From Studio-Grade Headphones to Travel Gift Cards: 15 Items We’re Hankering After This Festive Season
This month we’re reading Norman Jay’s ‘Mr Good Times’ while chowing down on Cru 8’s brownie loaf
Words Oisin Lunny, Cecilia Mezzi
Epizode Music and Art Festival Passes
How about spending New Year’s Eve with your loved ones on Vietnam’s unspoiled Phú Quốc Island? Eco-friendly Epizode festival boasts green-blue tropical seas, epic sunsets, white sand beaches and 11 nights soundtracked by world-class DJs such as Anja Schneider, Jamie Jones, Kiasmos and Moodymann. ‘Sister Multi-Passes’ allow two ladies to enter for the price of one, so you can gift your BFF as well. 11-day Multi-Passes (27 December–7 January) from €259.
Sprs.Me Travel Gift Card
For the spontaneous jet-setter in your life, Sprs.Me lets you give the gift of surprise travel experiences via vouchers. It’s a novel concept where the destination is revealed at the departure airport of your choice. Options include 3, 4 or 5-day mystery city breaks based on your preferences. Beats a pair of socks by several (air) miles. From £20.
Electronic Sheep X Edge Only Mixtape Pendant
The editorial team has fallen for this dinky mixed tape pendant from the Electronic Sheep X Edge Only collab, a statement piece inspired by a mutual connection to music, designed and ethically made in Ireland. The A-side label is left blank for your own dedication. €249-€319.
M50xBT headphones by Audio-Technica
For a pair of studio-grade headphones with superb sound and excellent battery life, look no further than Audio-Technica’s M50xBT. The original wired version is a favourite of pros like Stormzy and Royal Blood, and the new Bluetooth update offers 40 hours of battery life, CD-like quality streaming, and touch controls to activate your smartphone’s voice assistant. £175.
Mister Good Times, Norman Jay
Here at PHOENIX we always like to gift a book or several, and this year’s selection includes the fascinating Mister Good Times autobiography by one of the world’s best-loved DJs, Norman Jay MBE. It’s a tale of Northern Soul nights, illegal raves, pirate radio and of course the Notting Hill carnival. £13.51.
Silent Night Gift Box
Parcel London have paired their best-selling Positive Planner – a mindful journal full of clarifying prompts – with a selection of gorgeous wintery treats. There’s the Neom Intensive treatment candle, which can be poured out and used as a warming nourishing body oil, scrumptious chocolate with gold frankincense, myrrh and spicy salted caramel, and Scandi-style wooden star tree decorations. Dreamy. £94.
Mono Watches
With distinct single-tone colourways and a clean design rendered in acrylic glass, polycarbonate and translucent silicone, The Mono watch by Belgian accessories brand Komono is minimal and playful all at once. £65.
Tenga Adult Toys
Tenga make beautifully crafted sex toys in soft-touch silicone that is gentle on the skin, with strong rhythm-pattern motors and water-resistant, easy-to-wash designs. Toys can be charged speedily and simply using the brand’s innovative charging cases.
Cru8 Vegan Brownie
This guilt-free Brownie PALEO Bread is a grain-free, squidgy brownie loaf that is just-sweet-enough. It is a perfect tea-time treat or a nourishing pudding when topped with ice-cream (non-dairy of course) and cacao nibs. £5.
Emily Mortimer Hera Collection
Named after the Greek goddess of marriage, life and love, this new gold and diamond collection by British designer is a favourite of Megan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. We love the detachable pear drop earrings – wear the diamond hoop for day and add the drop for evening. £795.
New Era x North Face Baseball Cap
Honouring the 1953 expedition to the summit of Mount Everest, known in Tibetan and Nepalese cultures as Sagamartha and Chomolungma, this new collection from iconic cap brand New Era and outdoor outfitters North Face is a peak collaboration. £30-40.
Moroccanoil Colour Depositing Mask
Looking for a party season hair colour update, but not ready to fully commit? We love these new Moroccanoil masks with a range of 7 temporary colours from practical shades such as Bordeaux, Platinum and Champagne, to more creative options such as Aquamarine and Rose Gold. £28.85 for 200ml.
March LA.B Mansart Automatic Magnum
Named after the French Barqoue architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, this angular watch mirrors the octagonal structure of La Place Vendôme in Paris. Supremely elegant and unisex, its copper face and modernist lines are a triumph of timeless design. £1095.
Leica SOFORT
Capture and keep memories of the upcoming holiday season forever with the first instant camera from Leica, now available in red. With four modes, a built-in flash, and self-portrait function, it’s a great price for an original Leica at £200-£275.
Napapijri Duffle Bag
Napapijri, an Italian brand with a Norwegian sounding name and flag was born on an expedition to Mont Europe’s highest peak Mont Blanc in 1987. This earth-toned camouflage duffle bag is perfect for weekend getaways and the gym, and would make a great gift for the travel-loving man in your life. £85.