Local photographer does Christmas
Miscellanea's inaugural Holiday Gift Guide? Suitable for those who haven't already given all their monies to Jeff™
The consumer-driven culture of Christmas is so often heralded as its downfall that we overlook the generosity at its helm. Michael Tucker vaguely calling on the meaning of Christmas in the year Two-Thousand-and-Twenty-Four? You betcha.
As the years have passed, I’ve gotten increasingly excited at the prospect of giving. Adulting your way into disposable income has its perks, not the least of them being the opportunity for generosity. Christmas gifting proves a fitting way to end the year and signal to those that you love that you do indeed love them. In this ceremony of cliches, yes: it’s the thought that counts.
Here’s my operating rule:
Something they want
Something they need
Something for home
Something to read
This ‘guide’ is in no way comprehensive and only loosely organized (in the true spirit of Miscellanea). Let’s get to it.
The letter
Before I bombard you with any sort of link or starry recommendation, there is no gift that can have the impact of a simple letter. A letter is the gift of your presence and consideration. People always feel good when they know you thought of them, and a letter is the most direct way to let that be known.
The stocking stuffers
Dirty Coast is officially producing and selling the OG Pontcha Mosquito pin. Be on the lookout for more from Pontcha Surf Club in 2025.
For the friend with too many bumper stickers: Honk if you love foto books
Design nerds: A Dictionary of Color Combinations
The everybody gift
The locally-made candle we’re always burning
Not half-off anymore, but it’s still on my list: Alessi’s Plissé electric citrus-squeeer
Aaaand, my most-opened cocktail book: Spirited
Speaking of books, a few from my personal wish list:
The daily driver (A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts)
New dad club (Attachments: Essays on Fatherhood and Other Performances)
A history lesson (How to Hide an Empire; A History of The Greater United States)
Something to look at (William Eggleston: For Now)
Keep-and-reminisce
An affordable and easy to assemble book shelf I’ve been eyeing
When a splurge saves you money (Too many people asking me too often what online service they should use to print their own photos. We’re getting our own Canon SELPHY this year. You should too! Bring back the tactile experience.)
And after you print your photos, put them right here in this nice box
Other notes and ideas
Go to your family gatherings with a positive attitude and hope in your heart. Try to be grateful. Set aside some time to turn your friends into an extension of your family. We’re all we’ve got. Visit bandcamp.com and buy a record, or better-yet hit your local record store. Start building a stamp collection so that you can write more letters, not just Christmas letters (the USPS website drops new cool stamps all the time). If you care about your local economy, try to stop shopping on Amazon. Reduce a little bit at a time if it makes sense for you. Times are tight but you’re gonna want your local dive to stay open; drop in for a beer or two. Don’t shop just to shop. Log out. Savor each bite and swig. Sing along.
P.S. Radiooooo has a great Christmas station (click on the map, up near the north pole).
Pictures for fun
