By: Mikey Rox/TRT Special
What do you get a gay who has everything? Take your pick from these ideas, perfect for LGBT homebodies, adventurers, activists and more.
Nobis Outerwear
They say that heat escapes the head faster than any other part of the body, which is why it’s good advice to wrap it up when the weather outside of frightful. Nobis – whose Fall 2011 Collection includes beanies, berets, caps and hats (there’s a difference, y’all) for everyone on your list – is the epitome of winter luxury featuring soft, detailed, handmade pieces on the cutting edge of style and comfort. ($30-$98; nobis.ca/
Nikon J1
Combining the portability of a point-and-shoot with the interchangeable lenses of a DLSR, the Nikon 1 introduces a new way to capture photos and high-def video. A touch of the shutter button instantly captures a high quality image while simultaneously recording Full HD 1080p movies, and the exciting new Motion Snapshot mode captures fleeting moments like never before with a combination of moving and still images, bringing memories to life. Wonder if spokesman Ashton Kutcher tested his out that night in San Diego. ($650;nikonusa.com
Loaded Questions
Be careful what questions you pluck from the pack with this exciting, multiplayer Q&A game – you might uncover a secret you never wanted to know. One of the best-selling games on the market, players can choose from more than 1,000 questions designed to spark laughter, creating discussions and lasting memories among friends, family and uncover lovers. ($24.99; www.familyandpartygames.com
Pig of the Month
Perhaps we chose this because of its tongue-in-cheek approach to pork, but we can honestly vouch for its quality, too. Rib enthusiasts will start salivating the moment they receive this finger-liking gift that offers customizable packages that can include up to 10 slabs of six styles of ribs, including Memphis Baby Back, Key West Citrus, Carolina Mustard, Carolina Red, Hawaiian, or Texas – along with bottles of sauce that complement each style. Sides and desserts – like slow-roasted baked beans red velvet cake – make the gift a hearty meal. ($15 and up;pigofthemonth.com
Stonewall Equality Bracelets
Lyon Fine Jewelry’s Stonewall Equality Bracelet deservers a special place in every stocking this year. Made of leather with silver detailing that resembles the equality emblem, the bracelet is a stylish accessory for the LGBT community and its straight allies. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sale of each Equality Bracelet will be donated to Friendfactor, a gay-rights organization for straight supporters, which is building a movement to end discrimination. ($95;www.lyonfinejewelry.com
Archangel Academy Series
Consider this series of supernatural novels “Twilight” for the homo set. Michael Howard and Ronan Glynn-Rowley meet at Archangel Academy, an all-boys school in Eden, a rural town in northwestern England. The boys are outcasts – Michael for being gay; Ronan for being a hybrid vampire. When Ronan turns Michael into a vampire without his consent, both are drawn into a dangerous and sexy new world full of secrets. Two books of three, “Unnatural” and “Unwelcome,” are available now; the third, “Unwelcome,” will be released in early 2012. ($9.95;kensingtonbooks.com
Wantful
Still don’t know what to buy your bestie? Enter Wantful, an online gift service that allows you to assemble a wish list based on the holiday you’re celebrating and other personal information about the gift recipient, including his or her age and gender, your relationship to that person, in what type of dwelling they live, and some of their favorite activities. Wantful will cultivate a list of gift recommendations using your answers, along with the amount of money you’d like to spend. Once you click customize and checkout, Wantful will send a printed catalog to the recipient displaying the items specifically chosen by you for them. Santa wishes he had it so simple. (Pricing varies; wantful.com
Freehands Gloves
In a touch-screen world, winter can throw us for a loop. Ever tried to keep your hands warm and text at the same time? It’s impossible – unless you have specially designed gloves. Available in an array of styles – like ragg wool, soft shell, fleece and leather – Freehands offers protection for your fingers and hands against the elements while allowing you to type away thanks to removable or padded tips compatible with touch technology. ($18-$75; www.freehands.com
