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All year long, Complex Canada hustles tirelessly to give you the content you want. But nobody ever asks what we want. Well, we're going to tell you anyway.
Since it's been truly the most effed of years, a little self-care is in order. And we can think of no better way to look after our own mental and emotional health than by putting our wishes for impossibly dope shit out into the universe. So, the Complex Canada staff has done just that. Here are the things we want the most this holiday season. Some are expensive, some are absurd, but if we could have whatever we like, the contents of this list would be it.
Sony PlayStation 5 (or a Girlfriend Who Will Buy Me One)
Price: $629 (or $499 for the Digital Edition)
The new PlayStation 5 is, like, stupidly hard to get right now. The consoles are flying off shelves faster than pre-lockdown TP, leaving most of us with no way to obtain them except by dropping egregious amounts of dough in the resale market or clenching our bowels for 36 hours. I’ve seen all the memes about MasterCard-wielding girlfriends coming through in the clutch to procure PS5s for their gamer boyfriends, and I’m not about to publicly implore someone to do that for me, but… it would be nice. It would also be nice if a certain someone who I’ve been seeing was reading this right now. (I’ll be on my best behaviour, I swear! I’ll hold your hand in public, be the little spoon, whatever you want!) But really, this console—from its unparalleled processing power to its hyper-responsive DualSense controller—looks scary good. So good it made Complex’s Deputy Editor of Pop Culture cry a bit. I just want to feel that kind of happiness. —Alex Nino Gheciu, Editor
James Harden Gets Traded to the Toronto Raptors
Price: Trust in Masai
It’s no secret by now: James Harden and the Houston Rockets are on the, uh, rocks. The Beard reportedly wants to be traded, fed up with yet another Larry OB-less playoff exit. His former teammate Russell Westbrook apparently asked for the same thing and was just granted his wish, being dealt to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a first-rounder. I find it hard to believe Harden thinks that transaction suddenly makes the Rockets title contenders. So what better destination for him than the Toronto Raptors, who’ve already been to the top and have the core to get there again? Channing Frye thinks it’s “the best place for him to win,” and who are we to argue with a former NBA champ?
Look, I’m not asking for Masai Ujiri to mortgage away the team’s future for the 31-year-old Harden. I’m just asking the Raps’ president to do what he does best: fleece another franchise for all it’s worth, like the slick, Glengarry Glen Ross-watching mofo that he is. This is the same guy who managed to trade DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl for Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and a big bag of cash. I’m confident he’s got another championship-worthy swindle in him. Stanley Johnson, Patrick McCaw, and a first-rounder for the 2018 MVP? Who says no? Please Santa. —Alex Nino Gheciu, Editor
J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG
Price: $245 retail
The phrase “got 'em” seems more and more foreign to me with bots and resellers taking over the sneaker market. From the Varsity Reds to the Chunky Dunks, I’ve taken Ls on some of the hottest drops this year. The J Balvin x Air Jordan 1s are one of the last big drops of the year that I’m looking forward to. The array of colours alongside J Balvin’s trademark smiley face is exactly what everyone needs to end off such a shitty year. I fear my chances at grabbing a pair for the retail $190 price tag are slim to none. Currently reselling on StockX for $1,600, these are definitely going on this year's wish list! —Alex Narvaez, Content Producer
A Next-Gen DeLorean
Price: Approximately $100,000 USD
I’ve watched it a hundred times, as a kid growing up and still today as a man-child. Back To The Future stands the test of time! There’s something magical about watching a young Michael J. Fox, a fellow Canadian, travel through time in one of the most iconic vehicles in the history of cinema: the 1982 DeLorean DMC-12. Since the release of the film trilogy, movie buffs and motorheads have been restoring and customizing these beautiful cars. I’ve always fantasized of owning one but it's always been out of reach—DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), the company that made the cars, went bankrupt in the '80s. The future looks bright, though: DMC recently announced it plans to put a new line of DeLoreans into production soon. For an estimated $100,000 USD, you can gift me the car of my childhood dreams. If you really want to complete the set, you can throw in the Nike Mags currently selling on StockX for a mere $76K. Maybe I’ll save that one for next year's list. —Alex Narvaez, Content Producer
Samsung Odyssey G9 49” Curved LED Gaming Monitor
Price: $2,000
After seven months of being in denial, I finally gave in and set up a WFH station this October. And by “station” I mean I bought a monitor. To my surprise (though, maybe it shouldn’t have been), it made an astronomical difference. Now I find myself browsing for my next addition. While the curvature of this monitor is supposed to line up with my field of view (or something like that), and the massive 49” screen would turn viewing pretty much anything into a cinematic adventure, those are not the reasons why I’m adding this to my list. It’s the 240Hz refresh rate for me. This means that, when I’m editing videos or uploading anything GFX-heavy, they’ll be loaded before my finger comes off the mouse. That’s productivity. And it looks fucking cool. —Brian Park, Social Content Strategist
An OVOXO Album
Price: less
Being raised in Toronto, this one makes me cry. I mean, is an album from two of the biggest stars we have today—at the peak of their careers, from Canada, no less—too much to ask for? We’ve been deprived—starved, if you will—of an iconic and transcendent collaboration like this since Watch The Throne (please don’t @ me about WATTBA). It will be a Canadian Heritage Minute. It’ll have our southern neighbours jealous of us for once. I’ll settle for an EP if asking for a full album is considered greedy—and even that will reset the culture by years. While I have no doubt that their legendary run at the top will continue, I can’t help but to wish for this to come sooner. OVOXO… it’s everything I believe in. —Brian Park, Social Content Strategist
