2024 Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1
The first two guides -- gifts that just always work + Beauty-treat gifts
Phew. Yesterday was the first of November and today the month is basically over? That’s how this time of the year always feels.
Take a deep breath. Let it out. Let’s all resolve to not get too stressed out about the holidays this season, shall we? Maybe we make a few less plans and make room for something spontaneous. Maybe we skip the pictures with Santa. Resolve to buy one less present. Don’t freak out if our holiday decor isn’t magazine worthy.
My holiday season is very focused on making things magical for my kids. They are obsessed with this time of year - it is a gift to experience things through their eyes. I used to feel a lot of pressure to make things perfect, but, a number of holiday seasons as a parent in, I’m coming around to the fact that the magic for them is the simplest little things - so that is what I’m focused on delivering in our house. It includes things like stringing colorful lights on our Christmas tree (they prefer multi-colored lights and I have acquiesced), playing Christmas music, driving around to see decorations in our town, decorating a (store-bought) gingerbread house, stringing lights on our front porch & the trees in our front yard, reading books about the holidays, and having a few presents to unwrap on Christmas morning. If they get these things - they are good. If they get these things AND I also get to not feel frantic about making everything perfect, and line up a few babysitters to make sure my husband and I get time together and with friends, well then, we all win!
As far as gifting goes, this can be another source of stress. Figuring out who you’re shopping for, searching and selecting the right item(s), making sure everything comes in time and then once it arrives making sure it’s wrapped & delivered to the recipient at the right moment. It is a lot!
But! This can also be fun!
I love to read gift guides and I love to come up with ideas for fun and unique and special things to give the people we love.
A great gift is something that makes someone feel extra loved, introduces someone to something new, or brings a small delight into their day or life. It does not come from Amazon (no shade, but I am really trying to reduce my Amazon usage). It is thoughtful and personal, but that does not mean that it must be elaborate or expensive.
This year’s gift guides will be organized by “recipient profile” (think: spouses who love hobbies) or “type of gift” (little luxuries & special treats, etsy treasures). For the most part, everything will be under $200.
My plan is to share one - two guides every few days between in the next two weeks. The focus of today’s guide is on: 1) Meaningful Gifts that are great for ANYONE and 2) Gifts for the Beauty Lover.
Before diving into the guide, I want to share an important reminder: although there is so much pressure to select perfect gifts and to give things to everyone in your life, you shouldn’t feel like you have to give gifts to everyone (or anyone!) If it puts financial pressure on you or your family, DON’T DO IT. If it makes you feel crazy, DON’T DO IT. If it stresses you out and ruins your ability to enjoy the holidays, DON’T DO IT. We are exposed to a highly commercialized version of the holidays. But the holiday season is about spending time with people you love. Full Stop. If that includes exchanging gifts, that’s wonderful. If it doesn’t include exchanging gifts, that’s also wonderful.
Let’s dive in.
Gift Guide #1: Meaningful Gifts that are Great for ANYONE.
A hardcover or paperback copy of a recent favorite book or a book that made you think of them. If you are a reader, pass your loved book onto someone else, or go buy them one. Everyone could use a little escape and a little less screen time. Bonus if you write a little note that shares why you loved it or why you wanted to give it to them. Some of my favorites from this year include: The Other Side of Disappearing, The Women, All Fours, Our Share of Night, and The Attachments.
A picture frame with a recent photo - Framed photos are treasures. And even though it’s easy to do online, it still takes a lot of effort and I think many of us (myself included) forget to update/refresh the photos in our home. Your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Frame store is a great place to look for these, but there are also great options online: Blue Starburst Frame, Green Bobbin Frame, Punch Needle Frame. You can also upload the photo & select the frame & have everything done in one stop with Framebridge!
A nice cheese or spread- You can pick something out from your local cheese shop or market, and deliver it to your recipient with a little spreading/slicing knife + a cracker to enjoy the cheese with.
An ornament - If your gift recipient celebrates Christmas/decorates a tree, I stand by ornaments as a fantastic gift. Ever since I’ve had my own tree, I never felt like I had enough ornaments, and I love the tradition of pulling out your ornaments when you decorate your tree and remembering the story behind the ornament. Bonus if they are a little cheeky. Oyster Platter, Pickleball Paddle, Santa Whale, Pickleball Pickle.
Be ready to gift any of these gifts (or any holiday gift, really), with a fun stash of gift tags. You won’t regret having them!
Gift Guide #2: Beauty treats for the beauty lover, or who could use a little extra self-care
A Selection of Crown Affair hair products - Crown affair is one of my favorite hair care brands, and their products are one of my go-to gifts. This set is a great way to give someone the opportunity to try a couple things. I also love the hair scrunchies, leave in conditioner (my daughter with super curly hair uses this and it’s so great!!), the air dry mousse, towel and hairspray. All are a perfect treat!
Undo Haircare clip: The chicest claw clips you can possibly find? Yes please.
Roz Haircare - Another favorite haircare brand (I take my haircare selections very seriously!) It’s a great brand to treat a friend to so they get to try something new! Personally, I think the root lift spray is UNREAL, and I love the Hair serum - especially the fact that you can use it on wet OR dry hair - it’s so good for a few day post-blowout refresh.
Hanni makes the most perfect luxurious but usable everyday shower products. They add a little luxury & special routine to the things you do everyday. I love the in-shower salve and the Good Aura body oil.
Eadem Lip Balm are the perfect little something or stocking stuffer. The glosses moisturize, are not sticky, have no weird aftertaste, and come in great colors that are buildable. Eadem is a woman-owned beauty company focused on creating inclusive skincare products.
Osea Body Polish - This was a gift that I received last Christmas and I am obsessed with this body scrub. It’s so luxurious and the smell is divine.
Wonder Blading Lip stain - In addition to hair products, I am very passionate about my lip products, and this lip stain is so awesome. It seriously lasts all day long! There are a ton of colors, but I would recommend XOXO as a subtle pink stain that would look nice on anyone.
Sweed Beauty Mascara - None of us swap out our mascara as much as we should, and so, Very good mascara is a treat for anyone who wears it. This is a GREAT mascara - I love the brown for daytime and black for evening!
Luv Scrub + Necessaire Body Wash - The most luxurious exfoliating towel that I’ve been talking about until I’m blue in the face, + a body wash that will infuse even the quickest shower with a little bit of a spa vibe.
Okay, that’s it for now! More to come in the next few weeks, plus some coverage of Black Friday/Cyber Monday (do we even call it that now - is it just Sale month?) from me. If you want to just browse all the recommendations, you can find my full gift edit on ShopMy right here.
And, if you’re stumped on anyone you’re shopping for — let me know in the comments, I’d love to help!
That oyster ornament is amazing!