Shopping & Style Article |
Gift Guide: Team Spirit
Local retail stars share their holiday wish lists for our gotta-have-it gift guide.
By Rachel Baker
- Photo by Kathleen Dooher. (Previous page) photo by Vito Aluia.
Right, right: It’s better to give than to receive. But if you want a really happy holiday season, it’s wise to put some thought into what you ask for. For inspiration, we asked the most tuned-in locals—the owners and managers of four beloved stores—what gifts they’re hoping to score from their favorite people. Read on for ideas on what to get from (and, okay, what to give to) your friends, family, and coworkers this year.
Boss + Assistant: Team Spirit
Owner Gary Ritacco and right-hand woman Michaela Duffy of menswear shop Uniform want massages and Macs.
Online browsing doesn’t cut it for Ritacco when it’s time to form his holiday list. “I like to touch the things that I want—I’m very tactile,” he says. “And I write it down on a Post-it, right then.” Ritacco also takes the personal approach to gift-giving, whether he’s buying for family or employees: “I’m a good listener, so I know what people want. But I put my own spin on it.”
What I’m Asking For...
Gary Ritacco
1. Johnny Cupcakes T-shirt, $33.99, Johnny Cupcakes
“A great concept. Johnny has the potential to become the next Paul Frank.”
2. Apple Macbook Pro laptop, $1,999, the Apple Store
“I’m an old-school PC user, but I’m so visually oriented that I know it’s time to convert to a Mac.”
3. Brown Sound gnome sweater, $125, Uniform
“I love the juxtaposition of a gnome on a soft wool sweater. It’s really cool—people will do a double-take when I walk by. It will be my first gnome piece.”
Michaela Duffy
4. Integrative massage, $90, and European facial, $90, both from Étant spa
“With a job and classes at UMass Boston, I could use some relaxation. I spend so much time making other people look good, it would be nice to get something just for me.”
5. Dog treats, $3.95–$12.95, Polka Dog Bakery
“I have a Newfoundland and an English mastiff. They love the peanut butter bones. I like that the treats are healthy.”
6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess video game for GameCube, $49.99, Toys “R” Us
“I’m a nerd at heart; video games are my escape. I’ve played all the other Zelda games for years.”
Boss + Assistant: Team Spirit
Owner Gary Ritacco and right-hand woman Michaela Duffy of menswear shop Uniform want massages and Macs.
Online browsing doesn’t cut it for Ritacco when it’s time to form his holiday list. “I like to touch the things that I want—I’m very tactile,” he says. “And I write it down on a Post-it, right then.” Ritacco also takes the personal approach to gift-giving, whether he’s buying for family or employees: “I’m a good listener, so I know what people want. But I put my own spin on it.”
What I’m Asking For...
Gary Ritacco
1. Johnny Cupcakes T-shirt, $33.99, Johnny Cupcakes
“A great concept. Johnny has the potential to become the next Paul Frank.”
2. Apple Macbook Pro laptop, $1,999, the Apple Store
“I’m an old-school PC user, but I’m so visually oriented that I know it’s time to convert to a Mac.”
3. Brown Sound gnome sweater, $125, Uniform
“I love the juxtaposition of a gnome on a soft wool sweater. It’s really cool—people will do a double-take when I walk by. It will be my first gnome piece.”
Michaela Duffy
4. Integrative massage, $90, and European facial, $90, both from Étant spa
“With a job and classes at UMass Boston, I could use some relaxation. I spend so much time making other people look good, it would be nice to get something just for me.”
5. Dog treats, $3.95–$12.95, Polka Dog Bakery
“I have a Newfoundland and an English mastiff. They love the peanut butter bones. I like that the treats are healthy.”
6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess video game for GameCube, $49.99, Toys “R” Us
“I’m a nerd at heart; video games are my escape. I’ve played all the other Zelda games for years.”
Originally published in Boston magazine, December 2006
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