It’s the most wonderful time of year. Of course, for a lot of us, it’s also the most stressful, most exhausting time of year. It’s gift-giving season, and to take some of the pressure off, we’ve tapped local gifting gurus in varying arenas—like food, motherhood, drama, science—and asked them to pick a gift for the very specific people on your list. With any luck (and our experts’ helpful hints), it’ll be the hap-happiest season of all.
For Mom…
“Historically, I’ve not been a giver of material things or commercial goods as much as I have given handwritten notes inside beautiful cards. I can say that as a professional conscious relationship teacher and coach, and as someone who deeply resonates with the mother, the queen, the sage, and the lover archetypes, that reverent, intentional, attentive, and quality time spent in the energies of appreciation (‘thank you for…’), joy (activities or shares that speak to, uplift, and nourish my soul and my senses), play (full-body belly laughs), affirmation (‘I see you…’), praise and celebration (‘In honor of you…’), rest (that is lovingly held, supported, and protected), and pleasure (delicious foods, meals and treats, good conversation, pampering)—in whatever ways they take shape—can be the most powerful, restorative, deeply moving, and memorable gifts to myself or from others.” —Yolonda Coles Jones, Empowerment & Consciousness Coach, Yolonda Jones Creative
For Dad…
“I enjoy any gift from the UVA Bookstore.” —Jim Ryan, President, University of Virginia
For the kid…
“How many gifts provide opportunities for parents and kids to make new friends, spend unlimited time learning and playing, and have a joyful place to work out wiggles when the weather outside is crummy? A Virginia Discovery Museum membership is just $150 a year and includes free or discounted admissions at over 500 other museums nationwide.” —Janine Dozier, Executive Director, Virginia Discovery Museum
For the athlete…
“A gift certificate to Rivanna Cryotherapy. Fran and Dawn are great massage therapists, whether you’re a professional athlete or you just need some body work.” —Chris Long, Host, “Green Light” podcast
For the activist…
“Activists confront the ongoing legacies of trauma, and sometimes undergo trauma ourselves—which we carry in our bodies. Activists are such outward-focused, go-go people that we often need encouragement to get self-care. Gift certificates for massages from Common Grounds Healing Arts are much appreciated.” —Jalane Schmidt, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia
For the writer…
“Support an aspiring author (or avid reader) in your life with a patterned notebook or pretty tote from O’Suzannah. While you’re there, find a matching pouch or pen.” —Jocelyn Johnson, Author, My Monticello
For the hard-to-shop-for person…
“I shop at Michie Tavern, as they have products and gifts from all over Virginia. I also like ‘memory gifts.’ Stop at a local sandwich shop—Feast!, Markets at Tiger Fuel, Market at Grelen—pack a picnic basket and drive to the area LOVE signs and enjoy. There are many locally within a short drive. The downtown experience of a dinner and show is also a great gift!” —Olivia Branch, Member Relations Coordinator, Keswick
For the game-player…
“As someone who has invented several board games, it may seem strange that I’m not a gamer myself. I pretty much never play
any games except chess. I think chess is the greatest game ever, but If I had to pick another, Settlers of Catan would be the clear winner. It’s a fun social game, and we’re lucky to have Pete Fenlon, who originally published Catan and is the current CEO of Catan Studio, living right here in Charlottesville.” —Brian Calhoun, Founder,
Rockbridge Guitars (and creator of Chickapig)
For the theater-lover…
“For the classicist, a fancy quill pen or a wax sealing kit from Rock Paper Scissors—everyone should have one of those!” —Jo Manley, Marketing Consultant, American Shakespeare Center
For the poet…
“I’d recommend a book or gift card from New Dominion Bookshop, with its expertly curated poetry section and friendly staff (several of whom are UVA alums and talented writers themselves!). If you step into the shop on the right day, you may even witness a live reading by a local or visiting author who’ll be delighted to sign a copy of their book for you. After selecting the perfect volume, the poet on your gift list can enjoy a glass of wine and the convivial atmosphere at Tilman’s, right next door.” —Kiki Petrosino, Professor and Director of Creative Writing, University of Virginia
For the wine-lover…
“Gift card to Mountain House Trading Company. Wine-lovers love exploring, and I discovered Mountain House Trading when visiting the 151 wineries last year. It has everything from local honey and wine accessories to mead flights and small bites.” —Tasha Durrett, founder, Black Women Who Wine
For the teacher…
“Teachers are nurturers, leaders, and mentors. They’re planners, improvisers, scholars, and cheerleaders. And so one thing all teachers need by the time the holiday season rolls around is a moment for themselves. Treat the teacher in your life to a gift certificate to one of our amazing local restaurants or bakeries. I just recently enjoyed a pastry from MarieBette Café & Bakery and I bet others would, too!” —Royal Gurley, Superintendent, Charlottesville City Schools
For the STEM nerd…
“The Scholars’ Lab TinkerTank is part of the University of Virginia Library system, and it’s open to the community. 3D print your own designs for free!” —Karl Helmstetter, physics teacher, Charlottesville High School
