Let the games begin! We’ve got you covered, from customized games and cocktail accoutrements to haute delights for the sober-curious and in-the-know gifts for oenophiles.
Classy Coupes
Is there anything more irksome than a bartender handing you a cocktail (nevermind a martini…) in a dinky 3-inch-tall coupe? We’re looking at you Prohibition era-glassware obsessed “mixologists” of “cool” bars everywhere! Reject this insipid trend at home with proper, tall coupes. They are the most elegant of vessels for strained cocktails – and champagne. Go for broke with the crystal classic, the Lehmann Lallement Coupe, $46 each — a set of these is a fab gift — or keep it party friendly with the Crate and Barrel version, $22.
Chill Smokes
HIFEELU specializes in a curated cannabis process that minimizes the THC (the main psychoactive compound) from cannabis while retaining its full range of mood- and wellness-enhancing cannabinoids and terpenes, like relaxing CBD. The perfect chill party smoke or next-day hangover elixir, their hifeelu Lite N Smooth Prerolls, $25 at Toyko Smoke, come in packs of five and each one is tipped with an activated charcoal filter. But you’ll also need a light, so grab these 4-inch retro-inspired boxed cocktail matches at $26, Anthropologie
Teetotal Tinctures
A sophisticated option for those not drinking liquor, Seedlip‘s beautifully bottled premium “spirits” contain no alcohol – or calories. Distilled from high-quality botanicals, they come in four actually delicious flavours: Garden (thyme, spearmint, rosemary); Grove (orange, lemon peel, ginger, lemongrass); Spice (aromatic all-spice & cardamom); and Agave (prickly pear, lime), which is a tequila twin that’s perfect for ersatz margaritas. Pour two ounces over ice, add soda or your favourite mixer. $45, Well.ca
A Festive Ice Bucket
A generously sized ice bucket big enough to hold a slew of chilled bottles is a cozy, home-entertaining must-have. It’s handy for you, or it makes a great gift. This modern, hammered copper version is $185 at Hubert, but if you prefer the Euro-style classic, you can find it for $134 at Wayfair
The Perfect Bottle
With notes of dark plum, floral, chocolate and chestnut, you can’t go wrong with this food-friendly Chianti Classico ($25 at the LCBO) from the historic Pèppoli Estate, where the Antinori family has been making wine since 1385.
A Year’s Worth of Tipples
The vinophiles in your life will appreciate a membership to Cavinona, Terroni’s wine club. The carefully selected, four- or six-bottle case arrives monthly, complete with producer and tasting notes. It’s a wonderful way to access Italy’s vast range of varietals and support smaller producers. From $159 per month, Cavinona
Stylish Sober Sippers
Oddbird has been a leader in the field of high quality dealcoholized wine for decades. Founded in Sweden in 2013, they offer a wide range of elegant reds, whites and rosés with the brand’s Blanc de Blancs bubbly ($25 at Well.ca), a dry sparkling wine from France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region, earning high praise as a festive champagne alternative. All that’s missing is the hangover.
Sizzling Swizzles
No one makes fun cocktail picks better than Joanna Buchanan. Tiny nautical flags, little bees, quartz crystal tips, coral, mistletoe and candy canes, the choices are endless. This Lucky Charms set of six for $220, is super special.
The Day-After Solution
Analgesic, anti-anxiety, pain relief … you’ll be glad to have these CBD Recovery Gummies on hand to ease next-day (head)aches and pains. They’re loaded with anti-inflammatory turmeric, as well as CBD in 30mg, 60mg and 100mg potencies. They are available from $50 at Happy Bears, a Canadian company that uses organic ingredients.
The Game Changer
Nothing goes better with a delicious tipple than a festive round of backgammon. If you have a player in your life, you know how much the look and feel of the game means to them. From mahogany to MDF, the colour of the checkers, inlay and even the dice, allows you to level-up the board as far as you can afford. Starting at $356, Custom Backgammon
