Then, Now, Next.: Now, That’s A Gift

It’s no surprise that I’m not remotely excited about the holidays this year, because, honestly, how much more crap does anyone need? 

I’ve been clearing the decks for months, selling off a ton of my Mid-Century Modern ceramics and glassware, donating books by the blue-IKEA-bag-full to various Little Free Libraries, eating out of my own kitchen with renewed intention (I made Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon recipe three times, among a dozen other recipes, so that I’d have extras to freeze when I didn’t feel like cooking—and that time is now). 

My child is grown, and the holidays hold no appeal in terms of gift-giving because when I see something that I think he’d like (a pair of paintings at the Brimfield Antique Fair in May, for example), the purchase isn’t colored by the time of year or the occasion. And as for me? Honestly, every day is Christmas. I buy myself what I like if I’ve got the money to spend; as I’m fond of saying, my headstone will read, “She died penniless but with a great art collection.” 

Combine this with the decidedly bah-humbug mental state of the world and I’ve realized that gifts this year should be about giving back, reusing/recycling or improving our wellbeing. With that in mind, I’m delighted to present my shortlist of “Perfect Holiday Gifts For When You’re Not Feeling Very Gift-y.”

First up, Oyster Party. Co-owner Kyle Needham realized that while many of his pals love oysters, most of them had no idea how to properly shuck them, and he quickly escalated this “best party guest ever” offering into a curated raw bar for hire, available in and around NYC, ultimately partnering with Samuel Keller. After more than a decade of catering and pop-up markets, Oyster Party now has a dedicated home outside of Woodstock on the Hotel Dylan property. What better holiday “present” for my beloveds than a shellfish extravaganza, maybe even one I can host in my pajamas in my own house?

Speaking of ways to celebrate/gather with panache, I am gaga for S²Style, headed by master stylists and lauded costume designers Stephanie Maslansky and Sharon Globerson. Yes, the duo has dressed nearly everyone who has graced the red carpet and certainly can take you big bucks shopping on Madison Avenue—but some of their most creative options (all avail as gift certificates, so, as mentioned, perfect for the holidays) include a wardrobe evaluation and closet reset session. I love how this works for the fashion plate who wants a fresh set of eyes on their wardrobe (we all need a “what to keep/what to ditch” refresher, don’t we?); a session with the ladies always yields some truly creative tips for wearing/pairing a favorite clothing item in a whole new way. 

Want a few other ideas for ways to gift that keep an eye on consumption with a slightly smaller price tag? 

If you’re following Isabel Klee, a.k.a. @simonsits, you already know that she’s about the closest thing a mere mortal can be whilst doing “God’s work.” An animal activist who’s dedicated her personal and professional lives to saving as many shelter animals as possible by fostering rescues and helping them heal from pronounced trauma on their way to new forever homes, Klee has captured the heart of social media. With nearly 700k followers on Instagram, she takes us along as she fosters the neediest cases with love, patience and courage. Among her followers? The head of Oscar de la Renta, who just worked with Klee on a collection of dog accessories, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to one of Klee’s favorite orgs, Muddy Paws Rescue. I’m donating as well as purchasing Klee’s new book for a bunch of friends as part of a feel good/spend less holiday 2025.

And now for something entirely different? How about a deep-dive Tarot reading, or a series of guided lessons on learning how to explore the mystical practice on your own? Cazimi Modern Tarot offers one-on-one private readings, small group readings and newbie-to-advanced instruction for individuals or focused gatherings. Tarot has an incredible story and was first documented in 15th century Milan. The practice counts Napoleon and Carl Jung among its most notable Tarot-curious followers in history, in addition to being utilized by countless intuitives around the globe today. Full disclosure: Cazimi Modern Tarot is me! I’ve been studying and reading Tarot as a spiritual outlet for some time and launched a public-facing practice a few years ago. For the holidays, mention, “It’s cooler in the mountains” when you book a session with Cazimi Modern Tarot and I’ll donate a portion of proceeds to the Regional Food Bank Hudson Valley as my own give-back.

Happy Holidays. Trust me, you don’t need a thing.