It is time for my annual Christmas Gift Guide. Unique, interesting, pretty, fun and useful gift ideas for anyone on your list.
If you’ve been following along with The Christmas Pledge you have no need for this post because all of your presents are bought and waiting to be wrapped this coming Wednesday. So you can just spend the next 10 minutes staring blankly at the computer screen. Or you could make use of this time and do something important like scroll through the list I’ve composed and pick out stuff you’d like to give yourself.
Before we get into it I have some guidelines on buying presents:
Christmas Present Buying Tips:
- If someone lives in a small space DON’T buy them a large present that’ll cause them stress and eye bleeds trying to find a place to put it.
- Check to see where something is being delivered or supplied from. This is especially important on Amazon. If it’s being delivered from China then it’s going to be a month to get to you if you’re in North America. If it says “supplied and shipped by Amazon”, then you’re good. You’ll get it in a few days normally.
- If you’re having trouble thinking of a gift for someone think of their hobbies, and then get them something for that, that they wouldn’t buy themselves. Very expensive knitting needles for a knitter for example. Or a signed copy of a book by a favourite author for a reader. That sort of thing. Hobbies are always the best place for inspiration.
- Want to cut down on shipping costs if you’re shipping presents out of town? Change the shipping address in Amazon to ship directly to the recipient’s house and choose the gift wrap option. The present will be gift wrapped with a personalized card and gift receipt inside the standard brown Amazon shipping box.
Ready? Here we go, this year’s gift list.
The Christmas Gift Guide!
Something for everyone on your list including yourself.
🎄🎄FOOD & DRINK🎄🎄
Things that anyone who likes to cook and drink will love. So everyone but my mother. Except the drinking part. She likes that.
Grain Grinder
You don't have to be a fully accomplished wheat farmer like myself (grew almost 16 square feet of wheat.) to want one of these stone mill wheat grinders. They're the Rolls Royce of wheat berry grinders, good for any homesteady/hippy type who grinds their own flour.
Double Wall Whiskey Glasses
Hey drunkie! Bottoms up with these thermal glasses that'll keep your whiskey cold or your toddy hot.
Water Carbonator
The most beautiful water carbonator in the land. It's the same thing as a Soda Stream but WAY prettier. And more expensive.
SodaStream
The soda stream! Half the price. This is the carbonator I have and I LOVE it. I drink cold, bubbly water every day because of it! If not for the Soda Stream I'd be a cotton mouthed, dehydrated sad person.
KOR ONE Water Bottle
It's just beautiful. I mean look at it. The metallic one in the middle would be my choice. If anyone's listening.
The Incredible Egg Scale
A reproduction egg scale that tells you whether you're holding a small, large or extra large egg based on weight. Perfect for a baker because of how important ratios are in baking. If a recipe calls for a "large" egg, it means a large egg. For instance, I was making cookies the other day but I wanted to half the recipe. The recipe called for 3 large eggs. The scale told me how much 3 large eggs weighed and I was able to select the two smallest that equalled 1.5 large eggs. If that's confusing to you, keep this in mind. This egg scale is also cute.
Nesting Doll measuring cups.
Nesting doll measuring cups. Guess what? Nesting dolls aren't originally from Russia - they're originally from China. Let the outrage commence.
Wonder Woman Slow Cooker
Why yes. This IS a gold Wonder Woman slow cooker. I'd take this over a stupid Instant Pot any day.
Old School Breakfast Station
Coffee maker with an actual coffee pot! I MISS coffee pots!!! Plus it's a toaster oven & griddle. I have no idea if dorm rooms allow this kind of stuff but if they do it'd be a WINNING present for a University student. Also perfect for the non cook who lives in a small apartment.
Kitchen Clip Set
Everybody loves having special everyday objects. It makes us feel special. Things that look gold make us feel even MORE special.
🎄🎄POT PARAPHERNALIA🎄🎄
Because it's Canada, eh? Where pot is legal nationwide.
Cannabis butter infuser.
This little gadget infuses cannabis oils into your butter or oil and heat activates it. But you can use it to infuse any oil with any herbs. Not just "herb".
24K Gold Rolling Papers
24K gold rolling papers for those special pot smoking occasions. Like when meeting Snoop Dog or Martha Stewart.
Gold Grinder
I'm not entirely sure what this is for but I'd say it's either for grinding up your marijuana to make it smokeable or a really elaborate spice jar. (which come to think of it, that's exactly what it is)
Herb
Cooking with herb! Remember that pot brownie recipe of mine? This takes cooking with pot to a whole new chef level.
🎄🎄LUXURY GIFTS🎄🎄
Things you can buy someone who would never buy this kind of thing for themselves.
Pink Swarovski Pen
I asked for this pens few years ago and got it! It still looks sparkly and like brand new. I highly recommend it!
The Naked Bee Lotion
Hands down the best hand lotion I've ever used. Smells insanely delicious and feels great. Not expensive but it feels luxurious. I'm not sure how I can emphasize just how good this is. I got it as a sample this year at a trade show and everyone I was with talked about it for days.
