The 2021 Caribbean Journal Holiday Gift Guide
No matter what holiday you celebrate, there’s no better gift than the gift of the Caribbean.
And we have you covered with the latest edition of the Caribbean Journal Holiday Gift Guide.
We’ve curated our favorites for the 2021 season, from the perfect stuff to bring with you to the Caribbean to the best ways to enjoy the Caribbean from the comfort of your home.
That means journeys of rum discovery; the best Caribbean coffee, our editor-tested suitcases and even the perfect book for your kids.
Of course, there’s no better gift than an actual trip to the Caribbean — but that’s what all our other articles are about.
In the meantime, get shopping!
Island Blue 100 Percent Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
It’s the best of the best, even for a part of the world teeming with spectacular coffee: Jamaican Blue Mountain, the champagne of coffees. One bag yields about 50 to 60 cups of out-of-this-world Jamaican coffee.
It’s the essence of St Barth in a bottle. Ligne St Barth has been the glamorous island’s signature beauty product for more than three decades, from papaya shower creams to the Caribbean’s most luxurious sun lotion.
There’s been a boom in the waterproof boat shoe category in recent years, from the now hard-to-find Tucket to the not all that waterproof Swims. Our favorites right now? Floafers, which combine actual waterproof material and effective draining with a decidedly snazzy look.
They’re arguably the most famous jewelry from the Caribbean, the signature hook bracelets that call St Croix home. And now you can get them right from the source, Sonya’s Fine Island Jewelry in Christiansted.
Wildhorn Outfitters Seaview Full-Face Snorkel
Full-face snorkel masks have revolutionized snorkeling in recent years, dramatically changing both the ease of breathing and your undersea view. Right now, Wildhorn’s masks are as good as any on the market.
We always say the best rum in the world is the one in your glass. But when it comes to glasses, some are better than others. For the perfect rum tasting experience, we like the classic Glencairn tasting glass.
Little John Crow by Ziggy Marley
The new book by reggae legend Ziggy Marley and his wife Orly is a heartwarming tale of a young vulture in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains learning to embrace his future.
It’s impossible to pick a favorite hot sauce in the Caribbean. But if you travel around the Caribbean, chances are you’ve often seen this one on a table. A product of Trinidad and Tobago, Matouk’s is a superb hot sauce that’s on the spicy side but not so hot you can’t use it all the time.
One of the Caribbean’s signature fashion houses, this St Kitts artisanal clothing producer has long set the regional standard for fine batik and beachwear, all created on site on Romney Manor.
Caribbean Journal editors just love these suitcases, which are affordable, durable and, well, you won’t have a hard time finding them on the baggage claim. They come in an assortment of bright, fun colors.
It’s the most famous beach bar in the Caribbean, and it’s also got some of the best swag of any beach bar on the islands. Whether you want a signature Soggy hat, a flag or a shirt, it’s a way to remember those perfect painkiller-filled afternoons on Jost Van Dyke. They even have their own rum now, too.
For many rum lovers, the Rhum Agricole of the French Caribbean represents the pinnacle of rum-making, the world’s leading artisinal rum. If you’re in the US, however, it’s not all that easy to find. But we’re here to help. Two major rum brands from Martinique, Rhum JM and Rhum Clement, both have broad distribution in America, and that means you can give now someone a taste of this sought-after rum (and maybe get one for yourself, too). Either way, JM and Clement are wonderful introductions to the world of this sought-after spirit.
It’s one of the most sought-after watches in the world: Accutron, the watch that changed the face of the industry when it first debuted in 1960. Now, Accutron and its history are more than just a timepiece — they’re a conversation piece. Even better? It has a strong bond with the Caribbean! Accutron has long been a big part of the Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth, the region’s leading celebration of fine rum. Caribbean Journal readers save 10 percent on Acccutron and Bulova watches using the code QTNFERQ69QV0.
Gwo Ka is the signature music of this spectacular French Caribbean island, and this album is the perfect way to begin your education.
Papa’s Pilar, the rum brand named for Ernest Hemingway’s fishing boat (and owned in part by the Hemingway Family), has quickly become a big part of the rum landscape — and while the brand’s rum is outstanding (and much-awarded, including a gold at last year’s Caribbean Rum Awards), its gear is even cooler, like this barrel head, which can be personalized for the rum lover in your life.
Graycliff Cigars From The Bahamas
They’ve been around for nearly three decades, initially created by Avelino Lara, the onetime personal roller for Castro. Today, aficionados adore these Cuban-rolled smokes made in-house at Graycliff’s factory in Nassau, and the company can ship across the US from Florida. For more, contact cigars@graycliff.com.
How to Get Your Golf Clubs to the Caribbean
Whether you’re trying the new Royal Blue at the Baha Mar or spending a golfing week at Casa de Campo, the Caribbean is one of the world’s great golfing destinations. But if you’re bringing your clubs with you, you need to do it right. This bag still sets the standard for golf travel bags, period.
