There is nothing better than giving the perfect gift, unless you count the process of finding the gift as a separate occasion. When it comes to giving or receiving, thoughtfulness is true value. Just ask any parent with a fridge covered in artwork. I’ve come to learn that many people do not share the same love of the gifting process that I have. So, for the third year in a row, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite gifts for this year, ranging from items that I personally own or use everyday to some of the products that even I aspire to own. This curated list offers an array of items, from fun to functional, specifically crafted for the ladies in your life.
Home/Office, Little City Love
I met the Little City Love crew a few years back as they were selling cards at a local street market. And my how they have grown since. I’ve had a healthy supply of their cards on-deck for birthdays, thank you’s and random stationery. Their large prints are also popping up all over Columbus, in the form of thought provoking or inspiring quotes that encourage conversation. These prints are beautiful, simple, and thoughtful. And their founder is a hell of a shortstop when it comes to softball.
$5.00 – $18.00 Buy here
Miscellaneous, Bequest Box
The love of curated gift boxes has rapidly grown, and Bequest Gift Studio is one of my all-time favorites and one of the first of this level of quality in Central Ohio. This is a small but nimble team of folks here in Columbus that is curating some of the most-beautiful products together for both individuals and corporate groups. I could write an entire article on each of these boxes, but would do a disservice to their work. Fantastic products in perfect harmony of one another, with packaging covered in the costs. A wide array of boxes for spa-lovers, adventurers, and homemakers alike.
$35 – $160 Buy here
Drink, Vim and Petal Gin
The team over at Middle West Spirits has been working on some great new products and experiences and this new gin is one of my favorite gifts of the year. If you know someone who complains that gin tastes like the pine needles of a Christmas tree, then this bottle needs to end up under theirs this year. Made up of 18 proprietary botanicals, Vim and Petal is a beautiful addition to your bar at an affordable price point.
$29 Buy here
Cosmetics, Lush
It’s Whole Foods for your face. Seriously. I stopped in at a Lush store a few weeks ago as a bystander, waiting on others to make their purchases. An employee saw me aimlessly roaming and asked me if I knew anything about the brand. Twenty minutes later I left informed, excited, and with my own product in hand. This brand is fascinating to me, treating all of their products and the in-store experience as if it were a marketplace, complimented by a strong commitment to ethical buying, and the absence of animal testing. Lush truly owns the idea that these cosmetics should be treated just like fresh produce in a farmers market. The bath bomb phenomenon can be rightfully attributed to Instagram, which is filled with demo videos.
Price: Varies Buy here
Experience, Blowout Bar
Pampering for your hair, because it shouldn’t require a special occasion to treat yourself. The concept is simple, but has ‘blown’ up all around the country. Even better, the Blowout Bar now has two locations in Central Ohio, making it even easier to get your reservation made. I am yet to try the head massage on my own, but everyone I know that has given this a go has had nothing but positive things to say.
$40-$50 Buy here
Food, Jeni’s Ice Creams Box
It’s hard to go wrong with an ice cream delivery. Add in a great package and brand aesthetic atop of a guaranteed culinary experience and you’ve got even more reason to buy yourself a pint in the process. This beautiful orange box shows up on the front door, ensuring eye candy for your Instagram and pleasure for our palette. The pink grapefruit sorbet and the brambleberry crisp are my must-try’s. Or keep it seasonal with
$10 – $50 Buy here
Apparel, Patagonia Snap T Pullover
It’s no surprise that Patagonia is one of my favorite brands in the marketplace for their standards, their commitments, and their products. Beyond encouraging people to buy less and fix more, Patagonia was recently recognized for their fantastic on-site childcare and some bold statements on their environmental policy.
The Snap T pullover is comfy, cozy, and great for more than just the sorority girl in your life. Keep it simple or go a little rad in the design. It’s a great gift.
$83.00 – $119.00 Buy here
Clothing, People Socks
Two years ago I included People Socks on my list for men after wearing them for well over a year without any holes or wear & tear. Today, every pair I bought is still worn on a weekly basis – The only pair that has gone MIA was borrowed and never returned, for obvious reasons. At less than $10/pair, these are the most affordable, comfortable premium merino wool socks you could ask for. It’s a small brand out of Brooklyn, NY and serves as a great gift. (Men: buying your wife socks because she says she only wants functional gifts this year is NOT the best call. Pair this deal with another one on the list for safe measures)
$10 – $24 Buy here
What she doesn’t need
Buying something special for someone can’t be determined by a curated list. But if that’s the case, at least take my pointers on the things your friend, colleague, or significant other could do without this year.
Hot Cocoa Sampler Kits – Yes, everyone on earth loves hot cocoa…but most of us endured through years of elementary school creating arts and crafts out of Swiss Miss, only to shove it into the back of the pantry to be discovered in the Spring. Instead try: Grab a gift card from a local coffee shop and include a card asking to grab coffee at least once a month this year. It’s interactive, fun, and way better quality.
Wine Bottle Stoppers- If you read the men’s list, then this is the stereotypical sister to that. Every person I know that loves drinking wine and holding onto bottles at home already has at least a half-dozen bottle stoppers. And in all reality, no one has any business with that many open bottles of wine at a time. Instead try: See Little City Love prints.
Christmas Scented Soap – By the time she gets this gift, she’s probably thinking about how much it’s going to suck when she has to take down the Christmas tree and clean up all of the wrapping paper, while simultaneously avoiding new toys scattered throughout every inch of the living room. If you’re giving out peppermint mocha hand sanitizer on December 25th, you’ve missed the mark and can expect that bottle to end up in a Dirty Santa grab bag. Instead try: See Lush Cosmetics.
Did this list help you out this year? Or perhaps you received one of these gifts from a friend or loved on this season. Let me know via Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.