I am assuming that you are spending all day, every day, scrolling through Gift Guides, right? There are so many gift guides, you don’t even have to THINK about what to give someone – you’ll just find it on a guide! I for one ADORE gift guides. Gift guides for book lovers… gift guides for foodies… gift guides for nerds… gift guides for survivalists… gift guides for native Iowans… Doesn’t matter WHAT the gift guide is, I will read it.
And this year, I’ve put together one of my own! I know Hanukkah is nearly over and Christmas is right around the bend, so it’s not particularly timely. It’s not well-organized and it’s long (hey, just like my blog posts!) and it doesn’t have any other theme than Things I’d Like to Give or Get. But I hope you have fun reading it. And hey – maybe you’ll find that elusive something that you’ve been looking for!
A couple of quick notes before we dive in:
There are not a lot of Gifts for Men on this list, I have to say. It’s slim pickins out there. If you’re to believe retailers, dudes like only five things: grilling, tools, shaving, farts, and bacon. I am chagrined to say that I have tools AND bacon on my list, but hey, those things are universal. (So are farts, but I get enough potty talk from the kindergarten set, so I am going to keep my gift list fart free.) (And I maintain that shaving is not GIFTWORTHY, it is an often-DAILY annoyance and should not be gift-e-tized. Whatever the “monetize” version of “gift” is.) But I didn’t even TRY to find men’s clothing options or look at tech stuff. Oh, right! That’s the sixth Category of Manly Giving: tech. I admit to total tech ignorance. My husband gives me a list of exactly what he wants and I choose from those items so I don’t get something wrong. I got him something slightly tech-adjacent for our anniversary and I am super nervous that it won’t be something he can use. Anyway, my anxieties are not part of this list. Moving on.
You will also note that some gifts on this list are Just For Fun. I am not going around spending a thousand bucks on a Scrabble wall hanging, for Pete’s sake. But it’s FUN. I wish I WERE the type of person who a) could afford to buy a Scrabble wall hanging and b) would have a room in which it fit perfectly with my décor.
Finally, I own a few of these things, some of them I want, some of them I just think are awesome. I get nothing for including these on the list except that the Amazon things include an affiliate link for which I get a few cents if you actually buy the product. (Prices and availability accurate as of the writing of this post.)
Enjoy!
First, here are the obligatory tools:
- This flashlight case strikes me as very practical for just about anybody.

photo from amazon.com
Emergency Flashlight Tool Case– Sharper Image, $49.99
- And for your handy friends, perhaps this magnetic wristband?

photo from amazon.com
RAK Magnetic Wristband– Amazon, $16.99
Sticking with practical, here are some of my favorite kitchen tools:
- While I’ve mentioned this simple clip-on strainer before, it is so useful I have to mention it again.

photo from amazon.com
Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘N Strain Strainer– Amazon, $15.99
- My mother got this for me last Christmas. If you eat a lot of tacos or meat sauce, as we do, I think you’ll fall in love.

photo from amazon.com
ChopStir Meat Chopper– Amazon, $7.99
- I have waxed poetic about this one before. I use this rice/quinoa/couscous cooker ALL the time. It is SO easy.

photo from amazon.com
Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker– Amazon, $12.45
- In the category of Things I’d Like to Own, I love this enormous cheese and crackers board.

photo from uncommongoods.com
Cheese & Crackers Serving Board– Uncommon Goods, $48
- Coasters fall into the category of things that I use often and always admire but that are priced way more highly than I think they ought to be. Which makes them perfect for gifting. These West Elm coasters are pretty.

photo from westelm.com
Reactive Glaze Coasters– West Elm, $20 (down from $29)
- Salt is always a good gift. And it’s fancy salt, so it’s fun AND practical.

photo from worldmarket.com
Salt Journey 8-Piece Gift Set– World Market, $19.99
- So is super fancy jam.

photo from spoon.com
Christmas Quartet– American Spoon, $55.00
- You should probably add in a box of 15 croissants for your friend, to eat with the jam.

photo from williams-sonoma.com
Classic Croissants – Williams Sonoma, $31.96
11. These breakfast molds sure are cute, if you have someone on your gift list who would eat pancakes or eggs. Unlike the unicorn fan in my household.

