2012 Holiday Shopping Guide

Here’s a bunch of stuff that made my life better this year that I think a wide range of other people would like, too. It’s all $5-$25, so great for stocking stuffers or people on a budget.

Beauty Is Embarrassing: The Wayne White Story - While Jiro Dreams of Sushi was a portrait of heads-down mastery and craft, this film captured the kind of artistic life I’m shooting for — one full of humor, family, and multiple mediums. $25

Gonzales, Solo Piano II - Beautiful, relaxing solo piano pieces that are perfect for working, cooking dinner, or trying to get a baby to sleep. $12

How To Live: A Life of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell - Montaigne has been dead almost 500 years, but he reads like he’s writing about today. Bakewell’s biography does a good job of putting him in a context. You might want to add the complete essays and make it a gift set. $15

Cosmonaut iPad Stylus - Hands down, my favorite iPad stylus. Feels like drawing with a big fat crayon. Love it. $25

Bernie - I don’t know anybody who didn’t like this movie. One of Linklater’s best, and a great look at small-town Texas. $12

Design is a Job by Mike Monteiro - This isn’t just a book about design. It’s a book for anybody involved in creative work. I talked to a lot of design students and agency folks this year, and I probably pimped this book to them more than my own. $18

Hearos Foam Earplugs - Got me through long flights, noisy hotel rooms, and nights with a loud newborn. Highest cost/benefit ratio ever. $5

The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs - A wonderful read about reading. Would make a great gift set bundled with How To Talk About Books You Haven’t Read. $13

Moleskine small hardcover pocket notebooks - Smaller than the classic Moleskines so they fit in a shirt pocket. I carry one of these everywhere. $10

Paper Mate Flair Felt-Tip Pens - They feel good to write with and they give you a nice fat line that doesn’t bleed to badly. $10

Frank Ocean, Channel Orange - My most-played album this year, and the album my wife and I can agree on in the car. $7

Barry Lyndon - Holy shit, this movie blew me away. So good. $11

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick - Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies, but I’d never read the novel it was based on. The writing can get a tad clunky in spots, but it’s a great read. $8

Lambchop, Mr. M - There were many, many times this year when I sat at my desk and though, “What should I listen to? Eh, fuck it, I’ll listen to this Lambchop record again.” $10

We Learn Nothing by Tim Kreider - A terrific book of funny, thoughtful essays about relationships and the “insoluble problem of being a person in the world.” $13