November 14, 2019, 11:00 AM

99 Gifts That Are Truly Touching

From a few drops of fabulous fragrance to a dessert that takes 14 hours to make, these exotic gift ideas will shock even the most worldly recipient.

Photographs by Zhongjia Sun for Bloomberg Businessweek

“Handcrafted,” like most marketing buzzwords, was a serious thing that serious people did before it got so overused it became a punch line. What began as a reaction to the smooth blankness of the screen quickly morphed into a thicket of "artisanal" face creams and "bespoke" cocktails at your favorite bar—with an egregious surcharge for the pleasure.

The holidays, however, are different. Something handmade feels, well, special: It takes longer to find objects made by hand, and they tend to cost more. Such gifts are more individual, and getting them often needs to be arranged weeks or even months in advance. It reminds us that, whether it’s a a poker set that uses 1,000 individual pieces of wood or a ring's carving technique that requires years to master, yes, it is the effort that means something.

Lucky for you, we have thought up some genius, shortcut solutions to solve your gift-giving conundrums this season. Many of the 99 items below are indeed handmade in the truest sense: a warm throw created by traditional Belgian methods, a gin that they can blend themselves, a beautiful handbag woven by artisans in Africa. Even the ones that aren’t totally handmade come with an unexpected benefit: zero buzzwords.

Sections:

Decor Travel Tech Kitchen Jewelry Sports Fitness Food Style Beauty Drinks

▲ High rollers, look sharp: Alexandra Llewellyn, a London-based artist who makes tabletop games using the centuries-old method of marquetry, has created a poker set comprising more than 1,000 slivers of hand-cut sycamore, walnut, birch, and bog oak. She dips the pieces in a tray of hot sand, a process called “sand shading,” to give each a subtle tonal quality. The skull on the lid is a popular request, and it comes with one gold tooth, which is where she carves the edition number. Only 15 have been made. £12,500 ($16,027)

Decor

Apotheke Candles

The scents, like all their candles and soaps, are still made by hand and blended in Brooklyn. A holiday collection includes black cypress, charred fig, and Assam tea, and comes in a set of six so you can keep three for yourself. $46

Akari Light

Isamu Noguchi’s lanterns, designed beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half-century by the original manufacturer in Gifu, Japan, are today considered icons of modern design. This 67-inch-tall light will work with just about any interior. $2,600

Xinu Diffuser

Part diffuser, part spray-on perfume, and part home accessory, the Xinu was created by frequent collaborators Ignacio Cadena and Hector Esrawe in Mexico City. The glass is blown by Nouvel Studio, one of the best in the country. $169

Tiffany Gold Bird’s Nest

This delicate little bird’s nest is woven from 18-karat gold and holds two Tiffany eggs by the porcelain manufacturer Nymphenburg. It’s inspired by a 1969 engagement ad culled from the brand’s rich archives. $80,000

Kurlisuri Throw

The warmest, heaviest, softest blanket on Earth is sustainably made from alpaca, wool, and linen using traditional Belgian methods. $950

Zebra and Leather Box

If there’s an aspiring Karen Blixen type on your list, these leather-and-zebra-skin boxes give a safari-like vibe to the souvenir tray. $155

The Lives of Artists

Longtime New Yorker writer Calvin Tomkins has compiled a massive boxed set of 82 profiles that he’s written from 1962 to 2019—from famous names like Jasper Johns to contemporary heavyweights like Cindy Sherman and Mark Bradford. $125

Harimi Dustpan

Almost too pretty to use, this dustpan is as much decor as dirt-sweeper-upper. But it’ll spirit away the clippings of a bonsai tree just as easily as the potting soil from a transplanted fiddle leaf fig. $32

▲ Motorcycle brand Revival makes its wallets, totes, keychains, seats, and hand grips all at its Austin headquarters, and this Palo Duro Pannier briefcase is no different. It’s got a bunch of handy pockets inside, and with its strong cobra buckles, it’ll fit on just about any two-wheeled transportation, whether it’s motorized or not. Colors are available in “British” tan, mahogany, and black (pictured). $1,350

Travel

Special Edition World Map Globe

This 6-inch globe by artist Kristjana Williams looks like it could have been made in the early 1500s, with mythical winged sea monsters occupying the coast of Peru and cherubic dolphins swimming in the Atlantic waters near “Luigianna.” $535

