation more functional with this stylish and durable laptop table.
Lightweight and crafted by the award-winning designer Louis A. Lara, it can be
moved around the room to accommodate your different needs whether you are
working from home on your laptop, reading a book or just need a place to set
your cup of coffee. It’s the right size with a modern design that will
certainly upgrade any space with modern style. Bdiusa.com
Methane
Studios 21st Century Schizoid Brand Book
Owners of the award-winning
Methane Studios specializing in illustration and design—Mark McDevitt and
Robert Lee—deliver their first book, 21st Century Schizoid Brand. This 508-page
hardback flaunts 1000 limited-edition posters and print designs they created for
numerous music acts during their 22-year experience including Dave Matthews
Band, Jack White and the Black Keys to name a few. Anecdotes, sketches and
other details behind the process are also featured. It’s perfect page turning
for art and music lovers! Signed copies are also available. Methanestudios.com
SaltWorks Gourmet Salt Gift Set with Recipe Box
Now being “salty” is a cool thing thanks to SaltWorks’
Gourmet Salt Gift Set. Coming with six salt-fusion variations—Wild Porcini
Mushroom, Vintage Merlot, Espresso Brava, Lime Fresca, Black Truffle Sea Salt, and
Spanish Rosemary—your culinary skills will certainly elevate. With six different recipes included in this limited-edition box, any aspiring chef or established kitchen wizard will consider this THE GIFT! I also used the Smoked Salt Collection and let me tell you, my salmon is
already renowned, but the El Dorado Mesquite made it 5-star restaurant level. Whatever the flavor, this company knows their salts! They even have bath versions.
Seasalt.com
Hot Wheels!
Dodge Charger
Scat Pack Plus
Ball out and treat
yourself or make a loved one, well, truly feel loved with this monster
on wheels packing a 6.4-liter V8 HEMI engine powered by 485 mean horses. Terrorizing
streets and turning heads especially in Dodge’s signature “Go Mango” paint, the
very reasonable price tag starting under $40K will have you entering 2021
without looking back. Dodge.com
Honda Civic Type R Touring
Honda flexes serious muscle with the
2020 Civic Type R Touring. Already eye catching with the Fast & Furious-type
embellishments like the rear wing spoiler, Brembo brake calipers, and 20-inch
alloy wheels, the engine matches it with power; all 302 horses coming from the peppy,
turbocharged, four-cylinder engine to be exact. The six-speed manual adds to
the invigorating driving experience, plus fantastic handling and a
wallet-friendly price at 37K which includes the new Honda Sensing safety package.
This one is a winner! Honda.com
Lexus ES 350 F-Sport
Enter the upcoming
year with power, luxury, quality ride and a gorgeous design all in one thanks
to Lexus revered ES 350 sedan complete with the F-Sport upgrade. The 2021
version comes with a few upgrades as well including blind spot monitoring with
rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive variable suspension, and Lexus’ signature Enform
Safety Connect Suite with Wi-Fi to serve the demand for high-tech amenities. Look
out for the “Black Line” package as well for an even more stealthy impression. Lexus.com
Hip Sips!
Motu Viget Brut
Produced by the prestigious
Saint Julian Winery in West Michigan, the Motu Viget Brut (Mo-To Vi-Jay) has made
a big impression among sparkling wine lovers. Boasting notes of fresh pear and
apple with a slightly sweet finish of honey encased in a gorgeous foil-crowned
bottle, this libation is perfect for classy functions, cellars, crafting
cocktails or simply pleasing palates craving for a delectable adult beverage at
13 percent ABV. Order online without breaking the bank at a very reasonable $15.99
retail. Perfect for New Year’s Eve! Motuvigetspirits.com
Red Hazel
Whiskey
Enterprising siblings
Ty and TK Burtin have adventurously addressed the crowded whiskey market with this
cinnamon-flavored variety aimed to please everyone from the novice drinkers to
the most particular sippers. This libation delivers a subtle edge of spiciness
to make every session a sophisticated, yet extraordinary sipping experience
whether it’s presented as a traditional Old Fashioned, on the rocks or even neat.
Of course, you can make up your own concoction to wow the palate as well. Redhazel.net
Uncle Nearest Whiskey
The Uncle Nearest
brand dutifully—in a posthumous effort—pays homage to the first African-American
master distiller Nearest Green with a revered line of premium whiskey crafted
in Tennessee. Choose from three varieties—1820 Single Barrel Edition, 100-proof
1856 and 1884 Small Batch—paired with perhaps a Cohiba stick featured below. For
the whiskey enthusiast and libation historian, consider making a trip to the
Nearest Green Distillery built on a 270-acre property with attractions
continuously opening throughout the next few years. Unclenearest.com
Drinks by the
Dram’s Bourbon & American Whiskey Advent Calendar
Add some fun to
your typical advent calendar with Drinks by the Dram’s version that pairs a
variety of 12 mini styles of bourbons and whiskies to sample each day. Each
mini bottle is wax sealed and delivered in a cool, yet sturdy cardboard box
that converts into an advent calendar to help you count down the days of
libation enjoyment. Thespiritco.com
El Guapo Craft Cocktail Gift Set
Hone your craft
cocktail knowledge and mixology skills with a set of five popular mixers— Mojito,
Salted Paloma, Hurricane, Lemon Drop and Bloody Mary. The perfect gift for the
cocktail connoisseur in your life. Simply pour the contents of one bottle over
ice, add a shot of desired spirit (or not if you prefer a zero proof), and fill
to the brim with club soda (or tomato juice for the Bloody Mary). Recipes for
each flavor are printed on the box. This site even has fun ways to create cards
and personal message options to make this set even more special. Elguapobitters.com
ORCA Walker
Tote
Win cool points
by being the coolest person walking up to any event with the coolest cooler filled
with cooled drinks everyone can enjoy. The ORCA Walker Tote makers pound their
chest providing imbibers with this slick container able to hold up to 18 cans
or multiple wine bottles while keeping ice solid for up to three days. Magnetic
carry handles, padded shoulder straps, a leak-proof interior, and a waterproof
pocket for all the items that usually stuff your pockets seals the deal. Orcacoolers.com
Man Up!
Ovation
for Men
Ovation for Men owner Shawn Crenshaw proudly boasts his fragrance’s ability to balance a variety of notes including cardamom, leather, tobacco, vanilla, vetiver and amber into every application. Although this Eau De Parfum aims to crown particularly Black men with an olfactory aura of power and excellence, everyone is invited to experience an Ovation. Ovationfragrance.com Savoir
Faire Soul Cafe Eau de Parfum
How many fragrances on the market are blended, bottled and boxed by hand? Musician, influencer and entrepreneur Chris Classic makes it a prerogative to take time out from his stacked itinerary to perform all of those duties in order to provide the personal touch to his Savoir Faire Soul Cafe Eau de Parfum. Nose-pleasing scent blends of blood orange, black pepper, tobacco, lavender, firewood and Arabic coffee set the stage for a lifestyle of authority-meets-finesse. Visit the site for other scents, cigar clutches, earrings and eyewear as well. Savoirfaire.store Cohiba Cigars
Purposely placed as the closing gift, how about a cigar from the world-renowned Cohiba brand to light up and say goodbye to 2020 in style? Here’s an opportunity to bless an aficionado, occasional smoker or introduce a newcomer to a quality cigar experience. Add on one of Cohiba’s branded lighters, cigar cutters and ashtrays and you are sure to have the perfect holiday gift. The Royale—consisting of a three-country blend—is one of the newest additions to the family. Cohiba.com
Happy
Holidays!
