GIFTS FOR HIM! HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2025

Welcome to The Local Artisan Guide’s annual holiday shopping recommendations!

We are publishing four blogs for the holiday season this year divided in the following categories; For Him, For Her, For All, and For Kids/Pets. This week our gift recommendations are FOR MEN and we have five selections that we think the men in your life will find unique, special and for you, affordable. They are all from small, independent brands and the links are in the captions as they are all available online, some are available at brick and mortar stores.

INPHORM NYC - MEN’S SPIN PERFORMANCE JACKET IN INK

INPHORM NYC - MEN’S SPIN PERFORMANCE JACKET IN INK, $98

We are so excited that the sustainable luxury atleisure brand INPHORM NYC has added men’s and children wear to their label. INPHORM NYC has been providing luxury tennis, golf and activewear for women for years so for men and children to now have access to the stylish, well made and sustainable brand. Those who know about the brand know they will show up with a unique piece and not a uniform. We recommend this elegant men’s spin performance jacket which your man will want to wear for many occasions. Their copy reads “Gear up for your next match or elevate your everyday look with the Spin Performance Jacket. This relaxed-fit jacket boasts a UPF 50+ rating, providing exceptional protection against harmful ultraviolet rays, whether you're crushing aces on the court or lounging around in style.-Relaxed fit for optimal comfort-UPF 50+ rating for sun protection-Four-way stretch for unrestricted movement-Soft, luxurious performance fabric-Machine washable and easy care-Sustainable blend of recycled materials - 67% recycled rayon, 28% nylon, and 5% spandex. -This blend offers the perfect combination of softness, breathability, and long-lasting durability.”

VIKING BAGS - TRIDENT LARGE MOTORCYCLE BACKPACK

VIKING BAGS

VIKING BAGS, TRIDENT LARGE MOTORCYCLE BACKPACK, $93.74

We have recommended bags for men in the past but this year we are recommending a USA based company that specializes on bags made especially for motorcycles! Viking Bags are created to not only look stylish but to be as well designed and practical for your motorcycle journeys. We recommend the Trident Large Motorcycle Backpack as it’s not only a great traveling companion for your motorcycle but is also backpack you can use as luggage sans a motorcycle. Viking Bag states, “The Trident large motorcycle backpack is constructed out of cordura. The backpack has a total storage capacity of 1952 cubic inches with adjustable sternum clip and waist straps. Useful means of storage for both short and long commutes, it is ergonomically designed with hook and loop ties to make it more comfortable when carrying. When off the bike, you can carry this Trident backpack by slipping on the padded shoulder straps. If you need to secure the backpack to the motorcycle, you can simply put away the straps in the back. Features a top zippered pocket with its interior lined with fleece, perfect for storing more fragile items such as sunglasses. On either side of the bag, there are zippered pockets perfect for transporting smaller belongings and mesh pockets where you can insert water bottles up to 17 Oz. The Trident backpack for motorcycles includes a separate zippered compartment for shoes separate from your clothes and other essentials. And the three additional pockets in the front is best for organizing smaller items like snacks, phone, keys, wallet and electronics chords.” This is guarantee to be an exciting gift for the biker in your life.

DR. HARRIS & CO. LTD. WINTER SKIN GIFT SET

DR. HARRIS & CO. LTD. WINTER SKIN GIFT SET, £50

Established in 1790, Dr. Harris & Co. has been a family run business that developed natural toiletries that eventually were served the gentry and royalty. Today they offer fine selection of soaps, shaving creams and soaps, aftershaves and colognes, skincare products and much more, continue to appeal to all those who appreciate quality and distinction the world over. We love this Winter Skin Set with Almond Oil Bath Soap, this white, triple-milled soap is recommended for the most delicate of skin and has a rose, geranium, cinnamon and clove fragrance. Almond Oil, it is 100% pure with nothing added to it, making it hypoallergenic and ideal for improving the health of the hair and skin. And Almond Oil Skinfood, for normal to exceptionally dry and chapped skin. Your man will be very grateful for this trio for his winter skin dilemmas.

WOLF & BADGER - BUGATTI VINTAGE RACING CAR CUFFLINKS

WOLF & BADGER, Bugatti Vintage Racing Car Cufflinks Eighteen Carat Gold On Silver Cufflinks, $336

Wolf & Badger, one of our favorite shopping destinations that specialize in independent brands is featuring this wonderful holiday gift, a set of Bugatti Vintage Racing Car Cufflinks Eighteen Carat Gold On Silver Cufflinks from the jeweler, Simon Kemp who describes them as, “These fabulous cufflinks are faithful reproductions of the famous Bugatti Racing Car. Cast in sterling silver , Simon silver solders a high grade pair of cufflink swivels to the backs. After an intensive polishing process he then adds a rich layer of 18 ct Gold to the wheels and the driver. This creates a stunning contrast with the rest of the design; the light is drawn to the silver with the gold highlights completing the effect. As you will see the cufflinks sit beautifully racing across the cuffs! An excellent gift for all motoring enthusiasts. Our silver is made from recycled materials.” He will treasure these cufflinks that will one day turn into a family heirloom.

