Looking for a fabulous gift for someone you know or love? Me too! There is something magical about watching someone open a gift and see them realize this was exactly what they wanted even though they didn’t know it yet.
But even if you don’t get to watch them open the gift, we all want to find a great present that is thoughtful, useful and classy.
If you are still looking for someone or multiple people, these are some of my favorite gifts in hopes to inspire you. All of them come with my personal recommendation as these are all items I own, have purchased myself, gifted or been given.
Gift Ideas for Adults
1. Projector & Portable Screen
Do you love outdoor movie nights? We love hosting these for neighborhood & family gatherings! My husband used some birthday + ‘mad money’ (aka monthly ‘blow $$’) to buy a projector and portable screen a while back. And I will admit it is a pretty fun gift we all get to enjoy. The exact one he purchased is no longer available but this is the upgraded model. When doing outdoor movies we use a portable amplifier for perfect sound. This would definitely be a great gift for an avid movie watcher or a ‘family gift’ if your family likes to do that.
2. Slate Cheese Board with Handles
Cheese board, snack board, charcuterie board, dinner board… call it what you will, we love our slate board with chalk and use it for all types of serving occasions. This is a great hostess gift or one for a white elephant (blind gift exchange) when you need a ‘neutral’ gift. Either way, it’s chic, classy, very useful and doesn’t take up much storage space.
3. Black Sparkle Pumps
These shoes are one of my favorite buys this year! I bought them to go with a dress for a wedding but the fun part is you can wear them with jeans and fun top for a date night or to add sparkle to your outfit for a fancy event. Because they are pumps, they are classic and won’t go out of style. They were a little stiff when I first purchased them, but I used a shoe stretcher (found on Amazon) and that did the trick!
4. Acacia Wood Serving Bowl
Add in a flavored olive oil & vinegar along with a pair of Salad Tongs to complete the gift. This would be great for newlyweds, a white elephant gift, a ‘Secret Santa’ or even as a hostess gift.
5. W3LL People BioExtreme Lipgloss (color: Afterglow)
This is by far one of my favorite lip gloss products ever. I usually lightly line my lips and then apply this gloss over it. The magic is that depending on the liner color, you can change the entire look of your lips because this gloss blends with everything. I also wear it without liner when I want a tint of color for a very natural and neutral look. Please know I am not a fashion expert. I just know that after trying many different ‘cleaner’ make-up options, this gloss is definitely high on my favorites list!
6. Cushionaire Wedge Sneakers
I am really not sure if these are IN or OUT but I do know that I love them and I get compliments on them when I wear them. They are very comfy and the wedge is very low. I always feel a little more put together wearing these than my regular sneakers.
7. Electric Wine Opener
While I can open a bottle of wine the traditional way, don’t expect it to be pretty. We have loved using our electric wine opener kit because it has everything you need for ANYONE to use it. And I will whole-heartedly agree that “The foil cutter makes removing seals quick and effortless.”
8. Women’s Ideology Key-Hole Tank Top
These tops have become some of my favorite workout tanks and are a perfect stocking stuffer or addition to a present with other workout gear. Of all the workout tanks I have, these have held up the best in the wash with virtually no pilling (I have 3 so far!). They skim over the body giving a very flattering fit without being fitted. The quality is fantastic for the price. Want to include a pair of athletic leggings to complete the gift? These leggings are new to my wardrobe but have an amazing compressive fit along with comfort.
Dad T-Shirts
When my husband became a dad over 7 years ago I gave him a Daddy-Saurus t-shirt for Father’s Day. Since then we have given him MANY daddy and dad joke shirts and these are most definitely the t-shirts he reaches for most often.
