With the holiday season upon us we find ourselves seeing all kinds of sales, 
and for a woodworker we look forward to this time of the year. A chance to stock up on 
things, or maybe it's that new tool purchase we just can't pass up because the deal is too good. It's easy to know what you do or do not want, and we always know the make, model and even the color of it we want if there's ever the option. But if you're not a woodworker it can be a challenge to buy a gift for someone who is, and in searching the internet for ideas there are plenty to be had. From the ever famous top ten must have tools, to the ever insightful what the pro use. But the reality is, no two people work the same way so a good tool for one person might be the worst for another, not to mention most of this information usually comes from a sponsor deal or peddling something of their own. But shopping for a woodworker can be easy, because there are a couple of things we all need that are inexpensive and we're always happy to get. The first one that come to mind is glue, stop by your local box store and grab a bottle of Tite Bond, and trust me it will get used. Another great option is acid brushes. You can buy these in bulk from places like amazon for just a few dollars, and they work great for spreading glue. My final pick would be sandpaper.  You can buy this in multiple sheet packs, and if you get two twenty grit you have a winner they will certainly use. Now these may seem like really cheap gifts, and you might be right in the sense of the cost. But the truth is if you feel this way about giving any one of these as a gift, then give them all three. 
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​If you want to learn how to do something, we have the internet. A new cookie receipt,  how to fix a broken thing, or how to build that project you're excited to undertake, the internet is a vault of information. 
Recently I was asked who I enjoy watching or who I follow in the woodworking / maker community, and while I understand the question and the curiosity behind it I also think it creates a king of the hill effect, a suggestion that there could be that one person better than all. For this reason I have always found it to bother me when I see articles or videos about the top ten woodworkers or the best makers you must watch or follow.  
My honest answer to this question is I enjoy everyone, and watch or follow as many people as I can. Especially in social media platforms like YouTube where it has grown to be a huge melting pot of creation and ideas. If you want to understand this just look up how to make a coffee table, there are literally hundreds of videos with all different levels of craftsmanship and creativity and just when you think it's over, a new video comes out with an even greater idea. For me personally I enjoy all video creators and content producers. I think it's the appreciation for the effort they put in it, but also the creativity and craftsmanship they share with all of us that makes me appreciate and enjoy everyone that contributes to this community.