I can’t believe the holidays are already here!
My holiday decorations will not go up until after Thanksgiving, but I like to get a head start on shopping because it feels so nice to get it done and out of the way so I don’t have to stress.
I mentioned it quite a bit in last year’s gift guide, but experience gifts are my favorite. They’re an eco-friendly gift-giving solution, and often times, are a great way to share time with someone you love.
Otherwise, I’m all about being sustainable. I love shopping local via independent stores and boutiques if I can.
But, with that said, sometimes the ideal gift for someone comes from Amazon or Target, and that’s perfectly OK.
A few of my favorite easily-accessible online stores are Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Uncommon Goods and World Market.
・・・
STOCKING STUFFERS / GIFTS FOR HOSTS / WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS/ TRINKETS FOR FRIENDS / GENERAL GIFT IDEAS
Wine is always my go-to gift for friends who are hosting, or family members. Local wines are always a great gift! Oak Creek Vineyards is great if you’re an Arizona resident, and both St. Julian and Brys Estate are great for my Michigander friends.
I also love small plants in plant potters. Check out your local nursery or plant store (or propagate your own cuttings) and gift a small house plant in a cute pot. I love this leaf-printed ceramic pot ($20) and these earthy striped planters with saucers ($39 for three). If your gift recipient struggles to keep plants alive, these “everlasting” stained glass succulents ($13-$62) are adorable.
Candles are also a fantastic gift. We gifted Homesick candles (price varies, roughly $38) to Ryan’s parents last year, and this pine tree-etched balsam and cedarwood candle ($26-$68) is pricey but beautiful. These minimally-designed Target candles ($15) are a mainstay in my and Ryan’s home, and these glittery disco tin candles ($31) are super unique.
I also love gifting coffee mugs and other drink ware. This spreadsheet shortcut mug ($12) is perfect for office-dwellers, this National Parks color map mug ($25) is great for outdoors lovers and these art deco glasses ($7-$15) are adorable.
Books and stationery are also great gifts. You can never go wrong with a New York Times bestseller if you know what genre your recipient is into, and coffee table books are a classic. A few I’ve been eyeing: “Lodge: Indoorsy National Park Coffee Table Book” ($40), “Let’s Get Lost: the world’s most stunning remote locations” ($20) and “1000 Record Covers” ($21).
This pocket notebook ($12) is a cute gift for anyone, these floppy-disk-inspired notebooks ($20 for a set of three) are upcycled from real floppy discs and this question-prompt journal ($18) is really creative.
Blankets are popular. This Pendleton blanket is pricey ($189) but well-constructed and classic, and this striped knit throw blanket ($100) looks cozy. This buffalo plaid sherpa blanket ($23) is a little more affordable, as is this neutral-hued acrylic throw ($40) and this neutral-hued polyester throw ($39).
I also love food gifts. These holiday cocktail bombs ($30) and this frozen wine slushie mix ($16) would be great for cocktail lovers. Williams-Sonoma peppermint bark (starting at $30) is a tradition in my family, and these cute holiday-shaped marshmallows ($16) are great for hot chocolate lovers. (These toasted coconut marshmallows ($6) and chocolate chip marshmallows ($6) are a great inexpensive option as well.)
If you’re a pajamas-for-the-holidays kind of family, I love these scotch plaid flannel pajamas – women’s or men’s – ($80) or these equally-cozy non-flannel pajamas – women’s or men’s – ($50-$80) if you’re looking for something a little lighter weight.
Other cute gifts: This bookmark, this set of bath bombs that won’t stain your tub or clog your drain ($10), this mini-hand cream set ($26), this fully-functioning retro Tetris keychain ($15), these patterned BAGGU reusable grocery bags ($14) pack down small and come in a mini version as well ($12) and this personalized family recipe cutting board ($100) is a thoughtful gift for home chefs.
GIFTS FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS
Outdoor gifts are tricky because gearheads are a little picky. You can never go wrong with a gift card to an outdoors store (REI and Backcountry are two popular chain picks, otherwise find a local outdoor store).
If your outdoorsy friend uses subscriptions, see if you can pick up the tab for their AllTrails+, Avenza Maps Pro or Garmin InReach subscription.
But, if you absolutely must give a physical gift, I recommend a summer-ready Patagonia Capilene Cool shirt ($50)(the men’s are my favorite regardless of recipient gender) or a winter-friendly Smartwool merino wool thermal base layer (men’s or women’s)($55-$115).
Other good picks are some trail snacks or backpacking food. Your outdoor supply store probably has a massive collection, but some ideas are Farm to Summit, instant coffee (something high-end, like Alpine Start or Verve), Bobo’s bars or organic dried fruit.
A few more ideas for outdoorsy folks: A good blanket (like the Pendleton blanket linked above, or this puffy Rumpl blanket ($95 and up)), this indoors s’mores fire pit kit ($155) (or this portable campfire ($30) for a similar and slightly-less expensive version) and this National Parks bucket list water bottle ($58).
EXPERIENCE (NON-TANGIBLE) GIFTS
I essentially copied this whole section over from last year’s gift guide because it’s all still so very relevant.
Consumables: I listed candles and some edible gifts above, but a few more options: A milk tea latte gift set ($27-$44), bourbon-infused coffee ($22) and this National Park tea sampler ($33).
Gift cards: TopGolf, local classes and lessons (cocktail crafting, languages, pottery, art, cooking, baking, calligraphy, musical instruments, endless options!), a National Parks pass, local restaurants, and health and wellness services (massages, spas, nail salons, hair salons, those fancy sensory deprivation tanks, etc.).
Memberships: Your local museum, a grocery co-op, a local wine club, fitness studios or class packages (As an instructor at YogaSix I’m obviously biased, but I love Xponential Fitness due to the sheer variety of fitness studios available), MasterClass or other virtual online classes.
Date night/ girls day ideas: Local wine tasting, a local cooking class, a vehicular adventure (local train rides, helicopter tours, hot air balloon excursions, Jeep tours, etc.), event tickets (concerts, shows, festivals or sporting events), museum admission, ski resort passes, movie theater gift cards.
Random: Cameo messages, consumable one-time gifts or subscriptions (think: monthly deliveries like cheese, local co-op baskets, coffee, wine, beer, liquor and cocktail kits, skincare and wellness products, homemade baked goods, etc.), and DIY kits (like this sourdough starter kit ($27), this whisky-making kit ($60) or this hot sauce making kit ($58) are all great ideas.
GIFT GUIDES
Alright. If you hated every single thing I suggested: Here you go! A list of gift guides that might not suck: Wirecutter, sustainable gifts, Consumable gifts, coffee table books, for men/boyfriends/husbands (via GQ), host and hostess gifts, and for women/girlfriends/wives (via Vogue).
・・・
Happy holidays!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.
