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Great gifts are sustainable, good for the earth, nourishing for the soul, and useful in life. Superior gifts are the ones we want for ourselves.

At least, that’s how I roll.

From: PUEBCO ONLINE MARKET

Most products come with a story (reminds me of Kate Sekules’s WONDERFUL Refashioner—RIP. But stay tuned, she’s on the list!)

From: BAGGU

I have a bit of a Baggu addiction. I search on Etsy, Poshmark and Mercari for vintage Baggus. It’s an issue. I’m working on it. Baggu bags are reusable bags. There’s a standard size people use and a Baby Baggu that so few people know about. THESE ARE THE ONES I LOVE. This one constellates.

My friend Katie Merz made this bag for WNYC and I am OBSESSED WITH IT. You can get it by giving a monthly pledge to WNYC.

My friend Kate Sekules is a master mender; she even wrote a book about it!

Sashiko is a Japanese stitch that I love using. These stick-ons make the often tricky stitch pattern fool-proof (hi, I’m the fool. I have these).

I learned about Marion Deuchars from the brilliant artist Edwina White (also a beloved friend)

For the full experience, upgrade to paid

Richard Sandler and I used to romp around the East Village in the 90s. He’s a pre-eminent street photographer and documentarian (I was in one of his films for 5 minutes, but for the life of me can’t remember what it was called). He’s been chronicling the city for longer than I’ve known him.

You can buy prints on his website.

Guys. I’m not joking. If you love black licorice and you love chocolate, well—you’re going to love me.

My sister-in-law is South African, and she brings these back. I CANNOT STAND HOW GOOD THESE ARE (discover and order them after the jump).

Gryffon Ridge is the holy grail of spices (in my view, at least). I discovered them on Vinalhaven, a small island off the coast of Rockland, Maine. Everything is Certified Organic.

I don’t like the smell of roses, but when I smelled this on my friend Sarah Shatz (also a fantastic photographer), I ordered it ASAP. It’s the smell of existential happiness and post-traumatic growth. Or a treehouse, made of roses.

Small, but mighty. The smell is HOLY SHIT GOOD. It’s French, so it’s buttery and sophisticated. I’ve been using this since I was a kid.

DUDE, yes. Roll out the awful.

Hands down, Loved and Missed is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Susie Boyt has published 8 books, and this is the only one published in the US. She’s Lucien Freud’s daughter, and Sigmund Freud’s daughter and her facility with language is on another realm.

A dark and post-apocalyptic novel by the late prolific Belgian novelist, Jacqueline Harpman.

I’m a huge fan of the folks who run Atlas Obscura and their book does not disappoint.

The Criterion Channel has been a saving grace for me.

This book is a classic in the world of trauma, and Bessel van der Kolk is a balm to the soul amid traumatic experiences.

NAMI is the most incredible resource. Their many offerings are plentiful and free!

I don't have disposable income, but this is a cause I care about with my entire soul. I gave them $51 (the $1 is to cover the fee, so the entire $50 goes to them), and it felt so good that being $51 more broke doesn't even hurt.

And yes, I’ve already added two more, because I can’t stop.

Did I just give you a list of everything I want?

Yes, yes I did.

Until next week, I will remain…