GIFT GUIDE: HOME

If you’re a globetrotter away for weeks, or out crossing off to-do’s for a few hours, the feeling of coming home can be the most rewarding of all, especially when your sanctuary is tailored to a relaxing and comfortable lifestyle. Home is extraordinarily important during the holidays, setting the tone for this special time of year. The flicker of a flame, the sound of a classic album, the feeling of sliding your foot into a slipper, or the tie of a robe to relax and enjoy your favorite movie—these are all small moments that add up to a Christmas zen-like state of mind. Welcome to our Home Gift Guide, stocked to the brim with provisions to enhance any shelter, because as we evolve, so should our homes.

Rock the bells this year when proudly sporting the Champ Hood by undoubtedly the freshest athletic style brand on the planet, Reigning Champ. If you call your home “the office” and your laptop “a cash register”, then even in your most comfortable of moments, you best be strutting around the casa like a champ. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, even if it’s just getting out of a warm shower and watching Elf for the 40th time.

Whether you’re staying home for the holidays or need an acceptable pant to lounge in with the in-laws around, the Western Rise Spectrum Jogger steps to the plate with oodles of comfort. These joggers are beyond versatile as they’ll quickly replace your sweatpants and casual chinos. The moisture-wicking 4-way stretch is great if you need to burn off a couple of calories after the holiday feasts, and equally impressive is the comfort achieved while sinking into the couch. The Western Rise Spectrum Jogger will be your every day, in or outdoors, pant for the holidays.

Depends on your definition of lucky, but if you’re lucky enough to be working from home these days then proper office footwear is still required. The Rhodes House Shoe’s soft leather footbed will mold to the shape of your feet, making them your house shoes and no one else’s. The temperature regulated wool blend allows the option to wear the slips with or without socks, and when it comes time to run to the mailbox the leather insoles with TPU inlays will keep you upright and in stride. The Rhodes House Shoe is a VIP slip-on to parade the house and ink deals from 9-5.

This year has taught us all a few things, one of them being a home movie set up has never been more important. This 1080p supported projector is 80% brighter than other projectors its size. That means rooftop and backyard movies will be streaming this winter as long as you have a blank wall or a white sheet. So, get the popcorn ready and ask yourself, what’s it going to be to start off the home cinema experience? Die Hard, Home Alone, or Christmas Vacation? 

Live within the sky in a city flat? That doesn’t mean you can’t create your own fire pit vibe for a night of smores, or simply just to accompany a good book. This compact concrete fireplace from FLIKR runs on a clean burn of rubbing alcohol, letting the flames dance safely on the comfort of any tabletop. The flames burn for 50 minutes when the center is filled, soot and ash-free. The cement container is high grade, so it will never overheat or crumble. Give the give of warm ambiance this holiday—burn baby burn.

Performance should be the most important factor in your purchase, but curb appeal should be a close second and with the Master and Dynamic MA770 sitting on your credenza, it’s a beautiful marriage of style and quality sound. With dual 4″ woofers and a 1.5″ titanium tweeter to carry the melody, this Bluetooth wireless speaker will bring some much-needed life to your house party. The MA700 is as much eye candy as it provides aural pleasure and whether streaming from your phone or plugged into rear AUX from your hi-fi, this a premium speaker to say hi to the neighbors with a little thump, thump, BOOM.

With a little extra time at home to dial in your barista skills, it must be understood that a quality cup of joe begins with the bean and a fresh grind. And positioned in your kitchen or coffee nook, the Ode Brew Grinder from Fellow Products will deliver the perfect grind for your AeroPress, pour-over, French press, cold brew, and drip. And beyond the grounds, this grinder offers reduced grinding noise, an option for a single cup’s worth of beans, and after the grinds knocker has found every last bean, the auto stop kicks in. There is absolutely no need to start the day with any added stress, and that’s precisely why the Ode Brew Grinder should be waiting to greet your morning routine.

Milk does a body good, just ask Santa. But don’t worry, the Morning Shift Body Milk from Hudson Made is dairy-free. Here are a few adjectives to describe this perfection in a bottle: Balancing, invigorating, hydrating, and uplifting. Lather up every morning after your morning shower blasts away the cobwebs from the previous night and it’ll have you feeling refreshed to take on the day. A perfect gift for any man who prioritizes healthy skin.

From Christmas morning to every single morning, one thing is certain—the coffee better be hot. If you’re like us here at CYTIES, you’re going back for seconds at some point to get another cup. The Ember Mug has transported us to the coffee future to take care of that pesky conundrum of lukewarm coffee. It comes with an app-controlled system to keep your cup of joe at the exact same temperature ALL DAY,  thanks to the high tech charging coaster. It can hold temps at 120° F to 145° F, has a safety sensor that detects when your mug is empty, and even sends you notifications when your cup is the preferred temp. Too much? Tony Stark would disagree. 

If you play your cards right, you can give the gift that will entertain for years to come. A sturdy deck of 56 is an underappreciated present that will put a smile on any modern-day gentlemen’s face. If a man in your life says he’s a propper cavalier and can’t put together a hand of gin, well, then, look no further down this list. This savvy deck of cards is made with coated paper, blind emboss, and gold foil. Buy now from Barebones, for only $15 bones, and put an ear to ear girn on any home hustler’s mug.

There is certainly an aroma that fills the air after a big rainstorm, but the scent of Concrete After Lightning will electrify your senses. This candle is made in the U.S. by D.S. & Durga promising hints of electricity, notes of summer rain, and a final inkling of steam. The reusable vessel and non-GMO soy wax will help with the pat on your back to your eco-friendly mindset and sitting on the side table, your living area will start to take shape. This Concrete After Lightning candle is for those who run the city streets and want to bring the aftermath of a passing storm to the indoors.

We all need a little life in the homestead, and this little spikey friend doesn’t require all the extra attention to stay alive. The Prickly Pear Cactus Grow Kit adds a little Palm Springs to an apartment with it’s terracotta pot, which prevents leaks. Find a perfect shelf for your new friend, add water, and watch the miracle of life take over from there. This little cactus is a gift that keeps growing throughout the season.