Bolide 1923 Chimeres Dragon Travel Bag

Dreamlike creatures from mythology and ancient Greek pottery rear their head in the Hermès holiday collection as well. The tufting technique is made by creating an embroidery on the leather, then shaving its surface for a velvety touch. 800 441-4488 $15,800

Aurola White Noise Machine

Give the gift of restful sleep on the road with a small but powerful white noise machine. Its built-in speaker has seven recordings that don’t loop or break—whether peaceful tones of ocean waves and rainforests are preferred ... or howling wind and thunderstorms. $24

Mojave Riding Boots

Even the hardest biker dude loves the custom builds from Roland Sands Design. The brand’s premium riding boot is an ideal blend of function and classic styling. $300

Shaya Pet Carrier

For that special someone who brings their tiny special animal everywhere they go. These Italian-made pet carriers come with straps in blush, cobalt (pictured), or ruby, and sizes range from “petite,” which can fit a Yorkie, to “tall,” suitable for a Pomeranian. $745

Crossbody Lunchpail Bag

Don’t understimate the power of a cute crossbody bag. The ones from Cesta Collective are handwoven by female artisans in Rwanda and take more than three days to weave using locally sourced materials. $495

Celestial Compass Locket

This compass-inspired locket mimics the handsome navigational motifs of explorers’ instruments used in the 14th and 15th centuries. But it’s not actually functional, so think of this British-made token as more of a good-luck charm than something that can replace a GPS. $265

Leather Marine Coolbox

An otherwise ordinary Coleman ice chest, except its handles are made of rope and covered in leather from the Spanish experts at Sol&Luna. At 27 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 17 inches high, the 66-liter cooler will hold 100 cans for the host in training. $900

Other than in the motor and the needle cartridge, everything in this Recosonne record player is engineered from scratch and built by hand in the Philadelphia studio of BDDW’s Tyler Hays. He first designed it, in an edition of 18, to use in the all-vinyl radio station that he runs out of his M. Crow shops in Milan and Lostine, Ore. Marble is used for the platter, and the housing is aircraft-grade wood that’s brush-painted with a slow-drying oil, which gives it a slightly more imperfect finish than the typical spray-on paint. The tone arm can come in yew, holly, or yellow cedar, and the entire machine is damped with down feathers, tar, sand, and rubber. Hays is working on a second limited edition of the model.
From $22,000; 212 625-1230 — ▲ Other than in the motor and the needle cartridge, everything in this Recosonne record player is engineered from scratch and built by hand in the Philadelphia studio of BDDW’s Tyler Hays. He first designed it, in an edition of 18, to use in the all-vinyl radio station that he runs out of his M. Crow shops in Milan and Lostine, Ore. Marble is used for the platter, and the housing is aircraft-grade wood that’s brush-painted with a slow-drying oil, which gives it a slightly more imperfect finish than the typical spray-on paint. The tone arm can come in yew, holly, or yellow cedar, and the entire machine is damped with down feathers, tar, sand, and rubber. Hays is working on a second limited edition of the model. From $22,000; 212 625-1230

Tech

Ricoh GR III

Don’t underestimate its cuteness: This powerhouse of speed and resolution is one of the best point-and-shoots for capturing flurries of activity. If you know someone who wants to dabble in street shots without the burden of a bulky DSLR, this one slips easily into a shirt pocket. $900

Bulova Computron Watch

If you know someone who owns the classic Casio calculator watch, the Computron will tickle the same yen for a vintage timepiece with modern elements. It has a red LED display, dual time zone capabilities, and is even water-resistant to 30 meters. $395

Sonus Faber SF16

This music lover’s dream speaker was inspired by the muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s, but its movable “satellite” arms—with a walnut wood finish that hides the tweeters and midranges—look like nothing so much as the spacecraft of a very tasteful alien species. $10,000

Morro One Speakers

Another music lover’s dream speaker, but one that, with its jagged facade, actually looks like it was made by hand. It’s crafted in California and comes with two main speakers and an 11-inch subwoofer. Only six are made. $599

