Young House Love

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Holiday Gift Guides For Guys, Gals & Kids

Big news, guys! We finished our makeover at the Children’s Hospital, and we can’t wait to share all the photos – hopefully on Monday! So today we thought we’d Friday things up with one giant gift guide for everyone who has been asking for it (last year we shared our picks for lads, ladies, and kiddos across three different posts, but this time we thought we’d just smash them all into one big gifty rundown). And in the interest of thriftiness, there are lots of under-$15 things along with a ton of $30-or-less finds.

Here are a bunch of things that we’re digging for kiddos – along with a few baby items now that we have one on the way.

Kid Mood Board

1. I love cruising around on Etsy (shopping there makes me more confident that it’s not something one of our nieces or nephews might already have) – like this $25 whale puzzle that’s homemade and super charming.

2. This harkens back to Clara’s baby days, but a relative got us this sleep sheep as a gift, and it was so convenient to snap to her carry-along car seat for keeping her snoozing when we popped into restaurants or other people’s homes.

3. Clara would go nuts for this awesome $15 wooden vegetable garden for her dollhouse. She loves little interactive items like this, where you can actually “plant” things like carrots and then pull them out to harvest them.

4. This $23 eco friendly beehive toy is another one that we’re tempted to grab for Clara (kids can work on their fine motor skills while they pinch each bee and place them into the honeycombs). And you know we like bees…

5. This $9 book never fails to make us laugh when we read it (crayons have feelings too!).

6. Clara and pretty much every kid she knows are into sharks, so I think they’d get a kick out of this shark bath towel.

7. This $35 mouse doll is handmade and crazy cute. Is it weird that I want one?

8. Clara got this $15 magnetic dress-up set as a gift from her cousin Elsa for her birthday and is IN LOVE with it. They’re little wooden dolls with magnetic clothes that you can easily change (sort of like paper dolls, but with magnets instead of tabs).

9. This $7 wiggling worm toy looks cute for a certain bun on the way, but I can’t tell if it’s too early to get him a Christmas present? Someone say “no way!” so I can click “add to cart.”

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Here are some things I thought would be fun for moms, sisters, friends, or any other ladies out there.

Lady Mood Board

1. These festive cheers glasses would be sweet filled with anything from candy to a bag of hot cocoa mix – and a few of them with a bottle of wine would work too.

2. Ceramic house ornaments. I love them. In fact I wouldn’t be mad at Santa if these guys showed up in my stocking this year – especially since they’re on clearance.

3. I love poking around on Etsy for my sisters-in-law or my best friends, and this little customized necklace (she’ll make any state or animal) is pretty amazing indeed.

4. This clean-lined necklace is on my wink-at-John-and-send-him-the-link list this year. I love the long-ish chain and the mixed metals.

5. This little heart sweatshirt is on sale for $15, and I think everyone from my niece to my mom could rock it.

6. A gleamed out little pillow (on clearance for $17) could fit the bill for your home-loving (or Nate-Berkus-loving) friend.

7. I love a little colorful clutch like this for corralling everything from makeup to other odds and ends in my purse that would otherwise be floating around and falling out.

8. Photoshop humor wins every time. I’d totally buy one of these crop-tastic shirts for myself and one for my art director friend.

9. I’m a huge fan of Katie Daisy’s Etsy shop, and I think this $18 Here & Now print is one of the sweetest reminders to stay in the moment.

10. Brown leather studded gloves (under $30) are a chic little gift for someone who’s into fashion or warm hands.

11. This is my favorite tech gadget that I’ve seen in a while, and it’s only $9. It plugs into your outlet and cuts the power to any charger/device/appliance that’s connected to it at a certain interval (ex: after two hours, when it’s fully charged). So the laptops and phones will get juiced up, but won’t keep sucking power from those outlets all night long once they’re full.

12. These blue tights would be such a fun stocking stuffer (pun intended) – and they’re on sale for $8.50.

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Last but certainly not least, John got in on the fun and put together this “Dude Guide O’ Gifts” – so I’m handing him the mic for the last third of this post:

John Holiday Gift Ideas

1. I’m two issues into a $24 Mental Floss subscription that I got for my birthday this year and I’m already hooked. Any trivia geek or factoid cowboy will have a field day with this magazine.

