What should I get everybody for Christmas?? Here’s your answer, from me, The Gift Charlatan, a big fan of next-day delivery and getting ideas for presents from the internet.
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It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime, of the year!! Shopping season is upon us my friends. To be perfectly honest, this IS my favorite time of year, but not because of the shopping. There’s a reason we’ve never released a gift guide, and it’s because I actually kind of suck at choosing products. Everyone has their superpower, and sporting blouses from 10 years ago is mine because I can’t figure out what new ones to buy 😂 I’m not tacky, YOU’RE tacky.
BUT. With a little help from my friends (The Food Charlatan team 💕🤩) they managed to pull out some of my favorite items for gifting, and some of their own too. Let’s get to it!
Gifts for Her
Moms. Grandmas. Sisters. Aunts. Daughters. Don’t give them a random candle or a toiletry basket from TJ Maxx they’ll never use. Instead give them something that will instantly make their lives 789% better (or something like that).
- AllBirds Tree Runners – I literally buy a new pair of these every year. I am that predictable but I love them. Feels like walking on a cloud. Light and flexible. I do my morning runs in these every day! Plus they are cute and look good with everything.
- Geometry towels – It feels like I have a hundred kitchen towels, but these are the ones that I reach for first. Such awesome patterns, and I love the weight. Nice and light so they dry easily and can still clean up some major spills. Works hard and looks pretty enough to drape on my oven all day? Yes please!
- Nodpod – A weighted blanket for your eyes! This sleep mask helps with headaches, and for falling and staying asleep. I am a recent convert to the sleep mask and I’m NEVER GOING BACK. It targets pressure points and helps you sleep deeper than a regular sleep mask. The cozy fabric feels so good on my face!
- Baggu bags – One of our team members, Niki, says “I literally use these every day. You can wash them, they come in multiple sizes, fun patterns, super strong material, the list goes on and on. I use their reusable shopping bags because they fit into my purse but can hold a garbage sack worth of stuff. I also use them for packing, makeup, medicine, one in my purse to hold all the little bits, they are my favorite! And my favorite carry on is their Cloud bag.”
Gifts for Him
A man can only use so many monogrammed flasks and beard care sets (Eric doesn’t want either 🤣) Here’s what I’m getting my brothers, brothers-in-law, and everyone else except my dad (see his extremely practical Christmas list on this post).
- This duffle bag – Folds up small, easy to store, lightweight, water resistant, fits over luggage handles, so many sizes from a gym bag to a camping excursion. I am obsessed.
- Waterproof portable speaker – Perfect for traveling or even just moving from room to room. This small speaker has great sound and is way cheaper than some other quality bluetooth devices. Great for any tech or music lover.
- Massage gun – I feel like everyone needs one of these! I love mine. We are on our 2nd or 3rd gun because when you let your toddler play with them they tend to break..but I think Edison has grown out of that phase finally. They are so helpful for getting those hard to reach places and for working out knots after working out or just sitting in a chair all day.
- Leatherman multitool – This isn’t just a tool. It’s a MULTI tool and it’s sharp and it can do cool stuff. Go ask the nearest man if he wants one of these. He will say yes. Just MAKE SURE he takes it off his keys before flying! My dad has had to throw away many of these 😭
Gifts for Grandparents
I mean, you already gave them grandkids. These gifts probably won’t top that, but they are either useful, meaningful, or both.
- Bread knife – Sometimes grandparents have everything…except knives actually sharp enough not to be a major hazard (Mom, I’m looking at you!!) I love this knife, it is super duper sharp and cuts like a dream. A little luxury for the next time they make Quick French Bread! (Maybe you should gift them a homemade loaf with the knife?? I mean..)
- Digital frame – Add pictures from your phone and the rotating photos help them see their loved ones. I think I want one too!
- Bird feeder camera – Weather resistant and solar powered, this bird feeder sends alerts when birds show up and even helps to identify species. So cool right?! Definitely beats bird feeder glasses…maybe.
- Storyworth – This is the gift that keeps giving. It sends prompts each week with questions to help tell their life story. The best is that you have a complete keepsake book at the end of the year!
If your kids haven’t circled every item in the Amazon Kids Gift Book (or you didn’t get one in the mail, tragic) here’s what my kids want this year. These are the actual items so hopefully they don’t see this. Charlotte!! Outta here!!
Gifts for Little Kids
I love the magic of Christmas for my younger kids and I’m holding onto it as long as possible! So much fun when they actually still want toys and not electronic devices with startling price tags.
