Simply Irresistible

Winter is a season of celebration, a time to toast new beginnings and embrace the loving relationships we share with family and friends. Among the glitter and the parties is often the exchange of gifts -- some lavish in artistry or price, others rich in significance or sentiment. The key is to choose wisely, to be selective, to invest great consideration for the gift and the recipient. Whether it’s something shiny and chic for the wrist or wardrobe or something high-style and high-tech for the home or the highway, this year’s holiday GIFT GUIDE is a venerable showcase of the world’s most beautiful designs. Many are handmade by renowned craftsmen using time-honored techniques or incorporating the latest technology. Others are constructed from exotic skins, rare woods, or a special selection of precious gems and metals. Nevertheless, all of the magnificent items on the following pages share an uncompromising regard for quality. By William Kissel

Timeless Treasures

OLD-WORLD MATERIALS MIX WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY THIS SEASON TO INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF EXQUISITE GIFTS FOR THE HOME.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

CARTIER office-style desk clock, $10,500, cartier.com

VERSACE Vanity espresso cup and saucer, $120, and matching bread-and-butter plate, $80, versace.com

DAVID WISEMAN cast bronze lattice vase, $15,000, r20thcentury.com

Home Sweet Home

THESE PRIZED PIECES ARE SURE TO SPARK LIVELY CONVERSATION.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

LOUIS VUITTON customizable leather Whiskey Cave, approximately $16,000, louisvuitton.com

DUNHILL solar- and magnetic-powered ever-rotating Sentryman globe, $945, and shagreen sterling-silver games compendium, $45,500, dunhill.com

DAVID LINLEY walnut and rosewood Precious Time hourglass, approximately $495, davidlinley.com

Bold Moves

LIKE THE BOTTLES THEMSELVES, THESE FRAGRANCES PACK A PUNCH AND LEAVE A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION EVEN AFTER THE WELL-DRESSED GENTLEMAN HAS LEFT THE ROOM.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT:

PRADA Infusion d’Homme, 3.4 oz, $74, neimanmarcus.com

D&G Le Bateleur, one of five in the D&G Anthology collection, 100 ml, $65 each, dandgfragrances.com

Gucci by GUCCI Pour Homme, 3 oz, $70, gucciparfums.com

F by FERRAGAMO Pour Homme Black, 3.4 oz, $75, salvatoreferragamo.com

Only the Brave by DIESEL, 1.7 oz, $52.50, isbrave.com

The Gentleman’s Collection ARAMIS 900, 3.4 oz, $48, bergdorfgoodman.com

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA Colonia, 2.6 oz, $50, zegna.com

One Singular Sensation

ONE EYE-CATCHING ACCESSORY, INSTEAD OF DOZENS, IS ALL ANY WOMAN NEEDS TO MAKE A STATEMENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

BAMFORD leather and rabbit-fur-cuff gloves, $795, bamford.co.uk

TOMMY HILFIGER faux fur ear muffs, $38, tommy.com

RALPH LAUREN horseshoe alligator belt, $1,895, and ophthalmic eyeglasses, $189, ralphlauren.com

SANG A patchwork snake handbag, $3,487, sanga.com

ETRO printed silk scarf, $320, etro.com

PRADA leather Saffiano wallet with jeweled closure, $660, prada.com

Refined Elegance

BAGS MADE FROM LEATHER RECLAIMED FROM AN 18THCENTURY SUNKEN SHIP AND DESKTOP ITEMS CARVED FROM EXOTIC WOODS TRANSFORM CLASSIC DESIGNS INTO FUNCTIONAL LUXURIES FOR HIM.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT:

GJ CLEVERLEY Russian reindeer hunting-kit bag crafted from reclaimed leather, $4,250, gjcleverley.com

CANALI alligator-printed leather card case, $210, wallet, $225, and key chain, $125, canali.it

BELL’INVITO Valet collection stationery, from $65 to $88, bellinvito.com

LINLEY Garrick walnut and sycamore desk set, including letter rack, note holder, blotter, pencil pot, and letter knife, approximately $1,325 for the set, davidlinley.com

DUNHILL lacquered brass deco pen with 18-karat rhodium-plated nib, $875, dunhill.com

TOMMY HILFIGER Good Riddance leather flask, $58, tommy.com

BALLY embossed leather Medaki shoe bag, $1,610, bally.com

Scents and Sensibility

PERFUME MAY BE, AS COCO CHANEL EXPRESSED, “THE ULTIMATE UNSEEN BUT UNFORGETTABLE FASHION ACCESSORY,” BUT THESE BEAUTIFUL BOTTLES WILL HARDLY GO UNNOTICED.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT:

Nina by NINA RICCI Precious Eau de Toilette spray, 2.7 oz, $72, sephora.com

CH CAROLINA HERRERA Gold Edition, $70, nordstrom.com

LA PRAIRIE Life Threads Gold, 1.7 oz, $125, laprairie.com

PRADA L’Eau Ambree Deluxe, 2.7 oz, $117, neimanmarcus.com

VERSACE Versense, 1.7 oz, $65, sephora.com

LAVANILA LABORATORIES Vanilla Lavender, 1.7 oz, $56, lavanila.com

BULGARI BLV Eau de Parfum II, 2.5 oz, $88, macys.com

The Comfort Zone

ACCESSORIES IN CASHMERE, SILK, AND OTHER LUXE MATERIALS HELP HIM EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED STYLE OF DRESSING FOR WINTER.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT:

ITALO FERRETTI silk and Swarovski crystal tie, approximately $2,000, italoferretti.it

ETRO printed silk pocket square, $100, etro.com

TOM FORD colored acetate eyeglasses, $495, tomford.com

DION silk dressing robe with satin lapels, $1,250, dionneckwear.com

Soft Collection by BILL LAVIN leather dress belt, $78, (800) 325-2680

LORO PIANA cashmere-lined leather gloves, $550, loropiana.com

Touch of Class

EXOTIC SKINS, QUILTED LEATHERS, AND OTHER TEXTURED SURFACES ADD A TOUCH OF ELEGANCE TO MANY OF THESE OBJECTS OF HER DESIRE.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT:

BOTTEGA VENETA ostrich Pergamena cufflinks box, ostrich jewelry box, and leather travel case, price on request, bottegaveneta.com

COLE HAAN lacquered business-card case, $75, colehaan.com

SMYTHSON crocodile-printed leather beauty bureau, $2,540, smythson.com

AMBROSI ABRIANNA crocodile business-card holder, $535, ambrosiabrianna.com

CARAN D’ACHE limited edition Perles pen, $3,000, carandache.ch

LOUIS VUITTON Damier and patch rouge leather agenda, $340, louisvuitton.com

CHANEL leather Coco’s Cocoon case, $760, chanel.com