2015 Holiday Gift Guide for the Whole Family

 

Did you go shopping on Black Friday?

I was tempted to go for a moment when I thought of all the fabric I could get on mega-sale. But instead of going out to stock up on fabric, we laced up our hiking boots and had a great day on the mountain.

More and more, people are doing much of their shopping online. It’s my shopping method of choice too! Especially if you are Amazon Prime members, buying gifts online is just so easy to do.

If you need some fresh ideas, check out this gift guide for the whole family. Almost everything on the list are items that we have LOVED for a long time. 

Because don’t we all want to give gifts that will be meaningful, beautiful, & useful?! (Not ones to end up in a clutter pile or broken by January!) 

 

Gifts for Her

Closet:

1.Cream Colored Fleece-Lined Vest

 

 

 

 

I may not be able to zip it up soon (hello second trimester!), but a few vests are essential to a warm winter wardrobe!

 

2. Mama Said Tees

 

 

 

 

I love these t-shirts (they have cute ones for kids too) and enjoy following this company on Instagram. I’m hoping for a “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” shirt under the tree…

 

Kitchen:

1.Portable Bluetooth Speaker

I listen to podcasts and music in the kitchen everyday but don’t have a good way to play it. My fingers are crossed that speakers like these show up under the tree this year.

2.The Homemade Pantry  & The Homemade Kitchen

  &  

Alana Chernila’s first cookbook, The Homemade Pantry, has become an essential cookbook in my kitchen. I whole-heartedly recommend it! I am looking forward to checking out her new cookbook soon too.

 

Living Room:

1. Gracelaced Art

Anything Ruth paints or writes is full of beauty and truth. I’d take one of each!

 

2. Succulents

I love the look of living plants in my home—but they don’t usually live for long. Succulents are the perfect gifts for people like me, who want beautiful green plants even if they don’t have the green thumb.

 

Gifts for Him

1.DEWALT 12-Volt Drill/Driver

It’s lightweight with enough power for everyday, around-the-house jobs. My husband has been very impressed with this drill.

 

2. L.L. Bean Wool Sweaters

Free shipping, guaranteed to last, & thick wool (which is a highlight of winter for my hubby). The sweaters with a buttoned collar leaves room for pairing with another shirt underneath.

Use the code THANK10 for 10% off through Tuesday!

 

3. Kindle Paperwhite & Leather Cover
&      

No distractions, just good books.

 

4. YETI Tumbler

“This is the greatest mug ever.” So says my husband. He uses this mug ALL DAY LONG. First for coffee, then for iced beverages. Yeti coolers are known for being top-notch. My husband just showed me a picture of a truck that caught on fire— after it burned up, the Yeti mug was one of the only things left…with ice still inside.

 

5. Bialetti Moka 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker or Stainless French Press Coffee Maker

 or    

If you love espresso, but do not love the cost of a machine, these stovetop pots are two options that make great coffee.

 

Gifts for a Foodie

1.Baking Steel

I LOVE my baking steel. I use it at least once a week– combined with a no-rise dough and only 7 minutes of cook time, homemade pizza is now both quick and easy. One benefit of steel is that it won’t break (unlike cermaic stones). The one linked above is only $30. The one I own is a little more than twice that, but is also twice as thick/heavy. I’m sure they’re both great.

2. Victorinox Chef’s Knife, Bread Knife, & Paring Knives

          

Good knives are a MUST for safe, enjoyable cooking. Victorinox knives are the top-rated knives for a reasonable price by America’s Test Kitchen.  I use each of them every single day AND LOVE THEM.

 

3. Bamboo Cutting Boards

I’m reaching for my wooden cutting boards more and more. They’re versatile, nice to look at, and often can double as a serving tray!

 

4. 14 Cup Food Processor

A food processor is an incredibly useful appliance in a kitchen. It can be used for shredding vegetables, chopping nuts, making pie dough and other doughs, blending soups and spreads, and much more. It’s a great investment!

Gifts for Boys (Ages::3-6)

1.Transformers::One-Step Changer

These one-step Transformers are perfect for any young Rescue Bot and Transformers fans. While other Transformer toys are too complicated for young kids to do one their own, these are easy to use and study too. We have all of the Rescue Bots and hope to add some new Transformers this year.

 

2. Schleich World of Nature Animals

Animal figures are classic toys and wonderful for open-ended play. Schleich makes great, realistic figures that are fun for all ages.

 

3. Magna-Tiles 32-pc Set

Everyone agrees that Magna-tiles are incredible toys and worth the money! Get two sets if you can so your kids can share and make larger, more creative structures.

 

4. LEGO Creative Brick Box

LEGO sets are fun, but pricey! Buy a set of various LEGOs which your kids can use to build all kinds of things, then add in smaller sets to acquire new mini-figures and fun accessories.

5. Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles

My kids recently become more interested in puzzles. We have a couple 48 piece Melissa & Doug puzzles, but I think my 5 year old is ready to try a larger puzzle. I’m hoping to get this 100 piece this year.

Gifts for Young Girls (age::1-2)

1.Green Toys Tea Set

I picked this tea set out for my children last year. I love it because it’s gender neutral and durable. Every home should have a tea set for pretend (and real) parties!

 

2. Classic Baby Doll

This baby doll is my daughter’s favorite and rarely leaves her side. For now, it’s basically the only doll she has, and I am good with that. The doll is beautiful, and as my husband often says, smells wonderfully of vanilla.

 

3. Baby Doll Toys

I LOVE watching my daughter (and occasionally sons) taking care of baby dolls. Baby bottles, play food, diapers, and more are the perfect accessories for a baby doll. I’m hoping to add doll clothes to her collection this year.

 

4. Dress-Up Clothes

Dress-up clothes are a must for girls and boys. And for the most part, they can go either way!

 

5. Cat Keyboard

We do not have many toys that make noise on their own, but this one is a favorite for my sons and daughter alike.

 

Educational Gifts

1.Spot It

Compact, fun, thinking game. Fun for ages 3 and up.

 

2. Snap Circuits Jr.

This is on our list this year after seeing so many people rave about how neat they are.

 

3. Geode Explorer Science Kit

Cracking geodes is a simple activity, but also one that can weave a lot of learning in as well. Open geodes makes a great display afterwards.

4. This Is My Home, This Is My School (30% off a book through Monday)

A fun picture book about a homeschool family, recommended by Sarah Mackenzie of Read Aloud Revival.

5. Pocket Guides

We have this pocket guide and others that we take along on hikes or use to refer back to when we get home. A pocket guide for plants is on my list this year.

 

Gifts for the Young Artist

1.Water Color Tube Set, Plastic Palette, Nylon Brush Set, Paper Pad

Watercolor tubes are our preference because you can mix colors so much more easily. The paint lasts a LONG time too, because it really just takes a small amount, and the palette can be saved with paint on it for the next use. Our whole family (ages 1 to 32) will gather at the table to paint together. My kids love using the “real thing” to create their art.

 

2. Nature Coloring Books

These coloring books are beautiful and full of wonderful realistic illustrations.

 

3. The Artful Parent

I have this book and have used it to come up with many new art activities. The projects vary in simplicity, mess and time, but the author has included a lot of helpful tips for introducing art into family life.

 

4. Beginner’s Sewing Machine (bestseller & half-off right now)

A great sewing machine for a beginning sewer, AND it’s half-off right now.

5.Scratch Art Black Coated Scratchboards

I am excited to get these scratch boards this year. My kids have never done this type of art before, but I am sure we will all have fun figuring it out together.

 

 

What is on your shopping list this year? 

What are some of your kids’ favorite toys?