A Few of Our Favorite Things for 2022

Every holiday season I see a flood of gift guides hit my inbox and my social media feeds. Typically it seems like most gift guides are actually a wish list of items people would like to have under their tree, themselves, rather than items that are tried and true in their home.

I’m also sharing a gift guide. But, to go against the grain, I’m sharing only items that we have used (and loved) for over a year. The items on these lists (all linked below) are items we actually own. They are gifts my kids still use years later. They are items that still bring my husband joy or that I still rave about.

These are a few of our favorite things.

Gifts for Him

A list of some of my husband’s favorite things.

1. Yeti Camino 35 When my husband came home with this, I honestly didn't think it would get much use. I've been proven wrong weekly. It's incredibly handy for camping, day trips, the beach, and anytime we need to toss something in a bag.
2. Solar String Lights If he camps or tailgates these are great for atmosphere lighting and are easily stored.
3. LEGO Creator Bookstore If he liked building LEGO as a child and wants a fun hobby that is also stylish on his office bookshelf, this set is a great starting point that he can add onto over the years.
4. Riedel Drink Specific Glassware We’ve fallen in love with Negronis in 2021, and this mixer set is our favorite for date night in or when we introduce friends to our Cocktail of the Year
5. Charcuterie If he'd like to learn how to cheaply make bacon, this book is a great how-to.
6. Spiff Kit My husband loves most things from this website, but this is their take on a classic toiletries kit that packs and travels exceptionally well.
7. The Yosemite Shirt If he's looking for a classic flannel shirt that can be worn at the office and on the weekend, this is a great choice.
8. Saddleback Leather Bifold WalletThe motto on their website says, “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” My husband has had his wallet for years and each year it looks better and better.
9. Ranger 2.0 If he likes to camp and needs to bring his own fire pit, this is a great addition.

Hope these help make his holiday special!

Gifts for Her

A list of some of my favorite things.

1. Wicked Good Moccasin Slippers I've had these slippers for more than five years. They are incredibly cozy, have a hard bottom, and are arguably the best slippers ever made. I said what I said.
2. A Wool Dress I've talked before about my love for wool dresses. If you're considering less fast fashion in 2023, more comfort, and a basic uniform to ease decision fatigue? Might I suggest the Rowena?
3. The Perfect Locket The perfect weight and length, I wear this locket year round as it seems to go with everything. I have it in gold.
4. The Franklin Tote Bag I've talked before about my love for my "mom bag". It keeps me organized and makes my office portable. Plus it comes in so many color options!
5. Stanley Quencher For a very long time I didn't buy one simply on principle: everyone had one. When my friend Amber mentioned that she loved hers, I decided I should give it a try. I love the size, how cold my drinks stay, the straw, the handle, and the heft. I'm hooked.
6. Saranoni Weighted Blanket I got this as a gift last year and it's such a cozy blanket with just a touch of weight to it! I keep mine on the end of my bed.
7. Natori Robe 100% flattering. 0% bulky. Sleeves short enough that you can wash dishes in it without having anything in the way. Still my daily favorite years later.
8. Kindle Paperwhite I have talked about how much I love my Kindle before. It's still true and would make a great gift for someone who loves to read.
9. Aria Diffuser The Aria is the queen of diffusers and is a daily work horse in my home. It comes with two favorite oils: Tangerine and Peppermint, plus a free gift of Christmas Spirit from me. Drop a few drops of each in the Aria and you are all set for festive smells!

Don't forget you can shop for yourself if you need to!

Gifts for the not-so-little-kids

These are some of our favorite things for kids. (For reference my kids currently range in age from 8-14.)

1. Colored Pencil Roll 72 colored pencils fit into this canvas holder. It rolls up for seamless storage, encourages kids to not misplace a single pencil, and can be easily transported all over the house. If your kid is into art or coloring, this is a handy gift - pair it with a favorite set of colored pencils.
2. Pendelton Wool Blankets Heirloom quality, cozy and warm: everyone in our family owns their own Pendelton blanket. The Yakima Camp Blanket is the perfect size for kids and my kids have been genuinely excited to get these as gifts!
3. BANG! The Outlaws hunt the Sheriff, the Sheriff hunts the Outlaws, and the Renegade is ready to join one side or the other. This is a game that's fun for kids, teens, and adults. It's a twist on a spaghetti western and lots of fun.
4. Magnet Blocks You can build anything with these blocks–houses for Barbies, parking garages for Matchbox cars, or tall towers. Our kids have played with these every day for four years. (I’ve linked the exact brand I prefer.)
5. Yeti Mug Santa brought these for stockings for our kids last year. They are perfect for hot chocolate, tea, or a cold drink while doing homework!
6. LEGO for Teen Girls These botanical LEGO sets are fun to put together and look great on a desk or a dresser. We have the succulent set and the orchid set!
7. Starter Aquarium Kit Pair this aquarium kit (perfect for a desktop) with a PetCo gift card. Your kids will have fun picking out a fish, accessorizing their aquarium, and learn a little bit of responsibility on the side.
8. Little Oilers Collection We have this set, and I find it to be the most common oils that my kids and teens reach for. It also comes with an adorable owl diffuser that doubles as a white noise machine!
9. Topo Rover Pack Mini This was part of our older girls’ Christmas present a few years ago. It’s the perfect size for a day pack.

These could all make great gifts for your kids!

Snippet from my week

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends or family! It was just the six of us this year, and we enjoyed such a wonderful day together!

Thanks for reading! What's something that someone in your family loves that you would give again as a gift? Just hit reply if you'd like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.