Image via Complex Original
The sounds of jingle bells are upon us as the holiday season has arrived, meaning it’s officially that time of the year to bring the sneakerhead in your life some much-needed cheer. You could buy them sneakers, but that's always a risky move considering how particular footwear obsessives can be. These are your other options. Whether you’re looking for a levitating shoe display or this year’s most sought-after skincare routine, we have you covered with this holiday gift guide. It’s the perfect list for that person in your life who is agonizingly hard to buy for, or that friend who is always looking for a little something extra. From personalized packs of crew socks to a little DIY project, we promise you that you can’t go wrong with these gifts.
C3 GORE-TEX Overshoes
Price: $90
Buy it here
When it rains, it pours. For whatever reason, the universe always ensures you are wearing the one pair of sneakers you didn't want to ruin when it does. Consider this the gift for the over-prepared and the friends who would never get caught slipping. We also all have that friend with the "tech is life" attitude. You know the type: they only wear Arc’teryx and they don't believe in umbrellas. The same friend with hundreds of dollars worth of camping gear who hasn't made it past Central Park. Nothing is more clutch to them than the breathable, waterproof, and windproof C3 GORE-TEX Overshoes. These velcro adjustable game-changers are made for all their future camping trips and everything in between and will keep their sneakers as fresh as possible at all times, no matter the weather.
The Container Store 6-Pack Black Drop-Front Shoebox
Price: $54
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The infamous shoe wall is a standard when walking into any sneaker space. Even if you aren't into sneakers, it's hard not to appreciate the organization that goes into making a perfect one happen and the experience it creates. Just watch one episode of Complex Closets, and you will know what we mean. Every sneakerhead dreams of having their own and curating it is the best part. This holiday, you can help make these dreams come true. The Container Store's drop-front shoe boxes will help bring visions to life, whether they’re being added to an existing wall or being used to start a new one. The truth is that you can never have enough shoe containers—just ask anyone who has already begun investing in them. So if you have that friend on your list whose collection is forever growing, do them a favor and give them some practicality this season.
Joby GripTight PRO 2 GorillaPod
Price: $80
Creating Instagram-worthy moments is no easy feat. The need to always get your flick off is familiar to sneaker enthusiasts, whether they're spending time in the mirror or maybe spraining an ankle or two, all for the sake of content in the name of ring lights everywhere. The Joby GripTight PRO 2 GorillaPod takes things to the next level. This tripod works in landscape or portrait mode with legs that can wrap around multiple objects. It's the piece of equipment every trendsetter on your list has been waiting for. No more tireless impromptu photoshoots while en route for a cup of coffee or trying to get through dinner. Think of it as a gift for the both of you, the no more having to bend over backward to get that just-right pic type of gift, let the tripod do the work. Thank us later.
Humanrace Skincare Routine Pack
Price: $100
What if we told you we had the secret to Pharrell's ability to retain his youth forever, and we knew where to get it? You're lying to yourself if you don't think you have anyone on your list who wants this. It's like giving someone the map to the fountain of youth, except the map comes in reindeer-themed wrapping paper topped off with a bow. This genderless skincare pack is a three-step, three-minute routine meant to be used morning and night. It's cruelty-free, fragrance-free, microtear safe, gluten-free, and vegan. It has every base covered to keep their skin looking beautiful. Pharrell voice: Beautiful, I just want you to know. Available on a subscription basis with automatic refills for each product offered, this is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Stadium Goods 12-Pack Sock Box
Price: $125
Buy it here
Literally put a sock in it this year and make someone experience happy feet. The sneaker game is nothing without the socks that hold us down every step of the way. You can never ever go wrong with gifting socks for the holidays. Even the stocking is a sock itself. This year, consider options like Bombas, which offers a program where with every pair purchased, another pair is donated. Stance has a variety of ugly sweater style holiday socks, and Paa has all the classic crews. Or, if you want to go that extra mile, Stadium Goods has a holiday pack of crew socks in a full spectrum of colors that come in a customizable gift box. Regardless of which route you choose, you are bound to deliver a gift that will continue to bring happiness into the new year.
Cölle Candle
Price: $75+
Put your lighters up for this one. We all took a lot of Ls in 2020. Something as simple as the ambiance, atmosphere, and decor of our surroundings can be a huge mood boost, so why not help someone soothe those Ls with a handcrafted sneaker candle from Cölle? It's the home decor piece they never knew they needed. With a range of candles that includes cereal bowls, Jordan 1s, Kobe 5 Protros, and the infamous "Red October" Air Yeezy 2s, it's what their coffee table has been missing this entire time. Even though these candles are meant to be lit, it's unlikely they’ll want to light it at all. Restocking on Dec. 30, you'll have to move quickly on this drop, otherwise, your gift will ironically become just another L to add to the list.