2. Since I’m not fancy enough to give someone an actual phone (or ask for one either), a new case is a nice middle ground. This wood-ish iPhone case on ScoutMob is marked down to just $16.

3. I’ve kinda been jonesing for a cordless circular saw. A friend let me use theirs recently and I loved not messing with extension cords. But maybe that’s just the saw addict in me talking.

4. Our showhouse builder loaned us his old ear-marked copy of this book and it sucked us right in.

5. Threadless has tons of cool stuff, and I love that you can get it on shirts, hoodies, mugs, or the ol’ classic poster. This cool-ly colorful Linear Landscape print starts at just $8.

6. Thick glasses + mustache + Etsy shop = congratulations, you’re now the owner of the ultimate hipster shirt.

7. Not to go all Rob Kardashian on you, but I think we can all stand to own some not-so-serious socks.

8. This $19 “Old Town” throw is a good guy-friendly blanket for sending some warm wishes. The brown is pretty neutral, but the geometric city print is a nice upgrade from the generic.

9. Our garage is currently lacking in the light department, so every time I see the sign for this $20 work light at Lowe’s, I realize it’d be a great gift – especially for the tool guy in your life. You can always use more light. And clamps. Someone put that on a t-shirt or something.

10. In preparation for my annual “watch less TV” resolution, I love the idea of stocking up on family friendly games like this Telestrations one that I keep hearing so much about. And if you’re feeling less than-family-friendly, we hear that Cards Against Humanity can be pretty fun too.

11. Subscription boxes are the gifts that keep on giving. I have my eye on StrideBox, which comes stocked with goodies for runners. But there’s also one for bike enthusiasts and a bunch of others on this review site.

Did you guys see any favorites among the mood boards above? Do you have any especially tricky-to-shop-for relatives? And are you breaking out all the saved-from-last-year gift bags and ribbons to get everything wrapped up? You know Sherry is.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

*This post contains affiliate links*

Comments

  2. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    This might sound completely crazy, but I’m considering asking for a house Christmas present of changing our trash pick up to weekly for 2 months. Currently it’s every other week.

    The previous owners left so much “stuff” that having weekly trash pick ups for 2 months would allow it to all go away without our having to haul it to the dump.

    Every house deserves a Christmas present, no?

    Reply

  4. Julia says

    Cards Against Humanity is one of our new favorite games, it is a riot! BUT it is DEFINITELY far from family friendly. Even some adults get offended by it. So if you are easily offended or find it hard to laugh at super inappropriate things, it might not be the game for you. But otherwise, it’s so fun!!

    Reply

    • Kimberly says

      Yes, Cards Against Humanity plays a lot on shock value, which can be offensive. However, it is a *great* game.

    • Lindsay@Tell'er All About It says

      So Cards Against Humanity is one of our family’s FAVORITE games but weak bladder and pelvic floors beware…. Quick story – my Father in Law was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and had to have his prostate removed (and he’s totally fine now, btw!). As such he needs to be “careful” with his bladder if you know what I’m saying. On the road to recovery, we played CAH a few times and he admitted that the only time he had any “accidents” after surgery were the two times we played CAH as a family. It’s THAT funny…

    • Leah says

      A family-friendly version (or more family friendly, depending on the minds of your family) is Apple to Apples. There is also Apples to Apples junior, which I think is intended for kids. Same concept as Cards Against Humanity without all the blaspheming and need to shower afterward. I like them both :-)

  6. Laurel says

    Telestrations is the BEST GAME EVER. It’s laugh aloud no matter what the outcome! It says 12+ on the box, but is totally playable by younger kids. As long as they can write, they can play. The best part? No winner. If your family is as competitive as mine (and yes we play games EVERY time we get together) this is the perfect game. No hurt feelings, no losers, just all out fun. And hilarity.

    Reply

  7. Stephanie says

    I completely agree on the book “The Day The Crayons Quit.” It is the most entertaining children’s book I’ve read in a while. With an emerging reader on my hands, I’m glad there are books out there like this one that the whole family can enjoy together.