photo from surlatable.com
Unicorn Breakfast Mold– Sur la Table, $10.00
Or there’s a feline version…

photo from surlatable.com
Cat Egg Mold– Sur la Table, $10.00
- This pizza box oven is adorable.

photo from sharperimage.com
Pizza Box Oven– Sharper Image, $69.99 (down from $89.99)
On the less practical side, I love these location-themed gifts from Etsy.
- This travel ornament is perfect for friends who are big travelers, or for people who joined together in locations different from their home cities. (Hat tip to NGS for turning me on to this particular ornament!)

photo from etsy.com
Travel Ornament– Location Inspirations, $23.95-$55.95
- Or I love this wall print using the same idea.

photo from etsy.com
Adventure Together Print– A Gier Design, $65.00-$272.00, depending on size
- Moving on, of course, to the Giant Wall Scrabble. This photo does not adequately show how giant it is.

photo from potterybarn.com
Wall Scrabble– Pottery Barn, $949 (down from $999)
- And of course, while you’re busy playing wall Scrabble, you’ll have your robot bartender mix you a Manhattan.

photo from uncommongoods.com
Robot Bartender– Uncommon Goods, $1,150
- While we’re on the topic of things that are too expensive (for me), how about putting one of your parents’/grandparents’/spouse’s handwritten recipes on a cutting board? I would totally cry if I got this. (I have also seen these on Etsy.)

photo from orvis.com
Bespoke Cutting Board with Handwritten recipe– Orvis, $169
- You could pair it with a really great cookbook. Here are two I’m eyeing:

photo from amazon.com
Great British Bake Off Big Book of Baking– Amazon, $35.62
- Or this one…

photo from amazon.com
Cook Like a Pro by Ina Garten– Amazon, $20.99
- At Orvis, I am in love with this beautiful bowl.

photo from orvis.com
Live Edge Wooden Bowl– Orvis, $39-$49
- Somehow I have veered back into Practical Gift Territory (why am I so hung up on practicality?) with this supposedly easy-to-use tree stand.

photo from orvis.com
World’s Easiest Tree Stand– Orvis, $119
The tree stand would be for my husband, which got me to thinking about gifts he’s actually liked – in particular, a couple of “of the month” clubs.
- We did Craft Coffee for MANY years – he loved that you could customize by flavor profile, grind size, etc. I don’t speak coffee so you’ll have to take my word for it that a genuine coffee enthusiast LOVED this club.

photo from craftcoffee.com
Coffee Club– Craft Coffee, $29.99-$299.88, depending on duration of membership
- For the past year or so, he’s been getting his other love, peanut butter, in the mail every month. One jar of plain peanut butter, one jar of fun/weird/fancy/flavored peanut butter, each from a different small batch distributor. It’s really fun! Except that we have a thousand jars of peanut butter in our house at any given moment. And I don’t like peanut butter.

photo from amazingclubs.com
Peanut Butter Club– Amazing Clubs, $74.85-$275.40, depending on duration of membership
- Now this is more MY kind of club.

photo from spiritedgifts.com
Gin of the Month Club– Spirited Gifts, $225.00
- And of course you’d need to give some high quality tonic to go with all that gin.

photo from orvis.com
Jack Rudy Tonic Trio– Orvis, $30
- I think you can assume if you know me in person, you’ll be getting a tea towel chosen to fit your personality at some point during our relationship.

photo from uncommongoods.com
Gin Lover’s Tea Towel– Uncommon Goods, $14.00
- I don’t normally advocate gifting art, but this is so pleasing.

photo from etsy.com
Gin and Tonic Wall Print– Everlong Print Co, $27.80-$59.56, depending on size
- This “tea” mug makes me giggle.

photo from etsy.com
Gin Mug– We Are Paper Plane, $13.17
- Speaking of clubs, which we were a moment ago, Zingerman’s has some really drool-worthy ones:

cartoon from zingermans.com
Cured Meat & Cheese Club– Zingerman’s, $125 (3 months) or $250 (6 months)
- Do I wish I were the kind of person who needed a specialty Reuben kit? Yes, yes, I do.

