Folks,
We've been holding onto a secret, and it's bearing down on us like the weight of the heavens on the hairy, glistening shoulders of Atlas himself.
It's time to admit who we really are.
It's time to tell truth.
Ready?
We're a couple of stingy, second hand-shopping, mend-it, fix-it, I could-make-that-myself penny savers who have typically not indulged in much gift buying. And now, because of our love of local handmade goods and crafting, we own a gift shop, where our most important job is to help people give great gifts!
Okay. What!?
We are just a couple of dang posers.
And there's something else...
We're not just reluctant gift buyers by accident.
We actually believe traditional gift giving is highly overrated.
Phew. Now you know.
Please don't tell anyone though, because if people stop buying birthday and Christmas gifts here, our shop will evaporate as fast as morning mist from the Otonabee.
We do see the value in the giving on gifts on predetermined dates according to cultural customs (and enjoy partaking occasionally), but we think that giving purely out of a sense of obligation, or a sense that the money we spend represents how much we care, are practices that lead to overconsumption. And who wants piles of disposable crud they don't need or love but feel obligated to keep? Not us. Not Marie Kondo. Not most people.
But here's the other side of that complex coin of consumption at W&L:
In the two and half years of running this place, YOU have taught us just how very, very special and lovely and wonderful gift giving and getting can be when certain elements are in place, and we are becoming better and more frequent gift givers ourselves in the process.
So, in our troubled material world, what makes a very, very special and lovely and wonderful gift that does not needlessly dig us further into a steaming pile of carbon-emitting, plastic-leaching, future-stealing, wealth-gap making waste??
Here's what we have gleaned from your wise ways so far...
1. The gift is truly wanted/needed.
How do you keep a gift a surprise AND find out what that person truly wants? Maybe you can go for a walk downtown with them. Bring up some of your favourite local artists and find out what likes you have in common. Snoop who they follow on social media. Listen carefully. Maybe an experience, a meal, or something you make is going to strike a chord more than something bought. Maybe something practical is better suited than something decorative or vice versa. Maybe they don't care so much about surprises and would actually like to pick something out.
2. It's given out of love & appreciation.
Just to reiterate, please don't stop buying birthday and Christmas gifts or our business will crumble to the ground. However, the most special gifting we've witnessed is given with a true desire to show someone how worthy they are of something beautiful, useful, and special. These feelings might well up at times other than pre-ordained holidays, hence our belief that spontaneous gifting can be even more special than the scheduled kind.
3. It lifts someone's spirit when they need it most.
"You don't get flowers for chronic pain" is a sentiment expressed on many a personal blog. We tend to pile presents on people when they're receiving a lot of attention already, but what about your bud in the corner who is dealing with depression, anxiety, loss, loneliness, trauma, or ongoing physical health problems that have no cure? Or your single bud who receives way less gifts overall than your coupled friends?
4. It reinvests in the community.
A gift can be extra special when the giftee knows where it was made, by whom, and with what. The value of objects has so much to do with the people and places to which they are connected, and we LOVE sending money every month to dozens of people in the community who get to spend more time being creative as a result. We know you get it. Thanks for investing in the little guy instead of billionaires when you can.
So here's our new gift-giving mantra:
<<GIVE FOR CONNECTION, NOT OBLIGATION>>
Meanwhile, we promise to do our best to reduce our environmental footprint by sourcing locally, favouring suppliers who source materials locally, reusing packing materials, and providing space for people who are doing important work for the planet.
And on that note, please join us on the the third Sunday of the month, February through May, for the Repair Café!
This is an amazing local crew of very kind nerds who volunteer their time to help you save items from the landfill. They used to work out of The Spill (R.I.P.) and have an incredible fixing track record. There will be fixers for clothing, electronics, and housewares, and more. Bring one or two things, and hang with us for a while! More details to come :)
Love from,
Anna & Erin
[These outtakes were too good to keep to ourselves.]
