Consumables
Incense
3rd January, 2022
Incense is a perfect token gift: inexpensive, consumable, and it smells nice. What’s not to like?
Well, “smells nice” is subjective. It’s definitely bad for your air quality and potentially your brain. But so’s alcohol, so: live a little.
Incense is a good housewarming gift. It’s a way to make a space feel like your own without altering the space itself. Perfect for renters.
Cat Wine
13th December, 2021
Reisling in a cat-shaped bottle. It’s wrapped in plastic, but the bottle is glass underneath. And the reviews say it’s surprisingly drinkable, though make no mistake: this wine trades on its container, not its quality. It’s also not vegan friendly.
You can find better wines for $13, but its an unusual gift at a reasonable price. Available from the LCBO.
| Reasons to buy | Reasons not to |
|---|---|
| They love cats | They're wine buffs |
| They drink | They're vegan |
A Yard of Popcorn
31st October, 2021
Popcorn’s easy to make on the stove. Get some oil as hot as possible1. Add enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan, then put the lid on. Now keep the pan moving - shake it in circles2. It’ll start popping in a few minutes; when it stops popping, remove from the heat. Done! Great as-is, with a dusting of salt, or a dusting of icing sugar.
Chocolate
29th October, 2021
Chocolate is a great gift, for several reasons:
You must spend more than you usually would. Most people would never spend £20 on a 150g bar of chocolate for themselves; that’s needlessly extravagant. Receiving a £20 bar is a treat: you can savour a few squares over several nights.
You could also pick up 2 kilos of chocolate for £20 in the supermarket. It wouldn’t be bad chocolate! But now your gift is a burden. It could take months to get through; the recipient’s palate will be bored by bar four. And it’s unremarkable: they could have bought it themselves. So focus on the luxury end: quality over quantity.
Soap
4th October, 2021
Soap is one of my favourite gifts to receive. It ticks a lot of boxes: not too expensive, can be luxurious, everybody uses it, and once used it’s gone. But it can be tricky to give: it’s an everyday item, where recipients have their own fragrance and brand preferences. You can’t just get any soap: it has to either be your recipient’s favourite soap, or recognisably luxurious/unique.
Lush is my go-to. Their vegan products are clearly marked; their packaging is minimal; their ingredients are ethically sourced; they support good causes. As long as your recipient likes strong scents, this is a solid choice. (Their solid shampoo bars last ages and are excellent for travel; the bar soaps are a classic choice; the gift sets mean you don’t even have to wrap anything.)