Our 2016 Wishlist: Great Gift Ideas From the Editors of WIRED
38 essential gifts for giving, getting, and coveting this holiday season.
Joseph Shin
Featured in this article
B&O Play Beoplay A1
Bang & Olufsen’s aluminum-clad Beoplay A1 may be the smallest Bluetooth speaker in the company’s lineup, but it’s still plenty easy on the ears. Twin drivers deliver rich, room-filling sound, and the big battery provides 24 hours of portable playback. [B&O Play Beoplay A1 | $249](http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/collection/speakers/beolab-90)
Impossible Project I-1 Analog Instant Camera
Impossible Project’s shooter works like Polaroids of yore but does everything better, from the LED ring ash to the folding viewfinder that pops up with a push. Plus, the analog shareability of the instant photos that eject from the front is refreshingly retro. [Impossible Project I-1 Analog Instant Camera | $299](https://us.impossible-project.com/pages/impossible-i-1-analog-instant-camera)
Argent Coolmax Blazer
Staying fresh under pressure is the secret to your success. Same deal with this jacket, which has a lot of hidden storage space for your gear. Mesh lining and airy, moisture-wicking fabric make summer subway rides more comfy, and you’ll still look sharp at the board meeting. [Argent Coolmax Blazer | $298](https://argentwork.com/products/coolmax-blazer-1?variant=18544856579)
Knog Oi Bike Bell
Your sleek road bike deserves better than that clunky hunk of a bike bell. Knog’s modern update to the ugly brass contraptions of old wraps around your handlebars like a bracelet. Give the plastic lever a flick and it’ll strike the curved aluminum chime, producing a harmonious ring that’s as pleasant as it is effective. [Knog Oi Bike Bell | $20](https://usd.knog.com.au/oi-bike-bell.html)
No matter who you're buying for—a music-lover or a musician, an aesthete or an athlete—we have gift ideas that will satisfy every need on your shopping list. Here are 38 essential gifts for giving, getting, and coveting this holiday season, all picked by WIRED's editors.
Joseph Shin01B&O Play Beoplay A1
Bang & Olufsen’s aluminum-clad Beoplay A1 may be the smallest Bluetooth speaker in the company’s lineup, but it’s still plenty easy on the ears. Twin drivers deliver rich, room-filling sound, and the big battery provides 24 hours of portable playback. [B&O Play Beoplay A1 | $249](http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/collection/speakers/beolab-90)
Joseph Shin02Impossible Project I-1 Analog Instant Camera
Impossible Project’s shooter works like Polaroids of yore but does everything better, from the LED ring ash to the folding viewfinder that pops up with a push. Plus, the analog shareability of the instant photos that eject from the front is refreshingly retro. [Impossible Project I-1 Analog Instant Camera | $299](https://us.impossible-project.com/pages/impossible-i-1-analog-instant-camera)
Joseph Shin03Argent Coolmax Blazer
Staying fresh under pressure is the secret to your success. Same deal with this jacket, which has a lot of hidden storage space for your gear. Mesh lining and airy, moisture-wicking fabric make summer subway rides more comfy, and you’ll still look sharp at the board meeting. [Argent Coolmax Blazer | $298](https://argentwork.com/products/coolmax-blazer-1?variant=18544856579)
Joseph Shin04Knog Oi Bike Bell
Your sleek road bike deserves better than that clunky hunk of a bike bell. Knog’s modern update to the ugly brass contraptions of old wraps around your handlebars like a bracelet. Give the plastic lever a flick and it’ll strike the curved aluminum chime, producing a harmonious ring that’s as pleasant as it is effective. [Knog Oi Bike Bell | $20](https://usd.knog.com.au/oi-bike-bell.html)
Joseph Shin05Vifa Copenhagen Loudspeaker
Who says your party jams can’t be chic? Swaddled in high-quality Kvadrat wool, Vifa’s new wireless speaker looks as fabulous as it sounds. Plus, with its one-piece aluminum frame and integrated handle, you can boom this box anywhere without worrying about it going bust. [Vifa Copenhagen Loudspeaker | $799](http://www.vifa.dk/shop/copenhagen/c-24/p-105)
Joseph Shin06District Vision Keiichi
You make fashionable choices for your running shorts, so do the same with your eyewear. The lightweight frames on these running glasses have rubber-coated titanium temple tips and nose pads, for no-slip durability. Choose from a variety of tints on the lenses— maybe pick whatever matches your shoes. [District Vision Keiichi | $199](http://www.districtvision.com/shop/keiichi-small?color=White&lensTechnology=District%20Sports%20Yellow&size=Small)
