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I'm Audrey, a copywriter with a heavy obsession with iced coffee, my cute fam, true crime, good wine, and great stories. Let's tell yours!
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I was helping one of my clients pull together her annual holiday gift guide and found myself sending her link after link of things I’ve bought or had my eye on lately. And then I was like, “Wait a second, why don’t I just pull all of these into one spot?!” I mean, I am by NO means an influencer, but I do think that holiday shopping is often one of the more stressful parts of the season. Sometimes it’s just HARD to think of the right thing for everyone on our list on our own… this year more than ever.
And in 2020 especially, I know a lot of people’s travel plans have adjusted, or they’re gathering for holidays in smaller groups. The stress of a regular holiday season is a bit intensified as we navigate tricky, weird times, so I figured rounding up some things that have been bringing me joy would be a good way to help you gift your nearest and dearest. (Or… just go ahead and get yourself one or two things on this list. You deserve it!)
We’re staying put in California this year since I’m 8.5 months pregnant, so we’ll be missing all of our family and just mailing gifts out this year. Which—honestly?—is sort of a relief. Your girl isn’t good at ordering ahead of time and getting gifts perfectly wrapped, so I’ll let the delivery pros be Santa this year.
(BTW, can we all just pause and acknowledge and thank the REAL heroes of this season, aka the UPS, FedEx, USPS, and other delivery drivers and workers?! They have a thankless, endless job and I am soooo, so grateful for them.)
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your sweetest gal pals, besties, female relatives, coworkers, or clients, get some inspiration for fun home items, comfy work-from-home clothes and necessities, and practical gifts they wouldn’t think to buy themselves below!
1. This super cozy loungewear set, $128: Totally more of a splurge item, but I’ve been living in this set this winter. It’s so comfy, roomy, and also pregnancy friendly! John *may or may not* call it my Bruce Lee karate outfit… but hey, I think it’s cute. And more importantly: COMFORTABLE.
2. The only planner I’ve ever been excited about, $36: I know, I know, a planner on a holiday gift guide… mind-blowing. But trust me, I did my research and landed on this one for myself for next year. And I can’t wait. Most importantly, it has ample room to write down your weekly to-do list, as well as your daily tasks. (Non-negotiables in my book!!!) And there’s extra space for reflections, goal setting, highlights, and challenges. Fun, productive, and organized… all my fav things.
3. These pretty & simple concrete candlestick holders, $16: Or these ones, 2 for $35, if you’re looking for a subtle pop of some color… sooo fun! Plus, natural beeswax candlesticks to go inside, 2 for $8. Does anyone else love the look and ambiance of candlesticks lately? Such a timeless, festive, simple home decor addition for the winter.
4. A hiking backpack that’s also a cooler, $36: We ordered this a couple months ago and it’s the cool(er)est! Pack your water, a picnic, snacks, or even some beer or a bottle of wine for your outdoors adventures and enjoy an al fresco happy hour with some great scenery. And we’re looking forward to using it to easily pack milk if/when we need to for hikes when the baby gets here.
5. The BEST joggers ever, $98: I’d been eyeing these joggers for over a year and had heard ONLY the most amazing things… but 100 bucks for essentially sweatpants? I couldn’t rationalize it, until a friend sent them to me for my birthday and HOLY POST MALONE. They’re truly, truly worth every penny. I would easily spend $100+ on them. Great for working out or just lounging, and pregnancy friendly!
6. Set of 4 mini snack bowls, $16: These cuties are just so handy to have in the kitchen for little snacks or a small bowl of ice cream (something I’m trying to get better about, instead of always going for half the pint… or the whole thing. #pregnancyproblems).
7. A cute and comfy sleep eye mask, $32: I’ve never really considered an eye mask, but someone told me to pack one for the hospital when I give birth to sleep/nap easier after delivery. And then I realized there are a lot of nights when I’m ready to go to sleep before John, but he needs the lamp on to read, so this is the perfect solution! Better sleep = always a good gift.
8. Simple meal & smoothie delivery, prices vary: I love this service as a gift! We love to cook, but sometimes we just want something quick, easy, and healthy, and this company delivers (ha, get it?). You can give gift cards so people can choose their own smoothies, harvest bowls, flat breads, etc., or send a custom gift box! Get $25 off your first box if you sign up by clicking this link!
9. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, $17: This is one of those books every woman needs to read. It’s funny, heartening, raw, and honest in all the best ways.
