This T's Gift Guide

This holiday season, I am trying to think local and to be green as much as possible when stocking up on gifts. What does this mean? Since I cherish the experience of shopping in a "downtown", I always give the local merchants my business whenever possible, all year long. Additionally, something handmade by an artist has more soul than something with the sticker "made in China." Obviously, there are sweaters and pjs from JCrew somewhere in the mix. Let the shopping begin..

* think etsy: truly anything from etsy is a cherished gift. I have my eye on jewelry, mini calendars, stationery, and artwork -- sometimes the items even arrived wrapped. Another bonus.

* think local: in my downtown, I adore The Farmhouse, which is a big stop during the holiday season. I already scooped up beautiful soy candles, lemon soaps, snowman gourds, books, and more! It is an emporium of the thoughtful, handmade, and inspirational.

* think about your piles of artwork: take a stack of your children's artwork to your local frame shop or purchase frames and do it yourself. What a special gift for a husband, grandparents or even the child himself.

* think flea/vintage/antique: covet a one-of-a-kind gift for anyone on your list. I'm thinking jewelry, cocktail glasses, paperweights or inkwells, books and tiny paintings. It will be hard not buying something for myself. ;)

* think 20x200: for just $20 you can buy a "real" piece of artwork -- West Elm has great frames. Viola! A grand gift. Be warned..it will be hard to choose from the hundreds of spectacular picks.

* think books: I adore books and I adore giving books to others. This season for children, Brian Selznick's Wonderstruck is his much anticipated book following Hugo Cabret. {the movie Hugo opens over the holidays & is directed by Martin Scorcesse!) Of course, I go crazy over design books. Black and White (and a bit in between) by Celerie Kemble is on my list. And, thanks to my dear friend SW for this gem --> The Millennium Trilogy Deluxe Boxed Set by Stieg Larsson. Each book is done in beautiful cloth with graphic details. I want them because I know they will look smart on my bookcase and I need to read all of his books again before the movie opens in December.

Good luck.

Tricia

Journal from Madeline Moss