Tait Alarm Clock

Limit their late-night screen time and data overload with this whimsically retro maple and metal clock that’s portable, battery-operated, and tiny enough to toss into a carry-on. $75

Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset

Encourage their late-night screen time and data overload with this riff on Sennheiser’s top-tier gaming headset, courtesy of the enthusiast community at Drop. $120

Flighty App Subscription

At $50 per year, it’s expensive for an app. But if there’s a frequent flyer on your list, this app seems to know when flights are delayed before the pilot does. $50

Dasher by Hinckley Yachts

The world’s first fully electric luxury yacht gets a 2.0 version: extended range, improved protection from the elements, and a redesigned interior for more creature comforts. $500,000

Jewelry designer Janie Kruse Garnett got an idea for a better lobster fork last summer at a wedding in (where else?) Maine. She works by hand in the “lost wax” method of casting, an ancient technique that allows for a high level of intricacy. “Also,” she says, “I’m overbearing and like to be in charge of the process from start to finish.” She designs these tiny sterling silver picks in her New York living room and includes carefully considered details such as the scalloped clamshell—perfect for resting your thumb—and the sharp barb at the end, which is crucial for pulling meat from a tight shell. Even the dimpled texture exists for a reason: so the fork doesn’t get slippery when doused in butter. <a href="http://janiekrusegarnett.com/product/harpoon-lobster-picks/" target="new">$225</a> — ▲ Jewelry designer Janie Kruse Garnett got an idea for a better lobster fork last summer at a wedding in (where else?) Maine. She works by hand in the “lost wax” method of casting, an ancient technique that allows for a high level of intricacy. “Also,” she says, “I’m overbearing and like to be in charge of the process from start to finish.” She designs these tiny sterling silver picks in her New York living room and includes carefully considered details such as the scalloped clamshell—perfect for resting your thumb—and the sharp barb at the end, which is crucial for pulling meat from a tight shell. Even the dimpled texture exists for a reason: so the fork doesn’t get slippery when doused in butter. $225

Kitchen

Manufactum Bread Bin

This deceptively simple-looking construction in dark, oiled walnut wood also comes with a fold-out lid that doubles as a detachable cutting board with deep grooves to catch the crumbs. $160

Meadors Made Cutting Board

Upgrade their serving situation with a handsome copper-and-walnut serving board that’s 12 inches in diameter and has a few handy spots for olives, dips, and nuts they’ll serve you next time you visit. $220

Masamoto Shiro-ko Hongasumi Knives

Don’t overthink it: A Japanese knife always slays. This one is forged from a combination of white carbon steel and soft iron steel, but the handles in quince wood and water buffalo will attract the most attention. $590

Nesting Bowl Set

Heath Ceramics’ holiday-themed cluster of Rim Line bowls includes one for cereal, dessert, and a tiny “mini” option, all in the familiar shape and glaze and signature wide clay rim. $93

Berkel Flywheel B2 Meat Slicer

Considered the Rolls-Royce of cold cuts, this 72-pound tabletop meat slicer comes in fire-engine red and should be prominently placed on a countertop to show off the flywheel design. $4,759

Bentley Flying B Bottle Stopper

Considered the Bentley of bottle stoppers, because it is—the brand’s trademark Flying “B” mascot is set in a polished chrome finish to give any bottle an expensive hood ornament. £65 ($83)

Poilane: Secrets of the World Famous Bakery

The bread geeks we know are freaking out about this souvenir of a Parisian landmark, and with good reason: The beloved French bakery catalogs some of its most famous recipes, like Poilane-style sourdough and its extraordinary walnut sourdough. $35

Grillworks Family Size Grill

These fire-coaxing machines come in a wide range of sizes—this one is considered a “larger party” grill thanks to removable surfaces and crankwheel-controlled temperatures. But it can still fit in the back of most SUVs. $4,575

Jewelry

Pink Diamond Earrings

Before the pink-diamond-producing Argyle mine closes next year, take advantage of these earrings that have been set with meticulous detail from John Calleija, a designer committed to responsible and sustainable diamond practices. $49,800

Heritage BiCompax Watch

This Carl F. Bucherer is a “bicompax,” which means it has two complications—chronograph and calendar. The whole thing is elegantly inspired by midcentury watch designs, and it comes in two metals, each limited to 888 pieces. $10,200

