The Season of Giving (Things to Myself)
Current gift strategy: one for you, two for me.
When it comes to spending money on myself, I tend to replenish my basic needs – mainly socks and contact lens saline because I lead a very exciting life.
But I can never find a good enough reason to go beyond that. Do I need this cute phone case? No, mine is boring but functional, not to mention forgiving when dropped. Will this new bedroom lamp bring me joy? Nah, not enough.
And then.
When the holidays roll around, after eleven months of careful restraint, I blow a circuit. For a few glorious weeks, I buy anythingthat warms my cold, sensible heart.
I’m proud that this year, most of that money went to local businesses and artists. I yanked treasures from downtown White River shops like a seasoned professional. We 19 Days-ed the bejesus out of the Upper Valley Haven's 19 Days event, and that’s not even counting my weekly burrito fix from Boloco. Here's a sampling, and if it seems like most of these gifts are on my counter, in my hand, or otherwise on my person, it's because I bought them all for myself:
Clockwise from left: consigned Franco Sarto boots (Revolution); coconut cashew granola (Hartland Granola, best granola you’ll ever put in your face, available at Dan and Whit's); artisan serving platter and ornament (Angry Goat Pottery, with fig and walnut biscotti from Bella Biscotti to demonstrate); knit hat (Ellen's Half-Pint Farm).
I bought a good chunk of this at the annual Marion Cross artisan's fair, which also benefitted the the Haven. My favorite find came from Oodles, because I am a lover of old things. It’s this sleigh bell, tagged with the handwritten label, “Old, Wonderful Bell." Exactly what it is:
I didn't keep everything for myself; somewhere in my stash are gifts for other people, just as lovely and special because I literally can't find them anywhere but here. That's what I love about shopping local. It also makes for a much more fun shopping experience compared to toiletries and socks.
Happy holidays, everyone!