Lifestyle/Art

Published on November 22nd, 2020 | by Darren Paltrowitz

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20 Gift Ideas For The 2020 Holiday Season You Can Order Online

Black Friday 2020 is just a few days away from this article’s publishing, so it is definitely not too early to be thinking about your holiday season shopping for this year. And going beyond this year’s unprecedented holiday season, it never hurts to have some gift ideas up your sleeve to show those in your life that you are warmly thinking of them. Below are timely 20 gift ideas — all immediately available for online-based ordering — of varying price points worth looking into for a loved one.

Man Crates

Man Crates is an online destination with gift sets for every man in your life. Each crate comes with a themed assortment of carefully-curated, high quality and luxury goods. Many of the gift sets come packaged inside a wooden crate, so the recipient gets to pry it open with a crowbar. Popular highlights from past seasons include the Whiskey Appreciation Crate, the Grill Master Crate, and the Personalized Golf Ball Crate. I personally am big on the Jerky Advent Calendar. Absolutely something for everyone with Man Crates.

Tom Brady’s & Alex Guerrero’s TB12 Brand

Following 6 Super Bowl victories with the New England Patriots — 4 of which as MVP — Tom Brady is the quarterback of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady has also won 3 league MVP awards, has been selected to 14 Pro Bowls, and was named one of the NFL’s 100 Greatest Players during the league’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2019.

TB12 is a health and wellness brand cofounded by Brady and Alex Guerrero. Related to that, Tom Brady’s #1 New York Times best seller The TB12 Method: How To Do What You Love, Better & For Longer is now available as a paperback. This title includes a fresh set of recipes and nutrition tips favored by Brady to support the TB12 diet. Aside from the book and diet, the company boasts an apparel line, supplements, exercise equipment and other offerings.

Jacques Torres Chocolate’s Holiday Offerings

Simply put, Jacques Torres is one of the world’s most famous pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Torres got his start as a chef in his native France, working under 2-star Michelin chef Jacques Maximin in the early 1980s. He went on to earn a Master Pastry Chef degree, and in 1986 Torres became the youngest person to ever win the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier Patissier De France competition. In 2000, Torres — also the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Pastry Chef Of The Year honors — moved on from Le Cirque and opened up a chocolate factory and retail store in Brooklyn. Less than 2 decades later, Torres now has stores all over New York City. 2 years back he opened Choco-Story New York: The Chocolate Museum & Experience, at which attendees discovered chocolate’s journey from tree to chocolate bar through a self-guided tour of what was believed to be New York’s first ever chocolate museum. Beyond overseeing those popular locations, Torres also stays busy as a judge on the Netflix series Nailed It and has notably authored several best-selling cookbooks over the years.

Jacques Torres’ stores and website are currently selling treats themed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah 2020. This includes the Christmas Sampler Hat Box (an adorable chocolate Santa, Snowman, and Santa Bear nestled next to a Brulée Bar, his rich Classic Hot Chocolate mix and a 25-piece bonbon assortment), the Winter Wonderland Bonbons (a smiling white chocolate snowman plaque is the centerpiece for 16 of assorted bonbons in festive flavors including holiday cranberry vodka and pistachio praline) and the Hanukkah Sampler (25-Piece Bon Bon Assortment, Chocolate Molded Menorah, 6 assorted Hanukkah lollipops).

WineSociety

Founded by entrepreneur Angela Allison, WineSociety elevates the quality of canned wine by offering award-winning wines in a convenient 500ml eco-friendly can. In turn, you can enjoy WineSociety’s wines — just about — anywhere, any time with no corkscrew required. Having earned a 94-point score from the International Wine & Spirit Competition, WineSociety’s Napa Valley-grown offerings include Tempt (Syrah blend with notes of dark cherry, plum & cedar spice – ABV 14%), Fate (Chardonnay with hints of peach, bosc pear & fresh citrus – ABV 13%) and Chance (Rose blend of Zinfandel, Syrah & Barbera, redolent of white peach & raspberry – ABV 13%). All WineSociety blends ($9.99/can) are 90 calories or less per serving and are low in sulfites and residual sugar. Now available for online ordering for shipment to nearly 40 states within the U.S.

Florsheim Shoes

In 1892 Florsheim Shoes started in a small factory in Chicago, Illinois. The brand has grown quite a bit since then and have gained a reputation for being at the forefront of the newest trends, while staying true to its legacy of classic styling and quality workmanship. From material selection to stitching, Florsheim is known to pay attention to the smallest of details. Which is why Florsheim has become one of my go-to brands for footwear.

The Florsheim Sorrento Plain Toe Chukka Boot has a lot of people talking. Wearable with everything from a suit to jeans, these shoes are comfortable, cushioned and sleek-looking. Meanwhile, Florsheim’s Highland Plain Toe Chukka Boot is also versatile, featuring hand burnishing on the leather upper, a sleek silhouette, and a modern stacked heel.

