Christmas Rebelle Gift Guide 2023
One week till Christmas, the final gift-buying rush has begun! To help, every year we ask our Re-belle people from around the globe to introduce some of their Christmas gift ideas that we think you will find useful. The Christmas Gift Guide 2023 for him & her by LVR is bringing the magic of the season through delightful presents and destinations.
Whether you are seeking the perfect gift or searching for somewhere special to enchant your favourite person, we've handpicked some inspiration that embodies the spirit of giving. Dive into our festive selections and let the joy of gifting brighten your holiday season.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and yours,
Nikki Ximeri
~🎄~
Classic Gifting
Nikki Ximeri | @andronikkix & @lavie_rebelle
As a firm Christmas lover and passionate gift-giver, I must say I love this season because gives me a much more sensible excuse!
I love giving personalised presents, especially for my partner, but I always make sure that the Christmas gifts can be consumed by both of us (shh don’t tell). After all, what would gifts be if you don’t have the pleasure of enjoying them with good company?
For Him:
“Dolce Vita” an Assouline book: If you love the good life these books are a must-have.
A blend of beauty, style, and charm inspired by Federico Fellini's iconic 1960 film.
Suit Carrier Holdall by Bennett Winch
The smart bag that all men (and women need) For your trips and your city escapes is the ideal accessory to have.
With a lightweight canvas inner that offers 32 litres of storage, and a fully functioning suit carrier that wraps securely around it, the S.C Holdall in Storm Grey eliminates hard creases when travelling with a suit. The suit carrier is made from amoss-backed, waterproof Italian suede that delivers a unique patina whilst still retaining its napped hand feel – and the interior duffel bag is built from a lightweight version of our cotton canvas, each element handmade in England.
A Silk Dressing Gown by New & Lingwood
You might say this is just fit for a King but it's not. It's a great item to gift to someone who seeks comfort, luxury, and cosiness with elegance.
New & Lingwood counts many years in gentleman's clothing and captures classic English sartorial style with their tailoring but also the well-known - maybe even more well-known - dressing gowns.
Tip: match them with a nice suede pair of slippers and elevate your cosy moments with your special person.
Skin Care Routine Kit by Lady Bamford.
Equip the gentlemen on your gifting list with the five grooming staples in the BGD Hamper. These refreshing amenities for face, hair, and body are formulated to invigorate their skincare routine. Developed alongside George Bamford, the Edition 1 fragrance that defines all five products is denoted by vetiver, bergamot, and cassis, tempered by deep notes of wood smoke, warming dark amber, agarwood, and leather.
Drink: Last but not least I would finish the night with a nice champagne, wine or my favourite cognac the Louis XIII which is a great cigar pairing. The drink of Royals.
An exquisite blend sourced from Grande Champagne terroir, the first cru of the Cognac region, with the added luxury of a personalisation of the decanter. Each one can be customised by engraving a message for a unique design.
A message in a bottle, literally, that will definitely wrap up the evening in the best possible way. Salut
European Holiday Charm the Canadian Way.
David J. Reardon | @davidjreardon
For Him: LAFCO Feu de Bois Ski House Candle ($115)
Few things in life are as transcendent as smells and this incredibly fragrant candle from LAFCO is one of the most evocative smells I’ve come across. It takes me to a cozy living room of a ski chalet in Switzerland where there’s a fire roaring, snow falling, and Clare De Lune playing softly in the background. With complex notes of frankincense, pine, and sandalwood, this scent is as sophisticated as it is comforting, setting the perfect tone for the holiday season for a gathering of friends, family, or just you and your partner.
For Her: BYREDO Bal d'Afrique Perfume ($290)
Speaking of scents, my wife came across this perfume in a lovely Airbnb we were staying at a few years back. This bottle – along with a great scent for men from Maison Margiela’s REPLICA collection – was thoughtfully left on the vanity by the Airbnb hosts for guest use. For her, it was “love at first spray”. It features intense notes of buchu and vetiver that are expertly balanced with softer tones of bergamot and cyclamen. It’s also long-lasting (incredibly important when you’re investing this much in a bottle) and when she wears it, compliments abound, so it’s a gift that will keep on giving!
Holiday Travel: Old Québec, Québec City, Canada
My wife and I recently traveled here for the first time and the most appropriate word for this charming and quaint town is “enchanting”. With views of the beautiful Le Château Frontenac greeting you from nearly every vantage point of the Old City, you truly feel like you’re in a fairytale and visiting at this time of year – when all the shops, storefronts, and restaurants are decked with evergreens, twinkling lights, ribbons, and holly – you’re literally transported to a holiday dream.
