The Distinguished Gentleman's Christmas Wish List

It's that time of year again, when the festive decoration starts adorning the streets, the carolers start chanting their merry tunes, and the department stores fill their space with more holly and wreaths per square foot than in an 8-year old's dream. Yes my friends, Christmas is almost upon us. And there's no better indication of that than my girlfriend jumping up and down in our living room yelling 'I Love Christmas', and standoffish New Yorkers taking 4 weeks out of the year to be warm and cordial to one another.

With this jolly holiday, comes the responsibility of giving (and receiving!!) Christmas presents to loved ones and maybe not-so-loved ones whom you would feel guilty ignoring. While most generic presents will work for your close ones, it might be a little harder to pick out the perfect gift when it comes to a discernible gentleman.

Luckily for you, the below guide should give you a view into what different gentlemen might have on their Christmas wish list. And if they're still not satisfied, please feel free to mail any rejected presents to me.

For the Discreet Gentleman:

No one wants to be a George Costanza, especially when it comes to your wallet. So invest in these slim and classic cardholders that will not only force you to carry only essentials, but ooze understated elegance every time you pull them out. Your butt will thank you.

Mulberry Cross-Grain Cardholder:

Subtle and discreet, but able to fit 5 credit cards, this Mulberry Cardholder is perfect for any occasion. Buy it here.








Alfred Dunhill Leather Cardholder

Elegant, understated, classic. This made in Italy cardholder is the perfect accompaniment for any discerning gentleman's outfit. Buy it here.

For the Night Owl:

Among the most important things you don't want to happen during your late nights ravaging the town, is to suddenly realize that faint foul smell you thought was coming from a dead decomposing carcass, is actually you. Not to worry, spray a few whiffs of these eau de toilettes, and you'll be good to go for the entire night. A couple of top tips: 1. After you spray a couple of spots on your neck, spray a couple of whiffs inside your jacket, so that when you take off your jacket at a restaurant or bar, everyone around you is treated to a subtle but enchanting smell. 2. No matter how glorious your cologne is, it is never a replacement for good hygiene.





Floris London No. 89

Once a favorite of James Bond creator, Mr. Ian Fleming, No.89 combines hints of orange, lavender, neroli and nutmeg among other more sophisticated notes. Not to mention, you will be part of a family that has been making perfumes since 1780. Buy it here.









Tom Ford Black Orchid

Might not have a history as illustrious as Floris's, Tom Ford nevertheless has been known to deliver rich, deep, and complex colognes, from his limited edition models to the more mainstream ones. Black Orchid is no different, combining strong notes of black truffle, black plum, and patchouli, mixed in with deeper notes of wood and spices. The smell is intoxicating in its fullness and darkness, and will last you all night and into the next morning. Buy it here.

For the Intellectual Gentleman:

The holidays are the time of year to sit beside a crackling fireplace, comfortable in an aged leather chair, a glass of brandy warming in your hand, and a good book to spend the night in with. The below are but a small number of numerous fantastic books that any gentleman would surely enjoy.

Tender is the Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Although less famous than it's sister The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night is nonetheless a masterful book set in the 1920s French Riviera. Romance, style, booze, and tragedy are the order of the day. Buy it here.














First Light, by Geoffrey Wellum

An inspiring coming-of-age story of an idealistic schoolboy recruited to the RAF at a young age in 1939, who became a battle-hardened ace by 1941. His story recounts the day to day life of an RAF pilot during the most grueling of times in the Battle of Britain, how the constant life or death struggles affected him and his fellow pilots. Buy it here.












The Mr Porter Paperback, The Manual for a Style Life Volumes 1-3

Last, but certainly not least, is Mr Porter's fantastic guide on how to live a stylish life. Packed with interviews, articles, and features, this book has everything you need for some extra inspiration and a look inside how the most stylish and creative people live their lives. A book that will last many years to come, since it is one thing that will never go out of style. Buy it here.

For the City Gentleman:

With winter almost upon us, the cities will soon find themselves engulfed in rain, hail and snow. But no matter how intense or benign the precipitation, a gentleman should never find himself caught out in the rain without proper protection.