FRAGRANCE SHOP NEW YORK - CHAKA

FRAGRANCE SHOP NEW YORK - CHAKA, $20

An affordable but memorable gift is a fragrance that he will love. The iconic Fragrance Shop in the East Village neighborhood of NYC has a wide selection of fragrances for both men and women (plus you can make a custom fragrance for you or yours). We love their special edition blend, “Chaka”. It’s a tabacco, bourbon, lime and musk mix. This fragrance is inspired by the courtly and multi-dimensional gentleman, who is laid back and humble but direct and to the point. He can be found surfing at the local beach or leading business meetings in a suit and tie. If that sums up your man, this is his essence in a bottle.

We hope this list provides gift suggestions that will bring happiness to the men of your life.. They all come from unique small brands, they are affordable and we hope they inspire you to shop local this holiday season.

By Natalie Rivera

La Esquina, Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano, An Artisan Museum Like No Other

While visiting San Miguel de Allende this year for a vacation and to deliver a two day lecture on artisans at the Instituto Allende, I managed to further explore the city I had visited last year and was delighted to keep findings so many more treasures in San Miguel. La Esquina, Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano, a museum of Mexican artisan toys, was one of those treasures. Young or old it should definitely be on your list of places to go to in San Miguel de Allende.

Last year was the first I heard of the museum of toys and I promised myself I would get there but there was so much to do in San Miguel de Allende that I let it go to the wayside. I knew I would be coming back, so this trip I was determined to visit La Esquina and on a beautiful sunny day my mother and I took a cab (she was not climbing the steep hill) and set foot in toy land Mexican style.

The museum is not that old, it was established in 2010 to showcase the collective heritage of toy making from all regions of Mexico. Angélica Tijerina, the museum’s owner, has taken over half a century to collect the over 3,500 toys with the desire to preserve the crafts and skills of the toy makers she encountered as a child when her father would bring back toys for her from his travels. The museum also acts through its foundation as a source of information and resources for Mexican artisans today while also teaching them the business side of being an artisan and how to market their products.

What you see when you get to this beautiful four story Spanish colonial is an explosion of color. Admission to the museum is $4.99 and starts with small rooms of toys and an atrium with an enchanting garden. The offices of the foundation on are this floor (along with a gift shop that offers toys made by the artisans).

There are four themes to the museum: the first room is the Playing House, which focuses on dolls made from cloth and other materials. It’s like living in one big doll house. The second room is Unforgettable Companions, here you see toys that focus on transportation – from horses, bike trucks and airplanes. In La Esquina's third room the theme is The Fair, where you will see all things related to the fairs from ferris wheels, clowns, musicians, instruments, and games. The fourth room is Toy Geography, which focuses on artisan communities around Mexico. On the top floor there is a beautiful terrace with some of the best views of San Miguel de Allende.

As usual I ended up taking way more photographs than I thought I would as the details in the toy making were quite extraordinary. The materials ranged from wood, to wheat, to textiles, I can go on. The subject matters of the toy makers were quite vast, giving a cultural look into the everyday life of Mexico along with traditions, myths, and history. There was a video of one of their artisans on the top floor explaining his craft and what he is doing to make sure it is still passed on. Since the subject of my lecture was keeping artisan skills alive the museum really touched me with its mission. It was hard not to want to play with the toys so I can only imagine how the children feel when they visit this toy land paradise. Here is a very hard edit of the museum and the magic of toys.

The inside entrance to the museum.

Kitchen toys.

Planes, trains and automobiles.

A merry go round made of straw.

Lucha Libre!

Fair toys.

The Theatro.

Toys of a Mexican woman weaving.

A day at the circus.

Shopping at the mercado.

Coco Cola Truck.

Mexican Marionettes.

Tortilla Ville.

Depiction of Mexican wresting at its best.

Video of Mexican artisan toymaker.

The Wresting Arena at La Esquina.

The circus is in town.

Portrait with skinny mom.

The beautiful rooftop view of San Miquel de Allende.

Cinco de Mayo scenes on the rooftop.

Toy rooftop kitchen.

Mexican clay dolls.

The gift shop.

Farewell! Mom and I loved every second of this magical place.

THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE IS SPEAKING AT INSTITUTO ALLENDE IN FEBRUARY 2025

Natalie Rivera of The Local Artisan Guide is proud to announce her lecture series at the Institute Allende (Instituto Allende, Escuela de Arte y Español) on “The Revitalization of Endangered Artisanal Skills” to take place on February 25th and 27th, 2025 in beautiful San Miquel de Allende, Mexico.

The lecture series will focus on artisanal skills on the brink of becoming lost and what governments, organizations and brands around the world are doing to combat this cultural and economical problem.

The lectures will both be held from 1 to 3pm and the course of the lecture is $325 Mexican Pesos (approximately USD$15.60). Click here to register.

So if you find yourself in San Miguel de Allende late February 2025 or would like to visit one of the most beautiful small cities in the world for its well preserved Spanish Colonial architecture, vibrant art scene, delicious food and quaint small town charm which makes it a popular destination for both art and culture travelers. Travel + Leisure has voted it the No.1 city in the world and when you visit you will see why. With a friendly, warm population and a safe city that is easy to walk on its cobblestone streets (not great for heels). You can get to San Miguel by either flying into Mexico City and take a luxury bus, shuttle or car service to San Miguel (approximately just over a three hour drive) or fly into Leon and take a car service (around an hour and a half drive). You will see why San Miguel de Allende has become a an ex-pat haven.

Some beautiful highlights below of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Lecturer Natalie Rivera