Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: Everyday Wonder – Objects That Surprise and Delight

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

There’s nothing better than gifts that charm long after the wrapping are tossed and day-to-day life resumes (or so I believe). Rarely is the problem finding great gifts; rather, the challenge lies in your ability to thoughtfully select the perfect present that will be cherished and remembered. Sometimes you’ve got to dig deep, think hard and channel your inner co-worker, grandma or two-year-old nephew. I encourage you to leave it all on the court—or Internet, as it were—and go for gold (bonus points for frankincense and myrrh).

The products I’ve gathered for this year’s guide are at first glance familiar items you might encounter every day—a calendar, some building blocks, a magazine subscription. But on closer inspection you’ll find in each a simple twist that transforms the object from mundane to magical. Mirroring my own fascination with detail, material and craft, that extra something goes a long way. And while I can’t promise you flawless alignment of gift and giftee, I can guarantee each is a bona fide delight. Good luck.

Bryn Smith, Contributor

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Unraveling Calendar – There’s something poignant about seeing the entire year piled up on the floor. My Mom loved this gift so much, she asked for it again this year.

AeroPress Coffeemaker – I swear by mine, and it keeps me from spending $4 on an afternoon coffee. $26 from Amazon

EDC Quick Release Brass Key Ring – So simple (and affordable). $4 from Kaufmann Mercantile

The Magic Charger – This is something I would never buy for myself, but I know I would use it nearly every day. Are you reading this, Smith family? $50 from Mobee Technology

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: (Unintentional) Essentials for the YoPro Design Consultant

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections.

Here, contributor Sam Dunne elaborates on some of his selections for this year’s Gift Guide.

Like moths to a flame, droves of wide-eyed design graduates are coaxed away from the provinces every year, fatally attracted by the bright lights and endless Sharpie marker supply of big city design studios.

Should someone on your (left to the last minute) Christmas gift list be going through this crucial right of passage into urban professionalism, get them welling up with gratitude this festive season with some essential survival tools for the trials and tribulations of working life in the concrete jungle.

For starters, consider getting their photography kit up to scratch with some handy gadgets. The lower budget shopper might try a Slyphone to equip their design grad loved one with espionage grade observational research skills. Those feeling a little more generous could consider one of Sony’s revolutionary smartphone-attachable lens, for picture perfect photography without the weight or expense of an SLR.

You can be sure your poor ambitious friend will be doing their fair share of travelling over the coming year. A lot less glamourous than it sounds, your little nomad will need sleep and something to while away many an airborne hour. Gift them the new Ostrich Pillow Light for some handy head comfort or a 100 Questions kit to break the silence when going long haul with colleagues.

The new design YoPros stationery appreciation levels will also no doubt be reaching record levels in a bid to maintain some sanity during late nights in the studio. Give them some unexpected stapling satisfaction with Kokuyo Harinacs stapleless stapler or perhaps a chance to reflect on their Post-It addiction with the Giving Tree.

Sam Dunne, London Correspondent

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: Gifts Are Silly and Designers Are Even Sillier

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.

Gifts are silly, and designers are even sillier. Most people really want money, but as humans we love to obsess over gifts so we can show how well we know someone. We want to pick that perfect item that so personifies our friend, or hits on that untapped need that even they didn’t know they had. Perhaps we just want to show we care. What can be more fulfilling of human needs than that, to make a connection with peer and show you understand?

In selecting my list, I tried to pick a variety of things for all different kinds of designers. For that severe utilitarian type who is a closeted brand freak, the Herman Miller desktop power outlet says “I understand your woes my brother.” For that person who can’t just get a drink quietly, they have to make an entire production of it flaunting every tool in their 30 step process, the Stelton Sommelier Foil Cutter says “hurry up already, I just can’t wait for that next glass of Gewürztraminer.” For that designer couple you know who are about to have a designer kid, the LAX minimalist poster says “I care that your child grows up to be an aesthete just like his mama and papa.” For the whimsical iconoclast, the BOOM Swimmer says “I know you are going to do something wrong with this, go for it.” And for the billionaire designer who has a billionaire designer friend, the Icon Thriftmaster is the must-have of the season.

So no matter what type of designer you have on your gift list, I think I selected something that might be enjoyed. Some of these might even work for non-designer types… if you know any of those.