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/6751550be07642c79c95725c
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/6751558d9b625bb40ba3865f
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/675155cede4e71661b7c84e8
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/67515691e08a155aa96e3132
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/675156c07f2c11ecad76498f
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/675156f17f2c11ecad764993
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/6751573df37cf058d997c296
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/675157b9f3ddf4179a8f970c
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/675157dcde4e71661b7c8501
https://tobeamillionaire1.blogspot.com/2024/12/how-to-make-additional-1000-3000-per.html
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/67515c2a8c07de88e4462b64
https://teacher.desmos.com/collection/67515ca8e08a155aa96e3177
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/zl2-pDIa2co
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/qlVW8ODh1z0
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/cX8_xvf6lZM
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/JGrWnbzFMpM
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/URFzVDeSrLQ
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/1001769510863302634
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/YrlGjOzQ93I
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/xVuFqZiWxWI
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/6d7Fs38frV0
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/GfR3qhjXWxY
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/GfR3qhjXWxY
https://groups.google.com/g/how-to-make-money-quickly-and-easily/c/XOL4KI757eo
https://pastelink.net/2wfvzxa6
https://wokwi.com/projects/416419107113833473
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BEomKVTVh/
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577537548200003
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577539101533181
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577540274866397
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577539721533119
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577541204866304
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577541661532925
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577541204866304
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577542771532814
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577542404866184
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577544921532599
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577544454865979
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577543951532696
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577543394866085
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577547294865695
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577546821532409
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577546364865788
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577545904865834
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577548751532216
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577549368198821
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577549784865446
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577550148198743
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577551261531965
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577554421531649
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577553958198362
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577553528198405
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577553158198442
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577552554865169
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577552094865215
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577557481531343
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577556991531392
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577556554864769
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577555468198211
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577554838198274
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577559224864502
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577559774864447
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577560271531064
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577561194864305
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577561628197595
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577562191530872
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577564711530620
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577564138197344
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577563624864062
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577563051530786
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.577562654864159
https://wokwi.com/projects/416395666381475841
https://pastelink.net/wqi0xi9l
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/teppen-mod-apk-637-unlimited-money-data.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/race-mod-apk-1184-unlimited-money.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/cheat-harvest-moon-back-to-nature.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/daftar-lengkap-kode-cheat-ctr-ps1.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/collection-ps1-cheats.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/cheat-crash-bandicoot-3-warped.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/racing-go-speed-thrills-mod-apk-203.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/ninja-shadow-of-darkness-cheats.html
https://t.co/zPy0ajDWfE
https://cara.app/fangsoffortune/all
https://cara.app/abeautyfulllie2024/all
https://cara.app/lovesrebellion2024/all
https://cara.app/doublelife2024/all
https://cara.app/queenoftears2024/all
https://cara.app/thepromiseofchangan/all
https://cara.app/pinealxtpromote/all
https://cara.app/femiprosupplements
https://cara.app/arialiefsupplement
https://cara.app/primalgrowpro24
https://cara.app/officialmoringamagic
https://cara.app/glucoshieldpro24
https://pastelink.net/uild6aj5
https://wokwi.com/projects/416319560611796993
https://www.pastery.net/wrkvgu/
https://pastebin.com/4z8eewM6
https://tinhte.vn/profile/cb01-sidelined-the-qb-and-me-2024-streaming-ita.3197810/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/sidelined-the-qb-me-2024-film-completo-italiano.3197830/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/cb01-sidelined-the-qb-me-streaming-sub-ita.3197837/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/sidelined-the-qb-and-me-streaming-in-italiano.3197852/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2-2024-tw.3198016/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2024-tw.3198022/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2-2024-tw.3198026/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2024-tw.3198039/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2024-tw.3198045/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2024-tw.3198049/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/3-2024-tw.3198052/
https://tinhte.vn/profile/2024-tw.3198059/
https://hi.citilov.com/massage/car-nicobar/filmaxfinity-id578608
https://www.gameworld.gr/community/80527-filmaxfinity/profile
https://zenn.dev/rahimasanty/scraps/81fbfdef3cdc55
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/11017612/
https://wokwi.com/projects/416345392135901185
https://hackmd.io/@rahimasanty/Hypa4RTm1x
https://paste.centos.org/view/1f43b064
https://paste.enginehub.org/CinXW-gK4
https://rextester.com/SXYI45002
https://www.pastery.net/jnksxz/
https://pastelink.net/80mcm3p8
https://ctxt.io/2/AAB4MbCFFQ
https://playcode.io/2180186
https://paste.ee/p/auQNT
https://notes.io/w8Cda
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/teppen-mod-apk-637-unlimited-money-data.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/race-mod-apk-1184-unlimited-money.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/cheat-harvest-moon-back-to-nature.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/daftar-lengkap-kode-cheat-ctr-ps1.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/collection-ps1-cheats.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/cheat-crash-bandicoot-3-warped.html
https://prodroidgamers.blogspot.com/2024/12/racing-go-speed-thrills-mod-apk-203.html
https://allplaystationcheat.blogspot.com/2024/12/ninja-shadow-of-darkness-cheats.html
https://t.co/zPy0ajDWfE
https://cara.app/fangsoffortune/all
https://cara.app/abeautyfulllie2024/all
https://cara.app/lovesrebellion2024/all
https://cara.app/doublelife2024/all
https://cara.app/queenoftears2024/all
https://cara.app/thepromiseofchangan/all
https://cara.app/pinealxtpromote/all
https://cara.app/femiprosupplements
https://cara.app/arialiefsupplement
https://cara.app/primalgrowpro24
https://cara.app/officialmoringamagic
https://cara.app/glucoshieldpro24
https://pastelink.net/uild6aj5
https://wokwi.com/projects/416319560611796993
https://bento.me/herstory-tw-2024
https://bento.me/her-story-2024-tw-hd
https://tinhte.vn/profile/3196748/
https://bento.me/maharaja-2024-tw-sub
https://bento.me/maharaja-2024-hktw
https://bento.me/pelisplus-ver-sidelined-the-qb-and-me
https://bento.me/pelisflix-ver-sidelined-the-qb-and-me
https://bento.me/pelisplus-sidelined-the-qb-and-me-pelicula
https://cara.app/peliculascompleta/all
https://cara.app/verhdmovspain/all
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls590733771
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls590733102
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls590733132
https://bento.me/assista-sidelined-the-qb-and-me-2024-filme-
https://bento.me/sidelined-the-qb-and-me-2024-filme-completo
https://bento.me/assistir-sidelined-the-qb-and-me
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls590733443
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls590733907
https://cara.app/sidelined-hd/all
https://cara.app/asisstrsidelined/all
https://open.firstory.me/story/cm47uhl33004x01us3fav5x8g
https://bento.me/movcinemas-trending-2024
https://cara.app/chidaumovhd/all
https://chduonline.taplink.ws/