Wednesday, December 16, 2015

A few gifts to get pumped about

It seems like doing gift guides is less popular among the blogs I follow this year, and that makes me sad. I love seeing what is out in the world, and not just the fifty dollar craft marshmallows Real Simple suggests to me as stocking stuffers. If gift-giving is something you do this time of year, here are a few ideas for yourself and the other special people in your life.
I'm enamored of this print showing Rosie the Riveters from many different walks of life. If this could be the logo of Be Your Own Lady, my life would complete. Roaring Softly (an Etsy shop) has a ton of great pop culture prints, including some featuring Leslie Knope and Liz Lemon. Give one of these prints to your sister, aunt, or best work friend over margs and guac and finish 2015 right.

It's not a secret that I think Humans of New York is one of the most important things on the internet. I regularly share stories that touch me, and the photographer's work with Syrian refugees has taught me so much. It is a beautiful thing. Brandon has two books out- his first, which is full of pictures of the interesting people he meets, and one that came out this year, called Humans of New York Stories. This second edition includes the little quotations that the people he photographs share, all of which, even the simple ones, are special and intimate and inspirational. This gift is not just for people who love New York, good photography, or a sneak peek into strangers' personal lives, although it's a good place to start.

Modern Girl Blitz is one of my absolute favorite places for stickers and jewelry right now. Her subject matter includes feminism, typewriters, ghosts, and witches. I also really enjoy following the owner on Instagram- she posts about sales and about her process. The Feminism Is Cool and this tape cannot measure greatness stickers are must haves for the patriarchy-smashing girl in your life.


A few months (even one delivery!) of a subscription service is a wicked special treat. I'm fond of the Book Riot boxes- I asked for a subscription to their YA service for Christmas. I have no direct experience with these, but who doesn't like getting mail? You can find subscription services for everything from coffee to makeup to baby products, and then you're set for that person who has it all!

Funko Pop is a genius company. They've made these catchy little dolls, a good number of which cannot stand up on their own, that do NOTHING, and I am desperate to buy a good half of the ones they produce. If you name a fandom, Funko Pop has it covered, including popular cult shows and 80s movies, Nerd heaven. I am currently collecting all the badass girls I love, and have Hermione and Willow so far. Buy a few together or pick up a copy of your recipient's favorite book or movie and include a key Funko to make the gift...I'm gonna do it...pop.

There is nothing that will make you feel more terrific than donating to charity- give that feeling as a gift  to someone else. One of my favorite presents my mother ever gave me was the year she donated a year of education to a girl in rural Afghanistan in my name. For an extra touch, pick a charity that is particularly important to the recipient: give to Planned Parenthood in honor of the women in your life, support NPR for your informed father, make a donation to a local school in the name of your cousin who teaches, give to veterans for your aunt who served. I suggest using Charity Navigator to find an organization- they are a database of thousands of charities, but more importantly, they rate them and give information on how much of the money actually goes towards the cause. Spend some time on the site and find a special charity, then make a donation within your budget that will do the double whammy of helping someone else AND letting you give a meaningful gift to someone you love.

What are you looking forward to giving this year? Is there anything you're REALLY hoping to get? I made a Christmas wishlist on Pinterest, but I'm totally buying the Steve Zissou earrings for myself.

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3 Comments:

At December 16, 2015 at 2:10 PM , Anonymous stephanie, sandpaper and glue said...

I want every pin in the Feminism Is Cool shop!

 
At December 19, 2015 at 5:30 AM , Blogger ashlie said...

Seriously! I follow her on Instagram and she has tons of really good sales and posts cute pictures of her progress.

 
At December 19, 2015 at 5:31 AM , Blogger ashlie said...

Ha. Didn't realize I HAD included that little factoid in the post. But so fun, worth the double mention.

 

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