HIM, HER, THEM
We get it. You have a list of loved ones for whom a festive present is on the agenda, yet you have absolutely no desire to traipse across the aisles of a big-box store nor past throngs of people in a crowded mall – and who can blame you? Stepping in to help, FACT has curated a gift guide by personality type that is packed with unique picks and caters to the various characters in your life. Bonus: everything featured in the following pages can be shipped to Qatar.
FOR THE ADRENALINE JUNKIE
GoPro
Hero7 Black
www.amazon.com
Friends of adrenaline junkies know how essential the documentation of life-threatening events are – we need proof that they lived through it. And whether they’re skydiving, parkouring, hiking, or hanging ten, the GoPro Hero7 Black is the ultimate companion. Because seeing is believing, right?
HidrateSpark
HidrateSpark 3 Smart Water Bottle
www.amazon.com
Hydration is especially vital for the outdoorsy loved one in your life, so show them you care with the Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle. Not only does it track your water intake, but it also boldly illuminates to remind you when it’s time to drink. Its free app utilises the user’s biodata to set their daily water goal, ensuring they keep healthy and hydrated. Bonus: the app has a tracker on your bottle, making sure you never lose it.
MBS Mountainboards
MBS Core 94 Mountainboard – Axe
www.mbs.com
Another out-of-the-box present for an adrenaline junkie? The MBS Core 94 Mountainboard. It’s an incredible gift if you know someone who likes sports and loves living life on the edge. Who needs a sled or snow when this board shreds across all terrains? Sure, it’s a little on the wild side, but isn’t that the point?
FOR THE BIBLIOPHILE
Byredo
Bibliothèque candle
www.saksfifthavenue.com
In an age where the likes of Audible and Kindle dominate our relationship with books, there’s something almost romantic about the scent of a library packed with old books, each aisle transporting us to a different world. Perfect for the old-fashioned bibliophile in your life, this candle embodies the velvety quality of paper, with a touch of peach and plum residing alongside base notes of vanilla and patchouli.
Everyman’s Library
George Orwell set
www.juniperbooks.com
Censorship, surveillance, propaganda, oppressive governments – George Orwell’s 1984 has come back into everyday conversations for obvious reasons, so we think this book set is a must-own for any bibliophile. Not only does the collection include the aforementioned dystopian novel, but also Animal Farm, Burmese Days, Coming Up for Air, and more. Bonus: the design of the custom jacket was inspired by two symbols related to the author’s literary imprint: the ominous Big Brother and vintage TV test patterns.
Unemployed Philosophers Guild
William Shakespeare planter
www.philosophersguild.com
William Shakespeare’s quote about roses is known and loved, so this particular find felt like an obvious choice. Your book-loving loved one can use this ceramic planter to hold a mini flowerpot or pebbles, some potting soil, and a sprinkling of seeds. Alternatively, they can surround a succulent with a bed of moss, making their space more cultivated.
FOR THE EARLY ADOPTER
Bose
Bose Frames Alto
www.amazon.com
When it comes to gadgets, the discreet ones are best and will have any gadget junkie obsessed. Case in point: the Bose Frames Alto. They may seem like regular sunglasses, but they boast miniature built-in Bose speakers, so the gadget guy – or gal – in your life can discreetly listen to music while interacting with the world around them.
Ember
Ember Mug²
www.bloomingdales.com
A simple yet cool (no, not literally) gift for that techie in your life. The Ember Mug² is one smart mug that will make sure your coffee- and tea-loving friends always have a warm drink to sip on. They can set your exact temperature, so that their drink is never too hot nor too cold – perfect for those chilly nights ahead.
PhoneSoap
PhoneSoap Go
www.tejar.com
If your friend cannot go more than a minute without reaching for their phone, then this bacteria-busting case is the way to keep their favourite gadget germ-free! Thanks to this nifty little invention that’s very apt for 2020, they can get rid of their sanitising wipes and charging cables – the PhoneSoap Go will take care of both.
FOR THE FASHIONISTA
Bulgari
B.zero1 Rock
www.harrods.com
Edgy, cool, glamorous, gender-fluid – that is Bvlgari’s B.Zero1 Rock collection in a nutshell. In keeping with the theme of our cover story, these unique pieces speak volumes of just how rapidly jewellery is heading in a unisex direction. And because the chunky additions to the iconic B.Zero1 line are suited to him and her, your gift recipient can share with their significant other.
Calvin Klein
CK Everyone
www.namshi.com
It doesn’t get more iconic than CK One in the world of fragrances, and building on its legacy is the recently launched CK Everyone. Like its peers on this page, the perfume is a unisex scent that celebrates the infinite freedom of self-expression. Clean, citrusy, and uplifting – courtesy of a heart of blue tea accord and a musky base of cedarwood – it’s also vegan and infused with ingredients derived from natural origins. What’s not to love?
