Hello, I’m Eri from the Circles Web Shop and photography team! With our anniversary party and the Akigase Forest Bikerally behind us, this whirlwind year is almost at an end.
But before we say goodbye to the year, the fun of Christmas is on its way!
We’ve gone ahead and asked the Circles staff for our annual list of "Christmas gifts that bike lovers are happy to receive," so if you have a partner or family member who loves outdoor activities—including cycling—take a look for some inspiration.
Check out last year's interviews here!
Kicking us off this year is the face of Circles, our young, food-loving star—let's ask Taisei!
He wants a CHAMPION Hoodie!
You can never have too many hoodies, especially those featuring the timeless Champion Reverse Weave with our own branding. You can choose a design that suits your partner from three options: Circles, Earlybirds, or Gorilla Spun logos. It’s also super cute when women wear a size M in a relaxed, oversized fit, so I highly recommend this for couples or families who want to match. As a food lover, Taisei didn't hesitate to pick the "BREAKFAST" logo.
Next up, what does our second-floor sales pro, Chan-Mai—whose "Thank you!" is becoming iconic—want for Christmas?
She wants a SIMWORKS ‘Good Vibes’ Coffee Set!
Chan-Mai, who loves playing outdoors—from hiking to bonfires—has her eye on the coffee set released by SimWorks this year. "Coffee Outside"—the act of casually riding your bike to a park or a scenic spot to brew coffee with friends and chat—is quite popular overseas. She’s excited to use this kit to enjoy a culture that’s gradually catching on in Japan, too.
What does John want, fresh off his 400km ride from Circles Tokyo for our anniversary party?
He wants a MASAMONO Can Clip!
John loves serious cycling, but he’s also a fan of fun, unique gear. He says, "I’d be thrilled if someone gifted me such a niche accessory designed exclusively for carrying canned drinks." Sure, a carbonated drink carried in this can holder is definitely going to get a bit shaken up, but the thought of everyone laughing as we open them together is what makes it great. It’s also a stylish gift if you pair it with a nice-looking canned beverage.
What about our senior fashion leader at Circles, Yanack?
He wants a CIRCLES ORIGINAL TACOMA FUJI RECORDS meets Circles Tote Bag!
At the end of the day, you can never have enough of these versatile, grab-and-go bags, and this one features a design and colorway that's easy for anyone to carry. A collaboration between TACOMA FUJI RECORDS and world-renowned artist Tomoo Gokita made exclusively for Circles—this might be a one-time thing. Any art-loving partner is bound to be thrilled by this one.
What does Dar-chan, who loves both cycling and mountaineering, want?
He wants a SYLVAN WORKS SoLow Table!
For anyone who loves cycling and hiking, the SYLVAN WORKS SoLow Table is a guaranteed hit. SYLVAN WORKS is the outdoor line from MKS (Mikashima), a legendary Japanese pedal manufacturer that applies its years of manufacturing know-how and precision to its gear. These low tables are easy to pack and set up, and they even come in bronze to match SimWorks pedals—an extra nice touch.
It's even better if you get the table and the pedals together, right, Dar-chan?
And what does our iconic mechanic Tomoyan want?
He wants a CIRCLES ORIGINAL BAR LIQUARS meets Circles 18th Anniv Lemon Sour Glass!
Tomoyan, a self-proclaimed beer lover, is saying things totally out of character: "I spend more time building bikes than riding, but I want to ride a bit more—and I've put on a little weight, so I'm cutting back on the beer." Let's fill this pint glass to the brim and toast! It’s perfect for highballs, shochu soda, or the classic lemon sour—a great way to toast this Christmas.
The artwork by Jerry Ukai looks great as a room accent, too.
Lastly, what does Uno-chan want? She’s recently moved and started living alone, making her home life more fulfilling than ever.
She wants a SIMWORKS Human Mushroom Screen Print!
There’s something so special about giving—or receiving—an artwork by an artist you truly admire. It’s even more special when it’s meticulously hand-printed. Having an art piece in your home really sharpens your lifestyle; it has value that goes beyond just being an object, and I think it’s the kind of gift that really makes people say, "Wow."
"I sometimes wonder why I feel like an alien even though I’m on Earth. But in reality, we realize that we are beings who can never be separated from nature, and I am made of the same things as every other creature on Mother Earth. Even in this technology-driven age, we still have a deep connection to the Earth."
An artist's work is really a magnificent gift from them to us.
So, there you have it—a feature on what Circles staff would love to receive for Christmas! We hope this was helpful.
We’ve got a huge variety of items, from the practical to the fun, so please check them out in our shop or online.
