Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2017

I’d be totally cool with just buying presents for people and not having a single gift under the Christmas tree for myself.  True story.  I LOVE shopping for gifts for people!

As soon as Halloween is over, I’m a girl on a mission to search for presents for our friends and family that they will like and will actually use.   (Because my kicker is I want them to hold onto it for years to come.)

So I’ve joined in with a few of my blogger besties for our Ultimate Holiday Gift Guides, and I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorite gift ideas for him, her, teachers, hostesses, quirky white elephant parties, and vintage toys for preschoolers & toddlers.  I’ve done my homework to make sure they’re all highly rated and are crowd pleasers so that you don’t have to spend weeks working on your Christmas shopping list.

(Affiliate links are provided below.  Some sponsored products were provided to me, but I only share items I think will make great gifts.)

For Her:

1. Faux Fur Throw Blanket–  This blanket is so thick and luscious and feels like curling up with a cloud, definitely the softest blanket I’ve ever felt.  I love how the twisted pattern adds texture and looks a lot like an arm knit blanket.  I’ll probably just wrap up in it like a cocoon until the cold winter weather disappears. So… see ya in April, y’all.

2. Essential Oil Diffuser Candle–  With cold/flu season upon us, we diffuse essential oils constantly this time of year.  This one looks like a real flickering candle with a beautiful glow.

3. Ninja Coffee Bar– The mack-daddy of coffee makers! It makes hot and cold brew coffee and has a built-in frother with lots of options to make coffee house style drinks. Mmmmm yassss!

4. Rifle Paper Co. 17 Month Planner–  I have a hard time finding a planner I like, but this one is the most beautiful and well-laid out one I’ve found yet.  For all of us list-makers and old school pen jotters.

5. Sure Fit Boots–  If you have large calves and have a hard time finding tall boots that fit, these are winners!  The lace-up corset detail on the back of the shanks are so cute, but they’re also functional for adjusting the width so legs of all sizes will fit into them. My calves are always too big for tall boots, but these work!  The leather is buttery soft, and they’re easily the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned.

6.  Comparison Trap–  In this social media driven world, it’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap these days, and this devotional really hit home for me.  It’s a must-read for women, seriously.

7. Pointelle Slipper Socks– These slippers have super soft faux fur on the inside and handknit pointelle on the outside with non-slip grip on the bottom.  Ultimate coziness. Side of crackling fireplace optional but recommended.

8. Charcoal Mud Mask–  Charcoal masks went nuts on social media this year, but apparently not all of them are great.  THIS one is the best one out there though and really does deliver everything it promises for removing impurities and toning skin.

9. Gray and Gold Jewelry Stand– I can’t stand hurriedly digging through a ginormous jewelry box with tangled chains and earrings to pick out what to wear with an outfit, so I love that I can lay out my jewelry on display for the next day just like I do my clothes.  It’s simple and elegant and less than $20!

 

For Him:

1. Suitcase Turntable with Bluetooth & USB– Record players have made a HUGE comeback! The sound quality can’t be beat. I love how compact and dapper this one looks, and it can convert vinyl records to MP3 recordings!

2. Decanter Set– If you have a guy on your list who is a whiskey drinker, this one is so handsome to keep handy on a bar cart or to put out for entertaining.  (Similar one linked because this particular one sold out. Womp womp…)

3. Retro Flip Down Clock–  This clock is just too cool for school and adds a masculine touch on a desk if your guy works in an office setting.

4. Nintendo Entertainment System–  This gaming console is a throwback that would be so fun for a guy’s inner 80s kid.  It comes preloaded with 30 classic games like Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, PAC-MAN, etc. (Nerd alert: I kind of want it for myself.)

5. Canvas Weekender Duffle Bag– If your man is a carry-on traveler, this bag is a beauty.  It comes in other colors too.

6. Fujifilm Instax Mini– This camera captures a totally different style and mood of photography than a DSLR or cell phone can.  Its vintage look is just an added bonus.

7. Leather Keychain and Headphone Wrap– If the dude in your life constantly loses his earbuds, this keychain solves the issue in a stylish way.

8. Two Tone Low Fashion Sneaker–  Can we say these shoes are super fly?  Because that’s what they are in my book. I feel like Ryan Gosling would wear these bad boys.

 

 

Vintage Style Toys for Preschoolers

I loooove the lasting quality of vintage style toys because they don’t have a million plastic pieces that break immediately, they’re great for handing down, and there is just something special about them.  The longer I’m a mom, the more I realize these are the toys that make it in the long run and don’t end up in the donation or trash pile.

1. Melissa and Doug Band in a Box– We’ve had this set for two years now and it’s still going strong! So great for creative exploration. It comes in a cute reusable wooden box too.

2. Magnolia Wooden Dollhouse with Furniture–  If Joanna Gaines designs a wooden dollhouse, by golly you buy the thing! And maybe let your five year-old play with it. Soooo sweet for lots of pretend play.

3. Art Easel–  Having one of these is just a rite of passage, right? Throw in a painting apron and Junior is the next Bob Ross.

4. Letters To Me, When I Grow Up– This one will make you a little misty eyed… or it did to me. It’s a book with prompts so kids can share stories, draw, reflect, imagine about their future, and years later, they can read it when they’ve grown up.  It’s more for elementary age, but I just HAD to include it because ohhhh the sweetness!

