This year I decided to do something a little bit different with gift guides. Instead of my food and drink themed guide (see last year), I pivoted to share a series of favorite things lists. I have to admit, these were so fun to put together!
I realized that I just do not have an unlimited list of kitchen tools and gadgets to share about each holiday season because my favorite and most-used items are the same now as they were five years ago 😂
I don’t always buy the latest thing. When it comes to kitchen tools, I do a lot of research on big-ticket items and then take really good care of everything. My knife, cutting board, baking pans, a few trusty skillets and a Dutch oven are all that I truly need day-to-day. Oh, and this wooden spoon – I use that every day.
Anyways, I hope the ideas below will be helpful as you shop this year. These are things that are personally tested and loved in our house! And as always, thanks for reading, sharing, clicking, and supporting.
- Madein stainless clad sauté pan – this pan has quickly become a favorite item in my kitchen. It gives a perfect sear, has deep sides for sauces, a lid and is oven-safe. So good!
- Mootsch disposable camera + full experience – give the gift of vintage style photos (and less phone time) with this old-school disposable camera. The “full experience” includes 10 free prints from your camera.
- Quince linen table runner – Quince continues to impress me with their prices and quality. I have this runner and it adds so much character to my dining room. The classic gingham pattern works with almost any style.
- Sela designs – I’m gifting several people jewelry from this nonprofit this year. The pieces are thoughtful and unique, and 100% of the profits are used to fight human trafficking.
- Manicurist Active Glow Kit – this nail polish was such a happy find for me this year. It gives your nails a healthy looking glow while also nourishing them. This kit includes a few different shades, plus a serum, files and buffers.
- Emily Lex Studio watercolor book – perfect way to relax and unwind for the creatives in your life. I’ve gifted the watercolor book (there are several to choose from based on interest) and I also love her watercolor note cards, which feel elevated from the Target cards I usually buy.
- Yeti 8 ounce stackable – I bought this mini cup at the Yeti store in Austin earlier this year and have used it every single day since, not exaggerating! It looks like the newest version is ceramic-lined too, which I know is important for some people. Perfect size for “just one more cup” of coffee on the way out the door. Many people ask me about it haha.
- Adidas sneakers – I have these sneakers in brown and they might actually be my favorite clothing item. So comfortable and versatile. I don’t have the maroon color I linked but they look so fun, and festive.
- Artifact Uprising Calendar – I gifted this to my husband years ago and now I buy him a new set of photos to refill it every Christmas, which is one of my favorite traditions. It’s really classy and looks great on his desk at work.
- Waffle bath towel – I have two of these and just ordered one more. They aren’t thick, spa-like towels. They are super absorbent and quick-drying and easy to wrap.
- Biossance lip protector – oh do I love this! Luxurious and hydrating. I bought it in May, use it often and there is still plenty left. I have it in H2Glow (clear) but it also comes in a few shades. Maybe for a favorite things party?
- She Reads Truth – this bible has vignettes, beautiful hand-lettered verses, maps and other study materials throughout. It just makes reading even more engaging, and I love it.
- Magnatiles Builder Set – magnetic tiles have been a favorite in our house for years and I can confidently say they get played with every day of the week. This builder set really gets the creative juices flowing.
- TinkerTar – my oldest loves musical instruments and this one-string guitar has been well-loved. It comes with a music book and kids can learn to play actual melodies which keeps their interest. And YouTube has some tutorial videos of popular songs. There are other designs to choose from if you don’t love the pizza.
- Card games – a great first set of games you can play with kids as young as 4. All of the classics with engaging and silly pictures. These are great for travel too.
- Melissa and Doug costumes are another daily use item for us. This firefighter one specifically has gotten so much wear, including at Halloween.
- Hanna Andersson PJs are cute, classy and live up to the hype in terms of quality. They have a few sales each year so I wait to buy until they are deeply discounted and size up for multiple years of wear.
- Warmies are extra comforting because as the name suggests, they can be heated up in the microwave. This “golden dog” is my 2 year old’s lovey that goes everywhere with us. Adorable and a little more special than your standard stuffed animal.
- Cars and Trucks and Things that Go is a great book choice if you like to go that route. Every page has unlimited things to look at and discuss, and we have fun finding the hidden little Goldbug in each of the busy pictures. It’s really fun.
- LL Bean Tote – my mom buys her grandchildren these totes with their name embroidered and it’s not only functional, but very well-used. The boys load them up with all of their trinkets constantly. It’s also nice to pack these for an overnight, because it’s obvious which one belongs to each boy and helps keep us organized.
- USA puzzle – we love puzzles and this one is also educational because you can have a conversation about the states after you finish it. We talk about who in our family lives where, what stands out about each state, etc.
- Bombas socks are almost always under our Christmas tree. They come out with the absolute best limited edition colors and patterns, and are DURABLE. So much so that we hand them down from my oldest to youngest and they are still in great shape.
- Spark Magazine subscription – this activity book is such a highlight for my 5-year old to receive in the mail every month. A gift subscription (3, 6, 12 or even 36 months) would be the epitome of a gift that keeps giving well beyond the holidays.
- TurtleBox Ranger is not your average portable speaker. It’s durable and waterproof, has a great sound and even has a magnet so you can stick it all over the place. We use this outside on our deck and love it. I think it would be perfect for the guy who loves camping and outdoor adventures.
- Caldera + Lab is a splurgy, giftable skincare brand for men and this moisturizer and face mask are two favorites and best-sellers.
- The 5 Types of Wealth is a popular book that presents wealth beyond just the monetary type.
- Switchwood watch. This brand is local to Colorado, and the all-black is so sleek and classy.
- Still Austin. If you know Jacob, you know he loves finding and tasting new bourbons. I asked him which one would be a good host gift – special without being over the top – and he immediately said this one.
- Yeti bucket, yes that’s right… a fancy 5 gallon bucket! I have to admit, even I was impressed by this. You can add extras like a lid and a utility gear belt. Or my favorite, you could fill it with unique snacks.
- The Normal Brand flannel (or really anything from The Normal Brand, one of his favorite places to shop). The quality is good and as the name suggests, it’s nothing overly trendy. Just nice looking classic pieces. He wore this in our family photos this year.
- A very functional phone case. We upgraded our phones recently and each bought one of these cases. They are minimal (not bulky at all) and have both a loop and a kickstand on the back. This is not flashy but it sure is practical!
- Stance socks have been a favorite for awhile and now they’re even at Target in this 3-pack.
- Meat Church spices get used a lot in our house. Whenever there’s a big project on the Traeger, some version of these spices has probably been used. J is a big fan of the Meat Church brand in general so you really can’t go wrong there for anyone who enjoys using the smoker on the weekend.
Happy shopping!
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