Holiday Post 2025: Gifts, strange things, and other shopping

Greetings and welcome to the second installment in my holiday posts series for 2025. In case you missed it, here is the first post in the series looking at holiday traditions, manners, and miscellany.

Today I am looking at gifts, strange things, and other shopping. This year seems to be marked by many people stating up front that they will spend less for the holidays and/or are making efforts to keep expenses and gifts at a modest scale. This is not the first year that people make such statements; you hear some of it every year, but this year the situation seems a bit more urgent, and folks sound a bit more insistent about it. I can add that we are doing our best to keep holiday expenses as low as possible and trying to keep the gifts modest. My one indulgence has been some cartomancy decks, and I saved money throughout the year to get them. One thing I can say is we are not using credit or any other pay later scheme to pay for the holidays. If we do not have the money for it, we can do without just fine. In the end, I hope folks out there take it easy. Don't feel pressured to shop just because the big stores and businesses urge you to do so. Do what you can with what you have, and in the end, remember it is more about the thought and the quality of time with those in your close circle. 

 

Tips and advice for holiday shopping 

• As I mentioned, many people this holiday season are trying to make do with less. The Bad Economy is hitting some folks hard. Here is a small sample of such stories: 
• Two out of Five Americans plan to spend less for the holiday season, via The Independent. For some, this means no gifts at all. This is not good news for ordinary folks, and it certainly is not the kind of news retailers want to hear at this time of year. The article draws on some survey data and a look at key issues in the U.S. such as the still expensive groceries and the Pendejo In Chief's tariffs. 
• NPR also mentions that Americans are planning to make do with less this holiday season. People who have what may be considered regular and stable jobs are still having to take on second jobs and even going to food pantries to make ends meet in the Bad Economy. That is not all, so read the article for more details. 
• Our Canadian neighbors up north are also planning to cut back. The Toronto Sun reports on a survey stating one-third of Canadians plan to spend less for the holidays. How grim are things? For example, the article reports that "the poll shows 60% of Canadians are redirecting savings to essentials like groceries. . . ". What can I say? People need to eat. The CBC also reported on what people are doing to keep expenses down for the holidays. According to the CBC, people say they are cutting down their shopping lists, limiting gifts to just the children, and thrifting. 
• Even back in Puerto Rico, where people do their best to go big during the holiday, 7 out of 10 Puerto Ricans report they are cutting back for the holiday season according to a local survey.Story via the San Juan Daily Star. 
• For some folks, anxiety with giving and/or receiving gifts is an issue. Via OM Times, here is some advice to help you cope and overcome that anxiety and discomfort. One bit of advice that resonated for me: "What is the best present you can give or receive? Many would say it is the other person’s presence and willingness to listen to them without judgment or interruption." 

 

General gift ideas

  

This is where I look at some general lists that have a bit of this and a bit of that. Mostly I am looking for items I may find interesting or amusing. 

• Rolling Stone has their list of "best Christmas list."  I am always skeptical when someone claims they got the best list of whatever, so let's take a look at this list. They state their list goes from affordable stocking stuffers to luxury items.
• Coming in at $30 is a 10 ounce Yeti tumbler. Given the recent craze of Stanley Cups and other similar beverage containers, does anyone really need another insulated cup? However, the detail to keep in mind with this tumbler is that its "double-walled insulation keeps wine at the right temperature." We all know how important it is to keep that wine at the right temperature. 
• At $25 they got a Leuchtturm1917 Notebook. Let me be honest. As an amateur writer and journaling enthusiast, I may use a nice notebook, but I certainly do not pay $25 for one. Only time I have paid more was for a handcrafted journal notebook from a local artist who works in leather and upcycled materials. Those are notebooks and notebook covers to cherish, plus you buy local. 
• At the $100 range they got a Google Nest Audio, one of those home smart devices that I will never have in my home as long as I live. However, if being spied on by Google is your thing, oh well. 
• $58 gets you a cast iron pigeon, which I honestly have no idea why anyone would want one, but here we are. 
• If you want to splurge for someone they suggest a LEGO set to build a Porsche 911 model at $169 or so.  I like LEGO, but that is definitely out of my price range.
• When I first saw this headline, I wondered why anyone wanted a hamper. Turns out across the pond the hamper refers to a basket, kind of like what I might call a picnic basket. Anyhow, The Telegraph (UK) has their list of best Christmas hampers if you are interested.  The newspaper reviewed a bunch of different baskets from various companies to help you decide which to get or not. Note these can be a bit on the pricey side. I'd say you may be better off making your own hamper or basket as a gift to someone. This leads me to the next article.
• In the Bad Economy, Teen Vogue offers the idea of "preloved baskets." These are gift baskets you make with items you got second hand and/or from thrift stores.  If you have someone in your life who is into some fandom, you can make the basket with items related to their fandom. With some patience, creativity, and perseverance, you can make this work for anyone and stay in budget. To be honest, I like this idea better than the Telegraph's list. 
• Need something for those stockings? Vice has a list of holiday snacks for the stockings. From the list, the Legally Addictive snacks were new to me. 

