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The person who has everything; the family member you’ve given a hundred gifts to already; the friend who always returns things. We all have some names on our holiday lists that can be tricky to shop for — so we turned to some of our friends for advice.
We checked in with Jeff Miller (Chef, Rosella and Bar Miller), Peter Chen (Barber, 12Pell), Cameron Campbell (Pianist, Campbell Quartet), Noam Dvir (Founder, BoND Architects) and Christopher Crawford (Co-Founder, Gardenheir) to get the tea on what they want this year, favorite gifts, holiday traditions and more.
What would you get for someone who likes to cook?
I obsess over cooking fish, and a few tools are essential for me:
What’s on your holiday playlist?
These three albums are all you need: Herb Alpert’s Christmas Album, Alabama’s Alabama Christmas, and A Dog’s Christmas by The Barking Dogs.
Do you have any gifting traditions in your family?
Santa brings everyone in my family a new calendar every Christmas. I’ve never had to buy a calendar in my life.
What was the best thing you ever got in a stocking?
My dad generally filled our stockings with loose nuts and practical gifts. I still use a multi-tool I pulled out of my stocking probably 25 years ago.
What are you giving people from Todd Snyder this year?
Hestra Bernard Gloves in Cork: An astonishing number of people in my life undervalue gloves. A sharp pair makes every outfit look a lil better and can feel as warm as an extra layer of clothing.
Donegal Overshirt in Oatmeal: “Donegal” is a great word and relatively new to my vocabulary; overshirts are a can’t-miss for any gentleman.
Persol (PO3186S), Havana: I don’t need sunglasses but I need someone to get these for me.
What’s your #1 holiday styling tip?
Invest in a good blow dryer! The heat helps you shape, add volume, and create flow in your hair. Just like heating plastic allows it to take on a new shape, applying heat to hair makes it more moldable, and as it cools, the style sets in place.
Does the 12Pell team have any holiday traditions?
For most holidays, we make an effort to set up a team dinner where we celebrate each other’s hard work and achievements. It’s a time for us to relax, reflect, and get excited for the next chapter.
Best hair/skin treatment to get in the winter?
In winter, both hair and skin need extra hydration. A deep conditioning hair mask once a week can combat dryness, while a hydrating face mask keeps skin looking fresh and healthy.
Do you have any go-to gifts (or places to find them)?
I love finding unique, handcrafted gifts. Recently, I've been supporting a friend who specializes in leather crafting, so depending on the person, I’ll request a custom wallet, passport holder, or cardholder.
What are you giving people from Todd Snyder this year?
Q Timex Reissue Black Dial Watch: You can’t go wrong with a timeless piece, especially one as versatile, clean and affordable as this Timex. It’s a perfect gift for someone just starting to build their watch collection.
Nomad Cashmere Crewneck: With the colder season approaching, a cashmere crewneck is a stylish and practical gift to keep someone warm. If the person you’re shopping for doesn’t have strong preferences, this classic piece is a safe yet thoughtful option.
Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer: A steamer is such an underrated gift! Everyone should have one at home, yet not everyone does. You never know when you’ll need to quickly de-wrinkle your clothes before a date, an event or a night out. No one likes a wrinkly shirt!
What would you get for a music lover?
I’d probably get a music lover some good headphones. And I mean good headphones.
What would you get for a musician?
Manuscript paper.
Where’s the best spot to catch a holiday show?
If Sullivan Fortner happens to be playing holiday tunes at Mezzrow anytime in December, you should go see that.
What was one of the best gifts you’ve ever received?
My sister got my brother and me Chick Corea tickets before he passed away. That was a really special concert!
What are you giving people from Todd Snyder this year?
D.S. & Durga Portable Fireplace Candle: Everyone likes a little atmosphere at their place during the holidays.
Chup Santa Wool Sock in Blue: They look really comfy, I like the design…and the worst thing to have is cold feet.
Câbleami Knit Bucket Hat in Olive: This looks like it can be worn in a bunch of different situations, but will keep you warm when you need it to.
What would you get a design and architecture lover?
A really great gift is tickets to visit an architectural landmark. The tours of Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, CT, include access to different buildings on the estate, and it’s an easy train ride from New York.
Any guidelines for getting someone art or decor?
Less is more… gifts that are a combination of the two work well — like pottery. I never gifted somebody pottery they were not excited about.
What takes an outfit from everyday to special occasion?
Jewelry. Daniel has a little pearl that he got from Local Eclectic, our jewelry client in Chicago. He wears it on his earring and it always makes a statement. Everybody is obsessed with it.
What was one of the best gifts you’ve ever received?
My parents got me a coffee machine for my 40th birthday. I think of them every day I make coffee and it makes me smile.
What are you giving people from Todd Snyder this year?
Ellsworth Kelly Book: Kelly, an American artist, is a big inspiration for us in the studio. The enticing abstract forms are sometimes the base for a plan drawing or a design for a house.
TS x John Hardy Silver Station Bracelet: I love the look and the weight of this bracelet. It's a special gift for someone you really care about.
Mohair Plaid Cardigan in Leather Brown: This looks like it can be worn in a bunch of different situations, but will keep you warm when you need it to.
Paperwhites, poinsettias, or…?
Paperwhites for sure. I'm a sucker for a bulb. They’re great to have around in the colder months; the right varieties can have your home filled with blooms while the garden is asleep.
What would you get for a gardener or plant lover?
I start with two pillars for gifts: Do they have it? And is it beautiful and useful? Lots of people try to simplify gifting [for] a gardener and end up buying one of those silly prepackaged sets with a few bits and bobs. There’s always one great thing in there, but it is, more often than not, surrounded by bad versions of things or things they likely already own. I tend to go with beautiful items that are useful but not particularly "fun" to shop for. We recently had some garden twine that we sell show up in a holiday gift guide, and I understand why. It's a great gift for a gardener because it’s beautiful, useful, and even if they already have some — they’ll need more soon.
How do you pick the best Christmas tree?
I have to admit, I'm a Charlie Brown guy. Something about the sad tree no one else is going to take home makes me want to dress it up and prove them wrong. We usually have a small tree in our city apartment. For the house upstate, we always buy a live tree from the nursery. We pot and decorate it for December, and come January we plant it on the property somewhere. We've had this tradition since the first year we bought the house and now we have seven of them.
How do you figure something out for the “hard” people on your list?
I'll sometimes default to something beautiful and "universal." A cashmere scarf in a solid color is a good example. If they’re a person who doesn't like the pressure of receiving gifts, a small donation to a cause they care about is a nice way to celebrate the spirit of the holidays.
What are you giving people from Todd Snyder this year?
Esterbrook Estie Ballpoint in Botanical/Gold: I am forever losing my pen, and I don't think I’m alone. There’s something special about a beautiful utility object.
Alpine Windowpane Shirt: Lightweight flannels are the future, and I think everyone should have a few. They’re great for layering in the fall/winter and really can be worn year-round, too. You get the hand feel of flannel without all the bulk that becomes cumbersome.
Phaidon "Mapplethorpe Flora: The Complete Flowers": A book can sometimes seem uneventful as a gift, but flowers are a pretty universal subject matter, and these Mapplethorpe images are one of a kind.
