21. Suminagashi Craft Kit ($34+)
This Japanese Marbling Craft Kit is something both of our kids would love… and that John and I would also have so much fun using! So it really works for both lists. If you know anyone who is crafty and likes to make things, this would be such a hit. You might even get a marbled thank you card from them 😉
22. 50 States Water Bottle ($58)
This “bucket list” water bottle comes with a sticker for every state, so the traveler on your list can track their journies. They also sell versions for National Parks, NFL stadiums, and MLB ballparks. John and I each have relatives in mind who would love this. Can’t say any more, because we don’t want to ruin the surprise.
23. Bread-Scented Candle ($18)
I feel like the smell of bread baking in your house is up there as one of the most amazing scents – which is why this rosemary foccacia bread candle literally made my mouth water. Like, I want this candle for myself, and know that two of my besties would also be addicted. It comes in two sizes and as wax melts too. Such a good idea for that person who already has everything.
Gift Ideas For Kids & Teens
Ok, here we are at a board we love making every year, because it includes things we’re actually getting for our kids (and some items they already own and love). There are such cool things for kids and teeens these days, so let’s dive right in.
To save you from having to scroll up a ton, let’s zoom in on each thing on the list:
1. Felt Charcuterie Board ($40)
This intricate felt meat, cheese, and fruit platter is such a fun kids gift… and also I want one?! Like for real, let me play with this for an hour and I’ll be thoroughly entertained. Kitchens and play food for kids have just gotten amazing lately. Shh, don’t tell her but our niece is getting one of these.
2. Speks Fidget Toy ($16)
This magnetic fidget toy had me at “like putty without the mess.” It comes in tons of surprisngly stylish colors, meaning it’s a great fidget for kids, teens, and even adults! Yes I’m adding the obligatory magnet warning here (def not for smaller kids or pets who might want to eat these!) – but for a tween’s desk… especially our 11 year old who loves to interact with things and create shapes – he’d love it!
3. “Retro” Digital Camera ($30)
Did I feel 1,000 years old when our daughter came home raving about the “vintage digital camera” she’d just bought? Yes, yes I did. But she and her friends are obsessed with these “old school cameras” – the grainy quality, the bad flash, and even the corded upload process! She has this exact one and it has held up really well, getting toted on trips, to the movies, to school on half days, etc. She really loves it.
4. Paper Owl Mobile ($8)
This pop-up barn owl is such a cool gift for any smaller kids on your list… and also, who am I kidding… some adults would love this for their bedroom or office. Our smaller niece would watch this rocking from her crib with delight. And that price!! Actually I’d love to see a kids’ room with a bunch of these hung at diferent heights. Send me pics.
5. “Grilled Cheese Destroyer” Shirt ($13+)
This vintage-style party raccoon shirt comes in 4 colors and sizes for kids and adults and let’s face it, we all know someone who loves a grilled cheese more than anyone else in the room. I have literally two different relatives who’d love this and wear it like a badge of honor.
6. “Smells Like Six Seven” Candle ($11+)
Beat your teens at their own game with this “6-7” themed candle that is sure to make their eyes roll AND their rooms smell fresher. And yes, it’s intentional that it’s #6 on the list.
7. Custom Charm Necklace ($46+)
Our 15-year-old wears a charm necklace almost daily and this one has tons of fun charms to choose from – letters, animals, birthstones, sports, foods, and more. This is such a special gift to give or receive, and you can get more charms over time, which is a core childhood memory of mine.
8. Wobaba Flungle ($25)
We have lots of Wobaba outdoor toys (this is one of our faves) so we were excited to see their take on Bocce. The sand-filled balls are kid-friendly and great for yards, beaches, or sidewalks. These are definitely going to end up under our tree so we can try them out on the sand soon!
