Grateful, thankful, and good.
No. 66 A chilly December begins!
Good morning!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope it was filled with delicious food and all of your favorite people and even more delicious food. ;) ‘Tis the season for feeling grateful and thankful and that’s exactly how I felt coming out of the Thanksgiving whirl. I hope you had a joyful one.
Now, we’re on the other side, it’s December first(!), and everyone on Earth has (already) been bombarded by gift guides. Wowza. There are so many. Since Thanksgiving was ‘late’ this year, the transition from thankful plates to gifts galore barely had a minute to exist. I’m usually an “inbox zero” person, but even I currently have 356 unread, holiday-season-specific messages to go through today. I won’t read them all, but I’ll skim. Maybe. The option to just ‘select all unread’ and delete is quite strong. Do you do this as well?
Since everyone seems to have posted their gift guides already, and I’m sure you don’t want to see another one, I’m going to hold back from posting a giant gift guide in favor of a few things…
Do you really need that much help with selecting gifts? (Maybe!)
Do you really want that much help finding gifts? (Maybe!)
Are you actually already shopping? (Who am I to judge?)
Truth: I do love buying, and recommending, gifts so here’s a link to the guides from my website. There is one from 2020 and 2021. I guess life got too busy after that!
It was 26 degrees while we walked Pepper this morning so perhaps the gifts mainly on my mind live firmly in the “keep you warm” category. Always a good idea! My two nieces need to be prepared for winter (I love all of the fuzzy options at LL Bean) and Seth and I have become people who add “good, warm socks” to our wish lists. Being an adult who wants socks for the holidays; a version of myself I never saw coming!
What is on your wish list? It can be anything! And in the times we are living in, I would never put anyone down for leaning into gift cards. I love gift cards! It’s a gift to get whatever you want at a store you already like! Such a delight. Sure, it may not be considered as ‘personal’ as someone painstakingly going through countless objects and combing the stores (or internet) for something “perfect,” but who is to say what is a ‘perfect’ gift?
A perfect gift is something you know the recipient will enjoy; it does not need to be the Best Gift Ever. Let’s calm down a bit, shall we? The holiday season is hectic enough. I panic-bought six rolls of wrapping paper (they were on sale!) and I have yet to purchase a single gift. But I am prepared!
My other hesitation for putting together a 2024 gift guide is that it is so darn specific. How should I know who is on your recipient list? I can only suggest items I would consider buying for myself, my family, friends, and a few of the young kids I see somewhat often (but I tend to ask their parents first!). I would love to help you with holiday gifts and yet it is a daunting task. I’m currently sitting next to a stack of catalogs (remember those?) and each is filled with great gift ideas.
Museum of Modern Art Design Store - all sorts of fun gifts, unique items, and cool goodies for the ‘artsy’ folks in your life.
Varley - a perfect source for cozy lounge wear, great outerwear, and pieces one can wear year-round. There’s a sale on select items right now, too.
Williams-Sonoma - the classic spot for a kitchen-related gift, a box of peppermint bark, or a very cool spatula, fry pan, or over-the-top espresso machine. I love visiting this store at the holidays simply for the scent and the literal ‘holiday feel’ when one walks through the doors. :)
Yes, one can buy whatever they need online. Literally anything nowadays can be purchased online and delivered to your door. Even I have had Starbucks delivered to my home during a particularly busy work day. I was mildly ashamed. It’s just not my thing. No judgement!
When it comes to holiday shopping, I happily admit I’m an in-store shopper as well. At least for the early searching, I prefer to see the options in person versus through a screen. I am a shopper. I am an online-shopper when it seems I can’t find exactly what I want in the store. Or if the item is available ‘online-only.’ A phrase I kind of…hate? How dare they?!
Friends, I hope your December is a delightful one and that your holiday shopping is enjoyable, not too stressful, and yields gifts for others that you’re proud to wrap and give. Or send via email. Those e-gift-cards are pretty nifty. ;)
PS: Giving Tuesday is this week on December 3. Please consider making a donation to a favorite organization on this day (or any time).
The Sunday Six is here today with a splash of specific gifts because I couldn’t help myself. I have decided to add back the paywall. If you are so inclined, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. And if payment is not an option, please contact me directly for a gifted subscription.
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