Holiday Gift Guide - Things You Haven't Seen Before
ANOTHER GIFT GUIDE?!
Yes, another gift guide. But before you roll your eyes at the Blogger stereotype, I implore you to read on. Because this gift guide is breaking all the rules — no Tula products, no Peloton bikes, no Dyson vacuums or $500 hair blowers (seriously, don’t bother with those—this one is $35 and works way better anyway). In a world where our screens become inundated with paid promos and collabs, it can be hard to find the real, honest recommendations. Rest assured, I’ve turned down thousands of offers to promote mega brands (jokes), and have instead focused on the gifts that I’ve personally bought, tried, and have become obsessed with. Below you’ll find my top recommendations for brides, bridesmaids, homebodies, men, and the entertainer/hosts. Enjoy!!
Gift Guide: Brides
Jean Jacket - I’ve posted about this one before, and it’s a goodie. I wore this exact “Wife of the Party” denim jacket over my dress at the bachelorette, again at my reception after-party, and again on the honeymoon. It’s a loose-fit and makes for the perfect accessory.
White PJ Set - Eberjey will forever be my guilty splurge. They’re pricey for pajamas, but are soft as butter and super high-quality. Every bride loves a white pj set for the honeymoon and wedding weekend, and this one is my absolutely favorite.
Mrs Clutch - Most brides will stress over the perfect outfit for every wedding event (bridal shower, engagement party, bachelorette, rehearsal dinner, etc), and then panic when the day comes and she realizes she forgot to get a white clutch. Help her out and get her one that she’ll love…with her new last name, new initials, or even her wedding date on it!
Handwriting Bar Necklace - Significant others out there…this is the sweetest gift you could ever give your fiance. Send a hand written message into the company and they’ll transpose it onto this necklace so she has a piece of you with her each day (And WAY less creepy than the Angeline Jolie / Billy Bob Thornton blood vials). Put a line from your soon-to-be vows, an inside joke, etc.
Fill up this adorable Bride Tote with top-selling beauty products - These days, we’re all in need of some stress-reducing, spa-like moments. Help this bride-to-be feel wedding-ready with some of my all time favorite products. The Jet Lag mask is seriously like a facial in a bottle, but a fraction of the cost. It instantly reduces redness, moisturizes, and leaves your face with a glow. Herbivore products are ones we all put in our online shopping cart, then see the price, and exit out before we make a big mistake. So seeing these products in front of us as a gift is like someone read our minds. Pillow Talk is the absolute perfect soft pink bridal color. Getting the lipstick, lipgloss, lip liner, and collagen lip bath all in one is like the holy grail.
Gift Guide: Bridesmaids
Monogrammed Tote: They’re going to be lugging around all of your shiz on the day of the wedding…might as well give them a cute bag to carry it in! Fill this tote up with all the other mini goods and you’ve just redeemed yourself of any Bridezilla moment.
PJs and Robes - I linked a few of my favorite bridesmaid sets, since some prefer long sleeve, some want the flutter robe look, and others are wanting to mix and match styles. HIGHLY recommend buying these during the holiday sales to save a ton of $$
Silk Sleeping Masks - These seem like a random thing to throw into the mix, but I assure you they will be a hit. The silk is sooo comfortable on your face and prevents skin breakouts. Have the girls bring these to your bridal suite for an adorable getting ready picture, or bring them on the bachelorette…they’ll come in HANDY when all 7 girls are sharing a hotel room and half are trying to sleep while the other half insist on continuing the festivities, lights on and all.
Gift Guide: For Him
The Tie Bar Essentials - It cannot just be my husband who claims that his short white socks are the only ones he has left, minutes before getting dressed in a suit for an event. Or that his tie from middle school, which falls about 6 inches too short, is “fiiiineee” for the wedding. Well, not anymore, babe. Now you have (appropriate) OPTIONS.
Ugg Slippers - So he can stop wearing yours and getting the fabric all sweaty / matted down. Now he can ruin his own pair
Plush Robe - Since we’re all working from home these days, we’re living in our comfiest attire. But every now and then, we’re needed on Zoom, and have to pretend that we’ve been in that professional top all day…then, the call ends, and it’s bra off, sweatshirt back on. This constant changing can get exhausting…which is why robes are the perfect solution. Work shirt up top, sweatpants (or no pants, who am I to judge) on bottom, and all you have to do in between calls is throw on/off this plush robe.
Wireless Charging Tray - Anyone else’s S.O. make a mess on their nightstand? It’s as if all of their technology, watches, charging cords, and chapsticks have become victims of a tornado. Get rid of the eye sore with this charging tray.
Cocktail Smoker - This is a gadget you’ll certainly use no more than twice, but it sure does look fancy! Plus, now he can show off his mixology skills to family/friends with a super-trendy smoked drink that probably tastes like a bonfire. Perfect for the cocktail-lover who already has every bar gadget known to man.
Gift Guide: The Entertainers
Acrylic Neon Games - Going over to the neighbors house again? It’s great to have those select few who LOVE to host, but really, how many conversations around Oprah’s book club can we have? Break up the stale conversation with this beautiful game board. Choose from neon jenga, acrylic chess, playing cards, tic tac toe, or backgammon.
Etched Cocktail Glasses - Hosts take pride in their serveware. They may not say it outright, but they want you to know that the wine glass, cheese board, or decanter you’re holding is new. Give them the gift they really want by adding to their collection…and these are sure to please. They’re beautifully etched with a subtle floral print and can make even a glass of orange juice look fancy.
Custom Trays - A beautiful cheese board is only as good as the tray it’s displayed on (can we turn that into a bumper sticker?)…for real, though, the prettier the board, the better the apps will taste. #Science. Customize the board with their last name, and you’ve just won Best Guest award. Choose from acrylic , marble, or slate based on their style.
Gift Guide: The Homebody (AKA, every single one of us these days)
Pura System - I know, I know, I told you I wouldn’t put any overly-marketed product on these lists. But that’s why this one is at the bottom…hoping half of you haven’t made it this far down on the page! In all seriousness, this was gifted to us when we moved into our home, and it instantly became our favorite gift. We have one in our bathroom with the beloved Volcano scent, and Adam looks like a junky every night, standing over the mist and inhaling the fumes until they’re lodged in his brain. We became so infatuated with this bathroom diffuser that we bought another one and put it in the entryway downstairs, this time with the Nest holiday scent. Needless to say, it’s worth the hype.
Cozy Blanket - Not gonna lie, I saw pregnant bloggers post in their hospital beds looking SO comfortable with their barefoot dreams blankets, and I instantly wanted one. If you can make a hospital bed look comfortable, that blanket is a must. After researching the barefoot dreams options, I came across this dupe…it’s just as soft and a fraction of the price. So, naturally, I bought two.
Kindle - Last, but certainly not least, a kindle. Because we’re all stuck at home, and Netflix only has so many crime documentaries. This gift is for the old-school page turners who insist that their way is the best. It’s time we open their eyes to the magic of electronic page turning. Because now, they don’t have to wait in line at Barnes and Noble, risk losing their book on the beach, or deal with soggy pages when caught in the rain. They may put up a fight at first, but will eventually be thanking you.