5. Fire Engine Speedster– Because every family needs a hero, right?

6. Slice and Bake Wooden Cookie Play Set–  The cutest play food set for a mini Betty Crocker.

7. Pet Ride On Unicorn–  Legit question: Where were these when we were kids and can we convince someone out there to make an adult size?

8. Giant Teepee Play House– There are a lot of play teepees out there, but this one is the cheapest, largest, and most highly rated I could find. And since it’s all white, you could even make an art project out of it with paint and markers or iron-on patches with your little ones.

9. Magnolia Wooden Tool Bench Set– In case you have a mini Chip Gaines running around at your house and every day is #demoday.

 

For the Hostess

1. Home Fragrance Diffuser– I love how glamorous yet inconspicuous this diffuser is.  We keep it on our foyer chest right near our front door so our house is smelling freshy fresh when guests walk in.  The fragrance that comes with it is my new fave.  Sooooo luxurious.

2. Magnolia Wreath–  A classic wreath that looks beautiful year-round. And it’s less than $30! (Throw in a coupon and it’s even less.)

3. Black Cast Iron Teapot– I thought I knew tea until I had it out of a cast iron teapot.  So warming and comforting during the cold, frigid months.

4. Buffalo Check Casserole Tote– This one is perfect for all of the holiday potluck gatherings.  It keeps hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold and it’s prettyyyyyy!

5. Rustic Metal Oval Tray–  I love how versatile this tray is.  Display it as a dining table centerpiece, keep it on the coffee table for corralling books and remotes, use it as servingware for entertaining, etc. Trays rock.  And this one’s only $8 right now!

 

For the Teacher

I was a high school English teacher for 5 years, and I can honestly say THESE are the gifts teachers really want.  Well, besides Amazon and Starbucks gift cards because you can never have enough of those in a school year.  Really though, even just a nice note with a message saying how much we’re appreciated is what we need most.

1. Witty Coffee Mugs– I used to get so many of these, but they were always so much fun! Maybe I just had a mug addiction, but the funny ones are sometimes the perks we need when we’re having a rough morning.  You can do no wrong with Shakespeare because he does put the “lit in literature”.

2. Great Things Notepad–  Pretty notepads and dope stationery and colorful gel pens are what life is all about when you’re grading papers 24/7.  This notepad has the perfect reminder, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” -Van Gogh  Sigh…

3. Stress Relief Wallflower– Candles are nice, but you can’t burn them in the classroom.  So this eucalyptus and spearmint wallflower will relieve stress where it’s needed most.  Don’t forget to include a plug-in.

4. Como Bath Co. Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera–  Teachers use antibacterial gel all throughout the school day, but it usually causes terrible dry, cracked hands in the winter months. This one is like a little spa escape to kill germs but keeps hands moisturized.

5. Double Insulated Vacuum Water Bottle– Since teachers have to talk all day long, keeping a water bottle nearby is a must.  This one keeps drinks cold for 24 hours.

6. Chocolate Peppermint Coffee–  Because it takes a whooooole lot of caffeine to make it through a wild class and a stack of essay grading sometimes.

7. Pre-Lit Marquee Sign– This is so cute for putting on a bookshelf or in a nook in a classroom for a little personality.  Teachers can change up the messages on it to students too, if they want. It’s a youthful, quirky touch to put anywhere since it’s battery operated.

8. Cable Knit Infinity Scarf–  You can never go wrong with a comfy scarf (unless you live in Florida, I guess), and this one is super soft without being itchy.

Quirky White Elephant / Stocking Stuffer Gifts

These are straight up weird.  But good weird.  The kind people will most likely fight over in a gift exchange because they’re way too hilarious.  And they’re all less than $20.

1. Yellow Submarine Tea Infuser– Beatles song lyrics optional. (Darn, now it’s stuck in my head.)

2. Awkward Family Photos Game– You know we all can relate. This one is just too good.

3. Build-On Brick Coffee Mug–  Lego my… uh… coffee.

4. Fake Belly Fanny Pack–  See? Dad bods and fanny packs are cool.  And hey, you’ll always be able to find your disposable camera while on vacation.

5. Floppy Disk Coaster Set–  And you thought these were obsolete.

6. Elf Earbuds– I’m sorry, what? I can’t hear you.

7. Beanie Cap Bottle Stoppers–  Because wine bottles matter too, you know.

8. Glue Bottle Body Wash–  Not gonna lie… I’m kind of terrified to use this.  What if it’s a prank of a prank?  I mean…

9. Dog Shaming Calendar–  Nothing says “Christmas” like Fido’s confessions, right?

 

If you want lots more gifting ideas, you can hop over and check out all of my other blogger friends’ guides here too:

So Much Better With Age | Rain on a Tin Roof | Two Twenty One

Bless’er House | The Turquoise Home | House by Hoff

Maison de Pax | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Nina Hendrick

Have you seen any great gift ideas floating around this year?  Or have an item specifically on your list that you’re hoping you’ll get?  I don’t even have a clue what to tell Robert that I want.  Socks.  Socks are cool with me and that’s about it.

 

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