December 2020

The Luckbox Gift Box

The editors savored every product in this guide firsthand in a search for the best in music, books, smoking, food, fashion, games and gadgets

Some publications fill gift guides with pretty pictures of overpriced or impractical merchandise—as long as it’s photogenic. Not so here. Everything in these pages made the cut because it’s an exceptional product, not just a good photo op. Get ready for the best from companies that range from startups to icons.

From Hendrix to Clapton, the list of guitarists who’ve favored Strats is staggering. Competing luthiers can emulate the Stratocaster’s double-cutaway body, but no one can duplicate its distinctive tone and vibe. Fender has been crafting countless variations of the Stratocaster since 1954 and makes this example, the American Professional II, by hand in Corona, Calif. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster $1,500, fender.com

Apparel 1. Fitness apparel manufacturer NoBull makes high-performance cross-trainers that look great and function even better. The high-tops, for example, work on every level, doing double duty as athletic shoes and casual footwear. Nobull, Hi-Top Ivy Black Canvas Trainer $129, Lightweight 8.5” Short $72, Curved-Brim Trucker $35 , nobullproject.com 2. After learning of the homeless population’s desperate need for socks, Bombas has promised to donate one pair to a shelter for every pair it sells. By the end of 2020, six years after securing a deal on ABC’s Shark Tank, the company expects to have supplied the needy with nearly 40 million pairs of socks. Bombas features a full high-quality line from cozy to compression. Bombas Men’s Compression Sock 3-Pack $54, bombas.com 3. Nearly everyone carries a cell phone 24/7, so who needs a watch? Well, maybe no one. But greatlooking timepieces will always find a wrist. Boca MMXII combines Italian-made mechanical watches with intricate Mexican wristbands hand-woven from 16 strands of fine multi-colored sheepskin leather. Boca, Primero Black—Yellow Wristband $250, Grand Traveler Beige Silver—Silver Wristband $330, bocatime.com. Use the promo code LUCKBOX on orders over $150 for 20% off. 4. Give the gift of Luckbox. Subscribe for one year and have 10 print issues of the award-winning, largeformat magazine delivered to your door. The offer also includes digital access to every back issue. And, yes, for a limited time new subscribers will receive a free Luckbox T-shirt. Luckbox tee and 10 print issues $39, getluckbox.com. Luckbox tee sold separately $25, tastytrade.com/tt/store

Food 1. Pappy Van Winkle’s bourbons can be very difficult to find and extremely expensive. So when Pappy & Company released a maple syrup with just the right hint of Pappy’s bourbon, Luckbox couldn’t wait to try it. It’s exquisite for pancakes and maple old-fashioneds. Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup $38, pappyco.com 2. How might a break-out cookie taste? You’ll know with the first bite of an amazing pie-crust cookie from Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods. They’re beyond great. Pie-Crust Cookie Gift Box (Apple, Pecan, Chocolate & Triple Berry) $40, janiebakes.com 3. Trufflin curates truffle-infused products for food lovers to enjoy at home. The black truffle Sriracha is a standout, a blend of premium fermented chili peppers, savory spices, hibiscus and cold pressed olive oil. Trufflin VIP Set (Black Truffle Oil, Sriracha, Salt, Honey) $94.99, trufflin-nyc.com

Books 1. In our non-fiction book of the year, renowned New Yorker music critic Alex Ross reveals how the composer Richard Wagner’s rousing creations inspired generations of musicians, painters and writers, yet simultaneously became anthems for the Third Reich. Find out why Wagner’s devotees have ranged from Phil Spector to Adolf Hitler. Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music, $40 2. Financial success isn’t only about what you know. It’s also about how you behave. These 19 short stories explore the strange ways people think about money. It’s long-form Luckbox. The Psychology of Money, $19 3. A stunning 544-page visual journey samples the best of everything the world has to offer in the book’s more than 1,000 all-new photographs. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition), $50 4. Factfulness, an essential book that will change the way you see the world, can empower readers to respond to crises and opportunities. It’s your chance to know what you don’t know. Factfulness: Ten Reason We’re Wrong About the World, $28

Music 1. The Crosley Cruiser Deluxe features a three-speed turntable, built-in Bluetooth receiver, attached stereo speakers and an aux input. It’s perfect for first-time vinyl buyers and longtime enthusiasts. Rock retro. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe $70, crosleyradio.com 2. In 2015, legendary 81-year-old saxophonist Wayne Shorter teamed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Orchestra for three unforgettable nights onstage. Our jazz album of the year. The Music of Wayne Shorter (vinyl) $27, towerrecords.com 3. The breakout debut studio album by English alternative rock band Sports Team features feelgood garage punk drawing on Arctic Monkeys, Cage the Elephant, Iggy Pop, Bowie and the Ramones. Deep Down Happy (vinyl) $19, amazon.com

Games 1. In Pax Pamir, a beautifully designed interactive board game about politics and power, players work in coalitions to forge a new state after the collapse of the Durrani Empire in 19th century Afghanistan. Game of the year. Pax Pamir (2nd Edition) $119, kickstarter.com and thegamesteward.com 2. Here’s a game of political intrigue and betrayal set in 1930s Germany. Players are randomly and secretly chosen to portray liberals or fascists, and one player is Secret Hitler. The liberals must find and stop the Secret Hitler before it’s too late. Insert your own 2020 political reference here. Secret Hitler $29, various online stores

Gadgets 1. Pocketalk, a two-way translation device, is designed for full conversations in 74 languages. It includes two high-quality speakers, noisecancelling microphones and a text-to-translate camera. Pocketalk Voice Translator $299, pocketalk.net 2. Hatch Restore combines a smart reading light, sound machine, wind-down meditations, an alarm clock and a creeping sunrise feature into a single device. Hatch Restore $130, hatch.co/restore 3. The Tactica, a go-anywhere, lightweight, portable pint-sized toolbox, comes with 12 specialty hex bits, Allen wrench and pentalobe drivers. Portable and practical. Tactica MX.02 $19, tacticagear.com 4. The Oculus Quest 2 takes all-in-one virtual reality to the next level. Every detail of the virtual world is made more vibrant, immersive and lifelike with the latest Quest. Oculus Quest 2 $300, oculus.com