"In this scenario, you are a walrus and you go to school with other sea animals."
and THIS:
"We live in a time of endless internet recommendations. Not to blow your mind, but you’re reading one right now. And while I know you a little tiny bit, I can’t personalize these recommendations to your specific quirks the way that you might be able to for a friend. Was there a book you liked? A movie? An album? Write the name of it on an index card and on the back, explain what about it made you think of your person. Let them pursue the thing on their own time, without feeling guilty about letting a book gather dust. A rock-solid, shiny recommendation from someone you trust is worth its weight in GoodReads stars."
a thing i like about this specifically is your offer of the very good idea that recommendations can (and maybe "should") be personalized! i'm going to recommend to EVERYONE that they personalize their recommendations. good luck out there everyone!
Yay! Gift Guide season is the best! I love love love reading about people’s different philosophies on gift giving and what objects bring them delight.
Since reading your gift guide last year (or two years ago?) I have pulled off the gift-a-pie-plate-with-a-pie-in-it manoeuvre a few times for housewarming or to celebrate new babies. It’s a great move and I love looking for cute pie dishes every time I go to rummage sales. I will say, so far I am not very good at giving the pie and conveying that the dish is also a gift…mostly I just kind of lamely say “oh no, that’s for you” when they try to return it to me…any tips on how to make this gesture a little smoother and suave-er?
If I had a gift guide I would recommend buying cracker snaps and making people bespoke Christmas Crackers. I bought a pack of 50 cracker snaps on Etsy 4 years ago and I still have a bunch left. I’ve always loved having crackers at Christmas dinner but felt like I couldn’t justify buying them with their crappy little plastic tokens that no one needs and will end up in landfill almost immediately. But you can make your own very easily with a toilet paper roll and some left over wrapping paper and fill it with whatever delights you want! It could be a whole gift like a necklace or something as small as a poem they like and a shell you found. I’ve filled them in the past with Tweets I found funny, guitar picks, tiny jams, temporary tattoos, bouncy balls and enamel pins. You can even use some of the tissue paper that is always around at this time of year to make paper hats to go in them. Of course, you don’t Need the cracker snaps to make a cracker but it is surprising the amount of extra fun having the BANG makes.
This is such a GREAT idea, thank you! I also love the bang, and the festivity of it, but hate the stupid little trinkets - I still have some of the little trinkets stashed around my house because I don’t want to throw them away, but also don’t want to use them?
Yay! I’m glad you like it. I likewise have a weird little stash of kinder surprise toys for a similar reason. Here’s to some holiday fun without the waste & guilt 🎊🎉
Hi Sara! Yes! Usually the classes have about 8 participants and we all meet over Zoom and check in with each other; then we do a project together. Participants often sign up together and use the class as an opportunity to spend time together. We’ve had a 4-year-old participate before! If you want to bring a child, let me know ahead of time, and your child can attend with you for no extra charge.
dear sophie,
thank you for the gift of this gifting guide!
some of my favorite gifts from it:
"The best stuff shouldn’t cost you a thing."
"Write a letter."
"In this scenario, you are a walrus and you go to school with other sea animals."
and THIS:
"We live in a time of endless internet recommendations. Not to blow your mind, but you’re reading one right now. And while I know you a little tiny bit, I can’t personalize these recommendations to your specific quirks the way that you might be able to for a friend. Was there a book you liked? A movie? An album? Write the name of it on an index card and on the back, explain what about it made you think of your person. Let them pursue the thing on their own time, without feeling guilty about letting a book gather dust. A rock-solid, shiny recommendation from someone you trust is worth its weight in GoodReads stars."
a thing i like about this specifically is your offer of the very good idea that recommendations can (and maybe "should") be personalized! i'm going to recommend to EVERYONE that they personalize their recommendations. good luck out there everyone!
thank you! love you!
myq
Somehow, I mis-titled this email and catapulted us into 2025 without meaning to. I've updated, but do apologize if I confused and upset you.
Yay! Gift Guide season is the best! I love love love reading about people’s different philosophies on gift giving and what objects bring them delight.
Since reading your gift guide last year (or two years ago?) I have pulled off the gift-a-pie-plate-with-a-pie-in-it manoeuvre a few times for housewarming or to celebrate new babies. It’s a great move and I love looking for cute pie dishes every time I go to rummage sales. I will say, so far I am not very good at giving the pie and conveying that the dish is also a gift…mostly I just kind of lamely say “oh no, that’s for you” when they try to return it to me…any tips on how to make this gesture a little smoother and suave-er?
If I had a gift guide I would recommend buying cracker snaps and making people bespoke Christmas Crackers. I bought a pack of 50 cracker snaps on Etsy 4 years ago and I still have a bunch left. I’ve always loved having crackers at Christmas dinner but felt like I couldn’t justify buying them with their crappy little plastic tokens that no one needs and will end up in landfill almost immediately. But you can make your own very easily with a toilet paper roll and some left over wrapping paper and fill it with whatever delights you want! It could be a whole gift like a necklace or something as small as a poem they like and a shell you found. I’ve filled them in the past with Tweets I found funny, guitar picks, tiny jams, temporary tattoos, bouncy balls and enamel pins. You can even use some of the tissue paper that is always around at this time of year to make paper hats to go in them. Of course, you don’t Need the cracker snaps to make a cracker but it is surprising the amount of extra fun having the BANG makes.
This is such a GREAT idea, thank you! I also love the bang, and the festivity of it, but hate the stupid little trinkets - I still have some of the little trinkets stashed around my house because I don’t want to throw them away, but also don’t want to use them?
Yay! I’m glad you like it. I likewise have a weird little stash of kinder surprise toys for a similar reason. Here’s to some holiday fun without the waste & guilt 🎊🎉
Love your blog. Question about the painting class (https://www.sophielucidojohnson.com/shop1/summer-bird-painting-classes?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)…
If two friends or family members sign up, will they see each other and interact? Also is there an age requirement? Thanks so much.
Hi Sara! Yes! Usually the classes have about 8 participants and we all meet over Zoom and check in with each other; then we do a project together. Participants often sign up together and use the class as an opportunity to spend time together. We’ve had a 4-year-old participate before! If you want to bring a child, let me know ahead of time, and your child can attend with you for no extra charge.