Saracino Bracelets

Wish a certain someone who wants to get on the bracelet bandwagon “good luck” with this Isaia number. Made of semiprecious malachite and pure silver, it rests at one’s wrist (near the pulse) to promote Zen-like calm, cool, and collection. $395

Perles Noir et Or Choker

A sculptural black and white porcelain necklace from the nonagenarian fashion icon Iris Apfel, who designed this collection with Bernardaud, proves there’s no age limit on wearing a choker. $530

Tassel Necklace

Designer Clara Williams’ ingenious magnetic clasp means this necklace can be worn two ways: with the long tassel in front, or showing off the centerpiece itself in conjunction with other jewels for a different look. The adjustable knot makes it easy to adapt for every occasion. $15,000

Big Bang Sang Bleu II

This update of Hublot’s ongoing, successful collaboration with tattoo artist Maxime Buchi is a mesmerizing stunner. $47,300

Sea Flowers Ring

Shell jewelry was all over the runways this year, but this Selim Mouzannar ring—an 18-karat pink gold number that’s set with diamonds and looks like a sea urchin—transcends fad. $12,310

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire

In laid-back green and bronze, this new chronograph from IWC’s Spitfire collection is sure to be collectible in the future. $6,250

golf club — ▲ In golf, drivers and irons tend to have set rules and principles of physics. A putter, on the other hand, is a more personal affair because less of a swing is involved. “It’s a category that leads to a higher preference ratio,” says Bruce Sizemore, the longtime club designer who founded More Golf in 2018. “It’s more of a love-hate relationship.” This winter he’s releasing a line of putters called the Detroit Collection. Their heads are all hand-forged in the Motor City, but the real showstopper is the insert fabricated using the Japanese method of Mokume Gane, in which sheets of copper and silver are heated to form a single layer of material. It’s not necessarily functional: The procedure was originally used to create showoffy hilts for samurai swords—the more ornamentation, the more gifted its owner. Each pattern is unique, creating a kind of “thumbprint.” After a consultation to choose among a darker bronze or gray or purple patina, the putters take about a week to arrive. Only 99 will be made. $2,500

Sports

7 Weight Graphite Rod

If you’re celebrating the holidays aboard a fishing kayak, consider a graphite rod from the beloved Bozeman, Mont., maker Tom Morgan. The company’s newest is a medium-fast-action rod designed for trout fishing with streamers in the fall. $1,495

Fliteboard eFoil

If you’re celebrating the holidays aboard a yacht, consider a surfboard with an electric motor that flies effortlessly above the water for up to 90 minutes per charge. $12,935

Fredericks & Mae Bocce Set

As much art as it is functional, this bocce set comes with eight 3-inch hand-painted balls, one jack, a booklet with playing rules set in very cool fonts, and a bag to carry it all in. $150

GLCO x Malbon Club Cover

Eyeglass entrepreneur Garrett Leight is also a golf fanatic. This year he teamed up with Malbon on a limited-edition headcover with commemorative palm print, in case there’s a name on your list who wants to improve his handicap and look good at the same time. $135

Glidz Wetsuit

Get a leg up on all the Olympic tourists heading to Tokyo next summer and get the surfer on your list fitted for a premium neoprene wetsuit, handmade in Chiba, Japan. Stock suits take 12 days to make and are almost $500, so expect custom ones to run more than that. From $500

Clash 100 Tennis Racket

Make next year the year they make “the leap” on the court with Wilson’s Clash 100, which balances flexibility with a stability that allows the racket to comfortably function for midlevel to advanced players. $249

CDLP Aperitivo Swim Trunk

Holidays aren’t always about cold-weather clothing. Get them dreaming with these do-everything midlength swim trunks: two side pockets, a custom rubber drying hook, a hidden adjustable-drawstring waistband, and a back pocket designed for securely storing a credit card. $175

