AHL Holiday Gift Guide 2019

The holidays are here, and in this abbreviated shopping schedule there’s even more pressure to nail the right gift. We’ve got you covered. These are our favorite products right now, things we have, want, or are just enamored with, and they’re distinguished enough to be a perfectly thoughtful and cheery gift. For travelers, waste-reducers, style-mavens, and just about everyone else, these are the gifts that you’ll love to give (and would love even more to receive) this season.

Soul Jazz Records: The World of Keith Haring

We always like to include an album—good friends introduce each other to new music! We’re partial to selectors who dig up an eclectic mix of songs, and this time we turn to one of the most eclectic artists out there: Keith Haring. Soul Jazz Records compiled a list of songs that influenced his life on a 3-LP collection, capturing the soul of downtown New York in the ’80s in a way that feels both nostalgic and completely dance-able at the same time.

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Taschen Dalí Tarot 

Right now people are placing faith beyond our earthly concepts, instead surrendering to cosmic forces like mercury in retrograde, astrology, and yes, tarot cards. Why not? It’s charming and fun and a little off-kilter, and who’s better for that than Dali? With this new book and card set, you bring together the surreal and the mystical from one of the masters of it, for one of the most cool and quirky gifts you can give someone this season.

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House of Waris Tea

As if being worldly and talented wasn’t enough, Waris Ahluwalia is filled with creative passions, each which he finds time to pursue. House of Waris marks his return to tea, something he had done in the past, but with a new focus on energy, renewal, and thoughtful living. Each blend is made with adaptogens to boost mood and support a healthy body function, with a delicate taste and a stylish container to boot.

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Boyds of Texas Sample Set + 50ml Bottle

In the world of fragrance it can be overwhelming to find something distinct, natural, and wearable, but that’s what Boyds of Texas aims to provide. Their scents are inspired by Texas and Mexico, capturing warmth of the nature they’re surrounded by. Best of all, this sample set features all five of their current scents, and a gift card for a full size bottle – ensuring the receiver will get exactly what they want.

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The Lost Explorer Another Bag

Earlier this fall we profiled The Lost Explorer’s new mission as a nature-owned company, directing profits towards environmental causes like reforestation. After exceeding its crowdfunding target, The Another Bag is now officially for sale (in addition to selecting a cause the profits go towards, 20 trees are planted for every bag purchased), alongside their line of  grooming products that have become popular on sites like END and Mr. Porter.

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Y Studio Engraved Brassing Pen

The art of writing seems to have been lost in this digital deluge, but when you give someone a pen like Y Studio’s brass collection it adds a literal weight to your words. In the quest to be distraction free there are still people who are turning back to analog methods, and an engraved pen on which the brass can be chipped away to create a personal look will be something people will want to hold onto forever. The art of writing has been found again.

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Tekla x John Pawson Throw

John Pawson is coming off another great fall, having released a book and designed the new West Hollywood EDITION. Now to close out the year, Pawson teamed up with textile maker Tekla to release a set of beautiful and soft throws. It’s a perfect compliment to any minimalist setup that would make Pawson proud.

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“How to Give Up Plastic” by Will McCallum

One of the resounding sentiments from environmental leaders is don’t wait for other people to solve this for you. Never before have so many people been conscious about their personal environmental impact, and so frequently having dialogues about how to change that; at parties, at dinners, at bars, we’re hearing the same thing. If you know someone who wants to change their footprint (and we hope you do), this book might just help them turn their thoughts into actions.

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Hawthorne Slow Burn Candle Series

Last year we included our trusty Hawthorne cologne as a gift, but just in time for the holidays the brand has launched something even more accessible and crowd-pleasing. Hawthorne’s first candles feature 6 collaborative scents made to capture the essence of some of our favorite New York haunts including Loosie Rouge (dark and cozy palo santo), S10 Training (pear and basil marine), and Camp David (smoky and leathery sandalwood), where you can also buy each respective candle in person.

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One, All, Every Sunglasses

A new pair of sunglasses is enough to brighten up a look while making a statement. That’s why we’re so into these  shades from One, All, Every, a new brand of stylish frames and a big focus on sustainability. 25% of sales are donated, and the brand also partners with foundations like the Jane Goodall Institute and The Green Belt Movement.

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Mowellens Dream In Green CBD Body Soufflé

CBD is everywhere, and people are into it. When your staunchly anti-substance parents start mentioning CBD for stress relief or achy joints, you know it’s no longer just a trend. Mowellens is a New York brand that grows high-quality hemp with minimal waste, and with it they’ve formulated this moisturizer (or rather, Whipped Body Soufflé as they call it) to rejuvenate and brighten your skin.

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Adopt a Whale

Holiday gift giving isn’t just about buying stuff, and for some people doing something impactful is more valuable than an object. For those people you can adopt an orca or humpback whale in their name through the Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Their team will send the receiver updates and photos of the whale they adopt, and better yet, the adoption helps support and protect these special species.

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Tom Dixon Swirl Stepped Bookends

Across Tom Dixon’s line of furniture, lighting, and home goods, there’s a wide range of styles that can transform a space, but sometimes the best items are also the most simple. These bookends from Dixon’s Swirl line could fit with a variety of interior styles, but their trippy marbled look will still liven up any bookshelf.

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AERA Shoes

AERA is a new footwear brand that caught our attention because not only are they eco-friendly, but they take it a step further as a 110% sustainable company. What that means is that in addition to creating perfectly on-trend high quality shoes (for men and women), they are ensuring that their environmental impact is not just neutral but actually beneficial to the planet. They do this by supporting water conservation, carbon emission offsetting, and plastic pollution reduction programs. The future of fashion is here.

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By Walid Pillow

Tackling upcycling from a historical point of view, clothing brand By Walid is about reusing antique textiles to create modern garments. The brand has become known for its refined cuts and patterned fabrics, but they have also released a collection of pillows and throws that bring the same distinctive colors and textures to the home—like these pillows made from 19th century French Aubusson.

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Carbon Fund CO2 Offset

Another gift idea for people who don’t need objects, but do want to help the environment is a carbon offset. This one especially applies to frequent travelers (ourselves included), who need to figure out how to reduce their footprint. Offsetting 20,000 pounds of carbon for a relatively affordable price is a way to greatly reduce that footprint, and help fight climate change.

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Soho Home Martini Set

Soho House’s design and interiors collection, Soho Home, officially launched in the US this year, and it’s already made its way into our own homewares. The collection harkens back to the properties, capturing their insouciant charm, but pieces like this martini set make a handsome addition even if you’ve never stepped foot in a Soho House.

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