Gifts we still love, years later
No one needs future junk for Christmas. PLUS, my thoughts on gift cards
I’ll be honest — I really debated the ethics of sending a gift guide this year. Between inflation, overconsumption, and holiday overwhelm, I worried if I would be harming more than helping my wonderful readers. My solution: share gifts that are not future junk. Each of these items has been loved by our family for years.
Every click and purchase you make through my links makes me a few cents or dollars, which all add up. Thank you! And now, the gifts!
gifts our kids still love
Wreck This Journal ($6). Lucy begged for this and has absolutely wrecked it! It’s basically the exact opposite of screen time: super fun, energizing, and inspiring.
Letter writing set ($40). Something I never would have bought but received as a gift from Rifle Paper Co. and Eleanor immediately fell in love with. If you’re a mom who demands your kids send thank you notes after birthdays, buy. (also on amazon)
Cassette player ($20). Lu inherited a Sony walkman tape player from my grandmother’s old things and absolutely lives for it. Try to find one secondhand — they don’t make them like they used to!
Handheld Microscope ($29). We’re all *obsessed* with this mesmerizing device. If you have a kid who wants to see their fingerprints up close… slam dunk.
Monogram purse ($98). My girls are at the ages where they want to carry a purse/ belt bag all the time. See also: silver $32, disco $42.
20 Questions game ($23). I never would have guessed how much this birthday gift to Charlie would bond all of my kids. Road trip gold medal!
Mini Fenty lip gloss ($15). I’ve been on the Gloss Bomb bandwagon since 2017, and this cute mini version fits right into pockets.
Crunch Labs Build Box subscription ($27.45/month). Eleanor worked diligently on each kit, often with her grandfather or uncles. Seeing her satisfaction after building her own functional toy was incredibly sweet.
Play-Doh Retro Classic ($11.99). Mick fell in love with Play-Doh at speech therapy. I’m in love with the throwback labels.
Harry Potter illustrated books ($96). I am a Mean Mom so I haven’t let my kids watch the Harry Potter movies (which I can’t stand) YET. These books have helped them imagine what specific characters look like. Related: our favorite books, part one and part two
Wood blocks ($93). One of the few toys that falls into my Every Family Should Own category! We’ve loved these since we were little (including me!)
Cardboard castle ($33). My kids played with this castle for A YEAR after discovering it at a cousin’s birthday party. It would make a major wow moment on Christmas morning (it’s taller than Mick and Charlie!), and thrill the rest of school break.
Quick note: I recommend signing up for no-strings-attached cash back from Rakuten. I’ve been using it since 2009, it’s very simple and noncommittal.
gifts nate and i still love
Rainbow bead + pearl necklace ($39). I style this with my Clare V. locket (and everyone is shocked when I tell them it’s from Amazon — it’s terrific quality)
Catbird mini signet ring ($198). Nate gave me one with an “S” on it last year. I wear it on my pinky beside my wedding ring :’)
Coral & Tusk pillow ($132). Got this for Mother’s Day in 2021 and I treasure it. Btw, C&T’s pieces are completely handmade by women in Wyoming and India.
Le Creuset enamel pots ($435). I found a bright yellow Dutch oven and saucepan at an estate sale days before my wedding in 2011. They’re at least fifty years old and I FREAKING LOVE THEM. Buy Le Creuset and use it forever.
Emma Bridgewater big mug ($54). I’ll love this til I’m dead. Drinking from it as I type this. Thanks again, Nate!
Shearling slippers ($99). After noticing that Nate was casually borrowing my slippers that were 2-3 sizes too small, I got him these and he wears them year-round.
Ebbets Field ballcap ($58). The perfect hats for my sports nerd vintage-loving daily-hatter husband! Their tees are great too. He wears their pieces all. the. time.
Fancy licorice ($59). A home run from Father’s Day 2022. Hopefully Nate got some because the rest of us sure loved it.
Nintendo Switch 2 ($499). Admittedly, I have no idea how to operate this thing, but I asked Nate what gift I’ve given him that he loves, and this was his first thought. *I gave it to him a few years ago when we saw his Nintendo Switch ad air on TV for the first time. He had worked so many long hours on that campaign!
Bread box ($117). Nate gave me this last Christmas after I had become an official Bread Lady. I cherish it.
my feelings re: gift cards
I’m 100% pro gift card! You’re giving me free money for my next shopping trip? THANK YOU! I know some people consider gift cards tacky, but here are a few smaller shops I recommend for gifting a unique shopping trip. Pair with a pretty handwritten card. Not tacky at all.
Household trinkets and treasures:
Clothing
Jewelry
Thank you so much for shopping my links, I truly appreciate every click and purchase! See you tomorrow for the very first Buy Art gift guide!
PS: More gifts for awesome elementary school kids and brand new babies.
always the best gift guides!
RE: Harry Potter. I am also a mean mom! I don't hate the movies, but I do so vividly remember the wonder and delight of reading the books and I want my kids to have that experience too. If they watch the movies before they read the books, I feel like it somehow dilutes the magical experience. I recently found the illustrated year 2 and year 4 at a thrift shop for $3 (!!!!) and will be stalking the bookshop for the remainders. The illustrations are such a treat.
Happy Friday!