Blowfish Malibu’s Shoes

Blowfish Malibu was born when its founders teamed together to create a shoe brand that embodied the place they loved most: Malibu, California. For every season since, Blowfish Malibu has delighted shoe lovers with comfortable, on-trend styles. The end goal for Blowfish Malibu is simple, per its website: “make quality, fashionable shoes and sell them at affordable prices.” In turn, its styles aim to capture the fresh, youthful spirit and casual living that is distinctively Southern California.

Recently Blowfish Malibu releases its first ever collection of boots made with recycled plastic. Related to that, I had the pleasure of attending an online workshop featuring Mary Cail (Blowfish Malibu’s designer) in which Cail discussed this inpisirng 4Earth collection and the brand’s affiliated #4Earrth4Life. Ultimately it is wonderful to see how Blowfish Malibu is inspiring its followers to live a greener lifestyle, especially as we spend more time at home.

OSHĒN by BluGlacier

BluGlacier is one of Chile’s largest salmon importers to the U.S., and earlier this month it debuted its first ever direct-to-consumer brand: OSHĒN. OSHĒN offers a convenient delivery service bringing premium fresh and frozen Chilean salmon to customers’ front doors nationwide in completely biodegradable and recyclable packaging playfully-designed with witty banter. In the words of Sebastian Goycoolea, CEO of BluGlacier: “With the need for easy, at-home solutions at an all-time high due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to deliver best-in-class salmon offerings straight from Chile to your kitchen. In a continued commitment to the environment, we are proud to say that all OSHĒN products will be sustainably raised and mindfully packaged using eco-friendly materials.”

A great source of protein, easy to cook and delicious to eat, all OSHĒN products are ocean-raised and ocean-loved from the fresh-water fjords of southern Chile. Cared for by a dedicated aquaculture team, OSHĒN salmon is fed the highest quality diet to ensure the highest concertation of healthy Omega-3s. Additionally, the salmon producers work closely with their communities to ensure both the environment and people of Chile are properly respected. OSHĒN is collaborating with a number of notable chefs to unveil a series of exclusive recipes on the website for consumers to replicate at home. Additionally, the brand has partnered with the artisanal and eco-conscious TAJA Candles to offer all customers a 10 percent discount off the Tall Dark + Handsome scent paired perfectly to set the mood while preparing salmon. The best home-made salmon I have had in 2020 was from OSHĒN.

Air Innovations MH-701BA Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier With Aromatherapy

Air Innovations’ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier with Aromatherapy will not only cool down up to 600 square feet of indoor space, but also make that same space smell wonderful. Voted “Smartest Programmable Humidifier 2018” by Consumer Reports, this device is available in multiple colors and comes with a permanent certamic filter that never needs to be replaced. It can be controlled with a remote control, which comes with the appliance, and runs for up to 96 hours. One of my favorite new acquisitions of 2020.

Fluidstance Boards & Walls

We everyday humans were not meant to sit all day. In fact, our bodies were designed to move, and chances are that your workspace, classroom and/or home environment do not let you do that. FluidStance to the rescue, as its purpose is to set the world in motion, starting with our category-creating decks. This award-winning company makes balance boards like The Level, The Slope (a personal desktop whiteboard) and the Fillup (a personal water tower), aiming to create one’s ultimate work station. In turn, Fluidstance ought to help you to inject some health and wellness into your workspace.

The latest innovative I had tried from FluidStance is The Wall. Perfect for notes, timelines, brainstorming and sketches alike, both sides of The Wall have a premium dry erase finish for twice the whiteboard space. This larger, desktop whiteboard surface helps you keep better track of work or school activities so you’re more organized and can be more productive. In a shared environment, The Wall is large enough to act as a privacy screen when you are working hard and need to focus and can be a visual barrier at your desk, whether at home or in a formal office space. It is portable, easily moved from tabletop to tabletop as needed, and is perfect for storing your pen and other desk accessories.

The Horizon Straight Bourbon from HIRSCH Select Whiskeys

Recently launched this past summer, The Horizon — 46% ABV with a suggested retail price of $39.99 — celebrates “the spirit of the journey” in terms of both its taste AND its artful design. In turn, it ought to serve as a fitting gift for the adventure-seeker in your live. For those looking to take something simple to enjoy neat on a camping trip, a sunset hike or an outdoor picnic, this expression conveys a sense of discovery with its award-winning packaging and nautical-inspired design. The whiskey itself combines 2 straight bourbons distilled in Lawrence, Indiana, and is excellent both neat and on the rocks. Enjoyable for both casual whiskey drinkers and enthusiasts alike, it features a classic bourbon profile with sweet cornbread and vanilla. The Horizon Straight Bourbon is now available for purchase via retailers nationwide and through ReserveBar.

