Here it is! The sixth annual holiday gift guide for those of you who need some inspiration for the holidays. You’d be surprised how many folks tell me that they (or their partners) are lousy at gift-giving … it is definitely a skill that, like any skill, gets better when worked on, and it’s something that I love being good at. Sometimes my gifts are duds, but I try and have had some good wins this past year.
A tiny piece of advice? The best thing to do is to hone your observation skills, and keep an eye out for things that they covet, and do a little poking around to see what it is about that shirt/dress/accessory/handbag that is so appealing. It took me a long time to figure out that what Kristen loved most about the purses we kept looking at was a kiss clasp (and then a little longer to figure out what the name for that metal closure dohickey really was), but then I found a really great purse for her last year during the holidays.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Occupy movement lately … I think it’s really important to put our money where our mouth is and to shop locally and buy from indie and queer artists as much as possible this holiday season. It really does make a difference to make some specific choices about what to do with your money. Spend the time to find things locally, if you can. Spend the time to shop at independent stores. I know it’s more time consuming, but sometimes it can be really easy.
I’ve tried to link to as many local, small business type of places as possible. Sometimes I’m linking to Amazon not necessarily because you should get it there (though if you do, and use my links, thanks for that—I do get a teeny little kickback), but because I’m trying to show you what the product is so you can go find it at whatever source you might have near you.
Hope it is helpful!
THINGS I’M WISHING FOR
‘Cause Santa, I’ve been a very good boy.
A black leather belt (with a removeable buckle), also called a “belt strap,” usually comes all by itself for around $20. I love belt buckles. I have a bunch of belts, but somehow I am missing a good solid black leather belt—and I mean good leather, I bought one last year maybe that ended up being “man made leather” and has frayed and broken down and warped and feels lousy. So here’s some suggestions: Easy, simple distressed leather belt from Amazon. Beltmaster has some good ones in various styles. A nice one on etsy that comes with a buckle, very plain and simple, comes in nice color options, great to start somebody out with a belt buckle collection if they haven’t started that yet. And last but not least, if you’re looking at this for a kinkster, you might consider scrapping the interchangeable buckle belt and just going for a bondage belt from Aslan Leather. Don’t forget, you might have a local leather store! Shop locally! And if you want to get them started with a belt buckle collection, too, there is every kind of belt buckle imaginable on etsy. Whatever their interests, just put that + “belt buckle” into the search box and you’ll find something rad. (Bird + belt buckle; car + belt buckle; bicycle + belt buckle; you can even get ’em customized.)
Neckties … Kristen at some point said she’d never know which to get me, since I have so many. I said, you know, it’s not so much about getting me some special one that I don’t have as much as it’s about picking out one that you like, which will remind me that it came from you when I wear it. She has since bought me two that I really like, a lavender one with filigree that I wear frequently and a striped bowtie that still needs to make its debut. I would love a few more bowties for my collection. I keep going back to thetiebar.com because they have great sorting options, but there are also plenty of local stores and discount outlets (Filene’s, Century 21) that are excellent tie sources. I tend to prefer non-silk ties these days because the silk ones are a little more formal, but then again a good silk tie is pretty darn great. A good tie bar is also a great thing for someone you know with a tie collection … I’d love one with something fun on it, like a personal message on the back (etsy has everything), or little flame.
A really good bottle of whiskey is always a good gift for me, right size and color, as they say. I like having a little bit of a whiskey collection around … and I haven’t tried the Maker’s 46 yet, though looking forward to that. I’ve been collecting a bit of the whiskey accoutrements lately and have some really nice glasses and a small bitters collection, but I’d still like a big ice cube tray that will make extra big ice cubes. If the whiskey drinker in your life doesn’t have any bitters yet, the Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Aromatic bitters are the classic. Pick up an awesome book about bitters while you’re at it.