Zip-It
Make that long flight to Ibiza a bit more bearable with Zip-It, a two-player crossword race game that can be played anytime, anywhere in as little as 20 second. From the makers of Bananagrams, Zip-It features 24 high-quality letter cubes package in a unique cloth, zippered pouch that stores easily in your carryon or day bag. ($14.95; bananagrams.com
Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2012
Veteran oenophiles and wine newbies alike will enjoy the 35th edition of this best-selling guide from famed connoisseur Hugh Johnson. Highlights include a full-color supplement on Wines from the South of France, reviews of major brands and newly available brands, quick reference vintage charts, and suggestions for matching food with wine – a skill that every self-respecting gay should possess. ($14.99; amazon.com
Just Dance 3
The booty-shaking sensation is back just in time for the holidays. Just Dance 3 – available for Wii, Kinect for Xbox 360, and PlayStation Move – gets the party started with more than 45 top hits, including LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem,” “Forget You” by Cee-Lo Green, Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” and more. Game highlights modes such as Just Sweat It Out, with workout plans and playlists to help you stay fit, and Dance Crew Mode with up to four concurrent dance routines so even more people can join in on the fun. ($39.99: gamestop.com
Computer Apparel Laptop Sleeve
American Apparel is the undisputed champ when it comes to too-tight V-necks in colors you’ve never seen before, but when you want a coordinating top for your laptop, Computer Apparel has the market on lock. Handcrafted and machine washable, the Original V_Neck Sleeve is made from high-quality fabric and features thermal-knit padding for a tablet and a 13-, 15- or 17-inch laptop, and convenient pockets to stow chargers, documents, and phones or MP3 players. While is the Original V_Neck is, by nature, fashion-forward, it also adds a level of unexpected security: Your sleeve will thwart would-be computer thieves – unless, of course, they also have a cotton fetish. ($59.99; computer-apparel.com
Cloud 9 Living
Reduce your carbon footprint this holiday season. The thoughtful and extremely fun activities offered by Cloud 9 Living eliminate the need to stand in line at a store and gives the recipient the gift of a consumable experience – like a hot-air balloon ride or a snow-tubing adventure – that reduces landfill and time waste; there won’t be any packaging to toss out or the need to return a tangible item that nobody wanted in the first place. Just pure enjoyment for outdoor lovers and adventurers everywhere. (Pricing varies; www.cloud9living.com
Holiday Spirits
The perfect holiday party is only as good as the spirits the shirtless mixologist serves. This year, stock your bar with the best of the best.
A Swedish liquor crafted with pure spring water and a freeze-filtration process, Rokk Vodka is chilled to subzero temperatures and charcoal filtered. Rokk is also a proud supporter of LGBT initiatives, most recently sponsoring the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. ($12.99;rokkvodka.com
Java and agave marry in Patron XO Café’s blend of premium tequila and coffee essence to create an exquisite flavor that’s perfect in cocktails and delicious on desserts.
($24.99; patrongift.com)
Ultra-premium and artfully crafted, Van Gogh Blue Triple Wheat Vodka is a smooth and inviting blend of premium European wheat sourced from Holland, Germany, and France. Its distillery, recently renovated under the supervision of the Holland Monument Society, was given “Royal Appointment” in 2005 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Totally enough reason to wear your tiara. ($29.99; vangoghvodka.com
You’ll want to wait until the party bois say goodbye to uncap Stoli Elit, an ultra-premium, velvety smooth vodka ranked as The Best Tasting Vodka in the World by The Beverage Tasting Institute. It’s best shared with that special someone. ($59.99; elitbystoli.com
It’s Maker’s Mark, but with a lot more body. Maker’s 46, a full-flavored addition to the line, is bigger and bolder thanks to the addition of seared French oak staves. (makersmark.com)
Unless you plan to serve your bevs straight (as if), you’ll need mixers.
