Apparently Christmas is just 17 days away and here I am finally pulling together my holiday gift guide for you. Given that I am a chronic last-minute shopper and have only bought gifts for my dad so far this year, my late arrival into gift guiding comes as no surprise.
Also, rather than stretch this out into a series of 5 different themed posts, let’s just knock it all out in one. I’m busy, you’re busy and we need to get shopping.
Today I’m sharing over 50 gift ideas and I hope you’ll find some inspiration for (almost) everyone on your list. I’m going to do my best to accommodate a broad range of budgets as well.
Get ready…here we ho, ho, ho! (Yes, I really just wrote that.)
For Foodies, Home Cooks and Bakers
Budget: I use my garlic press and microplane almost daily. If someone you know is slow to the spiralizer trend, that’s a no-brainer. If you want to gift a gorgeous cook book full of delicious recipes, might I suggest the following: Cooking for Jeffrey, Thug Kitchen (vegan), Dorie’s Cookies, Mexico One Plate at a Time, Canyon Ranch Nourish: Indulgent Healthy Cuisine and Heritage.
Mid-level: My kitchen scale is invaluable for measuring ingredients, especially when baking. Coffee lovers might enjoy learning to French press. Meal delivery services are super popular right now. I am especially loving Terra’s Kitchen for a wide variety of choices and easy to prepare meals and I’m also trying out Purple Carrot for a vegan option. I’ll let you know what I think of that soon. Finally, I use my ThermaPen every single time I cook meat and fish and also for things like testing the temperature of water.
Splurge: If someone gave me a Shun Santoku knife, I’d be over the moon. Good knives are always a good gift. The VitaMix is truly worth the hype. I got one for Christmas three years ago and I still use it almost daily. And I have to sing the praises of a sturdy dutch oven once again.
For the Yogi
Shameless plug for my book, The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions. There is no other mat than the Manduka Pro Black Mat. Get it in more colors here. Throw in a YogiToes mat towel while you’re at it to keep your favorite yogi from sliding all over the mat. These headbands are cheap and make great stocking stuffers. They also stay in place! Spice up their yoga wardrobe with some fun patterned leggings from Liquido or Donna Jo. You can also just gift them classes at their favorite studio and they’d probably be most grateful.
For Your Best Gals
A gift certificate for a spa or nail service is always a good idea. You’re sure to find something for every lady on your list over at Erin McDermott Jewelry. (Use code PBR at checkout for 20% off your order.) An at-home enzyme mask is great for your friends who are too busy to make it to the spa. This might be one of my favorite candle scents ever for 8 years running. Give her the gift of an uplifting/inspiring read: Present Over Perfect, Love Warrior, The Art of Asking, Big Magic and Tiny Beautiful Things. And I don’t care who you are, a new pair of warm, fuzzy, soft socks is always welcome during the winter.
For the Runner
These Nathan LED clip-on lights are great stocking stuffers for dark winter running. 2XU compression socks are my jam. Lululemon Hottie Hot Shorts are my current faves. They are pretty short but they just started making them in a 4″ length as well. A massage gift certificate or a some sessions with a body worker will be magical for runners logging lots of miles. I’m coveting this Garmin watch.
For Ladies that Leisure in Athleisure
I just purchased my first Lululemon Scuba Hoodie and I’m a) in love and b) kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I don’t think I’ll take this thing off all winter. I ordered a pair of these Brooks Heritage Vanguard sneakers after seeing them on Emily’s blog a few months ago. I wear them almost every day when I’m not sporting my gym or running shoes. There are only a few of these Harlowe and Graham soft pullover sweaters left at Nordstrom Rack but grab one if you can. I have one in gray and wear it almost every day. I’m about to order it in any other color they still have my size in. It’s so cozy and the perfect mix between a sweatshirt and a sweater. Is it terrible that I almost never wear a real bra? These Coobie Seamless Bras are my fave and would also make a good stocking stuffer. Lululemon’s Dance Studio Pants are great for a loose-fitting style of lounge/errand running pants.
I could go all night on athleisure. I’ll expand on this at another time.
For the Furry Ones
You totally Christmas shop for your dog, right? Here’s my list of must-haves for my girls! A monagrammed collar with their name and my phone number. Safety first! You can also clip that Nathan LED light onto your pup for evening walks or runs. You both need to be seen! Did you know that Casper is making dog beds!? #fancy My girls love to chew on these elk antlers for a special treat. These bones last FOREVER. (Like years forever.) Zoey and her Chuck It are BFFs. Sullie just loves to squeak.
And that wraps it up for my 2016 gift guide. You’ll notice that I’m missing stuff for the guys. I’d love to hear your suggestions for what you’re getting your dad/boyfriend/brother/husband/etc.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything and note that there are some affiliate links included above but these are truly all of my personal faves and nothing here is sponsored.
Holiday shopping…where are you in the process? Are you one of those crazies who’s already done (I ask that lovingly) or are you procrastinating with me?
I’m getting my brother in law the Amazon Echo Dot. And my triathlete boyfriend yoga & massages!
This is amazing!!! Have to remind myself it’s a gift guide and not shop for myself 😉 happy friday!
Hi Jen,
Off topic but since you mentioned the Vitsmix, I thought I’d ask: I have one and it has accumulated weird, scaly stuff at the bottom (near and on the blades). I have tried everything! Is this just happening to me?! Only use it for smoothies a few times a week: soymilk, spinach, peaches, banana, pineapple. It’s such a bummer and really gross!!
Any thoughts or suggestions??
Thank you!!!!!!!!
Nope, not just you. Me too. Pretty sure it’s calcium deposits from the greens/water/other things. Once in a while I will give it a long (as in hours) soak with warm water and lots of vinegar. Then after that, blend, then scrub scrub scrub. But it’s really difficult to clean the blades, esp underneath, so I don’t actually get it perfectly clean with that whole process either :-/
I’m a crazy! Gifts are already wrapped and under the tree! ?
I really enjoyed reading your list – thank you for putting this together! I’ve already bought my pups the last-forever bones, and added a couple of other things to my Amazon cart to consider later for purchases. 🙂 (And yay for “Tiny Beautiful Things”! Isn’t it the best? After several reads, my copy is smeared with tears and mascara.) Happy Christmas shopping to you!
Love the list and ideas!! I am usually somewhat on top of things, but this year I’m the exact opposite! I’ve bought a couple of small items, but that is it! Eeeek!!! And I leave for Chicago/Kansas City in exactly one week. OMG.
These are great ideas! I did buy a Nathan strobe light for a gift exchange with my running group. They are great! I loved those headbands you mentioned too. I just can’t seem to wear headbands. No matter what style, they pop off my head. bummer.
you are the best!! xo