Do you know a Canadian historian? (::nods::) Are they impossible to shop for because they already own all the books? (::nods vigorously::) Then have we got just the thing for you. Welcome to the Third Annual Unwritten Histories Holiday Gift Guide for Canadian Historians! Once again, I have compiled a list of gift suggestions for historians and other history professionals, with some extra help from Kesia Kvill, Krystal Raven, Catherine Ulmer, Krista McCracken, Jenny Ellison, Michelle Desveaux, Danielle Lorenz, Matthew Hayday, Leah Wiener, Shannon Stettner, Gillian Leitch, Erin Millions, Maddie Knickerbocker, Carling Christina, Lee Blanding, and Stephanie Pettigrew. Since I didn’t want to just repeat myself, this is an entirely new list of goodies. That said, I do highly recommend checking out the 2016 Gift Guide and the 2017 Gift Guide for even more suggestions (including information on what not to give your Jewish friends).
As usual, two quick caveats:
- Warning to loved ones of historians and history professionals: It is so lovely that you remembered that we love history and that most of us love reading. However, we strongly recommend against the purchase of history books for holiday gifts, unless they are specifically requested. If you are dead-set on buying a history book for your loved-one, at least make sure that it is: from an academic press (it will say the word University in the title of the publisher) and it is by a person with a Ph.D. in history (Google is your friend – just put their name and the word history to find out). You may also want to make sure that your loved-one doesn’t already own the book in question, or have easy access to it from their institutional library. We have provided a couple of suggestions for non-history books that might be a better fit.
- While I am Canadian, and many of the recommendations I’ve included down below are specific to Canadian history, this list should be helpful to history professionals no matter their country of origin or residence.
Once again, I have cheekily divided this list according to academic rank, mostly because I think it’s funny. Enjoy!
Various
Buy local. Most cities have local craft fairs just for the holiday season, and there are tons of amazing things to get there. Some cities even have Christmas or holiday markets, like the German Christmas market here in Vancouver, where you can also find tons of local and handmade gift ideas. Not only are these items unique, but they are often made locally with local materials, and, by purchasing them, you can help to support local artists! Flea markets are also really great for making cool and unique finds, especially of the more historical variety!
Along those lines, there are lots of local experiences that would make some fantastic gifts. It’s hard to include lists, since there are so many, but there are lots of fun walking tours to be found (historical, food, etc…), museums to visit, and film festivals to enjoy. Gift cards to any of these, especially film festivals, theatres, and music festivals would make fantastic gifts, especially for graduate students and sessional instructors who might not otherwise be able to afford these treats. The same goes for food subscription boxes.
One of the best things you can do is support Indigenous artists and communities by purchasing their work! In previous guides I’ve mentioned artwork by Christi Belcourt, Zoe Todd, and Alan Syliboy. But there are also tons of awesome Indigenous artists making everything from paintings, jewelry, woodwork, and much more. Last year the creator of @IndigenousBeads, Lisa Osler (Métis) created a fantastic list of Indigenous artists (mostly from Canada) that you can check out right here.There is also a much larger list of Indigenous artists and stores from all over North America, which is another great resource. And the @IndigenousBeads Twitter is hosted by a rotating list of Indigenous artists; many provide information about where you can purchase their work. It’s all stunning.
Now you know I don’t usually include books in this list. However, there are quite a few non-academic books that I know many historians would love to add to their collections. Here are some recommendations:
- Jesse Brown’s The Canadaland Guide to Canada,
- The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook
- Tanya Tagaq’s Split Tooth
- Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves
- Michael Yahgulanaas’s Red: A Haida Manga
- Eden Robinson’s Son of a Trickster
Graduate Student Level ($0 to $20)
A must-have for historians (and other people who still read physical books) is this Leatherology bookweight. Not only does it look fancy, but it will hold a book open for you, without damaging them. They come in lots of pretty colours (including teal!), and for an extra $10, they can also be monogrammed. Stephanie is obsessed with this one. (Note from Steph: I’ve been using my phone/a stapler/a remote control/etc. to hold open books while I take notes from them up until now, THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER.)
This one is totally Krista McCracken’s fault. I used to be an innocent little lamb who drank Tetley tea, and occasionally nice stuff from Murchies. Then Krista introduced me to David’s Tea. OMG. There are lots of fun options here at all different price ranges, including adorable stocking stuffers and ornaments filled with tea for under $10, adorable mugs like this one or this one, for under $25, or even a massive tea advent calendar! And if you’re just looking for interesting teas, did you know they have both a candy cane flavourand a hot chocolate flavour??? Yes, you did read that one correctly.
If your gift recipient loves scented products, there are actually some pretty cool options. Like check out this candle in a classic pure maple syrup can! I’ve also see this locally in Whole Foods, so you could check there as well. Indigo also has a line of candles that supposedly smell like different parts of Canada.You can choose from True North (campfire scent), Lake Louise (breeze scent), Muskoka (pine forest scent), the Canadian Rockies (balsam fire and apples scent), Tofino (tide scented), or a Canada 150 blend (wood, spice, and maple syrup scent). Mmm. The lovely scent of colonialism…. If you’d rather get some that are less-generically-Canadian, there are lots of great options. Coal and Canary is a Canadian candle company with some really cheeky Canadian-inspired candles, like“Maple Liquors and Snow Capped Firs” or “Loose Leaf Tea and Downhill Skis.”
