In praise of the forgotten holiday

Plus: gift-giving season is upon us. Here's 85 [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Greetings, Pursuits newsletter subscribers, it’s [Jim Gaddy]( here. You’re getting your money’s worth this week because, like an angel visiting the shepherds, I bring you good tidings of great joy: Holiday season is upon us. [We published our annual gift guide this week](, and, taking our cues from the natural world, we found 85 ways to spoil anyone and everyone on your list. After the year we’ve had, indulgence is the only thing we’re craving. The end result really is a feat of production. Photographer [Sarah Anne Ward](, prop stylist [Paola Andrea](, writer [Kristen Shirley](, and our heroic photo editors [Leonor Mamanna]( and [Evan Ortiz]( oversaw the delivery (and return) of more than $1 million worth of gifts over the course of two days last month. I’m biased but I think [the results speak for themselves](. Stay golden with your gifting this year. Photographer: Sarah Anne Ward for Bloomberg Businessweek, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea But truth be told, I’ve always been more of a Thanksgiving man. Is it because we start getting thirsty holiday pitches starting in July and so, by November, I’m just so over it? :eyeroll: Is it because the sound of jingle bells makes me want to blast “[Hells Bells](”? Is it because supermarkets are already playing “[Wonderful Christmastime](,” easily the most annoying song Sir Paul ever wrote? Maybe it’s as simple as my own willful oppositionality, which manifests itself in resisting that schmaltzy, happy-happy-joy-joy mentality. I’m not alone: Studies find that stress, financial pressure and other mental health struggles [skyrocket during the holidays](. (What else is National Lampoon’s​​​​​ Christmas Vacation but one father’s [slow descent into madness](, played for laughs?) And for those with estranged family or dealing with addiction or in recovery, the season can be a very triggering time indeed. Trying to get away this year? Here’s our Holiday Travel Survival Guide, with tips, hacks and how to avoid disaster, Photographer: Maremagnum/Corbis Documentary RF American Thanksgiving, though, is the perfect holiday. There’s[no one correct way]( to celebrate. No pressure. No gifts to buy. You can be with family but you don’t have to—you can have a meaningful (and possibly more enjoyable) Friendsgiving meal. You don’t need to be a certain religion or ethnicity. [You don’t even have to like turkey](. Chai pumpkin pie and wild mushroom truffle kofta sounds like a perfect Thanksgiving feast to me. Photographer: Arturo Olmos/Bloomberg I kind of like that by comparison with Big December, it’s under-the-radar, and I hope it stays that way. The only criteria is that you take a moment, doesn’t matter how small, and acknowledge the good things in your life. Oh, and eat a lot of good food with good people. Sounds great to me. Connect with Jim on [Instagram]( or [Twitter]( T-Day Tips Classic and New [Here Are the Top Places to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in London]( Let the turkey feasting begin. [Why Thanksgiving Is the Best Time to Travel Internationally]( Go big, don’t go home. [If You Can Roast a Turkey, You Can Roast a Pig]( The Palizzi Social Club cookbook reveals the secret of show-stopping succulent pork. Thank us later. [The Late, Great Anthony Bourdain Says You’re Doing Thanksgiving Wrong]( Get to know the term “stunt turkey,” and don’t be too generous with your guests. [Bacon, Beer, and Dry Brine: 17 Chef Tips to Fast-Hack the Big Meal]( Do you dare to use an electric knife? Also in Pursuits this week. - Have you ever considered going on a date when traveling? We talked with comedian Michelle Collins, former co-host of The View and a regular on Today, and she said it’s a great way to learn a new city. [See what shocked her about men in Amsterdam](. She also knows where to find tall guys. Les Poseuses, Ensemble (Petite version) (1888) by Georges Seurat was the most expensive lot of the evening, at $149 million. Source: Christie’s - [More than $1.5 billion worth of art]( sold in about two hours on Wednesday night, when 60 works from the collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (not the guy with the great business card in American Psycho) went up for auction. It was the largest single-owner sale in history. - Wakanda Forever opened this week, the sequel to the massively popular Black Panther superhero movie that grossed over $1.3 billion. This time, sadly, there is no Chadwick Boseman so there’s a WWTD quality throughout, [writes reviewer Ella Ceron](. “What,” characters in the new film keep asking, “would T’Challa