I love giving gifts, and I love giving advice, so this holiday season, please let me give you some unsolicited gift advice. I have compiled some gifts that I’ve given to others, some gifts I’ve received myself, and some things that I hope to someday get (or get again) this year. Much like this newsletter, it’s a mix of food, music, feelings, and pretentiousness!
I received a custom U-Turn Orbit turntable for my birthday in 2021 and will attest that it’s a great gift. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, and manufactured in Woburn, MA--a few miles from my home. Love it, and use it all of the time.
love lots of these things already! Bird by Bird has been such a wonderful book, a standard! And I have gifted that Jeff Tweedy book already. I am excited about these pencils! I love pannetone, and the best one I ever had was a limoncello pannetone, I am on the search for it.
I can't believe I'd never heard that The Conversations was a SE inspiration! I'm an editor, and we read Murch's other book (In The Blink Of An Eye) in school. That's a great book, but The Conversations is better in my estimation. Anytime someone asks me more than three questions in a row about what I do, I just tell them they should read it. GREAT recommendation.
Do you have any recommendations for LA stores to buy gifts (maybe in Pasadena, Highland Park, DTLA, Silverlake… basically anywhere but the westside). Thanks!!
I love this list! I think it's going to be helpful for a couple of family members.
I'm stuck on a gift idea and the Blackwing pencils make me think perhaps you, or the commenters, could help. I need a fairly cheap - like $15 or less - pretentious gift idea.
The long explanation if you want to read it:
I'm an executive assistant and started working at a private equity firm in Manhattan in April. I support 10 people, ages 24-35. They all have a lot more money than me of course and receive all manner of travel mugs, notebooks, pens, etc from the diff companies they work with year round.
I know getting a gift for your boss/manager/higherups is not expected, but from what I can tell, the vibe at this company is "small little happy." Like baked goods or something.
The pencils would be great! (If they came in a smaller/cheaper pack) but another EA got her team custom pencils last year. My backup idea is Raaka chocolates. $15 or less bc I have ten people to buy for.
I've been wondering where to start with turntables! Your rec sounds great!
Also, laughing because I also just wrote a gift guide and recommended Blackwings as a pretentious (and beloved) gift.
Oooh thanks for the Pannetone tip. I feel
As you describe, so I’m trying out Roy. Their customer service is superlative.
Love this--thank you so much! Buying the songwriting book for a cousin in Alaska who is a budding young songwriter! Happy Holidays to you!
I received a custom U-Turn Orbit turntable for my birthday in 2021 and will attest that it’s a great gift. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, and manufactured in Woburn, MA--a few miles from my home. Love it, and use it all of the time.
I just think you are the greatest. Happy holidays. (And I miss TWWW every day)
love lots of these things already! Bird by Bird has been such a wonderful book, a standard! And I have gifted that Jeff Tweedy book already. I am excited about these pencils! I love pannetone, and the best one I ever had was a limoncello pannetone, I am on the search for it.
Amazing list
I'm a sucker for a stationery recommendation so excited about these. Following that theme, what's your favourite 1) pen and 2) regular sized notebook?
I hope you get the Criterion subscription of your dreams this year!
I’m very intrigued by the Jeff Tweedy book as it may be helpful for the musical play I’m writing. Thanks for these suggestions!
I can't believe I'd never heard that The Conversations was a SE inspiration! I'm an editor, and we read Murch's other book (In The Blink Of An Eye) in school. That's a great book, but The Conversations is better in my estimation. Anytime someone asks me more than three questions in a row about what I do, I just tell them they should read it. GREAT recommendation.
I just ordered the BjornQorn holiday tin for my coworkers, thank you for the idea!
Do you have any recommendations for LA stores to buy gifts (maybe in Pasadena, Highland Park, DTLA, Silverlake… basically anywhere but the westside). Thanks!!
Love this list, especially the book recommendations! Any items that are honorable mentions?
I love this list! I think it's going to be helpful for a couple of family members.
I'm stuck on a gift idea and the Blackwing pencils make me think perhaps you, or the commenters, could help. I need a fairly cheap - like $15 or less - pretentious gift idea.
The long explanation if you want to read it:
I'm an executive assistant and started working at a private equity firm in Manhattan in April. I support 10 people, ages 24-35. They all have a lot more money than me of course and receive all manner of travel mugs, notebooks, pens, etc from the diff companies they work with year round.
I know getting a gift for your boss/manager/higherups is not expected, but from what I can tell, the vibe at this company is "small little happy." Like baked goods or something.
The pencils would be great! (If they came in a smaller/cheaper pack) but another EA got her team custom pencils last year. My backup idea is Raaka chocolates. $15 or less bc I have ten people to buy for.