Monday, December 10, 2012

I'm a sucker for a seasonal gift guide

Grace Coddington's memoir 'Grace'/ Victorinox pen knife, Goodhood/ Checked scarf, Topshop/ 'Lulu' underwear, Monki/ 'F' Alphabet sweater, Opening CeremonyDuralex tumblers/ Geranium soap, Liberty.

There are some gifts that will always be specifically Christmas-y. Like socks or smelly soap or a shiny new hardback with the spine ready to be snapped. Sometimes the seasonal charm of these gifts is viewed as boring ("Ah, socks. Thank you Grandma..") but in my eyes that's a mistake because I rather like christmas presents that stick to a formula. Knitwear, novels, knickers, something functional (to counterbalance the inevitable christmas clutter -see penknife) and something the receiver might not buy themselves (whisky, flowering tea, a bag of good coffee beans, a wooden box of turkish delight) were all made to be swaddled inside wrapping paper underneath a tree. Maybe it's the fact that for the past five years me and my parents have had a loose 'book and a bottle' policy when it comes to presents and so the idea of a variation on a tested theme appeals. When tradition is such a big part of the running of Christmas- the same angel being dug out of the decorations box or the Christmas carols CD with that eternal scratch on Track 4- it doesn't seem too much of a stretch that presents stick to a formula too. That doesn't mean a conservative formula per say, but one that you've found to work and prevents an abundance of mind blanks when faced with another year of buying gifts. I think I've just about got the hang of my go-to formula and it makes shopping a lot easier.

For stockings or people who will appreciate small novelty items I like Fortune Teller fish, Tiger Balm, Magic Flowering Gardens. And for the family members who I'm always slightly stuck with, the ingredients of Christmas period lazing are good- a thick blanket, an old Annual and a bag of German pfeffernusse biscuits. Presents that are a nice mix of functional and treat-y and presents that you'd like to give and receive in equal parts.

7 comments:

beewaits said...

Grace is my Queen and these pants are supet cute. Love the idea of fortune teller fish in stockings! x

ouestladiscotheque said...

I agree that these are the best kind of presents, this year my sisters and I are making a huge family hamper as our present to everyone and will fill it with home made and bought edible and useful treats - I really love your book and a bottle tradition! Charlotte xx

blue roses said...

book and bottle is always a safe but very appreciated and welcome bet in my family...

my book list is about 20 books long at the moment; prioritization is tough.

Anonymous said...

ahhh yay A gift guide!! LOVE these posts every year; always such great suggestions :D

Matthew Spade said...

ah i included the army knife in my gift guide, they're the ultimate tool! goodhood rules

Mónica said...

Nice to see you are back! The gift guide posts are very inspirational, I guess many of us are waiting for the Grace book.

Mónica said...

It's nice to see you are back! I like this gift-guide posts and I guess that Grace book is something many of us are waiting for!