Putting together this year’s gift guide was challenging. Like many people I feel a mix of emotions about the problems in the world and the position of privilege I hold. I bristle as conspicuous consumption but also believe in supporting businesses and the power of material objects to bring great joy and support to our lives.
At first I wasn’t going to do a gift guide at all. I just wanted to shout “Go help a Syrian refugee! Find a homeless woman and give her a box of tampons! Get involved in politics! Don’t be apathetic! Your vote and dollars count!” and on and on.
But you don’t need me to shout at you. None of us need to be shouted at.
I’ll tell you that many of the things I’ve suggested in the gift guide’s of years past (2012/2013a/2013b/2013c/2014) remain my favorite things, especially 80 acres body care in verde scent, Ilia lipstick, and you can’t ever ever go wrong gifting a massage. I could pretty much share with you the same favorites list each year because I’m the type to like what I like and to keep it simple. But I wanted to share some fresh inspiration with you…
I’ll also tell you that this year’s list has decidedly fewer objects and many more experiences, services, and charities on it. I worked with a personal organizer recently (another great gift to give!) and I’ve simply come to value breathing room over more stuff…
And I’ll tell you that this year many of my favorite presents to be given are made by hand on my sewing machine, but I know that not everyone has the luxury of time to craft things from scratch, so I’m offering up great gift ideas that you can snag with the swipe of your credit card and a few precious free moments…
And so with all that said I present to you my 2015 Gift Guide—may it provide inspiration for a well-fed holiday.
2. Story Corps Recording Session (Free!)
4. Support a Kickstarter project, like this one.
5. Sponsor a sister through Women for Women International
6. Hot water bottle. My most prized possession.
7. Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself by Julie Barton
8. Finding Yourself in the Kitchen: Kitchen Meditations and Inspired Recipes From a Mindful Cook by Dana Velden
9. Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living by Jes Baker
10. Make a micro-loan through Kiva
11. Engineer Print (turn one of your photographs into a statement piece)
(c) Rachel W Cole – Read entire story here.