The Tie Bar Team’s Holiday Gift Guide

We’re about a month out from the holidays, and the countdown to gift-giving glory is flying by. Sure, you still technically have time to figure out what you’re buying for your family — but those office parties and friend-group gatherings are basically happening tomorrow.

Trying to find a present for someone in accounting whose name you pulled in the office gift exchange? No small feat. Figuring out what’s considered “off-limits” at your friend’s white elephant party? That’s a puzzle you don’t want to solve at the last minute. And buying for your parents or siblings? Honestly, that’s the easy part. Just remember: it’s the thought that counts, unless it’s socks for the third year in a row.

Whether you’ve got an alarming number of tabs open, price alerts firing off like fireworks, you’re stuck waiting in lines, or you just haven’t mustered up the courage to start, we’ve tapped our team to steer you in the right gifting direction. From cozy knits and crisp neckties to socks and a well-chosen bandana, here are the top selects from The Tie Bar team.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Apparel

When it comes to gifting clothes, keep it in the family — your family. Why? Because, ideally, you know their style and their size, or at least you can hazard a guess. Gifting a coworker a sweater is a gamble with terrible odds: it’ll get returned, re-gifted, or silently resented forever.

Knitwear for your brother, brother-in-law, or dad, though? That’s easy. It’s in season, it adds some much-needed texture to their wardrobe, and unlike shirts, it doesn’t demand weekly showers in the washing machine. If knitwear feels too cozy, go for a sharp point-collar white dress shirt. I don’t care who you are — everyone needs one. Layer it under a sweater, a cardigan, or pair it with a tie and a blazer. It’s a blank canvas, ready for whatever holiday chaos you throw at it.

Marketing Director Cristina: The Merino Ivy Pine Polo, Flagship Manager Bayani: Cheval Hay Sweater Polo, Customer Service Lead Sofie: Retro Diamond Cafe Polo, Senior Lead Visual Onyx: Pinpoint Solid Long Point Collar White Non-Iron Dress Shirt

Ties

When you’re camped out at a relative’s house for the holidays and want to score a thoughtful gift for your favorite aunt or uncle, a necktie is never a bad idea. Don’t grab the kind that looks like it came free with a rented tux. Go for something with personality. A madras tie brings a seersucker suit to life in the summertime, a houndstooth motif looks excellent with a hefty tweed jacket, and a wool plaid can make even the most pedestrian black corduroy suit suddenly look like it has opinions.

And remember: you’re probably gifting your aunt or uncle one of these because you consider them “fun.” The tie you choose should reflect that.

President Michelle: Patchwork Madras Multi Tie, Senior Merchant Francesca: Modena Houndstooth Chocolate Brown Tie, Social Media Manager Austin: Highland Hunt Red Tie

Other Accessories

For your white elephant party — whether it’s with friends or your office shindig — accessories are king. There are a few things you should never turn down when they’re free, and socks are near the top of that list. Everyone already has a drawer overflowing with black, gray, and navy pairs, so go for an unexpected neutral: olive. It looks just as good with navy, brown, and ecru as your standard gray or navy sock, but with a little more character.

And then there’s the humble bandana. It’s the perfect training-wheels accessory: easy to play around with if you’re accessorizing-averse, cheap enough that no one will judge you for owning five, and simple to clean when the queso dip inevitably betrays you.

Assistant Merchant Kayla: The Pima Rib Moss Green Socks, Brand Designer Angela: Tie Bar x Miller High Life Vintage Heritage Mark Ivory Pocket Square

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE