The Ultimate Guide to Gay Gift Giving 2021
Stumped on what gifts to give your family, friends, and neighbors this year? Check this list then check it twice—because while you’ve been naughty, they’ve been nice.
Oliver Charles Sweater
What do you get when Tibetan yak wool meets the world’s most advanced 3D-knitting machines? An antimicrobial, soft-as-cashmere, day-to-night sweater that instantly becomes one of the most versatile and comfortable pieces in your closet that rarely needs washing. $220, Oliver-Charles.com.
Mind-Pop Casserole Pans
Perfect for campground cooking or gourmet meals made at home, Darling Spring’s ultra-pretty Mind-Pop enamel casserole pans by Kapka add joie de vivre to the meal-making experience and move seamlessly from stovetop to serving table without dirtying another dish. $45, DarlingSpring.com.
Oclean Water Flosser
Traditional floss isn’t exactly a budget buster, but the Oclean W10 Water Flosser is a sleek, no-waste, and, yes, cheaper-in-the-long-run alternative with five distinctive modes and four high-performance nozzles to keeps the crevices between those pearly whites crud- and cavity-free. $60, Oclean.com.
Playcraft Shuffleboard Table
Playcraft edges out its at-home gaming competition with the Georgetown Espresso Shuffleboard featuring solid wood construction, richly stained accent features, and furniture-grade finishes that are a far cry from the warped, frat boy-abused tables dying slow deaths in dive bars everywhere. $1,595, SawyerTwain.com
ChefWave Milkmade
Round up your favorite rice, soybeans, nuts, and oats for homemade vegan milk alternatives that cost pennies on the dollar compared to pre-packaged versions of the same at your local supermarket. Just add water and a handful of your desired ingredient to churn out 20 ounces of liquid health in about 15 minutes. $200 MyChefWave.com.
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
You may not regard London, England, as synonymous with audio innovation, but you’ll change that tune after listening to your favorite artists streaming through Cambridge Audio’s Evo 75, the sleek, cutting-edge, all-in-one system pumping out crystal-clear sound quality fit for a queen—like you. $2,250 CambridgeAudio.com.
Wild Roots Spirits
Wild Roots Spirits’ five-times filtered, five-times distilled corn-based vodkas—in seasonal flavors like pear, cranberry, and apple-cinnamon—will spice up your soft and hard holiday seltzers and sodas for a little added zip on your lips. $30, WildRootsSpirits.com.
Takumi by Yokai Express
Not only can the Takumi machine cook ramen, dim sum, rice, dumplings, pasta, and more, but it also has the dubious distinction of being the choice ramen-making machine of Tesla’s offices—because of course it is: Elon Musk wouldn’t be caught dead microwaving Oodles of Noodles like the rest of us schlubs. $400, YokaiExpress.com.
Knitting Knowledge Starter Kits
If the summer Olympics taught us anything, it’s that Tom Daley is a multitalented athlete poised to take knitting gold someday. You can train for your spot on the team with Knitting Knowledge starter kits, including beginner socks, baby blankets, and beanies that include everything you’ll need—from yarn to needles to patterns—to complete the project with a perfect score. $18-$80, KnittingKnowledge.com.
Stark Custom Kitchen Knives
Upgrade your store-bought block knives to a set of Stark Creations chef’s, paring, and nakiri custom knives, forged from scratch to complement your personality or overall kitchen aesthetic. $265-$515, StarkCreationsUS.com.
Erica’s Tea Room Scones
Gild the proverbial lilies of your holiday breakfast spread with a selection of Erika’s Tea Room “Florida Famous” scones in comfort-food flavors like orange-cranberry, white chocolate-apricot, rum raisin, caramel-walnut, and piña colada, among other classic mashups. $36-$42/dozen, ErikasTeaRoom.com.
RadRover 6 Plus
From a custom geared-hub motor that climbs hills 25 percent faster with more torque and extended range to all-new hydraulic brakes that provide superior stopping power, the best-in-class RadRover 6 Plus is basically the Range Rover of e-bikes—with far less depreciation per dollar. $2,000, RadPowerBikes.com.
Wildwood Candle Co.
Sick of pumpkin spice? Fill your rooms with more nuanced fall scents—like maple, sandalwood, cypress, and birch—available in a bundled seasonal foursome from eco-friendly Wildwood Candle Co. and inspired by the enchanting, well-traveled trails of Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park. $88, WildwoodCandleCo.com. ▼
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels.