The Distinguished Gentleman's Christmas Wish List
It's that time of year again, when the festive decoration starts adorning the streets, the carolers start chanting their merry tunes, and the department stores fill their space with more holly and wreaths per square foot than in an 8-year old's dream. Yes my friends, Christmas is almost upon us. And there's no better indication of that than my girlfriend jumping up and down in our living room yelling 'I Love Christmas', and standoffish New Yorkers taking 4 weeks out of the year to be warm and cordial to one another.
With this jolly holiday, comes the responsibility of giving (and receiving!!) Christmas presents to loved ones and maybe not-so-loved ones whom you would feel guilty ignoring. While most generic presents will work for your close ones, it might be a little harder to pick out the perfect gift when it comes to a discernible gentleman.
Luckily for you, the below guide should give you a view into what different gentlemen might have on their Christmas wish list. And if they're still not satisfied, please feel free to mail any rejected presents to me.
For the Discreet Gentleman:
No one wants to be a George Costanza, especially when it comes to your wallet. So invest in these slim and classic cardholders that will not only force you to carry only essentials, but ooze understated elegance every time you pull them out. Your butt will thank you.
Mulberry Cross-Grain Cardholder:
Subtle and discreet, but able to fit 5 credit cards, this Mulberry Cardholder is perfect for any occasion.
Alfred Dunhill Leather Cardholder
Elegant, understated, classic. This made in Italy cardholder is the perfect accompaniment for any discerning gentleman's outfit.
For the Night Owl:
Among the most important things you don't want to happen during your late nights ravaging the town, is to suddenly realize that faint foul smell you thought was coming from a dead decomposing carcass, is actually you. Not to worry, spray a few whiffs of these eau de toilettes, and you'll be good to go for the entire night. A couple of top tips: 1. After you spray a couple of spots on your neck, spray a couple of whiffs inside your jacket, so that when you take off your jacket at a restaurant or bar, everyone around you is treated to a subtle but enchanting smell. 2. No matter how glorious your cologne is, it is never a replacement for good hygiene.
Floris London No. 89
Once a favorite of James Bond creator, Mr. Ian Fleming, No.89 combines hints of orange, lavender, neroli and nutmeg among other more sophisticated notes. Not to mention, you will be part of a family that has been making perfumes since 1780.
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Might not have a history as illustrious as Floris's, Tom Ford nevertheless has been known to deliver rich, deep, and complex colognes, from his limited edition models to the more mainstream ones. Black Orchid is no different, combining strong notes of black truffle, black plum, and patchouli, mixed in with deeper notes of wood and spices. The smell is intoxicating in its fullness and darkness, and will last you all night and into the next morning.
For the Intellectual Gentleman:
The holidays are the time of year to sit beside a crackling fireplace, comfortable in an aged leather chair, a glass of brandy warming in your hand, and a good book to spend the night in with. The below are but a small number of numerous fantastic books that any gentleman would surely enjoy.
Tender is the Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Although less famous than it's sister The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night is nonetheless a masterful book set in the 1920s French Riviera. Romance, style, booze, and tragedy are the order of the day.
First Light, by Geoffrey Wellum
An inspiring coming-of-age story of an idealistic schoolboy recruited to the RAF at a young age in 1939, who became a battle-hardened ace by 1941. His story recounts the day to day life of an RAF pilot during the most grueling of times in the Battle of Britain, how the constant life or death struggles affected him and his fellow pilots.
The Mr Porter Paperback, The Manual for a Style Life Volumes 1-3
Last, but certainly not least, is Mr Porter's fantastic guide on how to live a stylish life. Packed with interviews, articles, and features, this book has everything you need for some extra inspiration and a look inside how the most stylish and creative people live their lives. A book that will last many years to come, since it is one thing that will never go out of style.
For the City Gentleman:
With winter almost upon us, the cities will soon find themselves engulfed in rain, hail and snow. But no matter how intense or benign the precipitation, a gentleman should never find himself caught out in the rain without proper protection.
Francesco Maglia, Mable Wood-Handle Umbrella
Behold this beautiful creation from the world's best umbrella maker. The Maglia family has been handmaking umbrellas in Milan for the past 150 years, so needless-to-say, they know a little something or two about crafting the finest umbrellas. Made from a single piece of wood, the handle is just one of the joys of owning this umbrella, which is more art than rain protection.
For the beauty-conscious Gentleman:
Unfortunately, and for a reason I cannot comprehend, a lot of men dismiss facial skin care as nothing more than fiction, a marketing scheme, or feminine. But a discernible gentleman knows that a good skin care routine could mean the difference between looking like Emperor Palpatine or George Clooney at 45.
Clinique Sonic System for Men
The first rule of good oil-free skin, is to clean it properly and effectively. The Sonic System Deep Cleaning Brush will clean your face more effectively than your hands ever could. The gentle brush will go deep into your skin and remove any dirt or oil you've accumulated throughout the day.
Aesop Collective Care
Aesop has revolutionized the skin care market and has put the cool back into keeping your skin clean. The Collective Care Combination is a good starter kit that includes a facial cleaner, a Vitamin B Balancing Toner, and a facial hydrating cream. Start with the cleanser to make sure your face is nice and clean, then apply some toner on your face (preferably on a cotton pad) and wait. Once the toner has been absorbed, apply some hydrating cream and you are good to go. Just make sure not to apply too much hydrating cream, otherwise you'll look like you just ran a marathon. Once you have become an expert in this routine, and have developed your own regiment, a next step would be to invest in some good night hydrating cream, which, as the name suggests, you apply at night before you go to sleep. The night cream differs from normal cream in that it is thicker, with more vitamins and nutrients, which you will absorb throughout the night.