Stuff Boston

Greg Pic, DJ/producer
Last year I got: an incredible number of Starbucks gift cards! I’m seriously addicted to the iced mochas — can’t start my day without one.

This year I want: I hate to be a “band geek,” but since I spend more time in my studio than I do sleeping, I really want a new set of Mackie 824 studio monitors.

My fantasy gift: a summer on Spain’s island of Ibiza. Not just a week or two — the entire season! Seems to me it would be the only way to really experience it.

I’m buying myself: a trip to the March Winter Music Conference in Miami. If you’re into clubs, parties, and house music, this is a MUST!

My workplace needs: people who understand that I am not a morning person — never have been and never, ever will be! Just let me have my coffee and be miserable ’til lunchtime rolls around.

I’m planning to give: way more than I can afford, I’m sure; somehow I always end up doing that!

Aldo Velaj, chef/owner of Vlora (545 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.638.9699)
Last year I got: an Audi Q7.

This year I want: a ticket to Las Vegas.

My fantasy gift: having my mother come from Albania to my first restaurant in the US.

I’m buying myself: a new membership to the gym.

My workplace needs: a really cool sign that would reflect what it looks like inside.

I’m planning to give: a ticket for my wife to Las Vegas.

Crystal Carlton, director of public relations at Neiman Marcus (5 Copley Place, Boston, 617.536.3660)
Last year I got: a trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

This year I want: Stella McCartney gray patent side-zip boot.

My fantasy gift: Michael Kors three-quarter-length sheared mink coat with leather patch pockets.

I’m buying myself: Ippolita bangles.

My workplace needs: less paperwork!

I’m planning to give: Fresh’s Sugar Star Treatment.

Brandon Keith, owner/head stylist of BrandonKeithHair (161 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.536.9843)
Last year I got: clothes, a pasta maker, a few DVDs, and a book or two! And a little bit of money!

This year I want: an iPod Nano, a healthy family, and maybe a little money.

My fantasy gift: an iPhone.

I’m buying myself: nothing! It’s the first year of business!

My workplace needs: tons and tons of happy clients.

I’m planning to give: lots and lots of hugs and kisses and holiday cheer! And maybe a few presents if I can afford it!

Kyla Moore, event and marketing manager at Saint (90 Exeter Street, Boston, 617.236.1134) and Domani (51 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.424.8500)
Last year I got: a gorgeous black pea coat with a removable mink collar.

This year I want: to watch my little nephew open his presents. Priceless!

My fantasy gift: a round-trip ticket around the world.

I’m buying myself: a trip to Costa Rica to relax after event season.

My workplace needs: a longer December to accommodate more holiday parties.

I’m planning to give: I should have that figured out by the 24th.

Ernie Boch Jr., president and CEO of Boch Enterprises
Last year I got: my wife bought me a copy of Eric Clapton’s Blackie guitar.

This year I want: underwear.

My fantasy gift: a Boeing Business Jet.

I’m buying myself: a new pedal board.

My workplace needs: a new office building. It will be completed fall of ’08.

I’m planning to give: lots of stuff to my friends and family.

Nancy Haas, store manager, Shreve, Crump & Low (Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, 617.965.2700)
Last year I got: diamond swirl earrings.

This year I want: a trip to Saint Barths.

My fantasy gift: Bentley convertible.

I’m buying myself: donations to charity.

My workplace needs: a great holiday season.

I’m planning to give: gift certificates to Capital Grille, one-hour massages, and the original Shreve, Crump & Low Gurgling Cod pitchers.

Frances Rivera, News Anchor, 7NEWS/CW56
Last year I got: yet ANOTHER Juicy Couture track suit (it’s my family’s good ol’ standby when they don’t know what else to get me!).

This year I want: as many holidays off as possible.

My fantasy gift: a personal assistant.

I’m buying myself: a gym membership (I tell myself this every year but have yet to do it!).

My workplace needs: parking in the building.

I’m planning to give: more compliments to people all year round.

Stephanie Sokolove, chef/owner of Stephanie’s on Newbury (190 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.0990)
Last year I got: a convertible.

This year I want: a diamond watch.

My fantasy gift: to play golf with Lorena Ochoa.

I’m buying myself: a luxury week in Mexico.

My workplace needs: to continue to be successful.

I’m planning to give: a bigger bonus to my managers.

Dante de Magistris, chef/owner of Dante (40 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge, 617.497.4200)
Last year I got: my brothers gave me an extra day off.

This year I want: Ratatouille on DVD; a personal assistant; and for my friends, family, and guests to always eat well.

My fantasy gift: to receive or give?

I’m buying myself: a firehouse/restaurant in Belmont for my brothers and me.

My workplace needs: a glass-wall partition in one of our dining rooms to host more private events, there’s always room for kitchen updates, and a retractable awning and heaters for the patio.

I’m planning to give: more time to my family outside the restaurant.

Mohamad El Zein, general manager of Masa (439 Tremont Street, Boston, 617.338.8884)
Last year I got: an LCD screen and some clothes.

This year I want: a new laptop.

My fantasy gift: a plane ticket to an exotic destination.

I’m buying myself: clothes.

My workplace needs: always more improvement.

I’m planning to give: money and charity to the poor and hungry.

James Cochener, co-owner of Coda Bar and Kitchen (329 Columbus Avenue, Boston, 617.536.CODA) and Common Ground Bar & Grill (85 Harvard Avenue, Allston, 617.783.2071)
Last year I got: a pair of Persol sunglasses.

This year I want: socks and underwear.

My fantasy gift: a 24-foot Boston Whaler.

I’m buying myself: two weeks on the beach in the Caribbean.

My workplace needs: less stress.

I’m planning to give: my wife a piece of custom-made jewelry by Emily Scott.

Kevin Troy, owner of Dharma Group (Gypsy Bar, Liquor Store, Match, Jillian’s, Tequila Rain, Lucky Strike Lanes)
Last year I got: a coloring book.

This year I want: crayons.

My fantasy gift: dinner with Steve-O and the president of Mensa.

I’m buying myself: the new edition of An Idiot’s Guide to Running a Nightclub.

My workplace needs: an abacus for accounting.

I’m planning to give: my body to science.

Me Soon Ellis, makeup artist/store manager at Beauty and Main (30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.868.7171)
Last year I got: I can’t remember. I must not have been a very good girl.

This year I want: world peace ... and two tickets to somewhere warm and on the water for me and my man. (I think I wished for a pair of these gorgeous YSL shoes over world peace last year, thus the unmemorable presents.)

My fantasy gift: a house somewhere warm and on the water for me and my man ... and the cat and the dog, too.

I’m buying myself: I couldn’t help it, I already treated myself to a couple of the holiday gift sets and palettes from Laura Mercier. God knows I already have more than enough makeup, but I did pick up some for my mom and sister too!

My workplace needs: Christmas decorations! We’re all pitching in and decorating.

I’m planning to give: I can’t tell you that. It would ruin the surprise! @

[Photos by Mitch Weiss]