Joseph Shin07Leibal 11+ O-Fan
It’s a bummer when the windows in your cube farm don’t slide open. Keep your cool with this pint-size fan. To power it, plug it into any USB port. Then precisely position the spherical fan on its cradle and enjoy the breeze. [Leibal, 11+ O-Fan | $50](https://store.leibal.com/products/o-fan)
Joseph Shin08Burberry Ribbed Sweater
Prep for sweater weather with this fuzzy (and super-soft) mohair-blend crew neck. The form-hugging rib knit is sophisticated enough for office holiday parties but also keeps you cozified at chilly family gatherings. [Burberry Ribbed Sweater | $550](https://us.burberry.com/striped-ribbed-wool-mohair-blend-sweater-p40235791)
Joseph Shin09Monsieur de Chanel Men's Watch
The first men’s watch from Chanel is unique inside and out—and will turn your wallet inside out. The hour is displayed in the window, and the large minute hand leaps from 60 all the way back to 0 at the end of each hour. The clear back reveals its stunning automatic innards. [Monsieur de Chanel | $36,000](http://www.chanel.com/en_US/Watches/exceptional-pieces/exceptional-movements/monsieur-de-chanel)
Joseph Shin10Jaybird Freedom Wireless
These Bluetooth sports earphones are your new workout pal: They look good, stay put when you’re dripping sweat, and sound like wired buds. They’ll keep you going until the four-hour battery runs out and maybe help shave 10 seconds off your mile. [Jaybird Freedom Wireless | $199](http://www.jaybirdsport.com/shop/freedom-product/)
Joseph Shin11Leica M-D
In this case, less really is more. Leica’s full-frame range finder produces stills of exceptional quality but lacks an LCD for reviewing your images. The setup forces you to stay in the decisive moment and worry about the results later. It’s a throwback to the days of film, giving you an extra rush of satisfaction when you found out that you did indeed get the perfect shot. [Leica M-D | $5,995](https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/Leica-M-D)
Joseph Shin12Stéphane Dufour Porsche 917 Gulf Sculpture
OK, so you’ll never drive the famed Porsche 917 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But thanks to artist Stéphane Dufour, you can push a minimalist 1⁄18-scale version of it around your coffee table. [Stéphane Dufour Porsche 917 Gulf Sculpture](https://shop.petrolicious.com/collections/art/products/porsche-917-gulf-sculpture) | $550
Joseph Shin13Popup Lighting Aluminum Deer Head LED
Bring a little bit of the wilderness into your urban nest. This wall-mounted sconce is a doe by day and a buck by night, when you switch on the light. The aluminum head comes in several colorful finishes, but gold is best. [Popup Lighting Aluminum Deer Head LED | $290](http://popuplighting.com/)
Joseph Shin14Kodak Super 8 Camera
The Super 8 camera gets a super-great redesign by Kodak and Yves Béhar. An LCD and rechargeable batteries provide modern comforts, but the 8’s beating heart remains the same: You can shoot on film without needing a Hollywood budget. [Kodak Super 8 Camera | $2,000](http://www.kodak.com/consumer/products/super8/default.htm)
Joseph Shin15Craft Design Technology Scissors
Featuring a design that’s equally functional for left- and right-handed users, these sleek, sharp, brushed stainless-steel wonders were inspired by the sword-forging artistry of Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. They may not win you any duels, but they’re a welcome addition to any desk drawer. [Craft Design Technology Scissors | $80](http://rikumo.com/products/cdt-scissors-item-25?variant=7150166273)
Joseph Shin16Stelton Cylinda Line Arne Jacobsen Teapot
A reissue of an iconic design, this minimalist stainless-steel teapot comes from Danish design firm Stelton. Its sculpted handle and curved spout will bring some elegance to your kitchen. It might even make it OK that you’re having ramen again. [Stelton Cylinda Line Arne Jacobsen Teapot | $268](http://www.steltonusa.com/)
Joseph Shin17Victorinox Ranger Wood 55
No need to feel like a brute when you’re slicing and dicing in the wild. The Ranger Wood’s gorgeous, rustic walnut knife has 10 implements—like a 3.9-inch locking blade and a 4.2-inch wood saw that will equip you for any job, anywhere. [Victorinox Ranger Wood 55 | $90](https://www.swissarmy.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Ranger-Wood-55/p/0.9561.63)