10. Cozy sheepskin slippers that will actually last, $67: Does anyone else feel like their slippers go through the wringer and you need a new pair each year? Maybe it’s just me… But if you know someone who lives in slippers as much as I apparently do, it may be time for an upgrade to a slightly nicer, longer lasting pair.
11. The only leggings I’ll pay this much money for—because they truly last AND are the comfiest, $98: Ugh. If you have not tried these leggings, get. on. it. (And get them for your favorite legging-wearers, too.) They feel buttery soft but still supportive, come in about a hundred colors, and are the only pre-pregnancy leggings that have continued to fit comfortably throughout my pregnancy! I could live, sleep, exercise, bake, hike… basically do anything in these. And I do.
12. Desert art print, $16+: I also got this one, same price, to go with it for our nursery above the crib, but they’re so pretty I’d put them anywhere in our house (aka, they’re not just kids’ art pieces). And I would say they are even more gorgeous in real life. If you have a desert dweller or lover in your life, this is such a special way to support an artist and give a meaningful gift.
13. Twinkle lights, $58, an outside lantern, $34, and/or a fun planter, $22: To transform someone’s outside space and make it a little more lovely, since we’re all at home more than ever these days anyway!
14. The coffee and espresso maker we are obsessed with, $125: And it comes with a milk frother… which you might not think you need but trust me, you need. Getting this coffee setup took me from a black-coffee-only-devotee to a daily at-home-latte-brewer. It takes no time to get AMAZING coffee, every day. We hardly pick up coffee anymore because it feels so fancy having this at home.
15. Champagne coupe glasses (set of 4 for $56): Because drinking champagne out of pretty, old-fashioned glassware is ALWAYS more fun. You could also use for martinis or mocktails (hello!) or sherbet ice cream with Sprite (my mother-in-law told me about this snack she used to have when she was sick as a child and I thought it was so cute!).
16. The most beautiful stone essential oil diffuser, $83: Essential oil diffusers are like the new jumbo scented candles—have you heard? Plus, they last way longer and are waaaay healthier to breathe in vs. chemical-filled fragrances in most candles. This one is simple (I love the “terracotta” color) and looks amazing on your shelf… bonus!
17. This natural skincare starter set, $52: A client sent me this kit last year for Christmas and WHOA. I was hooked instantly. The products all smell like spa heaven, and they’re made using natural ingredients only. I loved getting to sample a few chapsticks (that I still have and use daily), natural deodorant (which I’d never tried but now LOVE), body butter, and their “everything spray,” aka a toner and cooling mist. Super high quality products for such a steal of a price. You can get 10% off your entire order if you shop using this link!
18. A sweet knotted headband, $20: Also file under: the quickest way to turn a bad hair day (or lazy hair day) into a super cute one. Double points for keeping hair out of your face when you’re busy! I have become obsessed with these headbands this year!
19. A pretty monogrammed coffee mug, $14: I think I could easily become a mug hoarder if I let myself buy each one that I loved… or halfway liked. But really, why are there so many cute ones?! These monogrammed ones are just the most charming, and I also loooove this set of 4 dainty teacups, $48, in the “ochre” or “iris blue” colorway. Could also be used as espresso cups!
20. The *only* cookbook I’ve ever cared to make more than one recipe from, $27: This food blogger from Dallas (The Defined Dish) is my absolute favorite chef/recipe creator! She does a lot of simplified Tex-Mex, Asian, Italian, and comfort/Southern foods with optional healthier upgrades. And, THE BEST SOUPS. Her Zuppa Toscana soup is one of my favorite meals truuuuly ever. I’ve made at least 20 recipes from this book, and we always keep it out for weeknight inspiration. A close second, and the only other cookbook I trust, is this one from Half Baked Harvest, $30. Her recipes are a tiny bit more complex and indulgent, so I usually save them for weekend cooking!
21. Waterproof hiking boots, $96: I never really thought I “needed” hiking boots because we don’t go hiking THAT often… but these are entirely worth it. Tennis shoes are fine for flat terrain, but if you’re doing any kind of incline hiking or it’s muddy, rocky, or slippery, these majorly improve your comfort and traction! They’ve lasted me a couple years already, too. Totally worth the upgrade for anyone you know who enjoys hiking (and they’ll save your other sneaks from mud)!
Some of these items include affiliate links, meaning I will collect a small commission if you choose to purchase—but at no extra cost to you! I am truly obsessed with each of these gifts (and if I don’t already have them, plan on getting them!), and I sincerely appreciate you supporting me by doing some of your holiday shopping via this post!