2021 Holiday Gift Guide: The Dinner Party
A gift guide through the lens of guests at a festive and glamorous gathering.
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Across countries and cultures, annual holiday dinner parties are more than nostalgic gatherings between family members, friends and loved ones They’re a collection of diverse yet familiar individuals and their stories a microcosm of the personalities aswirl in our lives and moments that reveal their dreams and desires to celebrate the convivial spirit and generosity that come with the holiday season, this curated Oliver Peoples gift guide looks at giving through the lens of one such dinner party its cast of characters and their eyewear, as well as the glamour and the intrigue surrounding them all. No two dinner parties or dinner party guests are the same and yet there’s something here that everyone will recollect or recognize, cherish or hope to share this year
Welcome Cocktails
An effervescence accompanies the entrance of every guest, like components poured into a welcoming champagne cocktail Personalities intermingle, as do distinct senses of style epitomized by the eyewear worn by each person From the bold Laiya in Merlot Smoke with Soft Tan Gradient Mirror lenses to the timeless Sheldrake Sun in Buff with Green C and the double bridge Mandeville in Brushed Gold with Dark Blue Gradient lenses, each adornment offers a declaration of spirit All eyes turn to a reunion the guest sporting the vintage inspired Fairmont Sun in Black with Indigo Photochromic lenses tips their flute to a neighbor wearing the distinct Cary Grant Sun in Honey VSB with Green C lenses
Main Course
Indulgent libations, including family favorites and dishes featuring secret recipes, spread across the tabletop. Friends with impeccable taste wear iconographic frames one in the Gregory Peck in Canarywood Gradient, another in the Gregory Peck Sun in Washed Lapis with Carbon Grey lenses and join in on the feast. Indulgent libations, including family favorites and dishes featuring secret recipes, spread across the tabletop. Friends with impeccable taste wear iconographic frames one in the Gregory Peck in Canarywood Gradient, another in the Gregory Peck Sun in Washed Lapis with Carbon Grey lenses and join in on the feast.
Fresh Air
With tales of the year filling the room, guests rise from the table for a stretch and different scenery. Wearing the new Finley ESQ Sun in Black Diamond with Steal Gradient lenses, one celebrant delivers a major announcement and cheers erupt. Amidst the wonder of it all, only a breath of fresh air can bring a second wind to loved ones donning the geometric G. Ponti-3 in Brushed Brass with Burgundy lenses, the striking Shiller in Cocobolo with Sand Wash lenses, the angular Filu’ in Buff with Green C lenses and the Martineaux in Espresso with Moondust Gradient lenses and its defined keyhole bridge. Outside, with whisky or cigar in hand, the finer details of the most extravagant stories are revealed in smaller circles.
Game Time
Throughout the festivities, a sense of familial competition arises, and the board games come out. Teammates are drawn, with some wearing the Cary Grant Military VSB and the cat eye shaped Roella in Bordeaux Bark with Grey lenses and the others in the elegant, tear drop shaped Disoriano in Silver/Black Horn with Shale Gradient lenses and the Sheldrake 1950 in YTB with Green C lenses. One guest chooses not to participate but to narrate; the play by play from the precocious attendee in the Riley Sun in Semi Matte Amber Tortoise with Cobalto lenses is arguably the most endearing attribute of the hour.
Dessert
A flavorful act of togetherness, the final course is the sweetest. Whether in the G. Ponti 1 in Sage Green with Yellow lenses or the Gregory Peck 1962 in Emerald Bark with True Brown lenses, everyone enjoys each decadent bite. Espressos are pulled for a group looking to last later into the night one in the Oliver in Teal VSB, another in the Hollins in Amaretto/Striped Honey and a third in the Nino in Charcoal Tortoise with Shale Gradient lenses.
New Year’s Resolutions
With a New Year and renewed dreams ahead, shared resolutions before night’s end affirm a commitment to oneself and togetherness. Perhaps it’s even a moment to contemplate new habits to take on as well. Clad in the debut OP Sport collection in Japan with lightweight titanium, frames like Kondor in Silver with California Copper Photochromic lenses or with Dark Grey Gradient Mirror lenses help these goals take shape, even if its just aesthetically to start. To match, Cleamons in Silver featuring California Poppy Photochromic lenses, or in Gold with Dark Brown Gradient Mirror lenses, prove that innovation and style can support the new aspirations ahead year.
For a year of growth and new rituals, the Sport collection in lightweight, polarized photochromic styles accompanies the task.
Words by David Graver