    Reply

  8. Melissa @ Loving Here says

    This is great! John’s list has several items that are specifically on my Hubs’ gift list…like the game…and the saw…and the socks. And Sherry, can I just be best friends with you already? Our wish lists are so similar! (Those houses? Oh-my-goodness-yes!)

    Reply

  11. Susan says

    Awesome–thanks! Dh is definitely getting that architecture book. He’s about the only person I gift who wants something small and likes surprises but he’s hard to shop for. I think he’ll love this.

    Reply

  13. Melissa C. says

    Love it! Am seriously tempted to get the dollhouse vegetable garden for my daughter. I’d also like to know more about that lovely clutch, but the link takes me to the Nate Berkus pillow. Is that a me thing or a link thing?

    Reply

  14. Jessica says

    My daughter loves the Abby & Emma magnetic dress up dolls too (#8 in kids). Bonus: since they are magnetic they make fun shapes on her Magnadoodle! Probably would also stick to a fridge or magnetic easel – great gift!

    Reply

    • Jenn w-M says

      When we travel with our 3 yr old the magnetic dolls come (as well as the magnadoodle). My mom bought her a metal serving tray that the dolls and all the clothing stick to the tray so there is no lost pieces that we have to have right now while speeding down the highway. Works like a charm and is great for drawing and other small entertainment things while traveling.

  16. Joey says

    My almost 4 year old has #4 and she LOVES it! I was also surprised at how quickly she learned how to use the “tweezers” that came with it. Plan Toys are the best.

    Reply

  17. Ruth says

    The link for the coral clutch is going to the page for the pillow. Could you possibly try to update it, because I would love to know where the clutch is from! Thanks!

    Reply

  18. Anna says

    Another great gift idea for one of those guys-who-have-everything types in your life? Fulton & Roark solid men’s cologne: fultonandroark.com

    Reply

  19. Krystal says

    Love these suggestions, thanks!!! I am *ahem* quite behind on my Christmas shopping….not good….so this really helps!
    Also, we are big board game fans and truthfully my husband and I prefer Apples to Apples more than Cards Against Humanity. We feel that you can be more creative with the word associations and the plus side is you can make your answers more suggestive/lude or family friendly depending on your group.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We love Apples to Apples! One fun spin we created with friends a while back is to deal one extra hand and randomly draw a card each round from that hand. We call it “playing against the computer” – it’s hilarious how many times the random computer card gets picked as the best one. Cracks us up every time!

      xo
      s

    • Bethany says

      I love the “playing against the computer” twist! Cards Against Humanity is fun but can definitely be extrememly offensive / gross. I don’t even know what a lot of the cards mean and I’m scared to google them to find out!

  20. Isabel says

    Thanks for the ideas, I especially love the C&B ornaments and the Belkin power attachment. My family is notoriously difficult to buy for, everybody either gives you a list of stuff only they could pick out for themselves or remain vague until the last minute. This year is no different but thanks to you guys I have a better plan (insert Dr. Evil laugh)… Two of my sisters are getting the globes you did for your weekly craft and the other is getting one of the Articipe prints (LOVE them!), which I learned about through you. As for me and my husband (poor thing has no choice), we’re all about the new sofa… if we can decide on one we both like!

    Reply

  21. michelle says

    Great list! We already have the doll set ordered for our 3 year for Christmas. Quick question for ya: Last year, Jingle the Hallmark dog was on your list. Did Clara end up getting it and did she like it? I have been pondering getting one to finish up Kara’s gifts, but thought I would ask and see if you had an opinion! Thanks! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, she got it and liked it for a while! Eventually he got a little finicky (didn’t always bark when we read the “trigger” words) and now he pretty much sits in the toy basket unused for the most part – so he’s honestly more of a for-a-few-months toy than some of the other ones (she still loves/uses her magnetic wooden fishing set from last year regularly, for example).

      xo
      s

  23. Inês Figueiredo says

    Hello there!! I´m sorry but the #7 link to the clutch in the girls is going to the #6 again for the pillow!! Sorry.

