Gift Guides

Happy Tuesday! 

I have been having so much fun shopping for Christmas this year, so I thought I would share a few gift ideas. I have broken it up into 4 basic age groups, all of which I am excited to buy for this year. I also love the idea of mixing necessities with fun gifts, so I used the "want, need, wear, and read" concept to categorize the guides.  

LITTLES

 

want - I bought this Smart Shots Sports Center for my a friend's baby's first birthday and it was a huge hit. It was relatively inexpensive and continues to provide hours of fun, interactive play! I also bought this sweet Good Earth Mermaid Girl Rag Doll for baby Ella's first birthday and was absolutely in love with it. It is darling and perfect for cuddling.

need - Blankies are a must have at all ages. This 3 Pack Rosie Pope Blankets and Garbo&Friends Fauna Filled Play Blanket are adorable and functional. Also, chances are the littles in your life already have a Sophie, but if not the precious giraffe teething toy makes the perfect gift!

wear - Is there anything cuter than baby clothes? I am totally dying over this Hooded Romper in “Trees” on Heather Grey from Childhood Clothing. It looks so cute and comfy I would love nothing more than to bundle my cousin's sweet baby in it and snuggle her forever. Also, this Cropped Faux-Fur Vest over the French Terry Top & Tulle Tutu with an Oxblood Oversized School Girl Bow has the fashionista in me doing back flips! Since when are baby clothes trendier than mine?

read - Everything is Mama & Everything is Dad both by Jimmy Fallon are so fun with the sweetest illustrations. I'm especially obsessed with the penguins on Everything is Mama. Too cute!

MEDIUMS

want - Games are such a fun way to bring people together. Last Christmas we bought my step brother Watch Ya Mouth & we couldn't have had more fun with it. We literally stopped the present opening to test out his new toy. I also remember receiving Apples to Apples as a gift years ago. It was always a huge hit at game nights, and we still bust it out on occasion. 

need - I don't know when back packs became so much cooler, but I am obsessed with both the No Prob-Llama Bag and this throwback Nintendo Game Boy Color Blue Backpack. These definitely put the fun in functional.

wear - I always love picking out clothes for my step brother... He loves it because whatever his big sisters pick out is way cooler than anything his parents could buy him, and I love it because he is my own personal Ken Doll I get to dress up. This year I am loving this Classic Pocket Shirt for Boys with a pair of Beige Slim Fit Chinos. Trendy and simple, perfect for a ten year old boy. For girls, I am adoring this Glittery Jersey Top paired with Skinny Fit Biker Jeans & a Bronze Crystal Ribbon Statement Necklace. If you need me, I'll be trying to find this outfit in my size. 

read - Holes by Louis Sachar is one of my all-time favorite books. I still remember reading it and rushing to see the movie (only partially because of Shia). It is a total classic. The Giver by Lois Lowry is another classic that I actually gave my step dad for Christmas a few years ago (although it is totally suitable for kids). It is an awesome story & has a movie as well. I have always loved reading a book and imagining it coming to life then watching the accompanying movie to see someone else's ideas on film. I think it would lots of fun to bundle the book and movie as a two part gift.

LARGES

want - Like I said, I love games. Cards Against Humanity is a total riot, and an easy gift you can continue to add to. I often give my friend Bri an expansion pack of two for Christmas, and it totally changes up the game! Truly the gift that keeps on giving. I also love giving experiences as presents. I almost always get my sister tickets of some sort for Christmas... Whether it be a play, a concert, or the Seattle Chocolate Festival, I love buying her something that means we get to spend more time together. Finally, I gifted myself this Multimedia Home Theater from Amazon after a bottle of wine one night, and it was one of the best drunken purchases of my life. We love setting it up on our back porch for outdoor movie nights during the summer.

need - Chris and I signed up for The Dollar Shave Club a few months ago, and it has been awesome. I think a membership would make a great gift and could easily be paired with a nice shaving cream or body butter. I'm also adding an Instant Pot to my gift guide because I want one BAD. I'm told you can cook a frozen chicken breast in 10 minutes. Sign my poor planning ass up! Finally, with the cold weather and us millennials constant need to be attached to technology, these Touch Stretch Fleece Tech Gloves are a necessity. Plus, they're SO cute. 

wear - If you're anything like me, I am in a constant battle with style and comfort... And let's be honest, comfort always wins. Enter athleisure. Trendy. Comfy. Sold. These SPANX Leather Moto Leggings are calling my name. And since I am totally obsessed with all things Zella, this Twisty Turn Tee is the perfect way to round out the outfit. For fellas, I am loving these Aero Classic Fleece Joggers paired with this Soft Wash Color Block Tee. Also, I hate to admit it, but I've totally fallen victim to the dad hat, so I am going to have to add this Nike Phillip Cap II to the list. #sorrynotsorry

read - Zach got me The Woman in Cabin Ten by Ruth Ware for my birthday this year and I truly couldn't put it down. I have already picked up another copy to give to my step dad for Christmas this year. Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat by Chrissy Teigen also makes a great gift! I have taste tested several of the recipes (made by chef Zach) and I can report that no plate went unlicked. Everything he has made from it has been so delicious and the antidotes she adds through the cook book always have me laughing out loud.

EXTRA LARGES

  

want - Parents are always the trickiest for me to shop for. They never want you to spend too much on them, but it is so nice to be able to thank them for all the awesome things they've done for you with a thoughtful gift. In the past I have done a Wine of the Month Club for my mom and a Beer of the Month Club for my step dad. They both loved them, and it was a nice reminder each time they got a shipment of just how much we care for them. Plus, if you're lucky, they share! If you're looking for something a little more tangible, I brought a Himalayan Salt Lamp to a gift exchange which was a huge hit. I love the look of them, and they have all kinds of healing and calming properties.

need - A few years ago, I bought my dad a set of these Grill Mats, and he STILL raves about them. He throws them on the barbecue with his favorite meat, and it always comes out perfectly. They keep the meat tender and juicy, but make for an easy clean up without sacrificing your grill marks. These mats will definitely continue to be a go-to gift for me. I also love the idea of giving the 'rents a nice new wallet. It is definitely a necessity but may not be something they would by themselves. A few years ago I noticed my mom was still rocking a beat-up old wallet she'd had for as long as I could remember, so it was high time for an upgrade. We got her a Hobo wallet similar to the Suzette Calfskin Leather Wallet. I love Hobo wallets because they're absolutely beautiful and have plenty of room for all your wallet accessories. Plus, they have super cute purses to match if you're feeling really generous. For good old dad, I love this Coach Rip and Repair 3-In-1 Wallet. It is fairly simple with a hint of style that doesn't sacrifice its masculinity. 

wear - A nice pair of slippers is always a welcomed gift you may not necessarily buy yourself. I'm the first to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Uggs, but man do they know how to do slippers. I am loving these Dakota Sunshine Slipper and these ‘Scuff Romeo II’ Slipper.

read - I am absolutely obsessed with A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories by Renee Erickson. Renee Erickson co-owns a series of adorable nautical themed restaurants which are sprinkled throughout Seattle. They are truly some of my favorite spots in the city, so I love that she put out this adorable cookbook filled with recipes and stories from her restaurants. I gave this to my step mom last year for Christmas and it made a beautiful addition to her collection. For any avid readers you're shopping for, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is another great gift. We gave it to my grandma last year for Christmas and she loved it so much she insisted I read it after her. Everybody won on that gift! 

Phew! That was quite a list. Hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy Shopping!