The holiday season is upon us! The chief merry-maker and gift giver in our family, my mom, has always advocated her belief that the best gifts are fun and whimsical things that the receiver would never buy for themself. She truly lives by that principle and goes to great lengths to give thoughtful and creative gifts for both Christmas and birthdays. I tend to be more practical and utilitarian in my gift-giving, but you'll find both useful and frivolous things below. This is less of a classic gift guide and more of a list of things I believe are truly worth your money, based on personal experience:
A Borgasets wallet - These wallets are almost too good to be true. I originally found Borgasets (I have this one) while looking for a thin, light wallet that's good for traveling. I was blown away by the quality of it when my package came in the mail. I've used that wallet exclusively for a couple years now and it doesn't show any wear at all. When it eventually does wear out someday, I plan on replacing it with another Borgasets wallet.
Classic Ray-ban Wayfarer sunglasses. I have owned probably close to 100 pairs of sunglasses over the years. I used to buy cheap ones that would inevitably break after a few weeks before I finally got smart and invested in some Ray-bans. That move was totally worth it--my pairs (I have 2) still look as good as new after a few years of wearing and dropping them.
Why I recommend Wayfarers in particular: I find this style much more comfortable than aviators, and the classic shape looks good on pretty much everyone.
The most comfortable flip flops in the world - I really don't enjoy wearing flip flops but have accepted the fact that they are sometimes necessary. I bought this pair before visiting Hawaii and was really pleased with how comfortable and durable they are. There's nothing worse than being out for a full day and having your shoe break on you. Luckily you don't have to worry about that with Sanuk. I will only buy this brand from now on. Great for flip flop fans and foes (aka me) alike.
a rock salt lamp - I can't remember where I originally got mine (it may have been a gift from my mom) but I do know that everyone who's been to any of my apartments over the years has asked about it. Yes, it's really a rock of salt. I've given these as gifts a couple of times--most notably to my friend Lauren at her wedding shower. She immediately got it out of the box and plugged it in so we could all marvel at its mystical glow.
A Melodica - it's a piano that you play with your mouth and it costs $22. Need I say more?
the tingler - another item I've had laying around my apartment for the past few years. Usually folks are skeptical when they first see it, but after they use it (it's a head massager) they are reduced to a puddle of endorphins. Just trust me, you need this in your life.
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die - I have spent so many hours poring over this book. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one book, it'd probably be this one. It encompasses all of film history and has helped me stumble on a lot of great movies I wouldn't have watched otherwise. I also stumbled on some movies I didn't enjoy, but I don't regret watching any of them. You will probably have some quibbles with what's included in the book (and what isn't). I view it as a list of the most important movies in terms of style and influence--it won't necessarily have your personal favorite movie in it, but it covers the movies that influenced the directors of the movies we all know and love.
The New Best Recipe - one of the most useful gifts I have ever received. My mom gave this to me the year I moved into my first apartment. I've bought other cookbooks since then, but this is the only one I actually pull off the shelf and use. The editors of Cooks Illustrated tried each recipe dozens of ways to determine the best one for each dish. The book has really thorough descriptions that are great for someone who's not a whiz in the kitchen (me). I consider this the Bible of cooking. I can't recommend it highly enough, especially as a gift to someone who's in a transition phase like I was when I received my copy. Thanks mom!
a high-quality dutch oven - While I'm on the topic of kitchen stuff, I'll let you in on a secret. You don't need to splurge on Le Creuset pots if you want really nice cast-iron cookware. I know they are really great and have a fancy French name that is fun to say, but you can now get yourself the same pot for a fraction of the price. The brand you want is called Tramontina and you can buy it at Walmart, of all places. I got my Tramontina after a tip from my mom--she read an article in a women's magazine where they tested a bunch of dutch ovens and the Tramontina pot, shockingly, beat out all the others--even Le Creuset!!!! (That's a big deal) I use my dutch oven whenever I cook soup or chili. It's one of those items that makes you feel like you're really an adult, plus it looks nice in your kitchen.
Tommy John underwear - for the man in your life. I got these for Eric after reading online about how great they are. A bit pricy, but they really hold up. Eric is known for ripping the seat out of his underwear and/or pants in the past, so....it's saying a lot that these underwear are still around after a couple of years.
a nice beard balm and beard brush - two other Eric-approved items. If you go back and forth between being clean-shaven and bearded, you probably experience an annoying itchy phase while your beard is growing. The balm helps you get through that. The brush is really just for your own enjoyment. Eric likes to brush his beard before going out on the town and as a meditative habit while watching sporting events on TV.
