ho ho ho
The Interview Gift Guide That Gives Back
Art by Jack Vhay.
As the brutal year of 2020 comes to an end, we’ve put together a holiday gift guide suited for our unique times. This holiday season, material gifts are meaningless unless they are building up our communities, supporting grassroots organizations that help move our country forward, and of course, make us and others feel happy—even if just for a moment. Below, the Interview editors give us some gift ideas that all give back in one way or another. ‘Tis the damn season.
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JULIANA UKIOMOGBE, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
“I love the intention behind this CBD pre-roll and lighter pack. Her Highness is a woman-owned cannabis and CBD brand donating 50% of its proceeds to the Last Prisoner Project in support of incarcerated women who have been unjustly imprisoned for low-level cannabis offenses.”
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MICHAEL QUINN, PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR
“I’m giving a donation to True Colors Foundation, a NY-based nonprofit (founded by Cindy Lauper) that advocates for the rights and protections of LGBTQ young people who are experiencing homelessness. True Colors provide all kinds of support for young displaced people; legal advice, financial guidance, job support—they’re also involved in educating states and local government in the US and abroad on the better methods and approaches to the issue of LGBTQ homelessness with the goal to end it. They’re an incredible organization and they have a super quick and easy donate page. It’s a great gift for anyone.”
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SARAH MORRISON, PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
“I have two ideas: First, Ketchup World Sweatshirts! Formerly a boutique marketplace for specialty ketchup in the early-aughts, the original founder’s daughter has reclaimed and repurposed the name as a digital brand and storefront for fundraising-driven merchandise. At current, there are sweatshirts, t-shirts, stickers, and some limited-edition candles. All profits are split between The ACLU and The Transgender Law Center. Also, NAOMI NOMI masks. Back in March, NAOMI NOMI was one of the first brands to mobilize and create masks out of the fabric that would have been for the launch of their Spring garments. A portion of every sale is used to send masks to the Navajo Nation COVID-19 Fund. To date, the brand has donated over 4,000 masks to those in need.”
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NICK HARAMIS, EDITOR-in-CHIEF
“It’s not cheap, but I love this print by the Canadian artist Marcel Dzama called ‘A Spark of Hope in Bloom.’ All of the proceeds go to Voting Rights Lab to support the Democratic Senate run-off elections in Georgia in January.”
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CHRISTOPHER BOLLEN, EDITOR at LARGE
“I can’t think of a better way of supporting a vital New York City non-profit art space AND getting some awesome art in the process than buying one of this limited edition works from The Kitchen in Chelsea. I’d recommend the Kim Gordon print or the Dara Birnbaum photograph.”
“I recommend Family Meal, a cookbook project by illustrators and designers, to anyone looking for a gift that gives back to the New York restaurant community. The book features 38 recipes from 38 New York eateries, including Buttermilk Biscuits from Pies ‘N’ Thighs, Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Maple Sherry Agrodolce from Saraghina, and Fried Green Tomatoes with Bacon, Arugula and BBQ Aioli from Peaches Hothouse, to name a few. All of the proceeds go towards New York restaurants and their employees through ROAR‘s employee relief fund.”
“Neighborhood Spot has become my go-to destination for shopping local without leaving the couch. Their collabs with New York City mainstays such as Elizabeth Street Garden, La Bonbonniere, and Mr. Taka Ramen make great gifts for the city kid in your life. I’m partial to the Casa Magazines beanie (I already bought one, Mom, but thanks), or the New York Gritty tee. Also, as a Jew who celebrates Christmas with carbs and not-so-jolly holiday movies, if someone sent me this ‘Wake Up in Brooklyn’ schmear basket from Brooklyn bagel bulwark Shelsky’s, thus sparing me the 15-minute walk, I wouldn’t complain. (Zucker’s makes a good one, too.)
For the socialist in your life, there are these Green New Deal mugs that support Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the fight for climate justice. For the capitalist (or the competitive socialist), there are these pandemic-appropriate Monopoly-themed pajamas, made in collaboration with Morgan Lane. Sleep comfortably knowing that you can still enjoy putting your friends in debt while supporting small businesses—and that the world’s most seemingly capitalist board game actually has progressive roots.”
“I’m into gifts that give twice. This year I’m giving the Sambal Evie pack from culinary collective Cash Only. All proceeds from this drop go to Food Roots, Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement, an organization dedicated to providing Los Angeles’s A.P.I. communities with local sustainably farm fresh foods. Other pals will receive a holiday trio pack from Rose Los Angeles, a CBD & THC treat company who focus on hiring formerly incarcerated persons at their San Francisco headquarters.”
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ERNESTO MACIAS, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
“When I think about 2021, I can’t help but reminisce about the many things 2020 stripped us away from. So this holiday season I’m opting for gifts that will hopefully bring back, or help the journey back to recovery, of some of my favorite New York places. First, a donation to Gays and Lesbians Living In a Transgender Society (G.L.I.T.S.), an organization that makes sure trans sex workers, as well as trans community members, have access to housing, health care, and more. For the merch-obsessed human, there’s this ‘Discover Bisexuality’ hoodie from Mood Ring, a temporarily-closed Astrological-themed bar in Bushwick that serves as a home to creatives, queers, and moody explorers, as the hoodie suggests. Last but not least, I love the temporary tattoo sheet from Special Special, a gallery-meets-shop-meets-art print house located in the East Village. It’s one of my favorite places to visit, and their tattoos are a celebration of their 4-year anniversary.”
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MEL OTTENBERG, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
“Seth Bogart face mask, or for the high roller, Seth bogart SAFE by Dennis Cooper ceramic art piece, which I really wanted and needed from Seth’s Fierman Gallery show this summer in NYC. Proceeds from the masks go The Loveland Foundation, an organization “committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.” Also, Baz Bagels Bagel Baking Kit at home: because I descend from hundreds of years of Jewish bakers, but I can’t bake, so maybe we can all really learn how to cook Jewish food together this winter.”