cartoon from zingermans.com
Legendary Reuben Sandwich Kits– Zingerman’s, $150-$200
- Mmmmm bacon.

cartoon from zingermans.com
Bacon of the Month Club– Zingerman’s, $99-$400
- You don’t need to join a club to send the gift of bacon, though. I sent a bacon sampler to my dad for Christmas that’s less of a bacon commitment.

photo from nueskes.com
Applewood Smoked Bacon Sampler– Nueske’s, $34.99
- And I am getting him this, as well, because it’s cute:

photo from surlatable.com
Bacon Bin Grease Holder– Sur la Table, $13.95
- Obligatory adorable bacon tea towel (and accompanying fried egg towel).

photo from etsy.com
Bacon My Heart Tea Towel– A2D Creations, $17.95 (for two towels)
- And did you know there is a whole category of song lyric-pun tea towels?

photo from etsy.com
Song Lyric Towels– Kings Custom Design, $10.00 (for three towels)
- And there is also the song lyric-pun category in mugs…

photo from etsy.com
I Like Big Books Mug– The Scribble Studio, $22.95
- Might as well get something to put IN the mug. How about this fun variety gift for the tea lover in your life?

photo from worldmarket.com
12 Days of Tea Ornament Gift– World Market, $14.99
- Or these tea drops, which I think are kind of like instant tea? I’m not sure, but I would love to try them!

photo from amazon.com
Tea Drops Sampler– Amazon, $12.99
- I drink tea every day, so I feel the irresistible pull of a number of mugs. Here’s one for your Target-loving friend aka all your friends.

photo from etsy.com
Target Mug– The Bling Bling, $14.85
- And if you happen to know any writerly folks, I am SURE this will come in handy (she says, as she “overcomes writer’s block” by creating a massive and unnecessary gift guide).

photo from etsy.com
Procrastinating Mug– Unique Gift Ideas Shop, $17.95
- I am not sure how I would explain this mug to my five-year-old, but it makes me smile every time I see it.

photo from etsy.com
Fox Sake Mug– Lovely Panda Company, $20.00
- And, while I take issue with the comma placement on this one, I enjoy the message immensely:

photo from etsy.com
Not Reading Enough Mug– Tea Please Co UK, $14.23
- Speaking of not reading enough, here’s a book I want. I bet you can think of someone who could benefit from Eleanor Roosevelt’s wise words.

photo from amazon.com
You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life by Eleanor Roosevelt– Amazon, $13.49
If you too are in the market for some good reading material, here are some books I read this year and loved and can recommend without reservation:
- So much tragedy in this novel spanning a life, but also a lot of humor, and somehow it works out to be very uplifting:

photo from amazon.com
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne – Amazon, $11.59
- I had NO IDEA that shipping tragedies was a whole sub-genre of books! This was fantastic. It reminded me a lot of the mini-series The Terror (which was itself based on a book), but it was GREAT. Engaging and different from my normal murder-mystery fare and really well-written.

photo from amazon.com
The North Water by Ian McGuire – Amazon, $10.87
- Every story in this collection is perfect.

photo from amazon.com
The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hillary Mantel – Amazon, $14.51
- This is non-fiction for writers and word nerds. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot – although I still disagree with the author’s position on en dashes.

photo from amazon.com
A World Without Whom by Emily J. Favilla – Amazon, $14.27
- Of course, while you are – or, ahem, the person for whom you are buying a gift is – reading one of the above, you’ll need a fancy bookmark:

photo from etsy.com
Personalized Leather Bookmark– Mayaa Co, $14.99
- Last summer, in a little gift shop in the woods, I found a beautiful bookmark for a friend. It was made of inlaid wood, and I loved it. Here’s something similar:

photo from etsy.com
Handcrafted Wooden Bookmark– R Moore Wood Creations, $7.95
- Or this beautiful laser cut option…

photo from mitercraft.com
Arches Design Laser Cut Wooden Bookmark– Mitercraft, $15.95
- What about some reader-friendly coffee, so you can get through one more chapter?