Uniqlo heattech tights - for the lady (or tights-wearing man) in your life. These are the holy grail of tights. Similar to my journey with sunglasses, I've owned a bazillion pairs of tights over the year and my quest to find the best ones has finally come to an end. I now have three pairs of these tights but last year I only had one pair and I wore them all winter. They're still going strong. These tights are part of Uniqlo's heattech line--they aren't as warm as a real pair of pants would be, but they do feel a bit warmer than regular tights. Perfect for winter.
DHC sunscreen - this definitely falls in the utilitarian category because sunscreen is not a romantic gift at all. I've been using this product for 10 years so I feel obligated to tell you how great it is. I wear this on my face every day. It's totally sheer once it soaks into your skin and won't leave you looking greasy like a lot of other sunscreens do. I've tried a few other sunscreens designed specifically for the face and this one has worked the best for me (I've got super sensitive skin). I wish it were cheaper, but the good news is a small bottle lasts a surprisingly long time. Everything by the DHC brand is great, so you should check out their other stuff as well.
a succulent garden kit - I made a couple succulent gardens for myself last year and can proudly say they're still going strong. This is an activity-based gift because the receiver has to put it all together, but they get these cute little hanging gardens at the end! I call that a win. You can find kits in lots of different sizes and styles.
a funny t-shirt - my dad is one of those people who has developed a personal uniform. When he's not in his work clothes, he wears a t-shirt and cargo pants year-round. I've found a lot of great T-shirts for him on Threadless. Their selection is great and they often have sales around holidays when you can get them super cheap. As long as Threadless is around, I'll be able to keep my dad's rotation full of witty t-shirts.
Art - I'm a big fan of giving art as a gift and I really believe that hanging stuff on your walls makes your house feel more like a home. You can find cool, inexpensive stuff on allposters.com and etsy or you can give photo prints of you and your family! I made some photo books from my instagram pictures this year for $15 a pop and I was able to do the whole thing on my phone. Super easy and the books turned out great.
a Southwest gift card - we got a Southwest gift card from Eric's parents a few years ago and it was super easy to redeem. I already loved Southwest because their rewards program is easy to use and they don't charge you for checked bags!
an Audible gift certificate - I've become obsessed with Audible in the past year. I now listen to audiobooks when I'm working out, driving to and from work, or walking the dogs. I still read books the old-fashioned way, but I have found a few titles that I think are best experienced in audio form, such as Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and Trevor Noah's new book Born a Crime. I have heard really great things about Jim Dale's narration of the Harry Potter series but haven't listened to it yet.
Tickets to a show - most people attend fewer events than they would like to. It's one of those things we say we'll do when we "have time for it." I'm here to convince you to stop waiting for life to feel less busy and just commit to some events. Get out your calendar and pick some days in the future when you will do something out of the ordinary. Buy tickets. Make it happen. Eric and I have very different hobbies but one of the things we both enjoy is seeing live music, so a lot of our entertainment money goes toward that. We also try to hit some cultural events every year like the Japanese festival at the botanical garden.
Below is a list of places to check out for shows and events in St. Louis; some of them are venues that require tickets but there are also a lot of free and/or cheap events around town! And there's a lot more than what I have listed below. If you really wanted to, you could fill up your calendar with free events and not pay a single dime for entertainment next year. My dad is really great at tracking this kind of stuff and he goes to a LOT of events/exhibits - I've been to some free lectures and gallery walks with him and they were very interesting! I can tell you all about George Caleb Bingham because I went to a free lecture at the art museum with my dad.
Jazz at the Bistro
The St. Louis Symphony
The Fox Theater
The Pageant
The Touhill
Missouri Botanical Garden
Third Degree Glass Factory
Saint Louis Art Museum
Missouri History Museum
The Moto Museum
The City Museum
Opera Theatre St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Black Rep
The picture above is Postmodern Jukebox - the last concert I went to.
Gifts for your canine friends:
LED collar - so they can be seen at night (especially helpful when it gets dark early during the winter). People stop and ask me about these collars almost every time I take Buster and Rowdy for a walk. One of the best purchases I've ever made! They help keep me safer, too, because drivers can see us better. We have to cross some busy streets when walking around our neighborhood
A really durable dog leash - Kong leashes are great for bigger athletic dogs like Rowdy. As a pet owner, you learn through trial and error which items last in your household. Our two Kong leashes have outlasted a lot of other stuff that's been destroyed.