Stay: You cannot go wrong staying in the beautiful Le Château Frontenac impeccably managed by Fairmont, but for something a bit more quaint and unique (and with views of the gorgeous château from many of the rooms) stay at the perfectly-situated Auberge Place d’Armes where cozy rooms combine exposed brick and sumptuous tartan plaid blankets to make you feel right at home.
Eat: For such a little city, the food scene in Québec is pretty remarkable. For a traditional Québecois “sugar shack” experience, visit La Buche for the most enjoyable meal at any time of the day (just wear layers as this gregarious spot gets warm!). Le Lapin Sauté is the most adorable little restaurant as if out of the countryside, with greenery and trellises beckoning you into the intimate dining space where you can have rabbit-cooked three ways as you sip delicious wine. And for the most gastronomic experience, head to L’Affaire est ketchup (named after a local saying that translates to “everything is great!”) where a very young but very talented team takes you through an incredible experience featuring delicacies like sweetbread, braised lamb shank, seared scallops, and the most outstanding goat cheese cheesecake.
Drink: There are lots of interesting watering holes around the Old City, including Q-DE-SAC, where you can pair your local pint with French onion soup from their wood-fired oven, as well as Pub St-Alexandre, proof that you can find a great pub literally anywhere.
Do: Stretch your legs and take in the beautiful sights of the city and the Saint Lawrence River from La Citadelle de Québec and then head down (literally, many, many flights of stairs) to the lower city and the streets of the Petit-Champlain district and Place Royale of the Lower City where charming shops and inviting cafes will make any afternoon magical.
Vintage Finds
Mess of Blues | @messofblues
For Him:
I think this year for Christmas the perfect gift is about flexibility and quality...what I mean is that people especially men are traveling more than ever and need small goods to carry their personal items.
We at Mess Of Blues have super supple leather washbags that feel incredible. I personally use one to carry all my cables and small tech devices then another one where I put my ties and pocket squares.
Another gift idea is always a book on a specific subject. We just received “The Rolex field Manual” in stock, which is the perfect learning tool for buying a great vintage watch. I have to say lately many women are getting into watches too. We have specific watch-related garments too, from vintage poster printed t-shirts to our swim trunks if you’re planning to travel to warm locations during the Holidays.
For Her:
How can I not mention our Silk Scarf with watches print here? I think it’s a great team being refined yet bold in its attitude and, as for the men’s gift, also flexible. We have a few women buying it and wearing as headband, top, and even using it as a skirt over their bikini at the beach bar.
Travel:
Of course, I’m saying Miami. I sincerely love my town, it’s full of energy and being warm all year long it’s the perfect destination and it is not humid at all, being “winter”. We’re going to see lots of Europeans in the next couple of weeks. I believe, even though Miami Beach is the cliche answer, it is the best answer..if you’re coming to a warm place you want to be close to the beach. I remember the first time I came here, being used to winter weather, walking up in the morning and taking a walk on the beach was a life-changing experience.
A Bespoke Experience
David Hodges | @perpetualgentleman
When I was asked recently about “ideal holiday gifts,” my immediate thought was “ hmm, what would I like?”
My tastes are not extravagant. In fact, I really appreciate things that are practical and will be used often. That is not to say that such gifts should be utilitarian and uninteresting. In fact, the opposite, as far as I’m concerned.
It only took a moment for me to zero in on a gift idea that is equally suited for giving as well as receiving. The bespoke shirt. If you don’t already possess a few, imagine the feeling of putting on a shirt that fits perfectly and with details that are customized to your taste, as well as the image you wish to project. Whether it be for business, festive occasions, or elegantly casual, a perfect shirt is an essential component for a well-dressed individual’s wardrobe.
It’s as simple as contacting your favorite tailor and asking if they issue gift certificates. Gift certificates?, you might ask, but not the holiday gift certificate that you might receive that can be redeemed for a few cups of overpriced coffee. The alternative to a tailor is one of the growing number of custom shirt makers in today’s marketplace.
For me, the experience of working with a tailor is unsurpassed. Recently I was measured for a shirt at Cad and the Dandy, New York, @cadandthedandy_nyc ( you can also find them in London).
I am truly looking forward to receiving a remarkable shirt that I could not possibly find off the rack.
Whether for a man or a woman, I think it makes an incredible gift. In fact, if you are fortunate, the recipient might ask you to come along to choose the fabric and help decide about collar styles, cuffs, button choices, desired fit, etc. Why not make a pleasant afternoon of it?
I wish you a happy holiday season and a happy New Year.