Noah NY Classic Sweatpant
Price: $148
Is an explanation necessary? The only thing cozier than a proper shoe game is a solid pair of classic sweatpants. We have all witnessed the "ID on pants" phenomenon on social media. Every flick of your sneakers is accompanied by a solid pant, and what's better than a pair that is lounge-worthy? Made for working out, working from home, or simply doing nothing at all. If you're going to choose any sweatpants to gift this year, Noah's got it on lock. 100 percent cotton 12 oz., brushed-back fleece with a drawstring waist and an elastic band that won't be the only thing they’re cuffing with a pair of these on. Plus, cold weather means that along with the rest of the world, we will be in sweatpants from now until the warm weather returns, and even then everyone finds a reason to pull a pair out their closet.
Jason Markk Premium Bundle
Price: $65
Buy it here
Even the best of sneakers are made with the intention to be worn, and yet the key is to make them look like they’ve never been worn at all. Do enough research and you will find plenty of sneaker cleaning myths and tips. Luckily, we are going to save you a lot of much-needed time this holiday season. Help that person on your list maintain the "Oh, these old things?'' lifestyle and always have that fresh out of the box look. Jason Markk's cleaning kits are the most critical piece of the game that every sneakerhead should have. Let's face it: No one wants to be the one with the friend who has the beat-up Air Force 1s. This premium bundle will keep you laced throughout the holidays with a 7 oz. RTU foam, premium brush, microfiber towel, suede cleaner, and repel spray. You can even throw in a Moso Freshener if you are feeling naughty.
Flu Game Mask, Xylk
Price: $20
Masks have become the most necessary accessory this year, and there's no doubt they’ve made it on our list. Future told us “Mask Off,” but, clearly, his name does not allude to any possible psychic ability, so mask on it is. It's looking like our relationship with masks will be a long one—the type of relationship you weren't looking for with shorty, but, before you knew it, you were quarantining together—so you might as well get a good one before they're gone. There's no better way to look out for your loved ones than with a Michael Jordan Flu Game-inspired mask with imagery from the iconic 1997 game against the Utah Jazz. This mask is from Xylk, a creative brand from Toronto known for its reusable grocery bag design with collages that nod to the 2000s era of hip-hop.
Hypelev Levitation Display Stand
Price: $229
This is the perfect gift for your friend that's always doing the most—the type that would normally be getting flewed out for the holidays right about now, who doesn't settle for placing their shoes in an ordinary shoebox but dares to make them fly, probably leaves the Off-White zip tie on every pair they wear, or reminds you that they put you onto everything you think you know. There's always one. What better way to show them love and for them to show off a few of their favorite kicks than with a levitating (we kid you not) shoe display? Hypelev's magic of home decor uses electromagnetic currents to suspend sneakers mid-air, spinning them for a full 360 view, sole and all. They can use it as a bragging moment for their best grail, or as Hypelev puts it, to "experience peak hype."
Rit All-Purpose Dye
Price: $4.50
I think we all have tried to get our Picasso on at some point. Whether it was trying to dip dye the all white Off-White x Nike Presto or the Nike Zoom Vomero 5s, the beauty always lies in the process. This one is for the tastemakers and everyone that enjoys a good custom. Rit All-Purpose Dye is an ideal gift for the artist in your life who is just waiting for the proper tools to get started. Nothing is better than hooking up the homie with a non-toxic relationship for once, one that results in one-of-one pieces that they will cherish for a lifetime. Offering liquid and powder dye with more color options than you could imagine, the possibilities are endless, from repurposing an old pair to putting a spin on something new. Who knows, their next creation could end up being a gift made for you.
Bodega Rose Sneaker Planter
Price: $150+
Time to get dirty. Let it be known that having a green thumb is a true talent and definitely not one made for the weak hearted. Yet as of recently, it seems like every other person on the timeline has brought home an entire greenhouse at some point or another. They forgot to send me the memo. But there is no better time to get in on the fun than while doing some holiday shopping. Handmade in New York City, Bodega Rose has the perfect pairing for all the green thumbs, or those still working on it, on your gift list. The collection of unique planters incudes Jordan 1s, Air Max 95s, Sacai x Nike LDWaffles, and they dead-ass even have Timbs. Plants are not included, but you can find suggestions provided on the site for the best compliment to any planter you decide to gift.
Complex 'Sneaker of the Year: The Best Since ’85' Book
Price: $35
What’s almost as fun as wearing sneakers? Reading and learning about them. That’s why you’re on this website, right? But what about really digging deep into sneakers and finding out the back stories of your favorite designs from the past few decades? That’s why you need to pick up Complex’s Sneaker of the Year: The Best Since ’85 book, which goes back to 1985 and picks the best sneaker every year since then, including other memorable shoes from the respective years. There’s original reporting, all-star writing, and never-told-before tales in the book on shoes such as the Nike SB Dunk, Air Yeezy 2, Adidas Ultra Boost, and more. It’s something you’re going to want to have to sit on the coffee table and actually devour page by page. Not just saying it because it’s Complex’s book, but it is certainly worth your time and money.