Welcome to your stress-free zone for holiday gift hunting! If you’re new to the tradition of meticulously curated Holiday Gift Guides, you’re in for a treat. For years, we’ve been diving deep into the world of presents, seeking out items that spark joy, laughter, and genuine appreciation. Consider this your friendly guide, brimming with handpicked suggestions to make your holiday gifting thoughtful and fun.
Charming holiday window display in NYC, inspiring holiday gift guide ideas.
Before we jump in, a quick note: While you’ll find some links here to make things easy, remember the magic of local shops! Whenever possible, support your neighborhood game stores and bookstores. You might just discover an even more perfect treasure while keeping your community vibrant.
Games for Family Fun & Laughter
Looking for gifts that bring people together? Games are always a winning choice, fostering connection and creating lasting memories.
Humorous thrift store find, a menorah salad fork, suggesting unique holiday gift ideas from local Goodwill.
Ouisi: This visually stunning game is designed for a wide range of ages, making it perfect for families with both young children and grandparents. Ouisi uses beautiful photo cards and challenges players to “visually connect” them based on shared patterns, shapes, and colors. Think of it as a visual cousin to the popular NYT Connections game. It’s accessible for kids as young as 4, yet engaging enough to challenge adults. We’re excited to try it out this holiday season with our multi-generational family gatherings!
Ouisi photo card game box, a visually connecting family game recommended in holiday gift guides.
Just One: Another fantastic game centered around connections, Just One is a semi-cooperative party game that’s incredibly easy to learn (seriously, about 5 minutes!). Players work together to help one person guess a word, but there’s a catch: everyone gives a one-word clue, and any duplicate clues are eliminated! This leads to hilarious moments and clever wordplay, making it an ideal after-dinner activity for groups. For another free and fun group game idea, don’t forget the classic Fish Bowl!
Just One board game in play, a fun and easy party game perfect for holiday gatherings and gift guides.
Ed Emberley’s Great Thumbprint Drawing Book: For a nostalgic and creative gift, especially for families with children, look no further than Ed Emberley’s drawing books. Inspired by thumbprint art, this book is a delightful throwback that sparks imagination. Paired with a colorful ink pad, it’s a can’t-miss gift for kids, teens, and even creatively inclined adults. We spent countless hours with Emberley’s books when our kids were younger, and they remain timeless treasures.
Ed Emberley’s Great Thumbprint Drawing Book, a nostalgic and creative gift idea for kids and adults in holiday gift guides.
Books for Thoughtful Readers
For the bookworms in your life, a carefully chosen book is a gift that offers escape, knowledge, and emotional resonance.
Time of the Child by Niall Williams: This beautifully written novel has a gentle holiday spirit and makes a wonderful gift, particularly for parents or grandparents. “Time of the Child” is a deeply moving story that celebrates the ordinary and reminds us of the magic in everyday life. It’s a book that fills you up, even if you didn’t realize you were feeling empty. Niall Williams has a way of making the small moments feel extraordinary, and this book is a testament to his talent. If they enjoy this, also consider his extraordinary book “This Is Happiness,” another family favorite.
Book cover of ‘Time of the Child’ by Niall Williams, a heartwarming novel recommended as a holiday gift for parents.
Annotated Giftable Edition of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: For writers, aspiring writers, or devoted Ann Patchett fans, this special edition of “Bel Canto” is a true treasure. It offers an intimate glimpse into Ann Patchett’s writing process, filled with her insightful and often humorous annotations. It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of a beloved novel. And if they haven’t yet experienced the magic of “Bel Canto” itself? It’s simply a must-read.
Annotated giftable edition of ‘Bel Canto’ by Ann Patchett, a treasure for writers and book lovers in holiday gift guides.
Foodie Delights for the Gourmet Gift Recipient
For the food lovers on your list, edible gifts are always appreciated. These options range from gourmet pantry staples to decadent treats.
Rancho Gordo Vegan Gift Box: If you know someone who appreciates quality ingredients, especially beans, Rancho Gordo is a name synonymous with excellence. Their Vegan Gift Box is a fantastic introduction to their range of tender, creamy, and incredibly flavorful beans. It’s a thoughtful and delicious gift for the home cook who values exceptional pantry staples.
Rancho Gordo Vegan Gift Box with assorted beans, a gourmet food gift for bean lovers in holiday gift guides.
The Fishwife Ultimate Tinned Fish Gift Pack: For a truly decadent and unforgettable gift, The Fishwife’s tinned fish is in a league of its own. While it’s definitely a splurge, the quality is extraordinary. The fish is incredibly firm, dense, smoky, and perfectly delicious. Plus, the packaging is beautiful, making it feel even more special. Prepare to spoil whoever receives this!