    Reply

  24. Jill says

    Yay! Thank you! I just ordered two things for ME! (the sweater and tech thingy) and got some fun things for the grown up daughters boyfriends. I was so stumped on what to get those boys. Happy Friday!

    Reply

  28. Linda says

    Love that Belkin powersaver, and the sweatshirt! And, John, you’re right – no one can have too much light or too many clamps. And may I say again how impressed I am with your woodworking skills. Sherry, you are such a lucky woman to have looks, brains, and cabinetry skills all in one package! John, of course you’re lucky too – not too many women have Sherry’s skills, intelligence, and looks out there!

    But, most importantly! Not to early for a gift for the bun!!! I bet Clara might like wrapping something for her baby brother! And maybe pre-test it for him to make sure it’s fun!

    Reply

  29. Marie says

    True Cards Against Humanity story:

    My husband and I got this for our brother-in-law last year. Then his grandfather kind of went nuts and yelled at everybody and it was really stressful, so we opened…let’s call it 2 more bottles of wine that nobody needed after the festive but not excessive amount we would have normally drank? And decided to break out the CaH.

    There weren’t any children present, but there was my mother and father in law (late 60s) and 3 adult children plus 3 significant others (20s and 30s). Highlights included someone making my father in law read “my vagina” off of a card and my mother in law TELLING EVERYONE that my husband isn’t circumcised.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      OH MY GOSH! That sounds like quite the time. It’s so funny how people seem to love that game (at least a few of our friends have told us it’s crazy fun) but it does sound like it can go “scandalous” pretty fast!

      xo
      s

  30. Mary Kaye says

    I just bought the Belkin Conserve Socket as I thought it was a cool gadget too. I plug my cell phone in each night before I go to bed and I set it to charge for only the needed amount of time and then it shuts off! So techy yet conserves energy! Brillant!

    Reply

  32. Katie Rose says

    I have the Belkin device (#11 under Ladies) and it really is a great deal! I use it when charging my phone or laptop overnight or when I am away from the house so they don’t get over-juiced. HIGHLY recommended!

    Ahh I want that whale puzzle for myself! What a cute thing just to put on display!

    Reply

  34. Jess says

    L-O-V-E that tech gadget!! I always hate plugging my cell phone in and feeling like I have to keep checking on it. (Are you done yet? How ’bout now?) This is such a cool way to keep from wasting energy! Brilliant! It’s now on my list :)

    Reply

  35. Brenda says

    Telestrations is so fun and hilarious! Fun gift for anyone who loves games. I always hope for a pair or two of pretty earrings, since that’s the only jewelry I wear regularly.

    Reply

  36. Katie Rose says

    Oh and I just realized I have #2 in the ladies section too…the ceramic house ornaments from C&B! I just bought them this past weekend. Honestly, they are a bit big & heavy for my tree’s branches so I keep them on a shelf in the living room. I put a couple little bottle brush trees next to them and made a little “winter landscape”. Kid you not, when I saw them in the store I thought of you, Sherry! Not to seem like a weirdo or anything… ;)

    Reply

  37. Eilene says

    Oh I think I just picked out my husband’s birthday gift. That magazine looks perfect for him! It’s so funny that you have “The Day the Crayons Quit” on the list. I purchased a couple of them for my son’s friends, based on the awesome reviews, but then was a little bit shocked by tone/language. Then I tried to determine if it was just me or not… Bad day maybe? I was wondering what others thought of it. I trust it more now that I’ve seen your review though. I’m going to have to read it to my son and see what he thinks. I’m just afraid he’ll start saying “You’re killing me!” the next time I ask him to pick up his toys :-)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Anyone have any thoughts for Ellene on this? We think it’s such a charming and funny book, and a few others have commented to say they love it too, but I can totally see how you could pick out a sentence or two that might not work for you! Books and movies and stuff like that are such a subjective thing :)

      xo
      s

    • Serena says

      Ellene~

      I was surprised to read your comment about finding the tone/language in “The Day the Crayons Quit” questionable. I’m an elementary school librarian and eagerly added it to my collection after finding it in a local bookstore. I have read it to many classes with no issue.
      We take the time after each crayon letter to talk about how that particular crayon is feeling, why they feel that way and how the boy could help them feel better. It’s a great way for kids to talk about feelings, roles in a group, other’s expectations etc.
      If some of the language/tone bothers you then I would suggest you use that as a learning exercise with your son. Talk about how the crayon writing the letter feels and talk about how the crayon could express himself in ways that are more appropriate for your family/behavior expectations.

