Not having kids myself means shopping for my friends and families children is that much more fun. There is nothing more fun then finding the perfect gift and shipping it away to a little one with their name on the package. I loved receiving mail as a kid so I can only assume that between Baby Shark and Fortnight today’s children still love getting mail addressed directly to them.
I’ve picked a few of my favorite gifts for this holiday season to help inspire anyone who needs tips for buying the perfect gifts for their friends kiddos!
When it comes to shopping for kids, you try to strike a balance between giving something practical and giving something the kid will actually love. Cool kids shoes are the perfect combination of something that kids need and will enjoy at the same time. Pediped is an award winning children’s’ footwear brand with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development. Their styles are colorful and comfortable, whether you choose sneakers, boots, sandals, or dressy styles.
Pediped designs shoes that kids and parents love. Kids love the styles and comfort and parents love knowing that their child’s growing feet are properly supported. Let the little one of your shopping list run and play all day by giving them some new kicks from Pediped. If you have a pink loving little girl to shop for, get her the Flex Force sneakers in Hot Pink. These shoes are girly and adorable but lightweight and will let any girl play hard all day long. Shoes can get messy but the Flex Force are machine washable, made with Vegan materials. They go on easy with velcro closures and will fit better than any shoe on the market thanks to Pediped’s Flex Fit System removable inserts.
The Flex Barbara from Pediped is a sweet mary jane style shoe that feels like an athletic shoe. Little girls don’t need uncomfortable dress shoes that give them blisters. With a flexible rubber sole and breathable lining, she won’t miss a beat. The Flex Barbara is designed for real life but looks amazing with dresses, skirts, leggings, or pants. Shown here in the Tan Sparkle, these shoes are neutral so she can wear them with all her outfits and won’t be slowed down at all. These shoes will look beautiful with a Christmas outfit!
If you aren’t sure on sizing, you can always buy a Pediped gift card and wrap it up in a cute box with some fun socks. Pediped is a gift you can feel good about giving. With over 150 designs for babies, toddlers, and kids, there is sure to be the perfect pair (or two) of shoes for every kid on your list.
Flex Force | Flex Barbara | Pediped gift card
For friends with little ones at home that first holiday season is both exciting and stressful. While they are juggling finding a routine and creating family traditions, gifts that can be really helpful are the best options. I’m always the person who buys the most ‘functional’ item on a baby registry and come towards the holiday season those useful things are even more necessary.
For friends with young babies at home the Feed and Soothe Gift set is one of my go to gifts for both the holiday season and baby showers. MAM is known for their anti-colic bottles and this set has 4 bottles in 2 sizes, perfect for replenishing their stock as baby grows. With a vented base these bottles regulate pressure to ensure babies do not take in any excess air while feeding.
For many newborns, pacifiers are a godsend, but keeping track of them can become a stressful experience. With two MAM pacifiers in this set you are helping make sure new parents have everything they need close at hand.
For infants Christmas is a time of bright lights and crinkling paper. Giving them a gift is not nearly as important as giving mom one that will make her life easier. Thats why I love Covered Goods as a gift option for little ones. The original multi-use nursing cover, Covered Goods is both a gift for mom AND baby. Manufactured in the USA, these versatile covers can be used as an infinity scarf for mom, a car seat cover, a shopping cart cover for bigger babies AND as an over head nursing cover.
When used as a carseat cover babies sleep more soundly and can relax from the world around them. This is perfect for a girls brunch while baby naps!
Made from a soft and stretchy material, these covers are soft on both mom and babies skin. Each cover is constructed from a high-quality rayon making them lightweight enough for everyday use while being completely opaque at the same time. Each cover is fully machine washable meaning no matter what messes happen throughout the day, mom can toss it in the washer with the rest of babies clothing and be fresh and ready again in minutes.
Holiday shopping for kids does not have to involve you wasting a ton of money on giant, plastic toy monstrosities that will barely be played with and end up in a landfill. This year, skip the plastic and shop with GoSili. GoSili is a Michigan based company founded by two women who want the world to waste less. Their tablewear for kids and adults is made with silicone, a safer and less wasteful alternative to plastic and disposable items. We know we need to do better in how we care for our planet and our bodies. Choosing to buy and use products from a company like goSili is a big step in making positive changes. goSili makes reusable straws, cups, cup lids, bowls, and more. We love all their offerings for kids and adults.
This Christmas, goSili Straw Cups are an ideal stocking stuffer for all kids. Available in 12 and 16 ounce sizes in a variety of fun colors, goSili Straw Cups will immediately become the favorite cup of any kid who gets one in her hands. The innovative goSili design is high-end yet affordable.
These cups hold their shape and will not collapse when little hands give them a squeeze. The silicone top fits inside the cup tightly and the reusable silicone straw is wide and comfortable when drinking. These cups are dishwasher safe, which keeps parents happy.
goSili products can be found at your local Target. Be sure to check out their To Go Cups for coffee and tea and grab yourself a little gift while you are shopping for the kids on your list. Shop smart this holiday season and buy gifts for kids that are healthy for them and for our planet. This is possible thanks to goSili.