DPS Phantom Glide

Then again, it’s ski season. This permanent, one-time-application, waxless base treatment will eliminate the need for constantly waxing skis and snowboards. If your ski bunnies don’t already have it, they will soon. $99

exercise machine — ▲ Blame CrossFit. Or House of Cards. But rowing, once largely reserved for crew teams at fusty northeastern colleges, has become a mainstay of fitness regimens, used by a half-million people for workouts every day. Whereas most exercise equipment has an industrial, plastic-and-metal aesthetic, WaterRower Inc. makes the frames of its machines from Appalachian hardwoods. All the smoothing, drilling, fitting, sanding, and staining is done by hand in Warren, R.I. The only machine-made parts are the polycarbonate water tank and the flywheel inside, which creates a soothing whoosh of resistance instead of the usual fan. Rowing has been proven as one of the best ways to burn a ton of calories, and like cycling, it’s low-impact, so there’s less wear and tear on the body. “It’s one of the big three in terms of the best workouts,” says David Jones, director of sales and marketing at WaterRower. “One is swimming, the other is cross-country skiing, and both are tough to do in your home.” $1,495; 800 852-2210

Fitness

Hyperice Hypervolt Plus

Recovery is the name of the game today. This Hypervolt Plus looks like a hair dryer but is more like a jackhammer for your muscles. A really soft, soothing, massaging jackhammer. $450

Neue Sport Jump Rope

This, on the other hand, looks like a prop left over from Swiss Family Robinson. But don’t let the vintage look fool you: There’s a high-speed, precision four-ball-bearing system of anodized aircraft aluminum hidden away that will pump up arms—or the shelf, should they opt to use it as decor. $375

Technogym Cross Personal

This year, the legendary Italian designer Antonio Citterio released a new collection of Technogym workout stations with futuristic mirrored sections and an entertainment console. $14,815

Garmin Forerunner

This GPS running smartwatch not only evaluates performance stats such as VO2 max and anaerobic training effects, it’ll tell your father-in-law who just got into marathoning when he’s overdoing it. $350

Carbon X Running Shoes from Hoka One One

Named best running shoe by Runner’s World, these sneakers feature the brand’s Profly X foam, the lightest and most resilient foam it’s ever made, and given its history, that’s saying something. $180

PowerBeats Pro Earphones

Simply put, they’re the most comfortable, and most responsive, wireless earbuds we’ve tried. At just 20 grams (0.7 oz.), they’re lightweight enough to wear for hours without causing the ear soreness that can come with long listening sessions. $250

Roubion Mountain Bike

Juliana, the bike brand developed by former world champ Juli Furtado, named its Roubion bike after a village in southern France that’s also one of mountain biking legend Anka Martin’s favorite stages in the Trans-Provence race. From $4,699

Cubii Jr. Elliptical

Who needs a standing desk? This elliptical lets a lucky recipient work at their desk and burn off the calories from last night’s steak dinner at the same time. It’s got eight levels of resistance and a whisper-quiet design and can fit under any desk that has at least 23 inches of clearance. $250

bread — ▲ Popping up in trendy bakeries around the world, the sugary butter bomb kouign amann is as hard to ignore as it is to pronounce. (For the record, it’s “queen oh-MAHN”; in France’s Brittany region, where the dessert was born, it translates as “butter cake.”) The best way to describe it is as a croissant gone wild, with layers of caramelized sugar baked into a dough folded over and over. At first it crunches when you bite, then it melts in your mouth. They’re usually about the size of a muffin, but at Manresa Bread in Los Gatos, Calif., head baker Avery Ruzicka specializes in plate-size versions that are 8 inches in diameter. She now mails her concoctions throughout the continental U.S., but you’ll need to plan ahead: The pastries are baked every Tuesday morning for shipment that afternoon, so time your orders accordingly. From $60

Food

Gethsemani Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcake

This fruitcake, made by Trappist monks in Kentucky, includes a blend of orange peel, citron peel, cherries, and pineapple. But our favorite ingredient is the bourbon. $40

KellyBronze Turkey

This bird is the word. KellyBronze’s free-range turkeys are aged for twice as long as store-bought versions—hand-plucked, then hung and dry-aged for seven days. From $112

Saltverk Salt

Hand-harvested from Iceland’s western fjords, this collection includes flavors such as Arctic thyme, birch smoked, and lava, along with traditional flaky sea salt. $44