 

Specific niche gifts 

These are lists of gifts for specific groups and people. I am not listing them in any particular order. 

• For gaming enthusiasts and movie lovers, The Verge has a list of 36 items. Note this article also has links to some of their other niche lists. Prices range from under $20 to about $400. 
• The LEGO Gameboy model also made the Rolling Stone "best" list above.
• For men, Art of Manliness has a list of 15 items. This annual list tends to be traditional male gifts, some of them a bit old school, but I think the right guy would appreciate some of these. It has a blend of some basics, some practical things, and a classic or two. For example, it features a pocket knife, which is a very classic gift for a man, although at $200 for the one they feature, that is a serious investment in a pocket knife. I had pocket knives when I was young, especially when I was in the Boy Scouts, but as an adult I've never felt the need to have one, or at least a very high end one. I do have a multi-purpose knife and tool I carry in my backpack. 
• For the toy enthusiast, and I do not mean children unless we mean children of all ages. Comics Beat has a list for them in 2025. Once again, LEGO sets are popular in a list; this one features a LEGO gumball machine model that runs about $180. 
• For the comics lover, Comics Beat also has a list.  An issue with the list is they have their writers mention titles with brief descriptions, but there are no links for purchase or where to find the items, so you'll need to do a bit more searching on your own to find some of the books listed. Having said that, there are some interesting titles here, and you might discover a new to you book to read. 
• For the internet and online activist, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has a small holiday list of items you can buy that look cool and you can help support EFF. From their list I do like their gaming dice.
• For the fancy traveler, Quartz looks at 9 best Christmas destinations according to the Michelin Guide. If you have time and some money to burn, maybe you want to visit one of these places. The list does feature some nice places.
• For the book lover and reader:  
• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books has their annual holiday gift guide. It features gifts like mugs and jewelry. I thought the library card coasters were a nice idea.
• This just caught my eye, via Literary Hub, an estate sale in Philadelphia where they are selling thousands of books. If you were curious, like antiquarian books, or just want to see what the deceased collected, this would have been interesting. 
• Book Page has a list of 5 literary gift books.  From their list I am intrigued by the book Everyday I Read.
• Libros 787 has a list of 10 perfect books for Christmas (Spanish language).  From the list, I have the first book on the  list, the new at this time history of Puerto Rico, on my TBR list. Also from the list I read The Puerto Rican War graphic novel (link to my review). 
• For the stoner and cannabis enthusiast, if you are in Michigan, the Detroit Metro Times has some gift ideas.  
• For writers: 
• Especially memoir and essay writers, Open Secrets Magazine offers a gift guide. It features books, workshops you could sign up to do, and other things.  
• Literary Hub has a gift guide for writers.  Tea scented erasers are an item on the list, and I am not too sure about those. A lot of these items overall I definitely view as highly optional and probably a bit on the pretentious side.
• The Washington Blade offers an ultimate guide to queer gift giving.  Claiming it is "ultimate" does set the expectations fairly high. I have to admit the vulva candles can claim an ultimate gift level. The candle is one of those that burn from underneath, so they can keep the shape as they melt down. That aside, the list combines some cute items with some luxury ones.
• You may want to consider buying your gifts from Black-owned brands. Story via The Root.
• Rolling Stone has a list of best gifts for wives that prove the husband (or spouse) is listening. It must be wives who like expensive things because if I got some or any of these for the Better Half, she would know for sure I was NOT listening when she said to keep it simple and modest.
• Rolling Stone also has a list for the husbands. Most of the stuff is fairly stereotypical male guy stuff.      

