Holiday Post 2020: Gifts, Strange Items, and Other Shopping

Welcome to the second in the series of Holiday Posts for 2020 here at The Itinerant Librarian. Today I am looking at gifts and other strange items people give each other for the holidays. As I understand it, last Friday was pretty much the last day to place online orders if you want things to arrive by Christmas. Then again, if you are using the Big A's Primo service or are willing to pay extra for rush delivery, you may still be good to go. For us, since we also celebrate Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day) at home, anything not arriving by Christmas can wait until January 6. Anyhow, maybe you find a last minute idea for a gift here, or you can make fun with me at some of the ridiculous gift suggestions you often find this time of year.

 

 

General Gift Ideas

 

 

• Before we start making fun of ridiculous gifts or such, let's start with a public service announcement. Lifehacker provides advice so you do not fall for gift card scams. Scams like this happen all year, but they tend to be popular around the holidays. These scams often take the form of someone impersonating a company or service, or even the IRS, and demanding payment in some ultimatum (i.e., they'll cut off your electricity) and that you have to pay with a gift card. Why a gift card? According to the article, "gift cards can’t be traced, and they can be sold for money. Once the scammer gets your gift card number and a PIN they’ll have access to the cash on your card." Read the article for details and do be careful. 
  
• Speaking of gift cards, they do remain a popular option when it comes to gifts. Cosmopolitan has a list of 18 gift card ideas for folks in 2020. To be honest, these days I often prefer a gift card, preferably a VISA or MasterCard prepaid one that I can use where and how I want. I often use those to shop online (way less risky than using a personal credit or debit card). I often save any money gift cards I get to use later in the year when the big Tarot and cartomancy sales happen (usually around late August to September). There are plenty of other gift card options, and I would say if you know someone relatively well, a gift card to a favorite place of theirs may be a good idea. Do make sure you use the gift card. Do not be one of these people who leave their cards unused. So mind the details, use it sooner rather than later, and check for any expiration dates and/or inactivity fees. 
• If you have a fancy mom, GQ has some gift ideas for her. For example, a $1,100 "bone cuff" (bracelet) and a $100 strap for her Apple Watch (just the strap, watch not included. You have to spend more if you want the watch). 
• For fancy guys, GQ has a fancy list of things for men. Among the excessive items: a $53 scarf, a $170 coffee maker (what? Mr. Coffee not good enough?), and a $350 pair of headphones.
  
• Other bits of gift giving advice.
• Are you considering getting a personalized gift for someone? Here are some tips and advice via Incredible Things. 
• Did you get a not so good gift, and you feel a bit disappointed? VICE offers some advice of what to say at such times. Your choice of reaction can be dependent on the type of gift. For example, "not all “bad” gifts are created equal; there’s a massive difference between a meh gift from a family member who doesn’t know you particularly well versus an egregiously off gift from your partner of five years."
• Alison Green answers the question of best gifts for your coworkers over at Slate.  Personally, I do not think you should be giving your coworkers anything; these are your coworkers, not family, kin, or even friends. But if you are stuck in some "way too happy" workplace where they insist you have to give someone something and (pretend at least) to partake in (forced) festivities, Ms. Green has some thoughtful and helpful advice. Now Green adheres to the rule that in the workplace gifts should flow down, not up, i.e., the higher ups give the gifts to workers, not the other way around (due to power dynamics). Again, speaking for myself, I'd rather the managers just refrained. Again, they are not family, kin, nor friends. Then again, if your "manager" is the Queen of England, maybe you do need to smile and say thank you for that nice pudding she got you if you are part of her staff. Story via The Sun. 
• However, if you are a manager, please do not be this kind of prick/bitch and do this to your subordinates. Via Inc., "30 Horrifying Presents Managers Actually Bought for Employees." Believe me, you are better off just not giving anything at all if you do one of these or something similar. 
  
• If you are feeling charitable, perhaps you'd consider making a donation to some nonprofits that hand out books. Via Electric Literature.

 

Specific and Niche Gifts

 

•  For those who like pens and writing, Goulet Pens blog highlights some fountain pens under $35. The LAMY Safari is one I would not mind trying out. 
• For people who love Netflix, via Cosmopolitan. This is mostly Netflix related swag such as a cutting board and a spoon. The list also has things like blankets and throws so you can stay warm while you binge watch whatever it is you binge watch in Netflix. 
• Cosmopolitan also has a gift list for people (women mainly) who watch The Bachelor and the Bachelorette shows. That is getting pretty niche. If you know who Juan Pablo is, this may be for you. 
• For the cannabis/pot person (where legal).
•  Here is Leafly's gift guide for 2020. 
• VICE also has a list for your stoner pals. They also got you covered if said pals get the munchies. 
•  Boing Boing has a guide for your tabletop gamer family and friends. The list of course includes some classics like Dungeons and Dragons, but then there are games like Pitchstorm (pitching bad movies to movie executives. This one sounds interesting to me). 
• For the person who enjoys collecting toys and other collectibles, Jo Blo has a nice list. 
  
• For the book people in your life. 
• Fine Books and Collections magazine blog has a short list of books for bibliophiles. 
• Book Riot has a list of books to give as gifts as well as other gifts for readers. To be honest, the books on their list are not ones I would want as gifts, but I am sure they are fine for other people. 
• For the reader who likes books about movies and media, they may be interested in Jo Blo's gift guide. For me, I'd be interested in the Star Wars: the Lightsaber Collection (which also reminds me of a Harry Potter magic wands book my daughter has), X-Files: the Official Archives, and the Suburban Grindhouse book. 
• For the people who read and like comics and graphic novels. 
•  Dark Horse Comics blog has a holiday gift guide for all ages. 
• CBR lists the 10 best Marvel comics titles from 2020. There is also a DC Comics list. I need to catch up on some of these. If you prefer something other than the Big 2, and I often do, here is a list of 10 indie comics companies. I've read comics from most of them, and they all put good stuff out. 
• For Tarot, cartomancy and mystical folks: 
• Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, has her 2020 Tarot, Astrology, and Mystical Holiday Shopping Guide. List includes decks, books, and even a few services, like say, if you want to get a Tarot reading (except from her. She stopped reading for the public). The post also has a few other miscellany.
• Colette Baron-Reid has a holiday gift guide. This one is small and has a bit more emphasis on self care ideas, which after 2020 I think we all deserve some self-care. On a side note, I am using her Good Tarot deck this month for my daily card draws. I will have a review of it on this blog probably next month, and deck interview spread for it over at Alchemical Thoughts later.
  

Alcohol and Spirits 

 

 

•  Maxim lists their best new American whiskies for the year. Their list is based on sampling 100 whiskies and choosing 25.
• Drinkhacker has their 2020 Best Spirits list, which has a little bit of everything.
  

 

 

 

Uber Rich/Fancy Gifts

 

 

• If you have money to burn, and are in New York City, or will be there, this uber fancy hotel package may be just for you. Via Departures.  
• For your amusement, here is the 2020 Hater's Guide to the Williams Sonoma catalog. Via Defector.
  

 

 

Adult/Sexy Gifts Ideas 

(the possibly NSFW part)

 

 

 

•  Kinkly has a list of top sex-positive gifts that are not sex toys. They also have a sex toys list. 
• If you want a calendar different than the usual. 
• The Reprobate highlights some naked charity calendars for 2021. From naked firefighters to German naked farmers, odds are you may find something here. 
• The Advocate highlights the 2021 Naked Otters calendar (and no, this does not refer to the cute little animal. Here is the definition).