AndSons Chocolates 24-pc Signature Box

The in-house chocolatier of AndSons, Kriss Harvey, trained with the legendary Oriol Balaguer in France—and holy moly, are these confections amazing. Seasonal fall chocolates range from dark hazelnut praline, dark vegan Earl Grey (actually good!), and Peruvian ganache with berry. $59

Villajos “Reserva” Manchego Cheese

This aged curado Manchego is an authentic handmade, raw sheep’s milk cheese cured for over a year. It’s repeatedly been awarded as one of the best in Spain at prestigious tasting competitions in the country. $116

Beluga Private Stock Caviar

Obtained from a cross between the Beluga sturgeon and the Siberian sturgeon, these roe come from a small farm in the north of Italy, not far from Venice, where the sturgeon is preserved in water so pure you can drink it. $140 for 0.5 oz.

J&E SmallGoods Kielbasa

The cure for holiday charcuterie board fatigue. These sausages are made from sustainably raised beef and pork, without nitrates or nitrites, and are redolent in hickory smokiness. $13 for ½ lb.

Iberico Ham

If Ibérico ham is their jam, check out this D’Artagnan air-cured jámon, crafted by fourth-generation maestro jamóneros who oversee curing rooms at high altitudes in the fresh, clean air of the Rasillo de Cameros Mountains. $589

▲ An hour and 15 minutes from Guatemala City is Pastores, a semi-rural town where the formal employment (not unemployment) rate is 7%. Not for lack of know-how: The city is home to more than 1,000 trained shoemakers; they just don’t have access to international markets. Boston-based Adelante Shoe Co., founded by Peter Sacco as a graduate student at Tufts University, employs more than 40 craftsmen in Pastores who make loafers, oxfords, and boots such as the Havana (here in denim blue). They are delivered within 10 business days of ordering and can be personalized with stylistic changes like different soles and lace colors. The workers, who are paid a living wage 75% above market for Pastores, are even introduced to their customers via a video that’s sent with the purchase. A women’s line also includes sandals and booties. $255

Style

Maison Atia Faux Fur Coat

A striking faux fur coat is just the thing for an upcoming trip to St. Moritz, and this one comes from ethical label Maison Atia, a fast-growing label that’s run by Chloe Mendel, daughter of Gilles Mendel. $1,695

Nobis Mila Lady Faux Fur Trapper

While you're at it, pair the coat with a faux-fur hat. There's nothing cozier than tightening a fuzzy trapper over your ears in the dead of winter. $130

Visvim Voyager Moc

The wares from Visvim, the Japanese brand that's inspired cultish devotion in urban downtowns around the world, are always impeccably made and always in style. $860

Ksubi x Hidjiworld "Greed" Hoodie

Debuting Nov. 21, this collaboration with the A$AP hip-hop crew includes unisex T-shirts and sweatshirts featuring graphic illustrations and graffiti-inspired designs that are a modern take on the seven deadly sins. $190

Benson & Clegg Blazer Buttons

Instead of trying to find a suit that fits, get some buttons that fit the suit he already wears. $130

Nice Laundry Lounge Short

Instead of trying to find workout clothes that fit, get a snug, stretchy pair of shorts that can be customized with a letter or symbol. $34

No.One Delta Sneakers

Because it's never too early to up the sneaker game of a teenager—or parent who's eager for a break from adulting. $750

Bode Tropical Flower Shirt

Because it's never too early to jump on board the Hawaiian shirt train. $145

perfume — ▲ On Dec. 1, Régime des Fleurs will re-release its original scent, Nymphaea Caerulea, after being sold out for three years. Founder Alia Raza sources ingredients from all over the world for her one-of-a-kind fragrances; for this one she blends 80 of them by hand. The main component comes from blue water lily, also known as blue lotus, a rare flower considered sacred by ancient Egyptians. “It’s like wine,” Raza says. “You don’t get the best thing every year. All the conditions have to conspire to smell perfect.” The bottles are hand-painted in her Los Angeles studio; the iridescent turquoise is meant to evoke mermaid skin. Use sparingly: The bottle, containing a mere 0.25 fluid ounces, or 8 milliliters, is no taller than a paper clip. $715

Beauty

Erode Soap

With its unique sculptural shape, this soap from Umé adds a different kind of beauty to the daily bath ritual. Plus, it’s got a ton of unique botanicals, antioxidants, mineral-rich clays, and skin-nurturing essential oils. $48

