The 2018 Undefeated Holiday Gift Guide

Hot and in demand

Beats by dre

Price: $299.95-$349.95 // For the cousin who uses headphones as an escape, Beats by Dre are at the top of the list. The only decision after that is which pair to buy. The Beats Studio3 line includes the Wireless Over-Ear Headphones in traditional colors, the Skyline Collection featuring four luxury colors and the DJ Khaled Custom Edition. The Beats Solo3 includes the On-Ear Headphones in the Pop Collection and Disney’s Mickey’s 90th Anniversary Edition. Beats has called on several sports influencers throughout its evolution. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Odell Beckham Jr., Serena Williams and LeBron James are included in the long list of celebrity endorsers.

Air Jordan 11 Concords

Price: $70-$220 // For the sneakerhead in your life. Jordan Brand is officially dropping the Air Jordan 11 Concord designed for the whole family on Dec. 8 in stores and online, just in time for Christmas. In Round 3 of the release, the sneaker will sport No. 45 on the heels, the same way they were debuted by Michael Jordan. The released versions in 2000 and 2011 have the Jordan brand’s No. 23 trademark on the heel. Whether the gift is for a toddler or an adult, be quick in your decision, as this sneaker is sure to sell out.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb

Price: $18 // For the woman into Instagram-ready, go get her Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb or, honestly, the whole line of beauty products. Singer, actor and entrepreneur Robyn Rihanna Fenty started her 100 percent cruelty-free makeup line in 2016 after experiencing a shortage of makeup shades for women of color, and it’s been selling out ever since. The line burst onto the scene with an array of foundation shades. She continues to add products, with the Gloss Bomb being one of the featured hits. The gloss comes in a milky pearl color known as Diamond Milk or rose nude known as Fenty Glow. You can wear them independently or on top of a lip color or pencil.

mophie wireless charging base

Price: $29.95 – $39.95 // For that friend who’s always borrowing your power. You’re at work or a party and that one friend who forgot to charge the phone before leaving the house is running around looking for help. Don’t be ashamed if that person is you. Shop for yourself or a friend with this easy fix. The mophie wireless charging base allows you to just set your phone on a wireless base for immediate charging. It’s compatible with the iPhone X, XS, XS Max XR, iPhone8 and 8 Plus, Samsung and other Qi-enabled devices. It’s small and compact and easily transported.

Prince-Inspired City Edition NBA Uniform

Price: $110-$225 // The Prince fan in your life may not be a Minnesota Timberwolves fan, but this collectible item is a must-have. The Timberwolves began selling the new City Edition uniforms as a tribute to music icon and Minneapolis native Prince on Nov. 8. The jersey is a partnership between the Timberwolves, The Prince Estate and Nike. Two other City Edition uniforms worth gifting are the Notorious B.I.G.-inspired Brooklyn Nets jersey and the Miami Heat jersey.

MyCharge AdventureMax

Price: $49.99 // We know this product is marketed for the tailgater, backpacker or outdoor adventurer, but it’s also an ideal product for any busy or working person. The ideal gift has a handy carabiner for smartphones, tablets and other small gadgets. The AdventureMax boasts 10,500 mAh of power with two USB ports and will extend the life of your device up to six times.

NoSweat

Price: $4.99-$34.99 // For the I-need-a-hat-even-in-the-summertime person in your life. The NoSweat disposable performance liner is perfect for helping prevent dripping sweat. Each liner absorbs around 2 ounces of sweat, making it perfect for the weekend warrior in your life. NoSweat created the first disposable performance liners for hats, helmets, hard hats and visors to absorb sweat instantly. Each liner can last anywhere from one round of golf to two weeks of standard hat usage, depending on the person’s sweat level. NoSweat is an official licensed partner of the PGA Tour and is backed by a number of athletes, including Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate.

World Almanac and Book of Facts 2019

Price: $14.99-$17.99 // For the know-it-all uncle with a flip phone. We know. Just stay with us here. It’s been years since someone even mentioned an almanac, and for some millennials, hearing it feels like the dinosaur days thought of owning a set of encyclopedias. Available for purchase on Dec. 4, The World Almanac and Book of Facts is the best-selling American reference book of all time. It is a great gift that contains a written account of the major events of 2018. From the catapult of the #MeToo movement to the midterm election shenanigans, and cousin Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding, it’s all there. Plus, we ALL have that favorite uncle who will require you to produce all kinds of “receipts” at the Christmas dinner after he “swears on everything he loves” that something is what it isn’t. The latest edition of America’s best-selling reference book rounds up the events that made the year 2018 unique and will become your go-to source for the year ahead. It also contains a Year in Sports and Memorable Achievements. For digital purists, no worries, there is an e-book version.

Gifts from black-owned businesses

Bevel

Price: $9.95-$199.95 // For the manscaper or bearded man. We’re finding that every guy loves a good grooming kit. When tech exec Tristan Walker applied his Silicon Valley knowledge to an issue he’d experienced as a man of color, he came up with the Bevel Shave System, a clinically tested shaving brand developed to help reduce and prevent razor bumps and irritation. He founded Walker & Company Brands and quickly soared to the top of the shave game. From the Bevel trimmer to the razor and several products to complete the Bevel system, your manscaper would appreciate the products as a gift. He’d at least know you care about his appearance just as much as he does.

