A Christmas Insights Discount (And Independent Gift Guide)

Some ways to support independent media and creatives, and vote for the type of creative world you want to live in this Christmas.

Last year’s Christmas book pile

It’s Christmas! Which means, once again, I will be annoying my friends and family by requesting they add to my ever-growing mountain of unread books.

Tricky one, Christmas. Of course, we all KNOW we shouldn’t be adding to the pile of plasticky consumerism that is the modern world.

Which is why I usually try and either buy my friends and family some kind of experience, rather than ‘thing’; or I try and support talented friends, fellow creatives and independent businesses instead.

With all that in mind, here are a few ideas of how you can use ‘buy more shit or we’re all fooked season’ (aka Christmas) to support Looking Sideways, and some of my favourite independent artists and creative types; hence, in some small way, casting a festive vote for the type of world that you’d like to live in.

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1. A special Christmas Insights offer for existing readers

Let’s start with a good one - a HUGE 60% off an annual Insights subscription! £26 for the year instead of the usual £65!

Insights is all about helping my paid Looking Sideways community answer two key questions for themselves through a series of exclusive articles, guest posts, Creative Exchange sessions and special Open Thread discussions:

“How can I spend more time doing the things I’m passionate about?”

“What does a ‘successful’ creative life actually look like?”

In 2025, Insights subscribers will also get exclusive access to a shedload of special Announcement bonus content.

Been thinking of taking the plunge for a while? This one could be for you. This offer runs out on December 18th.

You can also give a gift subscription as well if you’re so inclined:

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Good for hot drinks, cold drinks, being washed etc

2. Looking Sideways Merch

I just recorded the Festive Special with Tim and Gendle, during which the boys asked me what my ‘hopes for 2025’ were. My answer was ‘Get to the bottom of my to-do list’, and I was only half joking.

‘Give the Looking Sideways merch store some proper love’ is definitely something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, although I did just update it with some ace new style and accessories, including these new men’s jackets, women’s fleeces, notebooks and mugs.

Click here to check out the full store.

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3. HKC Discount Club

Earlier this year, as a bit of an experiment, I launched my Looking Sideways affiliate scheme with some of my closest brand partners.

It’s been quite the success, so if you’re shopping for presents for your nearest and dearest this festive season, and want to save some cash, don’t sleep on these exclusive Looking Sideways discounts from The Wave, Finisterre, Stance, Goodrays, Db Journey, Vivo Barefoot, Intersport Rent and Albion Cycling (and feel free to share them, obvs).

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Use my code LOOKINGSIDEWAYS for massive ski rental discounts and snowboard rental discounts from my pals at Intersport.

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Something in the darkness to believe in

4. A gift subscription to your favourite Substack

If you’ve been enjoying discovering new writers on Substack, like I have this year, you could also consider supporting some of those with a paid subscription (or even just sharing their work, which goes a long way, both in terms of awareness and morale).

Writers I’ve particularly enjoyed on here this year include

Alex Roddie

(his piece I’ve shared above is really brilliant),

sam haddad

and

Soraya Abdel-Hadi

.

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5. A gift subscription to your favourite magazine

As I’ve said on more than one occasion, starting a print publication in the current media climate is a little bit like intentionally setting fire to a large pile of your own cash.

So anybody who is still out there at the print media, er, coalface deserves to be celebrated and supported, and buying gift subscriptions to your favourite titles is a great way of doing so.

Check out Sidetracked, Wavelength and The Reason, for starters.

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6. Owen’s amazing prints

My pal Owen Tozer, as regulars will know, is the real deal - the type of creative genius who can turn his hand to anything and make it look effortless.

Case in point - his photographic work, and these beautiful prints would make a brilliant gift.

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7. Support more brilliant UK surf photographers

I’m also a huge fan of Luke Gartside (above) and Chris McClean’s work, and the good news is these two also have their amazing work for sale this Christmas.

Or, for something a little more experience-based, the brilliant Bella Rose Bunce has these ace surf photography sessions for sale.

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8. The Read and Destroy book

I was lucky enough to have a ringside seat to the development of the Read and Destroy book project and, six months after it’s release, I’m still in awe at what Dan Adams and his gang of collaborators accomplished with this incredible celebration of UK skateboarding.

There are still copies available, and if you haven’t got involved yet then really, what are you waiting for? This would be a really brilliant gift for anybody with the slightest interest in the history of sideways culture.

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9. Handstamped Christmas cards

I loved these handstamped Christmas cards by surfer, designer and maker Clara Jonas.

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10. A charitable donation

Finally, donating to a charity or NGO is always a great idea at this time of year. There are plenty of worthy organisations out there, but my pal Lauren MacCallum recommends Uplift, founded by Tessa Khan: “They fund a lot of the work behind Stop Cambo. I worked with them on this and COP26, and they were incredibly impressive”

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Any other less obvious present ideas you want to share with the Looking Sideways community?