LV Bracelet Monogram Leather
These bracelets are repurposed Louis Vuitton leather! Made into magnetic closure cuffs. Unique & a cool reduce/reuse item.
100% Pure Cashmere Hoodie
I own a Lord & Taylor version but it looks just like this. Lounging around in a cashmere hoodie is something everyone will love.
🎄🎄FUN STUFF🎄🎄
Fun stuff for the fun people in your life.
Stealing Kitten Coin Bank
A friend of mine has one of these & it's the cutest thing in existence. You put a coin on it and the cat pops up and takes it. My friend uses hers outside of her popsicle stand instead of a tip jar and donates the money to animal shelters.
Fifty Shades of Chicken
Because men are great and all but nothing is sexier than a perfectly trussed and roasted chicken. Fun cookbook.
Plantasaurus Rex
You might remember this from my flower post a while ago. SO many of you loved it I wanted to remind you about it for Xmas.
Hallmark Movie Shirt
This is literally my Hallmark Christmas movie watching shirt. I bought it! And yes, it says "This is my Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching Shirt." Mine hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on the quality. I ordered mine from China because I liked the design the best but there are also ones that ship from the U.S. that would arrive more quickly for you.
Hand-Blown Glass Baggie Bowl
I featured this last year and it was a HUGE hit with people so I'm showing it to you again in case you forgot about it.
I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats
We all know a cat who could have written this book. For the cat lover with a sense of humour.
Bozo the Clown Bop Bag.
This punching bag last seen in homes in the 1960s was resurrected 2 years ago. Perfect for a kid or anyone over 50 going through a tough time who could also use a laugh. Gets out more aggression without any of the bad juju of a Voodoo doll.
Bat on a Branch Sculpture
This bat sculpture nails into the side of a tree. I don't think it's going to attract actual bats to your house but it might make a nice perch for birds.
🎄🎄CRAFTY🎄🎄
For the makers in your life! The ones who like to DO STUFF.
Hot Sauce Kit
Beer & wine making takes months. Whereas hot sauce can be made in no time. Plus it can also be drunk right out of the bottle.
Embroidery Kits
There were too many fantastic embroidery kits to pick just one so I found & listed a bunch of them here.
Knitting Kit. 4 X dish cloths.
For a Knit Wit. Super-simple knitting for the beginner. Comes with 100% cotton yarn and everything else you need.
3D Printer - Monoprice
I researched & this is the best starter printer for a beginner. Under $500 (way under) & can build items up to 8"x8"x7". I want one.
I know. Before you say it, I know. Christmas shouldn’t be about the presents. We’d all live better, happier, more boast-worthy lives if we gave up Christmas presents and instead spent Christmas day braiding each other’s hair and complaining about plastic.
But we have 364 other days in the year to be perpetually outraged, so how about we just revel in how good both giving and receiving a thoughtful gift is. K? Especially one that allows you to make a 3 dimensional model of Idris Elba.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Oh Karen! I LOVE the list, I love how appropriate they are, I just adore you because, in my Insta imagination, we are friends and screw that Julie Anne comment! She’s a loser.
Some links didn’t work and some items were a wee bit pricey. Still, thanks for the ideas. I did look at some even though I don’t give or want gifts any more. Not that I’d object to that LV cuff if it were available.
Hi Julie Anne! You must be in Canada like me. Sometimes if items aren’t available here by the same seller they don’t show up when you click on the link. But if you just type the item into the Amazon.ca search bar you can find it. Also, sometimes if the item *is* available in Canada but it comes from the US the price is insanely higher here! Not always, but the odd time something will be $30 in the US and weirdly close to $300 here! :/ ~ karen!
FABULOUS LIST!!! I clicked on a dozen of them because they are so interesting. The Breakfast Station is so cute and looks really useful. Great price for the Soda Stream with a savings of nearly 30% – I paid full price and it was worth it! And the 3D printer is showing at $259.99 US right now! I want just about all of these!
I wish I owned a trailer or tiny apartment or something just so I could get the breakfast station. They have it in cream coloured too which is my favouriteeeeee. ~ karen!
True story. I’m sitting here scrolling through all the great gift suggestions. The “Computer Windows”guy calls to tell me there is a problem with my Windows operating system. Asks what is on my comupter screen. I tell him “Great gift ideas that Karen has researched and is suggesting.” I ask if he would like me to send him the link. He hung up. Mission accomplished.
Karen do you have a fool proof way to get these scammers to stop calling? However it is entertaining.
LOL! Glad to be of help. You really should have tried to get him to sign up for my daily emails though.🤣~ karen!
Wait.. what? They photoshopped the HALLMARK off that sweatshirt? THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE SWEATSHIRT. Dingbat Chinese.
They did?? What do you mean?? ~ karen!
I would guess they’re worried about copyright infringement if it’s not actually the Hallmark channel benefitting from the use of the Hallmark Trademark….
