Not sure what to give loved ones this year? Tom Hodgkinson suggests some presents that will help them slow down, have fun and live well

Christmas, that time of merry-making, good cheer, feasting, sleeping and playing games – as well as for remembering our redeemer of course – is upon us, and this week I present to you the Idler Christmas Gifts guide.

1. Number one is a gift subscription to the Idler magazine, and we thank India Knight in last weekend’s Sunday Times for recommending our journal to her readers with the words: “Wide-ranging, always interesting, and the perfect thing to read in the bath.” A gift subscription can cost as little as £23 when you buy multiple subs – that’s £34 cheaper than shop price. And you, the donor, get a free Idler tote bag. Click here.

2. Are they a nineties person? Give them a copy of our new limited edition hardback book, XXX: Thirty Years of the Idler. It’s a lively collection of the best images, articles and ephemera from our thirty year existence, with the occasional coffee stain, and includes such gems as Louis Theroux’s hilarious day out with David Soul, my painful interview with Jeffrey Bernard, columns from Gavin Hills and our amazing “Action Man at rest” fashion story. £30 plus p&p. Click here.

3. Our manifesto tea towels are back. Choose from the Idler Manifesto and the Freedom Manifesto. Make housework fun. Dry the dishes while stirring up revolutionary sentiment. Just £10. Click here.

4. Help a loved one learn how to live well by giving them a year’s subscription to the Idler Academy of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment. The lucky recipient will love expanding their mind and soothing their soul with our range of over 70 courses in ancient history, creative writing, classic literature, useful philosophy and more. The subscription includes digital access to the magazine and free entry to our “Drink with the Idler” events. £69.95.  Click here.

5.  How about a ticket to the 2024 Idler Festival? Taking place on 5, 6 and 7 July, the fifth Idler Festival is our annual and always uplifting gathering of like-minded people in the lovely surroundings of Fenton House and Garden in Hampstead. Early Bird ticket: £120. Click here.

6. Take your loved one on an inspiring Idler retreat. Our spring break in April 2024 stars poet Murray Lachlan Young, philosopher Mark Vernon and yours truly. We’ll be discussing the Romantic period: lots of Keats and Shelley. Once again we’ll be at Villa Pia in Umbria, a short walk away from Piero dell Francesca’s Madonna del Parto. Click here.

Thanks as always for supporting the doings of the Idler.

Our November/December issue is available in Waitrose, Waterstones, Smiths Travel outlets, select Smiths high street branches and around 100 indie stores. Click here for your nearest stockist.