You already know and love Fellow’s “Stagg” gooseneck kettles for making pour-over coffee, but did you know they also make a wide-spout kettle for all sorts of other uses where laser-precise pouring and temperature control aren’t the top priority?

Released a couple months ago as an update to their stovetop edition from 2019 ($105) — which you can read about the design of on the company’s blog — the all-electric “Clyde” kettle is more of a workhorse that’s perfect for making tea, hot cocoa, press coffee, ramen, instant oatmeal, and more.

The “Smoke Green” colorway pictured on the right is only available from Fellow’s website and at Crate and Barrel.

It has that signature sleek matte look, sculptural shape, and highly considered build that helped put Fellow’s products on the map back when they hit the scene. It can hold a hefty 1.5 liters of water, which it brings to a boil with a simple flip of its on/off switch:

The heat-resistant silicone handle makes it easy to pour the hot water one-handed, and the wide mesh-covered spout pours quickly without any leaking or unwanted dripping.

Get the electric Clyde kettle for $125 on Amazon.

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Welcome to the 2022 Tools & Toys Christmas Catalog!

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Bienvenue, everyone. It’s that time once again to proudly share with you our favorite and most gift-worthy items of the past year, hand-selected for your holiday shopping and personal wishlist needs. We’ve been doing this every year for nearly a decade now, and it’s still something we get a lot of joy from putting together.

As usual, this is a pretty extensive catalog to browse all at once, so for your convenience, we’ve grouped the items into categories and have a handy  Table of Contents  that lets you click around to any section you like and back again.

Moreover, we are continuing our tradition of highlighting two of our favorite non-profits.Here at Tools & Toys we have always given away 11 percent of our gross income to charity, and during the months of November and December, we’ll be donating 11% of our gross specifically to these two non-profits: Operation Christmas Child and St. Jude.

As we say every year, thank you so much, dear reader, for your attention and your patronage. Tools & Toys continues to be predominately supported by readers like you who purchase something on Amazon through one of our links. You — yes you! — make our work possible, and we only hope that in return you’ve found some truly awesome stuff to have in your life.

Thank you, and happy holidays!

— The Tools & Toys Staff

Table of Contents

 Apple

• Magnetic stand for iPad and iPad Pro
• Solid walnut MagSafe charging stations for iPhone, Apple Watch, and/or AirPods
• Premium calf leather iPad case
• Rugged yet comfortable Apple Watch strap with magnetic buckle
• iPhone gaming controller with PlayStation-like design
• DSLR-style iPhone shutter grip + wireless power bank

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CharJenPro “MagFlött” magnetic stand for iPad and iPad Pro. ($119 for 12.9″ size, $109 for 11″/10.9″ size)

CharJenPro “MagFlött” Magnetic Stand for iPad & iPad Pro »

With its premium, almost Apple-like solid aluminum base and adjustable magnetic back panel that creates a “floating” effect, the MagFlött iPad stand by CharJenPro would make a sweet addition to any iPad owner’s workspace. Comes in two sizes to be compatible with a bunch of different iPad sizes from the past few years.

Studio Neat’s new Material Dock MagSafe charging stations. ($54 or $85, depending on model)

Studio Neat “Material Dock” MagSafe Charging Stations for iPhone, Apple Watch, and/or AirPods »

Just in time for the holiday season, our friends at Studio Neat have launched two new versions of their Material Dock, both of which are designed with MagSafe-compatible iPhones in mind.

1. The Material Dock “Trio” ($85) offers 3-in-1 for charging your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
2. Meanwhile, the Material Dock “Upright Duo” ($54) is for charging your iPhone and AirPods together (or two iPhones).

As with previous editions, the new Material Docks are milled from solid walnut wood and given a matte finish, with a molded cork backing piece for the Apple Watch to wrap around while charging. Underneath is a microsuction pad to keep it securely in place wherever it lives.

(Note: No MagSafe connector is included; the user must bring their own.)

DODOcase Noblessa leather case for iPad. ($155, $175, or $195 depending on iPad size/model)

DODOcase Noblessa Leather iPad Case »

In a happy marriage of modern technology and ancient tradition, DODOcase’s Noblessa leather iPad case is handcrafted from premium calf leather using age-old bookbinding techniques. The leather has characteristics of high durability and resistance to water, along with a naturally occurring embossed grain print unique to every item.

The case interior is lined with a soft suede leather, while the exterior features a magnetic Smart Cover to activate the iPad’s sleep/wake functions when opening or closing it. When open, the iPad can be angled in one of two viewing positions while it’s set on a desk or table, or the case can simply be opened all the way around to the back for comfortable handheld reading.

DSPTCH “Fidlock” strap for Apple Watch. ($36)

DSPTCH Fidlock Apple Watch Strap »

Made from a soft herringbone nylon webbing, DSPTCH’s “Fidlock” Apple Watch strap has a kind of rugged “mil-spec”-esque look while being quite comfortable for everyday wear.

The most interesting bit however is the Fidlock Hook 20 Flat clasp it gets its name from, which features integrated magnets and a hook to easily yet securely snap together, and just as easily disengages later when you want to take the watch off. No having to fiddle with buckles or strap holes or anything like that. Just click it together and be on your way.

The PS5-inspired “Backbone One” iPhone gaming controller. ($100)

PlayStation Edition “Backbone One” iPhone Gaming Controller »

For the past couple years, the Backbone One has been one of the mobile gaming controllers to have if you’re going to buy one. It’s certainly gotten a lot of love on r/iosgaming ever since its release.

Now, portable gaming feels even more like the console experience thanks to the officially Sony PlayStation-licensed edition of the Backbone One, which takes all its design inspiration from the DualSense 5.

ShiftCam ProGrip iPhone shutter grip + wireless power bank. ($150)

ShiftCam “ProGrip” DSLR-Style iPhone Shutter Grip + Wireless Power Bank »

Know someone who’s never not taking photos with their iPhone? Then they’ll appreciate the ShiftCam ProGrip, which adds a comfortable and ergonomic camera-style grip to your iPhone — complete with industry-standard tripod and hotshoe mounts — and has a wireless shutter button that seamlessly pairs with your camera app, allowing you to take photos with your index finger just like the real thing.

The grip and shutter button alone are cool enough, but then you discover that the device also acts as a 6,400-mAh wireless (Qi) power bank that keeps your iPhone topped up through longer shooting sessions. You can even hook up a second small device via USB-C and charge it up as well.

Audio

• Noise-cancelling wireless headphones that intelligently tailor the audio experience
• Sleek and stylish true-wireless earphones with active noise cancellation
• Hi-fi bookshelf speakers that won’t break the bank
• Luxury gaming headphones with exceptional sound and comfort
• Studio-quality condenser mic that makes your music recordings/podcasts/streams sound awesome
• Portable Bluetooth speaker with vintage rock amp design

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Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones. ($349)

Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones »

With the release of their WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones earlier this year, Sony once again took things to another level in terms of audio quality, noise cancelling technology, and comfort.

In addition to the world-class, high-resolution and natural audio quality this family of headphones is known for, the WH-1000XM5s are able to automatically optimize your listening and noise cancellation experience based on your environment (including atmostpheric pressure!) and can even cut out background noise during phone calls so your voice always comes through crystal clear.

The cherries on top? All-day listening comfort and up to 30 hours of battery life to back it up.

Master & Dynamic MW08 true wireless earphones with active noise cancellation. ($299)

Master & Dynamic MW08 Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones »

Made from ceramic, aluminum, and stainless steel, Master & Dynamic’s MW08 true wireless earbuds are for those who to stay productive even while commuting or going on a morning run, and maintaining a certain level of style while doing it. They’re super sleek, feel premium to the touch, offer superb sound quality, and are quite comfortable to wear for long periods.

The earphones use an array of six microphones that work together to reduce wind noise and other distractions during calls. They’re also IPX5-rated so you can work up a sweat while wearing them without fear of damage. And, if you include the charging case’s battery capacity, they offer up to 42 hours of total playtime (or just 12 hours with the earphones alone).

Triangle Borea BR03 bookshelf speakers. ($350–$400 per pair, depending on colorway)

Triangle Borea BR03 Hi-Fi Bookshelf Speakers »

Hi-fi bookshelf speakers make an excellent addition to any home audio setup, but not everyone can afford to drop, say, $1,600 on a pair of LS50 Metas. That’s okay, because you can spend a quarter of that amount on the Triangle Borea BR03s and still have something you truly enjoy coming home and listening to after a long day.

These speakers offer a flawlessly natural and ear-pleasing audio experience that can make any recording sound real — especially once broken in a bit — almost as though the artist is putting on a live concert right there in your living room. Even if you crank up the volume, you’ll hear nary a distortion or buzz with the BR03s. These babies sound clean all the way up, even with the incredible richness and deepness of the bass that just about removes any need for a separate subwoofer.

You can place the speakers on a shelf or other surface of course, but there’s also the option of pairing them with the company’s own glossy black or glossy white speaker stands, which allow you to play with their placement a bit more (and look awesome besides).

Master & Dynamic MG20 gaming headphones. ($449, available in Galactic White and Black Onyx)

Master & Dynamic MG20 Luxury Gaming Headphones »

If there’s a company you can trust to put out a set of absolutely premium gaming-dedicated headphones, it’s Master & Dynamic, and with their over-ear MG20 gaming headphones, they really cranked the ‘Luxury’ dial to 10.

Boasting 50mm Beryllium drivers, 7.1 surround sound, and Qualcomm technologies like aptX HD for music and aptX Low-Latency for mobile gaming, the MG20s deliver exceptional sound that will make you feel like you’re truly in the game, no matter your platform of choice. Meanwhile, the sophisticated materials they crafted the headphones from — like the Alcantara headband, the lambskin-wrapped memory foam ear pads, the anodized aluminum body, and the lightweight magnesium ear cups — offer a first-class comfort experience all the way from level 1 to 100.

Other nice touches include the detachable boom microphone, the secondary onboard mic that works great for phone/video calls, Bluetooth 5.0 functionality for a secure connection up to 100 feet away, and 22 hours of battery life on a single charge

The RØDE NT-USB+ USB condenser mic. ($169)

RØDE NT-USB+ Professional USB Condenser Microphone »

Released nearly a decade after the original NT-USB mic, RØDE’s new NT-USB+ aims to continue being the go-to recording device for musicians, podcasters, streamers, audiobook narrators, and content creators everywhere.

This next-generation mic sports the same iconic form factor as the first — especially thanks to the included pop filter and desktop stand — but brings it into the modern era with a bevy of new features, including internal DSP, upgraded internal circuitry, a USB-C output, and more.

Marshall Acton II Bluetooth speaker. ($150)

Marshall “Acton II” Portable Bluetooth Speaker »

Similar to their “Emberton” model, Marshall’s stylish “Acton II” Bluetooth speaker rocks the company’s classic amp style, drawing the attention of both the eyes and the ears as it delivers a powerful listening experience in a portable package.

Inside the Acton II’s wooden cabinet construction are three dedicated class D amplifiers that power dual tweeters and a subwoofer, the sound of which can be fine-tuned to your liking thanks to the separate bass and treble adjustment knobs next to the volume dial on top of the unit.

The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for up to two devices at once, so you can take turns choosing songs with a buddy. There’s also an AUX port in case you wanna go old-school.

  + Thanks to the recent release of the next-generation Acton III ($280), the price of the Acton II has been marked down considerably. All the better for your shopping needs!

Bags & Organizers

• Small and slim zip pouch for organizing all your tech accessories
• Classy leather Dopp kit with waterproof lining
• Slim laptop sleeve that manages to be both featherlight and protective
• Waxed canvas + leather knife roll bag that will make you feel like the coolest cook in town

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Bellroy Tech Kit Compact organizer pouch. ($55, available in a variety of colors/materials)

Bellroy Tech Kit Compact »

Bellroy’s Tech Kit Compact is a small and slim zip pouch for keeping all your tech accessories — cables, adapters, dongles, earbuds, etc — neat and organized.

The pouch unzips flat for easy access to everything stored inside, all of which is held in place by a combination of stretch mesh pockets and wide elastic loops. There’s also a slip pocket with a magnetic closure that’s perfect for fitting a power bank into.

Aaron Leather Goods Dopp kit. ($40)

Aaron Leather Goods Dopp Kit with Waterproof Lining »

For you frequent travelers out there, this leather Dopp kit from Aaron Leather Goods is a classy way to keep your toiletries organized and conveniently grabbable, without spending nearly as much as you’d expect for a leather bag of this quality.

The exterior is made from genuine buffalo leather — with the exception of vegan leather handles and bottom trim — while the spacious dual-zippered main compartment and side pocket both have waterproof linings to protect from any possible product leakage inside the bag.

Underneath the bag are four metal feet so you can set it by the bathroom sink without fear of it resting in a puddle. Of course, the company also added metal YKK zippers for maximum durability, and there are multiple inner pockets in the main compartment for keeping things all the more neatly organized.

Bellroy Lite Laptop Sleeve. ($45)

Bellroy Lite Laptop Sleeve »

A MacBook has never exactly been a cheap purchase to make, and you want to make sure yours is protected as well as it can be, even from the other stuff in your daily carry bag. Bellroy’s Lite Laptop Sleeve is everything you could want in this department.

With an exterior made from a sleek matte diamond-patterned ripstop material, this sleeve manages to be both featherlight and protective against water splashes and scratches, while its two different types of lightweight foam padding keep the laptop safe from bumps and bangs.

This is one of those laptop cases that just feels nice in the hand, in a squishably soft way. It gives off the luxury vibes of a high-end leather case, with the “feels good” that comes from knowing it’s actually made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles.

Tolredo waxed canvas + leather knife roll storage bag. ($129)

Tolredo Handcrafted Waxed Canvas & Leather Knife Roll Storage Bag »

Have you ever daydreamed of rolling up on some situation where a cook’s skills and expertise are needed, and everyone gathers ’round while you place down and unfurl your shiny collection of kitchen knives, eliciting oohs and aahs from the crowd? Then this knife roll from Tolredo Handcrafted should appeal to you.

Crafted from waxed canvas with genuine leather trim and lining, this storage bag fits and protects up to 10 knives and/or other kitchen implements up to 18″ long. When rolled up and buckled shut with the dual leather straps, the knife case is fitted with a nice leather carry handle that you can use, or you can clip on the optional leather shoulder strap for hands-free carry.

Books

• The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
• Aggressively Happy: A Realist’s Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life
• Tools: The Ultimate Guide
• Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe
• Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide
• The Flavor Bible

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The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig. ($17 hardcover)

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig »

Based on John Koenig’s long-running website and YouTube channel of the same name, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is a 300-page “dictionary of made-up words for emotions that we all feel but don’t have the words to express.”

If that sounds too strange to understand, here are some examples of words you can look up in the book:

• sonder — The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own — an epic story in which you might appear only once
• lachesism — The desire to be struck by disaster, hoping it will shake up your life.
• anemoia — A pang of nostalgia for a time you’ve never actually experienced, like you might feel when looking through someone else’s old photos.
• kenopsia — The eerie atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet.

Accompanying the definitions throughout are plenty of otherworldly illustrations and other imagery, which are a treat on their own.

Aggressively Happy by Joy Clarkson. ($25 hardcover)

Aggressively Happy by Joy Clarkson »

In an online world full of ugliness, cynicism, and despair, Joy Clarkson’s Twitter and Instagram pages are always an oasis of…well, joy — a teatime balm for the soul. As such, her book Aggressively Happy: A Realist’s Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life, is definitely one you should have on your radar, especially if the world has been getting you down lately.

This is a book all about cultivating happiness in your life, despite the darkness and pain out there, using lessons and insights taken from literature, poetry, and scripture. (Even if the latter isn’t your thing personally, hopefully you can accept that {Chef Gusteau voice} great teachings can come from anywhere.)

By the end of the book, you’ll have the tools to find encouragement and comfort in all things (yes, even sadness); to enjoy things unironically; to face down outer turmoil with inner light, bravery, and hope. A book best enjoyed with a latte or cup of hot tea in hand. ☕️

Tools: The Ultimate Guide by Jeff Waldman. ($19 hardcover)

Tools: The Ultimate Guide by Jeff Waldman »

Look, not everyone is lucky enough to grow up with a mentor who shows them how to use tools to fix/build stuff. If you (or someone you know) could use a helping hand diving into the world of DIY and making for the first time, Jeff Waldman’s Tools: The Ultimate Guide is a handy resource that just might save you a whole lot of trial-and-error as you learn the ropes:

Cataloging more than 500 tools for measuring, cutting, fastening, and shaping-from hammers and saws to wrenches, welders, and drawknives-along with their uses, their histories, and how to care for them so they last a lifetime, this compendium is your steadfast guide to home improvement and skilled craftwork. With it, you’ll avoid wasting countless hours on head-scratching home repairs, wonky backyard builds, and failed garage tinkering. This is the book for answering all your tool questions, gaining knowledge before hiring a professional, or riffling through just for the joy of learning something new about the objects that shape our world.

