Okay, most of my ideas involve sustainabiity but I did hear about something beautiful that @Lovendures discovered. It's from a Poland-based company that employs Ukrainian refugee women. They even give them housing. They make something I'm considering for myself: embossed rolling pins that make designs on your cookies. I like to make these refrigerator cookies every Xmas that we made as children. You can decoarate them with icing and they are to die for. But I prefer no icing plus I don't have a rolling pin. I've been using a big roll of saran wrap that is taking years to use up. So I'm considering the Ukrainian rolling pins.
Pastrymade.com
This UK company refurbishes stuffed animals and puts them up for adoption. Loved Before The one in the photo is Chester and he is up for adoption. If you donate your animals, they would love some of the history of your little guy so share with their new owners.
Japanese Furoshiki Wrapping. There is a tradition in Japan of wrapping gifts with unused cloth that can be reused over and over again.Reusable cloth replaces gift wrap, preventing massive paper waste.
@jeanne-mayell I bought one last year and it’s wonderful. Order really soon as it took a while to get to me. Everyone loved my sugar cookies and short bread.
@gayh Thank you for joining us! Welcome. Welcome. Now I know I have to get one.
@jeanne-mayell Thank you for the welcome. I’ve actually been lurking since 2016. You guys are the only thing that keeps me sane with the fool that’s in our White House.❤️
@gayh, How wonderful of you to write that. I am going to make sure everyone reads it. Not just the Read-the-future group, but the incredible people here like @tgraf66, @journeywithme2, Tybin, @Unk-p, @shari, @freya, @Vesta, @gbs, @ana, @lenor and @lovendures
Hello @gayh so happy you are here!
@jeanne-mayell Jeanne, pls don't forget to send some cookie pics up to the Rooftop Lounge, after you bake them. We all want to see how they come out! 🌻
@jeanne-mayell, thanks for creating this gift-giving thread. I love the rolling pins and the intention behind them. If my mom were still with us, I know she would love one and the beautiful story behind it. Besides being Polish and embracing that culture, she was quite the baker. We baked sugar cookies every Christmas, and it would have been such fun using that pin in our cookie creations.
The donated and refurbished, adoptable stuffed animals really touched my heart. I also love the Furoshiki gift wrapping. I’d seen it before and would like to try that. I often use cloth bags to hold my gifts, but I do like the Furoshiki idea.
@jeanne-mayell, like you many of my gifts are those of experiences, often involving something good to eat or activities that I believe a person would enjoy. I also bake cookies and cheese crackers, and give those to my family, neighbors and friends.
When purchasing gifts I often try to support small businesses. I especially enjoy supporting local artists. I also love giving people gifts that are meant to heal in some way. It could be a book of poetry, a massage, a nice meal at a local restaurant. Last year I gifted a few of my friends these little wooden, smoothly carved birds that you can hold in your hand. When I’m feeling ungrounded, I find the tactile experience calming.
I sometimes gift socks and last year discovered a Fair Trade sock company, Conscious Step, who partners with nonprofit organizations that align with the UN sustainable development goals. A portion of each sale goes towards the particular nonprofit behind the socks your purchased. Recently I purchased a few, e.g. Socks that protect wolves, Socks that protect owls, Socks that save cats, Socks that Plant trees … I think you get the picture! The socks are adorable and wear very well.
Whenever and whatever I give, I want the gift to be intentional, with heart. I believe the energy of our intention behind our gift lives on.
I really like radicalteatowel.com
Great gift ideas! Here's one of my tea towels.
I'm looking for a mystery book for a friend who recently lost his mother. I'd like a mystery novel that isn't too triggering but will get his mind off of his burden. Any ideas?
@anya I really like Donna Tartt novels. The Goldfinch, The Little Friend. Also author Wally Lamb, Kristen Hannah's The Nightingale, author William Kent Krueger.