On being … the season’s ubiquitous features

By Ingrid Sapona

’Tis the time of year when newspapers are overflowing with “gift guides”. Nothing makes me feel more Bah Humbug than these guides. While the occasional story about a toy that it seems every child wants is newsworthy (remember when Tickle Me Elmos flew off the shelves?), to me, these gift guides are more a sign of the overt commercialization of the holidays. So, I generally just ignore them. 

But, this year I started subscribing to the Guardian (a UK paper) and when their weekend newsletter featured gift giving guides, I wondered how British gifting suggestions might compare. So, I had a look. One list featured a tomato candle that “makes your house smell like a fresh tomato plant”. Different, I suppose, but not something I could ever imagine shelling out￡88 for (that’s about CDN﹩160; USD117). I stopped reading when I came to the Skims Bodysuit designed to give the wearer Kim Kardashian’s silhouette. I am sure there are lots of folks who buy them, but as a gift? (I know you’re dying to know the price — relative to the tomato candle, it’s a bargain at ￡100.) My conclusion: the inanity of such lists knows no geographic boundaries.

Though the non-newsworthiness of holiday gift guides filling the pages of newspapers bugs me, I realized this year that I have a bit of a double standard about another type of guide common this time of year: “cookie calendars”. They’re like a magnet to me. I always look through them in hopes of finding some new cookie or dessert to add to my cookie plates. (I know, I know, people who love gift giving guides are also just looking for something new…) 

This year, however, I kind of turned a corner and the magic of cookie calendars/cookie week articles has worn off. All the recipes are mere variations on traditional ingredients. I mean really, substituting browned butter for regular butter when making chocolate chip cookies isn’t that different. (Like a tomato scented candle versus any other scented candle.) So, this year, I decided to leaf through my recipe file for inspiration and to focus on making cookies I know my friends always enjoy.  

One new(ish?) feature I’ve seen in a few newspapers is stories about charities staff writers support. This idea shines a spotlight on the great variety of stories and beats different reporters cover and they highlight needs I’ve often not thought about. For example, there was a story in the Toronto Star about Shelter Movers a charity that provides moving and storage services to people escaping abusive relationships. While I’ve heard of — and support — different shelters, I had never considered the logistics involved in helping individuals and families flee violence. That’s what Shelter Movers helps with.

The stories that brought reporters to these charities are often sad, but it’s moving to learn of the efforts of people helping others. So much of the news this year has been about large-scale tragedy, it’s easy to feel that there isn’t much you can do to make a difference. These stories put a human face on a problem and remind us that sometimes the best you can do is to try to help one person.

I guess the common thread in all these kinds of guides is the idea that at this time of year especially, people are looking for inspiration. And, in the spirit of that, I wish you inspiration this holiday season — however and wherever you find it. 

©️2025 Ingrid Sapona