Interested in other gift giving inspiration? Check out my favorite stocking stuffers for grownups!
Disclaimer: I received product samples to help facilitate the creation of this guide. All thoughts, opinions and writing are my own.
Stockings have always been one of my favorite parts of the Christmas Holiday. Hanging on the mantel all season long they are a good visualization of the togetherness spent throughout the season. Without kids the stockings have become a fun treat in our house that we each get to fill for each other every year. I love trying to come up with fun ideas that will surprise Drew. I pulled a couple his and her’s ideas together to help inspire your stockings this season!
If you are filling the stocking of a whiskey lover you can’t go wrong with a good bottle of whiskey and some Savor Stones. Savor Stones are made from recycled soapstone or granite. Left to chill in the freezer, pour your favorite libation over Savor Stones and they’ll chill the drink without diluting the flavor. These are also perfect for iced coffee!
Savor Stones – Whisky Soapstones
Who doesn’t love painting their nails for the holidays. A good quality polish that can take you from decorating cookies to holiday parties is a must have throughout the season. Morgan Taylor, a professional nail lacquer, is the stocking stuffer every woman needs this season. The Forever Fabulous Gift Set fits perfectly in her stocking and has all the colors she needs to make this holiday season bright.
Forever Fabulous Glitter Set | Forever Fabulous Solid Set
Nothing brings back holiday memories like the image of vintage cards. This beautiful coffee table book is the perfect addition to her holiday decor and is chock full of fun Christmas quotes and traditions. Use this little book as a daily devotional all season long, sharing with family and friends the spirit of the holiday.
You all know how much I love Hickory Farms! I always know Christmas is around the corner when the Hickory Farms mall store pops up. Summer sausage, cheese and other treats are a great standby stocking stuffer year after year and can become a family tradition!
Interested in other Holiday posts and shopping recommendations? Check out my traveler gift guide.
Disclaimer: I received product samples to help facilitate the creation of this guide. All thoughts, opinions and writing are my own.
Once you’ve been bit by the travel bug its hard to get that need for constant travel out of your system. Travelers are typically pretty minimalist folks, brining only the necessities along for the journey. Gifts that allow travel lovers to easily move about the world are always a winner! As someone who loves to travel myself, I’ve put together a list of my favorite travel gifts for 2018.
No matter how far you travel, some comforts of home are necessary, like your own shampoo and conditioner. When flying with a carry on bag sometimes its not possible to find travel sized versions of all your favorite products. The TSA compliant travel kit from Nalgene is the perfect gift for helping get through security and on the road that much faster.
Made with the same leak proof lids found in their water bottles, the travel kit is perfect for bringing along all your favorite toiletries. Four color coded caps make it easy to tell shampoo, conditioner and body wash apart and a vial specifically sized for cotton swabs or bobby pins keeps your travel bag organized. To wrap packing up toss your vitamins into the straight sided jar and toss them all into the leakproof travel bag.
There is nothing worse then being on the road and having a headache or sore muscle take your focus off your trip. Packaged in environmentally friendly carry cases, b+b keeps you prepared for any ailment that might strike on the road.
FDA Approved, b+b has the same high quality products found in other over the counter medicines but a give back model that makes these a much better buy. For each b+b product purchased the company donates a product to someone in need through a nation wide partnership with Americares.
Naproxen | Acetaminophen | Ibuprofen
As you traverse the world, staying fully powered and connect to your life back home can be a bit of a challenge. Gifting tools to help your favorite traveler stay fully changed no matter where the journey takes them is a gift everyone can appreciate.
If you travel with multiple devices, you finding a way to charge them all at the same time is difficult. My typical day includes needing to charge a cell phone, apple watch, computer and sometimes even my ipad. Luckily the TWIST World Charging station is fully compatible in over 150 countries and allows you to share up to 4 Apple devices simultaneously. Lightweight and easy to toss into a carry on bag, you’l never be without a wall charger again.
When the journey includes a rental car it becomes just as important to stay powered on the road. From using GPS to blasting road trip tunes through the speakers, you’d be lost without a functioning cell phone. The X5 Car Charger features 5 USB ports allowing you to quickly charge everyone vehicles devices at one time! Two front seat ports and three backseat ports ensure that even on long road trips your backseat passengers can keep going on ipads or kindles throughout the entire trip. The Car Charge connects with any 12v-24v vehicle outlet, ensuring you’ll be fully prepared and powered for your next adventure.
TWIST World Charging station | X5 Car Charger
Traveling somewhere near the ocean? You’ll definitely want to protect your skin from the suns rays. Sunscreen that protects both you and the ocean reefs are the best options for your next beach adventure. Traditional sunscreen leaves oils on the water that can damage the reef and negatively impact the animals that live in the ocean. To ensure that these beautiful spaces remain enjoyable for generations to come, we need to be extra cautious of what chemicals are going into the oceans today.
100% Natural Origin Love Sun Body is the first fully green, safe and effective broad spectrum mineral sunscreen to hit the US Market. Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, providing a more comprehensive level of protection. Completely free from GMOs, chemicals, parabens and colors you’ll feel safe putting Love Sun Body on everyday throughout your next adventure.