Deckers X Lab K-ST 21

Deckers X Lab, the innovation department of Deckers — owner of HOKA ONE ONE, Ugg, Teva, Koolaburra and Sanuk brands — has launched the K-ST 21 “hypersneaker,” a whole new breed of sneaker designed to make any motion from casual walking to the most extreme freestyle moves effortless, efficient and enjoyable. The K-ST 21 integrates the latest technology into a cutting-edge design. K-ST itself stands for Kinetic Suspension Technology, and the entire sneaker is designed to capture motion and propel you forward, using the new Carbon Bow Technology suspension system and the unique SwallowTail heel. In turn, you can expect street sneakers infused with kentic suspension technology, which carry a suggested retail price of $200.

Vim + Vigor Candle

There is nothing like a candle to help you find some peace. That soft-glowing light creates a calm and relaxed vibe that is the perfect antidote to all the stress in the world right now. Vim + Vigor creates 100 percent natural soy wax candles with the most delightful and unexpected fragrance combinations that will transport you away to your happy place. These meticulously-crafted fragrance blends like grapefruit and vanilla, beach linen and driftwood, and tobacco and amber, are designed to awaken your senses while delivering that expected sense of peace.

Projext & Co’s Scooter One Sneakers

Projext & Co. is a group of footwear industry experts, international designers, engineers and creators who aspire to create products that derive from thinking outside the box. They are committed to creating a timeless, eco-conscious, and wholesome brand to spark curiosity in everyday life. Scooter One Shoes is the team’s first project and their take on redefining the classic sneaker. Imagined in Tokyo, Scooter One Shoes was created for the world. Using innovative and sustainable materials that include prime fibre leather, natural rubbers and a unique blend of Merino wool, these sneakers are stylish, comfortable, weather-resistant and temperature-regulating.

“Projext” itself is the combination of “Project” and “next,” and the team goes beyond slow fashion to push the boundaries of mindful manufacturing, natural materials and the latest technology. Projext is committed to creating products that enrich consumers’ lives but don’t harm the planet. They use the latest technology to develop fashion that looks good, lasts long and is eco-friendly.

Amazing Clubs

Featuring dozens of #1 rated gift of the month clubs, Amazing Clubs is the easiest way to send loved ones their favorite treats straight to their door. From beer, wine and coffee, to bacon, hot sauce and pizza, to lobster, steak and cheesecake, Amazing Clubs truly has something for everyone on your list. It ultimately offers 7.9 billion club combinations to help you create the perfect personalized gift. Prices for these offerings start at $17.95 per month.

I had the pleasure of trying out Amazing Clubs’ Pickle Of The Month Club offering for November 2020. I look forward to trying out more offerings from Amazing Clubs very soon, as not only were the pickles tried excellent, but everything arrived fast and neatly-packed to my front door.

Sok-It’s JavaSok

Whether you enjoy iced or hot beverages, puddles, water ring marks and brews are among the daily friction points for most people. This month Sok-It launched 24 new styles of its popular JavaSok and HotSok lines — all under $16 — for a wide-range of affordable holiday gift options for everyone on your list. With over 10,000 positive reviews, JavaSok and HotSok are serving as the permanent solution to all beverage condensation and temperature annoyances people experience daily. Made from thick, insulating, 4MM coated neoprene fabric on its inner and outer sides to provide natural barriers to various elements, JavaSok sleeves replace napkins used to ward off cup sweat from dripping on your clothes and anywhere else. HotSok sleeves shield hands from extreme heat. All are hand-washable and even come in reusable container sleeves for water bottles (BotlSok) and soda (SodaSok).

JavaSok cup sleeves cover about 85 percent of the cups from various popular drink stores to fit small, medium and large containers. Don’t know what style to choose? No worries, as eGift cards from $10-$50 are available on the Sok-It website. Sok-It also provides custom branded logo options and designs for retail outlets, corporate gifts and gatherings, weddings, birthdays and more.

Victor Li’s FW20 Collection

Launched in 2018 by Chinese-American designer Victor Li, his eponymous contemporary menswear brand engages with and gives a platform to an underrepresented demographic that desires an alternative aesthetic in place of the oversaturated streetwear scene. The brand — reportedly a favorite of Robert Downey, Jr., Matt Bomer, KJ Apa, Nick Jonas, and Charles Melton alike — presented on the runway at New York Fashion Week for its Fall-Winter 2020 collection.

