My One and Only Gift Guide 🎁

Based off true events from this entire year

For several years now, I’ve prided myself on my small online community looking forward to my holiday gift guides. Every year, they get bigger and better and more thoughtful, and they’re a serious labor of love that I genuinely enjoy putting together and take pretty seriously.

However, having a baby at the very end of October/beginning of the holiday season isn’t exactly conducive to doing anything except figuring out how to keep a new human alive, so I had less than zero time to curate gift guides this year.

I was going to let it go entirely. Truly, I was. But over the last few days, I’ve been mentally creating a running list of all the things I’ve been given this year or bought for myself that have been stand-outs and have improved my life in some way, big or small. Then, I took that mental list and made a note in my phone. Once I did that, I realized I had enough to throw together exactly ONE somewhat specific yet somehow totally generalized gift guide for you all. So this is that.

These are 35 gift ideas that I personally swear by and own. I didn’t scour other websites guides for these items — they all live in my home right now, and I would happily give them or receive them to and from anyone. My hope is this guide helps you knock a few people off your holiday shopping list, so let’s get to it.

HOME

The Ember Mug: I don’t need to go on about this one since I haven’t shut up about it on IG for a week now. My best friend sent me this knowing how much I needed it, and I am now emotionally attached to it. My Ember mug, without me, is useless. Without my Ember mug, I am useless. It’s available at Target, Amazon, etc etc.

Anthro glass candle stick holders + flameless candle sticks: This is a one-two punch of a gift. I own three of these glass candle stick holders and am obsessed with all three of them (also, always group decor together in odd numbers. Not even. Ellen taught me this). The flameless candle sticks are a total vibe and save anyone from having to clean waxy messes.

Anthro big ass candle: I love a big ass candle, and Anthro does them very well. I just got this Fresh Balsam and Cedarwood one for our kitchen island, and I’m betting you know someone who would appreciate a BAC (big ass candle).

Coffee machine: The same best friend who sent me the Ember mug also had this incredible coffee machine that I immediately copied. It’s amazing because it takes whole beans (so every cup and pot is super fresh) and grinds them for you, and there are six size options: espresso (3 oz), 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz, and a 40 oz carafe. You can also control the temperature of the coffee and the boldness (light, gold, bold). It makes perfect coffee every. single. time. It’s a hefty price tag but if you’re buying something nice for a coffee drinker, this is it.

Automatic soap dispenser: This is one of those items that’s like… is it necessary? Well, no. But also kinda yes? Is it a little ridiculous? Sure, but once you try an automatic soap dispenser at a kitchen sink, you may never go back. If you’re shopping for someone who spends a lot of time cooking and baking in the kitchen, I can guarantee you they rinse/wash their hands 100 times a day. They need this. It’s game-changing. Throw in a big ass soap refill while you’re at it.

Anthro blanket: I’ve had this for years, but it never isn’t a perfectly big, cozy blanket to gift to anyone who loves blankets. In fact, ours is pretty run down and I may just order the green one as a replacement… Merry Christmas to me?

Nice ass towels: Good towels aren’t cheap, and these ones from Frontgate are LUXURIOUS. I got some for us once our renovation was complete this summer, and they are a delight. IDK — maybe someone in your life is in dire need of a towel upgrade?!

Caro Chambers cookbook: Every recipe of hers I’ve ever made is phenomenal. This would be a great gift for a plethora of people.

Snooz white noise machines: If you’re still using something on your phone for white noise, I implore you to treat yourself this holiday season and upgrade to a Snooz machine. We have one in our bedroom, one in the guest room, and got Ziggy the travel-sized one for his crib. Nothing compares to the clean, crisp, nothingness of the white noise these machines make! And they’re all Bluetooth so you can control the volume from your phone.

Mini vacuum: I’ve said it 100 times, and I’ll say it 100 more — this is the best $20 I spent this year. I keep this thing in a kitchen drawer and use it to clean up all types of spice spills, crumbs, and what have you. It’s so handy.

Candle lamp warmer: If you have a fire-conscious friend who doesn’t love to burn candles but loves the smell of them, this is a CLUTCH gift. It works incredibly well and is way safer than open-flame.

Immersion blender: I feel like immersion blenders are one of those kitchen tools you don’t buy for yourself, but totally want and would love if someone gifted it to you… so be that person. It’s such a handy tool when you need to blend a big pot of soup and don’t want to do it in batches via a blender.

BEAUTY

Salt Air lip gloss: “…and the rust on your door…” (Swifties will know). I spent most of the year pregnant as fuck, so I didn’t treat myself to much in the way of beauty. However, this lip gloss is AMAZING and would be a wonderful stocking stuffer. The Goji Berry shade is a gorgeous red and, bonus — it smells good, too!

