The Idler

Christmas Shopping Idler Style

We’re thinking of bucking the trend this year and getting luxurious gifts for loved ones. Books and food should never be “economised” on, and it’s better to get small amounts of very good stuff than large amounts of rubbish. Feed the body and mind with quality ingredients. My friend Alan is selling the most fantastic artisan-made sugars, salts and teas on his new Speciality Farm Foods website. A little of the sugar on porridge or oats in the morning is something else.

Merriment is also important, and to that end may I suggest ukuleles as presents? There is only one place to go, and that is the wonderful new site from The Duke of Uke, London’s ukulele emporium.

Finally, we have just produced a nice downloadable Idler Price List, listing all the books we sell, plus t-shirts and other stuff. The Idler’s Diary 2009 is a particularly cheering gift, and we have a few comforting hoodies left, too. A new release is John Mitchinson’s essay on William Morris, first published in the QI Idler, which Christian Brett of Bracketpress has produced in a fine limited letterpress hardback edition.

TH