Hellooo busy elves, I know we are almost 10 days into December, and I see you peering anxiously this way, wondering if a holiday gift guide is coming. You are all so kind and polite, but I hear your tiptoe footsteps and your ever-so-gentle taps on the window.
I know December is always a sprint, so without further delay, here are this year’s ideas. I hope they help cross items off your long lists and bring a bit of delight to this holiday season.
Longtime readers know I’ve been obsessed with Magna-Tiles since discovering these colorful magnetic building shapes back in 2011. Popularity always draws imitators, and now there are Picasso Tiles, an excellent knockoff for a fraction of the cost of the originals. A set of 100 Magna-Tiles will set you back $120, but Picasso Tiles offers a 100-tile set for just $31 at Amazon, or a 60-tile set for $20.
I got my kids AirTags last Christmas to keep track of backpacks and/or luggage, but the trackers are tiny and slippery to have loose. I’m loving these faux-leather keychains that can hold an AirTag or Tile tracker. They can hook to a bag, or even to a favorite water bottle. The fruit shapes are my favorite ($9 at Amazon) but they also have animal and flower designs.
No one needs a wall clock in the digital age, but retro is back and this whimsical wall clock ($23 at Amazon) serves as functional nostalgia as well as providing lighthearted hilarity. Old-school Monty Python fans will particularly appreciate the reference to a favorite skit as the buttoned-up businessman stretches his legs in all directions throughout the day.
Carabiner keychains ($11 at Amazon in Carhartt’s Rain Defender weatherproof nylon or leather) are particularly handy for kids with backpacks or dads with belt loops. Carhartt, a family-owned workwear company that dates back to 1889, is having a fashion moment with its durable, low-fuss designs.
Count me in on the Carhartt bandwagon, I’m a sucker for high-value form plus function. I also love a good beanie in the winter, and these ($20 at Amazon) get great reviews for durability and style. I like how they are tall enough to slouch, which I find to be more flattering on my head than a form-fitting beanie.
These soft twill ball caps ($20 at Amazon) get high marks for fabric, comfort and fit, and they come in a bunch of great colors. But there are some complaints on Amazon of people receiving hats that seem like returns in less-than-pristine condition. So I would recommend ordering early and checking quality for gift giving. The convenience of online shopping has its drawbacks.
Carhartt Weatherproof Hip Pack
This weatherproof bag ($32 at Amazon), which can be worn around the waist or as a crossbody, is popular with hikers, bikers and outdoor workers who are looking for high durability and convenience. It’s sturdy, well sized and comes in a number of colors.
I really like this book by clinical psychologist Meg Jay ($12 at Amazon) for 20-somethings. Parents sometimes think nostalgically about the freedom of the 20s, but the flip side of wide-open spaces is the anxiety of feeling untethered. Jay encourages young adults to think proactively about what is important to them so that they don’t incrementally end up somewhere they didn’t mean to go. It’s common sense advice and empathetic encouragement to start with tiny steps in a positive direction. (Jay also has a 2013 TEDTalk that followed the publication of the book.)
This compact cell phone stand ($9 at Amazon) is a very handy accessory for Zoom workers, remote-learning students and grandparents. It folds down for travel and storage, but it has a nice weight that will hold a phone or iPad securely for easy viewing.
There’s a whole generation’s worth of 35mm negatives and slides sitting in attics and basements. It can be expensive to digitize them all, but it’s also important not to lose those family memories. This USB-powered viewer ($28 at Amazon) makes it possible to look at those old images and see which ones are worth keeping. I’m also envisioning a fun activity at Christmas for the younger generation to see the good old days (and laugh at the 1970s hair and clothes).
Ever since I got an artificial Christmas tree a few years ago, I’m forever hunting for pine-scented candles. I’ve been less than pleased until this year’s balsam fir candle from Quince ($24, or $20 if you buy two or more), which has as good a Christmas tree scent as I have found so far.
Another holiday winner, the spiced noel candle from Quince ($24, or $20 if you buy two or more) is also pine-scented but has the addition of festive spices and citrus. I’m not into perfume-y scents in the house, but this one has a lovely realistic mix of Christmas tree and mulled cider.
This English rose scented candle from Quince ($24, or $20 each if you buy two or more) won me over with its amazing true rose scent. Even my mom, an avid gardener, agrees that it smells just like fresh roses.
