More bookish gifts for your hard-to-buy-for list!

So if you haven't seen Part One of this insanely long gift idea list, start there.  If we still didn't meet your needs, proceed.  But be warned: these ideas are so awesome, you're probably going to want most of them for yourself.
1. DVD collection of their favourite classic (if a collection doesn't exist, assemble it for them.  A quick wiki search tells me there are at least four movie versions of Wuthering Heights and most are available individually on Ebay.)
2. More plants.  No, seriously.  No home or reading nook should be without greenery; they are beautiful and healthy for us and the planet.  IKEA has a great plant section (so does No Frills), with bangin' bonzai trees and marvelous money trees with those wicked twisty trunks.  Everyone, from your teenage brother to your upstairs neighbour, likes to be needed, and needs something to nurture.  It expands your scope; it makes your world a little bigger when a life form is relying on you.

3. Decorative birdcage.  'Cause it feels all Victorian and lovely.  Add some vintage keys for the complete effect.
4. This gorgeous scarf with a quotation on it.  DIY here.

Etsy

5. Fabulous lampshade with words on it.  Tutorial here.
6. Equally fabulous shower curtain with words on it.  Bonus points if you can find or make coordinating soap dispenser, towels and bath mat.  Because bathrooms get rejected a lot.
7. Unique brass cuff with quotation on it.  I received this one for Christmas last year and it's my favourite piece of jewelry.

Etsy

8. Penguin earrings.  Nuff said.  (Actually come to think of it, if Penguin cufflinks exist...)

Etsy.

9. Dog GPS.  OK, OK.  This isn't literary at all, but we had a scare the other day when Mister Monkey got lost...and ended up on the neighbour's porch a significant distance away.  A GPS that would alert me when he left the yard (set up using a "Geo fence") would've saved us an hour of searching and innumerable tears.  The BluTracker looks interesting, but isn't being mass produced for another few weeks...
10. Crock pot.  Because there are NOT enough hours in the day to go to work, write your blog, exercise, play with the dogs and read a book.  Something's gotta give.  Unless you can do a triple combo move and make dinner effortlesly in a slow cooker, while reading your book, while working out.  Bonus points if you write/etch a wicked literary quotation on the crock pot.
11. Thing-a-majiggy that holds books open: great for reading on the stationary bike or treadmill.  Amazon calls it the Flip Clip.
12. Membership to Audible.  Listening to books is really convenient.
13. Glass/ceramic/steel etcher for the wannabe craft maven.  There's one available at Lee Valley for less than $15.  And if it's Lee Valley, it's quality tested and the company is Canadian owned.
14. Penguin bookjacket postcards (boxed set of 100).  If you want to be really generous, include a roll of stamps.

From theguardian

16. Spoon rest: the quickest way to add some jazz to your kitchen.  Ask an Etsy or craft show artist if they can customize one for you.  Basically anyone with a kiln should be able to.  Or you can try that Pinterest craft where you write on it with Sharpie and bake it on.  What about "Please, sir, I want some more?"
17. Embroidered oven mitts or anything personalized... it's just more...well, you know.  Personal.  Wine glasses, pillow cases, dog collars, mailboxes, tablecloths... if it can be painted or sewed on, you or a professional can take that regular item and turn it into individual-tastic.
18. Etched cake cloche, DIY here.  Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest.
19. Not literary per se but so nifty I couldn't leave it out.  Slumped bottle cheese tray or candy dish.  These are so wicked!  We have one of each and everybody raves about them.  It's also a great way to upcycle.  They're available on Etsy but also should be available at your local Craft Fairs this holiday season.  If you live in the Ottawa area, Riverlights Stained Glassworks can make you one for about $25.  they currently have only Grey Goose bottles in stock, but you are allowed to provide your own bottle as well!  You can contact them via Facebook or at riverlights@rogers.com

This one is on Etsy

20. This Shakespearean t-shirt.  Short, bookish girls unite!

Eleven years later: a thank you note to English teachers

I've had a long-cherished daydream that one day, I'll write a novel and it'll get published.  Inside, the dedication: along with the usual to family and friends, one special person whom I haven't seen in decade(s)... my seventh-grade English teacher.
But it's already been 11 years and I'm no closer to being published now as I was then.  And I want to say "thank you" before it's too late.
So lasso that Christmas spirit, pull out your fancy gel pens, and put your thoughts on paper; you might not get another chance.
This is the letter that I sent to the English teacher who changed my life:

Dear Mr. L--,

I was a student in your seventh-grade English class at E-- Middle School in 2002.  You were a fantastic teacher and I have always remembered you.