photo from bookloverscoffee.com
Reader’s Fuel Coffee– Book Lovers Coffee, $12.50
Does this list have enough kitchen towels yet? I didn’t think so. I really am a sucker for towels. Our first set of towels has been worn out, so I recently bought a pack each of kitchen towels from Williams Sonoma and Sur la Table. They are GREAT. And it’s so pleasing to have fresh, new towels hanging above my sink and filling up my laundry room cupboards.
- The Williams Sonoma are thick and fluffy, and, true to their name, very absorbent.

photo from williams-sonoma.com
Multi-Pack Absorbent Kitchen Towels– Williams Sonoma, $19.96 (for three towels)
- The Sur la Table towels are excellent multi-purpose towels, and I love the soft blue. (Although the towels come in many other colors.)

photo from surlatable.com
Striped Kitchen Towels– Sur la Table, $14.95 (for three towels)
- Of course, I also have a deep fondness for amusing towels – which I never buy for myself, and which I therefore think of as Great Gift Fodder. I put this taco one on my wish list for Christmas this year.

photo from etsy.com
Taco Tea Towel– Kitch Studios, $10.00
- I mean, why isn’t this in my kitchen RIGHT NOW…?

photo from etsy.com
Taco Dreams Tea Towel– Paper Berry Press, $15.95
- Speaking of tacos, which we should be, always, here’s a way to celebrate someone’s taco adoration on something besides a tea towel.

photo from etsy.com
Taco T-Shirt– Nine to None, $22.95
- Turns out the same Etsy store has a TON of cute T-shirts. I am very fond of this astrological T slash warning label; you must know someone who needs this, yes? (Other astrological signs available too.)

photo from etsy.com
Pisces AF T-Shirt– Nine to None, $22.95
- There is always this adorable tee for your bookish friend or family member.

photo from etsy.com
It’s a Good Day to Read T-Shirt– Nine to None, $22.95
- This is cute – bees are great (and they are currently trendy from both environmental and subversive perspectives).

photo from etsy.com
Save the Bees T-Shirt– Nine to None, $22.95
- Speaking of bees, I would love this fancy bee shirt from Kate Spade.

photo from katespade.com
Bee Embellished Pullover– Kate Spade, $160 (down from $228) (oh no! This is now sold out in most sizes except for XXS and XS. BOO!)
- There HAS to be other bee-wear out there, right? Ah yes, here we are… A lovely navy tee with bees on it. Well, I have used all of my very extensive knowledge to try to get a photo of this shirt here for you and… I failed. So you will have to click to see it. Sorry.
Bee Print Top– Forever 21, $10.90
- Here’s a waterproof option for your bee-wear desires. I mean gifting.

photo from nordstrom.com
Bee Print Joules Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat– Nordstrom, $74.95
- And bee print rainboots to go with it!

photo from nordstrom.com
Bee Print Molly Welly Rain Boot– Nordstrom, $72.95
- This is very much my personal style, but alas, I didn’t find it until after I sent out my gift list. Oh well. Perhaps you know someone who will give it a proper home?

photo from nordstrom.com
3D Bee Open Bangle Bracelet– Nordstrom, $85.00
- I am not sure I would spend $17 on a keychain, but I do LIKE this one, and if I had a friend who was REALLY into bees, I would strongly consider it.

photo from papyrusonline.com
Bee Keychain– Papyrus, $16.95
- I really like the idea of bee footwear, and these Toms are really cute. To be fair, the critters featured aren’t all bees. I’m okay with it.

photo from toms.com
Embroidered Bugs Slip On Shoes– Toms, $34.99 (down from $59.99)
This makes me wonder why J. Crew isn’t ALL OVER the bee trend. That seems right up their sartorial alley.
Without a bee theme to adhere to, I admit that clothes are tough to give (and receive) as gifts. I’d much rather have a Stitch Fix gift card than a sweater I might not wear. But I couldn’t resist putting these – very practical – items on the list.
- Who doesn’t need a beautiful sweater coat? I could totally see myself, I mean, a friend, wearing this over the Pisces T-shirt, clad in the bee wellies, sipping from the fox mug, whilst gazing out over the ocean. It’s a lot of look, to be sure, but someone could pull it off. And that someone is me. I mean, your friend.

