Since I got back from Massachusetts I’ve been slowly unpacking the heaps and piles of new treasures I brought back with me, since once again my family and friends pretty much outdid themselves in demonstrating how awesome they are and how well they know my taste.

As for what I gave out: this year in addition to the usual pile of books, music, and games, I also gifted some neat things from Etsy that were (I think) well-received. I’ll probably buy even more from Etsy next year if I can manage to get started on my shopping a little earlier.

If you liked the costumes on the Skinny Puppy tour in 2004, then you liked the work of Bethany Shorb, and should check out her Cyberoptix TieLab. I chose the Coney Island Parachute Jump and Sharp Dressed Man ties for two friends.

For my mother I got this lovely hummingbird mug from PottersVision. The glaze on the inside of the mug is especially pretty, I think.

My grandmother got this hand-carved Canada Goose from SandraHealy, though I had a hard time choosing which one to get. The birds in particular were all pretty appealing, I thought.

I also picked up this bottle opener for my cousin – it’s made from part of a recycled bicycle gear and I think it’s pretty neat.

But my absolute favorite Etsy purchase this year has to be the custom red squirrel feltidermy I ordered for my squirrel-plagued dad from GirlSavage. It’s simultaneously adorable and a little bit sick, which I’m pretty sure means it’s awesome.

The only downside to doing my holiday shopping on Etsy is, of course, that I keep finding new things I want for myself. Perhaps I should just start dumping a percentage of my paycheck into PayPal – just like with my 401(k), only instead of nothing I’d get things.