[GIFTED] Pixie Ring Box

Every time you log into Facebook, you see that someone else has gotten engaged.  Then, the inevitable ring pictures and proposal stories follow.  Don't let the all caps type and "I'm so happy" stories fool you.  There are a TON of guys who totally fucking miss the mark when it comes to proposing, their fiances are just too nice to tell anyone about it. 

The proposal on the Magic Teacup Ride at Disneyland.  The proposal on the jumbotron at a Toronto Maple Leafs game.  The proposal that seems to be a private, beautiful moment that's ruined seconds later by assorted relatives and distant friends jumping out from behind a boulder to celebrate with you.  All terrible.  All done way too often.

When you've decided to propose to the love of ya life, try to keep it low-key and classy.  Toss out that cliche velvet ring box (check 15 times to make sure you have REMOVED THE RING before doing that, though) and upgrade to this Pixie Ring Box ($65, Oh Dier Living), which is available in an assortment of different colors.  The way you propose is up to you (how about IN PRIVATE?).     

[GIFTED] Vintage Pencil Holder

When you arrive at a new office, there is usually some remnants of the person who sat at the desk before you.  An old, crusty mousepad, a rusty stapler, and a pathetic-looking tin cup to hold all of your pens and pencils.  

More often than not, you'll just hold onto these items instead of replacing them for newer, better desk stuff.  Why would you, anyway.  This is your desk at the office, not your house.  CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE.  You spend more of your waking hours sitting in your sad little cubicle than you spend in your apartment.  Don't just accept the hand-me-down junk you get when you walk in the door. 

Upgrade that shit—pick up a new mousepad with an inspirational quote on it.  Buy this Vintage Pencil Holder ($59, Izola) to store your pens and pencils.  Put up pictures of places you'll never go to because you're chained to your desk. 

[GIFTED] Mujjo iPad Sleeve

Every single time a new Apple product comes on the market, you've got approximately 7 billion protective cases to choose from.  Rubbery ones in neon colors.  Hard plastic ones that make you look like a Doomsday Prepper.  Cloth ones that make you wonder why you don't just wrap it in an old sweatshirt and call it a day. 

This Mujjo iPad Sleeve ($70, Mujjo) takes all of those cases and morphs them into one smart, sophisticated, utilitarian piece.  The leather and wool combination keep the iPad safe while still looking nice and not making you look like an overprotective psychopath.  The strip of orange says, "I may be on a business meeting, but you better believe I'm gonna get drunk at the hotel bar later."  WIN/WIN. 

[GIFTED] Thomas Paul Octopus Bowl

Let's try a little exercise: go into your kitchen, and open the cupboards. What's in there? 45 plastic containers from your frequent takeout orders, 15 pint glasses from various bars you've been to, and mismatched dishes leftover from old roommates, your parents, and your grandmother.

Time for an upgrade. Wouldn't you rather eat your cereal out of this Octopus Bowl ($36, Orange & Pear) than out of a chipped bowl that your mother got at Sears in 1982.

[GIFTED] Whisky Blender

It's Christmas Day, and if you're going to be able to survive this marathon of family time,  so you're gonna need some booze.  The hard stuff.  Rather than guzzling a bottle of Everclear, invest in something nice. 

A bottle from Whisky Blender (Starts at $55, Whisky Blender) will do the trick for even the most picky whisky afficionados.  Choose from up to 7 special whiskies and create your own special blend (you decide how much of each whisky you want to include).  The bottle comes with a personalized label, so you can label it something cute like "Dad's Hooch" or "My Medicine."  

Merry Christmas.