Flip around. Browse at random. Figure out how a tool works and how it doesn’t. Put a tool in your hand and fix something. Make something. Grab this book and get to work.

Bought your first house and have no clue how to fix what needs fixing, or what tools you even need for those jobs? Thinking of trying your hand at woodworking? Already have knowledge about some tools but lack experience with others? Then this is the book for you. Very approachably written and fun to browse through.

Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe by Yumi Sakugawa. ($18 hardcover)

Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe by Yumi Sakugawa »

Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe is a 2014 book by comic book artist Yumi Sakugawa that acts as a kind of hand-drawn spiritual guidebook for reconnecting with the universe.

Might sound corny or even “woo-woo” to some of you reading this, but it really is a delightfully sweet and gently playful little graphic novel full of wisdom and meditations on metaphysical matters:

Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe erases the boundaries of the standard self-help book and sets you free on a visual journey of self-discovery. Set against a surreal backdrop of intricate ink illustrations, you will find nine metaphysical lessons with dreamlike instructions that require you to open your heart to unexplored inner landscapes. From setting fire to your anxieties to sharing a cup of tea with your inner demons, you will learn how to let go and truly connect with the world around you.

Whether you need a little inspiration or a completely new life direction, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe provides you with the necessary push to find your true path — and a whimsical adventure to enjoy on the way there.

Gastro Obscura by Cecily Wong & Dylan Thuras. ($26 hardcover)

Gastro Obscura by Cecily Wong & Dylan Thuras »

Brought to you by author Cecily Wong and the curious minds at Atlas Obscura — which we’ve covered many times around here — Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide follows in the footsteps of their first book, taking you on an eye-opening adventure through the often-surprising culinary world:

This breathtaking guide transforms our sense of what people around the world eat and drink. Covering all seven continents, Gastro Obscura serves up a loaded plate of incredible ingredients, food adventures, and edible wonders. Ready for a beer made from fog in Chile? Sardinia’s “Threads of God” pasta? Egypt’s 2000-year-old egg ovens?

But far more than a menu of curious minds delicacies and unexpected dishes, Gastro Obscura reveals food’s central place in our lives as well as our bellies, touching on…

• History: Trace the network of ancient Roman fish sauce factories.
• Culture: Picture four million women gathering to make rice pudding.
• Travel: Scale China’s sacred Mount Hua to reach a tea house.
• Festivals: Feed wild macaques pyramid of fruit at Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival.

…and hidden gems that might be right around the corner, like the vending machine in Texas dispensing full sized pecan pies. Dig in and feed your sense of wonder.

The book is organized by country and is full of utterly fascinating facts about our relationship with gastronomy, with lavish illustrations and well-researched and engaging writing that you won’t want to put down. Just don’t go in thinking you’re going to find a bunch of recipes — this is NOT a cookbook. (We’ll leave that to the item below.)

The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. ($20 hardcover)

The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg »

No cookbook ever printed has embodied the saying “flavor is the spice of life” more than Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg’s 2008 best-seller, The Flavor Bible. If you’ve ever gotten bored of your own cooking — chicken breast again?! — then this is the book for you.

Rather than simply presenting you with a bunch of recipes to follow, The Flavor Bible is all about becoming more intuitive with flavor combinations and seasonings so you can coax deliciousness out of pretty much anything. It’s indexed into an alphabetical list of ingredients that you can peruse and cross-reference to discover compatible flavor combos that can be employed for the rest of your home cooking life.

There are also plenty of quotes and little essays by all kinds of chefs throughout that will further inspire you in your culinary advenures (and hopefully, experimentation).

☕️ Coffee & Tea

• One of the sleekest-looking coffee grinders on the market, with some awesome new upgrades
• An upgrade to our favorite variable-temp gooseneck kettle
• Nice little bamboo organizer stand for the AeroPress + accessories
• The smallest, most portable espresso maker you’re ever likely to find
• Barista-approved mug for pouring better latte art
• Travel mug that regulates temperature even better than vacuum insulation

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Fellow’s second-generation Ode Brew coffee grinder. ($345, available in matte white and matte black)

Fellow “Ode Brew” (Gen 2) Coffee Grinder »

Fellow’s original Ode Brew grinder has been doing quite well for itself since it launched in early 2021. However, some people had issues with how messy it could be, along with an issue in the hopper design that sometimes prevented a continuous feed of beans into the machine.

The company has taken these criticisms to heart, and they’ve introduced a second-generation model with a number of new features such as much-improved burrs they designed in-house, anti-static technology for less grind mess, expanded bean/grounds capacity, and smoother bean feeding from the hopper.

Fellow Stagg EKG Pro gooseneck kettle. ($195 with matte black handle, $225 with walnut wood handle + lid pull)

Fellow “Stagg EKG Pro” Variable-Temp Gooseneck Kettle »

We’ve written many times about Fellow’s Stagg EKG electric gooseneck kettle — you know, the one you see all the fancy coffee shops using for pour-overs — and we still think it’s one of the best things to have in your home coffee setup. Now this often-imitated kettle has gotten even better with the release of the Stagg EKG Pro.

The EKG Pro brings everything you love about the original EKG and adds a bunch of neat new features to totally customize your brew experience, such as heat scheduling, altitude adjustment (hi, mountain people!), an optional Guide Mode with various coffee/tea brewing temp presets, an alert chime, firmware updates over Wi-Fi, and a new full-color high-resolution LCD display on the base.

Hexnub bamboo organizer stand for the AeroPress. ($33)

Hexnub Premium Bamboo Organizer + Stand for AeroPress »

This nice little bamboo stand, gives an AeroPress coffee maker and its accoutrement a place to rest when they’re not being used. It accommodates two coffee mugs up top while the AeroPress’ two plunger pieces hang separately inside for optimal drying. On the side of the caddy are slots for the official stirrer and coffee scoop.

Silicone mats on the top and interior surfaces keep the bamboo protected from residual heat and moisture. They’re easy to rinse off when needed, and even the bamboo only needs to be wiped down with a clean damp cloth once in a while to maintain its good looks.

  + This wall-mounted caddy is a similar solution that could free up even more counter space. Just be sure not to mount it too close to the underside of an above cabinet or else you won’t be able to get out the scoop and stirrer very well. (Some reviewers have mentioned using magnets to mount it on their fridge, which is a neat idea.)

The Picopresso ultra-portable espresso maker. ($130)

Wacaco “Picopresso” Portable Espresso Maker »

Over the past decade, Hong Kong company Wacaco has become well known around the world for their portable espresso makers, like the Minipresso and Nanopresso. Last year, they released their smallest model yet: the aptly named Picopresso.

Aimed at pro baristas and advanced-level enthusiasts — people who are already comfortable with shot-pulling technique, dialing in grind settings, tamping correctly, etc— the Picopresso gives you the power to pull an authentic cafe-quality espresso anywhere that will rival any high-end machine, right in the palm of your hand.

Despite its tiny size, it’s capable of reaching 18 bars of pressure — achieved by hand-pumping the piston on the side — which is way more than enough to pull fantastic, syrupy espresso shots worthy of Instagram (the usual recommendation is ~9 bars).

notNeutral LINO small latte mugs. ($25 per cup; includes saucer)

notNeutral “LINO” Small Latte Mug & Saucer »

notNeutral’s LINO small latte mugs are what countless cafés and professional baristas around the world use for their lattes. In fact, they were designed in collaboration with award-winning baristas to create a perfect blend of form and function that actually makes latte art easier thanks to the interior curvature — not to mention the increased thermal insulation that also comes as a result.

Each mug is beautifully made and feels good in the hand, with a handle that sits flush with the rim for better comfort and control, whether you’re pouring or drinking. You’ll almost swear it makes your lattes taste better, which obviously we can’t scientifically prove but it feels true anyway.

BURNOUT temperature-regulating travel mug. ($80)

BURNOUT Temperature-Regulating Travel Mug »

As much as we love vacuum insulation technology, it can sometimes feel like scientists have gone too far with its effectiveness. Having your coffee stay hot for hours on end seems great on paper, but what if you want don’t want to wait until deep into the afternoon before it stops scalding your mouth?

A few years ago, the team of aerospace engineers behind the BURNOUT temperature-regulating tumbler set out to fix this problem. They developed a clever technology they call “HeatZorb”, a bio-based phase change material that turns from a waxy substance to a liquid at 140°F.

Since the mug is lined with this substance and has a vacuum chamber outside of that, what this does is quickly take all that excess scalding heat from the beverage and stores it as thermal energy, slowly transferring back to your drink throughout the day.

In other words, your coffee cools down to drinking temperature within minutes and stays there for hours and hours. No more burning mouth, whatever the time of day!

Using literal rocket science to solve the little problems of life ☕️

🧑‍ Food, Drink & Kitchen

• Stainless steel pizza oven that can be fired up with wood or propane
• Dual-basket air fryer capable of handling up to 8 quarts of food at once
• A bread machine that’s almost like having a personal baker at home
• Beautiful 11-piece bartender kit with display crate/stand
• Mason jar pump dispensers for homemade syrups, sauces, etc
• Collapsible silicone microwave popcorn popper
• Swedish handcrafted cast iron spice grinder that’s almost too pretty to use
• Cheese slicer with rose wood handle (y’know, to make your life feel a little fancier)

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Solo Stove “Pi” stainless steel pizza oven. ($500 without gas burner, $700 with gas burner)

Solo Stove “Pi” Stainless Steel Pizza Oven »

If you had a choice between throwing a frozen pizza in the oven or cooking up a homemade one over a wood fire, which would you choose? Yeah, we thought so.

From the makers of these smokeless fire pits comes the Solo Stove “Pi” (get it?), a dual-fuel stainless steel pizza oven that, when fully equipped, can be fired up with your choice of either real wood (for max flavor) or propane (for ultimate convience). Either way, it takes only minutes to perfectly cook one pizza up to 12″ across, or a few personal-sized ones together.

  + Pairs nicely with this handmade rocking pizza cutter. ️

Instant Vortex Plus XL dual-basket air fryer. ($190)

Instant “Vortex Plus XL” 8-Quart Dual-Basket Air Fryer »

If you love your air fryer but often find yourself wishing you could have two batches of food cooking at once, then Instant’s Vortex Plus XL is the appliance for you. This thing is a beast, capable of handling up to 8 quarts of food at once across two side-by-side baskets, each with its own set of controls so you can adjust them for separate purposes (e.g. an entrée in one basket and a side dish in the other).

We really like the see-through windows on the front of each basket, allowing a clear video of the food as it’s cooking without having to stop the process. There are also smart programs built into the Vortex Plus XL that help synchronize cooking times between the two baskets, whether you’re preparing two different kinds of dishes or simply different proportions of the same thing.

Another nice touch is that, unlike so many air fryers out there, the handles for both baskets are attached at the top and bottom, which offers a greater feeling of control and stability when handling them.

Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus bread machine. ($377)

Zojirushi “Virtuoso Plus” Breadmaker »

Zojirushi’s “Virtuoso Plus” bread machine is almost like having your own personal baker at home. I mean, you have to add your own ingredients and press the buttons yourself (exhausting stuff, right?), but the machine takes care of pretty much everything else.

This thing makes two-pound rectangular loaves (and other things) with ease, whether you prefer white, wheat, multi-grain, gluten-free, vegan, or whatever else — and the crust will be perfectly browned every time, thanks to the combination of the lid’s built-in heating element and the option to select a light, medium, or dark crust shade.

The dual blades at the bottom of the removable nonstick baking pan also help keep all those ingredients thoroughly kneaded throughout the pre-bake process.

There are lots of other neat settings and options to play with as well, like the delay-start timer that can put off the end of the baking cycle up to 13 hours, so you can prep in advance and have a loaf ready at a more convenient time.

Mixology & Craft 11-piece bartender kit. ($29)

Mixology & Craft 11-Piece Bartender Kit »

One surefire way to make a home more interesting is setting up a small cocktail bar there, and this stylish 11-piece bartending kit comes with all the tools needed to whip up some fantastic drinks: a stainless steel shaker, a strainer, a long spiral stirring spoon, a muddler, ice tongs, two jiggers (small and large), two liquor pourers, a corkscrew tool, and a wooden crate/stand that can be hung on the wall by a rope for display purposes.

Each item in the set has a chic copper/rose gold hue that makes them just as enjoyable to look at as they are to use.

Jarmazing mason jar syrup dispensers. ($23 for set of two)

Jarmazing Mason Jar Syrup Dispensers »

Know someone who takes pride in making their own salad dressings, coffee flavoring syrups, and/or dipping sauces? Then they’ll dig these 16oz mason jar dispensers, which not only give them a place to store those homemade concoctions, but also make it easy to pump them out as needed.

Popco collapsible silicone popcorn popper. ($14)

Popco Collapsible Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper »

Some families are VERY serious when it comes to their popcorn consumption, and they go through a TON of the stuff. For them, a collapsible popcorn popper will undoubtedly get a lot of use. You don’t even have to put oil into the thing before microwaving it; just pour in a ¼ or ½ cup of kernels and you’re good to pop away. However, you can still add just a touch of coconut or avocado oil and some salt and get great results that way too.

When it’s done, you’ll almost always find very few unpopped kernels in the batch, and after being rinsed out, the container collapses down into a more easily stowable size. (Just know that the silicone can be a bit hot to handle right out of the microwave, so be careful and maybe use pot holders just in case.)

Skeppshult cast iron spice grinder. ($66)

Skeppshult “Swing” Cast Iron Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder »

This handcrafted cast iron spice grinder from Swedish company Skeppshult is almost too pretty to use, but if you do decide to grab it off the shelf where it’s displayed, it’ll make short work of grinding peppercorns and other fresh spices:

Its two-tiered construction is pretty clever actually. Once you’ve ground up a spice in the bottom canister, you can pour it into the top compartment and store it there under the silicone-sealed walnut lid.

Boska cheese slicer with rose wood handle. ($17)

Boska Cheese Slicer with Rose Wood Handle »

Once you’ve decided to step up your cheese game, your tools for the job need to step up with you. Toss out that old cutter with the breakable wire and replace it with a traditional-style Boska cheese plane instead.

This sleek stainless steel cheese plane has a handsomely dark beech wood handle that’s comfortable to hold as you effortlessly create uniform slices from all kinds of semi-hard to hard cheeses (manchego, gouda, aged cheddar, pecorino, etc). It also works wonders on cold sticks of butter.

Gadgets & Accessories

• The latest and greatest base-model Kindle e-reader
• Entry-level 3D printer that offers a phenomenal amount of model detail
• Portable power station and solar generator
• Home theater projectors that give any home media setup a sweet upgrade
• Handheld sound studio for creating music immediately, wherever you go
• Portable charger capable of charging an iPad Pro 2.6x over while you’re actively using it

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The 2022 base-model Amazon Kindle e-reader. ($100 with lockscreen ads, $120 without ads)

The 2022 Amazon Kindle »

Recommending Kindles is a tradition that goes all the way back to our first Christmas Catalog. Nearly a decade later, we still believe it’s the best way to consume ebooks, and the 2022 base model is the latest and greatest option, now featuring an upgraded 300ppi high-resolution glare-free display (3x the pixels as the old model!), double the storage (now up to 16GB), USB-C charging, and longer battery life.

ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro 3D printer. ($171)

ELEGOO “Mars 2 Pro” MSLA Resin 3D Printer »

Elegoo’s Mars 2 Pro is a fantastic way to get into the world of 3D printing, whether you’re wanting to craft figurines to paint, design and manufacture your own chess pieces, create little sculptures to place around your house, add some fun accessories to your kids’ toys, prototype physical products, or produce those bits and bobs you might need on DIY jobs.

It can print at 2K HD resolution (2560×1440), so your prints can have a phenomenal amount of detail, with print layer lines so fine they’re practically invisible, resulting in unbelievable crisp, smooth models. Moreover, each layer only takes about two seconds to cure, whereas many printers at this price point would take more like 6–8 seconds per layer — it’s a huge time saver.

Ecoflow DELTA 2 portable power station. ($899)

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station »

If you’re familiar with portable power stations from the likes of Goal Zero and Jackery, then you’ll get the idea behind the DELTA 2 by EcoFlow right away.

Whether you’re out adventuring on the trail, dealing with a power outage at home, tailgating outside a stadium, attending a weekend-long festival, or whatever else, this awesome portable battery system will keep your stuff powered up and good to go.

With 1024Wh of battery capacity and up to 1800W of power output across a bunch of different ports and outlets — which you can supplement by adding solar panels or an additional battery unit — this thing can easily power just about any collection of gadgets or even an appliance or two if needed. (See our original post for a chart with device examples.)

Anker NEBULA “Cosmos Laser” home theater projectors. ($1,100 for 1080p model, $1,600 for 4K model)

Anker NEBULA “Cosmos Laser” 1080P & 4K Projectors »

From Anker’s movie projector sub-brand Nebula comes this pair of high-definition “Cosmos Laser” projectors that can turn any space with a flat surface into an impressive home theater experience.