This month, I graduated from --- University with an MA in English Language and Literature, and I would like to thank you for your part in setting me on the path toward my passion.  I have often thought of writing you to say “thanks”, but I wanted to wait until I had accomplished this so you could really know what a difference you have made in my life and the lives of your students.

I always loved English and wasn’t an all-star at other subjects, like math.  But my 12-year-old self’s understanding of the world was that the one thing I was good at was not “real” or valuable.  My memory might have exaggerated over the years, but in my mind, you are the person who told me that “writing IS a real job” and I have never forgotten.  I so vividly remember biking home from school after our conversation that day more light-hearted, more hopeful, and more confident in myself than I had ever been before.  Since then, I have never put down my pens or my books. 

I’m sure that you continue to inspire, counsel and encourage hundreds of students; I hope you know how your kindness, teaching, and impact is treasured, and with what fondness you are remembered.

Thank you!

Yours,

JEM Colborne   

He's the person who told me one could study English, one could write for a living.  I spent the rest of my middle and high school career buried in notebooks, cooking up novels, toting around a thesaurus heavier than any of my other textbooks and dreaming of the day I'd see my novel in Chapters.  And now here I am, 11 years later, six of those spent directly studying Literature, now a "master".  If I didn't say "thank you" now, I might never get a better opportunity.

So seize the day, fellow bibliophiles!  Life is short.  Love is strong.  The time is now.

xoxo

JEM

How to be thrifty this holiday season

So, I’m using the politically correct terminology here and calling it the “holiday season”. I want this information to be applicable to anyone, anywhere because being thrifty can be applied to any aspect of your life! I’m going to be frank with you readers, I celebrate Christmas. To be even more frank with you, I am not religious. My enjoyment of the holiday season has little to do with any theological belief. I enjoy the spirit of December; the decorating, the baking, and the celebrating so take what you will from this post and add it to your already expert knowledge of thrifting!

Shop Your Local Craft Sales

 

This past weekend I went to a huge craft sale in my area. Thanks to Etsy, a lot of what used to remind of us our grandmothers is right back in (think: knitting & crocheting).  There were chunky, knitted infinity scarves that you would pay $70 for online for $25. There were mountains of beautiful homemade afghans, rugs, mittens and socks. Knitted dishcloths were 3 for $1! I wanted it all and I didn’t have to factor shipping into the overall cost! My haul included two beautiful, handmade pottery dishes (perfect size for rings and jewelry on the bedside table) for $1/each. A sizeable beeswax candle in a mason jar for $5 (a total steal if you are familiar with beeswax candle pricing! Plus, beeswax candles cleanse the air while burning instead of emitting toxins like regular candles! Thrifty and eco-chic!).  An adorable stained glass Christmas tree for $2. My “splurge” items that went over the $5 mark were an amazing glass dish in the shape of a heart for $20 and two decorative oversized pinecones on spikes for $4/each. 

Shop the “End of Season” Deals

 

I know, I know, the last thing you want to do after the holiday season is over is re-invest more money into the holiday season. You’ve spent enough money on gifts and outfits for holiday parties and all you want to do now is curl up in front of the TV with Friends re-runs and eggnog.  If you can get yourself off the couch and in to a store you’ll find you can get some major deals! You’ll save an arm and a leg on holiday decorations whether its lights, wrapping paper, décor items or ornaments the big box stores want that merch gone and they’re marking it down to move.

 

Make Your Own Decorations

 

Pinterest has a plethora of holiday season inspired DIYs. What’s even better is that a lot of the DIYs are made of crafty items that can be purchased at the dollar store! Not only will they look better than the junk sold at the big box stores but they’ll cost you a fraction of the price.

 

Take Inspiration from Nature

If you have a front porch (sorry - apartment living doesn’t exactly lend to this kind of decorating) make up a cute decorative planter. The nice thing is that you can have some green on your porch without worrying about it dying in the cold winter weather! Combine greenery (last year I stole the bottom branches off my Christmas tree), dogwood (those trendy red sticks you see everywhere at this time of year) and either buy or make some pinecones or stars on sticks to add a little character to the display. I usually finish mine off with a big red bow from the dollar store. Last year I purchased some cute faux snowflakes and blue ribbon to tie around the pot. If you can’t get out of the city to scavange some greenery and sticks you’ll probably have to buy it at the farmers market. 

This year I took the dogs out back at my boyfriend’s parents place to get the greenery and sticks I needed. I ended up finding some really cool dried flowers I’m going to add! Of course, the dogs decided it was a great day for a November swim. Brrr!