Gifted Gifts

Issue 61 is ready to open

Dec 07, 2022

Greetings, dear ones. The rain is finally falling in Northern California — truly a gift.

Shall we get into this week’s topic?

Gifted gifts are gifts worth gifting, from companies worth supporting, for people worth showering.

Believe it or not, I don’t get anything for sharing these goods with you — other than the satisfaction of raising the gifting vibration in all of us. I try offering gifts at multiple price points, but I don’t try that hard because this isn’t a REAL gift guide. It’s a makeshift collection of items I like that you may like too. Warning: they’re not all affordable and they’re not all crap.

Someday, this guide may be comprehensive and beautifully designed. Alas, most first-ever concepts are not that — they’re prototypes — minimal viable products, as they say in the industry. Small and raw. This is that.

Gift on…

Consumables

Mailorder food gets a bad wrap. Zingerman’s is the cats meow. An excellent company doing excellent business with excellent foods for you and yours.

Holy crepe! This crepe maker is a slam dunk.

All of the olive oils and vinegars at Amphora Nueva are excellent. But because there are so many to choose from, I’ll show you a fail safe pairing of EVOO and balsamic.

Popcorn makes everything better. Have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack — but not in the same 24 hours.

Ooni Pizza Oven: If you’re up for a culinary adventure, this oven will have the whole family full of fun and food. I’ve done the research for you. If you must stray from my suggestions, you’re asking for trouble. Also, this is an expensive package. I bought some things immediately and waited to buy on others.

Koda 16 gas powered pizza oven. Do not get wood or combo wood and gas. Get gas. Only. You’re romantic and you want authentic fire-chip roasted pizza. Stray at your own risk. Eventually you’ll end up with the gas oven like everyone else does.
Turning peel. Super handy to turn your pizza while in the oven. The pizza cooks in 90-or-so seconds so you’re right there to turn it for even cooking.
Pizza Peel. I have the perforated version of this and I don’t recommend it. Buy this one. I use my favorite cutting board that has a lovely long handle as my dough shaper and my pizza launcher (the tool that launches your pizza into the oven and pulls it back out again).
The Table. Eventually, I got the pizza table. You can use any table. This one fit the exact space I needed to fill with my Ooni so I went for it.
This is the pizza dough recipe I use.

If you live in Marin County and you like weed, Ona Life is a classy outfit for all things CBD and THC. Door to door service and their customer service is top notch (not that I’ve ordered from them ;)

Homeward Bound

Heath Ceramics: Made from the earth’s clayful bounty, shaped by the hands of California craftspeople, and served to you like the gritty gold they are. Vases put smiles on faces. Bowls and platters flatter.

Stocked and docked. Gift electricity with this charging station.

A good bean bag is as good as it gets. These are pricy, but I know someone who has one (a friend’s sister’s aunt’s mom) and they love it. For real, if you can swing it, it’s worth it.

You know I love Suz and her art, so here she is again. Big doodles as fine art. These maps are fun gifts.

Molly M’s prints and papercuts make my heart sing. Always have, always will.

Enjoy modern gifts for the home from Hay.

Readable

The Untethered Soul is a beautiful book for the soul-minded.

My mom was a real Ottolenghi fan. This book is about lining your shelves and stocking your pantry like Ottolenghi. WWOD (what would Ottolenghi do?).

This book, from the Barefoot Investor, is written for kids about money. I can’t find it in the US, except on Ebay. That’s where I’m ordering mine. You may want to, as well.

Are you a woman? Do you have ADHD? This book caught my eye, as does a lot when you have ADHD. Mine’s on order. Yours?

Gifts for the Smalls

Next to me, as I type, sits a bowl full of washi tape. Why? For anything and everything. You needn’t be a crafter. If the tape’s within arm’s reach, your giftee will you is on letters, art, wrapping, labeling, and rolling it for cat toys.

According to Emma, these are the best paint pens on the market. She’s eight, but seems to know her stuff.

Speks: You know how much I adore this little company. Excellent toys for all ages. Their customer service is as good as their products.

The Lemony Snicket book series for kids: I find them an utter joy to read. Poetic and fun, awful and amazing. There are 13 books in total. We’re on #6.

For the wee ones. These melting puddies are fun.

Wear Where?

Goodr sunglasses are excellent in weight, fit, and price. I’m a fan of the OGs. You can be a fan of whatever you’d like.

The best slippers! I didn’t say the best looking slippers.

Does someone in your life love Yosemite? My mom did, but she wouldn’t have worn these socks. I hope someone will, because they make me think of her.

Check out more killer and Kule socks in the Kule sock bar.

Baggu has many fun prints and many useful items. For example, you may wonder, “Why does anyone need a packing cube?” and they you’ll use a packing cube and know exactly why people use packing cubes.

Body Positive

I gifted this body wash to both my sisters last year and both requested it again this year. Hint: You can give it to anyone, even if they’re not your sister.

My friend and owner of Floramye (pronounced flora + me) has wonderful body products. Organic, cruelty free, and totally luxurious. She has the sweetest shop in Larkspur, if you’re a Bay Area local.

Dude!

This outdoor retailer came as a suggestion from an actual man. He says gift cards are acceptable. I agree.

The same man recommended this clothing retailer. I’m just the messenger.

Sweat It

It’s just a couple of straps hung from a wall, but there’s a lot of exercising one can do with the TRX. I purchased this for Owen for his birthday. Just waiting for a magical ferry handy person to arrive and hang it for me…

You won’t regret putting this pull up bar in your doorway — except it’s ugly, so there’s that.

Rando Gifts Without a Category

Have you heard of smash rooms? How about rage rooms? Go now, Google them. They’re exactly what they sound like. There’s probably one in your area — and there’s definitely someone in your life who would love to smash stuff.

The lore goes, it’s bad luck to buy yourself tarot cards. Well, that explains a lot. Just kidding. But, in case it’s true, gift some. This deck is sweet.

Get someone you love one year of faster airport security with Clear.

A fashionable kitty collar is all you need. Throw in an Airtag, since that’s what this collar is for — and you’ll have a sense of where kitty is at all times (I take Romeo’s off when he’s home). Unfortunately, I only see a 4-pack available. Your cat only needs one, but you may want several for other things (like spying on a family member).

If you know a bird nerd, get them a bird feeder. Don’t forget the tray for catching seeds. It’s the little things.

If you know another bird nerd, get them this hummingbird feeder. Endless enjoyment for everyone involved. Don’t use the red nectar. Use this. Also, ants want that nectar. Try an ant guard.

Don’t forget your local service people. Those who deliver your mail, pickup your trash, walk your dog, teach your children — show them you care, Slip ‘em a note of gratitude or a double sawbuck ($20) and a wink.

Here’s a picture of Emma and me.