Holiday Gift Guide: Guy Gear

Our gift guide for men is here! Let Sam Larson of Lone Flag and Other Sons help you pick out a gift for the guys in your life.

This year we reached out to in-the-know locals, each with expertise in different genres—from fashion and beauty to garden, design, travel and more—and asked them to share what they’re excited to give. Read on for the insiders’ perspectives on what to buy friends, family, co-workers, hosts, and anyone else on your list, and why! 

With a background in the apparel and accessories industry and a passion for denim, Sam is the owner of Lone Flag, the hip menswear boutique in Encinitas and founding partner of Other Sons, a branding agency in Del Mar.

Gift Guide for Men by Sam Larson

UNCRATE SUBSCRIPTION

Annual subscription (four issues) for $50, at Uncrate

Sam says: “There’s something cool about periodicals that are really striking with a hand-feel to them. It makes you want to use them as coffee table additions after you’ve read them. Uncrate is that sort of periodical. I collect and gift them out whenever I can. Giving out visual inspiration is a way cooler gift than you’d imagine and especially good for that guy who is hard to shop for.”

OJAI CERAMIC CANDLE

12oz., $55, at Norden

Sam says: “Norden is a San Diego-based company that makes amazing scents but also packages them up in beautiful containers, in this case, reusable vessels that can double as mugs once the candle burns through. I use them at home and at the office for both scents as well as cups when I’m finished.”

COURIER BRIEFCASE

(in Charcoal)

$245, at Bradley Mountain

Sam says: “These bags are so versatile and feel almost indestructible. If you aren’t a briefcase sort of guy, try using one for a week and you’ll be converted just by how insanely practical they are for carrying your day-to-day goods.”

BASIC POCKET CURVED HEM TEE

(in Dune)

$45, at Lone Flag

Sam says: “This has been the most popular product at Lone Flag for four years. It’s really hard to find a better fitting basic T-shirt made this well. Some of my black ones have been washed hundreds of times and still seem to get softer. It’s all I travel with now and is a simple gift for the guy who has it all.”

CAMPFIRE GIFT CARD

Price varies, at Campfire

Sam says: “Why not get a gift card for a really great experience? For men, it’s tough to think they could enjoy a dinner-and-drink combo in a better place than Campfire in Carlsbad, which has a masculine theme to it but hits everything right with their menu and branding delivery.”