Speaking of food, everyone loves getting chocolates for the holiday. But if you want to be super cool, you can check out these chocolates. Not only are they handmade in Nova Scotia, but they are made by a family of Syrian refugees, and 5% of the company profits are donated to the Peace on Earth Society, which supports peace building projects around the world.
Lately I’ve become kinda obsessed with cool socks. Out of Print has so many cool book-themed socks, like these Library Card socks. I also love these ones, though they are NSFW (swear words). Bonus points for heated slippers, like these adorable narwhal ones (that have nothing to do with Canada or history).
Postdoc Level ($20 to $50)
A surprising number of historians actually do textile crafts in their spare time, from knitting to crochet, to embroidery. For knitters and crocheters, you can never go wrong with a gift certificate to their local yarn shop. Just google “yarn shop” and your location, and you will find one. If you’re in Victoria, the absolute best shop is The Beehive. Seriously, I could live in there. Vancouver also has lots of cool shops, like Baaad Anna’s, Wet Coast Wool, and 3 Bags Full. If you want to go the online route, and prefer Canadian and indie dyers I can personally recommend SweetGeorgia Yarns, which also offers gift cards!Just don’t forget to include enough to cover shipping!
If your person is more into embroidery, you’re in luck. To be clear, I’m not talking about the ones hanging in your grandmother’s parlour. Hip and stylish embroidery is a big trend right now, and there are lots of shops that cater to people who are interested in non-traditional embroidery. Namaste Embroidery offers fun kits, like this one, which allow you to write something fun in the middle (my fav suggestion: “This Took Forever.”) There are also lots of hilarious feminist embroidery kits, like the ones available in this shop. Just be careful with that last one — there are some NFSW patterns as well. My personal favourite is anything from Alicia Paulson, who does really beautiful vintage-style kits and patterns. One suggestion though: I would go with kits rather than patterns, since they come fully equipped. But if you do want to go with a pattern, it would be nice to accompany it with a gift card to a craft shop so that your recipient can purchase the supplies they need.
There are a shocking number of really cool coasters out there. These ones feature those adorable Library Due Date cards from ye olden days. These ones are made of reclaimed wood, and have some local Canadian-inspired designs.
Many of us are also massive dorks with a strong affection for graphic t-shirts (even if we don’t wear them to class)! You can find lots of neat ones locally or online. You can find one for just about every subject and/or fandom. I mean, just look at all the ones at ThinkGeek. For those who are more historically minded, there are some fun BC history ones here. I also love graphic t-shirts with snarky sayings, like this one. But I cannot recommend enough a shirt from the Museums Are Not Neutral campaign. Not only do these shirts help raise awareness of the power dynamics in museums (and all history institutions), but they also donate all of the profits to a good cause (currently the World Central Kitchen, helping those in need in Puerto Rico). Plus, these shirts are awesome. And this one is also Krista’s fault. For more about the campaign, go here, or to buy a shirt for yourself, go here.
If you ever need to locate a missing historian, the best place to look (after the library or a bookstore) is a coffee shop. I have never met a group of people who are so dedicated to coffee shops. So reusable mugs and thermoses are always a great idea. However, if you want to be extra cool, I would recommend the KeepCup. Not only are the volumes designed specifically to be consistent with volumes used in coffee shops around the world, but they are made of glass and cork, and come in a range of sizes.
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to get to see Jeremy Dutcher, a Wolastoqiyik opera singer and composer from Tobique First Nation, perform live. I’ve mentioned Dutcher in previous roundups many times. Earlier in the year he released his first album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, inspired by (and incorporating) recordings of traditional Wlastoq songs on wax cylinders held at the Canadian Museum of History. His live performance was absolutely wonderful, but now that he’s won the Polaris prize, I would imagine that tickets to see him are going to get super expensive. Thankfully, you can purchase his album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa and enjoy the music yourself!
Sessional Instructor Level ($50 to $100)
My husband got a new laptop this year, so for his birthday present, I got him this amazing laptop cover. He loves it, and has gotten tons of compliments! The coolest part? It makes your laptop look like a book! A student of mine told me about it, when I made that mistake myself. Unfortunately it’s only compatible for MacBooks made after 2016, and the shipping to Canada can be pricey, but there are versions for IPads and IPhones as well.
So, apparently, while I wasn’t looking, sweatpants became expensive, especially the nice ones. However, nice sweatpants are essential for historians, because they make the best outfits for research or skype meetings. 😉 The classic is, of course, Roots, and they have tons of options,though I’m not sure if I can tell the difference at this point. My favourite pair will always be my old boot-cut jersey sweatpants from Lululemon. They’re going on ten years now. So while the price tag makes me want to cry, they are definitely a good buy. These seem to be pretty close to my old pair, but they probably aren’t as soft. If you want to be a bit more cheeky, I did come across this amazing pair of leggings modelled after Henry VIII’s armour.And yes, leggings are almost as good as sweatpants, at least in my book.