Available in 1080P ($1,700) and 4K ($2,200) resolutions, these portable projectors make every last pixel pop as they beam brightly across a huge 150″ screen (or all the way down to 60″) at an intense 2,400 ISO lumens, so you can see every detail at any time of day — indoors or outdoors, lights on or off.

On top of that, the projectors both make use of a special technology that intelligently analyzes any space you’re using one in (including the furniture and decorations) so it can automatically focus, perform keystone correction, and adjust the alignment to your screen size. Doesn’t matter if you bump into the projector or move it to another location; you don’t have to spend time fiddling with focus settings or tilting the device to get a better picture. It just works.

Artiphon Orba 2 handheld sound studio. ($150)

Artiphon “Orba 2” Handheld Synthesizer, Sound Looper, & MIDI Controller »

Artiphon is a Nashville-based company that designs what they call “smart instruments”, one of which is the Orba 2. This round handheld gizmo looks like some kind of game controller, but is in fact a portable sound studio that lets you create music immediately and wherever you go, even while walking.

With the Orba 2, you can create “instruments” from sounds in your environment — singing birds, a bicycle bell, your own voice, or whatever else — and then “play” melodies with them using the capacitive touch pads on top of the device, along with various gestures and movements that are picked up by its accelerometer and gyroscope.

From there, you can create 128-bar loops (up to ~5 minutes) with up to four layers of samples — Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead — and have each of them automatically quantized to play in time perfectly, all right there on the device. You can also connect it to MIDI-based software and hardware via USB-C or Bluetooth to expand your music-making horizons even further.

Anker PowerCore Essential 20K PD portable power bank. ($59)

Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000mAh PD Portable Charger »

When it comes to portable chargers, it doesn’t get more reliable than Anker’s “PowerCore” lineup, and their PowerCore Essential 20K PD USB-C battery bank is no different.

That “PD” (Power Delivery) at the end of its name is really the key thing here, as it allows you to charge an iPad Pro while you’re actively using it, which is huge for those of us who rely on our iPads all day for work, gaming, and media. It also holds enough charge (20,000mAh) to accomplish this 2.6x over, so yeah — awesome.

If you use it to charge your phone instead, all the better. Even the 14 Pro Max gets 4.6x charges out of this thing. Basically, you’ll never regret having this battery bank on hand, no matter what you’re charging it with.

Games & Puzzles

• The new OLED-edition Nintendo Switch console
• Heirloom-quality editions of Scrabble and Monopoly
• The long-anticipated sequel to Psychonauts
• Colorful jigsaw puzzle based on a geometric painting by Frank Stella
• Root board game by Leder Games
• DUNE board game by Gale Force Nine

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The new OLED-edition Nintendo Switch portable game console. ($350, available in white and classic neon blue + red)

The Nintendo Switch OLED Edition »

Released a couple months ago, the new Nintendo Switch OLED edition takes everything you loved about the original Switch and added several improvements to make the gaming experience feel more premium:

• As its name suggests, this new Switch sports a 7-inch OLED screen, up from the original’s 6.2-inch LCD.
• It has a new device-wide adjustable kickstand that makes the original one look like a joke. (Let’s be honest, that stand was a joke, even for those of us who loved the console itself.)
• The Switch’s internal storage has been bumped from 32 GB to 64 GB.
• They’ve enhanced the onboard speaker audio for handheld and tabletop play.
• There’s now a built-in LAN port on the dock for physically connecting to your home internet setup.

Games you might pair with the OLED Switch are Mario Strikers: Battle League and Splatoon 3. We would also recommend a protective carrying case.

Heirloom-edition Scrabble and Monopoly board games. ($350 each)

Scrabble and Monopoly “Heirloom Edition” by WS Game Company »

Designed for those who enjoy the finer things in life, these heirloom-quality editions of the classic board games Scrabble and Monopoly are both crafted from solid walnut wood and feature their own integrated storage drawers to keep game pieces and other accessories contained nicely between sessions.

In addition to being handsome showpieces when they’re not being used, both game editions bring unique touches to the table (heh):

• The top of the Scrabble cabinet is actually a rotating turntable that allows players on all sides a comfortable view of the words currently on board.
• Meanwhile, the Monopoly set comes with custom-designed Chance, Community Chest, and Title Deed cards, as well as custom-designed money slips.

Each set includes solid wood and/or die-cast metal game pieces, which adds to the overall sense of quality you feel when playing either game.

Psychonauts 2: Motherlobe Edition for Xbox One and PS4. ($70, or $54 for standard Xbox edition without extras)

Psychonauts 2: Motherlobe Edition for Xbox One and PS4 »

The original Psychonauts video game by Double Fine Productions was a cult classic that still holds a special place in the hearts of many of us who were lucky enough to play it in the mid-2000s. We were even more excited when, a full sixteen years later, the long-awaited sequel was released.

Picking up right where the first game left off — which involved our young hero Razputin’s adventures at a psychic “summer camp” (read: secret government training facility) where he uncovered the mystery of his fellow campers’ brains being harvested for nefarious purposes — Psychonauts 2 once again follows Raz as he navigates a new set of mysteries.

Per our original synopsis:

Raz, who believes himself a fully inducted Psychonaut — the international team of pyschically gifted spies who use their abilities to stop evil-doers — finds out when he gets to Psychonauts HQ that he’s to be a mail room intern, not a proper agent.

What’s more, it’s been determined that a mole has infiltrated the organization with the aim of resurrecting a powerfully evil psychic named Maligula, and it somehow falls on Raz to once again piece together the clues and stop this plot before it’s too late.

Firuzabad jigsaw puzzle by Frank Stella + MoMA. ($18)

Frank Stella + MoMA “Firuzabad” Jigsaw Puzzle »

Based on the colorful geometric painting Firuzabad by American artist Frank Stella in 1970, this 750-piece jigsaw puzzle is a unique and vibrant way to challenge yourself for a few days. With its odd-shaped pieces and the abstract nature of the artwork itself, you’ll not only stretch your brain muscles a bit, you’ll come away with a great appreciation for this classic and complex work of art.

Root: a Game of Woodland Might and Right board game. ($75 for base game; expansions also available)

Root Board Game by Leder Games »

If you’ve ever wondered what Game of Thrones-style strategy and intrigue might look like in a humorous storybook/fairytale context, well, look no further than Leder Games’ Root: a Game of Woodland Might and Right.

Released in 2018, Root is a superbly fun asymmetric board game that has you leading one of four animal factions — the industrious Cats, the flying Eyrie, the shadowy Alliance, or the singularly mysterious Vagabond — each of which is fighting to control as much of the board as possible:

Root is a game of adventure and war where 2 to 4 players battle for control of a vast wilderness.

The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathize with the Alliance’s hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright.

The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.

You can see what we meant about that whole Game of Thrones thing, eh?

DUNE board game by Gale Force Nine. ($40 for base game, $23 for expansion set)

DUNE Board Game by Gale Force Nine »

Whether you’re a new fan because of the 2021 film remake) or you’ve long been a reader of the original novels, you’re going to have a great time playing Gale Force Nine’s DUNE board game, which they reissued in 2019 — 40 years after the original edition) was published.

This modernized version of the classic strategy game has you leading one of six powerful factions taken straight from Dune lore, each vying for control over melange (aka spice), the universe’s most valuable resource found only on the barren planet Dune.

Whichever faction you choose, you’ll need your political A-game to gain control over as much Dune territory as possible — and thus, control over the spice itself — by making alliances with other players and committing acts of treachery (so your allies don’t become too strong, you understand). During all of this, you must deal with military invasions, sandstorms, giant sandworms, and yes, backstabbing plots against your own leaders.

Home, Office & Decor

• Wooden wall murals with a surreal retro-futuristic aesthetic
• Handmade Star Wars oil paintings
• Smart light panels with a warm wooden aesthetic
• Levitating moon lamp that floats and rotates as if by magic (but really it’s just magnets)
• A clock that tells time in full sentences rather than numbers
• Personalized solar system art prints

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Frank Moth x Society6 wooden wall murals. ($150 or $180, depending on size)

Society6 x Frank Moth Wooden Wall Murals »

You’ll hardly find a more unique-looking way to spice up a given space than putting up these wooden mosaics, which are based on the atmospheric and surreal digital collages by “Frank Moth” (the pseudonym a pair of anonymous Greece-based graphic artists work behind)

These artworks often combine retro artwork with images of space travel and/or various forms of psychedelia, like nostalgic postcards that somehow arrived by way of the distant future. It’s a very cool and interesting aesthetic.

Star Wars oil paintings by Naci Caba. (from $340)

Naci Caba’s Handmade Star Wars Oil Paintings »

We’ll bet you never thought Star Wars and oil painting were things that could go together well, but Turkish artist Naci Caba is here to prove you wrong. The guy also does paintings based on The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and more. Cool, right?

Nanoleaf Elements “Wood Look” smart light panels. ($200 for 7-panel starter kit, $380 for 13-panel bundle, or $70 for 3-panel expansion pack)

Nanoleaf Elements “Wood Look” Smart Light Panels »

Nanoleaf’s standard light panels are cool enough as is, with their ability to change colors to suit your tastes or dynamically match the media you consume. However, their wooden hexagon light panels bring a whole different vibe that feels warmer and more understated.

Like the original panels, the “Wood Look” series is modular in that you can arrange them on your wall in whatever pattern you like. The difference is, they manage to look like an elegant and subtle piece of decor even when the lights are off, whereas the RGB ones don’t present nearly as much ambiance without their bright colors active.

While you don’t get a vibrant rainbow of colors to play with, you do get to create a cozy and calming atmosphere customized to your tastes (controlled via the Nanoleaf app), with the ability to configure animated light “scenes,” such as a crackling fireplace-like glow or a cascading waterfall effect.

FIRPOW levitating moon lamp. ($107)

FIRPOW Levitating Moon Lamp »

Have you ever dreamed of having an office like Dumbledore’s, where bits and bobs charmingly float and spin about? Well, you can take a step closer to that fantasy with a levitating moon lamp like this one.

Using the power of MAGNETS {insert Insane Clown Posse meme here}, this lunar light-up globe floats and rotates above its wooden base, suspended in the air by a seemingly invisible hand. With the included remote, you can switch the lamp between 18 different colors, adjust its brightness level, and activate one of a few different lighting modes: solid, flash, or fade.

Sharper Image Word Clock. ($27, available in black or copper)

Sharper Image Light-Up Word Clock »

The Word Clock from Sharper Image is a rather unique take on telling time, presenting it in full sentences (e.g. “It is five minutes past eleven” or “It is twenty minutes to nine”) rather than a simple numeric display. It feels reminiscent of a split-flip signboard.

You can mount it on a wall or set it on a table/desk. Not much else to say, other than that it’s a cool alternative to normal clocks. The one drawback is that it doesn’t run on batteries; you have to keep it plugged in to operate. Other than that, this is a sweet clock to have in your home or office.

SpaceTime Coordinates personalized solar system art prints. (from $39)

SpaceTime Coordinates Personalized Art Prints »

Got a space nerd in your life? Are you the space nerd and looking to treat yourself? Then you should check out these SpaceTime Coordinates prints, which use NASA data to precisely depict what our solar system looked like at any specific point in time that matters to you or a loved one:

Enter your special event date and get a perfect representation of the solar system at that point in time. See how our planets were aligned when you met, when you bought the house, when you became parents and commemorate the most important moments in your life.

No two different dates produce the same design, that’s why SpaceTime Coordinates products are so distinctive and personalized.

You don’t even have to go with a personalized date if you don’t want. You could pick… I dunno, the birthdate of your favorite president, or the date of an important event in history you’ve always been obsessed with. Anything goes!

Style, Grooming & Everyday Carry

• Wallet with anodized aluminum frame wrapped in leather or DTEX
• Mysteriously sweet and boozy fragrance that may become your new signature
• Dive watch with an autumnal spirit
• Stylish watch with case literally made from used coffee grounds
• Black bladed pocket knife with ebony wood handle
• The warmest, highest-quality sweatshirt of your life
• Suede slippers that can pass off as boots
• Merino wool calf socks with superb cushion and comfort

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Dango D03 aluminum + leather bifold wallet. ($39)

Dango D03 “Dapper” Bifold Wallet »

The D03 “Dapper” by Dango is a bifold wallet with a 6061 anodized aluminum chassis surrounded by your choice of black DTEX, black leather, or brown leather, which is fastened on with mil-spec bolts.

Between its two outer pockets (front and back), the inner ID window slot, the card ‘rail system’ built into the chassis, and the integrated elastic band, the D03 can hold up to 14 cards and some cash without breaking a sweat. That elastic band can be moved to the front exterior, the back exterior, or the interior as you like, so you really have a lot of options for how you load out this wallet.

Maison Margiela “REPLICA Jazz Club” fragrance. ($123 for 3.4 fl oz bottle or $38 for 0.34oz travel spray)

Maison Margiela “REPLICA Jazz Club” Fragrance »

French fashion house Maison Margiela has a line of fragrances they call REPLICA, each of which is intended to be evocative of a very specific moment or memory, like sailing around Paros Island in 2001 or relaxing by a crackling fireplace while snow falls outside. Yeah, that specific.

One of their more sophisticated offerings is Jazz Club, an alluring and thoroughly masculine fragrance (although some women also wear it well) that’s supposedly like stepping into a cozy Brooklyn nightclub in 2013.

Whatever its inspiration, this fragrance is sweet and boozy without cloying. You’ll get notes of smooth vanilla and dark spicy rum on top, with hints of leather and tobacco leaf in the background. We could imagine Don Draper wearing this.

  + We also recommend “1899” by Histoires de Parfums, a spicy yet smooth wintertime fragrance that opens with woodsy spicyness before mellowing into warm tones of cinnamon-y vanilla and tobacco with hints of citrusy orange blossom.

Timex x Todd Snyder Utility Ranger dive watch. ($259)

Timex + Todd Snyder “Utility Ranger” Dive Watch »

Designed in collaboration between Timex and menswear designer Todd Snyder, the Utility Ranger watch is an iteration on the timeless design (heh) of Timex’s Navi XL diving watch.

Although it’s a diver by nature — and it does boast 100-meter water resistance — the Utility Ranger evokes the colors and textures of woodsy autumn with its military olive dial and strap, along with the eyecatching orange bezel and second hand. It’s a real looker.

On the technical side of things, the 41mm stainless steel Utility Ranger features a Japanese automatic movement, a glass exhibition caseback so you can see those inner workings tick (and tock), and the strap is made from ballistic fabric for those rugged woodsman vibes.

Lilienthal-Berlin x Kaffeeform Coffee Watch. ($210 as of writing; normally $349)

Lilienthal-Berlin x Kaffeeform “Coffee Watch” »

In what may be the most Tools & Toys item of all time, the Coffee Watch is a stylish timepiece that features a case literally made from recycled coffee. What?!

Using a complex and 100% carbon-neutral upcycling process developed by Kaffeeform, used coffee grounds are collected from cafés and roasters around Berlin, then combined with renewable plant-derived materials and biopolymers to become a durable and sustainable material that can be used to create all sorts of products — in this case, a watch…er, case.

What’s crazy is that the material retains a hint of coffee aroma, so when you first put it on, there can be no doubt you are actually wearing coffee on your wrist.

They didn’t forget about aesthetics or utility either, as proven by the watch’s minimalist Bauhaus-style face, precise Swiss quartz movement, and the fact that its crown is recessed into the case back, lending a strikingly round look to the overall appearance.

Civivi Elementum pocket knife. ($64)

CIVIVI “Elementum” Pocket Knife »

CIVIVI, who you may remember as the makers of this interesting carabiner multi-tool, also produce the Elementum, a sweet-looking pocket knife with a stonewashed black D2 steel blade and an ebony wood handle.

On top of its slick presentation, the Elementum boasts a caged ceramic ball bearing at the blade’s pivot point for super smooth and fast opening/closing action. The blade also arrives wicked sharp out of the box, enough so that you could shave your arm hairs with it if needed.

  + Honorable mention goes to the stylish (but 3x expensive) Benchmade 533 “Mini Bugout” folding knife.

Arborwear Double-Thick Pullover Hoodie. ($120)

Arborwear Double-Thick Pullover Hoodie »

Looking for the warmest, highest-quality possible sweatshirt of your life? The Arborwear “Double-Thick” is it. Seriously, you don’t have to research any further.

This thing was designed for people who have to work outside all day in the extreme cold, right down to the oversized hood that fits over a hard hat or work helmet. Its super heavy (that “double thick” in the name isn’t just marketing), super warm, and it’ll still be going strong years or even decades from now.

All the comfort and warmth of a thick blanket, with the freedom of movement of a light jacket. This is an investment no one ever regrets.

UGG “Neuman” men’s suede slippers. ($120 per pair)

UGG “Neuman” Men’s Suede Slippers »

Taking design inspiration from their Neumel Boot and their Tasman Slipper, UGG’s hybrid Neuman Slipper is a treat for your feet on those cold mornings and evenings at home.

