Even if you spend all your time with one person, it’s hard to know exactly what it is they might want for the holidays. Do you go for something practical or something they’d never think to get for themselves? If anything, now’s the time to go for the personal gift, but what exactly could that be? To find out, we talked to a bunch of girlfriends, wives, boyfriends, and husbands about what they want from their significant others. (In a similar vein, we grilled moms and dads about what they want, too.)
“Christmas is fun. Most of the time, January is not. To extend the fun beyond December, I’d like a subscription to New Hobby Box for Christmas. Every month, the gear and instructions for a new hobby will be delivered to my house. Ideally it’ll be a hobby I learn I enjoy (maybe like lock picking [above]). If it turns out to be something I don’t like — like maybe needle felting, just a guess — I’ll just wait a few weeks for the next box.” [Editor’s note: Other great subscription gift boxes include monthly wine or grooming products, too.] —Jay Towle, married two years
“TRNK is my go-to for home décor and design ideas, and they always have something new and unique. This incense burner is just what I want. It’s like a functional piece of art, and I’m so into incense lately. I’m having a throwback moment, and it’s the perfect mate to my turntable and vintage-record collection.” —Joe Berean, creative director, dating three years
“I grew up in Michigan and recently went home to introduce my family to Greg, my boyfriend of three years. We visited Shinola’s flagship in Detroit and watched them assemble this turntable in the back of the shop. It’s a work of art, and I love that it represents (in a small way) the resurgence of manufacturing and craftsmanship in Detroit — a worthy cause! It also looks cool, sounds amazing, and has fun follow-ups built in: well-thought-out records to gift for Valentine’s, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because.” —Joe Berean, creative director, dating three years
Note: This is sold out, but here’s a similar matte black turntable.
“I think that a lot of guys don’t really want ‘stuff.’ If there’s something I need, I buy it. My girlfriend and I have been together almost three years now, and she usually surprises this displaced New England boy with tickets to a Patriots game, where I could wear this hat. The only thing that could top that would be if she convinced our Manhattan landlord to let us install DirecTV so I could watch every game at home.” —Jason Bain, construction project manager, dating three years
“I usually spend time asking people not to get me anything for Christmas, so I’m out of practice asking for stuff, but here’s my best case. I like toys that also serve a purpose. My wife and I are always trying to outdo each other in the kitchen, but my irregular work schedule makes it hard to block out hours to cook. The Anova Sous Vide cooker would be a great tool that would allow me to start food when it’s convenient and finish it in a couple of minutes when I’m ready to put food on the table.” —Dan Cole, assistant professor, married one month
“I also want an ACR Personal Locating Beacon for Christmas. I just got married and my wife gets nervous whenever I go camping in Alaska. She wants me to carry one of these beacons in case I get lost or hurt, so it’s kind of a win-win. She gets to give me a present that puts her mind at ease, and I get a present that keeps my mind out of a bear’s gullet.” —Dan Cole
Note: There are only a few left, but here’s a similar option.
