Hello friend,
Ho, ho, hold up! We made it through the year! Let’s take a moment to do a little happy dance and unwrap why it’s truly a festive season. There’s no other time when it’s so a-o-k to dig out our sentiments, connect, take a little break, and maybe reconsider our digital boundaries.
Unwind and Smell the Gingerbread
This year, we could swap the hustle and bustle for some quality unplugged time. With science showing that our phones can steal the spotlight when it comes to attention, why not trade screen time for birdwatching or reconnect with friends over fun activities for a day or two instead? Yes, a certain level of stress can help us thrive, but holiday burnout is real, and endless scrolling typically provides about as much rest as a rollercoaster ride – exciting, but not exactly relaxing.
A Toast to Ethical Living
In honor of Ethical Gifting Week, Human Rights Day, and Wildlife Conservation Day, let’s raise our thrifted hot cocoa mugs to ethical living and slow gifting this December! From opting for refurbished tech to choosing longer-lasting gifts from a local shop, every small decision can lead to a big difference – one banana peel at a time!
So, grab your fuzzy blanket, bask in the glow of this wonderful season, and let’s read our new issue of heartwarming banana bites together!
Blue Banana Bites this December
TL;DR (jump here, if it’s too overwhelming)
SOUND BITE
Just a Play Button Away
Leave the dazzling lights, the bustling crowds, and all that holiday stress behind for a few blissful minutes! Slip into your comfiest socks and join us for a virtual stroll through the serene forest, right from your living room!
ART BITES
How to Support Artists This Festive Season
This time of year can be a whirlwind, but art brings us back to the moment and gives us a much-needed pause to breathe.
Gift an Experience: Surprise your loved ones with a creative workshop or class for memorable moments and a splash of sensory delight.
Let Music Take the Lead: Swap playlists instead of gifts or enjoy a clutter-free concert. Music not only boosts our mood but also lingers in our hearts long after the season wraps up.
Support Local Artists: Pick up a one-of-a-kind piece from an art market or gallery to slow down consumption and strengthen those community vibes.
BOOK BITES
Stay Calm and Keep Reading
Struggling to keep reading? We totally get it! Maybe you find yourself a quiet and cozy reading spot and set a timer to stay focused. Prepare to lose yourself in a world of words and wonder!
How to Do Nothing*
Jenny Odell
This guide is the best read for our month's topic on taking it slow with tech consumption. It champions “doing nothing” as a radical act in a world obsessed with productivity. It encourages us to shift our focus from self-optimization. By intentionally unplugging from the relentless demands of social media and capitalism, we can find richness in stillness, embrace activities like birdwatching, and cultivate genuine connections.
The Good Place and Philosophy*
William Irwin
Whether you're a fan of the TV show "The Good Place" or simply seeking a humorous yet profound perspective on how we treat one another, this book will "just ethics you in the face." In honor of World Ethics Day, we’ve selected this entertaining yet thought-provoking read. With a lineup of sharp-minded contributors, it explores the big questions of moral growth, free will, and ethical dilemmas through engaging philosophical essays.
*We’re part of the affiliate program on Amazon. We only recommend products that we or our community tested and loved.
TOOL BITES
The Eco System in Your Pocket
Why are we so into nature and eco-friendliness? With only one planet to call home, it offers delicious food and has a unique way of calming our nervous system like nothing else. Here are some amazing sustainable apps that help us celebrate and care for our beautiful planet! It's the only one that has bananas!
Simply Bird Watching
Did anyone say birdwatching? Meet Merlin Bird ID, your new companion for your next hyperfixation while unwinding in nature. Snap a pic and voilà, you unlock the bird world for you! With a treasure trove of bird facts and sounds, you'll be identifying your new feathered friends and chirping with knowledge in no time.
Playful Presence
The Be Present app makes unplugging from your phone easy while keeping your dopamine levels in check! Two brothers struggled to stay off their phones, so they created this app to transform mindfulness into something playful and motivating. For those “how did I get here?” scrolling moments, this app helps you step away and celebrate the small wins.
Find Neighborhood Delights
Olio is all about building community by connecting you to the joy of sharing, borrowing, or finding pre-loved gems from your neighbors. We all know one person's trash is another one's treasure, and it’s the easiest way to go on your next treasure hunt! Plus, it’s a fantastic way to save food from ending up in the bin while keeping your wallet happy.
Draw Your Secret Santa
If you know the struggle of “no one can draw their own name,” using the Drawing Names app / drawingnames.com for your Secret Santa is like adding whipped cream to your banana split. Toss the old-school method of drawing names from a hat; just pop in the names, and everyone gets their giftee secretly assigned.
HOT BITE OF THE MONTH
Gift a “Mystery Box of Joy”
Still looking for a gift? Why settle for just one when you can surprise your loved one with your own genius and personal version of a “Mystery Box of Joy”? Fill it to the brim with little treasures that reflect their personality and your friendship. It’s like a treasure hunt wrapped up in a box!
To get those creative sparks flying, here are some ideas:
Their favorite candy for a sweet surprise.
Framed photos of the two of you together or snapshots of your favorite adventures for instant nostalgia.
Little, hilarious notes that’ll leave them giggling.
A symbolic item from a cherished memory, like beach sand from that unforgettable holiday together.
Something practical they always use, even if it’s a toilet brush or a first aid kit – because why not?
An uplifting message on a mug or tote bag that’ll bring a smile every time they use it.
A single exercise to stretch or relax, or your favorite recipe on cute cards.
Happy gifting!
At Blue Banana, we’re totally vibing with this month’s ethics and themes. Swing by our mission page!
Awareness Bite
In the merry month of December, embracing awareness can be as simple as spotting it when the festive whirlwind is asking too much of us, and when it offers small moments of rest.
TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
Support Artists: This holiday season, why not support local artists by wandering through art markets or galleries? You might discover a unique find that leaves your friends speechless. Plus, swap traditional gifts for creative classes that soothe your nervous system or curated playlists for a clutter-free celebration.
Cozy Nature Getaway: Bring the sounds and calmness of nature into your living room for an epic woodland escape.
Fantastic Reads: We get into strategies to keep reading your books, featuring two must-reads:
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy– by Jenny Odell, and
The Good Place and Philosophy – by William Irwin.Sustainability in Your Pocket: Find your favorite resourceful tech for December featuring
Merlin Bird ID – to make birdwatching your new hobby
Be Present – to stay off your phone while getting rewarded for itOlio – to reduce waste in food and swag while benefiting from a community
Drawing Names – the easiest way to organize a Secret Santa.Slow Gifting in a Mystery Box: Discover a slow gifting experience wrapped in a mystery box, overflowing with little surprises that celebrate your loved one’s uniqueness.
Celebrate and Support: Pause to acknowledge your most important Awareness Day and share a little warmth with the world.
Shout out to the creators of the pic in this newsletter: Upupa4me on Flickr!
