LUCY BURDETTE: We’re trying to cut back on gifts, because who needs more random stuff? But maybe it would be a good idea to share ideas for items for the hard-to-buy-for but necessary people on our list? First (of course) would be books written by the Jungle Red Writers! Or maybe gift certificates to independent bookstores?
But I have a few small things to suggest. On NPR a couple weeks ago, I heard a poet interviewed about his new book LOVE POEMS (FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN) by John Kenney. The poems are so clever and so much on target that I ordered four copies for the young people we know.
And then there are gifts from Rancho Gordo, because who doesn’t need more heirloom beans?
Reds, any quick recommendations for those who haven’t finished shopping?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: None. NO idea. None. I used to do magazine subscriptions, but, shrugging, people probably wouldn’t love that anymore. Although my relatives give me The New Yorker every year, and I truly adore it and rely on it. I gave my editor Beer of the Month club once, and she was very happy with that!
(Please don’t send me heirloom beans.)
Oh, though, I DID find the most amazing pencils. Truly. They are “First World Problems” pencils. And they have slogans stamped on them, like : “There’s no Pamplemousse.” “This pencil is not the color I wanted.” “My Ripped Jeans are now too ripped.” “OMG the line at Chipotle is sooooo long” and “My Netflix won’t load.” Those are the ones I can remember. How funny is THAT? I was laughing out loud in the bookstore.
HALLIE EPHRON: I just bought my son-in-law, SO hard to shop for, tickets to a hockey game. I’ve given my kids museum memberships. Tickets to shows. Restaurant gift cards. And you can’t go wrong with homemade candy or cookies… but you have to make ‘em and mail ‘em. I give myself The New Yorker.
Lucy that book looks like a great gift.
RHYS BOWEN : John and I give each other experiences these days. A trip, fancy restaurant or theater. My daughter gave me Hamilton tickets last year, which was fabulous. I can never get too many bath products or nice pens/ journals etc. But cookies? Not when half the people I know are gluten free/ dairy free, animal cruelty free.
JENN McKINLAY: See’s Candies. It’s my go-to gift for hostesses, my postal people who mail my endless book giveaways, my hair guy. Plus, they give you samples when you shop in the store :) I also like to hit museum gift shops for small unique and unusual gifts. My favorites are the Desert Botanical Garden, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Musical Instrument Museum. It’s a treasure hunt and there’s always something unexpected!
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Jenn, I shop museum stores as well - and folks, if there’s not one near you, many museums have theirs on-line. Interesting and unique gifts, and something will spark your imagination. Like Hallie and Rhys, an experience instead of a thing is always a good idea, especially for anyone over fifty who undoubtedly already has too much stuff and is trying to get rid of some! Theater tickets, pre-paid massages, gas cards - who couldn’t use a tank of gas?
For those of you who are shopping for teachers, I have an easy suggestion: a gift card to your local independent bookstore. (Or chain store, or Amazon, if you don’t live near an indy.) High school teachers like to read, middle grade and elementary teachers buy books for their classrooms - it’s a welcome, practical gift. I say this as someone whose husband brought home SO many apple-shaped ornaments/ candles/ note pads/ pencil holders, etc, etc...
DEBORAH CROMBIE: If you don’t have a museum shop handy and don’t have time to online order, check out your local Homegoods for last minute gifts. But don’t go at lunch, or after work, or on the weekends! I am going to try nine-thirty on a weekday morning--wish me luck!
If you want something a little different in the chocolate department, check out Kate Weiser Chocolate, made right here in Dallas. They are edible works of art!
LUCY: Okay, Reds, your turn! Any suggestions for last minut gifts? or things that YOU would want?