Telfar
Shopping Bag
www.shopbop.com
Sported by everyone from Lizzo and ASAP Ferg to Antoine Gregory, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid, 2020’s It bag has sold out countless times, but it quite literally made headlines when it recently came back in stock at Shopbop. Scoop up this so-called “Bushwick Birkin” for the fashionista in your life, and they’ll feel indebted forever, plain and simple.
FOR THE HOME COOK
Anova Culinary
Anova Precision Cooker Nano
www.amazon.com
Meet a kitchen must-have that any home cook will love. Used by professional chefs all over the world, the Anova Precision Cooker Nano makes cooking easy – and meals delicious. All you have to do is stick it in the pot, connect it to the app, and you’ll be saying bon appétit in no time. Bonus: the app comes with a range of delicious recipes.
Proclamation Goods Co.
The Proclamation Duo
www.proclamationgoods.com
This two-pan duo is compact and can work as a skillet, a stockpot, a wok, and even a Dutch oven for ultimate functionality. The stainless-steel twofer is versatile, non-toxic, and super lightweight, and will both nourish and delight any cooking enthusiast.
üutensil
Stirr
www.uncommongoods.com
If you’ve got a gadget-obsessed home cook on your gift list, we’ve got you covered. This automatic stirrer is ideal for recipes that call for that extra attention, saving time and maybe even an arm. Just place it in your sauce/soup/porridge/gravy, set your timer, and go forth and conquer the rest of the meal.
FOR THE NATURE LOVER
Brittney Durbin
Flourishing Forest candle
www.uncommongoods.com
At a time when staying home is encouraged, your loved one can bring the aroma of the great outdoors inside with this hand-poured Flourishing Forest candle. Brimming with scents of cypress, moss, and spruce – and topped with titanium-coated green quartz – it will remind them of a crisp winter walk deep in a forest.
Click & Grow
The Smart Garden 3
www.conranshop.co.uk
We all know how satisfying it is to grow your own food, but not everyone can. Most of us are challenged with factors like weather, knowledge, space, or just the lack of a green thumb – enter: The Smart Garden 3. This little home garden does all the heavy lifting for you (from the seeds and soil to watering and lighting), giving you fresh produce all year long. We think it’s the perfect gift for the amateur gardener in your life.
Radiate Campfire
Radiate Portable Campfire
www.amazon.com
The Radiate Portable Campfire takes the hassle out of creating and distinguishing a campfire, with a simple light-up solution. Perfect for your nature enthusiast in your life, this shortcut is ideal for warming up those chilly nights. Not only are three to five hours of burn time guaranteed, but it’s also a breeze to use and made from recycled soy wax and paper briquettes.
FOR THE WANDERLUSTER
Magda Lipka Falck
Anywhere Travel Guide
www.uncommongoods.com
Solo travelers swear by the infinite charm of traveling solo, and Anywhere Travel Guide takes this up a notch. With absolutely no recommendations on where to eat, stay, or sightsee, this deck of 75 cards features whimsical prompts and unexpected calls-to-action to turn your gift recipient’s next trip abroad into a bona fide adventure – and possibly a brand new way to see an already-explored destination.
Atlas Obscura
An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders
www.bookdepository.com
Atlas Obscura, the definitive guide to the world’s most curious places, has compiled its genius into a best-selling book. Even better? This second edition boasts 100 new places, 12 new city guides, and a fold-out map of a dream around-the-world journey. If you have a friend who’s all about uncovering the weird and wonderful on their travels, this one’s a no-brainer.
Letters From Afar
Yearly gift subscription
www.lettersafar.com
With everything going digital, receiving snail mail feels borderline nostalgic, and keeping the concept alive and well is Letters From Afar. Choose the Yearly gift subscription, and, for one year, the wanderluster in your life will receive a handcrafted letter from a mysterious explorer by the name of Isabelle. She will travel to spectacular places across the globe and write to your loved one, telling them all about it. Bonus: a portion of all proceeds go directly to a fantastic non-profit called Pencils of Promise.
FOR THE WELLNESS SEEKER
The School of Life
Know Yourself prompt cards
www.theschooloflife.com
We all know self-awareness is the key to mental health and well-being, so this section wouldn’t be complete without a pick from The School of Life, a UK-based organisation that is often described as the global headquarters of developing emotional intelligence. We think the wellness seeker in your life will love this set because, with its help, they can discover what they really want, learn more about how they feel, and tap into the reasons behind their reactions.
Versace
Medusa weights
www.matchesfashion.com
Take your loved one’s workout to a downright bougie place with these striking gold dumbbells by Versace. Embossed with the luxury label’s iconic Medusa head motif, they weigh in at 3.5kg each and serve as statement home accessories when not in use. Win-win.
Rituals
The Ritual of Jing – Relax range
www.6thstreet.com
Representing tranquility, the Relax range of The Ritual of Jing collection is inspired by the ancient Chinese concept of jing and centred around calming the body and mind with its floral and warm fragrance, which is based on the essential oils Sacred Lotus and Jujube. There’s everything from a scented candle and reed diffuser sticks to a serum, a mist, and shower products to choose from, so mix and match according to the preferences of your gift recipient.