9. Grilled Cheese Warmie ($30)
Warmies are heatable stuffed animals that are soothing for kids and adults alike. They come in tons of shapes and animals, but there’s something so charming about this plush grilled cheese sandwich. Yes, grilled cheese is becoming a theme of this year’s gift guide – but really, how comforting is a warm grilled cheese?
10. Makeup Palette Tin ($25)
This clever makeup gift set comes in a little “sewing tin” complete with button shaped eye shadows and even a pin-cushion shaped blender! I love the idea of my teen opening this and thinking it’s biscuits or crackers and then realizing it’s full of makeup and just disguised as a kitchen item!
11. Starface Skincare Set ($20)
Here’s another fun gift set for teens (especially those who proudly wear their pimple patches in public – I wish that was trending when I was a kid!). This Starface gift set comes with 60+ patches, a lip balm, and a fuzzy makeup case.
12. Ramen Lovers Box ($18)
Every family has at least one voracious ramen fan. At least, that’s true in ours. So here’s a fun way for your noodle-lover to sample authentic ramen flavors from different regions. You can choose from 5 or 10 item boxes, as well as spicy, non-spicy, or a mix. I actually think both of our kids would love the “choose your own Ramen adventure” aspect of a box full of different options to work their way through!
13. Collage Books ($19)
Our kids are both into journaling these days, so these Extraodinary Things To Cut & Collage books have been well-loved (and well-cut-apart). They’re packed with stuff both of our kids like, and use! Literally they get BEAT UP from use, which I love. Gift one with a journal, some scissors, and glue sticks to a creative kid that you know and love. You can even get both books as set!
14. Cooling Face Mask ($16)
For the teen who loves a spa day, this cooling gel face mask is a fun idea. And also, I, a full grown adult would love one too. Calming, cool, and sure to scare whoever walks in on you wearing it. Ha!
15. Programmable Rope Light ($39)
This colorful rope light is great for gamers or any other kid who wants to add some customizable color to their room – it can even be syned to music! Works great as a hidden accent light (think around a frame or under a desk). It also comes with wall clips to create a bendable piece of art.
16. Mini Microphone ($12)
This miniature microphone plugs right into the USB-C port on a phone or computer for kids to record videos, and both of our kids would absolutely LOVE it. They both enjoy making and editing videos, and I actually think they might both find one of these in their stockings.
17. Liar’s UNO ($12)
We love a good twist on classic UNO (this one has been our fave so far). And this new Liar’s UNO incorporates poker-style bluffing that may force you or your opponents to draw cards if anyone gets caught! We love a small game like this that’s easy to bring on trips, and toss into the car if there’s going to be a lot of waiting around. And the price is great too.
18. Light Up Drawing Shirt ($24)
This glow-in-the-dark shirt lets kids “draw” with light using a flashlight or the included torch light (it even comes clipped on a rope for convenience). I know at least three kids in our family who would flip for this, and would redesign their shirt at every family event. So fun!
19. Festive Furballs Puzzle ($14)
These 500-piece Galison puzzles are our favorites to do with our kids, and we can’t wait to do this hilarious kitty one. It’s such a fun family activity over a holiday break. Just put a puzzle out on a table (preferably by a fireplace or in a cozy corner) and watch people mosey up and work on it over time.
20. Custom Stuffed Animal ($40+)
This Etsy seller turns kids’ drawings into custom crocheted stuffies. I mean, talk about a memorable keepsake gift! Especially if one of your favorite little ones has made an iconic drawing. There’s a very old sketch of a UFO with a rainbow coming out of the bottom that my kids made that I’d love to get as a stuffed creation!
21. Mini Brand Create ($10)
Our son loves these Mini Brand balls, especially the create kind. They’re literally interactive little kits that come with a few small parts and you combine them with some good old fashioned easy-DIY. For example, his blind bag had a beautiful tiny blue & white china bowl with dumplings and you add the dumplings to the bowl with a tiny spoon and then pour “resin” into the bowl, which hardens into “broth” in the sun. So cute!
