Last minute gift ideas for the lawyers and law students in your life.
Good gifts and good writing share some requirements. First, you have to know your audience. Put yourself in the shoes of your recipient/ reader and think about what would appeal to them. So, for example, that Matrix Reloaded DVD my brother and I got Mom for Mother's Day 2003 was probably a bad gift. Second, success requires planning. Waiting for divine inspiration to start writing or shopping will likely lead to disappointment. Start with brainstorming and then make an outline. Santa is on to something with that whole making a list and checking it twice business. If you are slightly less organised than the big man (or more likely, Mrs. Claus), I am happy to share some gift ideas that are sure to bring comfort and/or joy.
1. Stet! Dryer's English
My brilliant brother who is a skilled lawyer, voracious reader, and talented writer has come a long way since the 2003 Matrix Reloaded gift debacle. He turned me on to Benjamin Dryer and gifted me this fun and nerdy game last Christmas. The game consists of 100 sentences which teams of "copy editors" compete to correct or improve. If you enjoy editing, but find it's just not competitive enough - this is the game for you. To watch some writers have fun with grammar, you can check out a virtual game night hosted by Dryer here. I recommend pairing the game with Dryer's excellent book "Dryer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style". The book is genuinely funny and entertaining as well as extremely practical and useful as a style guide. My copy is always close by while I edit.
2. "Ghost Story" by Peter Straub
The tradition of telling ghost stories during the darkest and coldest nights of the year may predate Christmas itself. It make sense during a time of year when people gather around the fire and often reflect on those no longer with us. Amidst all the merry-making and glitz, the holidays can bring a certain melancholy. "Ghost Story" by Peter Straub is the perfect antidote to all the saccharine sweet Christmas kitsch. Horror legend Stephen King cited it as the scariest book he's ever read. This book is indeed very scary, but also very Christmas-sy! The terrifying climax takes place on Christmas eve and snow plays prominently into the story. It's a fun read as well as an excellent example of good storytelling. The opening lines are an absolute hook: “What's the worst thing you've ever done?” “I won't tell you that, but I'll tell you about the worst thing that ever happened to me…the most dreadful thing…”. Give someone the gift of discovering the most dreadful thing.
3. Wearable Heating Pad
Modeled above by my daughter's pet unicorn, this wearable heating pad was one of the best gifts I've ever received. (Thank you to my wonderful husband!) It is a safe bet that if my camera is off, this baby is on. Between carrying around my kids and my cats and spending lots of time on my laptop, my shoulders often feel like roast beef. This heating pad with a magnetic closure in the front is just the ticket and feels like wearing a hug. If you are reading this hunched over your phone or slouching at your desk, or basically anywhere except through the face hole of a massage table, consider gifting this to yourself.
4. Homemade Basler Hypokras
The best gifts are those we make with love. We spend our most precious resource, time, when making a gift for someone. Time you spend thinking about them while you chop, craft, and combine your offering. If you want to let someone know you are thinking about them and spread some holiday cheer, you can't go wrong with a homemade bottle of f Basler Hypokras. There is a reason this sweet and spiced wine recipe has survived since the middle ages. It is traditionally used to ring in the new year and pairs well with Basler Läckerli and good conversation. The recipe below is from Telebasel. Cheers!
Ingredients:
1 bottle of white wine
1 bottle of red wine
3 tablespoons of orange juice
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
220 grams of sugar
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon of cardamom seeds
1 centimeter of chopped ginger
dash of nutmeg
Instructions:
Boil the white wine together with all the ingredients except the red wine until the sugar is dissolved.
Remove the pot from the heat, add the red wine and let it rest covered for two days.
Sieve the liquid and pour it into a bottle, close it, and refrigerate for five days.
Enjoy it hot or cold with a good friend or a good book.
Happy holidays and a wonderful new year to all!
Comentários