Glad Tidings and Gifts

Not quite a gift guide, but not quite *not* a gift guide.

I know I know, consumerism rides high on the list of bad things, such as using wet wipes to remove your make up, and forgetting to recycle your lunchtime yoghurt pot. This is not lost on me. But there is such joy in gift giving! I’m even going to break out the shouty capitals: I LOVE buying gifts. The reciprocal feel good factor, in this these trying times, is surely on the list of good things. So indulge me, dear reader, the wanton abandon with which I embark upon this week’s post, and let’s just go with it.

Oh and I’m not doing a his/her/kids/ breakdown. I’m throwing them all in together, for your reading pleasure.

Books books books

I don’t mean novels, because part of the joy of reading fiction is the making process of choosing your own. Instead, I mean a beautiful coffee table book, an enlightened children’s book, or a sharing of a cultural moment book. Any of this type makes a classy gift to give, and to receive.

Wonderland, Just Kids, Cocaine:History & Culture, Children’s Encyclopaedia, Cold War Steve Annual

1. Wonderland | Beautiful photography and insightful commentary from the fashion portrait photographer.

2. Just Kids | Patti Smith can do no wrong AND she is on Substack, find her here. My active mind mind rarely meets peace but her writing brings me halfway there. Incidentally, on Substack, The Navigation by the lovely

   Lauren Powell
   has the same effect.

3. Cocaine: History and Culture | Maybe a little niche, but if you know any pharmacists who overthink control drugs, and how some come to be discovered and abused, and how that aligns with culture (isn’t that a mouthful) a good read.

4. Children’s Encyclopaedia | One for the kids, or, in a child free home, the downstairs loo. Explains all those questions that you preface with “explain this to me as if I was two…”

5. Cold War Steve Annual | Don’t know Cold War Steve? You absolutely should. Ge says so much, with no words. Beyond talented.

Gaming for the Christmas Perineum

A big old jigsaw or complicated lego set to do in Pjs, eating chocolate, while counting down to an acceptable time to drink champagne (11am, surely?) is the best way to preserve grey matter during the hinterland between Christmas and New year, and makes lovely gift for families.

Movie Jigsaw, Lego Poinsettia, Iconic Women Jigsaw

6. Movie Jigsaw | Not just a game, but an inventory of what to watch in the dull dark weeks ahead. Genius.

7. A Lego geranium, or something like that (

   Jo Thompson
   help a not so much greenfingered but whatever shade is the new black fingered lady out here?), is further genius, as it takes no nuturing. Joy to the world for that.

8. Iconic women Jigsaw | If you happen to have 4 nieces, or a house of daughters and want to sneak in educational content to what is meant to be fun time, here you go.

Stuff

Wireless charger, Portable blender, fancy wax melter, Aesop goods, Therragun, Spaghetti measurer, spherical ice mould

9. A wireless charger | I may be behind the curve on this, but why aren’t we all using them?

10. A portable blender | For those who prioritise their protein intake when it isn’t christmas, this is a thoughtful addition.

11. A fancy wax melter | Much more stylish than one picked up from the White Company (the White Company is delightful, of course. This is just a bit more interesting)

12. Aesop hand washes/creams | Always a classy addition to a handwash sink, and not something we are likely to spend on for ourselves.

13. Therragun | Again for the gym goers, this bit of kit is magical for easing up the DOMs (that is delayed onset muscle soreness, to the uninitiated) after a heavy session. While expensive, it will save the receiver a small fortune on sports massages in the long run. Pun unintended.

14. Spaghetti measure | Cooking spaghetti": How much is enough? A handful? Is my handful girthy enough? (there’s a sentence I never thought I’d pen here). Perhaps I’ll add more? Oh it looks a bit stingey even when contorted to fit the pot. I’ll add more.

    (15 mins later): There is more spahgetti than Michaleangelo could have munched through in all those years painting yonder ceiling.

    This little device removes the need for these subjective measures.

15. Spherical Ice cube moulds | Give the gift of evidence of having one’s shizzle together.

For her

Tights, Studded bag, Triangle scarf, Cap, Pearl Earrings, Elemis Eye patches, Nars The Multiple

16. Tights | Ok, there’s not everyone you can in good faith, gift hosiery too. But if you can, do.

17. H&M cross body bag | Bills itself as a phone holder? Looks a lot like a bag to me, but in any case, a neat gift.

18. Triangle scarf | These are having a moment. A playful addition for those who enjoy adding a little twist to play stylist with. Obviously you can go to any budget but I see nothing wrong with H&M’s offering for this one.

19. The Humble Cap | For the woman, or man who needs for nothing.

20. Pearls Of The Orient Irregular freshwater pearl earrings | These are fab. No two pairs are identical, which makes them so special, pearls are timeless, and the brightening effect of a bright pearl against all skin tones is not to be, as George Bush said, misunderestimated. I can also recommend these beauties. And this. So many wonderful pieces from this family owned, small business.

21. Elemis Eye Patches | Nothing like party season to remind you that your undereyes need attention. Everyone in is in that same unenviable boat. Therefore everyone appreciates light in that tunnel. Relying on a lot of metaphors there, but you know what I mean.

22. Nars The Multiple, specifically in the shade orgasm | While this requires some parking of innuendo, it is excellent as a great ‘throw in your bag and go’ product. The shade is sheer enough to work on most skin tones, with the option of building it up if need be. Yes, a nice spangly pallet is great and all, but it’s nice to get one product that you are sure to use to the end. And you are.

Mugged Off

Who, (who?!?!?) doesn’t love a mug. I have my longstanding favourite, that I even travel with, because there’s a lot that goes into a good mug: volume, girth (word of the day), handle size, colour of the inside. Here is a selection of current favourites, that are pretty much self explanatory.

Bella Freud Art dealer Mug, My Brilliant Friend Mug, Tracey Emin Mug, Too Much Champagne mug

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That completes the inspiration for whoever you find yourself gifting for. I hope it gets you excited to share a little happiness in the weeks ahead.

Back on Sunday when I think it is time to speak about fitness journeys. It might be a long one…

As ever, thanks for sticking around here.

Big Love

Una

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