Christmas Pig 3: Ragnarök
It's that special time of year
Bring out the gimp, it’s the Sad and Famous Christmas Pig Gift Guide 🥳! For nostalgia, here is Christmas Pig 2023 and the Christmas Pig origin story of 2022. This pig will be funny to me forever— however long that ends up being ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
My holiday suggestion no one asked for: with the exception of gifts for children, why don’t we donate to worthy organisations in each other’s name and then buy one fun thing for ourselves that we’ll get a kick out of? I asked my loved ones for places they like to donate, a list of which is below, alongside places I donate to. My gift guide follows that, organised by category. The vast majority of these things I do not own but just think look like a good time. One of the categories is my own personal recommendation of things I have tried for myself.
Donations
UK: 🇬🇧
Donkey Sanctuary, SSPCA (prevention of animal cruelty), St. Mungo’s (they help homeless people keep their dogs!), Shelter (Homeless support), Spana (more love for donkeys and other working animals), Woodland Trust, Refuweegee (refugees in Scotland), Social Bite (meals for the homeless), Sarpur Duman (cat rescue), RSPB (bird protection), Give a Dog a Bone (pairs elderly people with homeless pets and helps them care for them— the most genius idea!)
USA: 🇺🇸
Center for Biological Diversity, National Bail Out, Free Black Mamas, Trans Lifeline, ACLU (protecting civil liberties), The Satanic Temple (don’t judge this book by its cover), Through These Doors (domestic violence shelter), Farm Sanctuary, Books not Bars (books for people in prison)
Everywhere: 🌎
Medicine Sans Frontiers (Doctors without Borders), APOPO (hero rats!), Ric O’Barry's Dolphin Project, Wikipedia, End Violence Against Women International, Queer Svit (help for LGBTQ POC from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus), Solidarity Zone (support for Russian nonviolent protesters who get classified as extremists), Goodnight Imperial Pride (anarchist grassroots support against Russian invaders in Ukraine)
Gifts
Face
Lisa Eldridge has made the first ever 100% recyclable lipstick which you can purchase with a refillable case. You can get your initials engraved on your lipstick case and keep it 4life!
Glitter tears (also gold fangs)
I’ve been reviewing lipsticks over on my Instagram and if anyone would like help finding a good red lipstick that works for your colouring, comment below (or reply to the email if you get this newsletter emailed to you) and I’ll point you in the right direction
Jewellery
Witch’s familiar necklace (above)
Sun ring in red (comes in other colours)
Accessories
Darlin’ camo hat in orange (above)
Waxed cotton Chidi belts in Nigerian print fabrics (also everything she makes is beautiful
Fun, cheap statement glasses and sunglasses in bright colours
’I don’t need insurance, I’m protected by The Light!’ bumper sticker
Clothes
Girls will be Girls beheading crop top (above)
Corset belt (in my undergrad there was a girl who used to dress like this and it was so intimidating)
Velvet corset currently sold out, restock coming December 6th
Please Do Not Hurt Me hoodie (also everything he sells rules)
Ren Faire style corset (clearly this was the year I looked at a lot of corsets)
See through organza gown in rust (comes in other colours)
Home
Movement of the Comet print (above)
Scalloped pillows in pink and gold (comes in other colours)
Japanese cat clock (I have wanted one of these for years)
Dramatic winter shadows candle holder
Personal Recommendations
Spacious Tarot (above). I own a number of tarot decks and this one is the most profound, readable and beautiful deck I own. It is the main deck I return to. It is tarot without images of people, only animals and nature. It is obvious that each card has been created with focused care and deep consideration of its meaning. The guide book is also very good. A friend told me that the makers of the Spacious Tarot have decided not to reprint it, so when it’s gone it’s gone. If you are into tarot, I highly recommend picking up a deck before you can’t anymore.
Dr. Jart Cicapair Colour Corrector Treatment I can’t say enough good things about this little workhorse. It’s almost totally supplanted tinted moisturiser for me. It’s a non-makeup colour corrector that evens out the redness in your skin. A little goes a long way. There’s a serum and a cream depending on what you like. I have the small size pot of the cream. Works for sensitive skin. It rules!
How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C Davis—which I’ve written about before here. I decided to reread this book recently because I am struggling! First time I read it in book form and this time I listened on audiobook— both are great and both have options if you have no attention span and need to get to the main points quickly. This book is something I’d term ‘frank compassion’, Davis doesn’t mince words, she wants to make her points clear to you, but also treats you with kindness and encourages you to be kind to yourself by looking for realistic ways to reframe your perspective on your home and your self care tasks. If you are going through a rough time of any sort, this book is invaluable. Her suggestions are life changing. It is self help in the most literal sense.
Kevin Murphy hair products. If you have bad hands, or are funky of bone and joint as I am, or know someone who is, I highly recommend checking out Kevin Murphy. First of all, they’re high quality products that will improve your hair and the packaging design is beautiful. However! It is also designed to work functionally in your human hands not just look nice on a shelf! I literally wrote them an email to let them know how deeply I appreciate the usability of their products as I have sprained joints many a time trying to squeeze or pump various bottles in the shower. Also, their shampoo and conditioner are designed so you can easily get out every drop— so yes, it’s more expensive but you can use every ounce. I have become entirely loyal to this brand. I use their Killer Curls shampoo and conditioner and their Un.Tangled leave in conditioner. I love you Kevin Murphy!
Neal’s Yard Soothing Body Oil This smells incredible, goes on lavender and then fades into a really subtle but rich scent that lingers? Anyway, I love it. Almond and jojoba base. Safe for sensitive skin!
Orthopaedic leg pillow Sorry to return to the ever consuming subject of my funky skeleton but I hemmed and hawed over if I should get this pillow for awhile— would it really be much different than putting a cushion between my knees while I sleep?? Reader, it makes all the difference in the world! This pillow is dainty, does not get hot, is designed for your legs and best of all because of the strap, moves with you when you roll side to side. I barely feel it! I have less hip and back pain in the morning. Obsessed!
Himalayan Cedarleaf candle by Aery, a luxurious, heady scent
Midwinter 21 candle by Norfolk Natural Living, clean, bright, warming
Sets of dinner candles my go to shop for bundles of coloured candles, much less expensive than many other places
Great Substacks I read to give a gift subscription to: Dearest by
(jewellery lovers), Small Magic by (creativity, self care), Kitsch! Camp! Schmaltz! Schlock! by (cultural crit), I <3 Mess by (fashion crit), The Review of Beauty by (beauty crit), The Fashion Journal by (personal styling), Big Undies by (fashion lovers), The Nutrition Tea by (nutrition and health)This TikTok, which I’ve watched 800x, makes me feel genuine happiness
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See you next year <3
I love this list! And the spacious tarot has been a deck i have wanted for aaaages now so i'm taking this as my sign that i might just have to buy it for myself this christmas. also that cat necklace?!? Obsessed.
<3<3