 

Alcohol and spirits

  

A small sampling of the liquor and alcohol lists for gifts this year. I always remember back in younger days my dad, who was an industrial salesman, often received bottles of liquor as gifts from his vendors and clients. And they were usually very nice, albeit modestly priced bottles. My dad drank, but moderately so, so he got more booze than he knew what to do with it, so he drank some and regifted the rest as best he could.  

• Maxim has a tequila lover's gift guide.  Most of these are a bit pricey, but the Dizzy Donkey, love the name by the way, comes in at $30 for the blanco. Just for the name I am curious to go look for it. 
• Maxim also has a list of best rye whiskies for the year.  I do enjoy a good rye whiskey now and then, but these may be a bit out of my price range, but if you can afford it, have at it. 
• The Spirits Business has their top 10 Christmas gift ideas.  The rum gift set by Drop Works sounds interesting. 

 

 

 Tarot and other cartomancy and esoteric

• Collective World has a nice idea: what gift to give yourself this holiday based on your zodiac and Tarot. List is not so much material things but more things that may help your personal development and growth.
• Pagan Grimoire has a list of 40 witchy gifts for men. This caught my eye in part because one does not see too many things for men in the pagan and witchy scene. It is what it is, but as I said, it caught my eye. Naturally the items, some at least, do have the necessary manly man aesthetic, whatever that means. Anyhow, for the pagan dude in your life some of these could be an option. There are some interesting items overall. I liked this list.  
• From the list, I am intrigued by the back flow incense burner, the first item on the list, but I get the impression you may need to buy their incense to make it work. Personally, I am perfectly happy with basic incense and a cheap burner, but if you want to splurge a bit have at it. 
• By the way, the book they show as an example, The Hermetic Museum: Alchemy and Mysticism, I just finished reading it, and yea, for your pagan man, he might appreciate it if he is a reader or just likes nice books. I hope to post a review for it soon. The book is published by Taschen, and they always put out very nice books. 
• They also suggest a Tarot deck. Personally, I would say unless you know the person, this may not be the best option because, in my humble opinion, each cartomancer knows their own preferences and aesthetic. Just give me some cash or a gift card so I can get my own decks. Having said that, if this will be their first deck, just be mindful in your choices. 
• I liked the idea of making or giving a handmade wand. I may need to do that for myself, find a good stick to make a wand. 
• Naturally, there is at least one LEGO set, and this time they suggest the Hocus Pocus model featuring the Sanderson Sisters house so you can build it together (wink wink).
• Colette Baron Reid has her list of favorite things for the holidays. List combines a bit of self promotion, say for her decks, and some more personal ideas like writing  a handwritten notes. 
• Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, offers her "2025 Tarot, Astrology, and Mystical Holiday Shopping Guide." She does put some thought and offers some good variety of items and services of interest to the witchy and other magical folk. From the list of books she suggests, I am currently reading Ethony Dawn's Become an Exceptional Tarot Reader, and so far I can say the book is great. I will have a review here on the blog soon. 

 

 I end this post with the adult section. If that is not your thing, you can stop reading here, and I thank you for stopping by. If you are cool with, keep reading. 

Adult and/or sexy gift ideas 

 

 

•  Back in September, Tenga was taking pre-orders on their advent calendars. Story via AVN.The calendar features "25 unique surprise Tenga Egg strokers to discover throughout the holiday season." This sounds like one of those fun items that the Better Half and I should get one of these years for some fun quality time. At about $120, we'd need to save a bit of money for it. Oh well, maybe next year. If you want to get it, here is the link to their store.
• Girl on the Net has her list of Christmas gifts with sexy suggestions.