“Whenever I think of gifts, my mind always goes to tools. I’m really into this company Lee Valley, which sources really interesting tools from all around the world. Some tools can only do one thing, but my favorite tools do a lot of things well. I’d love this multi-tool because it can do 12 different things, like marking, measuring, and gauging depth. It’d be a great addition to the toolbox of anyone that’s even slightly handy.” [Editor’s note: Here’s a similar option.] —Chris Eaton, blacksmith, married 14 years
“Naked day is always good. A fully booked naked day. Or naked half a day or naked quarter of a day depending on our schedules. My wife would book the day for us to be alone and away from our children, and we’d spend the entire day naked. There’s this awesome mask called Glamglow Gravity Mud that’s this really sexy silver and you can literally put it everywhere. I want her to come out wearing only that, and for us to spend the day together.” —Donald Robertson, artist, married 12 years
“It’s super-expensive and I would never get it for myself, but I’d love to have a quality leather jacket like this one from Acne. All my other leather jackets have been from thrift stores or cheap ones from H&M #dreambig.” —Clay Hawkins, hairstylist, dating three years
“I kind of don’t trust microwaves, especially considering the technology was created shortly after the Roswell crash (you do the math), so 2017 is gonna be all about getting back to basics. I wanna donate the microwave and only use toaster ovens from now on.” —Clay Hawkins
“I’m 78 years old and lucky to be in pretty good health. This year my wife and I got each other eyeglasses for Christmas, only before Christmas because we needed them. The new glasses make a big difference when I’m woodworking, which is how I spend most of my time, especially in the winter. Craftsman makes great tools and I would love a new rotary tool.” —Newell Stewart, Navy veteran, married 25 years
“I don’t care what your girlfriend says, do NOT get her something ‘functional’ or ‘practical’ for Christmas. Last year, Williams Sonoma accidentally shipped an impeccably gift-wrapped three-speed blender in place of the chic Nespresso machine my boyfriend had picked out for me. Imagine my relief when he laughed and assured me that it was a mistake. Nothing says ‘I don’t care’ like a rugged kitchen appliance. I don’t buy myself jewelry, so this year I’d love a pretty everyday piece, like these kitten-ear studs, or these stacking rings from Catbird that I can wear year round.” [Editor’s note: Some similar Catbird rings here, here, and here.] —Emma Oldenkamp, fashion publicist, dating two years
“This year I’d love the Philips Wake-Up Light — it simulates the morning sun rising naturally with an ever-increasing, radiant glow. I’m hoping it helps with the long dark days of winter. Oh, and lest I forget, a trip to Saint Lucia to keep the spirits bright.” —Bridget Cammarata, director of marketing, married 27 years
“My partner and I are outdoor enthusiasts, and some of my favorite memories are of multiday bike treks along the California coast or joint trail-running debacles. I’ve learned the hard way that high-quality gear that can keep you cozy in rain, sleet, or shine goes a long way toward making those days enjoyable rather than just bearable. A water/wind–proof shell that I can use biking, running, or camping is the perfect gift to keep those memories coming.” —Talia Gibas, arts programs manager, married one month
“I honestly have no idea what I would want, but maybe a phone case with a picture of the two of us on the back would be a cute idea. Since most of us use our phones for a significant amount of time every day, what would be better than a case to remind us of the ones we love?” —Claudia Brown, seventh-grader, dating ten months and 31 days
“Growing up on the coast of Maine I’ve been around the lobster industry my whole life. I love the idea of wearing a piece of my childhood on my wrist with a lobster gauge bracelet. And Frye Boots are always on the list. Any style, any color, size seven.” —Kiely Foley-Towle, nurse practitioner, married two years
“I would love a paddle board. I love getting out on the water — alone for the peace and quiet but also with my boyfriend and friends. I could load it on my car and find some cool places to explore. And it’s great exercise.” —Shannon Huckaby, speech/language pathologist, dating eight years
“A little less than two years ago, I came back together with my first love and these days we have a business together and live between New York City and south Texas. I’ve been traveling back and forth a lot. I want something precious with metaphysical properties that’s a reminder of not only our handwork, but also the calm he brings to my life. Amethyst is known to have healing properties and meditative qualities. With how hard we go day-to-day, it would be nice to have this around my neck to bring me back to the present moment.” —Nina McCandless, consultant, dating one year and eight months
“My husband and I are not very materialistic and like to get one another something we might need. Last year he bought me several new turtlenecks, which I really loved. At 73 years old, aging gracefully is on my mind. This year Roger Landry’s Live Long Die Short is on my wish list.” —Katherine Stewart, retired social worker, married 25 years
“I am dying for a bag from the Chanel Cuba collection. The textures and the colors remind me of a much-needed vacation, but the classic tweedy style will be a collector’s piece forever.” —Joyann King, editor, harpersbazaar.com, married five months
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