That's it for this year's gift guide. If all else fails, go to an antique mall and find some really weird stuff to give your loved ones. I have done this before and have zero regrets about it.
Merry Christmas!
A Borgasets wallet - These wallets are almost too good to be true. I originally found Borgasets (I have this one) while looking for a thin, light wallet that's good for traveling. I was blown away by the quality of it when my package came in the mail. I've used that wallet exclusively for a couple years now and it doesn't show any wear at all. When it eventually does wear out someday, I plan on replacing it with another Borgasets wallet.
Classic Ray-ban Wayfarer sunglasses. I have owned probably close to 100 pairs of sunglasses over the years. I used to buy cheap ones that would inevitably break after a few weeks before I finally got smart and invested in some Ray-bans. That move was totally worth it--my pairs (I have 2) still look as good as new after a few years of wearing and dropping them.
Why I recommend Wayfarers in particular: I find this style much more comfortable than aviators, and the classic shape looks good on pretty much everyone.
These sunglasses will never go out of style. You can buy cheaper pairs that look like them, but the cheap ones aren't as sturdy--believe me, I have owned every possible version of these over the years and haven't found anything that measures up to the real deal.
a rock salt lamp - I can't remember where I originally got mine (it may have been a gift from my mom) but I do know that everyone who's been to any of my apartments over the years has asked about it. Yes, it's really a rock of salt. I've given these as gifts a couple of times--most notably to my friend Lauren at her wedding shower. She immediately got it out of the box and plugged it in so we could all marvel at its mystical glow.
A Melodica - it's a piano that you play with your mouth and it costs $22. Need I say more?
the tingler - another item I've had laying around my apartment for the past few years. Usually folks are skeptical when they first see it, but after they use it (it's a head massager) they are reduced to a puddle of endorphins. Just trust me, you need this in your life.
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die - I have spent so many hours poring over this book. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one book, it'd probably be this one. It encompasses all of film history and has helped me stumble on a lot of great movies I wouldn't have watched otherwise. I also stumbled on some movies I didn't enjoy, but I don't regret watching any of them. You will probably have some quibbles with what's included in the book (and what isn't). I view it as a list of the most important movies in terms of style and influence--it won't necessarily have your personal favorite movie in it, but it covers the movies that influenced the directors of the movies we all know and love.
The New Best Recipe - one of the most useful gifts I have ever received. My mom gave this to me the year I moved into my first apartment. I've bought other cookbooks since then, but this is the only one I actually pull off the shelf and use. The editors of Cooks Illustrated tried each recipe dozens of ways to determine the best one for each dish. The book has really thorough descriptions that are great for someone who's not a whiz in the kitchen (me). I consider this the Bible of cooking. I can't recommend it highly enough, especially as a gift to someone who's in a transition phase like I was when I received my copy. Thanks mom!
a high-quality dutch oven - While I'm on the topic of kitchen stuff, I'll let you in on a secret. You don't need to splurge on Le Creuset pots if you want really nice cast-iron cookware. I know they are really great and have a fancy French name that is fun to say, but you can now get yourself the same pot for a fraction of the price. The brand you want is called Tramontina and you can buy it at Walmart, of all places. I got my Tramontina after a tip from my mom--she read an article in a women's magazine where they tested a bunch of dutch ovens and the Tramontina pot, shockingly, beat out all the others--even Le Creuset!!!! (That's a big deal) I use my dutch oven whenever I cook soup or chili. It's one of those items that makes you feel like you're really an adult, plus it looks nice in your kitchen.
Tommy John underwear - for the man in your life. I got these for Eric after reading online about how great they are. A bit pricy, but they really hold up. Eric is known for ripping the seat out of his underwear and/or pants in the past, so....it's saying a lot that these underwear are still around after a couple of years.
a nice beard balm and beard brush - two other Eric-approved items. If you go back and forth between being clean-shaven and bearded, you probably experience an annoying itchy phase while your beard is growing. The balm helps you get through that. The brush is really just for your own enjoyment. Eric likes to brush his beard before going out on the town and as a meditative habit while watching sporting events on TV.
