So I've posted a few times recently about the stress of Christmas shopping - but of course, Christmas does mean receiving pressies too (at least, I hope it does). So here a few things I'd like to find under the tree - if money were no object, of course...
Letters of Note (£30)
This beautiful book contains loads of fascinating real letters by everyone from Leonardo Da Vinci to Marilyn Monroe. I love reading other people's letters (as long as they've been published) and this is a reminder of what we're losing in the e-mail age.
Cath Kidston bird jumper (€78)
I can't resist Cath Kidston, because a part of me has the taste of a 1950s housewife. Anyway, I love this jumper. It looks so snuggly! And it has a bird on it! Who can resist?
A subscription to Persephone Books (£60)
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My favourite publishers specialise in "lost" classics by women writers, mostly from the first half of the 20th century. The books themselves are incredibly lovely, with their matching silver covers and richly coloured endpapers inside the front and back cover (each book's endpapers are taken from a fabric designed at the time the book was written, which means the World War II novels feature patterns from amazing war-themed silk scarves). You can arrange for Persephone to send someone a book a month for six or twelve months, which would be an amazing gift. The only thing is that I have nearly all the books already, so hopefully my generous gift giver would arrange for Persephone to send me the next six books they publish (I can but dream).
Frankie Magazine ($AUS117.00)
I love Frankie. This funny, rude, pretty and creative Australian magazine comes out every two months, and each beautifully designed issue is a delight. Not only are there loads of original, witty and imaginative features to read on everything from holding a grudge to 1970s ceramics, but the dreamy aesthetic means that the whole thing is a pleasure to look at too. Each issue also comes with a free poster to pull out - I've had several of these posters framed, and I love them all. Frankie is available in Easons, but it sells out fast. It's not cheap either (though as it's bimonthly you end up spending the same as you'd spend if you bought a UK glossy every month) so a new subscription would be a great gift if any members of my family are suddenly very rich and feel like spending about €70 on me.
Justified on DVD (£19.99)
I have watched the first two seasons of this witty, violent, charming crime drama on Netflix and am half way through the third. But Netflix don't have season four! What am I to do? Well, ideally I'd get it on DVD but it doesn't seem to be available. So I am generously suggesting that you get the first season for someone you live with, giving you an excuse to enjoy the hilariously deadpan dialogue and also the incredible attractiveness of Timothy Olyphant as the ludicrously charming U.S. Deputy Marshall Raylan Givens, who returns to his hometown in the backwoods of Kentucky where he finds himself confronting his family and his childhood friends.
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Will anything on this list make it on to your wish list or shopping list? Let us know in the comments!
