The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Special People in Your Life Part 1: Men, Women, Kids and Teens

Gift giving during the holidays is one of the greatest joys of the season. The anticipation of watching someone you love open something that you know will give them great joy is such a delight. However, it can also be stressful when your list is a mile long and your time seems crunched. I hope this guide will help decrease the stress of holiday shopping and increase the joy.

GIFTS FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE:

• TRUFF truffle starter pack. Infuse flavor into a wide variety of dishes with this truffle oil, hot sauce and salt pack

• My husband’s favorite travel bag is his Civic Panel Loader backpack from Ever Good Bags. These bags are an investment but they are extremely well designed and high quality. RJ has had his since their first release years ago.

• Another high ticket item that is sure to delight is the Aeronaut Hover Quilt. Warmer and higher quality than competitive brands Aeronaut Blankets are your perfect outdoor/camp/van-life addition. And they stuff down small - a feature that any camping guru really loves.

Men need skincare too.

My husband has used the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion for years and never lets himself run out.

• Years ago my husband bought an axe as a family heirloom. Both Dad and the kids love using it to chop down our Christmas tree, and on family outdoor adventures. This hand-painted axe from Bespoke would make a wonderful gift.

• If you know me, you know I can’t resist adding books to this guide. “Say Yes” by Scot Erickson was my husband’s favorite book this year (and I really enjoyed it was well). It’s particularly wonderful for those entering middle age or for anyone who has experienced the death of a dream.

GIFTS FOR THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE

It’s unfortunately that I feel compelled to add this item to the guide, but you can’t go wrong gifting the women in your life increased safety. The personal alarm from She’s Birdie is lightweight, loud, flashes light, and easily attaches to your key ring. You can get the original or upgrade to Birdie+ with online tracking.

• Gifting luxurious self-care for the women in your life is never a wrong move. I recommend the Best In Clean Hero’s set for anyone who loves skincare, or who has never tried Beautycounter before. And for a tired mom, teacher, grandmother, etc. the Goodbye, Dry Body Duo is the ultimate in luxury: it’s like a mini spa peel in your own bathroom. (Both gifts are 20% off now through the 25th and free shipping!) Want to up this gift a notch? Add a gift certificate to Refuge Ojai - my favorite local esthetician or find a boutique spa in your area.

• Handcrafted, artisan goods will never go out of style. I highly recommend the beautiful pottery by DeNai Jones. Follow her on Instagram for shop updates, @denai_jones. I can’t help but also promote my talented friends making jewelry at Plumage Jewelry and Freed Outfitters, as well as Whimsey Grove.

Want to get to the true heart of many women:

Buy her shoes! I’m loving these Pallabase Boots from Free People. (They also come in leather.)

• Three books to put under the tree. She’s spicy but I love the poetry of Kate Baer. Her first book, What Kind of Woman, might be my favorite but all three are excellent. It’s hard to narrow down my favorite fiction book of the year but I think I enjoyed “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn the most (so far!). And for a non-fiction favorite I really, really enjoyed “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted” (Trigger warning for anyone who has dealt intimately with cancer.).

GIFTS FOR THE KIDS IN YOUR LIFE

• They might not get the hugest shouts of delight on Christmas morning, but the kids in your life will appreciate these two gifts for years to come. When I was about 11 year old my mom got my sister and I travel duffle bags, and personal throw blankets one year, and we used both items for AGES - even far into college. The key is to splurge or good quality items so they last. I love the throws from Sackcloth and Ashes (Parker got one last years and adores it, and he loved that his blanket has a twin given to someone suffering from homelessness.) And all the bags - but particularly the duffels - from Walker Family Goods are a must-have.

• Since kids gifts are so dependent on ages here’s a quick list for the youngsters in your life based on my own kids’ taste:

• 1 -3 year olds Melissa and Doug toys. The wooden food kits are particularly well loved.

• 3 - 5 year olds. These were the years my kids got into dress-up, all things ball sports (soccer balls, tee ball), and dolls

• 3 - 7+ year olds. LEGOS. We started with Duplo and grown with Legos from there. Landon still loves sets such as this NASA rocket. These were also the years of loving Magna-Tiles

• 7-10 year olds. Room decor is really fun at this age: posters, string lights, glow in the dark stars, cute pillows, etc. We’ve also had fun with Karaoke Machines and Car Microphones.

• 10-12 year olds. Cameras are so fun at this age - especially Polaroids. This is also a fun time to get into gear such as Camelback Packs for hiking, rollerblades, lip gloss, gift certificates for specialty ice cream shops, etc.

• Books. I can’t recommend following books enough for your kids’ home library: Maps, 50 States, Julia Rothman nature books, National Parks of the USA, Black Heroes: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern Day, Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God, Brave Heroes and Bold Defenders

GIFTS FOR THE TEEN IN YOUR LIFE

• These days you can’t go wrong with a beanie or an over-sized sweatshirt when shopping for the teens you love. I’m particularly partial to the knit beanies and hooded sweatshirts by our local surf shop Revolution. There should be a restock online soon, or you can shop their Ventura or Camarillo stores.

• How fun is this Cornhole Table Top game?! Sure to entertain and delight the teen crowd.

• My 13 year old loves Bubble Tea so I’ve got my eye on this Bubble Tea Kit for him (would be great for teen bdays too)

• Uncommon Goods is the best place for teenage gifts. Such as this Letter To My Future Self kit.

• The 8 Days of Jellies is the type of novelty teen girls love. And be sure to snag some Mini Deodorants for your teens backpack and locker.

• Teen Books: The Outsiders is a teen classic. I also have the autobiography of Joni Eareckson Tada on my list for my teen. And a gift certificate to a local bookstore is fun for them to choose something for themselves.

Be sure to stay tuned as I’ve also compiled a guide to help you shop for Teachers, The Person Who Is Impossible to Shop For, and Stocking Stuffers!