Holiday Gift Guides 2018: Brick + Mortar
Exemplary gifts found in real-life stores
With just a few days left to prepare, shopping for presents online may no longer be an option. For those who need to make the dash to brick-and-mortar stores, we have selected a bunch of gifts that are available at retail outposts all over—from NYC to Nashville, Miami to Minneapolis, SF to Seattle. Chances are there are a couple of these retailers in or near your town. And if our diverse Brick and Mortar Gift Guide doesn’t appear to have the solution to your needs, consider the product categories for a little extra inspiration.
2006 Palmes d’Or 
Elegant and creamy, this champagne’s allure lies in a subtle and more accessible effervescence. Made by France’s number one selling champagne brand domestically, Nicolas Feuillatte, it’s a balanced blend—equal parts pinot noir and chardonnay—that’s nuanced but bright. Whether drinking it as an aperitif or with food (think seafood, fish, or even citrus desserts), this is a wine to share with loved ones. The dramatic, textured bottle only adds to the occasion, and was apparently inspired by an opera diva (and her ever-present black pearls) who beguiled Feuillatte. Available at most quality wine retailers.
If They Come for Us: Poems 
Fatimah Asghar encapsulates her experiences as a Pakistani and Muslim woman living in the USA in her glorious book of poems: If They Come for Us. Asghar (also a co-creator of the award winning web-series Brown Girls) explores identity, race, sexuality, loss and violence through thoughtful and tender prose. Each piece seems to blossom. Inventive, powerful, and entirely beautiful, Asghar’s poems enthrall. Available at Target.
Amish Popcorn Library 
Packed inside this “Amish Popcorn Library” are 12 separately packaged varietals of corn grown in Indiana’s Amish country. Each four ounce bag is one serving—enough for a few light snackers or one hungry human. They’re non-GMO, tender and colorful alternatives to the industrialized kernels inside supermarket bags. And, you’re purchasing directly from a family farm when you buy a box—Brian Lehman’s to be exact. Available at Williams Sonoma.
Bump Jug 
Tom Dixon is known for eccentric designs and playful iterations of everyday objects, and his glorious Bump Jug is no exception. With a high-arching handle, tall spout, and curves for days, it’s a charming design. (Not to mention its dreamy, translucent pink and grey hues). This vessel can hold 750ml and does so with style. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Coming Soon.
MW07 Earphones 
Master & Dynamic has released the MW07—their iteration of compact, case-carry bluetooth earphones. The brand has made—and perfected—over-ear and standalone headphones, but this is their foray into the growing wireless earbud market. The technical specs in these tiny devices are inexplicably good—making them some of the best sounding in-ear speakers out there. 10mm Beryllium drivers deliver rich, deep sound to listeners and the handcrafted acetate looks great. They’re packed away, when not in use, in a stainless steel case that also acts as its charger. And no worries about either of them falling out of the ear—the wide range of bulbs and “fit wings” lets you customize the size to your liking. Available at Best Buy.
Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery
Emma Sibley’s Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery is quite literally a little book packed with inspiration for plant-enthusiasts—especially those attempting to create a garden in a small space. With a breakdown of 60 popular plants, Sibley explains how to care for them and and includes notes on what to expect—height, growth, flowering, and more. Available at Urban Outfitters.
Roku Gin 
Suntory has established itself as a powerhouse in the whisky world—winning awards for products ranging from the entry level Toki to the overwhelmingly magnificent Yamazaki. International travelers may already be familiar with Suntory’s Roku Gin, but this year it has made its way to the US market. Featuring six distinct Japanese botanicals—including the divine Sakura flower, prickly Sanshō pepper and nuanced Yuzu peel—on top of eight traditional gin botanicals, Roku Gin’s bouquet rewards unlike any other in the category. This is a gin some should actually drink neat. Available at most quality liquor stores.
Worry Beads 
With the look of a ceremonial relic, these Worry Beads—also known as kombolói—from Fredericks and Mae are a modern take on those of Greek and Cypriot culture. The wooden beads are made to fiddle with as a means of passing time. Available in three sizes and many colorways, when not in use, they also make a great decorative piece thanks to a pleasant horse hair tassel. Available at various retailers.
Bibliothèque Hair Perfume 
Thanks to notes of vanilla and peach, BYREDO’s Bibliothèque scent counters leather undertones with a rounded sweetness. One of the brand’s most popular candle fragrances, Bibliothèque is just now available in perfume and hair perfume—the latter of which creates a powdery and fresh feeling that continues throughout the day. Available at Barneys.
Panama Textured-Leather Wallet 
Made in Italy, this textured-leather wallet is divided into four compartments so that you can keep various currencies, IDs, tickets, notes and more in their right place. The cheerful sky-blue colorway is contrasted by four different colored zips, and the luxurious cross-grain calf leather will age beautifully. It’s available in eight colorways—including metallic versions. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Watch, Thoroughly Revised 
HODINKEE‘s Stephen Pulvirent joins Gene Stone on a revision of the latter author’s iconic guide to mechanical watches, originally published in 2006. Here, both experts probe the state of the watch industry today, address new brands and the continued impact of traditional leaders like Omega and Cartier. In conjunction with magnificent photography, the analysis and insight provided in this hardcover release will inform beginners and intrigue experts. Available at Barnes and Noble.
Sibley Sunglasses 
Warby Parker‘s just-launched Pupils Project Collection includes sunglasses and spectacles designed with notable New Yorkers like Gloria Steinem, Iman, Rosario Dawson, Michael K Williams and others. Our pick is Humberto Leon’s sharp, rectangular Sibley design—made from hand-polished cellulose acetate. Best of all, 100% of each purchase will go to the Pupils Project—which offers kids from low-income households vision screenings and eye exams at school, as well as free glasses (that they choose) if they need them. Available at Warby Parker.
Istros Aromatique Room Spray 
Just the right amount of smoky and floral, Istros Aromatique delicately fragrances a room, without being overwhelming. With pink pepper, lavender and tobacco, the scent is earthy but floral, invigorating and soothing. The 100ml bottle will last a good while, and the design is sophisticated enough not to hide away in bathroom cupboards. Available at Aesop.
Images courtesy of respective brands
