COS 2023 Holiday Gift Guide: The Winter Hermit
words by Lauren Kostas
Do you have a birder on your holiday shopping list and looking for some ideas? We asked the COS team of volunteer writers to pull together gift ideas for birders who may be tucked in home for winter and dreaming of spring. Below are some great ideas to spark your gift giving.
Share the warmth and the spirit of inclusive birding with a Birding for a Better World sweatshirt from Bird Collective.
For the crafty types, consider bird themed crochet amigurumi kits or embroidery kits that run the gamut from cute and cuddly, to more challenging and detailed. For expert guidance and recommendations, consider a visit to a local fiber shop like Beverly’s Miss Purl, Lincoln Park’s Sister-Arts Studio, or Evanston’s The Needles' Excellency.
Local artist and birder Tony Fitzpatrick has turned some of his bird-themed art into jigsaw puzzles, including the Peregrine of Chicago, an homage to official bird of Chicago.
The boardgame Wingspan designed by Elizabeth Hargrave challenges players to build a network of wildlife habitats to attract birds. Each game includes hundreds of unique and beautifully illustrated bird cards, birdfeeder dice tower, and miniature colorful eggs. There are also expansion kits for Oceania, Asia, and Europe.
Online photography classes are ideal for someone who wants to hone their skills over winter and wow their Instagram followers spring migration. Options include Cornell Lab’s bird photography class with Melissa Groo and Udemy’s course on capturing the beauty of birds.
One of the hottest items in 2023 is the My Bird Buddy feeder with a built-in camera and artificial intelligence. On the blustery, gray days that mark a Chicago winter, stay cozy inside and spy on birds in your backyard. The feeder’s app notifies you of visitors, takes photos and videos, and can help with identification. Stock the feeder with black-oil sunflower, safflower, or nyjer seeds and enjoy the show.
Thinking beyond a feeder? Winter is an excellent time for planning a garden that supports birdlife. Help create an inviting ecosystem with these gift ideas:
Natural Gardening for Birds and Birdscaping in the Midwest offer guidance on how create gardens irresistible to birds—whether you are working with a deck off an Uptown condo or backyard in Belmont Cragin.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is offering a February online class with Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home and one of the foremost writers on the role gardeners can play in supporting biodiversity.
Stuff a stocking with items from native plant nurseries, such as a gift certificate from Prairie Nursery or a seed starter kit from Possibility Place.
Gift the ultimate cold weather pleasure—coffee in bed, made with bird friendly beans from Wood Warbler Coffee and served up in a COS mug featuring our new logo.
Looking for recommendations for a book lover on your list? Here are some books on our wish lists:
Dorian Anderson’s Birding Under the Influence, the memoire of a scientist who walked away from academia to find healing from addiction and embrace his passion for birding
Jennifer Ackerman’s What an Owl Knows, which explores the fantastic world of these enigmatic birds
UIUC professor Mark E. Hauber’s Bird Day, a soon to be released hourly guide to 24 birds spending their time looking for food, shelter, love and safety.
Our last recommendation is to bookmark the COS upcoming events page to stay abreast of trips and events all year long. In every season, there are trips, treks, and online events available through COS.
Note: All the information on this page is only for general information purposes. COS doesn’t make any warranties on the items listed above and received no referral commission.