Many people are much smarter than I am and actually bring proper laptop bags and briefcases to work. I may or may not use an old tote bag…. This one, which is a convertible backpack, shoulder bag, or messenger bag, can hold most laptops and everything else. Plus, it’s water and tear-resistant.
Jewelry is often a good option, especially if you can find some history-inspire pieces. Though do be careful here, since jewelry can be very personal, and different people have different tastes. I found these beautiful necklace pendants, made with antique wax seals, on Etsy. I thought that the Owl Wisdom one was particularly nice, but there are lots of options, and the seals are also available as earrings, rings, cufflinks, and bracelets. Someone else even sells cufflinks with the heads of various Prime Ministers! Charles Tupper, anyone? How about Dief the Chief? The shop also stocks lots of other Canadiana-inspired pieces. I love Etsy.
Tenure-track/Tenured Professor Level ($100 to $250)
Another great, but more expensive laptop bag is this one from Matt and Nat. It’s made with vegan leather and it looks much more sophisticated than your old JanSport or MEC backpack from undergrad.
Just because we’re grown-ups, doesn’t mean that we don’t like playing with toys. When I saw this LEGO set of a ship in a bottleI knew I had to put it on the list. I mean, come on. Or, there is also this super cool Hogwarts set!
Compared to Stephanie, I’m still something of a Luddite when it comes to technology. She told me about this really neat Moleskine Smart Writing Set. What it basically does is it allows you to write in the tablet, and everything you write down will then appear on your phone. I included some similar tools last year, but those require you to take a picture after writing in the notebook. This cuts out that step. Plus, as of this writing, it’s currently on sale!
University Administrator Level ($250 and up)
Subscription services used to be limited to the United States, but there are some really cool Canadian options that are now available! If you love coffee, Calgary-based Rosso Coffee Roasters have a subscription service available starting at $20 per delivery. You can choose the frequency (one a week to one a month), volume, and roasting style.
I’ve mentioned writing retreats in previous guides, and I still think this is one of the best gifts you can give an academic. But if that is outside of your price range or it just isn’t feasible, there are other great options too! For instance, you can buy your gift recipient a session with an academic copyeditor or a writing coach. And the best way to find one of these is to ask around!
Co-working spaces are quite popular in the tech, non-profit, and startup world, but there’s no reason why historians shouldn’t get in on the action. Typically, they operate much like it would if you rented a desk or cubicle in a university library, but the options are usually more flexible and expansive. For example, here in Vancouver at The Profile co-working space, you can rent a space in the common lounge for $25/day, a 12-person meeting room for $100/hour, or a dedicated desk for $495/month; those are just a few of the many options available.
Why would a historian want to use these spaces? Well, for starters, you’ll be surrounded by people who are working in different fields who you can bounce ideas off of. These places often hold weekly or even daily seminars and presentations where people can beta-test their ideas. They are usually bright, airy spaces with excellent wifi, printers, and other tech. Many will have good coffee, beer, ping pong tables, etc. Even if you can’t see yourself working in a space like this long-term, they are a great place to get a bunch of work done (comprehensive exam studying; dissertation revisions; manuscript revisions; syllabus preparation) and not have to sit in a cold library or a soul-sucking corporate-owned caffeine dispensary.
Here is a non-comprehensive list of some co-working spaces in major urban centres where there are universities and colleges, kindly compiled by Mr. Unwritten Histories.
- Victoria: The Watershed
- Vancouver: The Profile
- Prince George: The Hub Space
- Edmonton: Cowork Edmonton
- Calgary: The Commons Calgary
- Saskatoon: The Two Twenty
- Regina: Path Cowork
- Winnipeg: Launch Coworking
- Hamilton: CoMotion on King
- Toronto: Verk Space
- Ottawa: Impact Hub Ottawa
- Montreal: Wework
- Quebec City: Bnkr
- Fredericton: Planet Hatch
- Halifax-Dartmouth: Shft Coworking
- Charlottetown: The Spot
- St. John’s: Common Ground Coworking
- Whitehorse: (co)space
- Yellowknife: CloudWorks
These are always so much fun to make, and I hope you enjoy reading it! If you did, please consider sharing our gift guide on the social media platform of your choice! And don’t forget to check back on Friday for Stephanie’s monthly look at upcoming publications. See you then!
PS: As promised, here is a quick schedule update! So getting sick totally messed things up, particularly for the Best New Articles post. So we’re going to do October next week alone, and in January we will do November and December together. The reason for this being that I’ve already got 12 journal issues just for October, and even I can only read so much in one week. There will be one more new blog post after that, and then we will have our annual look at the previous year, followed by a two week hiatus!
I need that museum shirt in my life.