'Tis the season to buy secondhand and there are a handful of good reasons to participate in the circular economy this year: save an item from potentially being thrown out, shop at a small business or at the very least supporting someone’s side gig, avoid tariffs, and the list goes on. While it can be overwhelming and at times impossible to actually thrift for gifts, eBay and Etsy search bars give us organized, algorithmic (dare I say curated) access to unique, pre-owned goods. 

Vintage ashtrays are forever. This, this, and this would all make excellent home decor and catchall trays. (Peep this: Yoshitomo Nara ashtray.) For matchbook collectors, these vintage hand-painted ceramic Creazioni Luciano Italian matchboxes are sure to impress. 

Okay, now think of your person in mind; think of their favorite things or hobbies. A vintage book of their interests can fulfill both a collectible itch and make for great home decor. For the astronomy lover (this is Space City after all), there’s the fun to browse Our Universe by National Geographic, or splurge on an antique book like How to Know the Starry Heavens by Edward Irving from 1904. Consider curated themed lots of books, like this space one or a golf one. For house plant parents: NYT’s Book of Houseplants, an antique gardening book, or an instruction book on How to Shade Embroidered Flowers and Leaves. As far as cookbooks go, mid-century cookbooks have eye appeal for creating retro charm in a kitchen bookshelf. Horror magazines are also extremely collectible and could be a good fit if it has a pop culture reference your recipient enjoys. (See Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Frankenstein, or Mordor monsters from Lord of the Rings.)

Lastly on books, treat your favorite person or yourself to a leather-bound, gold-accented Franklin Library or Easton Press title. First-aid manual anyone?

ICYMI…

• Check out Doc’s Jazz Club yet? We enjoyed it.

• A love letter to Sunset Bingo–our favorite activity this year.

• Parties at museums, coffee + House DJ mornings, pop-ups everywhere and anywhere. Why is everything a club lately?

• We can’t stop thinking about our chat with artist Neon Thrash about his work designing the gothic-tiki speakeasy, Endless Bummer.

• The real “hidden” gems of Houston.

This week’s coffee is on us! That means 3 readers will receive a $10 gift card to Brasil. All you have to do is open today’s issue and you’ll be entered to win.

Winners will be randomly selected and emailed tomorrow morning.

Want to sponsor a future issue and treat readers to a local coffee spot on you? Hit reply.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Five, six, seven and… eight! Houston can’t stop line dancing and dance floors are staying packed across the city. Brittany Britto Garley, Editor-in-Chief of Houstonia Magazine, writes: “Fused with country-western roots and amplified by social media, line dancing today is more than a pastime: It’s exercise, expression, and a culture of joy that connects thousands of Houstonians almost daily.” See y’all soon on the dance floor!

Memorial City Mall gets a face lift. Memorial City Mall is getting a (much needed) change soon. A section of it is going to be demolished  and redeveloped adding a new entrance, ground floor lobby, and overall improvements. You know what that means: construction. *groan*

“You want thingamamobs? I got twenty.” A good estate sale can feel like wandering around a personal museum. Unusual art, one of a kind objects, and odd things are sure to make any treasure finder light up. Reeves Art + Design is hosting their biggest estate sale including the collection of David Stone, one of Houston’s most acclaimed designers. Stop by their preview party on December 5th for first looks.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• Pop into a holiday bar

• Cistern Illuminated at Buffalo Bayou

• Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at Houston Symphony

• Louvre Couture at MFAH 

• Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden

• The Night Shift Before Christmas at Alley Theatre

Friday, 11/28

2pm-4pm, Market | Buy Nothing Day at Smither Park. “Join us for a free community pop-up where you can bring puzzles, books, records, plants, and anything else you'd love to trade.”

7pm-9pm, Film Screening | Watch Wild Robot outdoors at Discovery Green.

10pm-3am, Nightlife | TOKiMONSTA at Art Club. $50 and up.

Saturday, 11/29

Small business Saturday! Here are all the independent bookstores in Houston to shop at.

11am-4pm, Market | Let’s Get Lit: A Bookish Holiday Market by Mossrose Bookshop at Ironworks.

2pm, Workshop | Sip & Plant at Eden (new location!). “You’ll learn essential plant care working with soil and foliage while enjoying a wine flight of three different pours. Perfect for anyone eager to learn fun tips and tricks for gardening with wine.” $68.

10pm-2am, Nightlife | Stay Gold: A Celebration of Life at Trash Panda Drinking Club.

Sunday, 11/30

11am-6pm, Market | Charlie’s Fall Pop-up Market at Tsopelli Bakery.

12pm-5pm, Market | Space City Snaps: Houston’s first digicam pop up at Resilient’s Mini Flea.

6pm-10pm, Art | Art Jam with Mark Medina. All artists welcome.

6pm-Late, Nightlife | Caribe Funk Night at The Flat. “Come experience a fusion of African, Latin, and Caribbean sounds and textures ranging from Salsa Dura, Classic Afrobeat, Funky Tumbao, Tropical Bass, Soukus, Afro Latin House, and more 🌴”

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

Want more OTH? Follow and stay in touch with us on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.

ON THE HOU(S)E wants to connect with you whether you’re a creator, writer, small business, or brand. We’d love to hear from you! Email [email protected].