Michael DiTullo, Contributor & Discussion Board Moderator

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Slyphone – For me researching isn’t a phase of work, it is everyday all day. I’m always trying my hardest to covertly snap photos of things in stores, people on trains and around town, and of things I’m not supposed to in museums and art galleries. This thing is going to make my life so much easier. $19 at Minor Asset

The Magic Charger – I have three Magic Mice. One on my desk in the studio, one in my home office, and one I keep in my bag… they designed this thing for me. $50 from Mobee Technology

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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CH Gift Guide: Big Bonus: Private submarines, gourmet cycling excursions, arcade coffee tables and more luxurious presents culled from our holiday assortment

CH Gift Guide: Big Bonus


For those fortunate enough to have deeper pockets than the average gift-giver, have a look at the Cool Hunting gift guide for an array of ideas that go well beyond a Bentley or fancy watch. From U-Boat’s private submarines to Gufram’s iconic cactus coat stand, and with personalized travel…

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: They Say the Best Gifts Come in Small Packages…

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.

Make good on the phrase and gift the raddest stocking stuffers around. Growing up, it was always one of my favorite parts of the holidays. But there are only so many flavors of gum you can pack into a tiny stocking—trust me, I know. Forgo the gift of fresh breath and take it up a notch this year. That doesn’t mean you have to spend major bucks. These easy-on-the-eyes gifts pack a punch and are all under $50.

The picks I bring to the table are tiny, design-savvy trinkets that will help anyone through their day whether they’re looking to season their dinner, keep their keys together or just keep track of what day it is (we can all relate to that).

When it comes to giving presents, I get pretty picky. Each thing has to have some kind of personal spin or (preferably) have something to do with an absurd inside joke. So this list may not make any possible sense to you as to why I’ve picked them, but it might give you some insight into my favorite of-the-moment ironies.

Erika Owen, Editorial Assistant

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Drowning in Debt Salt & Pepper Shakers – As a recent grad myself, I feel the pain that is the repaying my financial aid. This is the perfect gift (by a great up-and-coming designer, for the record) for anyone—slave to financial aid or not. We’ve all got our debts.

Unraveling Calendar – If there’s one thing I hate, it’s a nice long thread hanging off of a sweater. Because you know if you pull on it, it’s going to pull out that one row of thread that’s completely essential to the graphic sweater you’re donning. Maybe it’s the irony that gets me with this one. $95 from Patrick Frey

Sacrificial Chair – Sometimes it’s just too hard to actually put your clothes in the closet. Which is why this ghostly chair/clothes rack rocks so much. $180 from Thing Industries

Clampersand – I’m a sucker for anything grammar-related. And anyone who knows me, knows that any quirky, unexpected punctuation mark accessory is up for grabs come Christmastime. $40 from Hand-Eye Supply

Porthole – Pretty kitchen things are always a solid choice for the host(ess) in your life. This simple infusion tool looks good and definitely gets the job done. And you can put alcohol in it—which is always a plus when it comes to the holidays. $90 from Crucial Detail

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: Hipstomp’s Had-It-Up-to-Here with the Holidays Gift Guide Picks

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.

Most stuff is junk, it just is. So when it comes to buying gifts, do the planet and your giftee a favor and get them something they’ll actually use, rather than throw out or toss in a corner.

For this year’s Gift Guide, I looked around my place for some of the most useful things I own, with a particular focus on objects that can not be replaced by other objects; meaning, almost everything on this list has a unique function or performs its task in a far better way than you could do it before that object existed.

None of the items on my list are sexy, so if you’re looking for wow-factor during the unboxing, you’ve got the wrong list. But assuming your giftee actually does the things these objects were designed for, they will find themselves using them time and time again, and you’ll get the credit for being one of those people that buys useful, kick-ass gifts.

To keep the Core77 Gift Guide going, we staffers were asked by the Core77 brass to pick some items out from other staffers’ lists. I take this to mean that after picking these items, we’ll then have them purchased for us on the company dime. Right? Boss? …Hello?

Rain Noe, Senior Editor

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From Glen Jackson Taylor’s list, I’ll pick the Sheffield Kevlar Shears. (Note that Glen has three names, like some kind of famous political assassin, and his gifts are also three-worded. Something is going on there.) Why shears that can cut through Kevlar? Because you never know when friends are going to come knocking on your door at 2am because one of them was shot and they can’t go to the cops, and because you took a veterinary course in college you then have to put on a white lab coat and look nervously reluctant while you fish the bullet out with a pair of tweezers and drop it into a silver kidney-shaped bowl with an audible “clink.” And you might need the shears to cut through their clothes. Of course if they were wearing Kevlar there’d probably be no bullet for you to remove, so, fine, maybe I didn’t think this pick through… $76 at Best Made Co.

From Mason Currey’s list, I’ll select the 2014 Cat Calendar. I’m a dog guy and I don’t like cats, but my dogs like eating paper, and I’m hoping they go for the cat calendar before they hit my copy of the Woodcraft catalogue. $50 from United Bamboo

From Fosta’s list, I’ll pick the Magnetron Carabiner. Why? You know why. Don’t play dumb with me. $30 from Black Diamond

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: Tools for Working Better, or at Least in Better Surroundings

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.


