Each year, I feel like I move further away from wanting material goods and ease more into wanting sleep, recharging experiences, and replacement items for things that wore out. I don’t know if that’s sad or lovely, but I am content knowing I don’t need much to make me happy (especially as I continue to sort through my late parents’ things). But there are a few things I’d love for my birthday and Christmas this December and a random list of holidays gift ideas for those on your list, from office secret Santa to your dearest loved ones.
Disclaimer: Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links, but I encourage you to take the info on the item and shop for it locally where you are. I get about €10/year in affiliate income because I don’t push anyone to buy from Amazon. Shops small, shop local. But Amazon is a standard website format with details on products where you can see it, read reviews, and know product specs so it’s useful to link to.
Gift Pack for Anyone
This combination of items in a gift bag is practical, very very practical. Ideal for a housewarming gift, first apartment present, office ‘white elephant’ exchange, or for someone you don’t know very well.
- Duct tape
- Gorilla tape
- Gorilla glue, clear
- WD40
- Sugru Multi-Colour (Pack of 8)
- Set of lasting cotton kitchen/tea towels
Gift for Adult Child or Loved One:
Gift for Teen:
If you have a teen or 20-something in your life, may the force be with you. Here are a couple ideas.
Plinrise Animal Desk Phone Stands (from DirectNine in Ireland or from Amazon.co.uk)
STAEDTLER 185 C24 Noris Colour Colouring Pencils – 24 Assorted Colours
Gift for New Home
I love giving home gifts that are either exactly what the person needs/wants -or- something handmade locally.
A piece of handmade Irish pottery, like Charlie Mahon Ceramics Pottery here in Cork
Aucma Stand Mixer, 6.2L (that doesn’t break the bank)
Cast Iron Core Dutch Oven (stovetop to oven to table – we don’t have one, I’ve wanted it for YEARS)
Eames style chair from Fervor & Hue (Irish business! Cork-based which I’ve written about before) – I have a pink one at my desk, but want to get a cushioned one
Alexa Aroma Diffuser Works with Apple HomeKit
Nordic Ware Scandinavian Silver Dollar Pancake Pan (ours is going strong after 17 years)
For Babies & Kids
This list of gift ideas is listed in age order with baby gifts at the start and tween gifts at the end. Keep in mind that baby gifts are to be enjoyed under adult supervision and that humans under the age of 3 put everything in their mouths, choking hazards need to be watched out for, and you need to check packaging for details on age recommendations.
The World of Peter Rabbit (The Original Peter Rabbit books 1-23) by Beatrix Potter
Shape sorter ball – ours is Tupperware brand
MagFormers Magnetic Building Set
Dragons Love Tacos – we read this several times a week
Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island! – There’s also Book 2 & Book 3
Questioneers Chapter Book Collection
The Treehouse Storey: Books 1 – 11 Set
The Great Irish Science Book by Luke O’Neill
Jamie Smart’s 4-book Flember Series
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Books for Personal Growth:
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Culture Map (INTL ED): Decoding How People Think, Lead, and Get Things Done Across Cultures by Erin Meyer
A Room of One’s Own and Three Guineas (Collins Classics) by Virginia Woolf
Manners Begin at Breakfast: Modern Etiquette for Families: The Essential Guide to Modern Manners by Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Tory Burch
My Glory Was I Had Such Friends: A Memoir by Amy Silverstein
Skincare: The award-winning ultimate no-nonsense guide and Sunday Times No. 1 best-seller by Caroline Hirons
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown
Random Other Ideas:
I’m eyeing this Oodie craze and these three colours: blue, donut, and paint.