photo from orvis.com
Fair Isle Sweater Coat– Orvis, $169.00
- These are definitely on my own wish list. They will turn your favorite boots into warm, cozy winter wear. (Boots not included.)

photo from hunterboots.com
Hunter Boot Socks– Hunter Boots, $50.00
- I don’t know about you, but I can never have enough leggings. I have it on good authority (whose, I don’t remember) that these are da bomb. (Do people still say “da bomb” anymore?)

photo from nordstrom.com
Zella High Waist Leggings– Nordstrom, $54.00
- Along with bringing back early ’00s slang, I am ALL FOR the return of the fanny pack. Especially when the options are so chic.

photo from markandgraham.com
Belt Bag– Mark and Graham, $99.00
- I love this beautiful celestial necklace.

photo from anthropologie.com
Night Sky Charm Necklace – Anthropologie, $58
- As we have moved on to accessories, I am a sucker for gadgets that are supposed to give you beautiful, bouncy curls, and this headband looks like a fun and easy way to achieve that.

photo from socalcurls.com
No heat waves – SoCal Curls, $18.99+
- And then there’s this fun ponytail holder. Give someone in your life the gift of that rockin’ pony, won’t you?

photo from ponyo.com
Pony-O Hair Holder– Pony O, $14.96
- Luxurious hand cream is something I ask for every year and have received exactly once. This year, I bought some for myself and I love it.

photo from beautycounter.com
Holiday Hand Cream Trio– Beauty Counter, $30
- My husband really wants some thick socks for cold winter afternoons spent watching football. This L. L. Bean option looks like a decent possibility.

photo from llbean.com
Boot Socks– L. L. Bean, $19.95
- I think he’d like these slipper socks… but he expressly said NOT slippers, so I can’t decide if these are out of the running yet.

photo from llbean.com
Knit Slipper Socks– L. L. Bean, $34.99
- Maybe he really needs a cozy throw to snuggle under. And if he doesn’t, you probably know someone who does.

photo from eddiebauer.com
Cabin Fleece Throw– Eddie Bauer, $52.50
We have reached the Kid Friendly Options portion of this gift guide. If “kid friendly” means “appropriate for my particular kid, who is roughly five years old.”
- I have been eyeing this educational get-stuff-in-the-mail science kit, perfect for the aspiring scientist.

photo from stevespanglerscience.com
Spangler Science Club– Steve Spangler Science, $19.99-$219.99, depending on duration of subscription
- Ooooh, and I can personally endorse Kiwi Crates, because Carla has been getting crates every month for over a year. She LOVES them. They satisfy her need to build and craft and my need to feel like I’m teaching her something. There’s a crate for pretty much every age range, too, so if you have a child in your life, I highly recommend this.

photo from kiwico.com
Kiwi Crate – Kiwi Co, $19.95-$203.40 (for the 5- to 8-year-old kit) depending on how many months you sign up for
- Speaking of Carla’s – and anyone else’s – need to craft, I am loving Kid Made Modern. I have given the kits as gifts, we have some of their smaller kits (in fact, we gave Carla the Go Wild craft kit for Hanukkah), and I can’t get enough. I think Carla would LOVE this library of art supplies, and I bet any kid would feel the same.

photo from kidmademodern.com
Arts & Crafts Supply Library– Kid Made Modern, $39.99
- We have several of these little Polly-pocket-style toys. I find that they are the perfect size to hide in my purse and use to distract Carla while I’m getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist/waiting for my oil to be changed/trying to chat with my husband over a much-needed dinner out. It’s a good in-the-car toy, too. It could make a great stocking stuffer for a kid in your life.

photo from amazon.com
Shopkins Secret Lock– Amazon, $8.25 (usually these are $9.99; you can get them at Target, too)
- Carla is deathly afraid of bandages, but these would be a great stocking stuffer for almost anyone else.

photo from papyrusonline.com
Unicorn Bandages– Papyrus $9.95
- Speaking of stocking stuffers, I suggest filling someone’s stocking with a pile of tiny snowpeople. We got these a few years ago, ostensibly as Christmas decorations. Carla LOVES them – there is something pretty wonderful about a dozen mini snowpeople cascading across your bed or dresser. I can’t really imagine I paid $23 for them though – that seems steep. But I suppose worthwhile, considering we’ve already gotten at least three years of fun out of them. (I guess you have to imagine the other eight?)