Francesco Maglia, Mable Wood-Handle Umbrella

Behold this beautiful creation from the world's best umbrella maker. The Maglia family has been handmaking umbrellas in Milan for the past 150 years, so needless-to-say, they know a little something or two about crafting the finest umbrellas. Made from a single piece of wood, the handle is just one of the joys of owning this umbrella, which is more art than rain protection. Buy it here.

For the beauty-conscious Gentleman:

Unfortunately, and for a reason I cannot comprehend, a lot of men dismiss facial skin care as nothing more than fiction, a marketing scheme, or feminine. But a discernible gentleman knows that a good skin care routine could mean the difference between looking like Emperor Palpatine or George Clooney at 45.



Clinique Sonic System for Men

The first rule of good oil-free skin, is to clean it properly and effectively. The Sonic System Deep Cleaning Brush will clean your face more effectively than your hands ever could. The gentle brush will go deep into your skin and remove any dirt or oil you've accumulated throughout the day. Buy it here.





Aesop Collective Care

Aesop has revolutionized the skin care market and has put the cool back into keeping your skin clean. The Collective Care Combination is a good starter kit that includes a facial cleaner, a Vitamin B Balancing Toner, and a facial hydrating cream. Start with the cleanser to make sure your face is nice and clean, then apply some toner on your face (preferably on a cotton pad) and wait. Once the toner has been absorbed, apply some hydrating cream and you are good to go. Just make sure not to apply too much hydrating cream, otherwise you'll look like you just ran a marathon. Once you have become an expert in this routine, and have developed your own regiment, a next step would be to invest in some good night hydrating cream, which, as the name suggests, you apply at night before you go to sleep. The night cream differs from normal cream in that it is thicker, with more vitamins and nutrients, which you will absorb throughout the night. Buy it here.

The Westin Vendome - Review

For my second trip to Paris, partly as a birthday celebration, partly because you can never go wrong with flying to Europe, I decided to use my Starwood Preferred Guest points to stay at the Westin Vencome. At 20,000 SPG points a night for rooms that start at $550, it was a no-brainer.

Westin is a brand normally associated with conferences and uninspiring decor, but, like much else in this city, Paris seems to bring out the best in things. This Westin, was grand, luxurious, and beautiful, evoking a sense of timelessness as you stroll through the grand marble hallway on your way to the lobby. 

Courtyard from Above

As a platinum SPG member, I was instantly upgraded to a Prestige Suite on the 3rd floor upon check-in. Unfortunately, the room faced the internal courtyard, which meant we missed out on the gorgeous view of the Tuilerie gardens. However, the fact that the size of the suite rivaled my 1-bedroom apartment in New York certainly made up for the lack of view. With an entrance hallway, a separate living room, a vintage writing desk, a massive bedroom, and a marble bathroom with a hallway that leads up to it, the room was more than large enough to accommodate an entire soccer team, let alone my girlfriend and I.

The winter garden

Throughout our stay, the service was impeccable. The staff were extremely friendly, making you feel like you belong in this hotel, as if it were your home for many years, and they were your neighbors whom you've grown up with. We received a bowl of fresh fruit every morning, delivered to our room without us even asking. 

The aptly-named Westin Heavenly Bed

Located within a 2 minute walking distance of Place Vendome and across the street from the Tuilerie gardens, the Westin is close to many of the attractions of central Paris (The Opera Garnier is 5 minutes away, la Madeleine 4 minutes, and the Louvre 10 minutes away). While the area is rather quiet and dark come nighttime, it is sometimes nice to come back to a quiet, enchanting hotel, away from the fun and bustle of the lively neighborhoods. 

At $550 a night for a standard room, and $1300 a night for our Prestige Suite, this hotel certainly falls into the higher-end category, especially for a Westin. However, if you have the SPG platinum status, which will enable you to be upgraded when booking a standard room with money or points, I would highly recommend this hotel to be the place you stay at in Paris. It is centrally located, good for the tourist who wants to visit all parts of Paris, but prefers to come back to a nice and quiet hotel.

The Westin as seen from the Tuilerie gardens

If, however, you want to stay in the more hip parts of Paris, close to the best local cafes, restaurants, and under-the-radar sights, then this is not the place for you. You are better off staying in a hotel in the Marais, Bastille, or Montmartre districts, which are less accessible to the rest of Paris, but will make you feel like a real local Parisian.