'tis the season for buying stuff
Every year around this time, I’m torn between my ethical concerns about consumerism and the sheer amount of stuff we buy, the unsustainability of all these deliveries and how bad it all is for the world and the planet, and my sheer love of stuff. Both feelings can exist at once: on some level, we all love shopping and giving and receiving gifts, even while we simultaneously feel guilt about all the waste generated.
This year, it feels like the global supply chain issues have actually created more shopping mania. You’d think we’d respond by paring down shopping to just the essentials; instead, social media was full of reminders to start buying gifts as early as September in order to have items arrive by the holidays. Why not just buy less stuff?
But I think people are craving a little sense of normalcy. Last year’s holidays were hard. Many missed out on seeing family and loved ones while cases surged and we patiently waited for the vaccine rollout. This year, after nearly two years of pandemic living, many folks are vaccinated and just want to have something resembling a “normal” holiday season, to whatever extent that’s possible. And holidays, and lots of gifts and shopping, are a part of that “normal.”
2020 and 2021 were two very long, pretty exhausting years. I can’t really fault anyone for wanting a little bit of normal again.
Some stuff I bought that I loved
Here are some things I loved in 2021 in case you’re seeking any holiday gift ideas. (Or maybe just to buy for yourself). There are no affiliate links, I do not make money if you buy anything, these are truly just things I love.
I had been coveting Romy Studio clay/polymer earrings for a while and Renan got me a couple pairs for my birthday last summer, and I love them! They’re all sold out right now, but are releasing a new collection December 10!
I also bought myself a couple earrings from Sweet Nothings by Taneisha and love her style too.
Craftspring has the cutest handmade felt Christmas tree ornaments, including some NYC themed ones!! I have the NYC cab and coffee cup ornaments.
My skincare routine has largely stayed the same as last year so I’d still recommend all the products I wrote about a year ago. But one new thing I’ve added to my routine is Maelove The Glowmaker Vitamin C serum and I love it so far. And for sunscreen, I’ve been trying out Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish sunscreen.
My fave Brooklyn wine bar, Lalou, just launched a wine club subscription! (Only local delivery in Brooklyn/NYC)
Good things to read
The abortion I didn’t have, New York Times.
How a cream cheese shortage is affecting NYC bagel shops, New York Times. Not the cream cheese!!
The escalating cost of being single in America, Vox.
How to care less about work, The Atlantic.
Everything you think you know about the suburbs is wrong, New York Times.
The influencers who stole Christmas, Embedded/Substack.
The year in vibes, The New Yorker.
The tyranny of the task, The Baffler.
Tool: screenshot, The Believer.
Good things to cook
I made a batch of this pumpkin pie baked oatmeal for breakfast this week. Also, I’m dying to make these peppermint brownie cookies from NYT Cooking’s excellent 24 Days of Cookies package.
Among other holiday baking this year, I will probably make a batch of these chai spice snickerdoodles, which I’ve started making every year, and maybe these white chocolate dipped peppermint sugar cookies, which I made a couple of years ago and LOVED but are a little more high effort — but worth it if you’ve got the time!
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