Santa’s Christmas Gift Guide 2019

Every year Santa gets inundated with letters and wish lists. One year, Santa received a list on Christmas Eve and he had to tell his little daughter that the real Santa could not work that fast. But this year, Santa wants to deliver his list early, so that all his favorite elves and readers can get a jump start.

 

Botanical Bliss 

What better gift than the gift of a good night’s rest? Santa works hard every year, and he knows all the people on his Nice List deserve a solid night’s sleep. There are myriad choices when it comes to getting a mattress, but for the discerning sleeper who enjoys an all-natural approach to bedtime, this is the ideal choice. The organic cotton top layer provides unrestricted airflow and steady moisture absorption. On the bottom are a series of organic latex layers, built to your desired firmness. In between is a layer of organic New Zealand wool that further controls for body temperature and support. With an amazing 100 night trial, you are guaranteed to be a real thoughtful Santa. The best news for Santa is that he doesn’t have to deliver these mattresses, the manufacturer ships them straight to you. The busy elves at Plush Beds have offered some amazing discounts, use Coupon Code: BLACK19 through December 1st Cyber Monday and thereafter use Coupon Code: CYBER19 for the next twelve days of Christmas. 

 

Asystem

Santa finds that even if he doesn’t drive the sleigh, he needs to take care of his skin. He also strives to maintain a healthy diet, and one that includes the proper supplements. That is why he is giving many folks on his list products from Asystem, a complete solution for good health. Santa loves the fragrance-free daily skincare system because it is sourced from high-quality ingredients for the best results. Antioxidant protection is derived from fruit stem cells and algae extract that combats the appearance of aging…a definite concern because Santa is indeed ageless. In addition, Santa takes a daily pack of five capsules comprised of highest quality clinical ingredients. The combination increases all the things that Santa likes best: focus, stamina, energy, recovery, mood and increased sex drive. 

 

Sennheiser Headphones

Santa has been a fan of the PXC 550 noise cancelling headphones for years. The exclusive NoiseGard™ Hybrid adaptive noise cancelling technology creates Santa’s own aural space in even the most chaotic of environments; he avoids the occasional bark when Rudolph complains about attaining full speed. Actually, the louder the noise around you, the stronger it is cancelled. This is perfect in both an open air sleigh at top speed and a roaring jet in flight. The incredible 30 hour battery life ensures Santa has all his favorite tunes available during the entirety of his midnigt run (do the math, Santa travels across myriad time zones). Because the elves have whipped up an extra batch of these comfortable beauties (Santa never travels without them), they are able to offer a Black Friday / Cyber Monday deal that drops the price from $349 to $199.

 

 

Yellow Submarine Slippers

Santa is most famous for his mode of air transport, but he has always given credit to the four Liverpudlians who came up with the most colorful underwater vehicle. That is why when Santa is finished after a long day in the shop, he retires with Mrs. Claus to the toasty warmth of his fireside abode. In order to ensure his little piggies stay warm, Santa loves these plush slippers. Whether Santa chooses a Campari and soda or an IPA to reward his labors, he always uses the handy Yellow Submarine bottle opener to remind him of all the great music those four lads created in only six years.

 

 

Be-Bop Deluxe Modern Music 5 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set 

Like most music fans, Santa has his list of artists whose recognition is inversely proportional to their talent. On Santa’s list are the criminally underrated Poco, Paul Kelly, Paul Brady, Steve Forbert and most recently Drew Holcomb. But ever since the 70s Santa has held Be-Bop Deluxe in high regard. This release further cements Santa’s love of Bill Nelson’s musical vision. The collection is a treasure trove of delights. The original release is newly remastered from the original master tapes, and features  an additional 55 bonus tracks drawn from new 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes from the original multi-track master tapes, a concert recorded by BBC radio from October 1976, a previously unreleased “official bootleg” recording of a concert at the Riviera Theater in Chicago, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, along with a BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test appearance. Visuals include a lavishly illustrated book with many previously unseen photographs and a new essay by Nelson, as well as postcards and a replica poster. Those truly appreciative fans on Santa’s list will also get the expanded edition of the band’s epic “Sunburst Finish” album.

 

Advent in Croatia

Santa is best known for his annual day of travel, but what he really enjoys is getting off the beaten track and enjoying his voyage. Advent in Croatia is the perfect anecdote. From Istria in the northwest to Dubrovnik on the southern Dalmatian Coast to Zagreb, the capital, and many places in between, the month of December until the end of the first week of January will be a festive five weeks, lighting up this country of four million people with the holiday spirit. The capital city of Zagreb offers a Christmas market that is considered the best of its kind in Europe (it is the only destination to win European Best Destinations Best Christmas Market for 2016, 2017 and 2018). In Old Town Dubrovnik’s main street, vendors sell succulent sausages, shots of rakija, craft beer, glasses of wine, and locally produced arts and crafts. Live entertainment is also on offer, from traditional folk dancing to live klapa shows to concerts by famous Croatian bands and artists.