They feature a rich suede upper and a cushioned rubber Treadlite outsole with a sheepskin lining and wool insole, offering the ultimate warmth and comfort whether you wear them indoors or while you’re out walking the dog. What’s nice is, they don’t look like slippers at first glance — more like casual boots — so if you decide to wear them with sweats or jeans in public, nobody will think twice.

Bombas men’s merino wool calf socks. ($20 per pair)

Bombas Men’s Merino Wool Calf Socks »

A quality pair of socks can make all the difference in your daily comfort, and if they’re made of merino wool, that “first class” feeling increases all the more.

These merino wool calf socks from Bombas are what you’ll want on your feet this coming winter season. They’re superbly cushiony and comfortable, offer exceptional arch support on top of that, and they sport the natural moisture-wicking properties that make merino wool so great to begin with.

🛠 Tools & Trinkets

• Cordless electric screwdriver that’s easier on the wrists than a manual one
• 21-tool Leatherman with clever magnetic locking system
• Swiss-made pruning shears that will last a lifetime
• Drawstring tool bag for staying organized on the job
• 48-in-1 multifunction socket wrench
• Copper-headed hammer for driving tent stakes

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Hoto NEX O1 PRO cordless electric screwdriver. ($54)

Hoto NEX O1 PRO Cordless Electric Screwdriver »

This 3.6V electric screwdriver from Hoto a super handy gizmo to have in your toolbox, and could save your wrists a lot of strain in the long run.

Unlike your typical cordless drill, this isn’t some heavy and unwieldy tool; it’s designed to be easily used one-handed with the press of a button (either forward or backward). And there’s no big case or chunky charger to lug around either, because it conveniently plugs in via USB-C to recharge its 1,500mAh battery — that’s enough power to drive more than a thousand screws on a single charge.

The neck of the screwdriver has a built-in ring LED light that illuminates what you’re working on without casting annoying shadows, and it has four torque settings you can switch between as the job demands.

  + Add a leather holster to make the gift recipient even happier.

Leatherman FREE P4 multi-tool. ($150)

Leatherman “FREE P4” Multi-Tool »

Leatherman wasn’t messing around when they developed their FREE P4 multi-tool. This bad boy manages to pack 21 tools into its small frame, which is a lot of functionality to always have in your pocket. And with a closed length of just 4.25 inches and weighing in at only 8.6 ounces , you’ll barely even notice it’s there until you need it.

On top of that, they incorporated a clever magnetic locking system that makes it easy to access any of those 21 tools single-handedly, in almost fidget toy-like fashion:

Felco #2 pruning shears. ($59)

Felco #2 One-Handed Pruning Shears »

If you do a lot of gardening or landscaping and want a set of pruning shears that will last a lifetime, look no further than the Felco #2 pruners.

Made in Switzerland — with 100% renewable energy, no less — these shears tackle any pruning job with almost disturbing ease. If they had any sentience, we’re certain they’d be just as happy to snip off a whole finger as easily as they do thick branches and vines.

One of the best features of these shears (and there are many) is the sap groove that prevents the blade from sticking or gumming up from plant secretions, so you can keep pruning uninterrupted and worry about cleaning after. We also like the bright candy red handles that make them easy to find if they’re dropped in a bush somewhere.

If you treat them right, cleaning, oiling, and sharpening the blades regularly, these pruners will serve you well for decades to come. And if anything should go wrong, like a prematurely rusty blade or a busted spring, all the parts are user-replaceable, so you can Ship of Theseus these bad boys until the end of time.

CLC “BucketBag” drawstring tool bag. ($21)

CLC (Custom LeatherCraft) 18-Pocket Drawstring “BucketBag” »

Custom LeatherCraft’s BucketBag is a versatile polyester tool bag that keeps all your small stuff organized on the job while being very easy to carry around and accessible when needed.

It has six big compartments in the center where you can stow wrenches, pliers, and other essential handtools. Each of those compartments has an inner pocket, and there are six more around the outside of the bag — bringing the total number of compartments to 18 — all of which are perfect for stashing accessories, fasteners, and other bits and bobs you may need along the way.

The bag cinches together tightly with a locking drawstring to keep everything snugly inside as you use the center carry handle to tote the whole setup around. It’s also designed to fit at the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket, and when you get it out and set it somewhere, the soft bottom panel keeps the bag from tipping over. Just super convenient all around.

iPstyle 48-in-1 socket wrench. ($20)

iPstyle 48-in-1 Multifunction Socket Wrench »

If you’ve ever bought one of those cheap socket wrench sets, you know what a pain it is to keep up with all those little socket pieces. They inevitably fall off and get lost somewhere in your toolbag, and somehow it’s always the size you’re looking for that’s hardest to find when you need it most.

But not so with this multi-function socket wrench, which has sets of rotating sockets at each end that can accommodate a bunch of different SAE and metric sizes, both in a variety of nut/bolt head shapes. It’s an entire socket set in one tool!

Snow Peak Copper Head Peg Hammer. ($70)

Snow Peak Copper Head Peg Hammer »

The next time you head out on a tent camping trip, be sure to bring Snow Peak’s Copper Head Peg Hammer along to help with campsite setup and takedown — specifically, driving tent stakes into the ground and pulling them out later.

The hammer’s copper head lends it a shock-absorbing property, reducing stress on your arm and making the job feel a lot less laborious. It also has a side benefit of softening the ping noise each time you strike a tent stake, which your ears will thank you for.

  + Best gifted with the matching carry case, which will also hold several of those tent stakes linked above.

🧸 Toys & Kids

• Science activity kits from the makers of Snap Circuits
• YETI Rambler water bottle for kids
• Build-it-yourself spinning LEGO globe of the Earth
• Kids wireless headphones with a built-in mic
• Kaleidoscopic science books with magic viewing lenses
• Curved wooden balance board for endless kinds of play
• Star Wars R2-D2 Tamagotchi toy
• Magnetically rotating foam building blocks

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SMARTIVITY scientific activity kits. (Prices vary)

“Smartivity” STEAM Activity Kits »

The SMARTIVITY family of do-it-yourself kits by Elenco — makers of the also-excellent Snap Circuits product line — are a series of wood-and-rubber-band activity kits designed to get kids thinking about and playing with all kinds of scientific, mechanical, and mathematic subjects: gravity, hydraulics, centrifugal force, elasticity, optics, momentum, pressure, and so on.

To that end, they offer a whole bunch of different engineering kits to explore those topics:

• Pinball Machine ($39) — Teaches kids about levers, momentum, and energy transfer.
• Music Machine ($46) — A fully functioning mechanical xylophone for learning about gear mechanics, vibrations, and musical notes.
• Pirate’s Telescope ($38) — Refraction, depth of field, and trigonometric ratio.
• Chain Reaction ($55) — The domino effect, momentum transfer, and gravity.
• Hydraulic Crane ($29) — Hydraulics, pressure, and simple machines.
• Kaleidoscope ($35) — Mirrors, reflection, and color theory.
• Globe Explorer ($39) — An AR-enabled wooden globe that teaches about the geographic coordinate system, day versus night, trade routes, cultures and languages, cuisines around the world, etc.

…and there are even more where that came from. No matter which one you start with, you will quickly see how these kits get your kid thinking more critically, creatively, and confidently as they learn through play.

YETI Rambler Jr. kids water bottle. ($25)

YETI Rambler Jr. 12-ounce Water Bottle for Kids »

YETI’s 12-ounce Rambler Jr. is likely the last water bottle your kid will need until they’re an adult. It’s just as tough and over-engineered as its brethren, with the same double-walled vacuum insulation and long-lasting DuraCoat powder-coated color options that will withstand just about anything, including all the times you run the bottle through the dishwasher.

The Rambler Jr. comes with YETI’s flip-up straw cap for easy sipping. The lid is leakproof and shatter-resistant, sports a carry handle, and is just as dishwasher-safe as the bottle.

LEGO Ideas “The Globe” building set. ($230)

LEGO Ideas 21332 “The Globe” Building Set »

Based on a fan-created build by a French LEGO hobbyist — who was himself inspired by the adventurous tales of Jules Verne — this brilliant vintage-style LEGO globe is a customizable 2,585-piece display model of our planet.

The set makes use of LEGO Technic pieces as part of the globe’s axis, allowing it to spin just like the real thing. There are little ship and compass icons you can assemble and attach anywhere on the globe, and there are even glow-in-the-dark printed name tiles for the continents and oceans.

  + If you need more LEGO gift ideas, we have a whole backlog for you to peruse.

Riwbox kids wireless headphones with built-in microphone. ($31)

Riwbox AB005 Kids Wireless Headphones with Microphone »

If you thought wired headphones were already prone to breaking too soon, try buying a pair for your kids and see how long they las- aaaaand they’re already wrecked, aren’t they?

Don’t waste your money on anything with a permanent cord. Get a wireless kids headset like this one, which are intended to be used via Bluetooth 5.0 (although a 3.5mm audio cable is still included in case you need it). They sound surprisingly good for the price point, and they’re comfy enough for kids to wear on long road trips or during online classes without a problem.

Since the headphones have a built-in mic that doesn’t stick out in front of their face, using them for online schooling is actually pretty ideal. And when it’s time to put them away, they fold up and can easily be tucked into a bag or drawer.

The colorful flashing lights on the sides of the ears are a nice bonus on the ‘cool’ front.

Carnovsky “Illumine” kids science books. (Prices vary)

The “Illumine” Kids Science Book Series by Carnovsky »

The Milan-based art/design duo known as “Carnovsky” is perhaps best known for their three-layered RGB artworks, which can be viewed through each part of a three-color lens — red, green, and blue, respectively — to reveal just one of those layers at a time.

Keeping the theme of those pieces of art, they’ve partnered with a handful of authors to publish a series of STEM-friendly books for kids, each of which uses the same kaleidoscopic layering technique and comes with its own colored lenses, through which kids can explore various facets of whichever topic the book in question is about:

• Illuminature — All about the natural wonders of the world, with layers split into nighttime animals, daytime animals, and plants.
• Illuminatlas — Travel the continents of the world, learning about everything from landscapes to famous buildings to cultural artifacts…and yes, to more plants and animals.
• Illumisaurus — You can guess from the name, but this one’s about dinosaurs and other kinds of prehistoric life, as well as the habitats they once roamed.
• Illumanatomy — A colorful look into how the body works, divided into the skeleton (red), the muscles (green), and the organs (blue).
• Illuminightmare — Covers the histories and secrets of the most haunted and supernatural places in the world.
• Illumibugs — All about bugs, invertebrates, and other creepy crawlies the world over.

Any of these would make a great gift for a curious young reader, and even better would be handing them the entire collection at once

  + Another great book worth any kid’s attention is Oceanarium, or any of the other entries in the “Welcome to the Museum” series.

Kinderfeets Kinderboard balance/wobble board. ($90)

Kinderfeets “Kinderboard” Curved Wooden Balance Board »

Similar to the “Bilibo” toy we wrote about a couple years ago, Kinderfeets’ “Kinderboard” wobble board is the kind of open-ended toy that imaginative kids can do just about anything with, indoors or outdoors.

It can be a seesaw, a bridge, a low seat, a doll bed, a Hot Wheels ramp, a slide, a make-believe surfboard or snowboard…the possibilities are endless. It holds up to an impressive 485 pounds (!) too, so it’s not likely to break anytime soon.

The secret of the thing is that it’s kinda neat for grownups too. You can lay across it in “bridge” mode to pop your own back (at your own risk of course), you can incorporate it into a light exercise routine, keep it near your standing desk to get in some quick balance/leg work, do feet stretches on it, etc.

R2-D2 Tamagotchi toy. ($20)

Star Wars R2-D2 Tamagotchi »

In case you forgot  Tamagotchis were still a thing, you should know that the late-’90s fad is very much alive and well today, with new digital pets in the lineup being released all the time.

The R2-D2 Tamagotchi in particular puts the classic Star Wars droid in the palm of your hand, where you can care for the cute little guy, have him master skills through various training games, and enjoy several fun Star Wars “Easter eggs” (get it?) as they pop up throughout the day.

Similar to other Tamagotchis, you have to keep up with R2-D2’s maintenance, keeping him clean and charged up — or else he’ll start malfunctioning and eventually be carried away by Jawas :(

Blockaroo magnetic foam building blocks. (Prices vary)

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Block Building Toys »

Blockaroos are a series of teacher-developed STEM toys that are made up of soft-touch, bath-safe foam pieces with magnetic touch points on one or more sides.

Those factors alone already make the blocks fun to mess around with, but what makes them really cool is that the magnets — which always attract, never repel — also enable the pieces to rotate 360° once connected, opening up entire other avenues of imaginative building.

Rotating the blocks creates an oddly satisfying clicky noise and feel, making them quite the tactile/sensory experience. The ease of connecting the magnetics together also makes it so younger toddlers can start building right away without struggling with the fine motor skills that other building toys require.

Highly recommended for parents of young ones who need a fun and safe outlet for their creativity. (And anyone sick of stepping on hard blocks with sharp edges in the middle of the night.)

Travel & Outdoors

• Portable 3-fuel grill & fire pit
• Guide book for tracking visits to US national parks
• Gardening stool that comes with an attachable tool bag and some basic tools
• Long-distance hiking backpack that’s built like a tank
• Portable tire inflator that could save your road trip
• Universal travel power adapter with four types of prongs to choose from

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Volcano Grills 3-in-1 camping grill and fire pit. ($184)

The Volcano Collapsible Propane + Charcoal + Wood Grill »

Stay at enough campgrounds and you’ll discover they can have very different rules about what kinds of campfires they allow. With the Volcano Grills 3-in-1 stove + fire pit, you get the best of all worlds. It can run off propane as needed, or you can build a wood fire in it, or you can burn some charcoal in there for cooking purposes.

What’s extra cool is just how portable the thing is, since the legs and body all collapse down into an easily transportable size/form factor. This is one of the most versatile tools to have in your outdoor travel kit. You’ll find uses for it almost everywhere you go.

  + Two great companions for the Volcano are the company’s own Dutch oven and these kabob grilling baskets.

Anderson Design Group National Park Adventure Guide book. ($35)

Anderson Design Group National Park Adventure Guide Book »

This little spiral-bound guide book is a fun way to track and commemorate your US national park visits.

With a page spread for each of the 63 currently designated national parks (as of 2022), the guide offers fun facts about each park and has spaces for you to sketch or jot down notes during a given visit, along with a checklist of 10 things to do and see there. There’s also a collection of “badge” stickers at the back of the book that you can place on the respective pages of any parks you’ve visited.

Gardening tool bag + stool set. ($26)

California Picnic’s Gardening Tool Bag + Stool Set »

Tending to your backyard garden doesn’t have to involve being on your hands and knees all day. With a lightweight and portable stool like this one, you can work all around your garden in comfort for as long as you need.

The cool thing about it is, it comes with a heavy duty multi-pocket bag with a spacious main compartment that conveniently snaps onto four straps hanging down from the seat, so you always have your tools as you move about the yard.

Alongside the bag — which can be carried separately if you don’t want to keep it snapped to the stool — this kit also includes an aluminum trowel, a grass fork, a transplanter, a set of pruning shears, and a pair of gardening gloves.

Even if you’re not a gardener yourself, this would be an excellent starting kit for you or anyone you know. It can also come in handy on fishing trips, at concerts, you name it.

Mystery Ranch Glacier hiking backpack. ($375 for all sizes/colors)

Mystery Ranch “Glacier” 70L Backpacking Pack »

When it comes to backpacks that hold up to wear and abuse, Mystery Ranch is easily one of the top-tier brands you can always put your trust in. Their “Glacier” backpacking pack in particular is one you can turn to for long-distance hikes and city treks.

This is a bag you can toss a lot of weight into — all the way up to 75 pounds, across 70 liters of capacity — without compromising your comfort. And to call it durable is an understatement; Mystery Ranch builds their bags like tanks, the Glacier being no exception. It’s made from 500D “Lite Plus” Cordura fabric and sports all YKK zippers like any worthwhile backpack should.

The Glacier is the kind of bag where every single detail has been considered and re-considered to ensure you won’t regret your purchase, especially after taking it on miles and miles of adventures, whether in the backcountry or anywhere else.

Slime 40063 portable tire inflator. ($59)

Slime Elite Heavy-Duty Tire Inflator »

Roadside assistance is great and all, but when it comes to the simple matter of a low tire, you don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere while it takes who-knows-how-long before anyone can come to help you. That’s why this tire inflator from Slime is such a handy thing to have around.

There’s no need to call anyone up when you can just plug this thing into your vehicle’s accessory jack, hook it up to the tire in question, set your desired pressure, and walk away as the tire airs back up in minutes.

The inflator supports up to 99 PSI, the air hose reaches up to 28 feet away from the main unit, it has a carry handle for easy portability, there’s a bright LED light on the end for nighttime visibility (not to mention the device’s backlit display), and it works just as well for bike tires as it does for vehicle ones.

  + On a similar note, keeping a portable jump starter on hand is another pro move.