Mama Teav’s Hot Garlic: A perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who loves a little (or a lot!) of spice, Mama Teav’s Hot Garlic is a game-changer. This garlicky chili crisp is incredibly flavorful and versatile. We’ve been hooked since we first tried it – it elevates everything from eggs to noodles to vegetables.
Stocking Stuffers & Small Treats
Small gifts can make a big impact, and these stocking stuffer ideas are sure to delight.
MALIN+GOETZ Rum Hand + Body Wash: A touch of luxury for everyday use, MALIN+GOETZ body care products are a treat. The Rum Hand + Body Wash has a sophisticated scent and feels wonderful on the skin. It’s a slightly indulgent yet practical stocking stuffer that’s always appreciated.
MALIN+GOETZ Rum Hand + Body Wash bottle, a luxurious personal care stocking stuffer idea in holiday gift guides.
Janie Stick: This old-fashioned stain remover is surprisingly useful. Essentially a stick of chalk with a brush, the Janie Stick effectively tackles greasy spots on clothing. While you could probably DIY something similar, the Janie Stick is conveniently packaged and feels like a thoughtful little gift – a very festive stocking stuffer indeed!
Nest Grapefruit Candle: The Nest Grapefruit Candle is a long-time favorite for its bright and uplifting scent. Even the smaller votive size fills a room with its delicious fragrance. While Nest candles are a bit of an investment, the quality and scent payoff are worth it.
Pipsticks Stickers – Sticker the Rainbow: For sticker lovers of all ages, Pipsticks offers a delightful array of high-quality and adorable stickers. “Sticker the Rainbow” is just one example of their charming designs. Pipsticks is also a woman-owned business, making it a gift you can feel good about supporting. These are perfect for stocking stuffers or small Hanukkah gifts.
Sticker the Rainbow sticker sheet by Pipsticks, colorful and fun stocking stuffer stickers from a woman-owned business.
Redbubble – Niche Obsession Gifts: For truly unique and personalized gifts, Redbubble is your go-to destination. No matter how niche the interest – from “All of a Kind Family” to nutritional yeast – you’re likely to find stickers, t-shirts, mugs, and more celebrating it on Redbubble. It’s the perfect place to find a quirky and thoughtful gift that shows you truly “get” the recipient.
Examples of niche obsession merchandise on Redbubble, customizable gifts for unique interests in holiday gift guides.
Experience Gifts for Lasting Memories
Consider gifting an experience rather than a physical item. These gifts create memories and offer something to look forward to.
Tickets to Alicia Keys’s Broadway Musical Hell’s Kitchen: For a truly unforgettable experience, tickets to “Hell’s Kitchen” on Broadway are an extraordinary gift. This musical is receiving rave reviews and is considered one of the best shows on Broadway right now. Even listening to the soundtrack on Spotify gives you a taste of its brilliance. It’s a splurge-worthy gift for theater lovers and music enthusiasts alike.
Playbill for Alicia Keys’s Broadway musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, an unforgettable experience gift recommended in holiday gift guides.
Julia Rothman Customized Diner Guest Check Print: For a truly unique and personal art gift, illustrator Julia Rothman is offering customized diner guest check prints. Known for her beautiful “Nature Anatomy” book and NYT “Scratch” column, Julia will personalize a print with your favorite breakfast order, a poem, or any message you choose. This is a limited-run offering, so act fast if you’re interested in this special piece of art.
Julia Rothman’s diner guest check print, a customizable and unique art gift for breakfast lovers and art enthusiasts in holiday gift guides.
A Gift of Self-Care (and a Touch of Humor)
Vaginal Estrogen: Okay, maybe not your traditional holiday gift, but for menopausal women, vaginal estrogen is truly a life-changing gift of self-care. While you can’t exactly wrap it, advocating for women’s health and well-being is always in season. The benefits are significant, improving comfort and overall vaginal health. Consider this a humorous yet heartfelt suggestion for prioritizing your own well-being this holiday season.
Humorous representation of vaginal estrogen as a self-care gift, advocating for women’s health in a holiday gift guide.
Wrapping Up the Holiday Gift Guides
We hope this guide sparks some inspiration for your holiday gift giving! Remember, the best gifts come from the heart and reflect thoughtfulness and care. Happy holidays and happy gifting!
Author Kzteryn signing off, with love from Crone Sandwich holiday gift guides.
With love,
Kzteryn
xo
