Your Gift Guide’s Favorite Gift Guide
We live in a world that is gift guide rich. Where you can get as specific as you like: “10 Perfect Christmas Gifts for the Wife Who Organic Gardens,” or “The Best Holiday Gifts for Teenage Boys in Wisconsin.” This, we would argue, is too much. You don’t need 18 niche curated items. What you need is One Good Thing: something high quality enough to be special, but utilitarian enough to be used on the regular.
With those parameters in mind, we’ve asked Highsnobiety staff and contributors for the one thing that they most want to receive this holiday season. From dip bars to sneakers to a gorgeous burl-wood vanity, peruse for purchasing — or just for the pleasure of looking at nice objects. Any of which would make an excellent present.
Eckhaus Latta’s Bucket Bag
I have never — it has to be said — been good when it comes to bags. This is because I live my life like a mule. I need to have a lot of items with me at all times. Multiple books. Multiple writing implements so I can write in my multiple books. A laptop, in case I want to do real writing, and not just write in the margins of my multiple books. A Tupperware container of limp, leftover salad. Portable chargers, spare underwear (you never know? It’s not for that), lime green shooter muffs, three different lipsticks. Maybe I'm bringing wine to dinner? A cute little sexy bag is not going to cut it for my lifestyle. This has meant I have spent most of my adult life carrying around hideous tote bags and reusable shopping bags as purses. When I saw the Eckhaus Latta bucket bag I thought: that is going to solve all of my problems. So that’s what I want. I want the Eckhaus Latta bucket bag, in brown, for all of my items. — Sophie Kemp, Writer
Arc'teryx’s Cerium SV Hoody
I have the lighter version of this jacket and it’s the best thing ever: super lightweight, warm, and packable. Some days, the temperature is a bit too low for just that, so this SV is a great option for anyone’s northeast winter jacket arsenal. — Sebastian Jean, Fashion Director
andSons Chocolatiers and Ed Ruscha’s “Made in California” chocolate bar
Yes, $295 is a lot of money for a chocolate bar. But it’s a lot less expensive than buying an Ed Ruscha. I’m not from California, but I love Roucha’s work, and the blood orange, sea salt, and dark chocolate combo sounds delectable. Now, whether I’m actually brave enough to eat it is another question. — Noah Johnson, Editor in Chief
Birkenstock’s Steel Toe Clogs
Birkenstocks should be all-year shoes, but what do you do when the weather is wet and slushy? Drop the suede sandals and pick up a waterproof clog that’s technically designed for chefs. Even better: Opt for the steel-toe Birkenstocks for true hard-soft cognitive dissonance (and all-season toe protection). — Jake Silbert, News Director
Speciale’s Silk E Tie
I never have to wear a tie — I haven’t since the day I left school — but there’s something I’ll always like about putting one on, doing the knot, and feeling like I’ve made an effort. The fact that ties are unnecessary and over-the-top makes them a perfect gift in my eyes. The West London tailor Speciale has some of the best ties on the market, all of which are made of silk and originate from glamorous Italian cities such as Como and Florence. — Jack Stanley, Writer
Ann Demeulemeester’s Algot Crow Single Earring
I’m always on the hunt for rugged-looking custom or antique silver jewelry, and I’m obsessed with crows, the sickest and smartest of all birds. This earring would pair well with the custom crow-wings ring I’m getting. — Andrea Mena, App Editor
Dorothy Richardson's Pilgrimage Books
Every time I go back home to visit my family in Seattle, I walk by the Asterism Books warehouse, which is never open to the public when I’m in town. This is frustrating for me personally, because Asterism distributes virtually every interesting small press book all over the U.S., and I know that behind those locked doors are hundreds or thousands or…probably not millions, but definitely a lot of books that I rarely see in the wild that I desperately want to read. In fact, right now, they and only they are selling a four-volume reissue of Dorothy Richardson’s 13 Pilgrimage books. I have read approximately zero words from these books, but I love expansive multi-volume cult classic modernist novels written over the span of multiple decades. You can only get these things as a full set, which is somehow both annoying and appealing. I can’t justify spending like $130 on these for myself (what if I don’t like them?!) But if someone gave them to me? Well, then I’d feel great about the whole situation. — Sam Hockley-Smith, Writer
Maha Amsterdam x Nike Total 90 Secutor Shox Magia sneakers
These Shox sneakers are just too good. I’ve been on the hunt for them ever since they dropped (and sold out) earlier this year. I feel like I’ve been good this year, so hopefully Santa will bless me with a pair. — Morgan Smith, Style Writer