do?” Grab a glass boot of (German) beer at Bierhaus—and presumably root for Germany’s national soccer team, too. Source: Bierhaus - A week from now, [the World Cup begins](. While the bars in Qatar have their[emergency plans for beer](, our resident indulgence experts Kate Krader and Sarah Rappaport [investigated the best New York City watering holes]( from which to watch your favorite team. Yes, there’s an eight-hour time difference between Doha and New York. And yes, some of the group stage games will start at 5 a.m. EST. So what? Real fans show up. What else I’m reading. - If you want the definitive account of the so-called “First Thanksgiving,” as well as a blow-by-blow account about why the friendship between the Pilgrims and the Wampagnoags didn’t last, check out Nathaniel Philbrick’s [Mayflower: Community, Courage, War](. The Patek Philippe Ref. 5935A-001, released in October. Source: Hodinkee - Our expert in holiday gifting, Kristen Shirley, has also written an entire encyclopedia about luxury brands. It’s called [La Patiala]( and if you’ve ever wondered about the best way to charter a superyacht, or what’s a guilloché dial, or how to do a caviar bump, it’s all right there. - Did you hear that Bloomberg Businessweek devoted an entire issue to one long 40,000-word article? [The Crypto Story]( is the definitive account of the (over)hyped currency, by Matt Levine. And given the [swift fall for the likes of FTX](, there’s never been a better time to get the facts. (And, hey, I finally understand what a blockchain is.) If you can find a copy of the issue, grab it, but honestly the best way to read it is in bite-sized chunks on your phone. So, you had some questions... Whatever the topic, keep them coming for next week via our [Bloomberg Pursuits Instagram]( and [e-mail](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net?I%20have%20a%20question). How can you give an extravagant gift to a poor friend without it seeming awkward? I have to confess I’m not qualified to answer this—I’ve always been more of a it’s-the-thought-that-counts gift giver. For some clarity, we reached out to manners expert Daniel Post Senning, the great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-writer of the new [20th edition of the famous etiquette guide]( published 100 years ago. The key, Post says, is that you never want to give something that will make people feel uncomfortable or indebted. Even though the purpose of gift giving isn’t reciprocity in terms of dollar value, people still feel that pressure, so keep that in mind. What’s the etiquette with saving wrapping paper at a gift exchange? Is it gauche? Not at all. Senning, again: Save your wrapping paper! Everyone needs it this time of year. If the advice below doesn’t work, try distracting yourself with a large-format bottle. The VCanter will help you pour up to 100-pound bottles of wine. Source: Sokolin What wine should I drink to stop being annoyed by my family? This question is early, actually: Next week we’ll be publishing our guide to holiday entertaining that covers some of the best new spirits (and wine) for the season. But I’ll tease two here: If the annoyances stem from political differences, try the [2014 Iron Horse Stargazing Cuvée Brut](. The vineyard’s bubbly has been served at the White House under seven consecutive presidential administrations, so it’s inarguably bipartisan. And have you considered not drinking at all? When there’s negative energy, alcohol can fuel it. [Aplós]( is one of the best functional, non-alcohol spirits I’ve tried, and it’s no surprise that James Beard Award winner Lynette Marrero worked on its blend of yuzu, rosemary, basil, cucumber and dandelion. If you’re going to put pen to paper, you’ll need some classy stationary. Here’s seven ideas. Photographer: Ryan Jenq for Bloomberg Businessweek What’s a good gift option for my referral sources at work? Start with a [handwritten thank you note](—and no, [don’t have a robot do it for you](. After that, might I suggest getting some inspiration from our amazing [gift guide, featuring 85 different ways to spoil whoever’s on your list](? There are several thoughtful perishable items that won’t break the bank, like Thomas Keller chocolate, a Phillip Ashley advent calendar, and Glenmorangie whisky. Any of them would, I’m certain, be a much-appreciated gesture. Follow Us Like getting this newsletter? [Subscribe to Bloomberg.com]( for unlimited access to trusted, data-driven journalism and subscriber-only insights. You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Pursuits newsletter. If a friend forwarded you this message, [sign up here]( to get it in your inbox. 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