1. GirlDad
2. Super DadMan Bat Hero T-Shirt
3. I Tell Dad Jokes Periodically
4. DaddySaurus
5. Husband Daddy Protector Hero
6. Dad Jokes? I Think You Mean Rad Jokes
7. My Favorite People Call Me Dad
8. Dad-A-Base
Gift Ideas for Kids
1. Outdoor Kids Climbing Dome
Any activity that gets my kids outside to play and move their body is a great investment. We have had this climbing dome for a year and they have taught themselves to do all types of fun tricks on it. You can get larger and smaller options depending on your kids’ age and abilities. And yes, all of the neighborhood friends light ‘hanging out’ on it too!
2. Awesome Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids
My kids and I have loved trying out many of these experiments. It is great for homeschoolers or for a rainy day, snow day or summer fun. Every time you make learning fun, it helps concepts stick.
3. DIY Solar Climbing Vehicle
Don’t tell, but this is the one gift I have been giving all year long- to my 7 year old’s friends and cousins. Gifts that increase skills, curiosity, creativity and are STEAM oriented are the ones I tend to give and this one fits perfectly. For most kids, it will require an adult to help them put it together but for us that’s a benefit because it promotes quality time too. And yes, it really works.
4. Cubic Zirconia Earrings– Choose Your Size
These are beautiful and my girls love wearing them. One day, we will likely get them the real thing but since we have lost a few here and there, these cubic zirconia earrings are the perfect option for them. I also love that you can choose the perfect size. Personally, I found that the 4mm earrings were perfect for their small ears but you can choose a larger option for an older child.
5. Sequence for Kids
We have finally reached an age where it is fun for our whole family to play a game together and this is one that works for younger kids. It’s fun, fast paced, & easy to understand. Kids also don’t need to know how to read in order to play along.
6. Silly Jokes for Kids book
My daughter received this last year for Christmas from us for 2 reasons: 1) I wanted to inspire reading and I thought a different type of book might be helpful (it was); 2) Both of my girls were into making up their own ‘jokes’ and my husband and I just couldn’t take it anymore.
7. Slippers
My girls favorite slippers! They have held up very well.
8. Where Does Broccoli Come From
A fellow dietitian wrote this book and it’s FULL of amazing photos, trivia, tips, and tricks to inspire curiosity and new kitchen creations with your kids. You may have to go on a hunt in the produce aisles for an unfamiliar veggie after browsing the pages. This is a book you or your kids can pick up at any time and read through, learn a little or get inspired.
9. Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle
This floor puzzle has really large pieces and is perfect for kids age 3-6 to develop problem solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
10. Boom- Kids Science Kit
Allow your young scientist to get curious and create some experiments at home! This kit has EVERYTHING you need for 65+ experiments! The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and the topics span from magnetism, polymers, acids and bases, chemical reactions and so much more! You can use this kit for pure entertainment or go much deeper into the topics but either way your kids will have a great time experimenting!
11. Dance/Ballet Backpack
Both of my girls take a combo ballet/tap class. Having a dedicated bag with shoes is absolutely necessary to get out the door on time. However, we were using one bag for a while and it was always hard to figure out which shoes belonged to which one. My youngest (5) just got this dance backpack for her birthday and adores it! I also love that it’s really easy for her to wear and large enough to carry dance clothes if we are changing elsewhere.
12. Twister
Games that get you up and moving are great to have around and Twister is one that will do just that! And allow me to encourage you to expand your creativity because it can also be used for an at home date night!
Gift Ideas I Have My Eye on for Myself & Family
(Researched ideas but can’t vouch for them…yet.)
The Blessing Song Lyrics Wall Art
Donner 88-Key Wooden Style Digital Piano
Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser
Women’s Watch -just stunning
Osmo Starter Kit for Kids
Women’s Gloves (for walks, driving, outdoor activities)
Tickets to a Show, Symphony or Performance- always on my list!!
Travel Adventure Game
Family Membership to Local Museum or Science Center
Watercolor kit for kids
Jump Rope
Hula Hoop
Ice Roller for Face & Eyes
Kids Analog Watch– Personally I like the idea of an analog watch so it makes learning to tell time a bit more fun. There are some watches like these that are specifically designed to help kids learn how to do this quickly.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!
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