Holiday Gift Guide 2018

It’s finally the holiday season, and that means it’s time to give Mariah Carey her end-of-year bonus by streaming “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat until New Year’s Eve. Although you can try to cloak the chaos of the holidays in festive, over-sweetened lattes and songs that will stand the test of time, there’s no avoiding the most stressful part of it: gift-giving. Between preparing fits for the countless parties you’ll be attending to making time to connect with the family and friends you’ve missed all year, it’s easy to forget about the hoard of presents you’ll need to cop.

And if you’re a procrastinator, buying gifts can slip through the cracks. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. From tech accessories to stocking stuffers and sneakers, we’ve gathered a list of the perfect holiday gifts. Here’s our 2018 holiday gift guide.

The way you smell leaves an impression on everyone you meet. Which means it’s definitely worth investing in some cologne (deodorant and Axe aren’t enough, trust). This year, Louis Vuitton introduced its new Ombre Nomade fragrance, which features geranium, raspberry, rose, amberwood, benzoin, birch, incense, saffron, and agarwood (oud). In other words, if you’re into a leathery, spicy, and woody scent, this is the one for you. Plus, Ombre Nomade was created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, who’s behind some of your favorite fragrances from Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and more. How could you go wrong? —Karizza Sanchez

Buy it now at Louis Vuitton, $330

The OneStep + i-Type Camera is a revitalized classic. The instant camera boasts the easy-to-use design of the classic OneStep 2 with a secondary portrait lens and rechargeable battery that will make your Instagram feed one to envy. Equipped with Bluetooth technology, you can connect to the Polaroid Originals app and discover several new tools such as light painting features and a double exposure mode. The sleek new design is an evolved version of your parents’ favorite camera but with the kind of technology they could have only dreamed of. Make sure to capture your spiked eggnog escapades, and remember, photograph responsibly—just don’t forget the film. —Alessandra Maldonado

Buy it now at Polaroid, $159.99

Real ones know that Engineered Garments is always top notch—unmatched quality, interesting designs that provide a fresh take on classic American clothing. So you’d be smart to add these military-inspired cargo pants to your Christmas wishlist, or gift them to someone, if you’re feeling generous. They’re a good alternative to denim and can be paired with practically anything. Besides, you can’t wear sweats forever. —Karizza Sanchez

Buy it now at Haven, $273

Contact High: A Visual Story of Hip-Hop will make for a welcome addition to the coffee table of any hip-hop head on your list. Vikki Tobak lays out the timeline of hip-hop as it has transformed into one of the most popular genres of music in the world over its 40-year history. Contact sheets from over 100 photoshoots with iconic acts like Biggie Smalls, JAY-Z, Outkast, Kanye West, and more are accompanied by personal accounts from the photographers who captured them. Each story gives a behind-the-scenes perspective that is sure to enlighten even the most educated music nerd. Additional essays penned by legendary figures like RZA and DJ Premier, as well as a foreword from Questlove, are also worth a read. —Mike DeStefano

Buy it now at Amazon, $23.85

Nike launched its React cushioning system, its answer to Adidas' Boost, in 2017 on a pair of Jordan basketball sneakers. Nobody cared about it then. The brand started to put it in running and lifestyle sneakers in 2018, and it took off. The best example of that was the React Element 87, a shoe with a see-through upper that got a lot of praise this year for being a brand-new design in a sea of rehashed retro sneakers. It doesn't get much better than the original colorway, and you can hunt down a pair via StockX. You might want to make sure the socks you put in the stocking are on point, too. —Matt Welty

Buy it now at StockX, $380-$599

Every loyal Apple customer remembers a time when brightly colored iPods dominated the gift-giving scene. If you never received a colored iPod Nano during the holidays, it’s safe to assume you were your parents’ least favorite child. Apple is now giving us some serious 2000s nostalgia with the iPhone XR, making it available in a series of colorways including blue, white, black, yellow, coral, and red. It features the longest battery life of any iPhone ever and a Smart HDR camera packed with everything you need to take your selfie game to the next level, like enhanced background blur, depth control, and larger pixels that will make low-light pictures look like professional ads. Make sure your credit card bill is paid off because you’re going to want one, too. —Alessandra Maldonado