When planning a road trip, staying organized is the most important part of the trip. Whenever I take a road trip I travel with a 1st aid kit, blankets, pillows and at least a few snacks. It’s easy to toss all that in the truck and hope for the best but when you need to find something digging through the mess is the worst!
The Joy Car Organizer can making keeping all the ‘junk in your truck’ that much easier. With three compartments, the trunk organizer allows me to sort out extra blankets from first aid supplies without needing to toss it all into the back of the car. The third section can be used standalone or with a thermal insulator to keep snacks the perfect temperture while on the road. When the trips all done, the organizer folds up and stores out of the way, ready for use during your next trip!
Interested in other Holiday posts and shopping recommendations? Check out gift ideas for women!
Disclaimer: I received product samples to help facilitate the creation of this guide. All thoughts, opinions and writing are my own.
Throughout the month of December most of the women in your life are go, go, go. With all that’s on everyone plates, finding a gift that shows how much you appreciate them now and throughout the entire year can be a bit tricky. To help get your inspiration churning we’ve picked out a few of our favorite gifts for women this holiday season.
Who doesn’t love walking into a house full of beautiful smells. I love candles but I’m always terrified that I’ll forget and leave the house with one burning. Wax warmers from Happy Wax are the perfect alternative for those who love the smell of candles but are worried about forgetting to leave them burning (like me).
Made in Durham, North Carolina with all natural soy wax and infused with essential oils, Happy Wax melts are perfect for gift for anyone who loves a beautiful smelling home. Each melt is molded into an adorable shape and available in mixed sets of scents. I chose the spa day scene package with scents of bamboo, lavender chamomile and eucalyptus spearmint. Completely paraffin and phthalate-free there is no worry about releasing chemicals into your home as you enjoy the scent.
Each signature Happy Wax warmer features a 3, 6, or 9 hour timer, allowing you to ‘set it and forget it’ with complete peace of mind. I love knowing that my warmer will automatically click off when its done! Each warmer includes the ‘No Scrape’ silicone melt dish that allows you to easily pop out used wax and start over with a fresh scent. No need to soak for hours and hope that the leftover wax comes off!
Right now for the holiday season Happy Wax has a whole slew of amazing discounts including 50% off all holiday sets. First time customers can also receive 10% off their first purchase with code: “IHEARTWAX”.
Mod Star Wax Warmer | Spa Day Wax Melts
When you are burning the midnight oil working on holiday gifts there is no reason to also strain your eyes in the process. My sewing station is set up in our basement so I can leave things out in between projects but the overall poor lighting was making it hard to get things finished. With the LightView Rolling Light from BrightTech I can now work all hours of the day without having any trouble seeing what I’m working on.
The adjustable arm and rolling base allows you to bring the LightView wherever you need it to complete a project. A 9 watt LED light has an over 20 year lifespan and provides 800 lumens of brightness, perfect for seeing fine details as you work. The light is fully dimmable, so if there’s too much glare or shine you can even adjust the brightness as you work.
For projects that need a bit more up close view it’s easy to flip open the magnifier door and add 175% magnification. From sewing to knitting and bead work there are so many things ou can do with the LightView!
Most weekends I live in leggings and workout pants. A good pair of leggings is something no one can have too many of and the Go Leggings from Tani are my new ‘Go-To’ for being comfortable throughout the weekend. Tani is known for their mens underwear (and were also featured in my gifts for men guide) but their ladies options are equally amazing.
Made from a lightweight french terry knit, the Go legging has a comfortable 4 way stretch that stays in place throughout the day. Solid fabric means that these leggings can in fact pass as pants and are machine washable so you could easily wear every day of the week!
If you have a cat owner in your life you know how much they love their cat. Purebred cats are way less common then purebred dogs and you’ve probably wondered exactly what makes your cat look or behave the way they do. When shopping for the cat lady in your life, a DNA test for their favorite feline is just the treat to really make their holiday special.
For cats with fur its easy to collect a sample of hair and quickly send it off to the Basepaws lab for testing. Hairless cats require a mouth swab instead.
In just a few months you’ll receive a personalized report explaining how closely your cat is related to various breeds and wildcats as well as any potential health risks you may want to be aware of. If ordering as a Christmas gift you need to place your order by 12/15 to ensure holiday delivery.
The holiday season is a time of giving and giving back. When you are shopping for the person who has everything or a minimalist, giving the gift of giving back is the perfect way to show you care without bringing more ‘stuff’ into their life. Launched in March 2018 inLieu allows you to select from one of 1.6 million registered US non-profit organizations and donate in your gift recipients honor in minutes.
InLieu is a phone app, so even if you forgot about that hostess gift ahead of time you can quickly send a gift while riding in the car to the party. It’s just that easy! There is a $10 minimum donation and a flat $1 admin fee that ensures more money makes it to the organizations you care about. Your recipient will receive a text alerting them to the donation in their honor.
Interested in other Holiday posts and shopping recommendations? Check out gift ideas for men!
Disclaimer: I received product samples to help facilitate the creation of this guide. All thoughts, opinions and writing are my own.