APzek universal travel power adapter. ($18)

APzek Universal Travel Power Adapter »

When traveling internationally, there’s a certain peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ll be always able to keep your devices charged, no matter where you go. To manage that, you need a “universal” power adapter like this one.

We put “universal” in quotes because there are always limitations on these kinds of gizmos — in this case, a lack of a built-in voltage converter, thus making it unsuitable for high-power appliances like hair dryers, clothing irons, etc.

As long as it’s used only for charging things like smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, Bluetooth speakers, power banks, and the like, you should be fine.

The adapter comes with four types of power prongs that you can slide up to expose as needed: Type A (US standard), Type C (Europe standard), Type G (UK standard), and Type I (Australia standard). You also get three USB-A outputs (5V/2.4A) and one USB-C port (5V/3A) for charging a handful of devices at once.

Writing & Stationery

• Black anodized aluminum space pen with hexagonal finger grip
• Stylish and ultra-portable waxed canvas pocket journal
• Japan-made large-format notebook for your best and biggest ideas
• Nigh-indestructible titanium bolt-action permanent marker

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Fisher Space Pen Clutch. ($50)

Fisher Space Pen “Clutch” »

Anyone familiar with the Fisher space pen needs no introduction to what it can do, but for those unfamiliar with it, the main thing you need to know is that it can write anywhere — in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, through grease, and at temperatures both below freezing and above boiling — without missing a beat. If you need a pen you can always count on, this is it.

The Space Pen Clutch in particular has a hexagonal finger grip so you can keep a good grip on it even with thick gloves on, making it an ideal writing tool in the field. It’s also constructed from black anodized aluminum, so it manages to be both lightweight in the hand and super sturdy, all while lasting 3x longer than a typical ballpoint pen.

LOCHBY waxed canvas pocket journal. ($44)

LOCHBY Waxed Canvas Pocket Journal with Nylon YKK Zipper »

Despite having the ability to whip out a phone and tap out a note anytime an important thought strikes, there’s still something so pleasing about jotting down those ideas by hand instead. But cramming a notebook into your pocket or bag several times a day is going to tear it apart fast.

Not to worry, LOCHBY’s Pocket Journal can keep your notes perfectly safe, and in rugged style. It’s a premium double-stitched waxed canvas case that can accommodate any typical 3.5″ x 5.5″ memo book, and comes with a dot-grid one to get you started.

The front of the case has pockets for holding a pen alongside a pocket knife or multi-tool, while the interior has a pocket on one side for the memo book itself and another pocket where you can stash cards/cash, a passport, business cards, or other such things. On the back is yet another pocket that’s perfect for index cards.

Maruman Mnemosyne N110 landscape notebook. ($14)

Maruman N110 “Mnemosyne” US Letter-Sized Grid Notebook »

Sometimes your ideas are just too big for a typical notebook. When inspiration hits hard and you need to get it all down on one page, you’ll be glad to have the Japan-made Maruman Mnemosyne N110 notebook handy.

Once detached from this notebook, the 70 micro-perforated white pages are US Letter-sized but in landscape orientation (so, 11″ x 8.5″), thus offering even more room for your notes and sketches than their A5-sized “Inspiration” N182 notebook (8.3″ x 5.8″) featured back in our 2016 Christmas Catalog.

Like that previous notebook, the Letter-size edition is top-bound with Maruman’s signature twin-ring wire system, which allows the pages to lay perfectly flat — with the added bonus of being pleasant to write/draw in for both left- and right-handed users. The pages also have a subtle ¼” square grid system to keep your drawings and brainstorms nice and orderly, all while allowing very little ghosting or bleedthrough.

This is just an excellent notebook all around, worthy of all your best thoughts and ideas.

Soul Built MARKSMITH titanium bolt-action permanent marker. ($100)

Soul Built MARKSMITH Titanium Bolt-Action Permanent Marker »

Thanks to its nigh-indestructible grade 5 titanium body — the same alloy used to make aircraft turbines, among other high-performance aerospace/marine/automotive applications — the MARKSMITH marker from Soul Built really puts the “permanent” in “permanent marker.” It’s the last one you’ll ever own.

It’s compatible with Sharpie-branded fine-tip retractable permanent marker cartridges — although Soul Built sells their own refills in various colors — and the bolt-action mechanism not only makes the marker easy to use one-handed, but is also satisfyingly clicky and fun to fidget with.

They even put some consideration into the clip, featuring a sturdy, non-wiggly design along with layered grooves at its top to offer tactile feedback while keeping your thumb from slipping off when you use it to deploy the marker tip.

Charities

At Tools & Toys we have always donated 11% of our gross income to charity. If you click this link before you do your shopping on Amazon, we’ll be donating 11% of our affiliate earnings for the months of November and December specifically to the charities listed below.

We also encourage you to consider making some charitable donations this year, and invite you to give alongside us to these two organizations:

• St. Jude Children’s Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made at St. Jude have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Moreover, their hospital has been described as “a hospital without walls” where children in need are treated at no cost to their family.

• Operation Christmas Child: Samaritan’s purse is a Christian ministry, and every year they work with volunteers and donors from around the nation to pack and ship shoe boxes full of gifts to children in need around the globe.

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We’ve written many times about Fellow’s Stagg EKG electric gooseneck kettle — you know, the one you see all the fancy coffee shops using for pour-overs — and we still think it’s one of the best things to have in your home coffee setup. And now, the Stagg kettle is about to get even better with the release of two new models: the Stagg EKG Pro and the Pro Studio Edition.

Both of these upgraded models bring everything you love about the original EKG and add a bunch of neat new features to totally customize your brew experience, such as:

• A scheduling option that orders the kettle to reach a preset temperature at a specific time so it’s ready to go when you are. (Those few extra minutes of sleep in the morning can make allllll the difference )
• An altitude adjustment setting so the kettle doesn’t boil over just because you live in the mountains or wherever.
• An optional Guide Mode with various preset temperature settings for different coffee brewing styles and types of tea.
• A chime that alerts you when your water’s ready to pour.
• Firmware updates over Wi-Fi, which is done via the Fellow app. (I’m not sure if that will be the same as the Stagg EKG+ app or an as-yet-unreleased one.)
• A high-resolution full-color LCD display on the base for controlling all these things and more, whereas the original had only a black-and-white screen. It looks so great too.

The difference between the Pro and the Pro Studio is that the latter brings some premium materials to its construction, including an aluminum base with a reflective glass top, a zinc frame, and a metal cap on the end of the handle. If ever there was a kitchen countertop statement piece, the Pro Studio kettle is it.

The Stagg EKG Pro (from $195) and Pro Studio (from $225) are set to start shipping on October 14th, 2022. You can pre-order either one from Fellow’s site today.

Pre-order

The Stagg EKG variable-temp kettle by popular coffee accessory company Fellow remains one of our favorite pour-over kettles, in both its matte black and bright white variants.

And now a beautiful new colorway is here to play — I’m talking about the “Great Fellow” edition kettle, which they’ve created in collaboration with kitchenware company Great Jones. This limited-edition version of the EKG comes in “Broccoli [Green] with a pop of Mustard” and I’m betting it’s going to sell out fast because it looks awesome:

Aside from the nice colors, this version has everything we love about the Stagg EKG: the slow, controlled pour, the precise temperature control, the ability to hold that temp for an hour, and the built-in brewing stopwatch.

Get the Great Fellow kettle for $160 while supplies last.

Buy Now

Welcome to this week’s edition of our Quality Linkage column. Please enjoy this week’s collection of interesting and entertaining links. Brew a fresh cup of coffee, find a comfortable place, and relax.

✍️: There’s something so peaceful about watching six+ minutes of David Hockney slowly flipping through his sketchbook. No words, no music, just a bunch of beautiful pieces of art, each worth pausing the video to examine more closely.

https://youtu.be/mYK94FUpqEY

: Last month, urban planning associate professor Michael Manville wrote a piece for the Atlantic on how the very existence of required parking (lots, garages, etc) destroys cities. If you’ve studied anything about city design before, none of this will be news to you, but for the person reading this who’s never had reason to think about it before…well, your eyes will be forever opened:

Large portions of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, if they burned down tomorrow, couldn’t be rebuilt, because according to modern zoning, their buildings don’t have “enough” parking. Brownstone Brooklyn, after all, is largely devoid of parking; so is Boston’s famed North End. Zoning defenders might call this point moot, because those places are different—parking can be scarce because walking and using transit are easy. But walking and using transit are easy, in part, because parking is scarce. Transit thrives on density, which parking undermines, and parking and walking don’t mix. The short walk to a Manhattan subway stop will take you past attractive store windows, which come right up to a sidewalk largely uninterrupted by driveways. Walk along an L.A. boulevard, by contrast, and you’ll get a good view not of stores but of their parking lots, which means in turn that your walk must be careful rather than carefree—lest a car slide out, cross the sidewalk, and run you over. That pleasant experience comes courtesy of L.A.’s zoning.

: Here’s another examination of places, but on a larger scale: Tomas Pueyo’s piece, The Global Chessboard, takes a look at how simple geography has determined the flow of pretty much all human history, and particularly the features of North America that helped the US become the world power it is.

: Try watching this guy make BBQ chicken and not salivate. You can’t do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6GDALpfH7g

I loved this bit at the 2:55 mark:

This is old-school chicken cookin’ right here. How to barbecue chicken right — or at least, it ain’t how to do it wrong, I’ll tell you that.

I can already tell this is a channel I’ll be watching a lot of in the near future.

🧠: Ready to have your mind bent by an optical illustion?

: …or do you feel like being slightly unsettled by ‘liminal’ spaces?

‍♂️: Director and VFX artist Clinton Jones challenged 2,400 fellow 3D artists to create a unique render from the same simple animation of a person walking with a heavy load. Here were the 100 best entries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKBs9l8jS6Q

If you have nearly three hours to spare and want to watch every single render, you can do that too.

I love the top comment on Reddit:

Have to imagine little burger dude was part of another project that got scrapped and the cg guy was like “no, it’s burger mini-man’s time to shine”

: Arizona photographer Tony Kuyper shares five lessons on photography he didn’t expect to learn while shooting the local desert flora.

I also soon came to understand that I had failed to fully see the plants I had walked past every day since moving to Tucson. Their abundance suggested they might be ordinary, I suppose, and who wants to photograph “ordinary,” right? I had a photographic bias against plants, I think. But that’s changing. There’s nothing commonplace about common plants anymore, especially here in the deserts of southern Arizona. There’s beauty in resilience and elegance in adaptation. The structures that help these plants survive also impart a unique character. Finding this character with a camera is the challenge.

Via Om Malik, who helpfully collected the list of lessons:

• Stop chasing the light and focus on where it might be hiding instead.
• Don’t ignore the ordinary.
• It’s easier finding light once you’ve found your style.
• Taking the picture is only the beginning. Developing the image personalizes it.
• We are all photographers, even if we don’t take pictures.

❓: In this TED Talk animation, Sheila Marie Orfano begins with Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s 1922 short story “In a Grove” to ask and then examine the question, “How do you know what’s true?”:

A samurai is found dead in a quiet bamboo grove. One by one, the crime’s only known witnesses recount their version of the events. But as they each tell their tale, it becomes clear that every testimony is plausible yet different. And each witness implicates themselves.

[…]

It’s tempting to fixate on why we have competing perceptions, but perhaps the more important question the Rashomon effect raises is, what is truth anyway? Are there situations when an “objective truth” doesn’t exist? What can different versions of the same event tell us about the time, place and people involved? And how can we make group decisions if we’re all working with different information, backgrounds, and biases?

Food for thought.

Neat Stuff We’ve Published Recently

Guide: Useful Kitchen Gear, 2021 Edition

• In addition to being a spatula, this grilling multi-tool features a sharp knife edge, a fork, a tenderizer, and a bottle opener.
• This silicone strap adds character and comfort to any Apple Watch model, and includes two strap lengths to fit any wrist size.
• The SofaBaton U1 universal remote is a surprisingly capable gizmo at a budget price point.
• When a situation calls for ALL the food, you want this stockpot on hand.
• Puuung’s “Love is In Small Things” collect the artist’s sweet and heartwarming illustrations about little moments of ordinary love.
• The Willsence G1 Barista Edition is an eyecatching pour-over kettle with a more modest price point than the Bonavita Interurban and Stagg EKG.

Got any suggestions for articles, videos, stories, photographs, and any other links you think we should be posting in our weekly Quality Linkage? Please do let us know on Twitter.

The Willsence G1 is a stunning variable-temp gooseneck pour-over kettle that’s clearly designed to take on the likes of the Bonavita Interurban and the Stagg EKG, but at a more modest price point. I first spotted it on r/coffeestations a couple months ago, and from all reports I’ve seen since, it definitely gives those kettles (and others) a run for their money.

A simple turn of the knurled knob on the kettle base lets you quickly set whatever temperature you like, to the degree. Temperatures 205°F and lower can be held for up to two hours, and a full pot can reach boiling in about three minutes — not bad at all. When the water’s ready, the kettle’s counterbalanced handle makes the pouring experience easy and comfortable.

For those of you who want even more control over your coffee-making experience, the kettle has a stopwatch feature for consistently timing your pour-over from brew to brew.

Get this eyecatching kettle in white + gold or black + gold for $80 on Amazon.

Buy Now

Fellow is indisputably the king of coffee paraphernalia these days. There’s a reason so many high-end cafes use (and sell) their kettle, their storage canisters, and more.

Their Junior Demitasse mugs boast the same level of sleekness and quality as the rest of the lineup, and are the perfect size for sipping a double-shot of espresso.

Crafted from thick double-walled ceramic with a stunning copper base, these cups retain heat inside while keeping your hands safe from burning (unless you splash coffee over the top, of course). It also keeps condensation from being a problem.

The tapered shape gives the mugs a certain visual appeal, so even when you’re not using them, you’ll almost feel tempted to leave them out on display.

You can get a set of two 2.3 oz cups in matte white or matte black for $35 on Amazon.

Buy Now

There are many uses for a grill press, but they’re not always adaptable to the different foods you cook. You get one particular weight measurement, and that’s it.

Which is why the Chef’s Press is so interesting. Invented by San Francisco chef Bruce Hill, this stainless steel press is designed so you can use one alone for your most delicate dishes (fish, veggie slices, etc), or stacked/staggered over one over another to add more weight as needed.

These presses are very solidly made and feel nice to use. The slots not only make the layering thing possible, they also allow steam to escape while cooking.

If you watch J. Kenji López-Alt’s YouTube channel, you’ve probably seen him use these a bunch:

The Chef’s Press comes in two sizes: 8 oz ($13 per press) and 13 oz ($18 per press)

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Last September we put together a buying guide full of classy matte black coffee gear. As a direct counterpoint to that list, we’ve decided to bring you today’s roundup of brilliantly alabaster implements for your brewing and consuming needs.

Hario’s ceramic + olive wood coffee mill. ($70)

Hario Ceramic & Olive Wood Coffee Mill »

Hario’s ceramic + wood coffee mill has a simple yet eyecatching design, sporting a combination of ceramic hopper and olive wood container in an hourglass shape that fits perfectly in your grip.

It holds up to 30g of coffee grounds, and the burr is also ceramic so there’s no metal smell or rusting to worry about. The burr can be adjusted 20 steps between coarse and fine by turning the nut under the hopper, which for most people is plenty enough fine-tuning.

The ceramic Hario V60 pour-over cone. ($23)

Hario V60 Ceramic Pour-Over Coffee Dripper »

Hario also produces the far more widely known ceramic V60 dripper, a classic standby for pour-over drinkers everywhere. If you’ve ever been to a coffee shop that does pour-over coffee, the V60 is probably what they use. It makes a delicious cup of coffee and cleanup is a piece of cake.

The ceramic V60 pairs quite beautifully with JM&Sons’ “flat white” pour-over coffee stand — however, as of this writing the studio is in the midst of relaunching their online shop so you’ll have to wait a while before you can purchase anything from them again.

Fellow’s Stagg EKG kettle in matte white. ($149)

Fellow “Stagg EKG” Variable-Temp Gooseneck Kettle »

With any pour-over brewing method you’ll need a good gooseneck kettle. Fellow’s matte white Stagg EKG is a fine choice indeed, with its brilliant white color, variable temperature control, and ergonomically counterbalanced handle. You might also consider the verson of it they produced with Blue Bottle, which features lovely maple wood accents.

The Flair Signature espresso maker. ($239)

Flair Signature Manual Espresso Maker »

If espresso is how you prefer to start your day over simple brewed coffee, then you’ll want to check out the Flair espresso maker. It’s not a machine, but rather a 100% human-powered press. Pressing down on the lever produces 8–12 bars of pressure — right in the sweet spot for getting that lovely crema and mouthfeel that signify a great espresso shot.

Fellow’s “Carter” travel mug. ($30 for 12 oz, $35 for 16 oz)

Fellow “Carter” Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug »

Now that we’ve covered grinding and brewing, we turn to an excellent drinking vessel: the Fellow “Carter” mug, which goes beyond vacuum-insulated temperature retention by also focusing on pleasant hand-feel and coffee aromatics — much like drinking from your favorite mug at home, but on the go.

