Tag: christmas 2020

2020 Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is easily my favorite holiday. Every year, I spend hours and hours researching the perfect gifts for each person in my life. This year, I wanted to share some of my favorite ideas from years past and news ideas! These ideas for those in your life you may be struggling to find the perfect gift for.

* I do include links to products; some are affiliated with my account with the company because they are products I genuinely love. They are not sponsored links. *

For the Work Secret Santa

Since WFH is the primary way people are working right now, you may not be doing a regular work Secret Santa. My office is doing a socially distant zoom Secret Santa this year. We are dropping our gifts in the office the week before and having a date to pick them up by. Then, we have a zoom meeting scheduled where we will all open our presents.
Even in these WFH times, I would recommend a fun desk calendar! You can put them anywhere, your desk at work, desk at home, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.!
They have some neat desk calendars with fun facts or quotes. You can find just about any theme of calendar for anyone’s interests. I found these cool The Office and Friend themed ones on amazon!



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GV2VKQX/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B08GV2VKQX&pd_rd_w=kb2Vg&pf_rd_p=7d37a48b-2b1a-4373-8c1a-bdcc5da66be9&pd_rd_wg=AdIp4&pf_rd_r=KKFHHV9TWB0WN56C0AZN&pd_rd_r=4ca2cfa6-8019-4302-8712-11007a916b4d&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFGM0NLUjRNREwwQk8mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MDEwNTUzVlVJVVRYUEdVTThNJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MjA1MTJBQTRPQ1pTVVQzWUcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

https://www.amazon.com/Friends-2021-Calendar-Bundle-Day-at/dp/B08DH9F7LR/ref=zg_bs_1069470_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ATBR09X89FNGRTG8YVQQ

For the Family Grab Bag Gift
Looking for something inexpensive yet useful for the family grab bag? Check out this Wallet Ninja. It is a credit-card size multitool that can be stored in your wallet or car for any tool emergencies!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJVBGU4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_cTAVFbFVGBGB2

For the Dog in Your Life
If you have a pet in your life, most likely you have heard of chewy! They have great deals going on for the holidays and carry my favorite brand of dog toys. Our dog tends to chew toys up and beat them up, so we always get him more durable toys. I love the brand CHUCKIT! and their flying squirrel is one of his favorite toys ever! He hasn’t destroyed it, and it has stood the test of time!
https://www.chewy.com/chuckit-indoor-flying-squirrel-dog/dp/49696

For the Coffee Lover
As a coffee lover myself, I always love getting a new brewing method for the holidays! Having a way to brew great coffee at home is such a delightful gift.
French Presses are an easy and quick way to brew coffee at home. I love the brand Bodum, but you can get a French Press at Target, Home Goods, etc.
Here is a link to a cool Bodum French Press: https://www.bodum.com/us/en/coffee/coffee-makers?___store=us_en&price=9-27

Since Cold Brew is becoming more popular, I highly recommend this Cold Brew brewer. I have one, and I love it. It’s durable, easy to clean, and makes a few cups! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776ZSV8P?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

A great addition to a brewing method would be delicious beans! I love grabbing some local beans, or you could add a coffee subscription from Atlas Coffee Club. I love this subscription and highly recommend it! If you are getting ground beans, make sure to get them coarse for the French Press and Cold Brew!
Here is a link to Atlas Coffee Club: https://atlas.coffee/SHARE-HT8B9

For the Sustainable Friend
Grove collaborative is a cool website with tons of items for those in your life who are focused on using sustainable products.
I would recommend a tool or item that isn’t a cleaner or other product with a scent. Wool Dryer Balls, Soap Dispenser and Brush, or even a nice Glass Bottle. Here are some links to items I like on the Grove Collaborative website.

https://www.grove.co/catalog/product/wool-dryer-balls-3-pack/?v=1624&attrsrc=22&attrpg=catalog&attrpos=13

https://www.grove.co/catalog/product/bubble-dish-brush-set/?v=1271&attrsrc=22&attrpg=catalog&attrpos=0

https://www.grove.co/catalog/product/silicone-spray-bottle-set-3/?v=1667&attrsrc=22&attrpg=catalog&attrpos=3

For the Social Justice Friend
Have that friend or family member who is passionate about socially just products?
Ten Thousand Villages is a great place to pick up some fair trade gifts at a reasonable price. They have a little bit of everything from jewelry to baskets to kitchen items. Check them out here: https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/

If you have someone in your life that is passionate about social justice issues, there are a few books that could be informational yet appreciated! I recommend finding a book that applies to their profession or personal life!

