How Janicza Bravo Gifts
“At the top of each year, I start note keeping. That means I listen intently throughout the year for clues.”
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
We asked 20 notable people about their gifting philosophies, gifting nightmares, the best gifts under $25, and much more. We’ll be publishing each of their questionnaires now through December 23 in this new series, “How I Gift.” Today, film director Janicza Bravo on tea Advent calendars, scented candles, and learning to knit a scarf.
What is your gift-giving philosophy?
I have a relatively tight list of folks I gift to. At the top of each year, I start note keeping. That means I listen intently throughout the year for clues that can direct me toward what might be a nice present.
You have to give the same present to everyone for the rest of your life. What is it?
I’d like to learn to knit. If I learned to knit, I’d gift a scarf. A little piece of me wrapped around your neck.
New! You can now save this product for later.
What was the most heartfelt, smart, so-you present you’ve ever received? Tell us the story.
The most recent that comes to mind is a memento of my dog, Janet. A friend who I made online — Cari McNeal, she goes by@locketdogson IG — sent me a locket of Janet. Hand drawn. On one side she is a puppy, and on the other she is as I have known her most. I cried instantly.
Is a gift card ever a good gift?
Is it for The Row? Yes.
Advent calendars: great or dumb? Defend your position.
My partner is English. He got us one about tea bags a couple years ago, either Pukka or Fortnum & Mason. It was my first. It was real cutie-pie business. Every day a new tea bag.
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
What was your absolute worst gifting experience (giving or getting)?
This is more funny than bad. I once got a Kindle for my birthday from Sarah Silverman. When I opened it, it was made out to her. I can’t remember if I told her? It was a great lesson in regifting, which I am pro at. Always open and rewrap.
New! You can now save this product for later.
How can all bad gift givers get better? In five words or less.
Listening.
You just got someone you have truly never met for Secret Santa. What are you buying them?
I am not a scented-candle girlie, but people seem to like that. If I have given you a scented candle in the past decade, it was gifted. The only candles I burn consistently are made by my friends David and Kavi of D.S. & Durga.
New! You can now save this product for later.
More Christmas Gift Ideas
- The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
- The Best Father’s Day Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads, According to Outdoorsy Dads
- The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads, According to Outdoorsy Dads
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