Joseph Shin18Awaglass Objet D’Art
Most hourglasses track the time; this one helps you forget about it. Instead of sand, its glass, pear-sized chambers are filled with bubbles that pass back and forth in a mesmerizing pattern. Handy? Not so much. Beautiful? Without a doubt. [Awaglass Objet D’Art | $75](https://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Awaglass-Objet-d&%2339%3BArt_10451_10001_211118_-1_26674_59162_211129)
Joseph Shin19Apple Watch Edition
The most distinctive smartwatch got an upgrade this year, making it faster, brighter, and easier to use. It also got decidedly more handsome. The ceramic case on Apple’s premium Edition version is a stark and cool white, and it comes paired with a matching white sport band. “Siri, set my watch to stun.” [Apple Watch Edition | $1,299](http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch/white-ceramic-cloud-sport-band?product=MNPQ2LL/A&step=detail)
Joseph Shin20Menu Tumbler Alarm Clock
The first thing you see in the morning shouldn’t be your phone’s screen— you’ll be looking at that thing plenty throughout the day. Trade your swipe-right alarm for a more playful one, the Tumbler. True to its name, you flip it on its face to silence the noise. [Menu Tumbler Alarm Clock | $100](https://www.trnk-nyc.com/shop/product/tumbler-alarm-clock/)
Joseph Shin21Nanban: Japanese Soul Food
*MasterChef* winner Tim Anderson shares his love of Japanese soul food in this beautiful cookbook laden with *oishii*, or delicious, recipes from Nanban, his pop-up London restaurant. Beginners need not fear: This American chef’s recipes are approachable whether you’re an udon noob or a ramen fiend. [Nanban: Japanese Soul Food | $35](http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534805/nanban-by-tim-anderson/9780553459852/)
Joseph Shin22Highland Park Dark Origins & Sixpoint Sköll
Trend alert: Whisky makers and beer brewers are teaming up. Sixpoint crafted its dark and roasty Sköll ale to match Highland Park’s cherry-sweet Dark Origins whisky. The beer is a limited release, but you can find the whisky anywhere. [Highland Park Dark Origins ($66)](https://highlandpark.co.uk/) & [Sixpoint Sköll](http://sixpoint.com/) (price varies)
Joseph Shin23Pablo Uma Sound Lantern
The best bedside items are multitaskers—you don’t want to be fiddling with stuff while trying to wind down. This combination speaker and lantern provides 360 degrees of sound and soft warm light that you can adjust to your liking with a few lazy finger flicks. [Pablo Uma Sound Lantern | $479](https://museumstore.sfmoma.org/uma-sound-lantern.html)
Joseph Shin24Pretty Much Everything
Aaron James Draplin is a graphic designer for the everyman (he once accepted a challenge to create a logo, on the fly, by hand, on camera), and a prolific one at that. His new book is an unpretentious dossier of his inspiration, stories from the road, how-tos, words of advice, and, of course, a lot of logos. [Pretty Much Everything | $40](http://draplin.com/)
Joseph Shin25Prada Edward Robot Charm
That old, beat-up keychain of yours still cracks your brewskis just fine, but it doesn’t send much of a message. Let Prada’s little bot be your creative totem. He’s funky enough to match your sense of humor, but his appendages show that you’re not afraid of a soldering iron. [Prada Edward Robot Charm | $260](http://www.prada.com/en/US/e-store/search/product/1TR097_UYY_F0002.html)
Joseph Shin26Vizio SmartCast P-Series
Vizio’s high-end set doesn’t just do 4K, it does HDR too: Bright backlights and powerful local-dimming systems paint a gorgeous picture. Chromecast capability is built in, and your remote is an included Android tablet—use it to fling any video to the big screen. [Vizio SmartCast P-Series | $1,000](https://www.vizio.com/tvs/pseries/p50c1.html)
Joseph Shin27Sony PlayStation VR
Sony’s VR headset has major crossover appeal. It’s reasonably priced and has some super-fun launch games. Most important, PS4 owners (and there are tens of millions of those) can just plug it in and start playing. [Sony PlayStation VR | $400](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/explore/playstation-vr/)
Joseph Shin28Google Home
Here to out-gab Amazon’s Echo is Google’s Home, a 5.62-inch-tall speaker with its own AI voice assistant. Home does the simple stuff; play Spotify, tell jokes, help you with that pesto recipe. But it’s also a Google device, so it can add basil to your grocery list and tell you what’s on your calendar. [Google Home | $129](https://home.google.com/)