The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
Price: $370
This puffer jacket might be part of the Basic Canadian Girl starter pack, but I still want it. I guess you can call me basic. Down-filled jackets and parkas make the best gifts because they’re essentially a necessity to survive Canada’s brutal winters and you’ll wear them almost every day. This one has a boxy silhouette, a stowable hood in the collar, and can be packed away tightly into a travel bag during the summer months so that it doesn’t take up room in your closet. I can totally see myself wearing this with some super-clean Air Forces. Okay, now you can call me basic. —Tracey Moore, Writer
Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessoires Crossbody Bag
Price: $2,420
I’m not big on designer bags, mostly because I can’t justify the purchase, but this one is calling my name. It’s perfect for me because I’m not really into bags or purses at all—they’re big and bulky, and who needs 'em? But this one is so compact and elegant. It’s a hybrid crossbody that brings together three mini Louis purses into one. It’s both cute and utilitarian, complete with the classic LV monogram pattern. All the pieces are removable, which makes the price pretty reasonable, and the gold-tone chain finishes the look with an added piece of gloss. —Tracey Moore, Writer
Kanye West's High School Artwork Collection
Price: Approximately $16,000 - $23,000 USD
Art is a great way to spruce up your space, and also help boost your own smug sense of superiority. This holiday season, I’ve got my eye on a collection of Kanye’s high school paintings. PBS’ Antiques Roadshow recently appraised the collection at $16,000 - $23,000 USD, but—just like 808s & Heartbreak—I’m guessing this will appreciate greatly with time. —Briin Bernstein, Five-Tool Player
Dinner with Norman Powell
Price: $6.99
The holidays are a time for filling your belly, so what better way to satiate my hunger than with an Osmow’s chicken shawarma, handcrafted by famed employee Norman Powell. The only question is whether to enjoy it as a snack, or get him to autograph the shawarma so I can keep it on my bookshelf, as a conversation piece. —Briin Bernstein, Five-Tool Player
Curves by Sean Brown Handmade CD Rug
Price: $250
Since we’ve gone into lockdown 2.0, I’m obsessed with getting the most out of my Toronto apartment. Everything Sean Brown, a multidisciplinary artist hailing from Toronto, creates has instant appeal (I’m also eyeing his Ascension Fragrance Oil), but this rug is the perfect addition for any music lover. The only difficult thing is deciding which one since MBDTF speaks to my soul but Hard Core would just complete my space. —Lydia Hrycko, Writer
Nanoleaf Hexagon Light Panels
Price: From $225
Like I said, I’m obsessed with the vibes. I’ve already replaced my bedroom lights for disco lights, but I want to take my lighting to the next level with these Toronto-made smart lights (shop local!). They react to touch and sync with music, making every home dance party feel like the real thing (anyone else really miss dancing in a grimy bar?). You can also place them behind your TV screen and the lights will mimic the colours on screen for a next level viewing experience. —Lydia Hrycko, Writer
Rose Gold Tiffany Mini Alphabet Tag Charm Necklace
Price: $1,300
Eighteen-karat gold with tiny diamonds in the shape of your initial—it’s the charm necklace of my dreams. Maybe one day I’ll treat myself. —Laura Grande, Writer
A Week on the Yacht from 'Succession'
Price: $1.5 million to rent for a week
After watching the season two finale of HBO’s Succession, I’ve been obsessed with the German-built Solandge (yes, like Solange, but spelled wrong)—a 280-foot yacht with massive suites, spa-like bathrooms, and a beach club area with a DJ station. Apparently, it costs about as much as it does to buy a house in Toronto... to rent it for a WEEK. So yeah, it's on my fantasy wish list. —Laura Grande, Writer
Node 2i Wireless Multi-Room Hi-Res Music Streamer
Price: $649
The Node 2i is key to making a good stereo sound great when streaming is your primary music source. This streamer is the quickest way to unlock quality audio streaming and improve the sound your current system generates. For those with smart homes set up, the Node 2i also connects to popular AIs including Amazon Echo, so you’ll be able to use voice commands to play your favourite track and hear it in improved quality. Natalie Merchant hasn’t ever sounded so good. More into podcasts? Airplay 2 connects too and will help with that. —Chloe Tse, Writer
ViaGen Pets—to Clone My Dead Dog
Price: $50,000 USD
The good news is dog cloning has come down in price and is currently $50K and available to pet owners. ViaGen Pets offers a pet cloning program and fanciest themselves the “Cadillac” of animal care and technology and is constantly developing their technology and working on their science. Since Barbara Streisand cloned her dog twice, I’ve been fascinated and curious about the concept. It’s my dream to resurrect my late bad beagle Clark Kent in this way—and to call the project “Orphan Bark.” —Chloe Tse, Writer
“Wu-Tang” Nike Dunk Highs
Price: $3,051,776 is the current lowest ask on StockX
Tired: the "Iowa" Nike Dunk High set to rerelease later this month.Wired: the "Wu-Tang" iteration of the black-and-yellow sneaker, which was reportedly limited to 36 pairs and distributed exclusively to friends and family of the legendary hip-hop crew in 1999. Both editions are more or less identical, but the latter version adds Wu-Tang's ‘W’ logo on the heel and tongue tag. On StockX right now, that little 'W' will set you back as much as a Bugatti Chiron. The world's fastest supercar is nice and all, but in my opinion, the Wu Dunks are the bigger flex. (Yes, I took another turn just to say that.) —Alex Nino Gheciu, Editor