Regular Goodson Blogson readers know that we have been recommending holiday gift ideas for the law students and lawyers in your life since 2009 (see past entries here). We thought that was a pretty long history, until Assistant Director for Reference, Clinics, and Outreach Laura Scott uncovered an even earlier holiday gift guide from Duke Law in the December 2, 1964 issue of The Devil's Advocate newspaper. In the "Observed Around the Law School" column, student Alex Denson (LL.B.'66) shared a humorous "shopping guide for the law student who has everything" that would have been familiar to law students of the era, including "Delamirie Diamonds, Tubantia life rafts," and "Palsgraf's Fireworks." (OK, modern law students will surely know that last one too.)
In the following week's column, Denson reprinted additional humorous legal gift ideas from fellow student Don Gardiner (LL.B.'65), including "oil for the springing use" and "a blunt instrument for docking entails."
First, though, we should acknowledge the state of current affairs. From the ongoing war in Ukraine, to the horrifying October terrorist attack in Israel and subsequent violence and devastation in Gaza, to recent natural disasters like the Maui wildfire, Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, and this weekend's earthquake in Nepal, holiday gift shopping might feel somewhat frivolous while there is so much suffering in the world. If you and/or your recipients feel the same, many relief organizations will accept charitable donations in honor of another person and will provide the honoree with notification of your gift. Some organizations that are on site helping people affected by military conflict and natural disasters include Doctors without Borders/Médicins sans Frontières, Project HOPE, and Jose Andres's World Central Kitchen. You can research additional charities and learn more about how their donations are allocated at Charity Navigator.
Other holiday gift choices can help do some good for the world, too. Sustainable chocolate has been in the news a lot recently, from CBS News to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. As explained on these programs, the harsh realities of cocoa production include exploitative and illegal practices, such as child labor and forced servitude, which governments and non-governmental organizations struggle to combat. This holiday season, indulge your loved one's sweet tooth more ethically with the 9-bar "Ultimate Bundle" from Tony's Chocolonely, or one of the gorgeous gift boxes from Ghana's women-owned 57 Chocolate. Both of these companies were recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning as examples of chocolate producers who provide their workers and suppliers with a living income and strive for "exploitation free" products.
Other gift ideas for foodies on your list could include a set of attractive and eco-friendly reusable food storage bags from Stasher, rated best overall by Food & Wine earlier this year. Gift cards to DoorDash, GrubHub, and Instacart may help your recipient stock the fridge and find quick meals during long work days. We've previously written about meal prep delivery kits like HelloFresh and Blue Apron, but you might also consider The Purple Carrot for a plant-based/vegan alternative. If your loved one is far away and missing a hometown delicacy, many local favorites ship cross-country via their Goldbelly shops.
For caffeine fiends, consider a nice coffee set, like those at Blue Bottle, Red Bay's Holiday Gift Set (one of Oprah's "Favorite Things" this year), or Durham's own Little Waves. If your loved ones prefer tea, consider some attractive gift sets from Tea Forte (we especially like the striking Frank Lloyd Wright box), or the beautifully packaged sets from South Korea's OSULLOC (via Daebak or their Amazon shop, which features some items that are currently out of stock on Daebak).
Both coffee and tea drinkers might also like a little help keeping their beverages warm, too. If the trendy self-warming Ember Mug is out of price range, perhaps a plug-in mug warmer would be a good alternative: Don't Waste Your Money reviewed 11 varieties.
If their beverage tastes run a bit harder, check out Houston attorney Michael J. McCormick's 2022 bartending book Lawyerly Libations: Concoctions for the Counselor, Apéritifs for the Attorney, Elixirs for the Esquire, and Additional Alcoholic Anecdotes: A Cocktail Compilation for the Burgeoning Barrister's Bar (available in hardcover or paperback via Amazon). You could even bundle it with a set of Declaration of Independence rocks glasses or pint glasses from the National Archives, currently available with a 20% discount using the code GIFTGUIDE23 (through 12/20).
The National Archives Store's 20% sale makes it a good place to peruse for others on your holiday shopping list, as the code GIFTGUIDE23 works for anything featured in their own Gift Guide. We’ve previously featured the NARA gift shop's patent prints and authentic government "red tape" offerings, but the Emancipation Proclamation canvas print is new to the Blogson recommendations. If you haven't quite reached the free shipping threshold via the sale items, the rest of the Archives store should help you get there quickly.
Last year, we highlighted various Lego Botanical sets as a potentially fun way to decorate an office. While sets such as the new Tiny Plants may still appeal to many readers, if you'd like to send the real thing to your loved one's home or office instead, a monthly bouquet subscription may keep the holiday cheer going well past the New Year. Taste of Home highlighted several options in September, rating Bouqs the best overall and highlighting BloomsyBox as the most eco-friendly. (Sending just one bouquet? Consider patronizing a local shop at Find a Florist.)
You might also consider helping your loved one with an office upgrade via artwork. Architectural Digest recently featured "Where to Buy Cool Artwork Online," including options for locating affordable but stylish prints and original art. Some sites that provide access to original art by up-and-coming as well as established artists include Artfinder, Minted, and Artsy.
Help with professional wardrobe building or maintenance is a practical idea, especially for recent graduates. A gift subscription or gift card to online styling services like Stitch Fix, Armoire, or Menlo Club can help your recent graduate or newer lawyer fill their closet with stylish pieces. If that idea is not your style, or your recipient already has a well-stocked closet, maybe a handheld clothes steamer to keep their wardrobe wrinkle-free on the go? Real Simple rates the five best clothes steamers, with the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam coming out on top.
Need practical and affordable ideas for stocking stuffers or office gift exchanges that almost everyone should love? The versatile Geekey multi-tool should appeal to outdoorsy types, fix-it types, and anybody who can never find a bottle opener when they need one. An Apple Air Tag should similarly be appreciated by those who always have trouble finding things – while sets of 4 run close to $100, a single tag is also available for $29, and free engraving service is also available to personalize the gift. Glocuscent neck reading lights come in a variety of colors, and add a convenient boost of light while traveling.
This holiday season will be undeniably difficult for many people who have lost loved ones, are living in unstable conditions, or are experiencing economic hardships. (If you or someone you know in the United States are struggling with mental health or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/ for live chat support.) But this time of year is also an opportunity to contribute to charitable relief efforts, support local businesses and artisans, and share precious moments together with friends and family. If you have read this far, we hope that our annual holiday gift guide has given you a few inspiring ideas to spread hope, share happiness, and create memories with your own loved ones. We wish our readers a safe, peaceful, and happy holiday season.