22. Teen Cash Holder ($7)
As a gift, cash never fails. And snagging one of these sacarstic cash holders to spice up your monetary gift (cash not included, obviously) is a fun way to make them laugh. I love this idea for older teens who just want money towards thrifting or gas or new sneakers that they’re saving up for. It’s a fun delivery method for a tried and true gift (good ol’ cashola).
Gift Ideas $15 And Under!
You all know this is my FAVORITE board to make each year, because I love finding deals and figuring out ways to break out gifts across a group (for neighbors, friends, teachers, etc) that makes them super affordable per item. So some of these gifts have a higher ticket price than $15, but would actually create many gifts that can be dispersed to many people – always resulting in an under $15 total per gift.
Let’s look a little closer at everything in the board above:
1. Stovetop Simmer Potpourri ($8)
Give the gift of a festive-smelling house with one of these ready-to-simmer stovetop potpourri packs. I would LOVE to receive this! Or buy this simmer pot supply kit that makes 10 baggies for less than $6 each! They’d make a great teacher, neighbor, or coworker gift! Literally the price is SO GOOD too!
2. Gold Fish Earrings ($14)
I wear these fish earrings a lot, which come in gold and silver (mine are gold) and even with 6 piercings, they look great (I usually do small hoops in the other holes and the fish are the stars). They’re a good gold color, and not too heavy. Just delightful – especially since sardines and little fish seem to be trending right now.
3. Rise & Sigh Mug ($15)
This vintage pedestal mug says it all, amiright? I love this for a coworker stuffed with candy or Hershey’s Kisses. Or you could give it to a friend full of hot cocoa mix or fancy tea bags.
4. Cherry AirTag Keychain ($15)
This cute cherry keychain has a secret superpower: it can conceal an AirTag too (not included). So it’s a fashionable & functional gift someone can put on their keys or purse. I love this idea for keeping track of things that sometimes go missing (like luggage!) or just adding cuteness to a bag or backpack.
5. Cowboy Boot Bud Vases ($8 each)
So technically this is a set of shot glasses, but I think they’d work amazingly as cute little vases. I’d split the up and give a friend, teacher, or coworker one with a small flower or propagation cutting in them! This couldn’t be easier to execute (literally cut a few stems off your current pothos and put them into water in each little boot). Total cost: just $8 each!
6. Holiday Syrup Sampler ($10)
This 5-pack of holiday syrups are a great treat for coffee, cocktails, or hot cocoa. It includes Macadamia Nut, Peppermint, Dark Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow and Gingerbread. John would love something like this (he’s a novelty “try everything” person, so he would get such a kick out of customizing his coffee). Actually anyone you know who buys all the flavors of Oreos instead of sticking with the classics would likely love these (that’s also John).
7. Mini Owala Keychain ($13)
For all of those Owala lovers, this tiny water bottle keychain acts as storage for Chapstick, cash, or other small items. Our daughter literally wants one (they’re SO CUTE!) and they come in tons of colors (check the seller’s shop for more). They’ve also got Stanleys, Yetis, and even KitchenAid mixers.
8. Snack Socks ($4)
This fun sock shop seems to have every snack, drink, and candy under the sun… in sock form. And at this price, you can gift somone a whole “pantry-worth” or pair a set of socks with the same food item. I’d love Cheez-It socks with a box of Extra Toasty Cheez-its (they’re so good if you haven’t tried them!).
9. Compact Book Light ($13)
Everyone knows someone who loves to read – and this slim reading light is recharage, dimmable, and comes in a bunch of colors. It’s a great small item to pair with a book, cute bookmark, or gift card to a local bookstore.
10. Reading Journal ($10)
Another great gift for readers is this stylish book tracker, which includes all sorts of fun ways to record the titles you’ve read (and want to read). You can also compile reviews, daily reading goals, and more. This would be a big hit for anyone who loves charts and visual ways to quantify things (like John!). Comes in a bunch of colors too!
