GIFT GUIDES 2024
For the Cook, The Gadget Guy, The Mom, Family Game Night, and The Teenager
My gift guides are here! This year, I kept them intentionally simple because, with so many creators and endless recommendations, it can quickly get overwhelming. I focused on just the lists and items you asked for on Instagram, filled with things we’ve genuinely loved giving to each other over the past year. A few are items Ryan and I are eyeing ourselves, but most are just thoughtful suggestions to help spark your own gift ideas.
FOR THE KITCHEN | FOR A KITCHEN NON TOXIC OVERHAUL | FOR MOM | FOR THE GADGET GUY | FOR THE TEENAGE BOY | FOR A FAMILY GAME NIGHT
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For The Kitchen
1. Make It Easy Cookbook: Your meal prepping and menu planning guidebook that will take all of the mental load off of you, freeing you up to be with your family and create in the kitchen!
2. Magnetic Bookmarks: I clip these onto favorite pages in my cookbooks so I can jump right to my favorite recipes or what I’ve planned to make for the week, without losing my spot.
3. Mini Beast: Perfect for blending up smoothies or making a small batch of my quick “High-Protein Caramelized Apple Chia Pudding,” my Green Goddess, or the kid’s smoothies.
4. Master Utility Knife: This knife is a kitchen workhorse for everything from slicing veggies to chopping herbs for sauces. If you keep it sharp, it’s really all you need in the kitchen besides maybe a small pairing knife.
5.Storage Jars: These keep my “Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookie” ingredients fresh, with a clear view so I can always spot what I need for a quick baking session.
6. Caraway Mini White and Gold Set: I love using this stunning mini set to heat up sauces and small batches of soups—it’s beautiful enough to go straight from stovetop to table, and the mini skillet is great for 2 eggs in the morning.
7. Silicone Meat Masher: This new masher (sans plastic!) is my go-to when I’m making “Spicy Egg Roll in a Bowl” and need to break up the ground pork for even cooking.
8. Spout Lids: Perfect for pouring all of my salad dressings, coffee creamers, and sauces more without mess, these lids let me control the pour to avoid spills.
9. Clip-on Strainer: When I’m making my “Magic Meatball Pasta,” this strainer clips right onto the pot, making it easy to drain the noodles without extra dishes.
10. Meal Prep Containers: I use these to portion out meals like my new “Creamy Autumn Ravioli Soup” ahead of time, making busy days so much easier.
11. Non-Toxic Hand Soap: Keeps my hands clean without harmful chemicals, making it a staple in my kitchen. And this new scent for the holidays is wonderful!
12. Seasoning Blends: Whether I’m making a weeknight “Taco Bowl” or adding flair to roasted vegetables like “Burnt Broccoli,” my blends bring out amazing flavors in seconds and honestly save me on so many week nights.
13. French Press: Every morning, I brew a strong cup to enjoy with a quick bite, setting a perfect start to the day. And it’s just cute.
For A Kitchen Overhaul
1. Food Processor (Cuisinart vs. Hamilton Beach): The Cuisinart handles everything from doughs to salsas with ease and is a classic that lasts a lifetime, but the budget-friendly option is surprisingly powerful too gets the job done.
2. Blender (Vitamix vs. Ninja): The Vitamix is my kitchen workhorse for smoothies, soups, and sauces, while the Ninja is a great entry-level tool for everyday blending that can blend through soups and batters.
2. Cookware Sets (Drew Barrymore vs. Caraway): Caraway is my go-to for non-toxic cooking, but Drew Barrymore’s set brings fun color and solid performance to the kitchen at a more affordable price.
3. Dutch Oven (World Market vs. Staub): I love my Staub for braises and soups, but World Market’s set is a great budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice on quality.
4. Air Fryer (Our Place vs. Breville): Both make crispy, healthier meals easy, but the Breville doubles as a toaster oven for more versatility and is much larger.
6. Shun Knife Block + Zwilling: The Shun knives are razor-sharp and a joy to use with their Japanese style, but there’s a the Zwilling set is great for those just starting out.
7. J Boos Board: A sturdy, high-quality board perfect for chopping and serving—it holds up beautifully to heavy use.
8. Silicone Kitchen Tools: I swapped all of my black kitchen tools for this set of silicone-made tools for less toxic cooking.
9. Non-Toxic Bakeware: Keeping it non-toxic in the oven is a priority, and this bakeware set from Caraway makes it easy while still baking evenly.
10. Instant Pot: This gadget makes everything from “Magic Meatball Pasta” to simple hard boiled eggs and chicken bone broth a breeze, saving time and effort. I don’t have a need for any of the super fancy ones. This model does the trick!