  39. Kate says

    I just bought 4 of the Belkin devices for my siblings-in-law. We do a modified secret Santa where couples gift their favorite thing (of the year, of the moment, whatever) to each of the other couples. $10 limit this year, so those outlets are perfect–and definitely better than the basket of random snacks from Trader Joe’s I was planning on.

    Reply

  40. Shelby says

    Cards Against Humanity is definitely a great game, but adults only for sure! Otherwise, Apples to Apples is the way to go for a more “PG” game.

    I just found out about Telestrations! Which is funny bc my friends and I have been playing that game for years, we call it The Best Game EVER! All you need is a sheet of paper per person, and when you pass it along you fold down a portion so the next person can only see your interpretation (whether it’s a drawing or words).

    I like the idea of having dry erase notebooks for it though, but can’t justify spending $30 for a game that can be played basically for free. Instead, I’m digging through my card making paper stash and making my own! I’ll just laminate and bind the notebooks myself. My husband and I got his cousin’s family where there are 5 kids for our secret santa this year, so I’m going to give them my DIY copy. I’m pretty excited to see how it comes out!

    Reply

    • AmyM says

      I’ve been playing it with regular paper for years too! It’s great for groups that would be too big for other games. In fact, I think more players makes it better. If you have more than 8 with the Telestrations version, you can always get a simple stack of papers for each extra person.

    • Jessica says

      My brother in law introduced us to the homemade version of Telestrations many years ago. We call it Eat Poop You Cat and play with index cards….no fancy game box, but hours of family fun!!!! He recently bought Telestrations and to be honest we had more fun when we just made our own words/phrases up.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      When I was proof reading that this morning it made me spit out my cereal I was laughing so hard. I guess when things are on in the background that he professes to hate, they seep into his brain anyway! Ha!

      xo
      s

    • Evelina says

      I loved the reference!! It’s my guilty pleasure! Please don’t disown me as a fan. Woop woop Arthur George!

  42. Abby J. says

    We LOVE the sleep sheep for our daughter. Got us through the early newborn days and she loves it at daycare even though she’s now 3.5 months old.

    Reply

  43. Jen C. says

    I wasn’t sure that it was possible for me to love you guys more (not in a creepy stalker kind of way!), but this list just made me love you even more. The outlet converter – love it! That’s going on the list for like 200 people – okay, 2 people, but still, I was stumped for them, and this will be great. Also going for the crayons book. You guys rock! Thanks for this gift list; it’s been a gift to me!

    Reply

  44. Ammie says

    We totally Christmas shopped (and received gifts from soon-to-be aunts, uncles and grandparents) when I was pregnant with my twin sons! It was mostly little things that we likely would have purchased for them anyway, but it was sweet to have gifts to them under our tree since at that point they’re already part of the family! I say Add to Cart!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw, thanks Ammie! It’s weird how I think nothing of grabbing a little item of clothing for the bun if I see a cute clearanced onesie or something, but buying a toy for Christmas felt semi-strange. Better get over that! Ha!

      xo
      s

  48. Christa says

    What a great list! I was hoping you’d have John’s “Consider this diem carped” shirt on here, too! I’ve looked for it everywhere on the internet (with no luck) and was going to have one made for my husband for Christmas, but would you mind sharing where you got it? It might make my life a little easier :) Thanks!

    Reply

  49. Erin says

    My family loves Telestrations! I don’t think any of us have ever laughed so much. We bring it out every holiday. It’s our favorite and we’ve been playing board games for over 20 years as a family.

    Reply

  50. jp says

    The field guide of American Houses is a phenomenal book. I am so excited that you included it here! It’s approachable, accurate, interesting and useful!

    Reply

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