Holiday Gift Guide: 2021 Edition
By Ethan Thorpe
If you are like most people you haven’t given the holidays much thought. Granted the reminders have been in the stores since before Halloween, pumpkin carving kits right next to Christmas tree ornaments. Some of us might still be social distancing and relying on FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service to get those special gifts to your loved ones. Bearing that in mind, make sure you do your shopping early. Although it may not feel like it, but the holiday season is upon us and I’m guessing you have no clue what to get those certain special people in your life? The Standard Magazine Holiday Gift Guide will perhaps give you some ideas with unique and fun items. You will find gifts from the extravagant to the more modest to give; and if you are nice or even naughty, maybe receive. So never fear my fellow procrastinators we are here to help.
1.The BarxBuddy Busy Ball is a toy ball made of tear-resistant materials meant to withstand lots of chewing, while keeping your dog entertained, engaged, and happy—all on its own! You don’t even need to “start it up.” The built-in motion sensors hidden inside activate anytime your dog touches it, instantly starting a game of automated fetch. https://www.barxbuddy.com/
2. OlumiRing is an LED ring light that clips to your laptop, tablet or phone….and with the click of a single button, it creates flattering, photoshoot-worthy lighting for video calls and photography. To put it simply, OlumiRing erases shadow – making you look brighter and more like your “real self”. https://oluminate.com/
3. Jim Marvin Christmas Tree & Trim Kit
$16500
4. Best Movie Night Ever
Having a movie theater in your home sounds pretty luxurious, but you probably aren’t giving someone a home remodel or expansion for the holidays. Well, what about a projector? With the Nebula, you can binge-watch Netflix in 720p on your own DIY big screen. www.amazon.com
5.Music Never Sounded So Sweet.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 4th Generation Wireless Multi-Room Speaker
$3199 www.neimanmarcus.com
6.Window Solar Charger
This personal solar charger is one of the most exciting products we’ve come across. Just hang it in any windowsill and connect to any device with a USB port. It’ll make a great gift for anyone looking to dabble in solar energy without a huge investment. And it’ll make finding your phone charger a breeze! https://grouphugtech.com/
7.Sigma Touch Tool
This squiggly little brass object is perfect for any germaphobes in your life (which at this point is probably everyone). The instrument, which can be attached to your keychain, is made for interacting with high-touch surfaces, saving your fingertips from coming into contact with all sorts of germs. Cheers to peace of mind in a clever little package. https://craighill.co/
8.Horti Three Month Plant Subscription
If holiday shopping isn’t your forte, and a gift card just won’t cut it, we recommend this plant subscription from Horti that’s available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! https://heyhorti.com/
9.Trade Coffee Subscription
While plenty of independent coffee roasters have subscription services now, Trade Coffee makes for an excellent gift because of the variety it provides. Gift a Trade coffee subscription, and your loved one will be able to choose from hundreds of bags of beans, all from small roasters across the U.S. https://www.drinktrade.com/
10.MasterClass Annual Subscription
MasterClass is the perfect digital gift if you’d rather avoid shipping a present this year due to supply chain delays. Not only can almost anyone find a class they’re interested in on the expert- and star-filled platform, but they also make gifting an annual membership super easy. They’ve got an online library with hundreds of classes spanning topics like culinary skills and public speaking, all the way to creative writing, business leadership and tennis technique. If you need a gift for your dad, mom or even boss, it’s a great option. https://www.masterclass.com/
11.Peugeot Whiskey Tasting Set
This set for whiskey connoisseurs includes a hand-blown glass that was scientifically engineered to combat alcohol burn and a metal chilling base that can cool your drink to 45 F in less than five minutes without any ice dilution. https://www.crateandbarrel.com/
12.Your Beverage Will Taste So Much Better
Medusa Amplified Travel Mug
$1175 www.versace.com
13.Disco Starter Set
Disco is one of our favorite newly-discovered brands for men’s grooming, and their Starter Set would make a great Christmas gift for any guy in your life who’s dedicated to the upkeep of their skin. The kit comes with three of their top-rated products including the Charcoal Face Cleanser Stick, the Exfoliating Face Scrub and a Hydrating Face Moisturizer. https://letsdisco.com/
14. KoreScale is a cutting-edge scale that uses advanced biometric sensors to analyze your body’s composition with 11 key health metrics. It uses an app to keep track of your data and guide you on your fitness journey. Your stats are stored, so you can check and see your progress.
