2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Everyone needs a little relaxation and enjoyment this holiday season. So, here are some items to help make your holidays festive. Whether for yourself or a loved-one on your gift-giving list, each of these items will bring a smile.

PIPAMOKA

The First Nomadic Coffee Maker that Uses Vacuum Pressure to Brew Coffee

$46.90 available at wacaco.com

Pipamoka is designed to give coffee lovers an all-in-one coffee travel experience. Pipamoka uses a first-of-its-kind twisting mechanism to create vacuum pressure that enables users to make a full cup of balanced coffee in two minutes. The Pipamoka brewing process is unique. Users insert their ground coffee into a dedicated filter basket, add hot water, and drop the filter basket to the bottom of the Pipamoka. Using the innovative twisting mechanism, vacuum pressure is created inside the travel mug. This generates a suction force that draws hot water downwards through the coffee grounds. The coffee is then brewed directly into the insulated thermal cup where it will stay hot for hours. “We’ve spent over two years developing this patented coffee maker, and we’re thrilled to  finally share it with our fans all over the world who have asked us for a travel-friendly way to  make filter-style coffee on their adventures,” said Hugo Cailleton, Co-Founder of Wacaco. The eco-friendly, re-useable, long lasting all-in-one design is designed to give everyday coffee lovers the minimal tools and energizing caffeine they need to go wherever their wanderlust takes them.

SLEEPPHONES®

Headphones Designed Specifically for Sleeping

$99.95 available at sleepphones.com

SleepPhones® Wireless are traditional headphones made bed-friendly and cord-free! You can unplug and unwind with these ultra-slim, soft, and comfortable “headphones in a headband” that make listening to audio in bed a dream. Surround yourself in an ultimate sound experience – without disturbing, or being disturbed by, the person next to you. This model utilizes Bluetooth® technology to wirelessly connect with compatible devices so you never have to worry about getting tangled up in cords. SleepPhones® were designed by a family doctor and provide wearable comfort that’s literally music to your ears. Ideal for sleep, travel, yoga, and leisure time. SleepPhones® easily sync with smartphones, computers, and most other Bluetooth®-compatible devices, and have a rechargeable battery life of up to 10 hours. The fleece headband option is super soft, luxurious, and warm. Ideal for sleeping, relaxing, meditating, and everyday use (95% polyester, 5% spandex). The breeze headband option is breathable and moisture-wicking. Ideal for running and exercising (95% polyester, 5% spandex). Gift packaging is available.

VELLABOX

Candle Gift Subscriptions

$10-$30 per month, available at vellabox.com

Vellabox is the thoughtful, and easy gift to give this holiday season. Vellabox partners with different small-batch American candle makers to feature seasonally relevant scents from their line. All candles are 100% natural wax with cotton wicks, Phthalate free, Paraben free, cruelty free, and have no artificial dyes. Gift subscriptions can be personalized with a note written by you and arranged to arrive in time for that special occasion, with a bonus gift included in every Vellabox. Each bonus gift varies, but most often falls into one of the following categories: self-care, home accessories, food, and sustainable alternatives. Ordering is easy – simply choose your box size, duration, and ship date – then Vellabox takes care of the rest. It is the gift that keeps on giving and smells good too!  Box options include: The Lucerna ($10/month + $3 shipping): includes a 4oz candle + bonus gift; The Ignis ($20/month + $3 shipping): includes an 8oz candle + bonus gift; The Vivere ($30/month + free shipping): includes a 4oz and 8oz candle + bonus gift.

ALL THE BASICS

The Barr Hill Cocktail and Barware Kit

$95 available at caledoniaspirits.com

Caledonia Spirits, the Vermont-based distiller of America’s most awarded gin – Barr Hill Gin, has launched its “All The Basics” Cocktail Kit, wonderful for the home bartender. With people spending a lot more time at home this year, the home bar has made a comeback in a big way. This cocktail kit goes right along with that theme, combining high-quality barware with a fun experiential element that can be enjoyed from home.

Equipped with a beautiful, stainless steel array of bar items – including two shaker tins, a four-prong Hawthorne strainer, a two-sided jigger, and a bar spoon – this classic kit is perfect for any cocktail enthusiast. As part of the kit, Barr Hill Beverage Director Sam Nelis has included a curated cocktail recipe book and digital access to his “Intro to Cocktails” class, which breaks down the cocktail kit, demonstrates how to use each item, and walks the user through creating the perfect Bee’s Knees and Old Fashioned cocktails at home. Caledonia Spirits has a strong passion for mixology, and with this special cocktail kit, the distillery has taken its love for craft cocktails and channeled it towards the in-home bar experience. The Barr Hill “All The Basics” Cocktail Kit is available for free shipping this holiday season.

MoMA

DESIGN STORE HOLIDAYS

Available at store.moma.org

The MoMA Design Store has many cheery gifts this holiday season. From a revolutionary coffee maker to artist puzzles, there is something for all at every price point. Plus, proceeds from the curator-approved holiday gift and décor ideas support MoMA’s exhibitions and educational programs. Here is a small sampling of the gift-giving ideas.