Check Out:

How To Be An Anti-Racist: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283/ref=sr_1_3?crid=210L2EU5DGOYL&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+be+an+antiracist&qid=1605482468&sprefix=how+to+be+a%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-3

Color of Law: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Law-Forgotten-Government-Segregated/dp/1631494538/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LP0P90G7WC3Q&dchild=1&keywords=the+color+of+law&qid=1605482504&sprefix=the+color+of+law%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1

Superior: The Return of Race Science: https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Return-Science-Angela-Saini/dp/0807028428/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=superior&qid=1605482522&sr=8-1

For the Family Member Who Loves To Cook
I absolutely love Pampered Chef products! They have some inexpensive yet unique kitchen products to level up anyone’s kitchen.
I personally recommend these flexible cutting mats, this coated utility knife, and this excellent brownie pan.

https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Featured+Collections/Everything+You+Never+Knew+You+Needed/Flexible+Cutting+Mat+Set/1519

https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Kitchen+Tools/Cutlery/Coated+Utility+Knife/1508

https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/%2425_00+%26+Under/%2425_00+%26+Under+Our+Top+Picks/Brownie+Pan/1544

For the Friend Who is into Essential Oils and Crystals
Any of your friends interested in essential oils would definitely love a new oil for Christmas! I highly recommend figuring out their favorite brand and grabbing them an oil from their brand. If you don’t know their favorite brand, I recommend buying an essential oil from Young Living or DoTerra since they are known for having excellent quality oils.
Many times, companies have fun blends like Christmas Spirit that would make a great gift.
Check out Young Living Here: https://yl.pe/mariatemples

Any friends who love crystals and gemstones will most likely care about where their crystals are coming from. There are plenty of places to get crystals and gemstones, but they aren’t always ethically sourced. I have heard fantastic things about https://mymetaphysicalmaven.com/ and how their items are ethically sourced. Wearable crystals and gemstones are a good idea instead of giving just a rock!

For the Book Worm
There is a graphics novel series that just about any book worm would fancy, even if they are not generally into graphics novels. The series is called papers girls. The graphics are stunning, and the story is exhilarating. There are 6 books in the series, and they are quick reads.
Here is a link to the first book in the series: https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Girls-1-Brian-Vaughan/dp/1632156741

For the Minimalist
Don’t we all have someone in our lives who just doesn’t want stuff? I have found experiences are the best gift option for people who don’t want actual things. https://www.groupon.com/ is a great place to find inexpensive, local experiences. I have found neat wine tastings, cider tastings, and even museum experiences on Groupon.

For the Lover of Cozy Things
WEIGHTED BLANKET! Everyone raves about weighted blankets and all of their benefits. If you have someone who loves cozy things, get them a weighted blanket this year!
If they already have a weighted blanket, grab them an Icelandic wool blanket. Iceland is known for its cozy and warm wool blankets! You can find some good Icelandic wool blankets Here: https://www.icewear.is/us/wool-blankets?gclid=CjwKCAiAnvj9BRA4EiwAuUMDf-T3onWrh_9t2YsaSMQEfXTTFaLSNOOeISAITb06D4dvR5K4mppkzBoCrTkQAvD_BwE

For the Traveler
The traveler in your life will be looking for help financially with traveling or adventure gear.
If you aren’t able to grab them a travel-themed gift card, I recommend adding to their adventure gear collection.
Passport covers, adventure clothing, and other fun travel accessories would be good gift options.
I highly recommend checking out the company Serengetee. They have really great clothing for traveling, and they have cool adventure accessories. I really love this passport cover they have!
https://www.serengetee.com/collections/passport-holders/products/let-go-passport-holder

For the Family Member Who Loves Christmas
Since I am that family member, I can definitely give some good advice on this gift! Christmas lovers appreciate a special version of their favorite Christmas item. My favorite is collecting unique and meaningful ornaments. I know people who love nutcrackers, snowmen, and more! Find what Christmas item they love and get them a meaningful version of it!

Happy Shopping!

Christmas Gifts for the 5 Love Languages

Using the 5 Love Languages to guide your Christmas shopping is a powerful way to show people you love them. I have created a guide to learn more about the 5 Love Languages and gift ideas for each of the 5 Love Languages.

