2014 gift guide

I always have fun putting these gift guides together. I’m heavily influenced by my own tastes and what I’d buy for Andy, so it’s entirely possible you won’t find a single helpful thing. But, maybe you will! At the very least, I hope these guides get the gears in your head moving and make gift-buying less stressful.

clockwise from left:

• A classic red plaid scarf (regularly $29.99, but use the code CHEER thru 11/18 for 40% off)
• A festive pitcher ($25) that would also make a cheery vase
• This top-rated bronzer set ($22) includes four bronzers and a brush 
• A jaunty fedora ($28, multiple colors), because the recipient wants to be a hat-wearer but is too nervous to buy one for herself
• This goofy mug ($10) would give your selfie-loving friend a prop to pose with :)
• This fitbit ($47.73) syncs to your devices and can be used with other apps, such as MyFitnessPal or SparkPeople
• I featured these totes ($45) in my 2012 guide because I own one and I LOVE it! (The striped metallic tote is rather fabulous, too)
• How happy is this desk accessory set? ($24, multiple colors)
• I recently checked this bestselling novel ($16.20) out from the library and can’t wait to read it!
• A geometric frame ($14.95) adds interest to a special photograph

clockwise from left:

• A sleek backpack ($49.99, multiple colors) carries his laptop and gym clothes (Andy’s Kellogg’s backpack travels everywhere with us)
• A growler ($38.68), so he can bring his favorite local beers home or take his home-brew to friends
• Andy used a plastic bag for his toiletries before I bought him a travel bag ($12.70)
• No kid at heart can resist a toilet mug ($10) (I bought one for my brother-in-law one year and Andy was bummed that I didn’t buy him one)
• All he really wants to do is hang out in sweatpants (regularly $29.94, but use the code CHEER thru 11/18 for 35% off)
• This bestselling biography ($9.60) will be a book he’ll never forget (it really is that good)
• A bestselling piece of brain science ($9.78) to make him go “huh!” (if he’s read and enjoyed any of Gladwell’s books, he’ll like this one — it’s fascinating)
• Hat clip and ball markers (various prices, the Bear’s set is $8.99)
• Because he’s always getting holes in his socks ($17.49 for set of six) (I got this exact set from Costco last week for $9.99)
• My guy runs on Dunkin’, does yours? Dunkin' Donuts gift card

check out previous gift guides, here

2013 gift guide

- for him -

Ticket to Ride board game - $36.81

this game is easy to understand but still requires strategy.

I bought this for my dad last year, and we all enjoy it.

Buffalo Wild Wings gift card - $25

perfect for when his games aren't televised!

also great: Dunkin Donuts card, NFL Shop card, Amazon card

Outliers - $10.19

I can't recommend this one enough.

My guy loved it and I loved it, too.

Fleece crew neck sweatshirt from Old Navy - $22

who can resist a guy in a cozy shirt?

(reviewers suggest buying a size up if you

don't like a slim fit)

Prodyne cheese slicer - $16.79

Random, I know. BUT! Andy saw a cheese slicer while we were

on our honeymoon and wanted it, and we have used it hundreds of times since.

Not even joking.

Who doesn't like cheese?!

Tennis Balls - $21

get him excited for warmer weather :)

Under Armour Long Sleeve Tee - $20-28

perfect for playing or viewing outdoor sports

- for her -

Square pave earrings from Loft - $24.50

if I hadn't JUST bought gold and diamond studs

then I'd get these for myself.

Open Weave Infinity Scarf from Nordstrom - $20

love the fringe!

Chevron bracelet from Edor - $24

Edor is my favorite jewelry shop on Etsy. I have the "Arena"

and "Diagon" necklace. Her beautiful initial necklaces would also make

a great gift.

Bible verse art print from ashleeproffitt - $15

I bought this exact print for a friend

and paired it with a white frame.

Bamboo spatulas from Pampered Chef - $10.50

These are my favorite cooking tools!

I also love the $8 bamboo tongs.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - $13.08

a beautifully written coming-of-age story

(also my top pick from the books I read in 2012)

AMC gift card (or Regal) - $25

Spending $5 on popcorn doesn't seem so bad if

someone else has paid for your movie ticket.

also great: Sephora or Ulta card, nail or spa certificate

Moccasin slippers from Old Navy - $18

I have these (in wine) and LOVE them.