15. Let’s Play
Nintendo Switch OLED. Nintendo just released their brand-new Switch OLED console, and it’s sure to be a favorite amongst gamers of all ages this holiday season. This is an impressive device. It’s got a bright, vibrant 7-inch OLED screen made for vivid colors, and an adjustable stand for flexible viewing angles. You can play at home or take it with you on-the-go for one of the best mobile gaming experiences money can buy. www.amazon.com
16. Never Too Late To Start On The Road To Fitness
Mirror Smart Home Fitness System. If you’ve been on the fence about whether this smart gym system is worth the investment, then you’ve got your answer. This incredibly unique workout streaming system features a library with more than 50 types of workouts from cardio to yoga, strength, boxing and more. You and up to five members of your household will get access to unlimited classes with the purchase, as well as the award-winning slim, sleek Mirror. www.mirror.co
17. No More Obnoxious Alarms
Philips Smart Sleep Wake-Up Light. This Philips Smart Sleep wake-up light is designed to simulate a sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening to keep your bedtime routine as peaceful as possible. This sunrise alarm clock has smart features, a built-in FM radio, a dimmable display and 10 different brightness settings www.amazon.com
18.BEARDAMENTS Beard Lights
I mean come on, aren’t these festive? Seeing as most guys these days have facial hair, beard ornaments are an excellent gift for nearly anyone in your life with enough facial hair to rock them. www.amazon.com
19.iPhone 13
We couldn’t make a guide to the best Christmas gifts of 2021 without including at least a few Apple products, and the latest iPhone release had to top the list. www.att.com
20.EVERKNOWN
Hypelev Levitating Sneaker Display Stand
$250 www.neimanmarcus.com
21.Bartender Not Required
Bartesian Premium Cocktail & Margarita Machine
From margaritas to whiskey sours to classic cocktails, this machine whips up favorites with the simple push of a button. Making drinks is simple and straightforward and involves simply inserting a cocktail capsule into the machine then selecting the preferred strength. The machine takes over from there, mixing ingredients together to create one delicious drink after the next. The machine even automatically cleans itself after each cocktail https://bartesian.com/
22.Dr. Martens 1460 Vonda Boot
An elegant embroidered rose design elevates these classic Dr. Martens boots to a whole new level. The leather boot is just as comfy as it is stylish, thanks to its air-cushioned soles and soft material. Eight eyelets provide a snug and secure fit. https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/
23.Grilled Personal Pizza Maker
This ingenious little oven is all you need to make amazing crispy pizza on the grill. Add your toppings to the crust, place your pizza in the mini-oven with the lid on, and pop it on the grill. In less than 10 minutes you’ll have personal-size pizzaliciousness with a crust worthy of your favorite brick-oven pizzeria. www.uncommongoods.com
24.Trtl Pillow
Traveling isn’t exactly known for being comfortable. Help your friend prepare for an upcoming vacation or move with this supportive pillow. The Trtl Pillow holds heads in the optimal sleeping position and stands out for its ultra-soft fleece construction. Several colors are available.
25. Warm & Toasty
UGG Slippers. Even if the work-from-home lifestyle ended, we’re betting these shoes will get plenty of use no matter what. From walking to grab the mail or lounging about the house, a quality pair of slippers is a must-have, and no one makes better slippers than UGG. www.amazon.com
26.Marmot’s Rainbow Yolla Bolly 30° Sleeping Bag
Show your pride with Marmot’s super light, 650-fill-power-down insulation and water-resistant Rainbow Yolla Bolly 30° Sleeping Bag. This three-season bag turns into a quilt with a wraparound zipper that completely opens. Even better, all profits from the sale of the bags are being donated to The Venture Out Project, a nonprofit that helps LGBTQ+ people get involved in outdoor adventure. www.Marmot.com
The Grommet
27.Uber Chill XL Personal Mini Fridge
This personal mini fridge combines style and function in one scaled-down appliance. Warm or cold, enjoy food and drinks either way with dual settings and storage for up to twelve cans. Its sleek, retro shape draws attention but takes up little space under a desk or on a countertop. www.uberappliance.com
28.Birra Taste Collection Set
The Monti Collection is the first from Sempli with a flat bottom. It was created to enhance the effervescence of carbonated beverages as it’s not to be stirred or swirled. The Birra Taste Collection Set glasses cater to the burgeoning craft beer market and each glass holds each of your favorite bottles of beer perfectly. www.thegrommet.com
29. Pronoun Pins
Introducing yourself is hard enough as it is. Do you tell people your pronouns right off the bat? Or do you wait for them to ask and risk having them guess? Wear this sleek pin as a casual icebreaker and let people know your pronouns without having to say a word. www.wildfang.com
30. Made-To-Order Personalized Song
By answering some questions and sharing several anecdotes, singer/songwriter David Morgan composes original lyrics and music that matches the occasion and highlights the recipient, all performed in their favorite musical style. The more info you provide (at least 15 details for one-minute compositions and a minimum of 25 specifics for three-minute masterpieces), the more personalized the finished product will be. David then shares a draft of the song’s words for you to edit or approve before he sings a single note. www.uncommongoods.com
31.Invigorate Shower Steamers Gift Set
Indulge in a steamy shower with energizing essential oil aromatherapy scents like cedar orange and pine. www.uncommongoods.com
32. Barrel Aged Dirty Martini Elixir
Empty olive jars in the fridge are an occupational hazard for fans of the dirty martini—the salty, savory cocktail that calls for olive juice to be added to the classic gin and vermouth recipe. Now you can give those jars a gold watch for dedication and retire them.
33. UV Sanitizer & Wireless Charger
Your mobile device is a must for communication, a source for entertainment, and a breeding ground for bacteria. Gross, let’s fix that. Give smartphones and other daily essentials a high-tech hose down using this sanitizing charging station with aromatherapy capabilities. After you put your keys, a wallet, or a handset inside, the unit’s UV lights run for three minutes to kill bacteria
34.Live Proudly Glasses
Together, these pint glasses display just four words, but they certainly speak volumes. One is printed with Live Proudly, reminding you to always be your most authentic self. The other says Love Proudly, encouraging you to love yourself, your partner, your friends, and your community, no matter how you identify.
35.LGBTQ Trevor Project Socks
Lin Manuel Miranda said it best—”Love is love is love is love is love.” Show your support for the LGBTQ community with these stylish socks, made to benefit the Trevor Project. The cheerful rainbow stripes underline a serious cause: crisis intervention for LGBTQ teens with the aim of preventing suicide. For every pair of these stylish socks sold, Conscious Step, the company behind them, donates at least $1 to the Trevor project
36.MLK “I Have a Dream” Scarf
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, calling for civil and economic rights and an end to racism. Embody the spirit of change and hope for a better tomorrow by wrapping yourself in the words of one of the greatest orators in American history.