Buy it now at Apple, $749

If you’re looking for a gift for a big-time traveler (or you’re one yourself), there might not be a better option than Rimowa’s Classic Cabin suitcase. While the German luggage maker’s collaborations with hyped-up brands like Supreme and Off-White have gained a lot of attention this year, nothing compares to the signature silver trunk with black leather handles. The price might seem a little steep, but this piece is well worth the money. The lightweight aluminum shell means it can survive TSA checks and baggage claim for years to come. Wheels at each corner make it easy to navigate through even the busiest airport terminals. Hopefully you have some money left over for a vacation because whoever you give this to will want to use it ASAP. —Mike DeStefano

Buy it now at Rimowa, $1,000

I'm writing this from a place of pure magnanimity—I've had my eye on this shirt-jacket since the summer. Remember when Kanye told us he was shopping for winter even though it was only May? Preparation is key, my brothers. Winter sucks, but it's also inevitable; if I'm going to freeze, then I'm going to look good doing it, at least. Alas, the shirt didn't quite fit me in the way I wanted or envisioned. It takes a lot of maturity to ship something back once it's already in the crib and is as well-made as this and, really, all Noon Goons pieces are. The fleece is warm, the flannel colors vibrant, the material butter-soft. It didn't work out for me, but it may work out for you, reader. Someone out there deserves to get this flex off. —Frazier Tharpe

Buy it now at Noon Goons, $329

If you’re a gamer who doesn’t own a PlayStation 4 or Red Dead Redemption 2, you’re truly missing out on one of the best gaming experiences of 2018. Don’t worry, though; hit up Santa (or your parents) for this dope bundle. Not only would you get the PlayStation 4 Pro—which is optimized to give you the best graphics on a 4K high definition television—but you’ll have one terabyte of space to grab all of this year’s hottest games, including RDR2. You’ll be able to experience the Wild West like never before with Rockstar’s latest—steal horses, hijack trains, or just feed some sucker to a bunch of gators. The best part? Rockstar’s recently dropped Red Dead Online, which will allow players to build their own characters in the vast world Rockstar’s created. You might not see your IRL squad anymore once you get this bad boy set up. —Khal Davenport

Buy it now at GameStop, $399.99

What do you get a music fanatic who already has everything? A subscription to Vinyl Me, Please record club. Each month, club members are mailed a limited-edition record, along with custom lyric booklets and exclusive art prints. The knowledgeable staff at Vinyl Me, Please carefully selects records with a goal of introducing members to great new music that they may not have heard before. The selections often include color vinyl and short-run pressings that are only available through the club, making the $25 monthly price tag more than worth it for serious record collectors. The best part? If you don’t enjoy a record, you can mail it back and they’ll send you something that more closely matches your taste. —Eric Skelton

Buy it now at Vinyl Me, Please, $25/month

Having a wardrobe filled with the best sneakers and clothing is cool, but what’s all that if you’re home decor is not up to par? Acne Studio’s new pillowcases are inspired by the brand’s classic Canada, dip-dyed Kelow, and checked Cassiar scarves, with each one taking colors and prints from the accessory. —Karizza Sanchez

Buy it now at Acne Studios, $300

True hoops fans can get on the customization wave now that Spalding, maker of the official basketball of the NBA, introduced its U-DESIGN platform. Start by picking out the kind of basketball you want customized, then throw your squad's laser-engraved logo on one of two panels before finishing it off with a personalized message. The coolest feature just might be all the awesome throwback logos—many we haven't seen in the NBA for decades—available for your choosing. —Adam Caparell

Buy it now at Spalding, $69.99-$169.99

Have a loved one or close friend who couldn’t make it out to ComplexCon in Long Beach this year? This Takashi Murakami-curated vinyl created especially for the two-day event is the perfect consolation prize. It’s as much an art piece as it is a record—the colorful packaging features flaming skull and flower imagery by the legendary Japanese artist. The disc itself even sports one of Murakami’s signature rainbow-colored flowers. Tracks from big names like Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, N.E.R.D, and SZA are all included, which means your gift is sure to get tons of spins. —Mike DeStefano

Buy it now at the ComplexCon online merch shop, $300