The Last Minute Gift Guide!

The malls are packed all day long, pine needles are scattered across the living room floor, and the flood of seasonal beverages is on it’s way. So we enter– End game. One week to finish all your shopping and do the best you can for the people you love.

To help you out in the final week before the big day here’s a small rundown for the man on you’re list.

STYLE

The Tag Heur Monaco Watch

At  $ 2, 769.00 this bad boy ain’t cheap, but much like diamonds, a good watch is forever!

Canada Goose

It’s cold in Calgary right? And this whole global warming, or cooling or whatever the hell it is isn’t helping. So what say we finally invest in a jacket that’s both made for the sub- zero temperature and stylish? Canada Goose is just the thing, they even recently released a “Calgary” jacket to evoke our specific climate. Of course if Nylon isn’t your thing…

• $485.00 at Holt Renfrew

The Peacoat

Esquire magazine named this as the essential jacket every man must have. It’s timeless, strapping, and fits in just as well on the docks as it does downtown. Team it up with a nit wool cap for a classic ensemble.

• $250.00 at Banana Republic

GROOMING

Cologne

A man should smell good and not like his deodorant. Keeping up with your old scent or getting set up with a new one each year is a solid example of what every man needs. Scent is tied strongly to memory, think of if as a sensual calling card. So make sure it’s unique and fits his body chemistry, otherwise he could end up smelling like a junior high locker room. Try the sample pack from Calvin Klein to help nail down a scent.

• $34.95 at Sephora

The Art of Shaving

Winter season is harsh on the skin, Calgary’s winters are murder. While most men don’t like using moisturizer, or at least have a hard time admitting to it, this nifty starter kit from The Art of Shaving will have them taking better care of their skin without realizing it. Free of alcohol or dyes this set not only smooth the skins, but helps combat ingrown hairs and razor burn. Oh, and it looks classy.  Who knows they may even give in when they begin to like the way their skin feels.

• The Art of Shave Starter Kit- Sandlewood- $28.00- Harry Rosen

JUBILATION

Sazerac Rye

Scotch is out, and rye, the long dormant contender, has risen from it’s prohibition era grave. Sazerac Rye’s 18 year old just took the title of Best Whiskey in the World for 2009. It’s a milder whiskey than scotch, which should allow for more enjoyment across the board. That’s not an excuse to mistreat it like so many inferior spirits. Just close your eyes, think of ol’ Bogey, and sip it straight or with a little water.

Nespresso

These things are all the rage in Europe. Who’s got the time to drink a full cup of coffee these days? With this recession in full swing you’re either stuck without a caffeine fix, or toting around a damn go- cup all day. This tidy minuteman coffee maker however eliminates all that. Pre-packaged coffee portioned out to perfect sizes with a variety of roasts and a fully automatic dispenser. The Nespresso is a sleek, easy stow pusher, that’s hard to pass up.