Retro Recomendo: Holiday Gifts
Recomendo - issue #490
Our subscriber base has grown so much since we first started nine years ago, that most of you have missed all our earliest recommendations. The best of these are still valid and useful, so we’re trying out something new — Retro Recomendo. Once every 6 weeks, we’ll send out a throwback issue of evergreen recommendations focused on one theme from the past 9 years.
Lego portraits
A cool way to make an unusual gift is to render a portrait in Lego. I used a kit from BrickMe that turned a photo of my wife into 5,625 pixels, and then they supplied me with Lego tiles in 50 different colors. Using the map they also supply, I “painted” the image by applying the tiles in the manner of paint-by-numbers. I glued the final assembly onto plywood to hang in my studio. The procedure is well-designed, fun, with plenty of extra tiles. Mine was the small size at 24 x 24 inches (57 x 57 cm) for $126; they can go much bigger. (This Thanksgiving week they offer 20% off.) — KK
Rubber block printing
Did you ever make a linoleum wood-block print in school? I did, and cutting linoleum was a pain. It took a lot of energy and effort to even make a small design. Recently I returned to making woodcut prints and hand-carved stamps because I discovered the secret: instead of cutting either wood or linoleum, I carve on a sheet of firm rubber, which cuts like butter. Speedball, the legendary company making carving tools, produces their own Speedy-Carve Blocks which have the consistency of a pencil eraser. Many other generic manufacturers in China offer these soft carving sheets, too. Now, making a block print is quick and enjoyable. — KK
Blessing Cards
I use these Blessing Cards as a tool for setting positive intentions for the day. The deck contains 210 two-inch cards, each featuring a unique word that serves as a catalyst to guide or bring meaning to your day. Some recent draws include: Yielding, Synchronicity, Excellence, Delight, Creativity, Openness, Unknown, and Trust. I prefer to draw two cards at a time, which adds an extra layer of meaning. These cards have only benefited my life, inspiring gratitude, courage, closeness, and helping to free me from rigid thinking. — CD
Infinity Pillow
My friend gifted me this infinity travel pillow, and while I haven’t traveled with it yet, I use it daily. It’s super snuggly and soft, and no matter how I wrap it around myself, I feel supported and comfy. In bed, when I hug it and tangle my arms into it, I drift off to sleep faster. It’s definitely worthy of being called an emotional support pillow. — CD
Purse hook for tables
After one too many purses sliding off restaurant chairs onto grimy floors or taking up table space, my wife started carrying this clever folding hook in her purse. It magnetically collapses to the size of a silver dollar but unfolds to securely hang bags from any table edge. — MF
Very lightweight travel umbrella
I was glad I kept this super-lightweight A.Brolly Tube umbrella in my backpack while I was in rainy New York last week. It was so light (3 ounces) and small (8-inches unopened) that I forgot about having it until I needed it. It uses carbon fiber instead of steel for the ribs. — MF
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In 1952, AI pioneer Marvin Minsky created the “ultimate machine”. la machine is a re-invention (by the Nabaztag co-creator) of this delightfully pointless device with a stunning design and hundreds of unique interactions (with sounds!). 100% open-source too.
Recomendo is an authentic, hand-crafted, human-written weekly newsletter that is free, but not cheap. Consider supporting our work with a paid option, now at the low price of $45 per year. Paid subs enable us to keep making it free for others. Recomendo is published by Cool Tools Lab, a small company of three people. We also run the Cool Tools website, a YouTube channel and podcast, and other newsletters, including Gar’s Tips & Tools, Nomadico, What’s in my NOW?, Tools for Possibilities, Books That Belong On Paper and Book Freak.
Restaurants in Mexico City often have wooden trees to hang women’s handbags.
A comment on the infinity travel pillow. This has been the only item I’ve bought from a recomendo reco. It’s great and cozy for the plane, but I have to say it’s very hard to keep rolled tightly and cumbersome to carry around. The risk of unrolling suddenly while walking through an airport and dragging it through a dirty concourse floor is very high!