by Mia Costales
Homemade
Food – You know what they say — the way to the heart is through the stomach. When in doubt, festive treats like cookies, peppermint bark, tamales or hot chocolate are sure to make any grinch’s heart grow three times the size.
Holiday zine – This is one of my personal favorite homemade presents. Hit up Tin Can Mailman and Art Center Arcata for colored construction paper, magazine clippings, glitter, ribbons and anything else you can think of. Add a nice note, some festive games like a crossword or maze and you’ve just whipped up the most heartfelt — and inexpensive — gift that special someone will receive all year.
Music lover
Mixtape – Do you have someone in your life that just won’t shut up about how they knew about that one band before they blew up on TikTok? Do they try to slip in a, “This is just like that one time at Coachella” into every conversation? Did they wrack up an unhealthy amount of hours spent listening to music this year? Well, then make them a mixtape of all of their favorite, totally niche songs and guarantee yourself a spot on their ‘Best Holiday Gifts Wrapped.’
Physical media – Lining the pockets of ‘big stream’ is so out this year. Instead, gift your music-lover friend physical media like CD’s, vinyl and cassette tapes of their favs. You can even find DVD’s of concerts — the possibilities are endless.
Home chef
Cookbooks – Cookbooks have become a lost art. Nowadays, if you want to follow a recipe, you have to scroll through some random person’s life story and 10 ads just to get to some subpar chocolate chip cookie recipe. Find a local bookstore — Northtown Books, if you’re in Arcata — and peruse the cookbook aisle until you find the one. Plus, you may receive a little homecooked treat in return!
Oddly specific cooking utensils – Stay with me now. Everyone has some pots, pans, utensils and plates. But have you ever been making a meal and thought, “Damn, I could really use a fine mesh strainer, right now.” Ask your friends what oddly specific cooking utensil they really want but just don’t see the point in buying themselves — maybe it’s a lemon squeezer, microplaner or in my case… a fine mesh strainer. If you’re reading this, you know what to get me.
Pet parent
Framed photo of them and their pet – I know pet people. Most of the time, they won’t stray from the ultra-specific item their pet loves. And that’s understandable — why won’t my dog eat the exact same recipe of food but from a different brand? I couldn’t tell you. So, get them a framed photo of them and their pet that they can treasure for years and avoid the embarrassment of watching their pet open a brand-new toy just to walk back to the old, raggedy one they just won’t quit.
Local pet store gift card – Gift cards are always an easy option. Especially when it’s for someone who can’t vocalize exactly what they want for the holidays. Local pet stores like Arcata Pet Supply have a huge range of toys, treats and everything in between. You can take their pet to the store together and watch them sniff out the perfect gift for themselves.
Mia is a journalism major and the Editor in Chief of The Lumberjack. She hopes to give a platform to underrepresented communities through her writing and provide the public with thoughtful and informed stories. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading and playing the violin. Contact her at mdc140@humboldt.edu.
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