FRANK STELLA JIGSAW PUZZLE – 750 PIECES 

$20

Featuring the artist’s colorful geometric painting Firuzabad, a work in MoMA’s collection, this 750-piece jigsaw puzzle is uniquely die-cut and contoured to the edges of this extraordinary abstract work of art. In the completed Frank Stella Puzzle, two overlapping circles are filled with both concentric and diagonal stripes of brilliant color. Made of 90% recycled paper and printed with non-toxic inks, the Frank Stella Jigsaw Puzzle is packaged in a sturdy, matte-finish box, and measures 24.5” x 16.25” when assembled.

HAPPY SOCKS HOLIDAY SET

                                                                                 $26

The Happy Socks Holiday Set features high-quality combed cotton and elastane socks in the brand’s signature upbeat patterns. Packaged in a signature holiday cracker, this Happy Socks Holiday Set is gifting-ready. Two pairs (86% Cotton, 12% Nylon, 2% Spandex), one polka dot, one striped. Available in sizes S/M (9-11) and M/L (10-13). Machine-washable.

MAKI SUSHI SAUCE BOWL & CHOPSTICK REST

$16

MoMA Exclusive: Featuring whimsical graphic abstractions of classic maki sushi varieties, this porcelain Maki Sushi Sauce Bowl is perfectly sized (1.5h x 2.5″diam.) for soy sauce, ponzu or your favorite condiment. The lid doubles as a chopstick rest in between bites. The dish can also be used as a pill case, jewelry storage or for storing herbs. Holds 2oz. Microwave and dishwasher safe.

LOVING: A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF MEN IN LOVE 1850s-1950s

By Hugh Nini

$65 available at rizzolibookstore.com

Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s portrays the history of romantic love between men in hundreds of moving and tender vernacular photographs taken between the years 1850 and 1950. This visual narrative of astonishing sensitivity brings to light an until-now-unpublished collection of hundreds of snapshots, portraits, and group photos taken in the most varied of contexts, both private and public. Taken when male partnerships were often illegal, the photos here were found at flea markets, in shoe boxes, family archives, old suitcases, and later online and at auctions. The collection now includes photos from all over the world, with subjects that were identified as couples by that unmistakable look in the eyes of two people in love – impossible to manufacture or hide. The photographs – many fragile from age or handling – have been digitized using a technology derived from that used on surveillance satellites and available in only five places around the world. In these delight-filled pages, couples in love tell their own story for the first time at a time when joy and hope – indeed human connectivity – are crucial lifelines to our better selves. Universal in reach and overwhelming in impact, Loving speaks to our spirit and resilience, our capacity for bliss, and our longing for the shared truths of love.

VESTA CHOCOLATE

Holiday Chocolate Gift Set

$185 available at vestachocolate.com

Brought to you by a husband and wife team Roger & Julia, Vesta is a bean-to-bonbon craft chocolate factory and café where the chocolate is first made from organic cacao beans from various origins with unrefined and organic Panela sugar, then it is used to make bonbons, baked goods, spreads, bars, and more. The duo has created a unique artisanal chocolate-making house where French techniques meet the true definition of chocolate in Latin America, where cacao originates, because they truly believe that craft chocolate should be applicable to our daily lives. They are firm believers that when you do what you love, with the people you love, magic happens.

Celebrate the season with this ultimate Holiday chocolate gift set for the chocolate lover in your life. The set comes with:

• Twelve (12) Holiday Jewel Bean-to-Bonbons (Candy Cane, Gingerbread, Winter Herbs, Orange, Passion Fruit, Salted Caramel)
• Large Classic Vanilla Bean-to-Bar Hot Chocolate powder
• Two (2) Signature Cacao Sea Salt Brownies
• Four (4) Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Peppermint 66% Dark Chocolate Bark
• Out-of-this-world Cacao Hazelnut Spread (think clean, organic, and artisanal Nutella)
• 72% Single Origin Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate Bar
• 60% Single Origin Belize Vegan Non-Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar
• 49% Single Origin Belize Milk Chocolate Bar
• Bag of freshly roasted Single Origin Cacao nibs (most fruity cacao nibs you will ever meet)

SUBU

Japanese Slippers

$55 available at ameico.com/collections/subu

Sweater weather also means slipper weather. When colder weather starts to arrive, there is nothing better than a good pair of slippers to help stay cozy. SUBU Japanese Slippers are as useful as they are stylish – the ideal gift for the person who loves to lounge. Equipped with a durable sole and Teflon outer coating, the SUBU slippers are perfect for that trip to the mailbox or any quick outdoor excursion, while also being the perfect work-from-home comfy shoe choice. Polyester down fill with a soft cushioned insole will make your feet feel like they are wrapped up in a warm down jacket.

GREENDIGS

Oasis Watering Can in Gold

$29.99 available at shopgreendigs.com

Adding some life to your indoor is more important than ever. For your indoor watering needs, this gleaming, sand-finished metal watering can adds an understated elegance to your home gardening experience. A slim, perfectly balanced handle and slender spout make it easy to distribute water exactly where it needs to go to keep your plants healthy and growing. (10.4” long, 6” tall with a 7” spout. Holds 27 ounces.) Greendigs is the online way to bring nature home. They offer functional, hand-selected, plants and gifts, making cultivating plants in your space as simple as it has ever been. Forget about carting home supplies, stopping at multiple stores, and guessing at which kind of plant would best fit your space. Greendigs does the work for you.