You know me, I’m not much of a consumer. Granted I buy a lot of books, but that feels more like patronage than purchase to me. In any case, I know it’s the holidays, albeit a very weird version of such, so I wanted to throw out some ideas for gifts that have some real meaning. (h/t Ann Friedman, whose newsletter you already subscribe to, right?) Please add your suggestions!
DIY time capsule: We’re going to make a time capsule with our co-housing community. 2020 has been so monumental in so many ways and I want the girls to have ways of remembering what it was like for them. I’m on the lookout for some cool box of some kind, and then we’ll fill it with some of their art, some important newspaper articles, protest signs, maybe some photographs and flower pressings, and God knows what else we will decide symbolizes this year. Maybe you and your family or neighbors or whomever want to do the same?
Art: You can search for your own favorite artist. One of mine is Jen Bloomer, who leads Radici Studios, who has a real vision for what we are reaching for in this moment of ground-shaking transition. You can get a cool tote bag, t-shirt, or card set, but also sign up for one of her workshops or download coloring sheets for free for your kids (or yourself!). Another dear friend/badass artist to check out is Wendy MacNaughton. We collaborated on those FOCUS posters, which you can buy here, or snag other cool shit she’s made.
Self-exploration: How about a consultation with a Enneagram expert or an astrologer or a somatic healer? Lord knows this year has taken a lot out of a lot of us. Our bodies, hearts, and minds need the healing. You’ll be supporting a solo practitioner who probably has been hurting for business. Make the connection and see what magic happens.
Books, obviously: Some favorites of the year include Book of Delights by Ross Gay and The Carrying by Ida Limon. For kids books, our all-time favorite is Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, but we also loved Flibbertigibbety Words by Donna Guthrie, Dona Flor by Pat Mora, and The Old Truck by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. If you don’t already have a Little Free Library, maybe now is the time to surprise your book loving partner, roommate, or kid with one?
Donations, duh: If you do the year end donation thing, why not involve your kids in it? Either you could give them a few choices of organizations you know are in line with their interests and values, and let them choose one (like animal shelter, sports camp scholarship, food bank), or if they’re older, let them do the research. It’s a chance to flex the muscle, even in a small way. For friends and family, make a donation in their honor, in alignment with what you love about them, and write a hand-written card about it. I’ll publish a list of my favorite orgs in December, don’t you worry.
What are you excited to give this year? (Bonus points if it is homemade!)
This is literally my favorite newsletter. Thank you, Courtney!
I love these. I'm going to get the kids in my life a subscription to Little feminists, a Bay area, women owned organization that sends a monthly book representing storylines and people that children books often leave out.