If you are not familiar with the 5 Love Languages, they are 5 categories in which people feel and give love. The 5 Love Languages is not just for couples learning how to better love each other; it’s for yourself, your kids, etc. The 5 categories are Quality Time, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, and Receiving Gifts. These categories aren’t black and white. For example, Receiving Gifts does not necessarily mean you can bring your loved one a gift, and they would be happy. People who score high in the Receiving Gift category enjoy receiving thoughtful gifts. They feel appreciated and love when you pick up their favorite candy bar when you stop grabbing some gas. Each category is the same; they aren’t cut and dry. If you would like more information about the 5 love languages, there is a quiz, book, and other resources. You can find those resources here: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/

5 Love Languages Gift Guide

Quality Time

People who score high in the Quality Time category just simply want to spend time with you! They want your attention on them, doing something you both love. 
If you share a passion for wine, grab a wine tasting that the two of you could do. 
Experiences are key when it comes to giving gifts to someone in this category. Find a museum you can go to together, find a cool local event to take them to, find something they love, and go with them to the event. 
If you both love staying in, grab take out from your favorite restaurant and plan a night in. Chat over dinner, watch their favorite movie together, play their favorite board game. 
The key in all of these recommendations is your attention. Make the night you spend with them unplugged. 
Show them you are present and in the moment with them.

Acts of Service

People who fall into the category of Acts of Service would like tasks done. This is a very action-oriented way of giving gifts. They feel most love when their loved one does a chore around the house that they usually wouldn’t or stops at the grocery store, so their partner doesn’t have to. 
Great gifts ideas for people in this category aren’t physical gifts. This doesn’t mean you can get away with not getting them a physicals gift, but there are ways for the holidays you can make their holidays the best. 
Great ideas would be making them breakfast and coffee on Christmas morning. Bring it to them in bed! It will set an excellent mood for the rest of the day. Offer to cook or clean for big holiday meals; pick whichever task your partner likes doing least. 
Great actual gifts you can give are gifts of tasks being completed. So if your partner hates cutting the lawn, give them the gift of a lawn service coming to do it. If they are busy and don’t have a ton of time to clean their house, give them the gift of a cleaning service. If you are looking to save a few bucks, make coupons with tasks you are willing to do for them that can be started immediately. Let them know that they can use their coupon at any time, for any reason. If they don’t use their coupons – help them use them. If they have a long day and typically are the ones to do the dishes, suggest before dinner that tonight would be a good night to use their dishwashing coupon. 
The key with this gift is to do tasks for them, especially ones they do not like to do. 

Physical Touch

People who score high in the Physical Touch category don’t just want to be hugged all the time! There are some great physical and platonic gifts that can be given to this category. 
If you are in a platonic relationship with someone in this category, think of the sense of touch when shopping for a gift. You can get them blankets, slippers, massage certificates, and anything cozy to the touch! 
If you are in a romantic relationship, cozy things and massage certificates are great but, consider planning an evening to give them a back of foot massage. Give them some extra cuddle time on Christmas morning before getting out of bed! 
The important thing to realize with Physical Touch is to give them something that appeals to their sense of touch! 

Words of Affirmation

People who score high in the Words of Affirmation category enjoy hearing and reading loving words from you. For a gift, creating some type of written word to physically give them would be perfect. Write them a love letter! Send your best friend a letter or postcard with loving words. Grab a Fill in the Love Book, which is a fill in the blank journal, and you can get one for each Words of Affirmation person in your life. You can create a book for a graphic novel digitally or physically with important and loving words. There are books to help you write letters for a letter time capsule. You can create a box of “read when ___” letters for happy, sad, or random moments they might go through. Having your words written somewhere that they can return to is key for this gift. Also, make sure you tell them how wonderful you think they are – in your own way during the holidays. Filling them up with loving words will make their confidence soar during this holiday season. 

Receiving Gifts

As I mentioned in the intro, people who score high in receiving gifts do not just want random gifts; they want meaningful gifts. These people want meaningful, physical gifts.
Focus on finding gifts that are meaningful and tailored to the person you are buying for. Grab them their favorite flower, make them a collage of their favorite photos, buy them their favorite coffee from their favorite coffee shop. Gifts do not have to be expensive, it just needs to be meaningful to them. 
The key thing is to find gifts that are their favorite physical things!

Happy Shopping!