Fiber Fool

Keeping in mind that the people on our holiday shopping list are bookish, enjoy gardening, appreciate classics in many senses (books, movies, good writing instruments etc.) my list probably isn’t a “suit all” sort of list. It is also skewed with a few places I wouldn’t mind people shop at for me ;-)

This year we won’t be visiting too many of these. Gifts for Drew’s side are optional and to be handmade if given. In past years I really worried about the pressure of doing that, but I’ve been more or less done for a few months now! I have a few other things I wouldn’t mind doing, but it will be a case of “wanting” rather than needing which makes the whole thing a lot more enjoyable. It has actually been much less stressful than shopping.

1. Lee Valley - they have a great selection of gardening accouterments but also power tools and such for woodworking. A pretty good bet for many of the men on our list.

2. Signals - their selection is quite varied, from totally frivolous home decor items to classic movies on DVD and often some amusing tees frequently stilted a bit toward more academic humor. It is somehow (or was anyway if memory serves) tied to PBS so it is also supporting some television programing we enjoy like Masterpiece Mystery!

3. Adorama - is a photography equipment store. They have their own line of some things like camera and accessory bags which can save you money. They also sell through Amazon and prices and shipping don’t always match across the two so it is a good idea to price check at both places.

4. B & H - another photography (& much more electronics related to photo & video) pick. Prices are usually on par with Adorama and they are both out of NY so shipping times will be similar, but it is good to check prices.

5. Levenger - when we first discovered them they were mostly a writing instrument place with a great selection if fountain pens (& rollerballs and pencils) in all price ranges with a bit if supporting gift items that would be appreciated by those who enjoy a good pen. The selection had kind of flipped and they carry more gifts for book lovers and lots of various cases for tech gadgets and messenger bags and purses made mostly of leather.

6. Etsy - of course for really unique gifts of all kinds how can you not check out Etsy? I doubt any of you though are unaware of the treasures that abound there. You can view some of my favorite items and shops that have caught my eye recently and in the past.

7. For yarn and fiber related gifts I love The Loopy Ewe! They ship quickly, package beautifully and it is an occasion to open one their shipments.

8. Wind & Weather is another great stop for men who enjoy toys and gardening. They have a wide variety of weather centers in all price ranges from just indoor/outdoor thermometers to a whole weather center with temp, humidity, tipping bucket rain gauge and anemometer that can be hooked to a computer which can log the readings at regular intervals and even report them to a web site like Weather Underground. They also carry a variety of functional and non-functional lawn art, including sun dials, bird feeders and wind chimes.

9. Williams Sonoma is a pretty good bet for any cooks on the list. They have cookbooks and sauces and spice sets in addition to cooking gadgets and kitchen/dining linens. I’m drawing a blank on other sites for cooks other than cooking.com. Surly I’m missing something in that category.

10. For supporting small business with the convenience of shopping from the comfort of home I really can’t beat Quince & Co! American wool, spun in America. Great colors! Fair price! I haven’t tried any of their yarns besides Chickadee yet, but if they are anything like Chickadee I’m in love. I think I could possibly knit with only their yarn and be a happy camper. In fact, I’ve been wanting to get two skeins of Lark to make another Bordeaux but I can’t choose the color, LOL! Perhaps something to go with my soon to arrive new “beet root” colored coat (discovered my two main ones are really ready for the trash heap - worn threadbear lining, missing buttons, stains etc. but both are over 8 years old so I suppose it was time. Any suggestions for recycling wool pea coats into a new life?)