A Gifting Strategy

to make singular moments better

Hi Toggsers, Hadley here. The snow has been falling here in Chamonix, and even with nature’s warning, I still find myself fairly unprepared for Christmas despite my inbox and Instagram being chock-full of gift guides.

It wasn't until coming across Kate Watson-Smyth’s version of a gift guide that I realized I could indeed handle this year’s shopping. Her idea is to make little gift bundles that make whatever activity the person loves doing, that much better. For example, instead of just giving a book, give a book and a blanket, or a book and your recipient’s favorite bag of tea. Imagine how you can make their reading experience even more enjoyable.

One of the best gifts I ever received was a burly, extendable snow scraper. I’m sure when I received it, I rolled my eyes. But, but, but, every time I went to scrape my car, I internally thanked my mom for giving me something that made this near-daily task better. Gone were the days when I’d belly roll across the windshield, snow funneling into my boots, and sketchily driving with just a small window of visibility. Paired with a new pair of Hestra gloves or some snow boots and I imagine your loved one will come to tolerate winter’s constant task.

Below is a list of bundle ideas for your loved one. Because I adore reading above nearly all else, this list is very much book-themed. I included links to gifts, but in fact, each serves as an idea or placeholder that you can shop for locally and more specifically for your person.

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Book Clubber

This one is for your book club leader. The one that picks the new best hit. That gets everyone together and fills their home or apartment with food and drink, regardless of whether anyone actually read the book.

Maggie Shipstead’s The Great Circle, Lily King’s Heart the Lover ,Yiyun Li’s The Book of Goose

If I were gifting for this person, I’d think about making their hosting that much more special. Ideas include a serving platter or bowl or tray—this one is a beauty, but I bet you can find a great one locally. Ceramic studios are a goldmine for unique, handmade gifts. If they have serving dishes aplenty, why not update their glassware? Or include a new bar item like this ridiculous and festive lemon squeezer so they can keep the drinks coming without spraying lemon juice on their precious pages.

Smarty Pants

This is for that person in your life who has managed to eschew all online brain rot (I envy, I envy…)

John Mcphee’s Draft No. 4, Fredric Jameson’s The Years of Theory, Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland

For the person whose nose is always smashed between pages I’d give a pen for jotting in the margins. You could go with this affordable Kaweco Pen or ball out on a Mont Blanc-I have my father’s Mont Blanc pen, and it’s one of my most cherished possession. Along with the pen, why not a stack of Leuchturm1917 notebooks based on their favorite colors where they can store their big brain’s worth of thoughts. Or get ahead of them and renew their subscription to The New Yorker (Harpers, The Paris Review, etc).

Nature Lover

These gifts are for the leaf peeper, the one who always knows where the local herd of elk or pack of wolves is hanging. For the one who likes to wander and fiercely protects Gaia with everything they’ve got.

Nate Blakeslee’s American Wolf, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, and Michael Malay’s Late Light (hard to find online, but your bookstore could order-with books I try 95% of the time to do anything but amazon)

If you were born in the 80’s or 90’s, you’ll recognize this classic—Bag Balm, which would be perfect for after dry, cold, winter wanderings. Or what about a Monocular to get up close and personal with creatures of the woods? And because we can be nature nerds in style here at Togs, a fresh pair of Roa wandering shoes

Cool, Moody, Friend

This is for the friend who’s got that vibe. They’re cool, smart, and a bit enigmatic. Usually the hardest person to shop for because it’s that person that finds the thing nobody else has

Daniel Mason’s North Woods, Lauren Groff’s The Vaster Wilds (or Fates and Furies), Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation

I imagine this person knows their coffee and would be delighted to have an Overview Coffee subscription to drink out of their expressive mug set, while still looking chic with this scarf. One of those people who changes out of their pajamas even if they are reading on the couch all day.

Ski Bum

For your fellow ski bum, or son or daughter who's just moved to a mountain town, these gifts would be perfect to help them not just survive winter, but celebrate this special time of their life where their concerns are their dating life and snow levels.

Heather Hansman’s Powder Days, Bernadette Mcdonald’s Art of Freedom (another author you couldn’t go wrong with any of her books), Peter Kray’s The God of Skiing

I believe this is the actual snow scraper my mom gave me—really perfect for those short recipients who struggle to reach the middle of the windshield. For this recipient, you could stay in the practical with needed items like grocery store gift certificates, health insurance, or a high-yield savings account. But instead, why not help them memorialize this special care-free time with a Tess Wood custom matchbox print of their favorite local spot?

When I was at the height of my skiing days, my roommates would take photos of everyone who came to the house (we lived outside of Jackson by about 40 minutes, so it was extra special when friends would trek out to the cabin in the woods). That collection lived on the fridge and caught many a precious or hilarious moment. I love pulling out those prints, especially now that I’m almost 40 and life is less care-free. This Polaroid iPhone printer lets you do the same without having to always buy new film, printing images directly from your iPhone.

Clutch Meal Provider

I think we all have that friend who cooks big dinners or brings extra homemade snacks on the skin-track. While giving them more cooking supplies might seem insulting at first, as a person who loves to cook for the people they love, I can confirm that, in fact, it would be a treat!

Lily Krass, editor of Ski Journal and Max Ritter’s Ski Snacks, Alison Roman’s Something from Nothing, Roxana Jullapat’s Mother Grains

Alongside a new cookbook, why not give them a bookstand for ease? Or replace their 10-year-old Microplane. And when in doubt, Maldon salt or other gourmet ingredients will be a hit.

Homebody

This is for the friend who loves cozy nights in and books that simultaneously melt your heart and restore your belief in humanity.

Brian Doyle’s One Long River of Song, Genzaburo Yoshino’s How Do You Live?, Mary Oliver’s Felicity

I can imagine this person (probably because it’s me), snuggling on the couch with a soft blanket*, while wearing a face mask** while the light and aroma of a D.S. & Durga candle*** bounces off the walls, and of course a bar of chocolate within reach.

*this blanket is bonkers expensive but too cute not to share—again these are all placeholders for your locally found gift and what’s an online gift guide without an over-priced item or too ;)

**again expensive but the ONLY products I put on my skin

***if you’re a Jackson local, these candles are available at Habits

I hope this helps you find that last-minute gift! And if you have any great reads for the above categories or other characterizations, put them in the comments (this is purely a selfish request to gift myself more books).

Be sure to check out Kellyn’s lists such as this year’s small business guide and last year’s timeless gifting guide, and of course our team REI guide can all be of use as we get closer and closer to the holidays.

Here’s to a wonderful holiday season. If I could, I’d find a way to send some of this European snow to the western US! Fingers crossed for a white Christmas wherever you are.

-Hadley