On my old website, I used to feature a different small business, charity, blog, website of book every day from 1 December to Christmas Eve – a kind of Advent calendar to highlight a few of the fabulous creators, providers and supporters out there working in in their various fields all year round, but also offering wonderful holiday gifts for loved ones.
Now I’ve got this lovely new website (thanks to John at Aerta!) I thought I’d use it in the same way, to promote Good Stuff at Christmas. Then a friend said to me that it would be more useful to start earlier so that online orders and payments could come in before Christmas Eve and gifts be posted out in good time. So I’m starting tomorrow. Every couple of days, under the tag GiftIdeas2025, I’ll feature a business, web entity, author or provider of other items that I’d love to have in my hoard of holiday goodies, and so am fairly sure others would too.
Every year we choose to celebrate the birthday of a baby born in a stable to parents far from home with an absolute orgy of spending and consumption. That says a lot about our society, but if you’re going to spend yourself silly for those you love anyway, the money might as well stay in our own community of interest with people who help to keep our dreams alive.
Say no to boring old socks and stationery at Christmas – make sure they’ve got Totoro or Son Goku on them. If you must give a calendar, up the ante with Demon Slayer. If you want something traditional and swooningly romantic for your great-aunt, wrap up Rose of Versailles in pink paper with gold ribbons. (Seriously. If she likes Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton, she’s going to love it.)
Give to the anime and manga community by giving to those you love. Win-win.