The Old School gang has a present (or two) for you...
Welcome to the 2024 Old School Holiday Gift Guide, brought to you by Delphine, Marge, Kenji, Griffin, and Detective Rolly!
Below is a list of gifts they personally curated, just for you! They even wrote a little something about why they chose these things. Read on to get Marge’s unbiased thoughts about card playing, and Kenji’s opinion on coffee for one…
These are affiliate links to Amazon, so if you do take Delphine and her friends up on a gift idea, the author may earn a small commission.
Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!
Delphine Lougheed
You can never be too prepared for a tidy, organized future, even if it’s just one year at a time. Keep track of your dance lessons and covert operations in a lovely classic calendar.
What better way to keep track of important things in your new planner than with a fabulous fountain pen? A classic that never goes out of style.
For unexpected cheese incidents. No other explanation needed.
Presenting yourself in an elegant manner is important in this day and age. Anyone can text a few emojis. Write a letter with your fountain pen and rediscover the joys of formality. (Please be sure to spell “stationery” correctly.)
Kenji Yamamoto
Take time to savor quiet moments in your life, because you never know which one might be your last. Does that sound morbid? Not to a retired spy. I am just happy I have made it this far.
Waste not, want not! Did you know you do not need a giant coffee maker? You do not need twelve cups a day. Maybe two is good. And when I invite my energetic super babe Marge over for breakfast, she really, really, does not need much coffee.
Southern California can be cold in the winter. Humans lose a significant amount of heat through their heads. Prevent brain freeze – get a good hat.
When you are in flow state, time passes in a pleasing, indistinct manner. For all other parts of life, there is the cube timer.
Marge Flanders
Delphine’s stationery is boring.
Buy two and get a game of Machiavelli going! Make it extra fun and play for a new car or a trip to Disneyland.
Reading books is good for your noggin, and Leonard’s a hoot and a half! And this series is set in Oklahoma!
Life needs to be super spicy, I think we can all agree on that. K-man doesn’t like hot sauce, but he says the New York Times likes this one. Whatever. kjust give me the hot stuff!
Griffin Beckett
When I need a break from looking at numbers or going on adventures with my grandmas, nothing says relaxing quite like a cheery holiday romance novel. I haven’t read this one but it looks really good—who doesn’t like a good fake-dating trope?
You can NEVER EVER go wrong by watching this movie. Over and over again. And then again. Just buy it. Not everything has to be in the cloud.
In today’s online world, you need to be extra-sure to take good care of your eyes!
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Get educated.
Detective Roland Magnusson
You never know when you might need to get a closer look at something … or someone. Be prepared! Good for keeping in your car, or your giant purse, if you’re one of those people who uses stuff like that.
If you go on a lot of stakeouts, your car can get filthy fast, both inside and out. Gather up those vegan-taco-grease-soaked paper plates and candy bar wrappers, and don’t let those seagulls crap on your hood. Keep your ride looking good; it’s a source of pride and accomplishment. This one has the word “gun” right in the title so that’s a plus.
For beer bottles pickle jars. Not needed for the harder stuff like whiskey and bourbon but definitely for pickles, which are a great side for every lunch eaten at your desk at work. Also good with bachelor meals.
Happy Holidays!
-Andrea and the Old School Gang