Faux Flowers
I never buy cut flowers – probably some combination of being too practical, too frugal and not girly. Also the dying nature of cut flowers is always kind of sad to me. But fake flowers have gotten so good in recent years, I decided this year to give them a try. And I actually love the white peonies I purchased from Nearly Naturals ($88; currently 25% off with code GIFT). I was cracking myself up all year, because people were always convinced that the flowers were real, I think partly influenced by the Quince rose candle I had strategically placed near the flowers.
For those who love a pop of color, these pink hydrangeas by Nearly Naturals are a great deal at Costco ($30 after current $10 off promotion).
I think part of the reason I never bought candles before is that they seem to burn down quickly, and good ones are quite expensive. This year I discovered the existence of candle warming lamps ($23 at Amazon), which heat the wax with a warm bulb from above. They are perfect for getting full use of candles whose wicks are too low to burn but still have plenty of wax left. They are also great for allowing candle usage in rooms where you’d rather not have an open flame (eg bedrooms for kids or elderly). The little candle lamp gives a sweet warming glow that is especially nice during these days of short daylight.
Just keep in mind that the lamp will melt the wax pretty evenly, which may mess up your wick. So it’s better to save the lamp for candles whose wicks are already used up from burning, or you can of course just dedicate a candle for sole use with the lamp.
For a traveling girl, this mini travel razor ($10 at Amazon) is a cute way to save a little space. I’m paranoid about lost luggage, so I only travel with a carry-on, and anything that improves my packing efficiency is a win.
Another great travel companion is this sleep mask which has soft foam padding around the eyes ($15 at Amazon). Very comfortable and reduces pressure on the face (and sleep lines). Also great for light-sensitive sleepers with bright-morning bedrooms.
Clamshell suitcases are all the rage these days, but not everyone likes having two shallow compartments for packing instead of one deep one. My husband finally approved of this TravelPro 21″ carry-on ($145 at Amazon), which has spinner wheels, a single packing compartment and, unlike the clamshell suitcases, an outer pocket for easy access and/or last-minute packing additions. TravelPro is a longtime manufacturer of luggage for flight crews and is well rated by frequent travelers.
Terracotta brown sugar softener
I don’t bake as much as I used to, and sometimes my brown sugar dries out into a rock. This year I tried out these little clay discs to keep the brown sugar soft ($8 at Amazon). You soak them in water and keep them in the brown sugar container, where they release enough moisture to keep the sugar from hardening. Every couple of months you need to give them a soak to refresh, but it’s a small price to pay for not having to buy a new bag of brown sugar every time you need it. A good stocking stuffer for your favorite baker.
Is it a sign of age that I no longer drink caffeine in the evenings? I’ve been drinking peppermint tea for ages, but this exceptionally delicious one by Rishi ($12 for 4 ounce bag at Amazon) is noticeably better than the rest. I bought a box of 50 tea bags, but next time I would buy the loose leaf.
Rooibos is beautifully red herbal tea from southern Africa that has become popular for its taste and natural lack of caffeine. I really like this spiced version from Yogi, with cinnamon and cardamom, ($17 for 4-pack on Amazon; or you may find it at your local store). I love it with milk and a bit of sugar, like real chai.
Dandelion root is an herbal remedy that actually tastes good too. I drink it for the mellow roasted taste – coffee drinkers may like it more than other herbal teas – but it also has added health benefits for digestion and detox. The roasting really makes the tea ($5 at Amazon).
Harney & Sons Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea
As a gift, I really like this dragon pearl jasmine tea by Harney & Sons ($23 for 4 oz tin at Amazon). It comes in a cute tin, and the fragrant jasmine-scented green tea leaves, curled up in tiny balls, always feel special. As the leaves steep in hot water, they unfurl beautifully into long tea leaves. It’s an experience, also because breathing in the scent is as enjoyable as drinking the delicate tea.
Much has been written about tea bags and microplastics, so I’ve taken to pouring out a tea bag into a tea strainer before steeping. I like how this mesh strainer ($10 for 1 at Amazon or $16 for two) has a little hook for easy removal from the cup or pot. And it can sit down in the bottom of the vessel for steeping, instead of the kinds of tea strainers that hold the leaves at the top.
I’ve recommended these before, but I can’t recommend teas without recommending (again) my favorite way of making tea: the insulated french press ($28 at Amazon), which keeps the tea nice and hot for a while. I almost always make a pot rather than a cup, because I’ll keep drinking it all day.
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Phew that’s my not-very-organized list for this year. Here’s to not letting perfect be the enemy of good enough! Love to you all, and happy gift hunting!
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