Inside: Need holiday gift inspiration? Here are more than a dozen of my favorite things, and they all make great presents.
You know those days in December that you spend wandering aimlessly through Target or panic-scrolling Amazon, in desperate search of a gift for an impossible-to-buy-for person in your life?
Let’s agree to NOT do that this year!
Gift guides can be a big help–especially if it’s a curated lists of items that someone has had firsthand experience with. So as usual with my gift guides, these are ALL items I own, have tried, or have given (or received) as gifts myself.
Standing Herb Garden: My mother-in-law sent me one of these VegTrug 8-Pocked Herb Gardens for my birthday, and it adds so much beauty and joy to my patio. I alternate fresh herbs and flowers in the pockets and can snip fresh sprigs whenever I need them for a recipe.
Electric kettle & good tea: This super-affordable electric kettle is one of my favorite purchases of the year. It boils water in just a few minutes and is large enough to hold multiple cups’ worth. Give the kettle to your favorite tea-drinker along with some tea from The Tea Spot (I’m partial to the chai myself).
Recycled Sari Apron: I already have a bunch of aprons but had to get this when I spotted it from Servv International, a fair trade organization that partners with global artisans and farmers to build sustainable employment, resources, rights, and hope in their communities. The apron is made from denim and recycled saris and hand stitched by female artisans in Bangladesh. It has two pockets and an adjustable strap. I also bought one of their hand-stitched Kantha potholders.
The Cutest Ever Dryer Balls: Wool dryer balls speed drying time, soften clothes, and fight static. Hustle and Blush makes these “Fluff Ewes” in different adorable patterns, like “Are We There Yet” (shown above) and “Hedgehog and Homies”. These would make a fun stocking stuffer for a college student or other young adult in your life.
DIY Charcuterie Board Kit: Platterful charcuterie kits come with everything you need for a beautiful cheese/charcuterie board (minus fresh fruits and veggies) and a diagram of how to arrange everything. Choose from different sizes, and give as a subscription or one-time present. Some kits come with a wooden board too. I made one for a neighborhood get-together, and had an impressive-looking spread in about ten minutes. Browse the options at Platterful.
Bonus Idea: The BaKIT Box is designed for elementary-age children and includes ingredients for three globally-inspired recipes, like Za’atar Flatbread, Churros, and Japanese Black Sesame Seed Cookies, plus games and activities. Give as a one-time gift or subscription.
The Fuzziest Fleece: I was actually waiting for it to turn cold so I could wear this! Though I’m already over the cold temperatures, I’m still loving the softest coat I’ve ever owned. The L.L.Bean Hi-Pile Fleece Jacket comes in regular, plus, and petite and several colors.
Lightweight Crossbody Bag: I love the look and ease of crossbody bags, but they always hurt my shoulder. My friend has this Nylon Foldover Crossbody from Quince, and I admired it for so long, I just got one for myself (I chose Ash Gray). It comes in several colors, with an adjustable strap and multiple pockets, and is made from 11 recycled water bottles.
Stylish Earplugs: These Loop earplugs filter sound waves instead of blocking them. So you still hear–they just lower the volume. I wore a pair to a Duran Duran show and heard every awesome note but didn’t go home with ringing ears. There’s a pair for different purposes: sleeping, listening to live music, parenting noisy kids (really), going to a party, riding a motorcycle, and more. They come in fun colors too.
Personal Color Card This is on every gift guide of mine because it’s just that good. Knowing the colors that look the best (and worst) on you is a game-changer for shopping–and cleaning out your closet. How it works: You upload photos of yourself to My Color Guru and get a custom color card with the exact shades that work for you. All of my friends have this, and they’re now gifting it to their friends, husbands, and kids. Use my code REALMOM to get 10% off (I’m an affiliate).
Bonus Idea: Get a hard-to-buy-for teen or college kid in your life a Stitch Fix box. We got one for my 15 year old (because taking my fashion advice is a hard NO at this point) and he ended up liking and keeping several stylish items. Use my link and we’ll both get a discount.
Extra Pretty To-Do List: If you have a serial to-do list maker (like me) in your life, they will appreciate beautifying their daily task list. This Numbered Colorblock notepad is from Rifle and Co., which makes the prettiest designs for the old-school pen-and-paper diehards in your life. Give it along with some nice pens. I’m partial to Pentel EnerGel pens.
Calming Calendar: A year’s worth of daily inspiration, wise quotes, and quick mindfulness exercises. I’ve tacked some of these to my bulletin board as good reminders, texted some of the quotes to friends, and appreciated the daily reminders to get out of my head. Find it on Sourcebooks or Amazon.
More gift ideas
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