photo from amazon.com
One Dozen Plush Snowmen– Amazon, $22.93
- This stained glass sticker kit makes for a fun, quiet activity for kids during those looooooong winter days.

photo from amazon.com
Melissa and Doug Stained Glass Activity Kit– Amazon, $8.59
- Carla got this camera for her birthday and she loves it. It’s very sturdy and easy to use, and it takes videos in addition to photos and selfies. Perfect for the pint sized photographer in your life.

photo from amazon.com
Vtech Kidzoom Camera Pix– Amazon, $29.82
- Carla saw one of these at Barnes & Noble the other day (although I can’t find it on their site), and fell in love. I mean, it’s a stuffed animal with those so-hot-right-now changeable sequins; what’s not to love?

photo from amazon.com
Large Plush Sequin Owl– Amazon, $18.99
It also comes in a smaller, less expensive version, even though the image makes it look identical in size…

photo from amazon.com
Small Plush Sequin Owl– Amazon, $9.99
I think books make the best gifts (you can never have too many!), but I don’t have many on my For Carla list this year.
87. However, I do really want to get her this Mrs. Piggle Wiggle box set.

photo from amazon.com
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Set– Amazon, $27.89
If you are looking for book ideas for the three- to seven-year-old set, some of her current favorites include…
88. This perfect-for-cat-lovers book all about how similar we all are despite our differences.

photo from amazon.com
I Am a Cat by Galia Bernstein – Amazon, $15.61
- This beautifully illustrated poem about Cuba’s first female drummer.

photo from amazon.com
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez – Amazon, $16.31
- This two-book series about a sentient robot. (FYI, the story might not be appropriate for all kids. It references guns a few times, and some creatures get killed, which I wasn’t crazy about. But it was a good story and Carla was absolutely rapt through both books.)

photo from amazon.com
The Wild Robot Hardcover Gift Set– Amazon, $21.88
- This gentle book that I loved as a kid; it’s still as lovely and imaginative as it was a billion years ago.

photo from amazon.com
Sand Cake by Frank Asch – Amazon, $7.99
- This vividly illustrated book about being yourself.

photo from amazon.com
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown – Amazon, $13.89
- And maybe a plush tiger to go with it…

photo from amazon.com
Aurora World Bengal Tiger Cub– Amazon, $10.94
- Or you could gift your favorite animal lover with four plush animals of your choice, with your donation in support of wildlife and nature…

photo from worldwildlife.org
Build Your Own Bucket– World Wildlife Fund, $75
- Also for the Big Cat lover, how about this gorgeous tiger puzzle…

photo from worldwildlife.org
Tiger Puzzle– World Wildlife Fund, $55
- Speaking of puzzles, my husband is a BIG puzzle fan, and this 2,000 piece beauty was a fun challenge (it’s enormous, though)…

photo from amazon.com
Springbok Tin of Treats Puzzle– Amazon, $24.99
- This puzzle also looks like it would fit my husband’s criteria: lots of discrete sections to work on, not a lot of blank space. Maybe you know a puzzle fan who has similar specifications?

photo from amazon.com
Vintage Book Covers Puzzle– Amazon, $17.99
- I may have also signed him up for a Puzzle of the Month club, which you may want to consider for the puzzle fanatic in your life. It’s such a good price for puzzles!

photo from puzzlewarehouse.com
Puzzle of the Month Club– Puzzle Warehouse, $9.99 – $179.99
I see we have moved out of “kid friendly gift options” and into “family friendly gift options,” so might I suggest some games?
- My in-laws got Carla Operation for Hanukkah, and it’s just as fun – and challenging – as it was when I was a wee girl. (And it ENDS. Unlike some other kid games.) (I’m looking at you, Candyland!)

photo from amazon.com
Operation– Amazon, $11.83
- And we love Codenames and have gotten it for all our family members. It’s really fun.

photo from amazon.com
Codenames– Amazon, $14.89
Read Full Post »