On the more expensive side, I’d love a pair of leather chaps. But I don’t even know where to start to get those … probably the Leatherman here in NYC. That goes on the dream wishlist.
I’m kind of going back to the old staples of butch accessories here, I realize, but these are actually the things at the top of my list this year. I tried to give some ideas and options and not just say “a belt” and “a tie.” Hope that is helpful!
Toys that deserve to be in your toy chest
What’s that? You want to turn it up, buy some explicitly sexy stuff? Oh yes that is a great idea. Here’s a few suggestions for my favorite stuff.
I’m in progress of building a Cock Confidence Product Guide, where I’ll have a bunch of cock-centric stuff listed, like harnesses and accessories, all of which I recommend highly. So if you’re wanting something in that arena as a gift this holiday, know that is coming soon (and why they’re left off here).
See also: 2011 Valentine’s day gift ideas for more sexy things.
things I’ve bought kristen that were a hit
I can’t tell you what I’m planning for her this year (obviously, she reads this site), but I can tell you some of the wins from the past year, and I’ll link to the places I got ’em. Mostly Etsy.
Also, Erotica
Don’t forget the dirty books! Makes great stocking stuffers, if, you know, you’re into that.
Alright! That was all I wrote—now tell me, what do you really want this holiday? Any gifts you are particularly lusting after? Any gifts you gave in the past year or so that were particularly well-received? I’d love to know more gift-giving secrets or tips, if you’ve got ’em.
Great list! Hope you get everything you want.
One note: I recommend against getting a silicone ice tray if you are making fancy drinks or drinking good whiskey. The silicone flavors alcohol in a weird way in my experience (and most cocktail sites I’ve read.) There are some good hard plastic trays out there or you can even get a higher end desk organizer with large rectangles.
Merry merry,
Jack
Oh thanks Jack—that is great to know. I actually looked up your Tumblr trying to find the post you did (I think it was there?) about big ice cubes a while back, but couldn’t find it.
I recommend whiskey stones vs. ice cubes. I believe there are a few companies that make them. Won’t water out your drink!
Tess—I prefer ice, actually. But sure, there are some great whiskey stones out there.
For some quality bow ties (and limited ties) you should check out: http://thecordialchurchman.bigcartel.com/
She has some really great stuff for relatively cheap. And she’ll also turn your ties into bow ties.
My ice cube tip – make them with hotish water and the cubes should be clear instead of cloudy. It’s a nice trick for a pretty glass. Also – the belt in that pic? It would be wasted on someone’s waist ;)
Meridith—I’ve never heard that about hot water! That’s rad.
Also, I disagree: It would be foreplay around someone’s waist.
curiosity: what are the front two in your little whiskey stash? i love whiskey, of course, but i also adore whiskey bottles. i feel like they pay closer attention to their design than the other liquors. (personally, i have yet to drink anything better than knob creek, but i’m always interested in putting it to the test.)
Lady Brett: They are two local whiskeys, the front smallest one is Tuthilltown (http://www.tuthilltown.com/) and the other is Kings County Distillery (http://kingscountydistillery.com/). I love the Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon—that is amazing. Kings is much more peaty.
I hate to do this, Sugarbutch, but that whiskey ain’t whiskey. It’s bourbon. This is not a matter of regional opinion; it’s a matter of distillation.
Which “that whiskey” are you referring too? Bourbon is my favorite, and I think all four in the photo are bourbon. My impression is that bourbon is a kind of whiskey, so I can still call bourbon whiskey, though I can’t call all whiskey bourbon.
Sinclair-
Correct.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bourbon
(Definition 3.)
Thought you might be interested in whisky stones – I bought them recently for a femme friend who loves whisky (and hates when it is watered down due to melted ice cubes)!! http://www.teroforma.com/Set_of_9_Whisky_Stones_20187.html
Yes I know about whiskey stones, I’m actually one of those whiskey drinkers who prefers a little ice and a little bit of watered down. But thanks! Those are nice ones.