Go Big: Last Minute Gift Ideas That Will Destroy Your Bank Account

Justin Mastine-Frost December 19, 2023

Let’s face it, it’s the 11th hour. You haven’t found the perfect gift yet, whether on account of being bogged down in meetings, having a less-than-effective assistant, or simply because the target recipient is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for. When resources are boundless, the sky is the limit, but within that may well come a case of analysis paralysis; that’s where we come in.

After yet another year of researching and writing about the world’s best makers, creators, designers, and the like, we’ve taken a crack at compiling the ultimate last-minute holiday gifting guide. No, this is not a “practical” guide — our more pragmatic guides are all here, split out by category. This guide will be aspirational for many, but also not unattainable. Consider this our best-of-the-best to close out the holiday season in 2023. Enjoy!

The Malle Golf by Louis Vuitton

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Louis Vuitton’s monogrammed canvas luggage has been unmistakable since its debut in Paris in 1888. The Malle Golf set takes this iconic design and reimagines it with a highly original athletic application. With dedicated space for 14 golf clubs, monogrammed drawers for accessories, and LV-designed putting mat, flag, balls, towels, club covers, and more, this is a fantastic gifting option for pro golfers and amateur linksmen alike. (Price upon request)

Porsche Ice Experience

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Perhaps an easy choice, considering that Porsche’s various winter driving experiences have been around a good while now, these multi-day driving experiences will teach you/your loved one how to best handle maintaining traction on icy surfaces, and have fun doing it. These experiences range from two to five days, and are held at the Mécaglisse motorsport complex, roughly an hour outside of Montreal. Drivers do not have to be Porsche owners to access these experiences, and a secondary non-driving guest can be added for a modest fee (from $200, depending on the booking in question). With accommodations at the Estérel Resort, you’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful spa day while your significant other hucks a Porsche 911 around in the snow — win win. (from $3,195)

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series: The Sherry Edition

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We’ll forgive you if you’re staring at your screen and thinking “what on earth is a Cask Curation Series”. Part of a brand new initiative from The Dalmore that kicks off with The Sherry Edition, a trio of matured whisky expressions that pay homage to the century-old exclusive partnership with the finest winemakers of Jerez de la Frontera – Gonalez Byass. The casks are selected by The Dalmore’s whisky makers, with specific eyes on having the best potential for maturing whisky.

The Sherry Edition features three whiskies born of casks that between them represent 80 years drenched in Gonzalez Byass wines. The set includes the 26 Year Old, finished in rare Gonzalez Byass 2002 vintage, Cask No.4; the 28 Year Old, finished in very rare Gonzalez Byass 30 Year Old Matusalem Sherry Cask; and the 43 Year Old, finished in very rare Gonzalez 30 year old Apostoles Sherry Cask. A small sip of the latter was passed around for guests to try on opening night; it did not disappoint. ($70,000)

Samarcande Chess Set by Hermès

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There’s no better advantage in chess than a sumptuous, sculptural set. This handsome offering from Hermès — with squares of natural mahogany and cassia wood set within the dense sapodilla wood of its structure — is finished with handles saddle-stitched from taurillon leather in France. ($8,350)

MB&F HM11 Architect

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Fans of modern innovation in watchmaking are already smitten with MB&F’s wild creations, but their latest HM11 — revealed just ahead of Dubai Watch Week — takes things in a different direction. Its case design immediately evokes visions of the curious creativity of postmodern architecture. Going beyond form, the curious casing houses displays of time, power reserve, and even a thermometer. Wanting to wind the movement? The entire case rotates on its arched lug structure, both changing the wearer’s view of functions as well as winding the movement. This is Max Büsser’s innovative design at its finest, and a perfect gift for the seasoned watch collector. (213,000 CHF)

A Proper Winter Retreat — The Land Before Time Cottage

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You’ve got your go bag, and even with international travel restrictions in place, one can still escape into the wilderness and avoid the dismal experience that is the urban winter. High level luxury rentals can be hard to source, but this “Land Before Time” cottage (spot the raptor in the living room) ticks all the right boxes, and is situated a little over 200 kilometres from downtown Toronto. Go. Get out. Unplug, if you can. It’s going to be a dark winter, so treating a loved one to a week (or three) of peaceful serenity is a fantastic gift idea. If this modern retreat isn’t to your liking, have a look at Compass House, that is also managed by the team at Jayne’s Cottages. ($10,000 per week)

Shoe Box by Dior Men

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Containing a must-have new addition to Dior’s Spring 2024 collection — the B57 sneakers, which fuse elegance with sportswear and are distinguished by their retro allure — this leather-trimmed, silver-clasped shoe box features three wide windows through which you can view your finest shoes. (Price upon request)

Matter Made Philippe Malouin Arca 4-Tier Chandelier

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It’s a particular quandary, to attempt to give a design-focused gift for someone’s home. Perhaps easier if the recipient shares your domicile? Either way, should someone be on a quest for the perfect minimalist chandelier for a a grand entry or vaulted living room, the designers working with Matter Made continue to deliver elegant options that are all manufactured stateside. If not the substantial Arca, there are plenty of other lighting options on offer. ($33,100 USD)

Table Tennis Paddles by Tiffany & Co

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There’s surely no more spectacular way to grace the table tennis hardtop than with this pair of magnificent leather and walnut paddles from Tiffany & Co. The ultra-luxe paddles in American walnut and sterling silver are the height of detail-oriented extravagance, while the leather front in Tiffany blue is dazzlingly iconic. ($935)

Custom Suiting from Garrison Bespoke

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Back down the personalization path for a moment, while many men can dress sharply, not all will think to go the route of bespoke tailoring to expand their wardrobe. As Toronto’s beloved tailor, Garrison Bespoke’s footprint is global, having dressed the likes of Harry Styles, Drake, and many others. Whether the intended recipient is in need of high-level staples, or a more unconventional statement suit, this is the perfect solution. (price on request)

Commission A Build By Origin8or Custom Motorcycles

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A gift of personalization, and the gift of experience is the kind of thing that creates more memories than any “production” object can, leading us down the path of a custom motorcycle build. The country is dotted with talent from coast to coast, but Rob Chappell’s work has been garnering ample international praise these days. It’s easy to see why, as his portfolio ranges from bobbers, to scramblers, to just about anything your mind can come up with. Through every build, one thing is readily apparent — Rob’s eye for style and attention to detail is impeccable. (price upon request)

Backgammon Set by Dior Maison

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Dior showcases its playful side with this deluxe game of backgammon, a lavish twist on the longstanding living-room favourite. Designed in embossed leather and embroidered canvas, this backgammon set is a guaranteed conversation piece. ($6,300)

Hennessy Dame Jeanne

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Any higher tier Hennessy is worth its weight in gold, but with the recently unveiled Dame Jeanne operates on its own level. The brand’s master blender, Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, crafts these blends solely using archives in found in the Founder’s Cellar — as a point of reference, those cognac barrels date back 100 or more years, in many cases. From there the blends are placed into their respective 10-litre bottles, which are hand-woven into traditional bottle baskets much akin to what the brand used pre-WWI. There’s little surprise that these are available on special order only, rather than sitting on a shelf at your local liquor store. (price on request)

A Tranquil Winter Vacation Rental

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Did we mention we like the idea of getting away as a holiday gifting option? This particular property, known as Driftwood on Lake Joseph boasts over 7,500 square feet of living space, all surrounded by peaceful nothingness. Bring some friends, bring some family, or just use the space for an over-the-top couples retreat. There’s no wrong answer here. (price on request)