Not NOT a Gift Guide
My absolute FAVORITE things instead, plus what to do with all your leftover turkey, and what I bought for BFCM
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Phew. To be honest, this time of year absolutely kicks my butt. My job always dramatically ramps up—everyone wants deals closed before the end of the year and I’m frequently working nights and weekends. My kids’ schedule goes berserk—seems like there is a different event every week, and of course the turkey in disguise needs to be turned in by the 22nd. My social calendar ramps—holiday parties and work events galore. Not to mention the crushing expectation to make this the most MAgiCaL TiME OF THE YEAR for my kids!!!!
I know, I know. Call the waambulance. Order some french cries. Suck it up. And you’re right. It’s time for a REFRAME. Tis the season for GRATITUDE!
So here I go: I am so lucky to have a fulfilling career and to work for a successful company. I am blessed to have friends and family with which to celebrate this time of year. How grateful I am for my two healthy and happy children, with whom I can share traditions and build memories. Aaaaah, I feel better already. Still tired, though.
My current workload means I did not have time to scour the internets and find you the most unique and fabulous gifts for every special person in your life. Instead, I made my friends and family do the work! Just kidding, but not really. Below is a list of favorite things. Some are mine and others belong to a few of the best people in my life. What I like about these options is that they are tried and true! Ride or die! Not an obscure (but very cool) butter dish that your mother-in-law will only put out when you come over. So, let’s get into it.
I have tea every night before bed, meaning I use this electric tea kettle daily. I’m also very selective about which appliances appear on my counter, and this one gets bonus points for being so cute.
I’m a beanie gal. This Janessa Leone cashmere beanie is my favorite. I lost mine on the slopes last year, so I’m picking up another during their Black Friday sale. It’s so good, my husband steals it.
Here is my sister’s response when I asked her if the Skylight Calendar was worth it. She claims it’s like having a personal assistant. A great option for a busy family!
I’ve sang praise of Kate McLoed body bars from the rooftop and will continue to do so until my lungs give out. I love these bars. They are a fantastic gift—a little package of luxury.
My friend Victoria has an incredible jewelry collection, and she recommends this jewelry cleaner. Trust me, trust her. Also, it is not ugly. Leaving it on the counter will increase the likelihood of frequent use.
We all want to smell good and avoid heavy metals, right? My sister recommends this aluminum free deodorant. A great stocking stuffer.
I live and die by my Hatch alarm clock. My husband suffers from seasonal allergies, which means so does my sleep. He says it sounds like we sleep next to a 747. At least I think that’s what he says, but I can’t really hear him over the sound machine.
You don’t need lip filler; you just need a great lip liner. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk is universally flattering. It’s always in my bag.
If you or your recipient are a fan of gua sha, this stone is equal parts beautiful and effective.
These shampoo and conditioner bars come as a rec from someone with truly fantastic hair. Eco friendly, and she uses them on her kids too.
I bought this Makeup by Mario eyeshadow palette for myself and as a gift for one of my besties. She loves it, I love it, we all love it.
For the coffee lover in your life, this is a great coffee grinder. You can adjust the amount and size of the grind, so it works whether you’re using an old school drip coffee maker, a pour over, or a French press. I use mine daily.
A favorite thing from my dad. I gave him the Aura Frame a few years ago, and he has since bought a second. He isn’t on social media, so it’s a great way to share photos with him regularly.
A practical gift for those that are impossible to shop for, a Jiffy Steamer. I haven’t ironed in years!
Everyone has heard of Elta Sunscreen, but the new green version is great for color correcting.
The Lola Blanket lives up to the hype, according to a few of my friends. A cozy choice for someone you love.
I use my Kindle every night to read about 3 pages before I pass out. This one was echoed by several of my friends. I have the Paper White.
My girlfriend Maggie showed up for a group dinner wearing this Physician’s Formula highlighter, and I promptly added it to cart. It’s affordable, lasts forever, and adds the perfect sheen. She recommends applying with a brush.
