Holiday Gift Guide 2021

Don’t buy shit from Amazon

Getting into the Christmas spirit has been very challenging this year. And I love Christmas! I’ve followed the recipe as much as I could to ensure the final results matched the photo; I decorated, went to look at Christmas lights, did some minor holiday shopping (aka took mami to the dollar tree), listened to Christmas music, made Pasteles, watched the King Tides from Ocean Beach and even drove around Union Square. There were a few things I had to leave out; we can no longer have a Christmas tree because Pavo chews the lights and we’re afraid he’s gonna pull a National Lampoon blitzkrieg. He’s fucking relentless. What’s the point of having a tree without the lights?

I suppose most of what I affiliate Christmas with has been consumerism (we’d shop endlessly) and family (which some of you know I have nearly none). “I feel depressed. I know I should be happy, but I’m not.”

Another attempt to feel the spirit is to create my annual gift guide, something I love! Something that always prevented me from one for other publications was having to write those fucking head notes that every publication makes you write to explain why you should like or purchase the item listed. It’s like, I could be writing tag for fucking Fingerhut. Btw - nana’s favorite catalog. That’s one of the joys of having your own newsletter; you can write about whatever you want.

Here’s a list of shit that I like. Some of it by women. Some of it by BIPOCs. Some of it from small and independent businesses. Some of it you can’t even get stateside. Some of it is from slightly larger companies, but that have probably been around for a very long time and I would hate to see them disappear.

Panettone from Roy

Homeboy Roy is still making specialty Panettone the way the world should know it.

Isla Ceramics

While the owner is currently not taking any commissions, there are still amazing and one of a kind pieces on the website. And because it’s a San Francisco-based business, you get the creativity of Puerto Rican aesthetics (much of the work mimics the Hal Lasky era) by supporting a local artist. Also, quick and easy shipping.

Omsom

I was sitting at my cuñado’s kitchen table when a package of Omson arrived. I had never spoken about the product and I think it was then that I realized the company had blown up into something my puny human brain couldn’t fathom. Featuring Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino and even Pepper Teigen's Krapow flavor packets, there are almost twenty different starter flavor packets that the company calls “pantry shortcuts.” These packets combine all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need to cook a specific Asian dish. Recipes are provided - just add protein and veggies! Shipped straight to your door.

Huele a Wela’s

This is a cottage industry business based in Sacramento, but ran by a Nuyorican. Huele a Wela’s specializes in their famous Valrhona chocolate chunk cookies with sea salt (the cookie that started it all), but also has specialities they offer only during the holidays; rum cake, soft-baked cranberry white chocolate oatmeal cookies and even coquito! The cookies must be pre-ordered online before pickup. The address is then emailed to you for convenient curbside cookie pickups, or catch them at one of their popups by following them on social media. There have been times when the cookies arrived on my doorstep and they were still warm. That will get you in the spirit.

Pilones de Puerto Rico

I’ve been following this social media account for a few years and they’ve never shipped outside of PR until now. It’s a super old-fashioned mail order approach: sieve through their Facebook for available items, email them on Facebook, ask them for prices, pay them via Venmo, PayPal, or ATH Movil, they confirm payment, give them the address and hope the shit arrives via USPS to your doorstep.

I ordered two pilons: Mahogany 10x7 for $75 and a Mahogany 12x8 for $205

Ben’s Chili Bowl

Estelle Colored Glass

Estelle Colored Glass is a black-owned luxury brand of hand-blown and speciality made colored glass cake stands and stemware in a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels.  The Estelle Colored Glass collection is comprised of original commissioned pieces made by glass artisans in Poland at a glass making company with a rich 100-plus-year-old history. Estelle Colored Glass pieces are best described as vintage-inspired yet refined and modern colored glass collection "jewels for your table."

Cookbooks

This one just seems totally obvious. Click on the photos for the links.