One of the popular new pieces from Victor Li’s newest collection is the Work Trouser, which is available in moss, ecru and navy between the waist sizes of 28 and 36. Made from 100 percent cotton corduroy and featuring an elastic waistband and zip pockets, this relaxed-fit, wide-leg trouser pairs a loungewear-inspired silhouette with traditional trouser fabrication. This trouser carries a suggested retail price of $275.00 and is made in New York City.

MooseLabs’ MouthPeace Mini

California-based Moose Labs is a product design and development company that creates alternative harm-reduction innovations for the cannabis industry. After developing the original, germ-free silicone mouthpiece for consumption events back in 2014, the MouthPeace has evolved into one of the best selling smoke shop accessories of all time. The patented design is universally-fitting for all pipes, joints and vaporizers; and is a must have for the social smoker.

The MouthPeace Mini is the first physician-backed germ-preventing accessory and filter designed to fit joints, vape pens and e-cigarettes for a safer smoking experience. MouthPeace Mini is a smaller, slimmer version of the original MouthPeace, created to avoid cross-contamination of shared pipes without killing the “puff puff pass” ethos so integral to weed culture. The MouthPeace Mini comes in 13 vibrant colorways, ranging from “Unicorn” to “Black Diamond” to “Purple Haze,” with options for every device and personal style. The MouthPeace Mini and MouthPeace original are available online at www.mooselabs.us or found in-store at select retailers and dispensaries.

Piggyback Rider

Have a parent of a toddler on this year’s holiday gift list? Then the Piggyback Rider, which gives toddlers a bird’s-eye view of the world around them, is a gift to consider giving. The Piggyback Rider Carrier is designed for children 2 years and up, weighing up to 50 pounds. It is ideal for walks or hikes, and here is how it works: the foam-core carrier mounts on mom or dad’s back like a backpack (minus the pack). The child is buckled into a six-point safety harness tethered to the shoulder straps, but instead of sitting, he or she stands on a wide non-skid foot bar that is also mounted to the shoulder straps.

Pioneer Rayz Pro Earphones

Pioneer Rayz’s Pro Earphones are smart noise-cancelling earbuds powered by what is reportedly the world’s most advanced app-driven personalized audio technology. Rayz Pro includes both Lightning and USB-C adapters for universal compatibility with iOS devices, Android devices, laptops, and Nintendo Switch, along with a premium travel case. They have listen and charge technology, and come with 3 sets of Comply foam eartips for guaranteed fit and comfort. A customizable “smart button” and auto pause when crossing the street or talking to people are just some of the features of these earbuds. I have found them very useful for a variety of functions, including phone call functions, listening to music while working, and long walks; I have yet to experience the Pioneer Rayz Pro earbuds as part of a workout, but word is that they are great for that as well.

Josh Cellars’ Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Josh Cellars founder Joseph Carr spent a decade serving as a world-class sommelier followed by another decade as a wine industry executive. After years of hard work, he left it all behind to pursue his dream: starting his own wine company, making wines from California. Josh Cellars’ newest release is the Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

This gorgeous wine pairs perfectly with entrees like grilled steak, a leg of lamb or barbecue ribs and is ideal for bringing to Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas feast. The bourbon barrel aging imparts notes of cedar, vanilla, brown spice, caramel and a touch of bourbon which blend harmoniously with flavors of ripe plum, cranberry and hints of barbecued meats. The nose is rich and complex with hints of baked black fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla, coffee and sweet toffee. This release is ideal for gifting, pairing and/or sharing.

Flaviar’s Corn Trooper United Craft Bourbon 2020

Flaviar is a club for fine spirits enthusiasts. Launched in 2012 in Europe, the company’s mission is to help everyday people build their dream home bar. Both an online-based and a real-world community, Flaviar — the world’s largest spirits club — currently ships to 35 states, offering free shipping. Participating brands include Glenfarclas, Patron, The Macallan, Lagavulin, Yamazaki, Bulleit Bourbon, Sipsmith, and Woodford Reserve. Membership is $20 monthly, as billed quarterly.

Earlier this month Flaviar announced an innovative bourbon addition to the Flaviar Originals lineup: Corn Trooper 2020 United Craft Bourbon. An all-American blend that showcases unity, collaboration and strength by uniting 7 craft bourbons from 7 different U.S. states into 1 tasty blended bourbon. Commented Grisa Soba, co-founder of Flaviar and master blender of Corn Trooper: “Corn Trooper is a union of our favorite craft bourbons from all around the U.S. coming together for the first time. For us, it’s as much an incredible whiskey as it is a map of memories and America itself.” The 6 craft U.S. bourbon whiskeys included in the 2020 edition of Corn Trooper United Craft Bourbon comprise Breckenridge Distillery (Colorado), OOLA Distillery (Washington), Balcones (Texas), Kings County (New York), New Holland Brewing (Michigan), High Wire Distilling (South Carolina), and Hartfield & Co. (Kentucky).


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About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."


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