Bonne Mamam tiny jams, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Murray's cheese
Plus a tiny book advent calendar and the afterglow of a good party
I’m writing to you in the afterglow of a good party; my face hurts from smiling and talking all night as we celebrated a friend’s 60th birthday with his extended family, glasses clinking, happy chatter from the kids' table, and waves of delicious food that just kept coming.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that there are all kinds of friends: the ones you call in tears; the ones you call gasping with laughter that you just have to share; the friends who check in; the ones who don’t check in, but whenever you do talk, it’s as if no time has passed at all. And then there are the friends who welcome you into their homes, their meals, mixing you with ease with their families and into the very fabric of their lives.
It’s not lost on me that this kind of friendship and nights like tonight, where we celebrated a friend who has woven us into the fabric of his large Italian family, are special for all sorts of reasons, not least of which is the particular kind of intimacy that often goes unremarked but is profoundly joyful to receive.
An evergreen reminder to invite each other in, even if you have a small family, and even if it doesn’t come naturally to you (spoiler alert, this does not come naturally to me!).
We all have our small joys that mark the wheel of the year, and one of my favorites is upon us: Advent Calendar Season (ha! take that Pumpkin Spice!).
For the uninitiated, you may think I’ve lost my ever-loving mind - yes, it’s still September and yes, I’m talking about Christmas (sorry, not sorry!). But this is the moment to purchase Advent Calendars before the most interesting ones sell out by mid-October.
For me, the pleasure here is multivariate: I love to give gifts - I love the ritual of thinking deeply about my people. I will spend hours agonizing over which advent calendar will delight which pal, which will light my children up, and which is the most creative within the constraints of the form.
A. This Beatles-themed Advent Calendar is my favorite find of the year so far!
B. This one sold out last year before I could buy it for a dear friend who loves cheese, Murray’s, and NYC.
C. Williams-Sonoma has a variety of nice Advent Calendars (all on the pricer side, but high quality). This one, which is mostly cookie cutters, is practical and would be nice for a young adult in their first apartment.
D. Bonne Maman’s is a cult favorite and always sells out - who doesn’t love mini jams?!
E. I gave this to Tim last year, and it was a big hit - the teas are delicious and the mix of types of teas is superb.
F. Gah! I smashed the buy button so fast - I love books and I love mini things. BLISS.
G. Speaking of tiny things - the world’s smallest Advent Calendar.
H. Andy Warhol’s children's books are a favorite - his illustration style is charming - these puzzles are chic and celebratory.
I. This DIY Advent Calendar set looks lovely …
J. and could be filled with these brass ornaments.
K. For the paper lovers - a luxe option.
L. And a more affordable option.
I include a few bonus finds here each week for paid subscribers as a small token of appreciation for making this newsletter possible.