Joseph Shin29Mi Box
This tiny set-top streamer runs the latest in Android TV, featuring lots of ways to fuel your next all-night binge. With 4K and HDR support, plus casting capabilities and a voice-powered Bluetooth remote, the Mi Box has the future of TV covered. [Mi Box 4K Android TV | $69](http://www.mi.com/en/mibox/#overview)
Joseph Shin30Vivobarefoot Primus
Get closer to the pavement and that 5-minute mile you’ve been chasing with Vivobarefoot’s ultralight running flat. With unlined mesh uppers and a rubber sole just millimeters thick, this pitiless shoe allows you—well, forces you—to strengthen your foot muscles and run in a more natural way. [Vivobarefoot Primus | $144](http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/exercise/primus-road-mens)
Joseph Shin31Wilson Ultra 100
If you’re the kind who plays to win, Wilson’s Ultra 100 is your racket. This carbon-fiber stick is easy to swing, but it serves up plenty of pop from the baseline as well as crisp control. The 100-square-inch head has a giant sweet spot, and it’s cushioned in a way that dampens vibrations, so your wrist won’t mind hours of practice. [Wilson Ultra 100 | $199](http://www.wilson.com/en-us/tennis/rackets/all-courter/ultra-100-tennis-racket)
Joseph Shin32Phiaton BT 460
Even if your phone does have a headphone jack, these wireless Phiaton cans are worth considering. The bass really bumps, yet the highs still sound impressively sharp. Go ahead and leave your phone in your pocket, because the touch-sensitive right ear cup lets you pause, skip tracks, and change the volume. [Phiaton BT 460 | $199](http://www.phiaton.com/product/bt-460/)
Joseph Shin33Aether Crosby Jacket
The classic Atlantic peacoat gets Californicated by West Coast clothier Aether. The Crosby Jacket matches a thick all-wool shell with a removable PrimaLoft insulated liner, making it impervious to those wicked winds of the north. Gone are the pea’s chunky buttons—zip it up and the flap’s magnetic snaps click together to keep you cozy. [Aether Crosby Jacket | $825](https://www.aetherapparel.com/products/crosby-jacket?variant=19217775557)
Joseph Shin34Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 1
Yeah, it looks like a Dalek, but the only thing B&O’s battery-powered speaker is programmed to exterminate is a bad party vibe. Stream to it wirelessly from your phone and the unique driver near the top spits sublime sound in 360 patio-filling degrees. At the peak of the cone sits a heavy control knob that feels sooo good to twist. [Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 1 | $1,495](https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/collection/wireless-speaker-systems/beosound-1)
Joseph Shin35Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit’s latest activity tracker took the advice of Roxette: It’s always listening to your heart. It also tracks your workouts, runs, and bike rides, counts your steps, and analyzes your sleep patterns. The Charge will even lead you through relaxation breathing when things get too intense at the office. [Fitbit Charge 2 | $150](https://www.fitbit.com/charge2)
Joseph Shin36Woodcut Memory Game
Each of the 26 pairs of cards in this classic memory game is adorned with designs from *Woodcut*, the book by artist Bryan Nash Gill. His relief prints, made directly from crosscuts of real trees, expose the wonder and mystery hidden within the forest’s silent giants. Now if somebody could just expose where that other spruce-trunk card is hiding. [Woodcut Memory Game | $25](https://www.papress.com/html/book.details.page.tpl?isbn=9781616895433)
Joseph Shin37Korg Minilogue
Do you synth? You should synth. Specifically, you should synth with this beautiful, surprisingly affordable analog polysynth from the bleep-bloop masters at Korg. It blends the tactile pleasure of knobs with a wood back and aluminum body. Just remember: Everything in modulation. [Korg Minilogue | $500](http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/minilogue/)
Joseph Shin38Hopsy HomeTap
Pour some cold ones for the late-night crew from this mini keg fridge. The 2-liter growlers inside are filled by participating local breweries and delivered to you. The Krups-made HomeTap keeps the beer fresh for two weeks by locking out the suds-spoiling air. It’s like wine in a box, but way more hip. [Hopsy HomeTap | $299](http://hopsy.beer/hometap)
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