Brave Leather, a leather goods purveyor in Toronto that boasts designs handmade in Canada, has launched a make-your-own-belt service for people who require belts to keep their pants up (hey, some people don’t need them). There are many style options, like a zebra-striped number that says “Hey, welcome back from the Serangeti,” or, for the less adventurous, a brown belt. Everything is customizable, from the belt buckle to the stitching, but to those looking to advertise how much of a “QT LOLZ” they are around their waist: this is not that kind of business.
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Holiday Gift Guide 2011: the coolest iPhone dock in the world (we think so, anyway)
This Phonophone tabletop sound system ($600) was designed in Toronto by Science and Sons as an anachronistic alternative to electronic speakers. It hooks up directly to your iPhone’s ear buds and uses old-school gramophone technology to amplify the sound. Click here to see 20 other presents we picked out for working girls and Bay Street boys »
Available at scienceandsons.com.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: an espresso maker for people who don’t drink coffee by the pod
Forget those multicoloured pod-based insta-macchiatos. This machine is for purists who like their coffee ground, tamped and pummelled with boiling water. $750 (tamper, $95). Check out 10 other gifts for the big spender »
Available at Green Beanery (565 Bloor St. W., 416-588-7700 ext. 248).
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: the most awesome (and practical) gift for anyone who travels the globe
Sometimes looking like a tourist is unavoidable, but thankfully we’ve found these crumple-able maps ($20) that will at least save us the embarrassment of trying to neatly refold paper on a windy day (it’s not just embarrassing, it also takes a long time). These maps can take some abuse, but just remember that the scrunched-up ball in your pocket is a useful map, not garbage. Click here to see 18 other presents we picked out for the cosmopolitan »
Available at Type Books (427 Spadina Rd., 416-487-8973).
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: the perfect bag from Proenza Schouler
Despite its price tag ($1,875), Proenza Schouler’s PS1 is immensely popular among the city’s tastemakers. And here’s why: the suede is supple, the messenger bag size is exactly right, and the preppy look is still at the height of trendy. As such, it’s the perfect present for any gal. Click here to see 17 other presents we picked out for the ladies in our lives »
Available at Intermix (130 Bloor St. W., 416-925-0111) and The Room at The Bay (176 Yonge St., 416-861-6251).
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 30 fantastic presents for homebodies everywhere
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
For friends and family just moving into a new place or on the lookout for their next apartment, it’s nice to pick out gifts that will make those places feel like home. We scoured the city and found a fantastic hand-carved deer for a dose of Canadiana (it says, “Hey, I know I don’t live in a log cabin, but I can try”), a cord chair that beats those schoolhouse ones we used to think were cool and a selection of tchotchkes that aren’t likely to be re-gifted or simply tossed in the garbage. Check out 30 great holiday gifts for the homeowner in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 90 of the best presents money can buy
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and we’ve tackled the ever-difficult task of narrowing down a list of items that would be perfect for the men, women and children in your life. We find it is always a big to-do finding that special something for the wine snob who likes to aerate his or her wine, but we’ve got it covered, and to spare moms, dads, uncles, aunts and friends from waiting in line for this year’s Tickle Me Elmo, we’ve found some cool options for rug rats that won’t break down and send a greedy child into a tantrum. Check out the 90 presents that make up our 2011 ultimate holiday gift guide in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 17 eye-grabbing offerings for the finest fellas
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
The modern man is more complicated than the slipper-wearing, pipe-smoking, paper-reading image of yesteryear. This year’s gift guide reflects a different breed: instead of slippers, consider a pair of ultra-comfy cashmere socks from Harry Rosen, and while pipes are passé, a Siglo humidor will keep his cigars in pristine condition. But if you feel like embracing the stereotype for a moment, fear not—we still have a bottle-opening wrench for cracking a few brews before the big game. Check out 17 great holiday gifts for the modern man in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 21 execu-gifts for working girls and business bros
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
Any aspiring Tess McGills or Gordon Gekkos would be pleased to get any gift on our list for the Bay Street broker. There aren’t any miniaturized rock gardens, stress balls or Tiffany lamps because, let’s face it, we can do better than that. We’ve found a beautiful humidor to hold post-meeting cigars, a phonograph-shaped iPhone-docking system for when that Patrick Bateman–esque Walkman finally conks out, and a whisky decanter for when, um, the market crashes (or to celebrate—it’s up to him or her). Check out 21 amazing gifts for the executive on your list in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 18 yuletide treasures for the best darn gals ever
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
Pay no attention to what the advertisers tell you: there’s no gift “perfect for every woman in your life.” Still, we’re pretty sure discerning females will find a few things on this list to love. As the winter drags on, a Philip Lim muffler is sure to get a lot of use (and envious glares), and for women with a style all their own, we’ll show you where you can mix some custom fragrances. Finally, for that very special lady, we have a diamond necklace that won’t break the bank. Check out 18 gifts that are sure to make any gal smile in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 20 kid-friendly treasures for the little ones on your list
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
Let’s face it: shopping for kids is hard. The fads change every few months, and while we admit some toys today are pretty darn cool, there are plenty we just don’t get. Thankfully, the classics never go out of style. We hand-picked some charming stuffed animals that are sure to be the highlight of any collection, plus an ash toboggan that will encourage your kid to actually go outside, if only to show it off. And while we love a Charlie Brown–esque Christmas, there’s plenty of modern stuff, too, like wall-climbing robots and a hoodie that transforms your precious tyke into a terrifying lizard. Check out the 20 treasures just for the tots in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 19 fantastic finds for the at-home butcher, baker and boozer
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
Everyone needs to eat, but some people have more refined palates than others. For the wine snobs and fine diners in your life, we’ve compiled a list of great ideas for the at-home butcher, baker and boozer. Check out 19 fantastic finds for the foodie on your list in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 10 amazing tokens of affection for our favourite nerds
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
There was a time where an adult would be embarrassed to ask for a limited-edition Green Lantern statuette in its original box, but the times have changed. Geekdom is in vogue right now, and while you won’t find any comic-book heroes on this list, we’ve got plenty of must-haves for high-end enthusiasts. Tinny ear buds have made most of us forget what real music sounds like, but audiophiles will love the quality of Urbanears headphones. Apple die-hards and casual users alike will appreciate a classy leather iPad case or an iPod dock shaped like a gramophone. These gifts will surprise the writer, photographer, future train conductor or, um, that kid who lives in your basement. Check out all 10 of the presents we picked in a gallery after the jump »
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 19 perfect presents for the jet-setting cosmopolitan
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
We can’t all be glamorous jet-setters and playboys, skipping across the globe to test the slopes of Whistler, Kitzbühel and Les Arcs all in a single week. But for the trips your loved ones can take, they can do it in style with a high-performance pair of electric blue Salomon skis, a quality Olympus E-P3 camera and a sharp—and pocket-friendly—travel toothbrush. We even found some great maps that never crease no matter how much you abuse them (seriously). Check out all 19 of our travel and playtime essentials in a gallery after the jump »
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