ZO Skin Exfoliating Polish: My skin is as smooth as Ziggy’s butt, and it’s all because of this magical skin scrub. No, really. When I don’t use it, I see a HUGE difference in my skin (i.e. it’s bumpy and rougher). If I use this at least 3x a week (but preferably every night), my skin is immaculate. Get it for the beauty junkie in your life.

BABY

First year baby book: My sis gave me this upon Ziggy’s arrival, and it is so cute, so detailed, so precious. If someone in your life is having a baby soon, this is a home run of a present (there’s even a little built-in envelope for their hospital bracelet 🥹).

Harry Potter baby blanket: JK Rowling is an unnecessarily hateful wench, but Harry Potter is the exact opposite. Don’t discriminate against the magical world she created — gift this adorable Harry Potter-themed blanket to a babe in your life (Ziggy has it, obviously).

Rainbow alarm clock: I got this on a total whim for Ziggy’s room, and it’s one of the happiest purchases I’ve made. It has multiple light settings, from all solid colors, to rainbow, to a pink/blue/purple number. I’m partial to the rainbow, and for $11, it’s such a cute gift to give.

Whatababy book: Know a Texas-based baby? They probably need this Whatababy book with tons of important first words like “bun,” “spicy ketchup,” and “taquito.”

TECH

Skylight calendar: This is the only gift I asked for this Christmas. Zac has a mental blockage that prohibits him from using any sort of calendar system to remember dates and appointments. This is my last ditch effort to have our goings-on front and center on a 15” screen sitting atop our kitchen island 24/7. I pray it works. Anyway, this is a wonderful organizational device to keep the whole family on the same page!

Kindle Paperwhite: This gift needs no explanation. Give a bookworm in your life the gift of hundreds of books in the palm of their hand!

AirPod and Apple Watch Charger: Everyone has their iPhone charging situation figured out, but what about their AirPods and watch? I got this for that and love it a lot.

Portable Charger: Speaking of charging, you know that one person in your life whose phone is always almost-dead? Throw this in their stocking.

iPhone loop handle: Another great stocking stuffer that is (pun intended?) super duper handy!

FASHION + more

GAP sweat set: This is the perfect sweat set. I have it in red, I got in gray, and I may get a third color (“Sweatpants are the only thing that fit me right now.” But seriously).

CZ studs: These are great everyday earrings that look like the real deal from far away. They also come in tons of sizes, so you can get what you think suits your recipient the best! I wear mine daily.

UGG house shoes dupe: UGG doesn’t need your money — Bezos does. JK. Neither of them do, but if you want the popular UGG house shoes for way less, GET THESE! Just go up a half size cause they’re pretty snug.

Red leather tote bag: I treated myself to this Cuyana tote this year and OMG — it is everything. I got it in red, monogrammed it, and also got myself a matching organizer to put inside of it, which is exactly how you should gift it to someone this year!

LL bean tote bag: Speaking of which, I got this LL bean tote bag even earlier in the year for summertime things, and it is also perfect. Get the medium size with LONG handles! And, of course, gift it with an organizer.

LUKA duffel: Last bag suggestion. My CalPak duffel never fails me, ever. YES, it fits underneath the seat. NO, I don’t have the big size. Just the regular size. YES, it’s worth it. Trust me.

Nike sneakers: I saw our contractor wearing these this summer and had to have them. They are SO comfortable and really damn cute.

Lake pajamas: This kimono PJ set is SO soft, comfortable, and dare I say, stylish? I don’t feel great in most clothes right now, but this set makes me feel like a mother goddess when I wear it around the house. A perfect mother-in-law gift!

Amazon slippers: These are cheap, thick, trusty, and comfy AF. What else could you need? I have the black white color, in case you were curious.

Multi-color bead necklace: This rainbow bead necklace comes in handy a lot. I mean it’s rainbow, so it goes with literally everything and it’s just a super fun, happy piece of jewelry. It comes in SO many color ways, too. I have the “assorted” but there are tons of new ones. Gift it to someone who would appreciate it.

Everlane beanie: I’m not a big beanie girl, but I got this from Everlane (in red, obviously) and it’s really cute. Super warm, thick, and a high quality beanie. Good for boys and girls alike!

Owala water bottle + sticker: This 40 ounce Owala bottle has been my emotional support water bottle since I learned I was pregnant in February. It is with me always. My water bottle, without me, is useless. Without my water bottle, I am useless. I got this very cute sticker from Etsy to slap onto it, which you should totally do if you give it as a gift because that’s just good humor.

WHEW. I did it. I fucking did it, guys. I really hope you find this guide helpful, and don’t forget to download the LTK app and follow me there (@ emmasthing) because it’s where I house ALL the things I talk about and link so you have easy access to any and everything I ever mention.

Peace, love, and happy holiday shopping,

EGM