- Yoto Mini – My friends have these for their kids and I think it is the year I am finally going to get one. I love how you can listen to audiobooks or messages recorded from your family and friends. It’s a great alternative to screen time, and I love that Edison would be able to play books for himself while I’m cooking, instead of slingshotting tampons at me, or whatever his latest antics are.
- Hoverboard – The little kids want Hoverboards this year. This one comes highly rated and has flashing lights and a speaker. All I see is a trip to the emergency room, but I am really trying to get them to play outside more!
- Microscope – Truman wants a microscope! I love that he is so curious and thinks science is cool and wants to learn more about EVERYthing.
- Soapstone carving kit – Valentine got one of these last year and loved it so much that it is on her list again this year!
- Magnetic hourglass – The kids think this is so cool and play with it all of the time.
- Really Loud Librarians game – My kids love games and they have this one on their list this year. They really love Exploding Kittens and this is from the same makers. Fast and easy enough that everyone in the family can play. Who wouldn’t want to shout out random dictionary words for fun?? #nerdalert
- Break Your Own Geode kit – The kids all love smashing these to see what kind of crystals are inside, especially Edison. A guaranteed hit (get it??)
- 3D pen – This popped up on Valentine’s list this year. It looks really fun!
Gifts for Big Kids
Looking back on my teen years I’m pretty sure what I wanted was CDs. I recommend reading over these ideas quickly before a child looks over your shoulder and asks an unbelievably insulting question like “What are CDs?”
- Color changing light strips – I’m not sure what makes every teenager I know want these lights in their room but you have to admit it is kind of fun to change the colors with your mood or time of day. An easy, cheap way to decorate.
- Old school digital camera and photo printer – I am not sure why digital cameras are making a huge comeback when everyone has a camera on their phone, but Charlotte wants one. I think this is the new wave of polaroids, the best is that you just get to print the ones you like! This camera has SD card capability but can also connect via bluetooth to your phone.
- Corduroy Jansport backpack – The classic backpack, but with a twist! Charlotte has been wanting one of these.
- Kintsugi repair kit – I love the Japanese tradition of Kintsugi, mending broken things with gold to make them beautiful and still useful. Charlotte wants this for Christmas, I’m wondering if she is planning to break things on purpose?! Or maybe just insurance against her terrorizing little brothers…
- Portable charger – So many devices, so many different ports and cables! This charger has been such a game changer. It is lightweight, slim and has multiple charging cord choices just tucked right in. The battery lasts a long time and is so great for the price! My friend Niki has had hers for years.
- Watercolor palettte – Charlotte loves art and wants a nice watercolor set. I’m getting her this watercolor sketchbook too!
- Neon signs – My mother in law got custom neon signs for my kids with their names a few years ago and they love having them over their beds. Such a fun and unique gift.
- Gel nail kit – A huge hit with the big and little girls. I love that I can save a ton of money and not take them for professional manicures. Plus they get to have fun together (and hopefully not get it on my carpet)!
A gift for my whole family
- Skylight calendar – I’m not known for being organized, ok? One of my team members keeps singing the praises of the Skylight system, and then my local friend Danielle showed me hers, and now I’m kind of obsessed. Am I a digital calendar person now?? A place to keep everyone’s activities organized, chore charts, grocery lists, to-do’s all colored coordinated and more. It acts as a digital frame when you’re not using the calendar or other features so it’s easy to keep out on the counter and doesn’t feel like clutter. Will I actually pull the trigger? We’ll see!
Neighbors stopping by with plates of cookies = delightful. Unless, that is, you have NO IDEA what to give them in return. Before you picture a miserable future of walking your dog at midnight so you don’t have to awkwardly run into them, stash some quick gifts in your coat closet so you’re ready to reciprocate.
What to get friends
Tis the season for Favorite Things Parties! These are some of the things in my life that would make the cut.
- Fruit slicer – I was gifted this slicer and it’s so fun and easy to use! Makes perfect slices of strawberries, bananas, mushrooms, cucumber, boiled eggs and more. I love that it’s dishwasher safe and even the little kids love to use it when they’re helping in the kitchen.
- Candle warmer – I was just gifted my first candle warmer and I love it so much! (Thanks Jackie!) A pretty glow in the corner of my kitchen, and looks like a lamp while warming the candle evenly. Also: not having to worry if I blew out the flame or not = priceless.