 

Oral-B A.I. Electric Toothbrush

Santa and Mrs. Claus instilled oral hygiene in their daughters early, so it was no problem getting the younger daughter to adapt this artificial intelligence equipped toothbrush into her regime. In fact, the budding journalist provides this first hand account: “The Genius X toothbrush has been a great addition to my oral care routine. The sleek look and feel of the toothbrush goes hand in hand with the many benefits this toothbrush offers. Connecting the toothbrush with the app on your phone is easy and convenient, which was something I was worried about. The multiple levels of operations and settings of this brush stands out, as you can change the setting depending on what area of your mouth you are cleaning. It also has a light on the top which flashes a red color when you are pressing too hard as a reminder to gently brush your teeth. The only issue I have found is it doesn’t alert you after 2 minutes of brushing which is a feature I was really looking for in an electric toothbrush, and I think the majority of people find essential when brushing their teeth.”

 

 

Speck Laptop Cover

Santa juggles a lot of data. This is the age of algorithms, and long gone are the days when Santa kept his lists in analog format. He tries to keep up with the latest technology, and that means he works on supply chain issues with his elves, maintains his Nice and Naughty lists with constant updates in real time. And he often does so on the run. So keeping his hardware safe and stylish is crucial. Santa has tried a few different brands over the years, and he keeps returning to Speck for laptop covers. The company offers sleek hardshell designs with vibrant colors for stylish protection against scratches, dents, and bumps. Even when he travels by means other than his trusty sleigh, Santa rides comfortably knowing his hardware is protected.

 

 

Jetson Electric Bike

Santa is best known for his magical mode of travel, but 364 other days of the year he gets around on a very nimble electric bike. No matter what your age (and Santa isn’t disclosing his), an electric bike is a great way to enjoy the glee of youthful bike riding. Santa has written before about the folks at Jetson, but as he enjoys his bike down the years, he knows that other folks will find Jetson the best first step into electric bike riding. With prompt delivery, excellent customer service and modern design (how do they hide so well the battery?), Jetson is the hot tip.

 

The Art of Sneakers

When Santa isn’t cruising around the globe in his big boots, he likes cutting a stylish look with slampy set of footwear. He has runt he gamut from Converse All Star (red high tops, of course) to Adidas when he gave the Boston Marathon a run. But when he wants to peruse the broad and diverse designs that have graced shoes that he insists should be called sneakers, this is the book of choice. Ivan Dudynsky has assembled a broad array of artistic styles that will keep neophytes and obsessives absorbed for hours.

 

Hamilton

Santa and Mrs Claus are pretty erudite, and they do their best to stay current with the arts scene. They have been so busy over the last couple years, they sadly missed seeing the groundbreaking musical “Hamilton.” It has upended many of the traditions of Broadway, while embracing several compelling elements. The incredibly clever hook of telling America’s birth story through today’s musical style has resulted in an overwhelming number of awards, and sell out performances coast to coast. The production returns to Los Angeles this Spring, and a pair of tickets in the stockings will be a gift that lasts a long time.

 

A Prog Rock Christmas

Truth be told, Santa loves donning a pair of headphones and blissing out to “Close to the Edge” and “Siberian Khatru.” He has enjoyed progressive rock for decades, and he is most pleased to see this collection on offer. With impressive efforts from all the usual suspects, the baker’s dozen tracks cover classics and newer songs. Whether it is Jon Davidson fooling you thinking it is Jon Anderson on the opening track, or Annie Haslam’s still sweet vocals, lovers of Yes and Renaissance will be pleased. And if bands like Focus, Curved Air and Hawkwind stir your imagination, this collection is for you. But the set (and the artwork) appropriately lean most heavily toward Yes, with several former members making appearances. In fact, if you eschew the CD and only find the album whilst streaming, you will miss Geoff Downes’ contribution. Regardless, the perfect casting of Malcolm (“Little Boots”) McDowell finds him doing an excellent Boris Karloff / Mr. Grinch interpretation.

