Finding gifts for all the people on your list is one of the biggest challenges of the holiday season (or for birthdays, graduations, etc., really). I know that hearing what others have received and loved is SO helpful in getting this to-do checked off the list, so I thought I’d jump in and offer up some a gift guide of the things our family has loved getting and using which also may make good gifts for your loved ones.
You know I’m all about handmade gifts, but of course we also like useful, beautiful, and inexpensive store-bought items, too, especially for our immediate family.
The items in this ‘favorite things’ gift guide really are the things we’ve actually used and enjoyed – some are fairly recent (yay, utility jacket) and some have stood the test of time (yay books)! These gift ideas come in all price ranges, though nothing is over $100 (except the one big tool Brian loves, though you can cheap out on that like we did, ha!) and most things are under $40, so there is something for every budget here.
This Favorite Things Gift Guide is separated into three sections:
- Gifts for Women (that would be my favs)
- Gifts for Men (Brian’s picks)
- Gifts for Daughters and Sons (I polled our kids and their picks span ages from elementary to young adult).
Most of the items link to Amazon but there are links to stores I’m not affiliated with, as well. I hope this is useful for you and inspires you in your holiday (or birthday, whatever…) shopping! (The links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.)
Gift Guide for Women
Gifts for Women (My picks of things that I’ve loved!)
1. Parka Utility Jacket, (the version pictured is VKJ01_Olive)
2. Opal stud earrings, I wear these all.the.time.
3. Long tassel necklace (pictured necklace not available anymore, here is a similar option) – dresses up everything from sweaters to dresses.
4. Rose oil perfume -subtle and sweet
5. Amazon pillow covers: Black Graphic and Dandelion examples (which are sold in a set of two now here).
6. Knit Picks Interchangeable Needle set – I’ve mentioned many times that I love.love.love. these needles!
7. Anthropologie Monogram Mugs – I actually got one for each of our family members as stocking stuffers years ago and they are still our go-to mugs!
8. Good books: shown above are two of my favs: Dear Mr. Knightly and The Best Yes
Bonus: I also enjoyed these books:
The Martian (f-bomb warning, though)
The Meaning of Marriage – so very good with a lot of take-aways for relationships in general, too.
9. Blossom trivet – this is really cool- flexible & easy to store, and you can use in any pot with water to make a water-bath canner!
10. Specialty salts – Maldon flake salt (shown) – Celtic grey salt is also a good one AND a fun salt cellar like a reproduction green salt bowl with lid (the exact one pictured isn’t available, but here’s a similar bowl in jadeite, another of my favorite colors).
Gift Guide for Men
Gifts for Men (Brian’s picks)
1. Target Watch (pictured is no longer available, link is to similar) – He loves the simple classic look.
2. In-Ear Earbuds – For working outdoors, noise-reducing earbuds are the best.
4. Chromecast – To stream Netflix, Hulu & Google Play to your TV using smartphone, or from a computer’s Chrome browser for Amazon Prime. We also now use an Amazon Fire TV Stick for the same purpose.
5. Books: The Secret History of Rock & Roll and The 4-Hour Work Week
6. Air nailer & compressor (name brand) or find cheaper at Harbor Freight which has worked fine for our home DIY projects.
7. Under Armor socks (Brian didn’t think socks would make a difference running, but they do)
Gift Guide for Daughters & Sons
Gifts for Daughters & Sons (that they’ll really use & love- according to our kids)
2. Legos (of course!)
3. Klutz Books (so many options for so many ages – love. love. these) Pictured: Paper Airplanes & Mini Pom-Pom Pets
4. “Real” Art Supplies (I think this means instead of the kid-kits you see…) like:
Pencil set, Oil Pastels, and a sketch pad
6. Kimono – This link has lots of color and pattern choices.
8. PJ bottoms
10. Converse shoes (works for both girls and guys!)
Not pictured above are some of their all-time favorite books they wanted to make sure I included:
Magic Tree House series (books 1-4)
Redwall Series (book 1, and on)
Do you have anything you’d add to this list?
Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.
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Jennifer says
Great post! Thank you! My teen boys still love getting Legos for Christmas, so they have a toy to put together. Any suggestions on where to find a good deal on Legos?
Jami says
Well, I think there are so many options on Amazon for good prices – and if you’ve been buying them for awhile, having a bigger selection (and free shipping on many of them, especially with Prime) is good. The link above is to the Treehouse lego set, which I thought was so fun, but you can take that to search other options.
My other suggestions are to look for the sales at your local stores – sometimes around the holidays there were BOGO deals on Legos (not Black Friday – I never shop then!). Also, do you use eBay? You can get some great sets there used and new (though the prices of new aren’t always better than Amazon). That’s all I’ve got – I hope it helps! 🙂
Cindy says
This is a GREAT post! Thank you Jami!
Jami says
Oh, thank you, Cindy! I’m so glad you find it helpful – I worked hard on it. 🙂
Mindy says
Coloring books for adults with a set of gel pens! 😉
Jami says
I have not gotten into that yet, Mindy, but I know it’s really popular now – good addition!