The Carter features a matte textured exterior that feels great in the hand, plus an aromatic wide mouth so drinking your coffee becomes the multi-sensory experience it was meant to be. But they didn’t stop there — it’s also coated with ceramic on the inside to make sure your coffee tastes as good on the road as it does at home.

The stainless steel drinking lip is even tapered for maximum comfort, as opposed to a lot of travel mugs with their almost sharp sipping edges. That same lip is 69mm in diameter, perfectly wide enough to fit the V60 dripper we mentioned earlier.

If ergonomics are an important health consideration in your life, and you have an affinity for mechanical keyboards (with all the tinkering that entails), and you don’t mind changing up your entire way of typing, then boy do I have the product for you.

The ErgoDox EZ is a fully split mechanical keyboard that can be customized wholly to your personal needs. It’s kind of like having a vehicle already set up with the mirrors angled, the steering wheel tilted, and the driver seat adjusted juuuust right, every time you get in.

For instance, the two halves of the keyboard can be positioned 100% independently, not just in terms of where they are on your desk but also how they’re angled — that is, with the addition of the six custom aluminum legs in the keyboard’s Tilt/Tent kit.

Moreover, you can change your own keyswitches, no soldering iron required! The EZ even comes with a double-sided key puller tool to make the process painless. Any plate-mounted Cherry-compatible keyswitches will work, although the company does offer a large variety of switches for you to choose from when you buy.

Watch this guy’s 5-minute review to get an idea of how much customization is possible:

Now, one thing to know up front is that the EZ boasts a unique ortholinear layout, which is a fancy way of saying the keys are arranged in straight columns rather than staggered left and right. Here’s their reasoning for that:

When you extend your finger, it doesn’t go sideways, does it? So why are the keys on your keyboard not directly on top of each other? The answer is archaic design, which we fixed. The ErgoDox EZ has linear columns of keys, reducing finger travel and fatigue.

This is the one part of the EZ that most people struggle with at first, after years and years of typing muscle memory. You’ll have to decide for yourself how much of a dealbreaker that is.

The ErgoDox EZ comes in black or white, and the most straightforward way to buy it is with the original bundle ($324), which includes the Tilt/Tent and the separate split wrist rest. However, I found it helpful to go through their “Help Me Choose” feature, especially as it pertains to keyswitch selection and glow/backlight options.

Once your keyboard arrives, read their thorough getting started guide to get the most out of it.

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If you take coffee as seriously as we do, then you already know you’d rather not fill your kitchen with a bunch of plain-jane brewing gear. You want something with a bit of class.

The élégamment noir recommendations listed below should get you there.

Fellow’s Stagg EKG electric gooseneck kettle. ($149)

Stagg EKG Kettle »

Fellow’s understated Stagg EKG is a variable-temp gooseneck kettle that pours as good as it looks, featuring the same minimalist matte black look and ergonomically counterbalanced handle as its older sibling, the original Stagg.

The EKG’s base has a temperature control knob that lets you heat water anywhere between 135°F (57°C) and 212°F (100°C), with an option to hold that temperature for an hour. After heating, the base’s built-in stopwatch can help you time your brewing process.

Compared to the 1,000-watt heating element of the similarly sleek Bonavita Interurban, the EKG’s 1,200-watt one heats all the faster.

La Pavoni’s “Apollo” manual coffee grinder. ($280)

The Apollo Manual Coffee Grinder by La Pavoni »

Few coffee grinders draw the eye like La Pavoni’s Apollo manual grinder, with a design that evokes the look of an ancient Greek column — and appropriately so, given its name. Don’t worry, it has the high level of performance to back up its good looks.

The Apollo boasts a main unibody and other parts that are CNC machined from solid anodized aluminum. Even the crank handle feels super thick and solid. The 48mm Italmill conical burrs inside have a NanoTech coating that should protect them from corrosion and lend them a longer life.

On the performance side, it can grind up to 25g of coffee at a time, with settings from coarse to espresso. It allows for surprisingly fine levels of adjustment, too. And, those vertical grooves on the “column” aren’t just for looks; they make it easy to hold while grinding so it doesn’t have to be gripped too tightly.

Mecraft ceramic pour-over dripper in matte black. ($13)

Mecraft Ceramic Coffee Dripper »

You’ve got the kettle, you’ve got the grinder, now you need something to actually brew the coffee with. That’s where Mecraft’s matte black ceramic dripper comes in. It’s ideal for brewing 1–2 cups of great pour-over coffee, it’s easy to clean afterward, and at only $13, it looks way more expensive than it really is.

The Flair Signature manual espresso maker. ($199)

Flair “Signature Black” Manual Espresso Press »

Maybe espresso is more your style. If you don’t mind manually pressing out your shots, the Flair “Signature” espresso maker is a chic, 100% human-powered press for brewing espresso at home — no batteries or power plug necessary. The action all comes from pressing down on the lever, which produces 8–12 bars of pressure — right in the sweet spot for getting that lovely crema and mouthfeel that signify a great espresso shot.

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBG drip coffee maker in matte black. ($329)

Technivorm Moccamaster KBG Coffee Brewer »

Okay, maybe you hate the idea of fussing over your coffee brewing and just want it done. Not to worry, the Technivorm Moccamaster KB boasts an easy one-button operation that will let you reclaim some of those precious early minutes of the day without sacrificing the quality of your morning coffee.

In true European style — Technivorm is a 50-year-old Dutch company, after all — the Moccamaster combines exceptional drip coffee with stylish design. Not only is it easy to operate, it also brews quickly and quietly (4 to 6 minutes per full 40oz pot) and is built to last.

  + We’ve got more details on the “KB” model brewer here. The only major difference is that the KBG (pictured above) has an automatic drip-stop (meaning you pull out the carafe and the machine stops automatically) while the KB has to be stopped manually.

The travel-friendly Espro Press. ($31)

Espro Travel Coffee Press »

Need to make coffee on the go? Well, the Espro Press is a nifty invention that essentially combines a French press with a travel mug.

The main body is your standard double-walled stainless steel insulated tumbler that can keep liquids hot for 4–6 hours. What makes it special is the double micro-filter integrated with the drinking lid, which means you can brew your coffee, twist the travel lid on, throw the whole thing into your bag, and go.

Zojirushi stainless steel mug. ($25 for the 16-ounce one, or $28 for the 20-ounce)

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug »

If you don’t require your drinking vessel to have a coffee press built in, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug is the space shuttle of vacuum-insulated travel mugs. It almost defies logic how many hours it can keep coffee hot (or cold, if you prefer that sort of thing).

To this day we can’t believe how consistent the temperature retention is, and yet the exterior is always comfortable to the touch. It’s totally spill-proof too, and even has a lock to prevent the lid from opening accidentally. The lid also disassembles for easy cleaning, so no worrying about gross gunk building up in there.

And now, I’ll leave you with this fantastic photo by Bhagas Nissreyasa:

I had a strange dream last night that my trusty Bonavita variable-temp kettle had suddenly turned a matte black color, à la the Stagg EKG. Don’t ask me why I’m dreaming about coffee paraphernalia, I didn’t get a say in the matter.

Anyway, I was curious this morning if Bonavita actually sold such a thing, so I looked it up. As it happens, just a few months ago they actually did release something called the “Interurban”, which is a painted version of the variable-temp that comes in three new colors: Matte Black (whaaaaaat?), Gloss Graphite, and Matte White, each with a matching-color stainless steel base.

It’s like the universe was sending me vibrations or something.

There’s also one in the original brushed stainless steel that similarly has a matching base rather than a black plastic one:

Like the original variable-temp, the Interurban kettle can be adjusted to whatever temperature you like between 140°F and 208°F and hold it there for an hour, with six handy presets you can quickly jump between:

1. 140°F (60°C)
2. 176°F (80°C)
3. 185°F (85°C)
4. 190°F (88°C)
5. 205°F (96°C)
6. 208°F (98°C)

There’s also now a standalone “Boil” button for when the exact temp isn’t so important to you as quickly getting the water up to boil. Nifty!

You can get any color of the Bonavita Interurban kettle for $120 on Amazon.

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Welcome to this week’s [late-Saturday] edition of our Friday Quality Linkage column. Please enjoy this week’s collection of interesting and entertaining links. Pour yourself a good drink, find a comfortable place, and relax.

Featured Links

Noble Blood — A New Podcast by Dana Schwartz »

Noble Blood is an upcoming podcast about the twisted lives of European nobility, created by writer and all-around good tweeter Dana Schwartz, and executive-produced by Aaron Mahnke of the Lore podcast.

The description:

Noble Blood explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between.

The world is full of ill-fated love affairs, bad decisions, and family drama, but for a monarch, the personal will determine the fate of nations.

And when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes tend to mean blood.

On Twitter, Schwartz explains why she’s making this show:

I wanted to listen to a history podcast that was more about STORIES than rote facts, about people with power — lives of glamour juxtaposed with terrible threats. So I made it myself.

I love when the true drama of history is presented with a storyteller’s flair, so I’m excited to see where this show goes. The first episode drops this Tuesday (July 9th, 2019) and you can listen to the trailer or subscribe wherever you get podcasts:

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Pocket Casts
• Castro
• Spotify
• RSS

Oven Fries — CRISPIER Than Deep-Fried »

As you can tell if you’ve been following this column for a while, I’m a sucker for entertaining YouTube cooking channels. Adam Ragusea’s is the latest one I’ve stumbled upon.

When he’s not teaching journalism and media production or making music, he moonlights as a “FoodTuber” (why did I just type that on purpose (and moreover why am I leaving it (I could just edit all this out, no one would be the wiser, and yet))) who shares unfussy recipes and cooking tips each week.

His recent video on making super crispy oven fries is a winner in my book. I like this bit from the description:

MY COOKING PHILOSOPHY: I don’t like weighing or measuring things if I don’t have to, and I don’t like to be constantly checking a recipe as I cook. I don’t care that volume is a bad way of measuring things — it’s usually easier. I like for a recipe to get me in the ballpark, and then I like to eyeball and improvise the rest. If you’re like me, my goal with these videos is to give you a sense of how the food should look and feel as you’re cooking it, rather than give you a refined formula to reproduce.

Photo: Jill Utrup/USFWS

Minnesota Wants to Pay You to Care About Bees »

Greg Stanley of the Star Tribune reports on a measure voted on by Minnesota officials wherein residents will be paid to grow bee-friendly lawns:

The state will set aside $900,000 over one year to assist homeowners by covering much of the cost of converting traditional lawns by planting wildflowers, clover and native grasses in an effort to slow the collapse of the state’s bee population. The plan was trimmed down from the original House and Senate proposals, which would have provided funding for three years.

The plan could help replenish food sources for pollinators of all kinds, but will specifically aim at saving the rusty patched bumblebee, a fat and fuzzy species on the brink of extinction that seems to be making its final stand in the cities of the Upper Midwest.

Oh heck yeah. More of this type of thing, please, local governments everywhere.

(Via Atlas Obscura and Smithsonian Magazine)

Photo: NeONBRAND

How Modern Life is Transforming the Human Skeleton »

Wanna read a thing that will make you think about not only your posture, but your bone structure for the foreseeable future? I thought so. Zaria Gorvett of BBC Future has just the thing:

From the emergence of a spiky growth at the back of some people’s skulls to the enigmatic finding that our elbows are getting narrower, our bones are changing in surprising ways.

[…]

So what will future archaeologists make of our skeletons, when they examine them from their spaceships? If we’re not careful, they’ll reveal unhealthy diets, staggering levels of inactivity, and a morbid attachment to technology. Perhaps it’s best to be cremated.

Why hello, new intrusive thoughts!

Miscellaneous Links

• [Video:] Artist Felix Semper creates elaborate, mind-bending paper sculptures that are more than they seem at first.

• Somewhat similarly, Italian artist Peeta “combines elements of graffiti and abstract art to paint murals that appear to morph and dissolve architectural structures.”

• [Video:] In 2017, “Melodicka Bros” Dave and Joe covered DragonForce’s power metal song, “Through the Fire and Flames”, except slow and acoustic, and filmed on the beach. For your enjoyment, here is “Through the Water and Waves”.

Neat Stuff We Published This Week

• Give your iPad that “Americana” look: The TGT iPad Case
• Get some well deserved rest on your next trip, adventure, or daily commute: Sondre Travel’s “Voyage” Pillow and Sleep Mask
• The ideal companion for your favorite portable solar generator: Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel
• Another of the slimmest wallets around, and an indestructible one at that: Pioneer “Molecule” Card Wallet
• Organize all your daily bits in bobs in your pocket: Yellow Birch Outfitters “PocKit” and “PocKit Pro” EDC Organizers
• Large enough for a group, small enough for a backpack: MIU COLOR Large Picnic Blanket

Got any suggestions for articles, videos, stories, photographs, and any other links you think we should be posting in our weekly Quality Linkage? Please do let us know on Twitter.

There is no shortage of awesome coffee stuff in the world to nerd out about, and we take full advantage of that. Some products, however, stand out from the crowd.

Just in the past year, we’ve come across half a dozen coffee gizmos that delight us moreso than others, with uses ranging from grinding to brewing to storage. Let’s take a look.

Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker »

($51–$57, depending on color)

With the Nanopresso handheld espresso maker as your travel companion, you can make yourself an excellent cup of espresso just about anywhere. You can use it with hot or cold water, and you’ll still get a lovely crema out of it — no battery or electricity needed.

It come in black, red, yellow, and orange.

  + Read our original post here.

HyperChiller V2 Iced Coffee Maker »

($30)

Want a glass of cold coffee but don’t have the patience for dealing with special brewing methods? With the HyperChiller V2, you could have some perfect iced coffee in about one minute after brewing a fresh pot. It’s essentially a glorified ice pack made just for this purpose.

  + Read our original post here.

The Apollo Manual Coffee Grinder by La Pavoni »

($280)

Few coffee grinders draw the eye like La Pavoni’s Apollo manual grinder, with a design that evokes the look of an ancient Greek column — and appropriately so, given its name. Don’t worry, it has the high level of performance to back up its good looks.

There are four colors to choose from: champagne gold, matte black, silver, and something called “grape champagne gold” (a sort of brassy rose gold).

  + Read our original post here.

Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder »

($70)

If grinding coffee by hand isn’t your favorite morning ritual — believe us, we’ve been there — Brim’s electric handheld grinder is a quality, affordable, and most importantly, compact burr grinder on par with, say, the Porlex JP-30, except motorized instead of manually cranked. It’s also a bit quieter, which is nice.

  + Read our original post here.

Fellow “Prismo” Espresso-Style Attachment for AeroPress »

($25)

The folks at Fellow — makers of the Stagg EKG kettle — have an interesting product called Prismo that attaches to your AeroPress coffee maker (in place of the existing cap) and produces a full-bodied, espresso-like shot. No, it’s not actually espresso, but it’s pretty dang close and you don’t have to buy a whole separate machine.

  + Read our original post here.

Ankomn Turn-N-Seal Container »

($30)

Coffee keeps you fresh, right? Well, the Turn-N-Seal container keeps the coffee fresh. Once you’ve popped the lid on, you can turn that big dial in either direction about 8–10 times to create an airtight seal, causing the silicone indicator in the corner to sink.

No electricity required, and it keeps your coffee beans (or loose-leaf tea) fresher, longer.

  + Read our original post here.

Welcome to the 2018 Tools & Toys Christmas Catalog!

↓ Skip down to Table of Contents

This year was lucky number 7 (!) for our little website. We’ve put out an annual holiday buying guide for all but one of them, each one featuring that year’s best and neatest items, hand-selected to make awesome additions to yours or your loved ones’ wish lists.

It’s become one of our favorite traditions and something we truly look forward to putting together each holiday season.

Since there are so many items in this catalog to peruse, we’ve created a table of contents for the various categories. Click through to any of those sections, and you’ll find that they each have their own mini-lists of items you can click through to quickly navigate to anything that seems interesting to you. We’ve also shortened the descriptions of some items so you’re not too bogged down with information.

As you might expect, we are continuing the tradition of highlighting three of our favorite non-profits. Here at Tools & Toys we have always given away 11-percent of our gross income to charity, and during the months of November and December, we’ll be donating 11% of our gross specifically to these three non-profits:

• App Camp for Girls
• Operation Christmas Child
• St. Jude

As we’ve said in past years, thank you so much, dear reader, for your attention and your patronage. Tools & Toys continues to be predominately supported by readers like you who purchase something on Amazon through one of our links. You — yes you! — make our work possible, and we only hope that in return you’ve found some truly awesome stuff to have in your life.

If the gift ideas we’ve curated below don’t fit your needs or wants, ping us on Twitter and we will try to help.

Thank you, and happy holidays!

