Celebrate freedom with this gift guide: Gift ideas for every Constitution-loving American!
If you follow me on social media, you know there are a few things I’m passionate about.
- Alabama football is life. (My condolences to FSU fans).
- Dressing is not the same as stuffing and does not get the praise and attention it deserves.
- It’s a Wonderful Life is not just the best Christmas movie – it’s the best movie.
- And it is unacceptable to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving.
Some may call me a Grinch for that last position, but I’m simply a stickler for ensuring Thanksgiving gets the attention it deserves. And once we get to the day after Thanksgiving, it’s GAME ON!
You can therefore imagine my intrigue when I saw a recent New York Times article titled “Why You Love (or Love to Hate) Christmas Music.”
According to the Times, listening to music can affect our moods – whether listening causes our brain to release a soothing hormone or to release a stress hormone and trigger the brain’s fear center. And the Times noted that Christmas music is particularly powerful “because the holiday season itself is emotionally charged.”
That’s the truth. My wife notes that I have a lot of Clark Griswold (Christmas Vacation) in me. I can be accused of “overdoing” Christmas or at least having expectations that can’t possibly be met. And gift giving is one of those things that can produce anxiety during the holidays, at least for me.
So I thought I’d help. If you’re reading this in need of gift ideas, why not treat your loved ones (or even yourself!) to these gifts that any freedom-loving American would appreciate?
- For the friend or relative who has everything – except for confidence in our Constitutional freedoms – consider picking up one of these Disappearing Civil Liberties Heat-Changing Mugs, from the Unemployed Philosophers Guild.
- Speaking of heat… here’s a FIRE idea: The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All – But There Is a Solution, by Greg Lukianoff. Greg is the president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and had previously written The Coddling of the American Mind. I just finished reading Canceling and highly recommend it.
- Not to mention, you could also gift someone membership to join the army defending free speech rights!
- If reading Greg’s book about free speech in our country makes you want to know more about the history of free speech in general, check out Jacob Mchangama’s Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. His book covers thousands of years – which highlights the fact that free speech is a natural right and one that has advanced human progress throughout history.
- Your kids too young for Greg’s or Jacob’s books? There’s always The Constitution for Babies or the Tuttle Twins. Start ’em young!
- Did you know states had Constitutions? Since you’re a subscriber of this newsletter, you probably did. But did you also know that you can get your state constitution printed on a shower curtain? Or other products, like scarves or pillows – who wouldn’t want to wrap themselves in, or go to sleep on, the words of their state constitution?
- Pay homage to America’s Founding Fathers by raising a glass to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with a bottle from The Federalist or these whiskey glasses.
- Since the Gadsden flag made news this year, consider buying a sticker for someone’s car or laptop. (By the way, AFP Regional Vice President Jeff Crank spoke with the student who was initially punished for displaying the Gadsden flag on his backpack – listen to the American Potential podcast episode!)
What’d I miss? If you have suggestions for gifts for a First Amendment advocate or civil liberties defender, please let me know by emailing me at freespeech@afphq.org.
And since Hanukkah started yesterday, I also want to wish my Jewish readers a happy Festival of Lights. May your home be filled with light and joy!
PS: My newsletter last year provided 4 tips on how to keep your holiday table a place for discussion, not argument. Wanted to share it in case you missed it at the time!