Uniqlo heattech tights - for the lady (or tights-wearing man) in your life. These are the holy grail of tights. Similar to my journey with sunglasses, I've owned a bazillion pairs of tights over the year and my quest to find the best ones has finally come to an end. I now have three pairs of these tights but last year I only had one pair and I wore them all winter. They're still going strong. These tights are part of Uniqlo's heattech line--they aren't as warm as a real pair of pants would be, but they do feel a bit warmer than regular tights. Perfect for winter.
DHC sunscreen - this definitely falls in the utilitarian category because sunscreen is not a romantic gift at all. I've been using this product for 10 years so I feel obligated to tell you how great it is. I wear this on my face every day. It's totally sheer once it soaks into your skin and won't leave you looking greasy like a lot of other sunscreens do. I've tried a few other sunscreens designed specifically for the face and this one has worked the best for me (I've got super sensitive skin). I wish it were cheaper, but the good news is a small bottle lasts a surprisingly long time. Everything by the DHC brand is great, so you should check out their other stuff as well.
a succulent garden kit - I made a couple succulent gardens for myself last year and can proudly say they're still going strong. This is an activity-based gift because the receiver has to put it all together, but they get these cute little hanging gardens at the end! I call that a win. You can find kits in lots of different sizes and styles.
a funny t-shirt - my dad is one of those people who has developed a personal uniform. When he's not in his work clothes, he wears a t-shirt and cargo pants year-round. I've found a lot of great T-shirts for him on Threadless. Their selection is great and they often have sales around holidays when you can get them super cheap. As long as Threadless is around, I'll be able to keep my dad's rotation full of witty t-shirts.
Art - I'm a big fan of giving art as a gift and I really believe that hanging stuff on your walls makes your house feel more like a home. You can find cool, inexpensive stuff on allposters.com and etsy or you can give photo prints of you and your family! I made some photo books from my instagram pictures this year for $15 a pop and I was able to do the whole thing on my phone. Super easy and the books turned out great.
a Southwest gift card - we got a Southwest gift card from Eric's parents a few years ago and it was super easy to redeem. I already loved Southwest because their rewards program is easy to use and they don't charge you for checked bags!
an Audible gift certificate - I've become obsessed with Audible in the past year. I now listen to audiobooks when I'm working out, driving to and from work, or walking the dogs. I still read books the old-fashioned way, but I have found a few titles that I think are best experienced in audio form, such as Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and Trevor Noah's new book Born a Crime. I have heard really great things about Jim Dale's narration of the Harry Potter series but haven't listened to it yet.
Tickets to a show - most people attend fewer events than they would like to. It's one of those things we say we'll do when we "have time for it." I'm here to convince you to stop waiting for life to feel less busy and just commit to some events. Get out your calendar and pick some days in the future when you will do something out of the ordinary. Buy tickets. Make it happen. Eric and I have very different hobbies but one of the things we both enjoy is seeing live music, so a lot of our entertainment money goes toward that. We also try to hit some cultural events every year like the Japanese festival at the botanical garden.
Below is a list of places to check out for shows and events in St. Louis; some of them are venues that require tickets but there are also a lot of free and/or cheap events around town! And there's a lot more than what I have listed below. If you really wanted to, you could fill up your calendar with free events and not pay a single dime for entertainment next year. My dad is really great at tracking this kind of stuff and he goes to a LOT of events/exhibits - I've been to some free lectures and gallery walks with him and they were very interesting! I can tell you all about George Caleb Bingham because I went to a free lecture at the art museum with my dad.
Jazz at the Bistro
The St. Louis Symphony
The Fox Theater
The Pageant
The Touhill
Missouri Botanical Garden
Third Degree Glass Factory
Saint Louis Art Museum
Missouri History Museum
The Moto Museum
The City Museum
Opera Theatre St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Black Rep
The picture above is Postmodern Jukebox - the last concert I went to.
Gifts for your canine friends:
LED collar - so they can be seen at night (especially helpful when it gets dark early during the winter). People stop and ask me about these collars almost every time I take Buster and Rowdy for a walk. One of the best purchases I've ever made! They help keep me safer, too, because drivers can see us better. We have to cross some busy streets when walking around our neighborhood
A really durable dog leash - Kong leashes are great for bigger athletic dogs like Rowdy. As a pet owner, you learn through trial and error which items last in your household. Our two Kong leashes have outlasted a lot of other stuff that's been destroyed.
That's it for this year's gift guide. If all else fails, go to an antique mall and find some really weird stuff to give your loved ones. I have done this before and have zero regrets about it.
Merry Christmas!