— The Tools & Toys Staff

Table of Contents

Photo: Michał Kubalczyk

Apple 

• Sturdy, adjustable stand for iPad
• Full-grain leather AirPods case
• iPhone case inspired by the iMac G3
• Instant photo printer for iPhone
• Best gaming controller for iOS and Apple TV
• Extra-long leather band for Apple Watch

↑ Return to Table of Contents

ElevationLab’s DraftTable iPad stand. ($70)

ElevationLab DraftTable Kit for iPad Pro »

ElevationLab’s DraftTable stand isn’t just for propping up your iPad to watch videos — it’s made for doing real creative work. It’s super sturdy, adjustable, and designed to fit the iPad Pro but will also work with smaller iPads just fine.

  + For more info, see our post.

Twelve South AirSnap AirPods case. ($30)

Twelve South AirSnap Leather Case for Apple AirPods »

Twelve South’s AirSnap is a full-grain leather case that protects both your Apple AirPods and their Charging Case from being scratched, nicked, or dirtied up. Can be clipped onto a bag or backpack, and has a small cutout on the bottom for charging.

Comes in Cognac, Black, and Deap Teal.

  + Cheaper alternative: this $10 Lunies case.

Spigen’s iMac G3-inspired “Classic C1” iPhone case. ($40)

Spigen “Classic C1” Case for iPhone »

Spigen’s “Classic C1” case for iPhone was inspired by the iMac G3’s iconic design. Need we say more?

• iPhone 8 — Various colors
• iPhone 8 Plus — Various colors + Blueberry
• iPhone X — Various colors

The Prynt Pocket instant photo printer for iPhone. ($163)

“Prynt Pocket” Instant Photo Printer for iPhone »

The super compact Prynt Pocket is a great way to print photos right off your iPhone. You can print anything from your camera roll, or from Instagram and/or Snapchat, or you can shoot and print in “real time” (each photo takes ~30sec to print). Similar to the Polaroid ZIP, the Prynt uses zero-ink sticker paper, which has a peel-off backing to turn any photo into a sticker.

The SteelSeries Nimbus wireless gaming controller. ($45)

SteelSeries Nimbus »

The MFi-certified SteelSeries Nimbus continues to be the premier wireless game controller for all iOS devices, Macs, and Apple TV. This is the closest you’re gonna get to console-level gaming on Apple devices, especially if you also pick up a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter to connect your iPhone or iPad to your TV.

V-Moro’s Double Tour leather band for Apple Watch. ($17)

V-Moro Double Tour Leather Band for Apple Watch »

V-Moro’s extra-long band for Apple Watch is essentially a copycat of the Hermès Double Tour that lets you achieve a similar look without dropping almost $1,400 on it.

  + More details in our original post.

Photo: Lee Campbell

Audio

• ’80s-era headphones that still stand the test of time
• Gorgeous over-ear headphones
• Portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker
• iOS-compatible podcasting mic
• Portable music production system

↑ Return to Table of Contents

Koss Porta Pro headphones. ($34)

Koss Porta Pro Headphones »

First released back in 1984 and still going strong, the Koss Porta Pro headphones have stubbornly stood the test of time, and for good reason. These on-ear, open-backed headphones offer crystal-clear sound and a far more comfortable wearing experience than you’d think by just looking at them. Perfect not only for music, but activities like gaming and jogging.

  + More info in our original post. Koss also offers a wireless edition of the same headphones.

Master & Dynamic MH40 over-ear headphones. ($299)

Master & Dynamic MH40 Over-Ear Headphones »

Master & Dynamic’s MH40s are gorgeous over-ear headphones for fashion-conscious people who also appreciate good sound. Whereas the Koss Porta Pros above definitely sport that 80s vibe, the MH40s manage to evoke an aesthetic that’s both modern and timeless.

Their sound is rich and warm, with plenty of bass (without being too overpowering) and a soundscape that’s far wider than you’d expect. The removable memory foam earpads are wrapped in premium lambskin leather for a wearing experience that remains comfortable for periods of 2–3 hours.

  + More info here, including a list of color options.

UE Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker. ($73)

UE Wonderboom Bluetooth Speaker »

Ultimate Ears’ UE Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker may be pint-sized, but it pumps out a surprising amount of sound in all directions. In fact, we wouldn’t even recommend using it for quiet listening. It’s better used while you’re showering or at a pool party, or for when you’re cooking or doing chores around home. The bass is enough to vibrate a desk, if that tells you anything.

It has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it submersible up to 3 feet for half an hour. Like other UE speakers, the Wonderboom sports those iconic huge plus (+) and minus (-) face buttons for easily controlling volume. Two Wonderbooms can be paired with one another for an even better sound experience, and each one has a battery life of ~10 hours.

  + For a smaller alternative, the dodocool Mini is a teeny-tiny Bluetooth speaker that puts out surprisingly clear sound, and it’s just $12.

Shure MV5 digital condenser mic. ($79)

Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone »

The Shure MV5 is a portable, great-sounding, MFi-certified mic that can be connected directly to an iOS device for easy podcast/voiceover recording. On the back of the “ball” is a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring sound quality while you record, and that same ball can be removed from its stand for ultra-portability.

  + See our original post for more details.

Korg’s nanoKEY2 MIDI controller keyboard. ($55)

Korg nanoKEY2 MIDI Controller Keyboard »

The compact nanoKEY2 MIDI controller keyboard by Korg — no, not that one — is ideal for musicians on the go. This ultra-slim USB controller sports 25 velocity-sensitive keys with impressive responsiveness for a device at this price point. The octave up/down buttons offer access to the full range of musical notes, while the modulation, sustain, and pitch bend buttons grant a high level of expressiveness.

Photo: Mark Jefferson Paraan

Auto

• CD-slot phone mount
• iPhone + Android car charger
• 300-watt in-car power inverter
• Rugged, highly versatile vehicle jack

↑ Return to Table of Contents

iOttie’s CD-slot phone mount. ($20)

iOttie “Easy One Touch 4” CD-Slot Phone Mount »

Got a friend who still has a CD player in their car that never gets used? They can put that thing to actual use again with the iOttie CD-slot phone mount.

It holds phones (and/or cases) that are anywhere from 2.3″ (58.4mm) to 3.5″ (88.9mm) wide, and like its name suggests, the side arms — which open by pressing a pair of release bars together, one-handed — grip back together with a single touch of the phone against the “trigger” panel, locking the device snugly into place. Once the phone’s in, you can easily adjust the viewing angle using the mount’s ball joint.

  + If the CD mount isn’t your thing, they also offer dash/windshield and air vent versions of it.

Trianium AtomicDrive universal car charger. ($20)

Trianium AtomicDrive Universal Car Charger »

This one’s for the “split households” out there: The AtomicDrive car charger lets an iPhone user and an Android user enjoy fast charging at the same time. It has a Quick Charge 3.0 USB-A port for Android phones and a Type-C PD port that works with newer iPhone models (as long as you have a USB-C to Lightning cable).

BESTEK 300W in-car power inverter. ($30)

BESTEK 300W In-Car Power Inverter »

Anyone who goes on a lot of road trips or has to be on the road often because of work will dig BESTEK’s awesome 300-watt in-car power inverter. Plug it into any standard vehicle’s cigarette lighter port, and in exchange you get:

• Two 2.4-amp USB ports for charging phones and tablets and such.
• Two 110-volt AC outlets for charging laptops, power tool batteries, etc.

All of this is housed in a red aluminum alloy body that you can’t miss when you go looking for it, and the power cable is two feet long so you shouldn’t have too much problem supplying power to anyone in the vehicle when they need it. There’s even a built-in cooling fan to keep the thing from overheating.

The Hi-Lift all-cast 4×4 jack. ($86 for the 48-inch version)

Photo: Shawn Blanc

Hi-Lift All-Cast 4×4 Jack »

Truck and 4×4 owners who like to go offroading should always keep a Hi-Lift jack in or on their rig. Chances are, the vehicle will need to be recovered from a tricky situation on the trail at some point, and when something like that comes up, the person in question will be glad to have a Hi-Lift on hand — provided they use it correctly and safely.

  + Lots more info here.

Photo: Toa Heftiba

Books & Novels

• Gmorning, Gnight!
• Complete Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
• The New York Times Mini Crosswords, Volume 1
• Make: Tips and Tales from the Workshop
• Zen Pencils—Creative Struggle: Illustrated Advice from Masters of Creativity
• The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid

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Gmorning, Gnight! by Lin Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun. ($14 hardcover)

Gmorning, Gnight! by »

Lin Manuel Miranda teamed up with humorist and illustrator Jonny Sun to create Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You, which collects the Hamilton creator and Moana composer ‘s daily inspirational tweets in book form. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll come away with a well-fed soul and a bit of wisdom to chew on.

Douglas Adams’ Complete Hitchhiker Series by The Folio Society. ($230 for 5-book series)

The Complete Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Series »

The Folio Society’s Complete Hitchiker Series is a thing of beauty for fans of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide series. It collects all five books in this surreal, hilarious, universe-spanning odyssey, each of which has been lovingly crafted to be an object worth owning, with glittery blue cloth covers and unique color illustrations throughout by Jonathan Burton.

The New York Times’ Mini Crosswords, Volume 1. ($10)

The New York Times Mini Crosswords, Volume 1 by Joel Fagliano »

Doing crosswords is fun but sometimes it’s hard to find the time to complete any of them. Luckily, the New York Times Mini Crosswords book has 150 fun-sized crosswords (in 5×5-square grids) that can be done in a just a minute or two each.

  + More info in this post. You can also pick up Volume 2 and Volume 3.

Make: Tips and Tales from the Workshop by Gareth Branwyn. ($17 paperback)

Make: Tips and Tales from the Workshop by »

Gareth Branwyn’s Make: Tips and Tales from the Workshop acts a wide-ranging compendium of the best workshop and maker tips around, with beautifully hand-drawn watercolor illustrations by Richard Sheppard featured throughout.

  + Additional details here.

Zen Pencils—Creative Struggle by Gavin Aung Than. ($10 paperback)

Zen Pencils—Creative Struggle by Gavin Aung Than »

Creative Struggle: Illustrated Advice from Masters of Creativity collects a series of comics on creativity by Gavin Aung Than. It features inspirational quotes and advice from the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Ernest Hemingway, Frida Kahlo, Stephen King, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Akira Kurosawa, Nikola Tesla, Brené Brown, and more…all in cartoon form.

This is one of those books that can ignite anyone’s creative spark, and it’s entertaining besides.

Atlas Obscura’s Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid. ($14 hardcover)

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid »

From the folks at Atlas Obscura comes this kid’s illustrated guide to more than 150 of the world’s most mesmerizing and mysterious wonders — both natural and manmade — in 47 countries and on every continent on earth.

  + Read our post here.

Photo: Erik Witsoe

Coffee & Tea

• Sleek, minimalist gooseneck kettle
• Espresso-like attachment for AeroPress
• Home espresso machine
• Glass pour-over coffee set
• Loose-leaf tea brewer
• Clever storage container

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The Stagg EKG kettle. ($149)

The Stagg EKG Kettle »

Whether they’re a coffee or tea drinker, having a nice gooseneck kettle will always be a plus.

The chic Stagg EKG kettle offers similar temperature control to the beloved Bonavita variable-temp but in a far sleeker package. It’s an attention-grabber for sure, sporting the same minimalist matte black look and ergonomically counterbalanced handle as its older sibling, the original Stagg.

The EKG’s base has a temperature control knob that lets you heat water anywhere between 135°F (57°C) and 212°F (100°C), with an option to hold that temperature for an hour.

Prismo attachment for AeroPress. ($25)

Fellow “Prismo” Attachment for AeroPress »

The makers of that kettle above also have an interesting product called Prismo that attaches to your AeroPress coffee maker (in place of the existing cap) and produces an espresso-like shot. No, it’s not actually espresso, but it’s pretty dang close and doesn’t require a whole separate machine (more on that in a minute).

  + Read our post here.

Breville Barista Express home espresso machine. ($596)

Breville “Barista Express” Espresso Machine »

If the gift recipient you have in mind does want a real espresso machine, they should have one that does it all. Breville’s Barista Express fits the bill. It has a built-in conical burr grinder (sweet!), super accurate PID temperature control, an articulating steam wand for frothing milk, and includes all the accessories needed for pulling shots and steaming milk.

  + Read our post here.

OXO Good Grips glass pour-over set. ($50)

OXO Good Grips Glass Pour-Over Coffee Set »

OXO’s stylish, elegantly modern glass pour-over set makes the morning coffee brewing ritual a simply enjoyable one. It includes a hand-blown borosilicate glass dripper and a double-walled glass carafe/server that holds up to 24 oz. of coffee — enough for two to share.

  + Read our post here.

The IngenuiTEA bottom-dispensing teapot. ($20)

IngenuiTEA Bottom-Dispensing Teapot »

When it comes to tea brewing, nothing beats the aromas and flavors of loose leaf tea. The IngenuiTEA teapot by Adagio Teas is a contraption that makes the brewing process super easy:

  + Read more about this and other tea-related recommendations in our guide, Awesome Gear for Tea Drinkers.

Ankomn’s Turn-N-Seal container. ($30)

Ankomn Turn-N-Seal Container »

The Ankomn Turn-N-Seal is a storage container with a pretty neat feature: Once you’ve popped the lid on, you can turn that big dial in either direction about 8–10 times to create an airtight seal, causing the silicone indicator in the corner to sink. No electricity required, and it keeps your coffee beans or loose-leaf tea fresher, longer.

Photo: Nicholas Gras

Food, Drink & Kitchen

• Cookbook for movie lovers
• Vintage-style cast iron skillet
• Back-to-basics cookbook
• Magnetic measuring spoons
• Smart rice cooker
• French-style butter crock
• Vacuum-insulated drinking tumbler

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Eat What You Watch cookbook by Andrew “Binging With Babish” Rea. ($17 hardcover)

Eat What You Watch Cookbook »

Andrew Rea of the Binging With Babish YouTube channel took his love of recreating dishes from movies and television and turned it all into a cookbook called Eat What You Watch: A Cookbook for Movie Lovers, featuring some of the show’s best recipes and tributes to great moments of food in film.

  + For more fun cookbooks, check out our guide.

Field Company cast iron skillet. ($125 for № 8 size, $160 for № 10 size)

The Field Company Cast Iron Skillet »

Field Company is known for producing cast iron skillets using old-school machining and polishing techniques to give the pans smooth-as-glass cooking surfaces that you don’t see in a lot of new cast iron these days. Field Skillets are also relatively lightweight and work on all types of cooktops, including induction.

Whoever you give this to will love you forever. So will their grandchildren.

  + Read our post here.

Ruhlman’s Twenty cookbook by Michael Ruhlman. ($23 hardcover)

Ruhlman’s Twenty Cookbook »

Ruhlman’s Twenty distills author Michael Ruhlman’s decades of cooking, writing, and working with the world’s greatest chefs into twenty essential ideas that are guaranteed to make every cook more accomplished.

More than just being a list of recipes, Ruhlman’s Twenty is first and foremost a book about thinking about food. No matter one’s station or skill level, these are the twenty concepts that will propel any person through their cooking hobby/career.

Prepworks magnetic measuring spoons. ($15 for set of 5)

Prepworks Magnetic Measuring Spoons »

It’s annoying having to dig around in the drawer to find that one measuring spoon that somehow once again separated from the rest. That is, unless you get this set of 5 stainless steel measuring spoons, which have embedded magnets that keep them nested together in storage.

  + More info in our post.

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker. ($162 for 1-liter, $153 for 1.8-liter — weird, right?)

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 “Neuro Fuzzy” Rice Cooker »

The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 is perhaps the smartest rice cooker you’ll ever own. It has an onboard “Neuro Fuzzy Logic” microchip that allows the cooker to sense moisture and make fine adjustments to temperature and heating time, resulting in perfect rice every single time. The NS-ZCC10 can even get it right when you mess up.

The Butter Bell. ($25)

The Original Butter Bell Crock by L. Tremain »

With the butter bell you can keep butter fresh and soft — no fridge required. It’s a clever little crock that uses water to create an airtight seal around the butter, preventing it from going rancid for about a month.

  + Lots more info about how it works here.

The YETI Rambler tumbler. ($20)

YETI Rambler 10oz. Vacuum-Insulated Lowball Tumbler »

The YETI Rambler 10oz Lowball is a vacuum-insulated tumbler that can keep your morning coffee hot for an hour or so, then keep your nighttime bourbon cold even longer. Use it around the house or take it camping, it works great either way.

  + More info here.

Photo: Frank Veschi

Gadgets & Accessories

• Carefree e-reader
• Nintendo Switch controller dock
• Nintendo Switch hardshell carrying case
• Leather folio/organizer
• Portable power bank
• iMac-like tablet stand

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The Kindle Oasis. ($250)

The Kindle Oasis (2017 Model) »

With a larger screen, bigger built-in battery, more storage space, and first-ever waterproof design, last year’s update of the Kindle Oasis made it once again Amazon’s most carefee e-reader yet.

  + We’ve got the details here.

