A down the street neighbor asked me to do this
Apparently, the ladies don’t know what to get us
They need recs for Christmas gifts for their menfolk
Apparently we are hard to buy for
Or we just buy things for ourselves
Or we’re just happy to wear the same ratty clothes and things that are falling apart
So, here goes.
No paid partnerships with anyone, but I’m willing to accept all offers
Especially those to wrap presents for me
Here are the shops I recommend. You can’t go wrong with any of them
Grady Ervin & Co., Charleston
The gents at Grady Ervin on King Street know what’s up. Ask any of the folks who work there to recommend something. They will know what to do.
Tabor, Charlotte
These folks are my go to for all things sartorial. When I darken the door there, I feel like I’m an episode of Cheers. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. And, they know mine and see me coming.
Foundwell, NYC
A highly personal collection of watches, baubles, calling card cases, all manner of silver coolness
Wentworth, Charleston
A newer entry to the shopping scene. A really great store with tons of Christmas ornaments, Cuckoo Clocks, German Erzgebirge pyramids, smokers, silver, glassware, and those Bristol glass match strikes, which is what I want Santa to bring me
J. Mueser, NYC
Men’s clothing store where things are designed to measure, bespoke, semi-bespoke, and off the rack. Make an appointment for your dudes. Or give them a gift certificate. Or order off the rack.
Billy Kirk, Jersey City
The Brothers Bray make great handcrafted leather from right here in the US of A. Satchels. Wallets. Card holders. Luggage. Belts. And they stand by everything they make
Sid Mashburn, Atlanta
Sid and crew know their jackets, suits, pants, shirts, shorts, 5-pockets, shoes. Big fan of their shoes. Sid also sells things at Grady Ervin if you don’t want to travel to the 404.
And, in no particular order, every guy needs the following:
A good oyster knife
A good Dutch oven for cooking
A good Chef’s knife
A good pairing knife
A good set of steak knives
A good silver iced beverage spoon for the bar
A good shot glass
A good cutting board
A good set of double old fashioned glasses
A good set of martini glasses
A good set of wine glasses
A good bathrobe – really – light madras or cotton for the summer, flannel or terry cloth for the winter
A good set of handkerchiefs – monogrammed or not
A good set of cotton or linen boxer shorts from Sunspel, Brooks Bros., Linoto. Linen boxer shorts are game changers
A good set of crew neck t-shirts. By Hanes or Fruit of the Loom. Nothing fancy here
A good set of skincare beyond that Dial soap sitting on his sink. Jack Black products, for example
A good belt or two
A good satchel or briefcase
A good overnight bag
A good cotton sweater
A good wool crew neck sweater
A good wool roll neck or turtleneck sweater. They’re back. 100% back.
A good coffee table book or two about his interests. One of the nicest presents ever received was such a present given me after an off hand comment to my bride.
A good book about the Mongol Empire by Jack Weatherford
A good set of tongs for the grill, the kitchen
A good apron
A good cast iron skillet. I have two that were passed down in the family and one that was a gift a few years ago. I wash mine with soap and water and the world still spins to the clutched pearled horror of those who claim to be cast iron experts
A good pepper mill as the store bought already milled pepper goes bad. Peppercorns last a long time
A good comically expensive tie from Hermes or Ferragamo. I don’t know why giving ties fell out of favor. But, they are still a great gift
A good bottle of bourbon
A good bottle of vodka
A good bottle of gin
A good bottle of Scotch
A good bottle of tequila
A good bottle of white
A good bottle of red
A good bottle of rose’
A good bottle of bubbly
A good rain coat
A good top coat
A good puffy coat
A good chore coat
A good barn jacket
A good silver belt buckle
A good alligator belt
A good cordless leaf blower
A good set of clippers
A good set of slippers…yes…slippers…velvet for formal functions, leather ones like Grandpapa had, Glerups that are my all time favorites during the winter
A good pair of long matches to light a fire
A good pair of boots or work shoes
A good pair of Birkenstocks – really – the Boston clogs are my favorites this time of year. I go full on boarding school Deadhead the rest of the the year with the Arizonas
A good bathing suit. Not the baggy long board shorts that come down below the knee. But an old fashioned bathing suit: Birdwell, Sundek, Orlebar Brown, Vilebrequin
A good set of stationery. Arzberger’s in Charlotte, NC, is the best in the bidness
A good smell good. Santa Maria Novella’s Russa or Tobacco Toscano. Acqua di Parma’s Arancia di Capri.
A good soap…again…not the Dial on his sink…but something he wouldn’t by for himself
A good toothbrush. I recommend the Trask ones by my dentist pal Marjorie Trask Gray from Beaufort
A good piece of art
A good night’s sleep…really. So, good sheets, good pillows, or maybe taking the kids somewhere for the night so he has the night alone. Fondness makes the heart grow fonder and all like that
A good photo book of the last year’s pictures. Because, he’s just as sentimental as the rest of the family but won’t admit it
A good compliment every once in a while
And, a good working lock on the bedroom door
Thanks for the prompt, neighbor
Dad, what's for supper? 