Great job, Karen. I mean it! I was in “Tuesday Morning” (a lower rent version of “Big Lots”… perhaps “Small Lots” would be more apt!) and found a Wonder Woman doll earlier this year. BFF was on the phone and actually said “Oh, get that!” I tucked one away for her. There’s a WW key fob in my jewelry box for her. And now to have a WW slow cooker? (What? She might start to cook… which would be a wonder!) You have actually just saved me from 4 weeks of agonizing through stores.
And the cat bank? Her 4 year old needs that. Deepest thanks!
Excellent! But uch, I wish I could get help coming up with ideas for my own family this year. I’m NOT doing well, lol. ~ karen!
These are GREAT ideas. Must have that bat. Have some family members (we all live where it’s legal) who like a little herb now and then. Guess what they’re getting? I had no clue such things existed. Thanks, Karen – I know they’ll love it!
That cookbook looks like fun. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a little soft core food porn eh? Being an Amazon virgin, if I want to send it to a friend in the US, can/should I use my niece’s Amazon Prime (Canadian) membership and order it on the .com site instead of the .ca one? And I put a “hold” on it at my library for me! Lol
oh…just checked the kitty bank like here and see it’s obviously now available as a Chinese rip-off. Mine is the “original” made in Japan version that cost something like $45!
I have the kitty bank…received it as a gift several years ago from my sister. Thought she was nuts spending so much on such a useless thing. But…while I don’t use it often, when I do it still makes me smile. And how often does that happen these days?
It’s still morning, so that may be the problem, but I can’t get my brain around cutting up LV stuff to make bracelets. But maybe people who can afford LV just use the current season and give their old ones away?? And who the heck thought of making an entire machine just to infuse anything into butter??? I want a 3D printer SO much, but maybe next year they will be offering a rose gold version. Thanks, Karen, for rounding these up. I’m particularly glad to see the cat piggy bank exists in the world; it makes me happy.
LOL. I wondered about that too. It must be damaged goods or something. Although I’ve never personally seen a damaged Louis Vuitton bag. I have a leather Prada purse that I’ve owned for over a decade and it’s just barely starting to show some wear on the bottom from where I set it down. ~ karen!
Chances are good the LV leather is the offcuts from making their bags and luggage. They have a high standard for leather thickness, quality and density, as well, so it might be the bracelet leather missed the mark.
Surprised you recommended the Glass baggie bowl, unless you only use it for yourself and hide it when the finger booger picking kids arrive! LOL! Always use the shaker tops!
Links work fine for me. This is fantastic. Several things for my son and daughter in law, who are impossible to buy for. Plus they live in Colorado, so the pot stuff applies.
Bozo the Clown! I had one of these as a kid! As an adult, I NEED one of these, lol!
The links go wonky for me. It tells me to switch countries from Canada to US and then it just goes to the main Amazon screen.
Uch. It’s an issue with Amazon. I thought it was just because the products aren’t in Canada, but the links aren’t working because of an issue with Amazon I think. I’ll look into it more. For now you can just go to Amazon and search for the exact product I’ve listed. ~ karen!
I guess I am not alone with the links not working. The links for the LV bracelet, plantasauras rex planter and the water bottle don’t work.
I never knew I needed 24K rolling papers until now. How funny would that be to bust out at the tibs eve party (Martha and Snoop would approve for shizzel)!
Does anyone else celebrate Tibs Eve (Christmas Eve’s Eve)? Here in NL its the best night for Christmas party hopping and visiting friends… we are hosting our second annual party this year, on the menu is homemade moose sliders!
I think we need to start celebrating Tib’s eve here on the West Coast!
Embroidery kit link?
It’s there Sandra. It should work. Here it is again … https://amzn.to/2rdlDV1 ~ karen!
All the links worked for me. Some great gift ideas! Thanks, Karen!
That bat sculpture!
Oh dear, seems like not many links work…
Something we don’t have to worry about here, Amazon shipping & the useless South African Rand make all these lovelies just a fun “Window shopping” experience anyway!
I LOVE the Breakfast station, perfect for camping too, & the cute Coin bank!
Karin, you could grind some Dope into your wheat berries! Just saying… 😉
Good luck y’all, & a very merry Christmas to you all!
The KOR bottle linky no worky either….
Hmmm.
You must really be enjoying your herb-infused buttered toast.
🙂
Well, that was disappointing. I got excited about the cashmere hoodie but when I clicked on GET THIS Amazon said it didn’t exist. Never mind.
Hi Wendy. It’s possible it isn’t available in Canada. Here’s a link to my exact hoodie from Lord & Taylor, but it’s expensive! My sister got it for me at The Bay a few years ago but they don’t carry it anymore. It wasn’t this much. https://www.lordandtaylor.com/lord-taylor-cashmere-hoodie/product/0500089278157?R=194008059150&P_name=Lord+%26+Taylor&sid=16E93A383AF0&Ntt=cashmere+hoodie&N=0 ~ karen!
You can find Lord&Taylor cashmere hoodies at the Bay. They were on sale a little while ago.
Awesome! The Louis bracelet link didn’t work for me and neither did the gold kitchen clip set.
Ohhh it might be because you’re in Canada and the exact ones aren’t available in Canada. :/ ~ karen!