11. Bubble Initial Neckalce ($15)
This monogram necklace is sweet and pop-art-ish. It’s made for kids, but I think cool grown ups can definitely rock it too. It doesn’t take itself too seriously (each letter resembles a solid gold balloon letter) and at that price you can even get two or three with each kid’s initial and wear them all layered together.
12. “Color of the Day” Pin ($13)
This clever enamel pin turns whatever you’re wearing into an (unofficial) Pantone Color of the Day. So you know that we (your resident paint nerds) love that. I think on a backpack or even a blazer, it’s a great conversation starter. Just don’t tell me the color of the year is “hot dog.”
13. Wood Car Air Fresheners ($10 each)
These natural car air fresheners come in a 3-pack with scents like amber, teak, pine, and “cabana.” They’re a cool alternative to those dangle-from-your-mirror trees, they’re made of sustainable wood with chemical-free natural scents, and they have great reviews.
14. Nintendo Classic Coasters ($15)
This pack of NES catridge coasters features eight classic games from Donkey Kong, Zelda, and Duck Hunt. How fun are these for a coffee table to get the conversation going and reminisce about the 90s? My favorite game was Mario Kart by the way, thanks for asking.
15. Wooden Phone Speaker ($15)
This bamboo speaker acts as both a phone stand and a sound amplifier for a cool analog alternative to bluetooth speakers. You can also pay extra to get it engraved with a name or message. This is so cool for a workshop or office space – anywhere someone would want to listen to some tunes on something a little less expected than a high-tech device.
16. Pocket Dream Reader ($10)
This pocket-sized dream decoding book is something I’d love to receive (it has a section on “dreams where you’re naked” that I need to consult asap). I definitely think tweens, teens, and many adults would be entertained to read the categories of dreams, and what they might mean. Anyone else ever had the teeth-falling-out one?
17. Grow Your Own Salsa Kit ($14)
This kit that helps you grow six salsa ingredients is a great gift for any chef, teen with an interest in gardening or cooking, or tortilla chip enthusiast (hi, it’s me). I love the clever recycled packaging, the price is great, and it’s a unique and fun interactive gift that someone can open and actually have an experience with (and then eat). Love it.
18. Glazed Donut Soap ($6 – $12)
Looing at that picture you probably thought these were real glazed donuts… well the big reveal is that they’re actually soap! It’s such a cute gift to get for neighbors and friends. And an entire dozen of these glazed donut soaps are just $12! Amazing.
19. Criss Cross Earrings ($10)
I own and love these gold earrings and have had them a while without any issues. They don’t irritate my sensitive ears, they’re a nice gold color, and they look very cool indeed with that crisscross design. I love that half of them is that smooth solid gold color while the other half has tiny diamond-esque sparkles. I always get asked where they’re from when I wear them, and people are shocked at the price.
20. Pasta Puzzle ($7)
This 1000 piece puzzle is so much fun for any pasta enthusiast (hi, it’s also me). I love the color palette and this would be so much fun to do as a family becsause it’s challenging but also a really fun subject. And this is such a great price (many other places have it listed at over $26!).
21. Illustrated Bird Playing Cards ($10)
Come on, you know someone who loves birds, their birdfeeder, birding, maybe they even have a pet bird. So… for that bird friend… I give you: these stunning bird playing cards. There is beautiful art on each one by reknowned artist Erikas Chesonis, along with the name of each creature (ex: mallard, osprey, blue jay, roadrunner). They’re great for everything from a game of solitaire to a rousing round of poker or 21 – but truly they’re art in their own right!
22. Teeny Town Mini Golf ($10)
This adorable mini game of mini golf is so much fun for any age (ok, not babies, we don’t want them to eat it). But literally any teen or adult would take a few swings if that were on a desk or a counter. And that price makes it such a fun and inexpensive stocking stuffer. They also have bowling, football, and even pickeball versions!
View the original article and our Inspiration here
Leave a Reply