The Manliest, Most Local-Friendly Gift Guide For Him
You know what’s easy?
A gift guide with a bunch of crap you’ll find at the local Whatever Mart, or a list of overpriced gadgets that’ll plunge your kids into a dopamine-laden abyss.
Screw that. We’re like Joe Pesci in Casino — we like the hard way, only in this context that means crafting nice stuff by hand and celebrating others who to do, too, not strangling people half to death.
And who would we be if we didn’t support others who toil, travel, forego precious hours of sleep and sweat blood to make products that actually last and feel homemade?
We’d be hypocrites, that’s what.
Happy shopping.
A Nice Bottle of Wolfhead Coffee Whisky Liqueur
You know he loves his Irish coffee, but watch his mind get nuked into next month when he mixes this with his morning Joe.
When he asks, tell him it’s from a small-batch distillery out in Amherstberg, Ontario, not far from the Detroit River, called Wolfhead. Vodka and whisky’s their two specialties, but their Coffee Liqueur’s so good it’ll give the Green Isle’s famous cream a go.
Carries notes of rich chocolate, nuts and coffee itself.
$18 — $31
Made in Canada
Also available at select LCBOs
A Custom Toronto Raptors New Era Cap From T.O.’s Styll
Image: Styll
Never let them forget who beat Curry’s Town. Be the guy who conjures up flashes of Kawhi “Fun Guy” Leonard and that impossible game seven fadeaway three. And know that while you boast your Raptor pride, you’re also supporting a Toronto business that custom designs New Era ball caps you won't spot anywhere else (plus they’ll go great with his Jordans).
$45 CA
Designed in Canada
A Good Beard Balm To Keep That Itch Away
Fact: We thought about not shamelessly pushing our small batch, beloved-by-barbers Beard Balm. But then we realized we have no shame, so If he wants a soft, lustrous mane thanks to some skin-loving essentials like Avocado and Jojoba Oil, your a few clicks away from making dreams come true. And if he wants follicular mediocrity, then just sit there and do nothing.
$24 CA
Made in Canada
A Handmade Journal From Detroit’s Own Shinola
Image: Shinola
These aren’t your corner store notebooks. Shinola’s journals boast Smyth-sewn bindings — the sturdiest of all types — with high-grade stitching that holds signatures of crisp, American-sourced pages (both ruled and blank are available).
They’ll let you inscribe something on the cover, too.
$24 USD
Made in Motown, USA
A Sexy Safety Razor From Canada’s Own Henson Shaving
Image: Henson Shaving
Of all blade brands, Henson’s our current favourite. They make their safety razors right here in Canada, they’ve patented a one-of-a-kind design — hardly any blade’s exposed on their bevels, which equals a near perfect shave — and by eschewing the use of plastic they drive yet another stake through the heart of the disposables industry.
$90 — $320 CA
Made in Canada
A Heavy Duty Pair Of Leather Work Gloves From Vermont Glove
Image: Vermont Glove
For the handyman who’s saved your ass more times than than you have digits.
And if that handyman’s you, put ‘em on the list.
The Vermonter, $100 USD
A Home Delivered Pizza On Boxing Day
Image: Wiki Commons
Does it get any better than a piping, hot pie delivered to your doorstep?
Send one to his and he’ll be in your noble servitude for life.
Here’s how: Using your preferred delivery app of your choice, just add his address to your account settings then when you’re ready to check out, pick his place and you’re good.
If you’re in our hometown of Toronto, give 8 Mile a shot. Their signature, Detroit-style pie’s a digestive knockout, only the good kind; Thick, squared pan slices get topped with gooey Wisconsin brick cheese first, then that sweet, sweet marinara second (Motown’s rules). After that, it’s fair game.
8 Mile Pizza
…Or Some Home Delivered, Fresh Steak From Nebraska’s Omaha Steaks
Image: Omaha Steaks
No man (save for the vegetarian kind) can resist the tenderest piece of grass-fed Ribeye this side of Argentina, so when one of those shows up in his mail — and from an American business run by five generations of the same family, no less — he’ll damn near faint from joy.
100% American raised meat and poultry