Think outside of the gift-giving box this holiday season
By Tendisai Cromwell
Uninspired gift giver, you drain the soul out of every act of Christmas generosity year after year. It’s time to stop buying generic gifts fated to find themselves on thrift store shelves.
Your brother, a music aficionado, would appreciate the Hip-Hop Blues of Toronto’s own Ian Kamau. Your best girl would be touched if you handed her a handcrafted necklace from Wild Moon. Mom, who just went natural, would find it meaningful to get natural hair guidance from I Heart My Hair. Dad had a midlife crisis. He says that he likes spoken word now – it inspires him. Buy him that recording from a Toronto-based poet please.
Infuse meaning into gift giving by supporting the local artists and independent businesses that give Toronto its eclectic character. Perhaps you should take a tip from Amanda Parris. As the co-founder of the youth arts program, Lost Lyrics and with numerous theatrical performances, Parris is a familiar and beloved face in the urban arts scene.
Parris says that she is surrounded by incredibly creative people whose artistic works are often overlooked as potential gifts.
“Even if we go on a consistent basis to community events, we don’t think of the artists that perform at those events as individuals we can support during the season,” Parris says.
Drawing inspiration from Oprah’s acts of on-air gift giving and a friend who encouraged her online network to support local artists, Parris devised a helpful list to make the transition to original gifting easy.
“There are a plethora of ways that you can give really interesting and very different kinds of gifts while at the same time supporting local people who are right now immersing themselves in innovation,” Parris says.
So let’s go over the steps to originality. Begin by recognizing that Toronto is a phenomenal hub of artistic talent and home to many independent businesses with unique treasures. Second, grow weary of the consumerism that has hijacked the holiday spirit. Third, avoid malls altogether. Finally to become truly original, take your pick from Amanda’s list with a few Sway recommendations added.
Happy holidays.
For more information about Amanda Parris and Lost Lyrics visit amandaparris.com and www.lostlyrics.ca
BOOKS
Be More than Just a Dime: A Guide for Beautiful Women and Girls to a Beautiful Life and World by Actress, Real Estate Agent, Odeen Eccleston
Because We Were Born by Poetess, Keisha-Monique Simpson
Store: Accents on Eglinton, African & Diaspora Literature
Store: A Different Booklist, Multicultural Literature
MUSIC
Without Further Adieu by Ashton Martin
Roots Redemption Mixtapes
11:11 by Afrakaren
San Myguel: The Mixtape by Myk Miranda
One Day Soon by Ian Kamau
333 by d’bi young
Memoirs of a Slave – Boonaa Mohammed
VISUAL ART
Prints by Quentin Vercetty
Sweet Like Mango Cards by Suritah Wignall
Store/Studio: Miracle Thieves
Photography Services: TOportfolio
Prints & Photography Services: Sidra Syed
Pinkfish – Graphic Recorder
CLOTHING
Store: Rebel Junction
Store: 1LoveTO
ACCESSORIES
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Burlesque Dance Classes by Dainty Smith - dainty_smith@hotmail.com
Loft 404 – Wellness Wednesdays
Il Nana/Diversecity Dance Company Dance Classes
I Heart My Hair One-on-One Consultations
Capoeria Classes with Capoeira Angola Center Ori
STORES
Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture, rotating stores- jewelry, art, clothing
Tribal Eye, African Arts and Craft, Clothing, Essential Oils, Soaps
Beit Zatoun - Fairtrade Olive Oil, Herbs, Soap, Books
thumbnail image © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
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Tendi, thanks for publishing this article and Amanda THANK YOU for putting I HEART MY HAIR Consultations on the list… this is such a unique and clever idea… greatly appreciate the support.
Hugs & Kisses and Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays and have a Merry New Year
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