For Mom
1. Dime Perfume: A non-toxic, fragrance-free perfume that smells amazing without toxins.
2. Cozy Knit Sweater: A soft, comfy sweater that pairs well with just about anything, especially on chilly days!
3. Overnight Bag: A stylish and functional bag that holds everything I need for short trips or weekend getaways. It honestly feels like a Mary Poppins bag with how much it fits.
4. House Shoes: I’ve had three pairs of these over the last few years because I wear them non-stop when I’m in the house, working in the kitchen, or doing household chores. I have plantar fasciitis and they help so much!
5. Ear Huggies: Simple, elegant, and perfect for everyday wear— I never take these out of my second piercing.
6. Rothy’s Clog: Comfortable, sustainable, and stylish—these clogs are perfect for all-day wear.
7. The Grand Fanny Sling: My go-to bag for hands-free style—it’s chic and practical for any day out. Oh and it’s the best Disneyland bag too!
8. Waffle Bathrobe: This robe is so soft and cozy, I never want to take it off after a long day and it makes me feel like I’m on an overnight at a posh hotel. PS this is still my favorite SNL skit ever. I bought myself my own robe this year!
9. Everyday Earrings: I wear these Luna Hoop Earrings all the time—they go with everything and add a little sparkle.
For The Gadget Guy
1. Palm Press: Ryan’s favorite way to brew coffee when we travel—it’s simple, quick, and delivers great flavor every time!
2. AirPods 4: A must-have, whether he’s on calls, listening to music, or podcasts—they’re always in his ears.
3. Mini Flashlight: Small but powerful, this flashlight is always in his bag for those moments when you need light on the go.
4. Apple Watch Series 10: Ryan’s favorite smartwatch for tracking fitness and staying connected.
5. Apple iPad Mini: His go-to device for reading, watching shows, or just having a more portable screen when he’s on the move.
6. Ultra Slim Power Bank: He never travels without this—slim, portable, and keeps his devices charged. And he has saved me from a dead battery on my phone more times than I can count!
7. Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Combining functionality with style, he loves using these glasses for hands-free calls and music.
8. Mobile Gaming Controller: Ryan uses this to level up his mobile gaming experience when he plays with the boys. Compact and easy!
9. Smart Mini Portable Soldering Iron: A handy tool that Ryan keeps around for quick fixes—compact and reliable.
For Teenage Boys
6. Dime Cologne: no artificial fragrances, clean, and non toxic!
9. Gaming Chair
12. Sliding Mitt: This specific sliding mitt gives back to Autism Speaks.
14. Baseballism Hat
For A Family Game Night
Beat the Parents – I picked this game up on a whim at Target, and it quickly became a favorite for our kid-friendly game night. Maybe its because they love to wager for extra screen time. However, it gets the whole family playing a game that is both silly and brain-stretching!
Chuckle and Roar Family Charades Game – Ok this game may be one of our current favorites. The cards for the kids have illustrations so they can partake, even if they cannot read. My kids end up in giggle fits after someone acts something out and looks silly. We love it!
Dutch Blitz – Similar to Speed but with a group! I’ve also heard this game called Nerts. This one can get wild with a group of friends. It’s not uncommon for my kids to climb on the table to reach a stack they want to play on! See how to play Nerts here with just a regular deck of cards.
Hasbro Gaming Clue Junior – Asher loves the real Clue, but this one is much more Kezia and Easton’s speed, and teaches them how to use deductive reasoning.
Sorry! Board Game for Kids – Always a classic, and a good way to teach the kids that it’s “anyone’s game” as I always tell them! Beware, your little ones might get flaming mad that someone kicked them back to Start! However, once they realize it’s the nature of the game, they love it and especially enjoy yelling “Sorry!”
Eureka! – This is a game from 1988 that I played growing up all the time. This is the first board game I introduced to my kids when they were able to count their moves. Now we can all play it together and I love it! Easton’s favorite strategy is to chase the other players and steal their gold. Haha. It’s not readily available for purchase anymore, but if you happen to see it at a garage sale or thrift store, snatch it up!
The Game of Life – We recently got this updated version and played for the first time since Ryan and I were kids. We think the new careers (like social media blogger and app developer are pretty fun!)
Carcassonne Board Game – This strategic board game is more Asher’s speed and we love to let him stay up late after the little two have gone to bed to play it. Easton is just starting to get into it and it will be fun to have 4 players!
Ticket to Ride Board Game – This game is another one that so far only Asher can play, but we love to pull it out after the younger two are in bed. It’s full of strategy, and even a small geographical lesson!
Spin Master Hedbanz Picture Guessing Board Game – Another good one for kids who are learning to read, this is a little like the game Taboo, and is super fun!
Awesome gift ideas. Thanks for putting these together. Saved several to my Amazon list!
Do you have any recommendations for high school teen girl?