Looking for tried and true gift ideas? Friends, I *know* there are a plethora of highly curated and comprehensive gift guides out there. This isn’t that. 😁 I wanted to share just a handful of my favorite (albeit random) things from the year. I either use and love them regularly, or they’re at the top of my own personal wishlist. My project manager Alex chipped in with some of her faves, too.
It’s by no means a complete list, but may stoke some ideas as you’re thinking of gifts for your loved ones or for your own wishlist.
Some are super inexpensive, others are more of a splurge. Some are highly functional, while others are purely fun.
Many of the links are affiliates, meaning if you purchase, a few cents will get directed to me (at no additional cost to you).
Enjoy!
[If you’re looking for more ideas, check out the May edition of Favorite Things.]
| 1: clutch crossbody | 2: yearly bracelets | 3: enewton bracelets | 4: cast iron skillet and dish towel | 5: recipe subscription | 6: gel mani system | 7: engraved Mahjong Tiles | 8: logic puzzle | 9: special donut mix | 10: large vase | 11: battery sconce | 12: acrylic paint markers | 13: perfect dress | 14: favorite pens |15: birks | 16: baggie racks | 17: windshield wand | 18: wireless charger | 19: nugget ice maker | 20: home safe | 21: charging station | 22: kindle paperwhite
Why they’re favorites
| 1: clutch crossbody I preordered this gorgeous little purse for myself and am counting the days until it arrives. It meets all of my criteria: easy access, big enough for my essentials, super cute, and bonus: it’s thoughtfully and ethically made
| 2: yearly bracelets For years now I’ve been collecting these bracelets to celebrate big milestones in my life. They are one of my most treasured possessions, even more so following the theft of most of my other jewelry. Thank goodness I literally never take them off. They’re a splurge. And they’re worth it.
| 3: enewton bracelets Alex’s thirteen-year old and her friends love to collect these bracelets – there are two main price points (one for the colorful beaded bracelets – great gift for friends and then one that’s a little higher in price – makes it a special gift for the teen in your life. Also on Alex’s personal wishlist: simple necklace and cross necklace She loves that these jewelry pieces are reasonably priced but also versatile enough that she can swim and sweat in them without fear of tarnishing.
| 4: cast iron skillet and dish towel I reach for my 12” cast iron skillet 95% of the time I’m cooking. It’s such a workhorse, and I love it’s simplicity. Ours is a regular ole Lodge brand like this. The dish towel makes me chuckle…a prudent reminder, and paired with the skillet, a fantastic gift set!
| 5: recipe subscription A friend recently told me about this recipe subscription, and I am so charmed by it! What a perfect gift for the home cook in your life! Each month they’ll receive a detailed replica of real handwritten recipes from renowned names like George Washington, Emily Dickinson, and Rosa Parks.
| 6: gel mani system Doing my nails has become a self care routine I truly look forward to. I turn on a favorite show and pour myself a drink, and the results bring me joy for days (hopefully weeks) to come. Olive and June just came out with a gel system that I’ve heard works so well and does indeed last weeks. It’s at the top of my list this year! This link will give you 20% off any purchase.
| 7: engraved Mahjong Tiles Alex just took a Mahjong lesson and discovered all these gorgeous tiles and accessories. Since she’s a beginner, she decided not to completely spurge on the fabulous engraved tiles and discovered this stamped line – they are aesthetically pleasing but at a lower price point. If you’re local to Raleigh and looking to learn, check out @raleighmaj. They offer lessons and open play.
| 8: logic puzzle A friend has this game, and we couldn’t put it down on a recent visit. I love that it’s cute enough to leave out all of the time, and it really gets you thinking!
| 9: special donut mix I shared this baking mix earlier in the year, and it’s worth a reshare. Such an easy way to really elevate pancakes…perfect for a lazy holiday morning.
| 10: large vase This vase looks so much more lux than it is. Just right for an oversized floppy bouquet of greenery snipped from the yard.
| 11: battery sconces Alex shared that she’s been struggling with how to style her mantel for years… She purchased these after seeing them on a home tour. “They flank our Frame TV and visually allowed me to just take everything off the mantel. These filled in the space perfectly and now the area feels uncluttered and sleek.” I love a simple solution!
| 12: acrylic paint markers I picked these up to do a shell craft this summer, and was so pleasantly surprised with how well they worked and how inexpensive they are. If you love crafting, they would be a great stocking stuffer (not ideal for little kiddos, as it’s permanent paint).
| 13: perfect dress Alex loved the vermillion one so much, she purchased the navy one too. Such a versatile piece!
| 14: favorite pens I love a great pen, and these are my faves! Gel ink, super fine point. Somehow my handwriting is prettier when I use these. I’ll be dropping a pack into my own stocking this year.
|15: birks After hemming and hawing over purchasing these shoes, I finally bit the bullet, and they have legitimately been my favorite purchase this year. I’m still wearing them into the cooler months with jeans and sweaters. The big glossy buckle elevates the classic style so much, and darn if they are not the most comfortable shoes I own.
| 16: baggie racks Alex loves these racks for meal prep. A friend of her gifted them to the whole book club. Fantastic as a stocking stuffer or gift for a group of friends.
| 17: windshield wand Somehow it seems the interior of my windshield always gets hazy, and in the winter months it can be so hard to see when the sun streams in at a low angle. I keep this little wand in my car door and haven’t had an issue since.
| 18: wireless charger I had a white version of this all-in-one charger, and left it in a hotel room charging. This bright version is much easier to see and not forget about. I love how it displays the battery charge %, too. Great stocking stuffer for teens!
| 19: nugget ice maker Alex received this gift for her birthday (it’s definitely a spurge item!) and says it lives up to the hype. Her whole family enjoys the “special ice” and it’s a nice treat for guests too! I’m totally jealous!
| 20: home safe After the break-in earlier this year, we reevaluated our home security and one thing we added was a safe. This one is big enough to hold your most valued jewelry and cherished trinkets. You can easily bolt it into a cabinet or closet. Knowing I have a place to stash things safely when we leave town is priceless. [It’s not fireproof (many are). We use one of these folios for important documents.]
| 21: charging station These fit in the cubbies in our mud room, so each daughter has a dedicated spot to charge devices. They keep the devices out of their rooms in the evening, and charge multiple things at once, without a bunch of long cords flopping around. Not the pretty, but super functional.
| 22: kindle paperwhite I’ve been making a concerted effort to read more for the past year or so, and have truly rediscovered a love for good books. I’ve read 29 books so far this year, most of which were checked out free via the Libby app, and read on my Kindle. I love that I can read at night without a light on, and it’s so simple to travel with.