The holidays are upon us! I don’t know about you, but I have fully transitioned into Christmas mode. We put our tree up this weekend, have our holiday parties mapped out, and have begun writing our Christmas gift lists. Now, I know Christmas is not just about the gifts, but the fact is, Cody and I like to buy gifts for our loved ones. We get joy out of seeing family and friends open gifts that we hand-picked specially for them.
As we began writing our gift lists out, I got to thinking that some of you may need gift ideas for your loved ones. I put together a list of my favorite things that I think would make great holiday gifts. Of course, you may just want to add some of these items to your own wish list or forward this on to Santa Claus to drop a hint or two. 🙂
SmartWool Socks – Socks!? You must think I am nuts, but have you ever worn a pair of SmartWool socks? If you have, you know how awesome they are. These are hands-down my favorite cold-weather socks. They are the first ones I grab out of my sock drawer in the winter. They are so cozy and they keep my feet super warm. I love all of the cute patterns too. These make a great little gift for those who get cold easily, enjoy winter activities, or like to snuggle up when it’s cold outside. $
Namaste Eye Pillow – This is the perfect gift for someone who has a hard time falling asleep or winding down at night. I have a lavender-scented eye pillow that I use all of the time. I like to heat mine in the microwave for 30 seconds or so to get the aroma going. After I heat it, I run into the bedroom, hop in bed, and put it over my eyes as quickly as I can. I don’t like to waste a second of the scent or heat. I find it super relaxing to have the weight and the warmth of it over my face. It also helps block light from Cody’s IPad or IPhone if he isn’t quite ready to go to sleep yet. This definitely makes it easier to relax and fall asleep. Your hard-to-fall-asleep loved one will be grateful for this gift. $
Journal – It is no secret that I am a fan of journaling. It is something everyone can benefit from. It is liberating to be able to write out your thoughts, emotions, dreams, and goals. Journals are one of my favorite gifts to give to people. I love the quote on the journal below and this is the exact one I would get if I were buying a journal for someone. I truly believe that we all have an inner-knowing inside of us that will lead us in the right direction if we follow it. This thought alone is inspiration enough to write. $ 
Apron – Let’s face it, cooking is just more fun in a cute apron! Whether I am entertaining for friends or cooking for Cody and I, magic happens in the kitchen when I put on a cute apron. Meals just taste better. This is a great gift for the cook in your life. $$
Choose Happiness Candle – This Target candle is another one of my favorite gifts to give to people. I purchase so many of them that I should probably buy stock in the company. Besides the fact that the candle smells so clean and fresh, I totally believe in spreading the message that we get to choose happiness. This gift is bright, fun, and fresh. It would make a great hostess gift. $
Bonterra Wine – Speaking of hostess gifts, here’s another goodie. Bonterra wine is organic, reasonably priced, and has a nice quality. I typically buy it from our local grocery store, Martin’s Supermarkets, but recently found it at Costco. When I saw it at Costco for such a good price, I bought 6 bottles! It doesn’t take much convincing for me to open a bottle of this. Oh wait, these are suppose to be gifts for others, not for ourselves, right?! $
Cookbooks – There is something so nostalgic about a cookbook. If there is someone in your life who is interested in healthy cooking, clean eating, or improving the quality of their family’s meals, they will love any one of these. I own all of them and they are my favorite ones to browse. The Against All Grain books are great for the Paleo, low-carb, grain-free, or dairy-free person in your life. Eating Purely is perfect for someone who is already eating fairly clean but is looking for a new set of trustworthy, doable recipes. 100 Days of Real Food is hands-down one of my favorite cookbooks for someone who has small children. Crazy Sexy Diet is chock-full of information about the benefits of healing your body naturally with food. Kris Carr, the author, has kept a terminal cancer at bay for over ten years through the use of food–she has a pretty amazing story. If you need more cookbook recommendations, please don’t hesitate to ask. $-$$
YakTrax – Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. The cold weather tends to make us hibernate in the winter. We walk and run less outside because it can get so darn slippery. YakTrax are traction cleats that you can put on over your own shoes. They provide traction on the ice and snow. It takes the danger element out of exercising outdoors in the winter. Great gift for someone who walks their dog daily! $$
Spiralizer – Oh boy, this is my favorite kitchen gadget. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t need one of these in their life. This is the ultimate gadget for someone who is into eating healthy. You can take any sort of vegetable and spiralize it into the shape of a noodle. My favorite way to use this is to make zucchini noodles for Pesto Chicken Zoodles. I have it on my agenda to spiralize sweet potatoes and toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper to make french fries out of them. Trusssttt me, the healthy cook in your life will love this. $$
PrAna Fitness Mat Bag – If your loved one is carrying a fitness mat to-and-from the gym, help them do it in style with this bag. It is so cute, and will provide a safe haven for their mat, keeping it free of germs. I have a very similar bag and get a lot of compliments on it. Let’s face it, what woman doesn’t want a cute bag to carry her stuff in? $$
B Present Studio Barre Class Package – One of the best gifts you can give is the gift of health. It is no secret how much I love B Present’s barre classes, and if you haven’t been yourself, you need to put this on your own wish list so you can try it out. Then, you should buy one for your loved one, so you can go together!
