Not A Gift Guide: Obsessions Worth Sharing

Holiday gift guides are usually thinly veiled cash grabs screaming, “Buy this now!” Hard pass. Here’s the play: instead of pushing stuff you don’t need, and trying to convince you to buy, I’m sharing the gear and treasures that have earned their spot in my world - either materially or mentally. These aren’t just things—they’re obsessions, objects, and little joys that make life better. This listicle (remember that word?) is about practicality, craftsmanship, and a dose of “damn, that’s cool.” Because the reality is we all probably have enough, but sometimes cool things find us.

Unapologetically Practical

Vintage Dymo PVC Label Printer

There’s something deeply satisfying about slapping an analog label on things. Whether it’s organizing files or passive-aggressively marking snacks, the tactile click of this little beast beats the whine of modern label printers. I don't have it, but I want it. Pro move: get vintage ones on secondhand marketplaces that are chromed and serve double-duty as a self-defense bludgeon.

Evergoods CIVIC Access Pouch 2L

I have an obsession with over-engineered things. Items that have so much thought poured into them they solve problems I didn't know I had. Evergoods designs such items, and even publishes videos on their design and manufacturing process. I recently bought this guy just because the angled over-zip allows it to transform into an open-top triangle-shaped organizer. For now, it's holding my myriad camera accessories, but can serve multiple uses in the future. Dear Evergoods - please make it in red!

Hulken Utility Tote

It’s a tote bag… on wheels. Absurdly practical, and weirdly satisfying to roll instead of lug. It reminds me of a classic canvas laundry hamper from an old gymnasium - but modernized. Perfect for farmers’ markets, urban hauls, or impromptu wine runs. My neighbor introduced me to it as I saw her, leashed dog in one hand and this rolling bag full of recycling in the other. She said it's all the rage with the NYC girlies.

MagSafe Phone Stand/Mount

Perhaps the most practical item of them all has been this little device. I've hooked it on airplane seat-backs, used as a phone stand on my desk, and as a "tripod" or magnet to get some fun content while exploring the city. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. And it beats the hell out of those Octobuddy's - unless you need the stick-to-mirror-for-makeup-tutorial function.

Remote-work Rambo

Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen or Lamy Safari

I naively imagined fountain pens as messy - like the old quill and ink. And while that world does exist, I also learned that there are ink cartridges that can be enclosed, travel-safe refills for pens. Fortifying my habit to journal, I picked up the Procyon. It's reasonably priced for it's metal-body construction and screw cap. More economically, the Lamy Safari is incredibly common and built with the same plastic as Lego. Both are unpretentious and low-care, but having broken into a new obsession, I'm counting the days until I spring for a Waldmann.

Sharge Disk

Flash drives suck. They use cheaper memory, are more prone to failure, and aren't up-gradable or repairable. Enter this Tamagotchi-esque device that will upgrades your long-lost digi-pet to a modern NVME harddrive. I don't have one, but I am currently brainstorming why I need one. Hard drive not included.

Manfrotto Laptop Deck

In the absence of a sit-stand desk, I am incredibly tempted to leverage my existing tripod with this Deck. The problem? It absolutely will not pass wife approval, so I'll be spent erecting and disassembling daily. But when I get my man-cave back, this is happening.

Style That Speaks Volumes

Fashion with a purpose: versatile, durable, and a little indulgent.

Anthology Long Sleeve Polo Shirts

In today's casual climate, I've found this to strike a beautiful balance between business and brunch. Absent Kent Wang, this is the only brand I've found to do sleeves with traditional shirt cuffs and not elastic. A minor detail, but one that I love, giving it a slightly elevated look buttoned or allowing the sprezzatura of rolling. I own the grey, and am buying the black.

Samuel Zelig Embroidered Clothing

I can feel you cringing the same way my wife did when I showed her this. Certainly an acquired taste, but literally wearable art. Intricately embroidered, impossibly soft, and unapologetically eye-catching. I'm looking to find a design that is a little more subtle to dip my toe into the style, especially considering the cost.

La Botte Guardianne Terence Zip Boots & Alden Black Cordovan Plain Toe Blucher

Moving to a fashion city means wearing black. Something I did not embrace in my younger years, so I'm playing catch-up. Looking back at my spending this year, I've bought more shoes than anything else, and yet I still have two more on my list. I'll go on record that the plain toe blucher from Alden is perhaps the most versatile shoe ever. I own it in brown, and can wear it up to a casual suit, and down to tattered jeans. While I cringe at the price, the Cordovan gives it some interest that a typical black derby lacks, and isn't as gimmicky as a patent leather. Similarly, the Terence boot strikes that balance between utilitarian and refined, and is something I'm going to try on post-return to France.

Maroon Bell Water Buffalo Mittens

I'm obsessed with this mitten. It's as luxurious as it is practical - handmade from water buffalo leather, these will outlast me and surely keep me warm next time I'm at a chalet. I've had them saved for a couple of years now, and have just been waiting for the my old gloves to tatter.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about mindless consumerism—it’s about celebrating quality, utility, and a touch of obsession-worthy design. Whether these pieces find their way onto your wish list or your gift-giving shortlist, each represents a mix of form, function, and a dash of the unexpected. I have too many to write about at once, so if there are any items you're in search of, or people on your list, ask away and I'm happy to help.

Happy Holidays.

-Chris