Whether your gift-giving style is practical, thoughtful, handmade, cozy, or minimalist there’s something here for you.
These are gifts recently given or received with delight. Where appropriate, I’ve linked specific products. I’ve mentioned many local-to-me options in Portland, Oregon to inspire you to find a version that makes sense where you are.
Wool. Since I received a pair as a gift two years ago, Darn Tough micro crew hiking socks are the only socks I want to wear in winter. Pendelton Woolen Mills is another source for the warm and wonderful.
Specialty Foods. Collect interesting imports, chocolate, or gourmet cheese at Portland area’s New Seasons Market. Or build a basket around another culinary theme at Barbur World Foods, Uwajimaya, Helvetia Farm Market, Kachka Lavka, or Providore Fine Foods. You can find similar treasures across the lower 48 at World Market, IKEA, and H-Mart.
Bread, Oil, Salt. Give a sourdough starter, with or without a hands-on lesson and tools. Wrap up the Drizzle and Sizzle gift pack from Graza. Or opt for Oregon-made Durant olive oil and Jacobsen sea salt.
A paper or felt garland is instantly festive, not to mention reusable and easy to store. Make your own, choose from Etsy.com, or East End Press’ many designs, available at Oblation Papers & Press and other local shops.
Find reusable bowl covers, utensil sets, and Swedish dishcloths at an earth conscious home goods store like Mama & Hapa’s. Their invigorating eucalyptus shower melts make a lovely gift in a re-purposed and decorated jar or drawstring bag.
Feed the Birds. I received this squirrel-proof suet feeder last Christmas. It gives me a lot of joy to see the different birds (and no squirrels) that visit year round.
Anyone who writes by hand will enjoy a colorful set of pens or highlighters, such as these Papermate Flair or Zebra Mildliners. For young friends, Mr Sketch scented markers are a classic for a reason.
A water bottle upgrade and electrolyte pouches are a stylish hydration nudge. I’m new to the electrolyte game, but find the pouches helpful for travel. Variety packs from LMNT and IQ-Bar both come highly recommended.
For the friend that has their phone balanced precariously on their dash or glances down to the cupholder for directions, a car phone holder may both save their life and improve it. This is the vent-mounted one I use.
A Long Winter Read. Give Laurus by Eugene Vodolazkin to anyone that hasn’t read it yet. For more Russian literature, consider Dostoevsky’s canon, Varlam Shalamov’s Kolyma Stories, Leo Tolstoy’s short story collection Walk in the Light, or George Saunders’ A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, excellent on audio.
Wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon, a pair of beeswax taper candles are a welcome gift for the winter table.
Travel to Mt Athos with Beauty First Films’ 2025 Calendar of Liturgical Seasons. This wall calendar—our sixth!—is organized around the feasts and fasts of the Orthodox Christian year. Concept by Dr Timothy Patitsas, design by me. Order via Etsy.
Resist the pressure
This is not the last minute. There are twelve days of Christmas. Savor these cold and dark days for all the light that pierces through. We are given this special, dark time to meditate on Christ as light, as miracle, as gift.
Looking forward to…
a nighttime drive to award best home Christmas lights in over a dozen categories, such as green & red, best nativity scene, and best tree in window. #certifiedspirit
Merry Christmas!
Thomaida