Dapper Black Box

Price: $15 // For the guy who likes fashion trinkets every month. We know you know all about or have seen or purchased a half-dozen monthly subscription boxes for women. The boxes are delivered with various products pertaining to beauty and fashion needs or hobbies or all kinds of interests. But there is a subscription box designed for men too. Dapper Black Box releases a box with new items every month for the dude in your life who likes to try new products created by black-owned businesses. The unique feature of the service is it’s marketed as a method of exposing men to new fashion accessories and encourages investment in the black economy by introducing black-owned brands for men. The company targets the “conscious gentleman” and contains four to five black-owned accessories and personal care products.

RichFresh

Price: $500 and up // For the bae with a new appetite for nice custom clothes, who’s ready to upgrade his wardrobe with custom clothing. If you have a hefty budget, this is the perfect gift. Draymond Green, Anthony Anderson, Joel Embiid and supermodel Iman are just a few celebrities who sport tailored pieces from Los Angeles-based designer Richfresh. His styles aren’t on the low end of the price scale, and he’s a huge believer in making sure his pieces can’t be found at your local mall. His signature track pant can be worn casually or dressy and has been seen on runways and photographed by paparazzi. His custom plaid suits as a gift can take any guy from basic to masculine chic — but only if he’s ready for a tailored experience.

Candace Parker Pro Bounce 18 shoes

Price: $120 // For the lady sneakerhead. Women are sneakerheads too, so it’s perfect that Adidas named a shoe after one of the WNBA’s greatest players. In 1995, Sheryl Swoopes became the first female athlete to have a basketball shoe named after her: the Air Swoopes. Now, add Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Candace Parker to the list with this Adidas sneaker. The shoe pays tribute to Parker’s late college coach Pat Summitt, who often used the phrase “Left foot. Right foot. Breathe.” Parker has kept the phrase dear to her heart, which is why it’s detailed in the outsole of the shoe.

Don’t Sleep Interiors

Price: $37-$430 // Inspired by artist Emory Douglas and designers Sheila Bridges, Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of Street Etiquette, who set out to combine interior decor and black culture, this brand of pillows for homes and businesses will make good gifts for the free thinker in your life. The gift is a great reminder of culture and history and can be turned into a collectible item. The most popular item is the Nina Simone pillow.

Clothandpaper.com

Price: Starting at $2 // For the to-do-list queen, the chronic planner or just the person attempting to kick off 2019 in organization mode, all can benefit from the sumptuously but simply designed products from Cloth & Paper. From leather planners and paper planner inserts to foiled dividers and notepads, the company is looking to “change the look and feel through minimal design and luxe finishings.” Cloth & Paper offers a monthly subscription service for “penspiration” and stationery needs.

Playa Society

Price: $2-$20 // For the jeans- and T-shirt-wearing sporty chick. Want to gift some of the same T-shirts worn by WNBA players? Check out Playa Society. Founder Esther Wallace, a high school basketball player, is on a mission to create sportswear that celebrates and supports women in sports. Playa Society “specializes in designs that bring awareness to the social issues that female athletes face in an effort to influence social change, one t-shirt at a time.” At 15 years old, Wallace realized there was a lack of representation of women in sports, which deterred her at a young age. Sported by Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Candace Parker on Kevin Garnett’s Area21 YouTube segment, Playa Society products are must-haves.

Marketplace Africa

Price: $16.50-$250 // For the international clotheshorse. MarketPlace Africa offers fashion-forward style setters from an array of emerging designers from Africa. Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, fueling a $31 billion fashion industry and its own Africa Fashion Week. This economic success has given birth to some of the hottest new fashion designers, such as Nigerian designer Maki Oh, whose items have been worn by celebrities from Rihanna to Beyoncé to Michelle Obama. The marketplace features more than 80 designers and a full range of accessories.

The Lip Bar

Price: $12-$65 // For the person who loves a nice lippie. Melissa Butler’s The Lip Bar offers a line of custom-made, vegan colors. Her business idea was rejected on Shark Tank in 2015, but the unanimous no didn’t stop her from launching her lip brand in more than 142 Target stores across the United States. From lipsticks and glosses to mattes, The Lip Bar is great for the environmentally conscious friend.

UrbanHeirlooms

Price: $35-$485 // For the bag carrier who’s not a label fanatic. There is a large population of women who are not caught up in typical mainstream labels. If the lady in your life loves quality handbags and likes to shop with a purpose, UrbanHeirlooms offers great gift ideas. The handmade leather bags and vintage-inspired accessories feature antique and vintage skeleton keys. Crafted in a smoke-free environment, the boho, steampunk, goth, industrial leather goods come in a variety of styles.

Black Card Revoked by Cards for All People

Price: $7-$45 // For the game night host. Maximize your gift-giving strategy by thinking outside the box for that person who thrives in a fun-filled family environment. You know, the one who breaks out Taboo, Scrabble or Cards Against Humanity (yikes) at the house party. Black Card Revoked by Cards For All People is the perfect gem. Gifting a host with these nostalgic cards pertaining to cultural milestones, such as black movies, places, themes, music and television shows, is an instant game night hit. Black Card Revoked comes in 15 different editions, including black history, old school, petty, girls night out and adult fun.

HSTRY

Price: $20-$140 // For the woke, casual dresser. When rapper and entrepreneur Nas stepped up his game to launch HSTRY apparel, he wanted to represent his inspiration for the black cultural experience. The trendy clothes are perfect if worn as statement pieces or casual wear, and they are sure to contribute to Nas’ vision of bringing black experiences to the forefront.