Santa Maria Novella Bag

From one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, these beauty products are still totally handmade by Florentine artisans. Get enough of them to fill up this travel case in waterproof and stain-resistant leather. $179

Vetyver Rinse Free Handwash

Byredo’s energizing combination of bracing but sweet angelica seeds, paired with refreshingly tart pomelo, makes it the anti-Purell: a hand sanitizer scent that you’ll actually want to linger on your skin. $35

Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar

If you don’t yet know how good it feels good to rub rollers on your face, give someone else the opportunity. They’ll thank you for it. $195

Kelsen Signature Pomade

A beauty brand created by a quartet of pro surfers and skaters, its natural pomade adds solid texture without getting greasy. $29

Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

This refreshing serum from injectables queen Barbara Sturm uses hyaluronic acid—the latest gotta-get-it beauty product thanks to its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture—to deliver a potent level of hydration. $300

Christine Chin Retinol Smoothing Fluid

Retinol, the secret sauce for rejuvinating the appearance of skin, is combined with other power-packed anti-aging ingredients from the no-nonsense skin-care legend Christine Chin, who treats models and actresses from her spa on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. $85 for 1.12 fluid oz.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum

With eight different acids, retinol, and witch hazel, this powerhouse is like Drano for the skin—it unclogs pores and dissolves waxy plugs. $65 for 1 oz.

Glasses — ▲ Since 1586, Saint-Louis glass has been handmade in French workshops, where a team of 15 workers takes 10 days to shape just one Tommy cocktail glass (left). This year the brand introduced the St. Regis Midnight Supper set, which combines a few classic designs in a mismatched group including the Tommy, the Bubbles footed glass (center), and the Excess Champagne flute (right). Gift them alongside a handcrafted alcohol from Empirical Spirits, the distillery co-founded by Lars Williams, a former head of research and development for Noma. Its newest release, Ayuuk, is made from a purple wheat base with distilled pasilla chiles from Oaxaca that give it a smoky hit not unlike mezcal. $2,300 (glasses); 212 752-8800. $85 (spirit)

Drinks

Teeling Whiskey Single Malt

Teeling’s 24-year-old single malt was named the world’s best at this year’s 2019 World Whiskies Awards, the first Irish whiskey to be so honored. $599

Whistle Pig “Samurai Scientist”

Rye fans have been salivating over this, the sixth entry in Whistle Pig’s “Boss Hog” series. It’s the world’s first rye finished in Japanese umeshu barrels, and the name—and its pewter samurai topper—is a nod to Jokichi Takamine, the “samurai chemist” who’s credited with sharing Japanese fermentation techniques with Western whiskey makers. $499

10 Generations Cognac

A tribute to the 10 generations of Ferrands who’ve maintained the tradition of cognac making since 1630. The liquid comes from a single variety of grape, the Ugni Blanc, but it’s the packaging, which traces the portraits of its heritage in the roots of the tree, that will put it front and center of any bar cart. $60

Glenfiddich Grand Cru

Celebrate the year of 1997 with this Scotch, a 23-year-old expression from the famous Speyside distillery. This one is finished in French cuvée casks for six months after its long maturation in American and European oak casks. $299

Matchbook Distilling Create Your Own Gin

Head out to Long Island’s North Fork for a 90-minute session with master distiller Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski. It includes a private tour of the facility, a tasting, small bites, and the experience of creating a full-size bottle of gin with up to 50 botanical distillates. $150

Bollinger Champagne James Bond Limited Edition

Celebrate the 25th Bond film next year, No Time to Die, with a bottle of 007’s favorite bubbly. The limited-edition cuvée marks the 40th anniversary of the brand’s exclusive Champagne partnership with everyone’s favorite secret agent. $230

Iichiko Overproof Shochu

Shochu is usually about 25 percent ABV, but this one from Iichiko, at 43 percent, is a higher-proof spirit that packs a wallop without skimping on flavor. $29

Vermut Rosé

Lustau, the Spanish sherry producer, embraces rosé all day with a new vermouth that's a blend of three wines: a dry and crisp Fino sherry, a sweet and floral Moscatel, and a lively Tintilla de Rota. $20