My supremely organized friend Tessie recommended this beautiful cosmetic case.
I am not supremely organized, but I love this sink caddy. I have it and have gifted it many times. Add a nice hand soap, and you’ve got a great gift.
My daily sunscreen. It acts as a primer and goes on so smoothly. Another great stocking stuffer.
For the chef in your life, these Earlywood wooden spatulas offer three benefits: plastic free, practically useful, and look beautiful on your countertop. I love mine. Give them the care kit to complete the gift.
If your recipient is not a coffee drinker, my pal Marissa recommends this matcha. How chic!
When I tell you this garlic press is life changing, you may not believe me, but you should. Anyone who loves to cook will love this thing. Yes, it’s annoyingly expensive, but that’s why it makes a great gift.
I purchased these outdoor lamps for our patio last year and they are great. Rechargeable, not overly bright, and chic.
Another rec from my pal Maggie. She swears by her Jenni Kayne cocoon cardigan. A great item to throw on when you need a dash of coziness.
It’s hard to buy makeup for other people, but if your gift recipient is a mascara wearer, this Hourglass mascara is truly elite. It lasts all day without a single flake yet comes off so easily when you want it to.
Standout in a sea of Stanleys. My kids and I love our Owala water bottles. I have the 32 oz.
My love for my Dyson hairdryer runs deep. Specifically for the straightening attachment. It’s my secret weapon for a truly incredible blowout and is well worth the price tag. I also have the air wrap, which I think is better suited for someone with fine hair.
My friend Theresa is supermom, and she recommends this rapid egg cooker. She also recommends plopping them in an ice bath after cooking and, on desperate occasions, dunking your face in the ice bath when you’re done.
Another one of my favorite soup recipes, and a great option to make with all of that leftover turkey, is Wild Rice Soup. This is a Minnesota classic. DO NOT skimp on the rice. You have to buy 100% wild rice. Not a blend. I always buy this brand. The recipe I linked is for a crock pot, but I usually make it on the stove top.
I get truly overwhelmed with all of the BFCM sales, so I’m not going to do a haul or link my picks. Instead, I’m going to share what I actually purchased. All of these items were already on my wish list and are things that do not often go on sale.
This Staud snakeskin clutch. I have been wanting an oversized snakeskin clutch, and specifically this Staud one. I saw it go on sale and decided to pull the trigger.
A Deborah Pagani hairpin. This has been on my wish list for years, and it rarely goes on sale.
A Janessa Leone beanie. Linked above, I lost mine skiing last year, and I want it back!
Le Set Margo Tee set. I wear white tees almost every day and try to restock the good ones when they go on sale. I went with the black and white set for an even better bang for my buck.
Gold earrings. I lost my favorite pair of chunky gold earrings and wanted to refresh them for the holiday season. These are very similar to the pair I lost.
Anine Bing jeans. I have been wanting more wide leg, full length denim, and have heard great things about this pair. Giving them a shot at a significant discount. I love the distressing.
A few other posts I enjoyed this week:
Traci Landy giving us a lesson in Gratitude:
FINDS By Ginny, the ultimate gift guide maker, giving us an Etsy tour (be sure to check out her other Gift Guides!):
Christina Cardy, DNP with some fantastic tips about how to stay well this season:
As always, thank you for being here. If you have any suggestions for topics for me to cover, send me a message, a text, an email. If you enjoyed this post, please tap the like button or share with a friend. If you loved it, please leave a comment and tell me your favorite part!
XOXO
Holy smokes this is a good one! Love the goodies you picked. Thanks for the love and the share!! Means SO MUCH!!!
I hate ironing so the steamer is a lifesaver lol
Love it all
This was the cozy, grounded holiday content I needed. SO MANY GOODIES, JAYMEE! Thank you so much for the love. Your recs are 100000/10. You're going to laugh, but wanna know one of my MANY faves? The egg cooker, LOL!