Neil Patrick Harris on the Art of Magical Holiday Gifting

neil patrick harris surrounded by gift boxes wearing a cozy cardigan
By Danny Agnew

In partnership with Neiman Marcus and Wondercade

The art of effective holiday gifting ultimately boils down to a very simple trifecta: you want your giftee to be surprised, delighted and most importantly, seen — you want the gift to say “I know you well enough to not only know what you’d like, but also to find something that you wouldn’t think to get for yourself.” 

It’s nuanced and sometimes tricky, and a prospective holiday gifter could be forgiven for needing a little assistance. Especially in a year like this when giving big is the name of the game. Thus, on the heels of our guide to becoming the ultimate holiday host, we’ve continued our partnership with Neiman Marcus and Wondercade — the “weekly dispatch on the culture of curiosity” from our good friend Neil Patrick Harris — to bring you a specially curated collection of showstopping gifts for all the various and sundry recipients in your life.

From wellness warriors to bright-eyed youngsters to style mavens to hardcore foodies, we’ve got the perfect presents to elicit the beaming smiles and effusive thanks we’re all chasing this season.

So read on, get to shoppin’ and go make this holiday one for the record books.

Kotoshina

Organic Roasted Japanese Green Tea

Crafted in Japan, Kotoshina’s organic hojicha is made with a unique high-temperature roasting method that results in exceptionally aromatic tea with a caramel-like flavor and lower caffeine content. So g’head and drink it before bed if you like.

Aromatherapy Associates

Ultimate Wellbeing Bath & Shower Oil Collection

Aromatherapy Associates has been in the well-being game for over 30 years, so you know their collection of 10 different essential oil blends has the benefit of experience behind it — and thus that it should prove effective for your Mood Booster’s self-care moments.

Chinti and Parker

Love Wool-Cashmere Sweater

Bold embroidery and a stylish silhouette make this sweater a killer gift for the lady who appreciates positive vibes — and the wool-cashmere blend will ensure she’s feeling them.

Missoni Home

Warner Bath Towel

What to get for the man who has everything? How about something he would never think to get for himself, like super stylish bath towels.

Assouline

“Yachts: The Impossible Collection” by Miriam Cain

Well-heeled bon vivants have been spending their leisure time on the water since, well, forever, basically. This carefully curated anthology features 236 pages of seagoing vessels that “break the boundaries of technology, luxury and decadence,” from the 1851 ship for which the America’s Cup was named to the present-day vessels of the 0.1%. A must for the yacht owner and yacht dreamer alike.

Brunello Cucinelli

Geometric Shawl Cardigan Sweater

A cozy cardigan with a festive pattern is always a great holiday gift look. When that cardigan happens to be made by the Italian luxury mavens at Brunello Cucinelli and is crafted from a buttery soft wool/cashmere/silk blend, it’s basically an unbeatable one.

Shinola

Slim Signature Leather Messenger Bag

Whether it’s for the daily commute or a jaunt to the other side of the globe, a handsome leather messenger bag is a no-brainer — timeless, stylish, reliable and only gets better-looking the longer (and farther) you carry it.

Bey-Berk

Leather Watch & Sunglasses Storage Case

Multiple sunglass and watch options are very much a nice-to-have when traveling, but admittedly a pain in the neck to pack effectively — no one wants to be throwing expensive eye/wrist wear in their dopp kit. No more with this handy case from Bey-Berk, which keeps two of each snug and protected without taking up too much space in your bag.

Fourlaps

Rush Pullover Hoodie

It’s tough to beat a quality hoodie for flying — super comfy and perfect for settling into your seat, throwing your headphones on and tuning out while you get where you’re going. This number from Fourlaps fits the bill nicely, crafted from cozy French terry with a zippered ‘roo pocket and a bit of understated flair via tricolor piping.