PowerA’s Joy-Con charging dock for Nintendo Switch. ($18)

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock »

One of the Nintendo Switch’s biggest selling points is that up to eight Joy-Con controllers (four lefts + four rights) can be paired to the same console for multiplayer gameplay. When it comes time to charge all those controllers, the official Joy-Con charging dock by PowerA can handle up to four at a time.

  + More info here.

Tomtoc ultra-slim case for Nintendo Switch. ($17)

Tomtoc Ultra-Slim Nintendo Switch Case »

This portable hardshell carrying case protects the Switch and holds up to 8 game cartridges.

It sports an EVA hardshell with special indentations that insulate the Switch’s joysticks and buttons against direct pressure from outside. The interior is lined with flannelette, a light cotton fabric that keeps the device from being scratched up, while the exterior is wrapped in a high-quality cloth material that both ensures a comfy grip and resists water/spills.

Bellroy’s Work Folio A5. ($199)

Bellroy Work Folio A5 »

Bellroy’s Work Folio A5 helps you organize and carry all your daily essentials. It fits a small tablet (iPad mini, Kindle, etc), a smartphone, a pair of earbuds, an A5-sized notebook, a pen, up to six cards, a passport, and a boarding pass or two. Like the company’s wallets, the folio is made from responsibly sourced leather.

Jackery Explorer 75 PowerBar. ($130)

Jackery Explorer 75 PowerBar »

Jackery’s Explorer 75 PowerBar is a lightweight yet high-capacity (77Wh/20,800mAh) external battery pack for charging your devices when no other power outlets are available — for example, when you’re doing work at a coffee shop and all the outlets are taken.

  + Additional details here.

  + Another great power source when you need it most is the Anker “PowerPort Solar” 21-watt charger.

Viozon AP-7S tablet stand. ($40)

Viozon AP-7S Tablet Stand »

An iMac-like stand for iPads, e-readers, and other tablets of various sizes (between 9″ and 13″), the Viozon AP-7S is great for working, watching videos, referencing recipes in the kitchen, and more. Rotates 360° for landscape or portrait use.

  + More details here.

Photo: Nathan Riley

Home, Office & Decor

• Smart light bulb starter kit
• “Perpetual” calendar
• Vertical chess boards
• World travel pinboard map
• Enamel steel signs

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Philips Hue starter kit. ($194)

Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit »

The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 starter kit isn’t a bad way to get a loved one started on their “smart home” journey. It comes with four smart LED bulbs, as well as the unobtrusive Hue Bridge gateway to control them all.

The Hue Bridge allows you to control up to 50 Philips Hue bulbs, so if your loved one wants to expand on their newfangled system later on, it’s no big deal at all.

The Museum of Modern Art’s Perpetual Calendar. ($53)

MoMA Perpetual Calendar »

The Museum of Modern Art’s Perpetual Calendar cleverly uses magnets to marks the current month along a semicircle curve. One magnetic ball hangs suspended in the air by a tether and is manually shifted to the next month with a pleasing snap movement. The other ball, marking the days, slides along a flat path. Can be wall-mounted or placed on a flat surface.

“Straight Up Chess” vertical chess boards. ($280–$360, depending on model)

“Straight Up Chess” Vertical Chess Boards »

Got an office buddy that you never have time to sit down and play a full game of chess with? These vertical chess boards display beautifully on a wall and allow the two of you to play asynchronously in passing. It’s kind of like a gift to yourself as much as it is for them ;)

  + Read our post here.

Conquest Maps’ world travel pinboard map. ($99–$359, depending on size)

Conquest Maps “Modern Slate” World Travel Pinboard Map »

Conquest Maps’ handsome pinboard travel map lets you proudly display your journeys and adventures in life on any wall in your home or office. Wherever its hung, it’s sure to become the focal point for that space. Each map comes with two sets of colored push pins — 50 sky blue, and 50 deep blue.

  + More info here, including photos of other sizes and how to get other pin colors when you order.

  + Another fun way to track one’s travels is with these scratch-off US and World maps.

Best Made Co.’s enamel steel signs. ($32 each)

Best Made Co.’s Enamel Steel Signs »

These are essentially jumbo-sized versions of the company’s keychain set, with full messages printed on them rather than single words — “Stay Sharp”, “Live to Make”, etc. They look just as awesome in an office workspace as they would in the shop.

  + Read our post here.

Photo: Jose Carrasco

Style, Attire & EDC

• Elastic fabric belt
• Parachute elastic watch straps
• Apparel with gradient designs
• Multi-tool watch

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Gelante elastic fabric belt. ($10)

Gelante Elastic Fabric Belt »

Ever lost or gained weight and had to either buy a new belt or go the ghetto route and just keep poking holes until the thing is practically falling apart? Forget that garbage and just get one of these elastic belts instead.

They do have various sizes you can choose from, but each one is stretchy and can accommodate a wide variety of belt sizes. You get the exact right fit every time you buckle it.

  + Featured in our guide, Everyday Style: Elastic

Erika’s Originals “MN” parachute watch straps. (from €50 / ~$58 USD)

Erika’s Originals “MN” Parachute Watch Straps »

Timeless and 100% handcrafted military parachute elastic watch straps that are extremely comfortable to wear, thanks in part to their ingenious micro-adjustable clasp that employs sea water-resistant hardware.

  + This company has a whole backstory worth reading, so be sure to check that out.

Steady Hands’ “Gradients” line. (prices vary)

Steady Hands “Gradients” Apparel Line »

A while back we wrote about the Green Tint Gradient Puffer Jacket by indie clothing brand Steady Hands Apparel. While that jacket is now sold out, they do offer several other sweet items in the “Gradients” line, like the Purple Gradient Windbreaker ($60), the Black to White Gradient Sweater ($50), and more.

Leatherman’s Tread Tempo multi-tool watch. ($450)

Leatherman “Tread Tempo” Watch & Multi-tool »

The Leatherman Tread Tempo is a multi-tool timepiece that takes the customizable tool links of the Tread bracelet and combines them with a premium, Swiss-made watch. It’s a handy way to keep a bunch of small tools on your person at all times without anyone being the wiser.

  + More details here.

Photo: Shane Aldendorff

Tools & Trinkets

• Pliers + wrench combo
• 12-in-1 multi-tool with a telescoping magnet
• Colorful 9-in-1 multi-tool
• Clever brass keyring
• Magnetic wristband
• Ratcheting screwdriver with 6-bit storage

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Knipex 10″ pliers wrench. ($54)

Knipex 10-Inch Pliers Wrench »

This single versatile tool can replace just about any crescent wrenches and/or channel-lock pliers in someone’s kit. It’s a fantastic, versatile tool for fastening, gripping, holding, and bending work pieces.

  + See our post for details.

The CRKT Technician multi-tool. ($46)

CRKT Technician Multi-Tool »

The CRKT Technician is a grippy 12-in-1 tool with a telescoping magnetic pick-up device built in — perfect for retrieving things that, say, fall down into car engines.

  + The other 11 tools within are listed here, though I’m sure most will come as no surprise.

Kikkerland’s rainbow multi-tool. ($20)

Kikkerland Rainbow Multi-Tool »

Kikkerland’s packs 9 vibrantly color-coded allen keys and screwdrivers into one sleek package. The bright color coding makes it a cinch to spot the tool you’re looking for, every time.

  + View the full list of tools/colors here.

Craighill’s closed-helix brass keyring. ($30)

Craighill Closed-Helix Brass Keyring »

This clever keyring is a great way to save someone from ever having to fuss too much with adding or removing keys. Just unscrew the knurled end, slide the key(s) on or off, then screw the cap back on. Easy peasy.

RAK magnetic wristband. ($13)

RAK Magnetic Wristband »

When you’re doing a home DIY project and you’re up on a ladder or crawling through some small space, one of the more annoying little things to deal with is keeping track of all those bits and bobs — the screws, nails, nuts and bolts, drill bits, washers, etc.

With the RAK magnetic wristband on, it becomes a lot less of a pain. It’s got 10 strong magnets embedded nearly all the way around, essentially acting like a third hand that won’t lose any of those small items when they’re needed most.

Wera ratcheting screwdriver. ($39)

Wera “Kraftform Kompakt 27 RA” Ratcheting Screwdriver »

A ratcheting screwdriver is a simple-sounding upgrade over using a typical screwdriver, but it’s one that makes all the difference. The first time you get into a tight space and quickly tighten or loosen an annoyingly placed screw with one hand, you’ll never go back to a non-ratcheting tool.

This ratcheting screwdriver by Wera combines convenience, comfort and speed into one unique tool, and the ergonomic handle opens to reveal a carousel with slots for six 1″ driver bits.

Photo: Boldbaatar Dashnyam

Toys, Games & Kids

• Nintendo Switch (of course)
• Harry Potter coding kit
• Toy storage bag + play mat
• Co-op adventure card game
• Voltron LEGO set
• Sci-fi themed playing cards

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The Nintendo Switch. ($299 for both the gray and neon red + blue versions

The Nintendo Switch »

If for some reason a kid in your life doesn’t have one by now, you once again have the opportunity to be a hero by getting them a Nintendo Switch console. There’s not a kid alive who wouldn’t want one of these, and it’s always a hit when friends come over to play.

  + Need some accessories and awesome games to go with it? Check out our Nintendo Switch starter kit guide.

  + If the kid’s something of a tinkerer, they’ll also love Nintendo’s Labo and Labo Vehicle kits.

The Harry Potter Coding Kit by Kano. ($100)

Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit »

This coding kit lets kids build a wireless wand that teaches them how to code and create their own Harry Potter spells. Yeah, our wallets couldn’t hit the screen fast enough either.

  + Read our post here.

  + On a similar level, kids will love the superhero-inspired Avengers Hero Inventor Kit.

Swoop Bags toy storage bag + play mat. ($48–$52, depending on color)

“Swoop Bags” Toy Storage Bag + Play Mat »

Got any parent friends in your life who are sick of their kids’ toys stabbing them in the foot? Gift them a Swoop Bag and they’ll forever thank you. These durable and stylish bags help kids easily organize their toys and make post-playtime cleanup a breeze.

  + Read our post here.

The Forbidden Island card game. ($18)

Forbidden Island Card Game »

Whereas most board games are about competition and destroying your opponents, Forbidden Island is a card game that takes a different approach by having 2 to 4 players form a team of adventurers who must work together to recover four treasures and escape by helicopter before the island sinks under the ever-rising sea.

  + Read more details about this awesome game here.

LEGO Ideas Voltron set. ($180)

LEGO Ideas 21311 Voltron Set »

Let’s go, Voltron force!

This awesome LEGO set lets you build all five lions that can be combined to form the Voltron super-robot, complete with huge sword and shield. There are over 2,321 pieces included — making it the largest ever LEGO Ideas set — and the combined Voltron figure measures 15″ high, 5″ long, and 8″ wide, so it’s also the biggest buildable LEGO mech ever.

“STARDECK” sci-fi playing cards. ($15)

Lunar Saloon “STARDECK” Playing Cards »

STARDECK is an awesome science fiction playing card deck where each suit represents a classic sci-fi trope:

• ♣️ Clubs = Space Marines
• ♦️ Diamonds = Mega Corporation
• ♠️ Spades = Aliens
• ♥️ Hearts = Robots

Photo: Juliana Kozoski

Travel & Outdoors

• An outdoorsy backpack
• Titanium spork
• Packing cube set
• Wool camp blanket w/ leather carrier
• Dual-compartment insulated cooler bag

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Tom Bihn “Guide’s Edition Synapse 25 backpack. ($240)

Tom Bihn “Guide’s Edition” Synapse 25 Backpack »

Tom Bihn’s “Guide’s Edition” Synapse 25 takes everything that was so clever about the original Synapse 25 — along with some design cues from their Guide’s Pack — and makes it feel even more at home in the great outdoors.

  + Our original post has all the details, plus some lifestyle photos.

  + Another backpack worth your time is the WaterField Designs “Bolt”.

Light My Fire titanium spork. ($15)

Light My Fire Titanium Spork »

Call it a weird gift, but trust us: Light My Fire’s titanium spork is useful anywhere, from the office to airport to the trail.

It’s got a fork on one side and a spoon on the other, with a serrated edge on one of the fork tines that cuts food without cutting your mouth. It’s rock solid, weighs less than an ounce, cleans easily, has an anti-slip middle grip, and doesn’t leave a metallic taste in food.

  + Another great option in this category is the Outsmart 3-in-1 titanium spork (also $15).

Mossio 7-Piece packing cube set. ($16)

Mossio 7-Piece Packing Cube Set »

Mossio’s 7-piece packing cube set comes with 3 actual packing cubes (large/medium/small), 3 laundry pouches (large/medium/small), and a shoe bag. They’re all made from high-quality durable nylon material that’s water-resistant and should basically survive many years of travel.

  + More details (plus a pro-tip) here.

Pendleton wool camp blanket with leather carrier. ($169)

Pendleton Twin-Size Wool Camp Blanket with Leather Carrier »

Pendleton’s rugged-styled twin wool camp blanket is warm, hardy, and designed to meet the rigorous demands of the outdoors. It measures 66″ x 84″ and is comprised of 86% wool and 14% cotton.

$169 seems like a lot to pay for a blanket, but its utility and longevity make it worth every penny. It comes with a leather strap carrier and is available in a handful of colors/stripe patterns:

• Green Heather
• Hemrich Stripe
• Mineral Umber
• Red Mountain
• Lake

  + On the subject of blankets, the Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0 would also make a pretty cool gift.

Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler. ($25)

Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler »

Carhartt’s soft-sided Deluxe Lunch Cooler is a dual-compartment insulated cooler bag that’ll keep your cold stuff cold and your sandwiches un-smushed, wherever you take it and no matter what the weather’s like.

It’s also constructed from a heavy duty water-repellant material and sports YKK zippers and triple-needle stitching for maximum durability and quality.

Photo: Aaron Burden

Writing & Stationery

• Black wood rainbow pencils
• Science fiction-inspired aluminum pen
• Mechanical pencil that protects lead from breakage
• Zip-roll pen case

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Stubby Pencil Studio’s black wood rainbow pencils. ($15 for 6-pack, $28 for 12-pack)

Stubby Pencil Studio’s Black Wood Rainbow Pencils »

These rainbow pencils by Stubby Pencil Studio are pretty nifty. There’s a rainbow in every pencil, so kids can write in 7 vibrant colors that shift between one another as the pencil moves across the page. We love the striking contrast between the colorful writing tips and their black-dyed cedar wood bodies.

  + Read our post here.

Baron Fig’s “Mysterium” aluminum pen. ($60)

Baron Fig “Mysterium” Squire Pen »

A limited-edition, science fiction-inspired version of Baron Fig’s aluminum Squire pen. It’s machined from a solid block of high-grade aluminum, with a gorgeous warm orange color — meant to evoke hazy sunsets on distant planets — and etched with an icosahedron (basically a 20-sided die) emblem.

Looks pretty cool on its own or in their Squire Pen Stand.

  + Read our original post here.

  + We have a whole guide on metallic pens if you’d like check those out too.

Zebra’s DelGuard Type-Lx mechanical pencils. ($9 a pop)

Zebra DelGuard Type-Lx Mechanical Pencils (0.5mm) »

Zebra’s Delguard Type-Lx mechanical pencil employs an ingenious dual-spring internal mechanism — one in the barrel, one in the tip — that makes it virtually impossible to break the lead, whether you’re pressing down vertically or sideways. It works amazingly well and has no negative impact on writing.

Comes in black, white, blue, and red.

  + Another clever mechanical pencil is the Uni “Kuru Toga”, which rotates the lead as you write so it automatically wears evenly.

Nock Co.’s Brasstown pen case. ($40)

Nock Co. “Brasstown” Zip-Roll Pen Case »

If you’re going to be gifting all these pens and pencils, you might consider throwing in a case to carry them with. Nock Co.’s Brasstown is six-slot nylon pen case that rolls up into a small bag, which itself can hold other small accessories. Comes in four colorways:

• Violet / Raven Black
• Spa Blue / Lime
• Navy / Red
• Green / Green

Photo: Kushagra Kevat

Charities

At Tools & Toys we have always donated 11% of our gross income to charity. If you click this link before you do your shopping on Amazon, we’ll be donating 11% of our affiliate earnings for the months of November and December specifically to the three charities listed below.

We also encourage you to consider making some charitable donations this year, and invite you to give alongside us to these three organizations:

• St. Jude Children’s Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made at St. Jude have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Moreover, their hospital has been described as “a hospital without walls” where children in need are treated at no cost to their family.

• Operation Christmas Child: Samaritan’s purse is a Christian ministry, and every year they work with volunteers and donors from around the nation to pack and ship shoe boxes full of gifts to children in need around the globe.

• App Camp for Girls: App Camp For Girls is a place where girls can put their creative powers to work, designing and building apps, while learning more about the business of software and being inspired by women mentors in the field. This is an organization we proudly support as they spread the message that women play a vital role in the technology field and offer a significant contribution.

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