One Ahead's Gift Guide

Dive into this year's gift guide from One Ahead's Editor, Rory. It's a mix of personal recommendations and new, impossibly fooling magic tricks.

This is my annual opportunity to thank our readers and writers. To our writers, thank you for sharing your time, research, and expertise. To our readers, thank you for supporting independent magic writing. We love seeing the community welcome more new readers.

Collector Annuals have begun shipping. All Collectors have been sent emails in which they must confirm their addresses. If you haven't already become a Collector tier, there's still time: upgrade here.

We'll double down next year on the content readers love most—investigations and news stories that launch us into sharing valuable insights and secrets.

One tradition has remained since One Ahead was a personal blog: my annual gift guide. These continue to be our most-read articles—hopefully a reflection of my gift-selecting abilities rather than the quality of our magic articles.

Travel

• Elliker Backpack: This year, I replaced the backpack that I originally bought ten years ago as the perfect on-set consulting backpack. My new one is 100% recycled and acts as a hybrid between a travel and everyday bag.
• Dainty Umbrella: It's the best travel umbrella. It's small and reliable, and I will continue to buy the same model as long as they make them. I've already replaced it twice in the last four years after leaving them in Uber's!
• Kindle Compact: After several years of living nomadically, I finally caved and gave Jeff Bezos my money. I'm not proud of it, and when I'm in one place, I'll buy physical books, but I'm reading a book a week on this thing!

Work

• iPhone Webcam Mount: With Apple's new update, I use my iPhone as a webcam. It's incredible for someone so mobile. They sell different ones for laptops and desktops. A compact and cheap option for high-quality video.
• Caran D'Ache Pen: I'm not one to add new items to the gift guide unnecessarily. This pen is the best pen in the world, and I've used it for years and continue to recommend it. It's always a go-to gift for me.
• PENCO Notebook: If you've hired me as a consultant, you'll know I write project notes on big legal pads like a madman, tearing through the pages. My personal notebook, though, is a PENCO, and everyone asks me where I got it.

Books

• Unreasonable Hospitality: From one of the guys behind the number one restaurant in the USA – it's a must-read for magicians. Keep an eye out for some cameos from magicians and magic brands, too.
• Company of One: I read this book to help me hold onto the values of a one-person company as One Ahead transitioned from a personal blog to a team pursuit. I realized it's a must-read for most professional gigging magicians.
• The Trading Game: It's the last book I read before writing this gift guide. I found it compelling, shocking, and insightful. The ending is a little long, but wow, what a ride it took to get there.

Wellbeing

• Kinto Bottle: I bought one of these years ago and finally got around to getting a new one. I'm not a fan of the choice between small single-use bottles and giant reusable clunky flasks. Kinto bottles are small, reusable, and lovely.
• Ashley & Co. Candle: You know it's going to be expensive when the company refers to it on its website as "waxed perfume." Every gift guide needs a really boogie item, and this is this year's one.
• Manta Sleep Mask: This is something new for me! I can't seem to rely on staying in places with blackout curtains, and jet lag hits me hard. I might look a little odd wearing this, but you'll be surprised at how well they work!

Play

• BoxTWO: After a fantastic time helping devise BoxONE, I was lucky to play a small role in bringing this follow-up game to life. I can't wait to get my hands on this puzzle game from Neil Patrick Harris.
• Shut the Box: It's a classic game that everyone needs somewhere in their house, especially given its simple wooden fabrication. In my opinion, it's the perfect gift for a grandparent.
• Brass Cannon Puzzle: If you're looking for a sleek toy to give someone to hold pride and place on their desk, look no further. This looks great and serves as a great puzzle intro.

Magic

• Magic Kit*: We've been watching closely as Ellusionist has perfected the magic kit for adults and teens. This is an excellent purchase for new magicians and anyone wanting to learn the broad fundamentals in an exciting way.
• Liquid Spectrum*: It's a stunning new visual for magic. Plus, Ellusionist's packaging makes this item something you can easily ask a family member for. It's a trick you can spend the day performing impromptu with borrowed items.
• Notion of Motion: Whenever I see Angelo Carbone, I ask him to show me what he's working on. This is a masterpiece. It's fiddly and takes practice, but that's why it's on the list: it's something to spend the day mastering.

---

Collect New Secrets

Enhance your magic skills with this year's Collector Annual. Learn deceptive uses of secret techniques like pre-show, dual forces, low-odds convincers, natural vanishes, and more! Collectors get annual hardback books plus full access to the premium newsletter and online archive.