Books, games, textiles, and even… a birdhouse? Here are all our gift ideas to delight your loved ones during the holidays while supporting a host of independent media outlets and publishing houses.
A puzzle for his goddaughter
Like us, if you need some quality downtime to decompress and ease the tension after another family gathering, think puzzles! Based on photographs by Benoît Michaely, those from the photo-report magazine Pays will transport you from Grand Veymont in the Vercors to Mayotte via the Fort National de Saint-Malo. Our team's favorite is the one of Woinic — to each their own passions.
More territories? Venture further by diving into the latest issue of Les Others magazine, designed to revive the deep culture of the outdoors.
A balaclava and everything rolls
It's the perfect gift for girlfriend cyclists, even in the depths of winter. The ribbed balaclava from feminist magazine Censored, designed by Isabella Utria Mago and Apolline Labrosse (herself a co-founder of the publication), masterfully combines comfort and elegance. We love the delicate lace that frames the face beautifully and the butterfly motif created with stenciling on the back.
Want even more feminist accessories? Check out the Gaze magazine shop on feminist perspectives. Their t-shirt collection is to die for.
A nesting box because we know how to welcome
Give them food and shelter, after all, that's what Christmas magic is about! For the holidays, La Hulotte, the most widely read nature journal in burrows, offers a special nesting box and feeder package so that all the tits in your garden can enjoy a good meal… and perhaps start a family in their new little home?
Want even more birds? We recommend this bird inventory drawn in felt-tip pen and India ink by author and illustrator Jochen Gerner, which blends imaginary and real birds, published by B42.
A fan scarf for his rowdy mate
It's soft and keeps you warm for match nights or to show off your style. The scarf designed by Éditions de l'Obsession, the annual magazine that tells the story of our passions, will be your perfect ally to brave the winter. Heads up, joining a club has to be earned: there are only fifty available. Those who miss out can console themselves with this calendar with vibes of cars and filter coffee.
Even more scarves? We love the one from Nancy-based media outlet Première Pluie. And we love their magazine, too.
Comics investigations for his rebellious older brother
When the fantastic Revue Dessinée teams up with Mediapart for a special edition featuring a selection of illustrated investigations, we're naturally thrilled. This year's best-of lineup includes the disappearance of public funds from the Marianne foundation, the sextape blackmail targeting the deputy mayor of Saint-Étienne, Laurent Wauquiez's
Want more cranky comics? Discover La petite cour, a "collection of bogus moral lessons" curated by Arrêt sur images co-founder Daniel Schneidermann with illustrations by Vincent Mahé.
Engaging games to help uncle keep quiet
What if we combined advocacy and play? That's the proposition from L'éclap, a publishing house whose games open up debate with those close to you while having fun. For our part, we can't choose between I'm Mrs., 220 cards of attacks and counter-attacks to combat gender stereotypes, and Carboniq, the game that helps you better understand your carbon footprint. In your opinion, what's worse for the planet: sending 50 attachments a day or having a pet dog?
Want even more inclusive games? We recommend Topla's for well-informed sex education.
Rodents for his manager
Doing a Secret Santa at the office? The perfect time to send a message to your boss. In this comic strip, rabbit and rabbit decide to launch into entrepreneurship but their management skills prove more complicated than expected, notably due to the infiltration of revolutionary caribou. The "mirror — wildly distorted — of our everyday office life," published by Lapin (you couldn't make this up).
Even more toxic management? Just kidding. That said, if you really need to get a message across, perhaps this book by Quentin Delval published by Hors d'atteinte editions could help you out. By the way, here's the list of Hors d'atteinte editions' Christmas offers: this year, their books can be delivered to you with a Darmanin resignation collar—it's worth taking a look.
Letters to bridge the distance
Tired of sending greeting cards? Maybe it's time to go back to letter writing. No need to agonize over your words—the writers behind the epistolary publication La Disparition will do it for you. For Christmas, the team is offering a special pack of three exclusive texts on what we wish would disappear, written by Tal Madesta, Marin Fouqué, and Farrah Youssef.
Want even more correspondence? We recommend the Yurei postal novel from the media outlet Les Lettres d'Alice. For eight months, you'll dive into the mysteries of Japanese culture through a mystery story sent by mail.
Rather give than offer?
As the year winds down, many independent media outlets are asking for support by allowing people to donate directly to their publications. To support coverage of current events through an environmental lens, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Vert or to Reporterre. Want to contribute to France's largest participatory investigation into the far right? That's happening at StreetPress. Meanwhile, Disclose has been investigating abuses by the state and multinationals for five years and needs your support to expand its work. Prefer local investigations? Splann champions public-interest investigations in Brittany.
To go further
- Can't find what you're looking for? Perhaps it's in our gift guide from last year…
- From Gaze to Départementales via Surf Cities, here are the team's favorite magazines at Médianes. A good reason to subscribe or give a subscription!
- Strengthen your connection with your most passionate supporters by inviting them to show their colors with their favorite media brand through branded merchandise.
- You want to broadcast your media's identity beyond its platform, but you're unsure where to start or if it's even wise to do so? You've come to the right place with this practical guide.
