December Send-Off
December Send-Off
I'm capping off the year with a reader poll, an invitation, my Christmas wish list, and some last-minute shopping suggestions.
If November is the month of gratitude then December is the month of giving. As soon as the red bells turn up at Walgreens at the end of November, I know the holidays are right around the corner. Generosity and good cheer are everywhere.
December also means braving the crowds at shopping malls or scouring the internet for gifts. Retailers everywhere are vying for your attention and your dollars. In fact, you probably have about 15 unopened sales emails in your inbox right now.
Rather than clog your email with more of the same Holiday Gift Guides, I decided to share My Christmas Wish List instead. This isn't a hint for you to buy me gifts, although I appreciate the sentiment. The purpose of sharing this is to help you find the perfect gift for someone you may know who is a little bit like me.
If that person loves food, likes to bake and cook, enjoys a good cocktail now and then, watches television and listens to music on the daily, reads voraciously, writes occasionally, and identifies as female, then this might help you find the perfect present that they will appreciate.
If my Holiday Gift Guides are what you want, you can find those here. *Paid links.
Joy’s Christmas Wish List
Links provided for convenience. Disclaimer: While every one of these items is on my actual wish list, I do receive a small commission on anything purchased through my links.
De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine, Latte & Cappuccino Maker
Contemporary and compact: The perfect addition to a modern kitchen countertop, without taking up too much space.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven
The tight-fitting domed lid is specially designed to trap and circulate steam to create a crisp crust, maximum rise, and excellent flavor.
Philips Kitchen Appliances Compact Pasta and Noodle Maker
Automatically kneads and extrudes 2-3 servings of fresh pasta in just 18 minutes thanks to uniquely designed stirring bar.
To put it plainly, TV speakers suck now. I need to hear my movies and shows better.
I got about 3 episodes into the Apple series before I decided to cancel my monthly subscription and really enjoyed them. Now I’d like to read the story.
The lamp uses heat to melt candles and release fragrances. No open flame or smoke.
This viral South Korean beauty find instantly soothes damaged skin and delivers moisture deep into the skin. Perfect for my dehydrated winter skin.
Berlinzo Premium Ice Sphere Maker
The 2.4 inch round ice sphere melts slower than smaller cubes so I can enjoy my bourbon longer.
This best-selling style features sleek, smoothing faux leather fabric that shapes and lifts. Genxers love them!
Eastern Standard Provisions "Movie Night" Fresh Artisanal Soft Pretzel Snack Pack
We love ESP pretzels and waffles in this house. I try to have a box in the freezer at all times for game day or impromptu snacking.
Taylor Swift "Taylor's Version" Complete Vinyl Collection
No one in the neighborhood is surprised by this one; I have been listening to each album on Spotify as they are released. She was my top artist and as a top listener I received a cute little thank you video on the app. Yeah, she got me.
Furbish It’s Me Needlepoint Pillow
At tea time everybody agrees.
December also produces infinite numbers of Best of the Year lists. It’s always good to finish strong, so I wholeheartedly subscribe to this concept. We spend countless hours of the year fretting about the negative, so why not cap off the year with a reminder of all the good things?
However, rather than me tell you my list of the Best Things of 2023, I want to hear yours. What were the moments or things that brought you joy over the last year?
Your Best of 2023 can be an event like an engagement or birth, life-changing products you found, a book, movie, play, or concert you attended that blew your mind, a heroic act you witnessed, exemplary kindness by someone, or a personal accomplishment. Whatever it is, I want to hear about it.
Ready to share them with us? You can submit your Best of 2023 here. I will read all the submissions and compile a Food for Thought Best of 2023 list for the end of the month.
Has the world gotten over revenge travel from the pandemic? I can only speak for myself when I say certainly not. In fact, I am hosting a group trip to parts unknown for the end of 2024 and would love for you to join me. The itinerary will include food, culture, and interactive workshops led by yours truly. Interested? Let me know where you would like to go by taking this fun two-minute survey* here. *No obligation.
In my last newsletter I mentioned that I was trying to find ways to address my feelings around current events, and how I manage my response to them while making my mental health a priority.
One method that I have found useful is what I call “One Small Act” or OSA for short. OSA is based on a quote by 13th century Persian Poet Rumi; “You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in a drop.” I interpret that to mean though we may feel insignificant, we are part of something much larger. I adopted One Small Act to remind myself of that.
I generally focus on a few global causes. Those are women’s rights, food sustainability and security, and access to clean water. Locally, I focus on things like my carbon footprint and donating to families or pets in need. By segmenting my energy into smaller tasks, I can protect my health and positively contribute to society. Win/Win.
I plan to share some of the tactics I use in upcoming newsletters. Perhaps it will inspire you to do something similar. Maybe not. However you look at it, our actions are not insignificant. Even hyper-local action can ripple outward.
This month, I’m focusing on reducing my shopping footprint. Here is my OSA for December:
Choosing quality over quantity. It can be tempting to buy the cheaper version of things, however, the odds of replacing them are higher, increasing your overall carbon footprint.
Consolidating orders. Combine as many items into one package as possible. This reduces waste and conserves energy on the number of trips made to your drop-off location.
Look for eco-friendly brands. Seek out brands that are committed to sustainable practices like using recycled material or supporting fair trade.
Lastly, I want to welcome new subscribers to Food for Thought. I’m honored that you choose to spend your time with me. If you’d like to catch up, you can read my previous entries here. Feel free to leave a comment and say hi.
I’m off to buy gifts for all the nice people on my list. I wish you all a joyous and safe holiday season!
Quick Links
Submit your Best of 2023 entries here.
Fill out the travel questionnaire here.
View my gift guides here.