Can't beat that price!

2012 gift guide, 5 items on my 2012 list, 2011 gift guide

nifty gifties

Some of the items I mentioned in my 2012 gift guide were straight from my own Christmas list, but what about the other things I asked for? Here are five things that caught my eye recently:

1) chevron clutch from pretty penney
I saw this clutch on Dooce's gift guide for kids. Embarrassing? Slightly. I know I'm getting it (thanks babe) but I won't be able to open it Christmas day. Production time is around four weeks and we ordered it last night. Hey, it'll be fun to get a present in late January!

2) essie "midnight cami" nail polish

I'm picky about nail polish and I could see this being one I'd use all the time.

3) Smartwool socks

I fell in love with these after borrowing a friend's pair.

4) Asymmetrical clutch

Everything about this clutch is adorable, from the asymmetrical opening to the polka-dotted interior. Yes please. It's cute in green, too.

5) "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey

Someone somewhere (can't remember) wrote a rave review about this book and made me want to read it. I did read about a woman who picks up a snow/winter-related book every year and reads it around Christmastime. Maybe I'll adopt that as a new tradition?

2012 gift guide

while you're at it, get a few ideas from my 2011 gift guide

1. a handmade stocking stuffer

DIY strike-anywhere match jars
(see another similar project here)

2. a quirky (and oinky) conversation piece

CB2 gold pig bookends, set of 2 -$29.95

3. a sweet nightstand catch-all

set of 3 cloud trinket dishes - $22.50

4. a calendar for the new year

2013 illustrated wall calendar - $15

5. weekend vacation inspiration

The New York Times 36 Hours - $39.95

6. a notepad to add glamour to grocery lists

watercolor notepad - $12

7. because (almost) everyone loves cheese

cheese-making kit -$19

8. a new kind of arm candy

Baggu and West Elm tote- $45

9. clay animation + mockumentary + British accents = genius

(note: adults will cry from laughing so hard. kids, not so much)

Creature Comforts season 1 - $19.99

10. a Bauer-like messenger bag

Rothco Vintage canvas messenger bag - $41.48

2011 gift guide

santa was at the mall on friday night. whaaaaat?

guess it's that time of year...

for the book lovers

any of the Penguin Classics books make a great gift

I'm especially in love w/ these book covers

(but I'm a bit ashamed to admit I haven't read any of these yet)

black beauty is from the thread collection, the three musketeers is from the graphics collection

and oliver twist is from the hardcover classics collection. 

A subscription to The New Yorker isn't cheap,
but OH MY GOODNESS.
that's all I have to say.

these funny monster bookmarks are an easy craft
that wouldn't take much money to make.

for the coffee lovers

if the coffee lover in your love doesn't have a coffee grinder,
this little guy will change his/her life.

I love these Starbucks classic mugs - you can buy
a tall, grande or venti - or, be like me and buy all three (for yourself)
-I bought mine at Starbucks, but not all stores carry the same merch-

trader joe's chocolate covered espresso beans are outta control

for the fashionistas

this "saddle blanket" infinity scarf may be
from the juniors section at Nordstrom, but
no one has to know!
wouldn't this look HOT with a leather jacket
or a pea coat?

jewelry is a TERRIBLE gift idea if you don't
really know the taste of the recipient.
but this simple kate spade bangle would go with everything -
and come on, it's kate spade! it's an expensive-looking
gift that someone can wear every day

this sweet headband is only $10
I bought it for Chicago (you can see me wearing it
on the second to last pic in this post)
you could buy it for your lil sis or your big sis!

for the stylin' guys

this inexpensive, no-frills Timex is a classic for a reason!

these Legend of Zelda cuff links crack me up.
the etsy shop has tons of funky options to fit your guy's personality
(I'm also digging "the dharma initiative" links)

this wooden iphone case is SICK

for the next Food Network stars

grate cheese over soups, salads and entrees like a pro
with this restaurant-style rotary grater

this food pod keeps eggs/pasta/seafood/etc all together
for easy draining
plus, it's super fun to look at

presentation is key - and this stinkin' adorable
porcelain "basket" (aka pretend
berry basket) would be a piece the recipient would
want to use again and again