 

 

Qatar Live for Pre-Christmas Festivities

As mentioned, Santa enjoys world travel. He does it rapidly one night a year, and other days he explores the many corners of the globe. This year, he and Mrs. Claus are going to let the elves work on their own, and fly in style to Qatar to enjoy some pre-holiday festivities. Qatar Live is a series of music concerts and festivals taking place in Doha from 4 to 19 December 2019. The events have been organized to align with the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Qatar 2019 (26 November to 8 December) and the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™ (11 to 21 December) to provide world-class entertainment for football / soccer fans, visitors, and local residents. Santa and Mrs. Claus are looking forward to concerts by Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Maluma, and Cheb Khaled. Qatar Airways is offering a bunch of enticing deals, which is great given that Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards.

 

Fenix Rechargeable Bike Light

Santa is making a point of equipping each elf bike with this powerful 1000 lumens bike light. At only 2.3 ounces, the Fenix features the ultra-fast USB type-C Charging with a total charge time of only 2.5 hours. With a quick-release bike mount, the elves can tuck the light into their pocket when they lock their bike in a sketchy area. The upgraded design brought an IP66 rating against dust particles and more importantly heavy rain or splashing. Santa especially appreciates the dual distance beam system, which allows his elves to ride safely on the road while also protecting oncoming cyclists’ visibility. Safety first.

 

Putumayo Blues Christmas

Santa assembled a pretty robust CD collection over the years. Mrs. Claus has often asked rhetorically what Santa was doing with all the dust settling on his CD collection, as the couple are both are enjoying streaming music. But there are certain CDs that Santa won’t give up, and his collection of Putumayo compilations remain intact. With a fetching graphic style and an eclectic curation strategy, Santa loves choosing Putumayo to complement the meals he cooks. Over the years, the Italian collections go great with his eggplant parmesan, and when he orders in Thai or Chinese cuisine the compilations lend the perfect ambiance. And the latest Christmas collection is in heavy rotation. Featuring an array of new and classic songs from the likes of Charles Brown, Kenny Neal and zydeco legend Nathan Williams the set covers the spectrum of Christmas emotions. The classic “Please Come Home for Christmas” is assayed by keyboardist Chuck Leavell (who has played with The Allman Brothers and George Harrison).

 

The Old Globe Theatre

Santa’s mommy (yes, Santa has a mother) did not raise a dummy. When Santa finishes his duties at the North Pole, there is nowhere he enjoys more than slipping into San Diego. And one of his favorite activities is live theatre at The Old Globe. Santa always gazes longingly at London’s refurbished Old Globe when he zooms through town on his midnight run, but the more leisurely pace Santa adopts in San Diego gives him plenty of time to enjoy the live productions. The venue is world famous for its annual staging of one of Santa’s favorite holiday plays: “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” The new season was just announced, and as usual it is an eclectic offering of classics and bold newer choices. Of which, Mrs. Claus raised her eyebrows when she saw that “Hair” will be performed. One of Santa’s elves then slyly commented that he was unsure if “Henry V” has a nude scene. The season includes: “The Taming Of The Shrew,” “Henry V,” “Hair” and the Globe-commissioned World-Premiere adaptation of Frederick Knott’s “Dial M For Murder.” And for those who don’t want to wait for the summer season, a tasty half dozen performances will be underway soo.

 

 

Modius Sleep 

In the run up to the holidays, Santa often shifts restlessly in bed thinking about the myriad details that will make Christmas perfect. Over the years, other times of the year also make Santa’s sleep less sound than he’d like. The folks at Modius have developed a natural neurostimulation approach to improving sleep, promoting sounder and more solid evenings. A non-invasive 30 minute session with the Modius headband before hitting the hay is the key. With a 45 day guarantee, a long winter’s nap is on the agenda.

 

 

Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag

Most folks are familiar with one type of strategy Santa uses when traveling with stuff. But when he is on the move with only his own stuff, he prefers the Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag. It comprises multiple design enhancements including protection, durability and organization with impeccable style. Style is everything to Santa. But even he is prone to TSA checks if his PRE status id ended, so the FastPass Laptop Storage System allows Santa to quickly unzip the specialized electronics compartment, lay the bag flat on the security conveyer and go through TSA without otherwise unpacking his laptop, tablet and cables. The new trolley system with upgraded aircraft grade aluminum, heavy duty handle and bars lets me roll through airports and train stations with aplomb. Santa also likes the separated garment and duffle sections which include mesh pockets and removable mesh compartments. Stylish and functional, just like Santa.

Note that Santa may be provided affiliate fees for certain sales consummated through some of the links here.

He will donate any such fees to charity. 


Brad Auerbach has been a journalist and editor covering the media, entertainment, travel and technology scene for many years. He has written for Forbes, Time Out London, SPIN, Village Voice, LA Weekly and early in his career won a New York State College Journalism Award.

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