As I’m sure you’ve read or heard about the unsure and unpredictable retailing world this holiday season – and as people are looking for gifts in small, independent shops – you’re sure to find that items are quickly selling out as most retailers and distributors were conservative in their ordering this year. We have had a few successes and sell-outs this year and I wanted to share some of the stand outs from Penguin Books that are sure to sell out before year’s end. Graham Roumieu’s Bigfoot series of books has been a book consistently gets giggles in the shop and is now one those classic gifts that keep on giving. Not only is he from Toronto – but his also a Sheridan grad and his recent book – 101 Ways to Kill Your Boss is also becoming a fave of our customers. We’ve been a fan of Keri Smith’s work now for a few years, first learning of her creative ways via her blog and then her fantastic Wreck This Journal. It’s so wonderful and amazing to see people interacting via pen and paper and Keri Smith has made it her mission to help people live each day a little more creatively than the last. We’ve got her most recent titles, How to Be an Explorer of the World and This is Not a Book back in stock and are hearing positive comments as folks move from title to title in search of art, emotions and creativity in their daily lives.

Just got my recent order of amazing books from Oakland, CA’s AK Press. AK Press is a worker run book publisher and distributor organized around anarchist principles. All decision-making, including which titles they distribute and what they publish, is made collectively. Titles are published by independent presses, not the corporate giants. I’ve been really enjoying the books that we’ve ordered from the store – everything from Toolbox for Sustainable City Living to Reproduce and Revolt, AK has helped us toward our goal of carrying Hamilton’s best selection of alternative and independent titles. The Guide to Getting It On (Pictured) may just be the thickest book we’ve ever carried – over 650,000 copies sold and now in it’s 6th edition – I just hope someone isn’t too embarrassed to buy it. Just say it’s a gift – we’ll believe you!

As we march towards Christmas and some of you may be asking yourself “Dave – where else can I find interesting and unique gifts in Hamilton?” Well, I am glad you asked that question. It’s true – there is plenty of inspiring and fun local shops to find that special someone and special something. White Elephant Vintage and Handmade Goods pops to mind. They are our next door neighbours and stock some amazing gifts of the handmade and vintage variety. My other direct neighbour – Downtown Bike Hounds carry’s some of the city’s best bike accessories…everything from bells to panniers. Maybe you know someone in the market for a cool Dutch bike? Over on Ottawa Street – you can find books and art over at Under the Moon’s new location and Little Bird has got you covered if you are looking for a little one on your list. Speaking of kid’s stuff – Citizen Kid is a newer addition on Locke Street with an abundance of eco-friendly and educational toys. I’m also a fan of Westdale’s Global Village Market for yummy Fair-Trade chocolates and coffees. While in the West End – don’t forget to check out Bryan Prince Bookseller. Here’s to a holiday season where we all avoid the boxstores and internet shopping sites and keep our dollars local, while also finding some pretty great gifts from some of Hamilton’s friendly independent shops.

Just got this in today and a I know a few Vegans who would be happy to receive this very cool wall calendar as a gift. Sarah Kramer was named “The World’s Coolest Vegan” by Herbivore magazine, and her first four cookbooks, including How It All Vegan! and La Dolce Vegan, have sold a combined total of over 200,000 copies. Go Vegan! is Sarah’s first wall calendar, featuring photographs of her in beguiling re-creations of advertisements, movie posters, and other iconic images of the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and beyond that have been reworked for modern vegan audiences. Look for a post later today about some of are other 2010 calendars created by local artists.

With the shop now in its fourth year – its amazing how you start to build relationships with customers based on products you bring in regularly. Every year at around this time – we get our stock of Slingshot organizers from the Slingshot radical collective in Berkley, CA that always sell out well before the new year rings in. The pocket and spiral bound version both have radical dates for every day of the year, space to write your phone numbers, a contact list of radical groups around the globe, menstrual calendar, info on police repression, extra note pages, plus much more. A pretty fun and informative way to keep your days organized in a very punk and disorderly manner.

Starting at $7.95 – Various colours

I have lots of favourite items that we stock in the shop. My enthusiasm for well-made and well-designed products is well known to those who frequent Mixed Media. Field Notes just happen to be one of those kind of products. Small notebooks packaged in threes – perfect for carrying around in a pocket or small bag – Field Notes are gaining popularity in the shop as pen fiends, writers and artists discover the amazing paper inside the brown paper wrapping. They come with blank, graph or lined pages and we have a few of the neatly coloured limited edition seasonal packs in stock right now. A great gift or stocking stuffer for the jotter, doodler or scribbler in your life. Various products – starting at $11.95

I am going to start off my first gift idea from Mixed Media with an item I know very well. In fact I use mine everyday. After years of being frustrated with my travel mug options – I am happy to report the discovery of Kikkerland’s Coffee Tumbler. With a rubberized outer coating available in three colours (red, light blue and cream). The tumbler not only looks good – it also keep drinks hot or cold as it has a stainless steel double wall and a lid that flips open and shut (great for bumpy commutes). I have already sold quite a few of these and it looks like this hot little gift is going to be a welcome one this year!

12 oz – $14.99