THE GIFT GUIDE.
The holiday season is set to look rather different this year for all of us, no matter where we are in the world. We might be spending it far away from our loved ones, the local Christmas market may be cancelled, and some of us may not have the funds to gift like they once did.
The act of giving and receiving is so entwined with this time of year that it’s hard not to get caught up in all the excitement, and I don’t want this post to pressure anyone to participate in what has increasingly become “a commercial holiday”. In the past I’ve recommended environmentally friendly ways to celebrate the holiday season, like buying “experiences” or donating to charity, which are all still viable ideas, but with everything that has happened this year I know that buying something thoughtful or sending a meaningful gift card may just be what someone needs. So before you start opening more tabs on your browser with the corporate eComm giants (ehem, Amazon), I’ve put together a list of gift ideas, brands and businesses to shop from that are 2020-appropriate, supportive to the economy and community, and all without being sucked into a vortex of exorbitant spending.
Brighton, UK.
SHOP LOCAL
I’m sure from all our online orders we’ve made this year we’ve learned that shipping can take a while and a pandemic definitely causes it to be delayed. My advice? Avoid hitting refresh on the tracking number all day, and instead head to the boutiques and and little shops around your street corner. Buying from your local businesses helps keep the money in your area as opposed to it benefitting an already rich CEO somewhere halfway around the world. Shopping from these stores, the vendors are able to learn what knick knacks their customers are wanting and make sure they can curate a selection of goods that caters to you and your neighbour.
Since we’re always seeking something unique when it comes to gifts, purchasing something that could (possibly) only be found in your village or neighbourhood is as interesting as it gets. Even better, if your area is well-known for something -be it caramel, ceramics or coffee- try and find a local artisan or brewery who you can support by sending it to your friend on the other side of the country.
Some of my favourite local shops may be in your area:
Hey Jude [Vancouver Canada]
Old Faithful Shop [Vancouver Canada]
The Wild Bunch [Vancouver Canada]
Frances May [Portland, OR USA]
Workshop Living [Brighton, UK]
NEIGHBOUR, Vancouver // Toronto
SHOP SMALL
In the ilk of shopping local, opting for smaller-sized businesses I guarantee will be fun and successful for all your retail endeavours. I’ve often found that it’s the smaller shops that carry the more unique items and brands that I would never have discovered -or would otherwise have to pay international shipping and duties.
Small businesses are dedicated to their customers needs and curiosities, and hence will go out of their way in stocking you’re looking for or what you might want. And with the drastic change in the retail and consumer landscape (thanks, Covid), a lot of these businesses that ran through local boutiques in their area or straight through IG are now online! So if you’re eyeing up some new Kotn bedsheets for your San Francisco bed, or an Ami Like Miami catchall for your dresser in New York, the small-business shopping is just a couple fingertaps away.
OLD FAITHFUL SHOP, Vancouver
Lots of little designers at ONE OF A FEW
The petite-sized places to shop from, all shipping international:
Slow Down Studio [USA]
Neighbour [Canada]
Vitruvi [Canada]
Wolf Circus [Canada]
Wallace Mercantile [Canada]
The one that keeps giving
Always a popular present of choice is the subscription-style gift - the one that keeps giving. In my experience I find people don’t often buy subscriptions for themselves (I certainly haven’t), but it’s one that I would definitely be thankful to receive! With so many businesses recently pivoting to offer their goods and services online, there are now so many options and categories to purchase from - from workouts of the sweaty or the steady, to the Zoom bookclubs and hard to come by magazines.
Don’t forget that charities can also fall under this section. 2020 has been a tough year (to say the least) and there are so many people who are in need and are struggling, whether it be financially, mentally, physically, etc. Making a single or recurring donation to a charity or cause that you feel passionate about is a great way to show your love for the receiver, but also your care for your community and the greater well-being of us all.
My tried and trusted subscriptions services:
THE WORKOUT | Hustl - Booty By Mich
THE LITERARY | Monocle Magazine - Belletrist
THE WELLNESS | Headspace
THE SELF-CARE | Fig Face - Asystem
THE CHARITY | Literally, any of them
THE FLORAL | The Wild Bunch
PIECEWORK puzzles
The ones that they won’t return
My approach to gifts has always been to give something that is meaningful, practical, personal between the two of us or at least personal to them, but not something that doesn’t align with their tastes. I stay away from getting them anything for the sake of having to gift something. And even as the gift-giver, you want your money to go towards something that you know will be of value and cherished, whether it’s an object or an experience. Finding such things might sound difficult or far-fetched but I assure you that they’re easier to come by if you’re looking in the right places. The smaller stores or businesses have personality which are also reflected in their products. Knowing and seeing what your person likes or taps “like” on IG is a great place to start. Otherwise, here’s some gifts that I’ve received or plan on giving which I know will have a home in their lives.
Some of my friends will be getting these gifts for sure:
THE NETFLIX-AND-CHILL ALTERNATIVE | PIECEWORK puzzle
THE SLIPPERS | THE NORTH FACE traction mule slippers/booties
THE BEDROOM | Bedsheets from MAISON TESS (CA) or LINOTO (US)
THE DECORATION | PRINT/POSTER
THE TOY FOR ADULTS | DAME vibrator
THE COMFIES | TEN TREE sweatsuit *aff. link
THE COOK | A chef’s knife from AI & OM
THE BLING | WOLF CIRCUS jewellery for him/her/they
MEJURI jewellery case
And what am I wishing for Christmas you ask?
I’m both an extremely picky but also open person when it comes to receiving gifts. I don’t want anything too personal because I hate when someone gifts me something that it isn’t to my taste (eg, perfume). I don’t like receiving joke or “junk” items that end up gathering dust after the holiday frenzy dies down and eventually gets donated. I don’t mind receiving practical gifts if they’re the kind that I will keep and use forever (eg, kitchen utensils). I’ve always been happy whenever I receive books, specific items that they know I want, or something that is thoughtful and the gift shows. I’m an easy person to shop for right? :)
Happy holidays to you all and let’s finish this year off with virtual hugs and any other expression of love and support that you feel comfortable and can afford to do!