Pierce & Ward’s Burl Wood Vanity
I’ve always wanted a vintage art deco waterfall vanity, but they’re hard to come by, and when you do, they’re often located in Tennessee or Minnesota or somewhere you can’t feasibly schlep them back to NYC. West Elm made this burl wood vanity that has nicely curved lines, gorgeous material, and a vaguely vintage Flintstones vibe that would look stunning in my bedroom. It’s expensive, but not as expensive as buying any other vanity at an estate sale in Arizona and hiring movers to haul it to you. — Sable Yong, Writer
Acne Studios’ Washed Denim Hat
What says “I appreciate you” more than a gift you’d wear on the daily? The distressing and wash on this hat make it perfect to pair with denim on a casual day, but also with a trench if you‘re in the mood to dress it up. I can picture myself wallowing in my thoughts on the subway under its cap shadow. The best gifts are the ones that become part of your regular routine, and this hat is here for a good time and a long time. — MJ Perez, Social Media Editor
Gucci’s Play Goldtone Watch
This November, Gucci released the Play watch, a riff on an original 1980s design that has recently been enjoying a viral renaissance. What makes the watch so fun is that, per its name, you can really PLAY with it by alternating between any of the 7 interchangeable bezels. Gucci is smart to ride the Gen-Z fueled momentum of the original watch (which retails for more than $1,000 on the secondary market) by releasing this souped-up version. I love it when brands pay attention.
Fun fact: The mind behind the initial, ingenious design was Severin Wunderman, a Holocaust survivor who finessed his way into working with Gucci after immigrating to the United States and cutting his teeth in the watch and jewelry business. I’ve been working with his granddaughter, Chloë Cassens, on a mini documentary about Severin and his groundbreaking work (stay tuned), but spoiler alert: He essentially invented the “fashion watch” and helped save Gucci from financial ruin by establishing their watch business in the ’70s. It makes my heart happy to see that his work is still relevant and that Gucci stayed true to his irreverent, fun spirit with this re-release. — Brynn Wallner, Writer
KAKICLAY’s Dip Bars
I usually want books, clothes, or very old gym equipment, and I have a specific infinite soft list of objects I’m always after, but I can’t justify buying these bars for myself; there are too many calisthenics parks in my neighborhood. But if I received them… ! I’m picturing the bars in my apartment, me taking a break from work just hanging from them, working on an L-sit, fooling around. Nice way to break up the day. — Sami Reiss, Writer
Guidi’s 988 Boots
These boots have been on my radar for a while. They have a simple, low-profile silhouette that works with a wide range of outfits, from casual to avant-garde. The premium leather and Italian craftsmanship mean they age beautifully, even after years of wear. The side zips are a big plus, making them easy to put on, unlike the lace-up Guidi models, which take a while to fasten. — Daniil Gritsenko, Social Media Editor
Mo_&_A Bolted Joint Planter
I’m a big believer in having as many plants as possible in every room. However, while I own loads of plants, I don’t have many nice pots to present them in. This one from Mo_&_A is the most interesting I’ve found so far; There’s something really cool about seeing a plant in such an industrial, almost brutalist pot. — Tom Barker, Style Editor
Climax Books’ “Dial ‘C’ for Climax” Tee
I love a tiny T-shirt almost as much as I love a bespoke book, and Climax has both. To the gifter, I recommend buying this — for me — in-person. Climax has locations in New York City and in London, and both are fun to browse. — Claire Landsbaum, Deputy Editor
Dyson x Porter Headphone Bag
I’m quaking with fear about the long flights I have planned for 2026 (baby’s first 12-hour nonstop), but Dyson’s big collab with Porter is the stuff carry-on dreams are made of. Give me a compact carry-all with built-in noise cancellation PLEASE. — Jake Indiana, Director of Editorial Operations
Toteme’s Brown Leather Gloves
Every winter, without fail, I lose one or both of my go-to gloves. But I wouldn’t lose these because they’re beautiful and perfect!!!! — Delia Cai, Contributing Editor
FALKE’s Cashmere Socks
Nobody knew they needed cashmere socks until someone gifted them their first pair. Be the reason a loved one gets enlightened. — Max Migowski, Shopping Editor
(Re)Canvas’s BackPack Marine Green
I’ve been looking for a smaller backpack forever, the perfect size that can handle a MacBook without looking bulky. This one with marine green canvas has a utilitarian texture, with grommet and belt details adding hardware without going overboard... tough but cute. — Melanie Leung, Designer
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