B Present Studio is in Granger, IN and they offer classes in-studio and online. If you are purchasing a gift for someone in the greater Granger area, I would recommend buying an in-studio package of 10 classes for $120. Purchasing the package saves $30 over purchasing the classes individually. If you are purchasing a gift for someone outside of the greater Granger area, I would recommend purchasing a Barre on Demand 10 class pack for $38.00, a savings of $12 over individually priced classes. To purchase, use this link. If you have any questions you can email bfit@bpresentstudio.com. $-$$$
Selah Spa Gift Certificate – Selah is my favorite spa in the Granger area. A gift certificate is the perfect gift to get someone who needs a little pampering. Selah offers massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, and more. The quality of the service you receive is comparable to or exceeds what you would experience in a high-end Chicago spa. This is truly a gift of luxury. Another one to add to your own wish list too! $$-$$$
Blendtec – Ok, we’re getting big here. This is the Cadillac of all blenders. I waited a long, long time before I bought myself a Blendtec. It is hard for me to part with my money but the day I bought this baby marks one of the best days of my life. (Ok, slight exaggeration.) It is a game-changer. I use mine almost daily to make a green smoothie. I also use it to make mashed cauliflower, riced cauliflower, homemade enchilada sauce, hummus, pesto, soups, sauces, and more. Literally, you guys, this is the ultimate kitchen gift you can give someone. I can’t even believe I lived so long without one! Your loved one will thank you and thank you and thank you and probably make you some awesome food with it. $$$$
You didn’t think I forgot about stocking stuffers, did you? My mother-in-law always stuffed my husband’s stocking with a ton of little gifts when he was a kid and now he does the same thing for me, and I actually have started doing the same for him. It is a fun little tradition that we both look forward to on Christmas morning. If you are in search of little goodies to fill a stocking with here are some ideas:
Burt’s Bees Chapstick – Buy a four-pack and open it up so you can wrap each one separately. Nothing like making your loved one work for it.
Pure Gum – My favorite aspartame-free gum. Perfect for the gum-chewer in your life.
Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bars – Oh man, these are the bomb. Buy these by the dozen and keep some for yourself. This chocolate is so rich and creamy and only has 5 grams of sugar per serving. It is my favorite treat at the end of the day. Much healthier than typical Christmas candy that gets stuffed into stockings.
Allegro Organic Mint Green Tea – I love this organic mint green tea. It would be a great addition to a stocking.
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Polish – This goes down in history as the best fall/winter OPI nail color, at least in my eyes. I love it and I don’t know who wouldn’t.
I hope all of these suggestions sparked some gift ideas for you. Don’t overthink it when you are picking out gifts for your loved one, just go with ones that speak from the heart. There is no such thing as a silly gift and when all else fails, the best gift you can give someone is the gift of your time. Happy ‘Start to the Holiday Season!’
If you do purchase any of the Amazon items above, please use the links provided. Xo.