- Sunglasses – A friend gave me these dupe sunglasses. They look so much like the real thing but only cost around $15! Charlotte loves them too. I love that I won’t have to panic if I lose them, story of my life.
- Tate’s Bakeshop Cookie Bark – Chocolate covered cookie pieces in a re-sealable bag. A little treat without having to turn on the oven. I’m actually obsessed with this and will not tell you how many times I’ve single handedly eaten the entire bag.
Unexpected gifts
These are multi-purpose, crowd-pleasing items for when you have unexpected gift giving moments (teachers, neighbors, book club, hostess gifts, etc.). Never be caught unprepared with a little stash of these on hand!
- Mini jars with labels – You know all my neighbors are getting a homemade treat like caramel sauce or cinnamon honey butter. These little jars are great for whatever you’re making this year and come with labels, genius.
- Iowa Pine hand soap – sometimes I get these and just write a little tag that says “We WASH you a Merry Christmas.” Cute, easy, fun, smells good.
- Folex – This stuff will change your life. It gets anything (and I mean anything) out of carpet, upholstery and more. I swear it’s magic. Everyone needs this secret weapon. I attached a note that said, “Merry Christmas, Ya FILTHY Animal!”
- Salt Fat Acid Heat – Ah, Samin, the love of my life. (In a cookery way, Eric, don’t worry) This has been my favorite cookbook for years! Such a mainstay for anyone that has to make dinner every day…so, yeah, everyone. It teaches you how to master the basic elements of cooking. After reading it, you will finally understand my obsession with kosher salt, lol.
Letters to Santa aren’t just for kids. They’re for grownups too! The main difference is that adult lists are 1) much more boring 2) much more expensive.
Karen’s List
What I actually want: time to go backward so my kids don’t grow up so fast, my nails to always be magically done without having to go to the salon, and ice cream is negative calories. While I’m waiting for those to happen…
- Jo Malone discovery set – I don’t know a lot about perfume but this summer my BFF introduced me to Jo Malone and I think I want to try and find a signature scent. This discovery set lets you try different fragrances without committing to the price of a big bottle.
- Couples journal – Weekly prompts, so we can have better conversations than “Who’s picking up Charlotte?” or “What do you want to watch?”
- Air fryer – Guys, my kitchen is undergoing a renovation next year and I think I am having a breakdown about not having an oven for a couple of months. Is it finally time for me to jump on the air fryer train? Help 😂
- Gold jewelry – This dainty faux diamond looked totally real on my friend! When she told me it was from Amazon and she sleeps and showers with it my jaw dropped. It is so simple and classy.
- T3 curling iron – I keep telling a friend of mine that I love her hair and she claims it all has to do with this curling iron. I don’t know guys, can I teach myself how to do this? I’m great with hot things in the oven but I’m hopeless with my hair.
- Nice desk chair – Charlotte is starting to want things for her room instead of games and toys (gahhh stop growing up!) She asked for a nice desk chair, and this one is a great price, padded, adjustable and wide enough to sit cross legged! Maybe I’ll just steal the idea and have Santa bring it for both of us!
- Snuggle Sac blanket – One of our team members, Laura, is obsessed with the blanket everyone on The Food Charlatan team got for Christmas last year. She says, “I’ve sent this blanket to at least three people this year, plus I got another one for my bedroom. I talk about this blanket all the time. I can’t overstate how much I love this blanket.”
- Hair bow – Red bows aren’t just for presents or little girls! (Besides, I AM a gift.) I’ve been known to wear a bow in my hair on many an occasion and why not a festive one for Christmas? I love Boden anyway and would definitely wear this with my favorite dresses.
Eric’s List
From Eric: My wishlist is mostly a stack of vinyl a mile high and Radiohead concert tickets (you know, if they weren’t totally sold out).
- J Crew gift card – Can’t go wrong here, I’ve been a J Crew guy for a long time.
- Star Wars coffee table book – Coffee table books are classy. Star Wars is life.
- Architectural Lego set – TIE fighters are awesome but maybe your wife doesn’t want your special interest on display in your living room. This says “I’m not a regular nerd, I’m a CLASSY nerd.”
- High powered headlamp – Maybe this is for camping, maybe this is for figuring out exactly how many squirrels still live in your attic. You tell me.
What are you getting for the people on your list this year? Drop ideas in the comments. You know I’m gonna be checking those shipping dates and doing some serious last minute shopping!