Wireless Express

Stereo Bluetooth Iridescent Bling Headphones

If the kids are going to tune you out, at least let them do it in high style. In addition to a generous coating of iridescent crystals, these Wireless Express cans feature stereo sound, bluetooth connectivity and a handy compact folding design for easy stashing.

Kenzo

Tiger Embroidered Fleece Sweatshirt

Hard to go wrong with a good old-fashioned animal print for a youth crewneck sweatshirt, especially when said animal print is actually embroidery and comes with the artistic touch of Kenzo creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon.

Galison

The Beach and Italy 500-Piece Double-Sided Puzzle Set

A 500-piece jigsaw puzzle is a surefire way to keep the youngsters entertained and off their screens for an extended period of time — and being that this one from Galison is double-sided with two delightful images from legendary photographer Gray Malin, you’ll get twice the quiet time out of it.

Native Union

Wireless Dock Phone Charger

The more gadgets they have, the more charging stations they’re gonna need. That’s just science. This handsome (and handy!) one from Native Union allows you to see your phone (and the holiday movie that’s playing on it) while it charges.

Chic Geeks

Faux Crocodile 13″ MacBook Pro Case

Neil said it best, “It’s like a stylish leather jacket, but for your computer parts.” Guaranteed to elicit compliments at the office, coffee shop or wherever else your tech-y pal happens to be working from.

Bang & Olufsen

Beosound Explore Wireless 360 Speaker

Scratch-resistant, dust-proof and with the ability to be submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, this portable wireless Bluetooth speaker is not only designed to go anywhere, but also handle whatever is thrown at it (and sound phenomenal) upon arrival.

Everknown

Hypelev Levitating Sneaker Display Stand

Utilizing carefully positioned magnets, the Hypelev allows your hypebeast to proudly display his or her most coveted kicks in the most eye-catching way possible. Because what good are limited-edition sneakers if you can’t make them float?

The Skateroom

Basquiat Pez Dispenser Skateboard

Whether you’re planning to skate it or just hang it on the wall, The Skateroom’s handsome Basquiat deck not only looks great and comes with some built-in art world street cred, but also benefits art charities and skateboard outreach programs.

Off-White

Industrial Leather Slide Sandals

Slides are convenient, slides are comfy, slides are versatile, slides are trendy. And when the slides say “Off-White” on them, they are guaranteed to be the envy of your giftee’s fellow streetwear enthusiasts.

Dermaflash

Dermapore

A unique two-in-one ultrasonic skincare device that unclogs pores and infuses your favorite skincare products, the Dermapore helps to minimize the appearance of pores and reveal healthy, radiant skin. And what Grooming Guru doesn’t want that?

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Fragrance Wardrobe for Him 2021

Fragrances are a tough gift to give because they’re inherently so personal — however, with this collection of eight different scents, your giftee is sure to find a few that he’s excited to fold into his olfactory arsenal moving forward.

TULA

Eye Balm Extravaganza 3-Piece Kit

Packed with probiotic extracts and other skincare-first ingredients, this trio of eye balms targets everything from puffiness to wrinkles to fine lines — an essential, if oft-overlooked element of a good skincare routine.

Le Comptoir de Mathilde

Pink Himalayan Salt & Provence Herbs Grinder

Once your Fave Foodie tries the delectable combination of pink Himalayan sea salt and herbs de Provence, chances are he/she will be putting it on just about everything — all you’ll need to do is figure out how to get invited over to enjoy the culinary efforts.

Juliska

Stewart Tartan 2-Piece Oven Mitt & Kitchen Towel Set

Oven mitts and tea towels always make for a great gift because most home chefs don’t think to replace them as often as they should. With a festive tartan plaid, this set from Juliska should prove that special set that gets reserved for the holidays for years to come.

Verve Culture

13.5″ Citrus Juicer

Perfect for small citrus like lemons, limes and oranges, this sturdy aluminum juicer makes a handsome addition to any kitchen and will be massively appreciated by anyone who is still squeezing fruit by hand.

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