I know , I know—no one really wants to think about work over the holidays. But let’s face it: most of us spend most of our time at work, and most of us also work in less-than-ideal environments, be it a windowless cubicle or a mercilessly exposed open-plan office. So anything you can do to improve that situation for a loved one (or for yourself) is certainly worthy of your gift-giving dollar.

Here, I have tried to suggest products that will improve one’s workday in four key areas: caffeination, organization, isolation, and decoration. These critera satisfy my own personal vision of an ideal workplace: one with good coffee, a minimum of clutter, a modicum of privacy, and a few pops of colorful and/or quirky ornamentation. These gifts won’t necessarily make for better or faster work, but they should at least make for more contented workers.

Mason Currey, Senior Editor

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Socks by Henrik Vibskov – I usually prefer to dress in solid, neutral colors—so I need socks like these to save me from being a total sartorial bore. $30 from Henrik Vibskov

LAX Minimalist Poster – I recently moved to Los Angeles, and this neon-colored homage to my local airport would make an excellent addition to my new apartment’s decor. $159 at Zinc Details

5-Year Diary – I’ve never managed to keep a diary for more than a few days, but the idea of having five years’ worth of notes in one volume—and in such a handsomely designed one — makes me want to give it another go. $25 at MoMA Store

Zojirushi Tuff Mug – I don’t actually have much use for a thermos, but, hey, I really like the way this guy looks. $32 on Amazon

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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Core77’s 2013 Ultimate Gift Guide: Worldly Possessions Worth Gifting

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The Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide is one of the more popular pieces of content that we put together every year, both for our readers and those of us who have the privilege—and eye—for making the selections. In the interest of capturing the communal spirit of this year’s Gift Guide, the contributors will be selecting a few of their favorite picks from their cohorts’ lists alongside one of their own.

In other words, hint, hint.


I considered several different approaches to my gift guide list this year, but ultimately ended up following my gut and go with a handful of selections that represent facets of my abiding passion (outside of writing about design, of course). It’s probably obvious that at least one member of Core77’s editorial team is a cycling enthusiast / dedicated bike-commuter / sometime evangelist—after all, bicycles hit a sweet spot between form and phenomenon, between function and fun.

And while I deliberately chose gift ideas for discerning folks whose idea of a canvas is a pair of triangles on wheels, I’m broadly interested in objects that are functional, durable and lend themselves to mobility. It so happens that I recently moved to a new apartment—my first time living without roommates—so planning this year’s gift guide coincided with a period of ‘needing new things’ (I actually ended up selling a bike so I could afford some new furniture). It initially felt unnaturally materialistic to me, but I came to realize that it’s worth acquiring worldly possessions if 1.) you use them regularly, if not daily, and 2.) you won’t have to buy that thing ever again.

Ray Hu, Managing Editor

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Outlier Grid Linen Towel – About as practical as it gets, really. Not only does the grid weave provide structure and surface area but the subtle geometric pattern adds a bit of Modernist flair as well. $28–120 from Outlier

AeroPress – A veritable secret to success, as far as I’m concerned. I imagine Da Vinci secretly invented an early version of this—since lost to time—and thanks to the AeroPress, everyone now has easy access to the life-affirming elixir we call coffee. $26 on Amazon

Rapha × Raeburn Wind Jacket – An easy one, perhaps, but hey, “high-viz” is meant to stand out. All black is normally the order of the day for me, but when you’re plastered in spandex anyway, you might as well go all out. $450 from Rapha

Zojirushi Tuff Mug – Another one that I own and use regularly—usually not for my own Aeropressed ambrosia but on those occasions when I get it at my local coffeeshop. Lightweight and works like a charm. $32 on Amazon

Sony QX10 / QX100 – It might seem a little absurd at first glance and I imagine it’s not quite as seamless as it could be, but I much prefer this version of the future to awkward tablet photography, amirite? $250 / $500 from Sony

See the full 2013 Gift Guide for more ideas →

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CH Gift Guide: Schlep It Up a Notch: 10 easy ways to transport heavy loads or personal goods

CH Gift Guide: Schlep It Up a Notch


Whether it’s hauling home groceries in the trunk of a classic car, kids in the cargo carrier of a Christiana bike, or tackling laundry in an urban environment, schlepping is a natural part of a busy life. Make it easier on your favorite workhorse with one of the gifts from…

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CH Gift Guide: Cheeky Goods : An irreverent spin through our holiday bestowments

CH Gift Guide: Cheeky Goods


Add a little humor to the holiday season by presenting friends and loved ones with a reason to laugh in the form of a useful object. From Perks and Mini’s Carefree Willy keychain to Muffin Top muffin cups, or the gift everyone can get involved in—Cards Against Humanity—here are 10…

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