The Most Random Gift Guide in Ever
Last year, I wrote a Christmas Letter giving an update on all things 5 + 8. I love any opportunity to talk about our company and our people. In lieu of extolling praise on them, I thought I’d let you get to know our team through their favorite things. Introducing our first (and maybe last) Annual Gift Guide. Hopefully the following will spur some good gift ideas, and maybe give you a little insight into our growing team. Without further ado, the 5 + 8 Gift Guide written in the words of someone other than me…
Things You Don't Need (But We Think You’ll Want).
Jeff’s Gift Guide
1. Speargun. Here's a gift I wanted and have only ever used once (in a swimming pool). I initially wanted this speargun for catching fish around oil rigs from a kayak. My buddy and I both got them. It's not the exact model, but close.
2. Floating Record Player. Here is another gift I've had my eye on... a floating record player. This style of record player was popular for a while in the 70’s and I think they look cool.
Adam’s Gift Guide
3. The Full Focus Planner. This has actually changed my life. The Full Focus Planner exists as the perfect intersection of annual goal-setting and daily productivity. They say if you simply write down your goals they are 40% more likely to happen. I credit much of this year’s success to this paper planner.
4. Frixon Erasable Pens. These are not those flimsy Bic erasable pens from 1991. These are made by Pilot and are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to mess up their new Full Focus Planner with a bunch of scratch outs. Also endorsed by Sarah.
Sarah’s Gift Guide
5. Travel Buddy Packable Puffer Jacket from Madewell ($128, but it's 25% off right now with code VERYMERRY)
I love this jacket so much, I wrote a review and it's on their website:
6. This Wonder Lint thing to get fuzzies off sweaters and flannel so it looks brand spankin' new ($36.99)
I heard about this from @cstyleblog on Instagram, and it's genius. I had a quilt that had all that fuzzy crap from some flannel sheets stuck to it, and it took them right off which was something the dry cleaners couldn't even do. I was amazed and very happy with this $40 purchase. Moms will love it too – it will def preserve all their Pottery Barn linens and cozy sweaters.
7. Vitruvi Stone Diffuser ($105)
I've decided 2019 is going to be a zen year for me, so this is on my list. And it's the coolest lookin' oil diffuser I've seen (although pretty pricey). Can't wait to hopefully get this from someone for my birthday and/or Christmas..........
David’s Gift Guide
8. Borealis Backpack. I couldn't recommend more this backpack from North Face. I've had it for more than 5 years and it has gone to Spain, Israel and Guatemala. Still looks brand new. I use it daily and couldn't be happier with it.
9. Ron Zacapa Rum My other go-to for gifts is a bottle of the best rum in the world Ron Zacapa. It also comes from my home country in Guatemala so I may be a little bias.
Camila’s Gift Guide
10. Egg Cooker. As a soon-to-become independent young woman, I am thinking of things that can make my little bachelor space not only cozy, but also efficient. On a trip to Target last night, I found my new favorite item of the year, and aside from cooking eggs in three ways (wicked fast), it can also steam shrimp, broccoli, asparagus, and even salmon! All the things I eat. This is probably something no one else needs.
Katy’s Gift Guide
11. Whatever Make Your Own Banner kit
I love this diy banner set and have used it for a range of occasions (and non-occasions). And it doesn't have to be festive, either...you could make it say "TAKE OUT THE TRASH" or "LETS GET FRISKY" or a number of things.
12. Humans of New York Book
This book is a compilation of people's portraits and their stories around New York, captured by Brandon Stanton. I'll try not to sound too cheesy, but...wow these stories. They're all unique, candid, and poignant in some way. There's also a blog that he updates regularly and has a pretty huge following. I read several stories every week.
Linda’s Gift Guide
13. Pots for plants
I don't know when I turned into a plant person, sort of like how I have no idea when I turned into a cat person. But now I'm a cat-plant person.
14. Homemade Marshmallows
I guess this isn't really a gift you can buy since it's primarily a homemade (store-bought "homemade" ones don't cut it). But I've been googling this recipe for over a year and I don't want to go through the effort to make them, only want them in my mouth.
15. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
This book not only teaches you the fundamentals of cooking, but also the science behind them, allowing you to understand WHY things taste good.
Gabe’s Gift Guide
16. Nintendo Switch. I'm strongly considering getting a Nintendo Switch. Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Pokemon: Let's Go! Are all fantastic games.
17. James Avery + Whataburger Cup Collaboration. And this.
That’s our gift guide. Now, I’ll do a little updating and a little lauding.
Our team has grown by 38% since January. Sure, it grew from five to eight people, but growth is growth. Welcome Katy, Camila and David! Katy is so freaking talented, she’ll likely end up being a famous Instagram hand-letterer (yeah, that’s a thing). David is arguably the kindest person on the planet, and has more big agency experience than Jeff and I combined. And, Camila is so industrious, she will likely take my job one day. They’re our badass batch of newbies that round out our agency perfectly.
The only thing more cliché than saying your team is the best is saying your team is family. They are not my family. They are a group of people that I spend a ton of time with who come from various backgrounds, experiences and other actual families. The one thing I cannot deny about our team is that I love these people. I wasn’t sure about saying this, but that is the synonym closest to the feeling I have for them. It’s weird, but I do. I love them like Michael Scott loved his employees. In a weird dad / older brother / cool uncle way, I love them all. A company is not a family, but 5 + 8 is as close to family as I’ve experienced. So, Merry Christmas to the entire fam; Jeff (Darryl), Sarah (Kelly), David (Oscar), Katy (Erin), Camila (Pam), Gabe (Nate) and Linda (Creed).
And, to my actual family. Piper (Karen with a sprinkle of Jan) is the best. The actual best. And, I am so excited, scared and appropriately ill-prepared to welcome our third child into the world in less than a month. But, I wouldn’t want to go into the unknown with any other tribe than mine. I love you Piper, Poppy, Phoebe, and our newest woodland creature, more than this silly blog can ever express.
Peace!
