slow living: holiday wish list

the holidays can be a weird time of year as someone who has major issues with capitalism while simultaneously running a small biz. i’m excited to get my hands on a copy of this book, which i hope will help me figure out how to better articulate why running a small biz can be a radical act in more succinct terms. in the meantime, i still love this time of year, and i LOVE both xmas and yule (the two holidays i celebrate personally) because there are so many traditions and rituals in my family that we practice every year.

i believed in santa until i was at least 12, and i still low-key believe in the potential for that magic to exist in this world. i used to write letters to santa with a wish list, and as an adult, i see no reason i can’t still write a wish list. do i need anything right now? i mean, besides money to pay my monthly bills and have a buffer for vet visits just in case, not really. i’m a very fortunate creature. but i’m no minimalist, and i love that there are so many incredible small radical businesses that actively participate in their communities and make the world better with their offerings. so, in that spirit, here’s my little wish list for the holidays, broken down into easily digestible topics (all images belong to their respective companies):

body

northlore is a now-local-to-me apothecary that wildcrafts and slow processes their herbal products, and carries beautiful low/zero waste body products. plus, they have the prettiest studio space in all of winnipeg, and i got my big basket from them. i use their rosehip seed facial serum, spruce tips lip butter, and lowlands body oil, but basically everything they make is dreamy.

making

ok, ok, ok, i have oodles of project bags, i’ve collaborated with some of my favourite humans to make beautiful bags, and there’s absolutely no reason for me to buy any new bags when i am fully capable of sewing my own anyway. but the fringe supply co. town bag is like the dreamy neutral sweater wip bag of my dreams, so what can i say?

consumable

verde is around the corner from my house and right next door to wolseley wool. i’m in there more often than i like to admit, but honestly, i’m notorious for scooting around last minute before i have to teach AND for getting hangry, so having them next door to make me a healthy smoothie and/or top up my caffeine for those morning classes is just perfectly convenient. plus everyone who works there is an absolute sweetheart, and willow loves them too, so i’ll happily accept all the gift cards.

home

brooke is a quilter and maker i so admire from the states - her process, her transparency, and her vulnerability is such an inspiration to me. april is releasing a new collection on saturday, and i have my eye on at least half a dozen pillow covers from this one. the colours are perfect for my home, and they all come with a story and so much intention and love.

read

gibby has been one of my favourite spoken word artists for over a decade now. they write and speak in a way that always make my heart skip beats in recognition, and make my breath catch before big exhales of release. gibby and shane koyczan have both been poets i turn to in the absolute worst moments of my life and the most vibrantly beautiful moments, and gibby’s work is so special because i can see my queerness reflected back to me. they have a new book out, and i am so impatient to read it, cry, snort, cry some more, and then foist it on my dear ones.

i leave you with my personal favourite motto with how to approach holiday gift-giving with kiddos, which can be super overwhelming and stupidly expensive (from what i have seen from the outside):

something they want / something they need / something to wear / something to read