Gift Guide for Him

Gift giving for the guys in our lives can be difficult, they always say they don’t need anything. Am I right? But let’s face it, they appreciate a nice gift. I’ve teamed up with a few of my favorite guys to put together this helpful list of ideas for you to give to the special guy in your life! You’re sure to find something here for your Dad, brother, boyfriend, or husband. I’ve linked all of these items for quick reference.

I’ve sectioned the gifts into wearable, tech, and for fun. When gifting, remember it’s not about finding the perfect gift, it’s where it comes from that is most important. Giving from a kind, loving heart and hands are what matters most.

 

Gifts for Any Guy

 Gloves // Slippers // Shirt // Socks

These are a few of my favorite items you can gift to almost any guy. These leather gloves from Nordstrom are needed across the US (unless you’re a Floridian of course). And a good pair of leather gloves will last a lifetime if well taken care of. I love the quality and durability of these Land’s Ends cozy slippers. Did you see the hard bottom? How many times do guys run outside to fetch the mail or say ‘hey’ to a neighbor and tear up the bottom of soft sole slippers? Another favorite is the L.L. Bean flannel, super soft and in the most flattering colors, you’re sure to have a winner here. And of course, we had to include Gold Toe socks. These come in dark colors and light, and are things guys never buy for themselves, but really do appreciate. This fun pair with deer and ever green trees are perfect for the holiday season and can even be worn to the office to spread some holiday cheer!

Luxury/ Tech Gifts

Dopp Kit // Belt // Ear warmers // Wallet // Headphones

These next items are special items you might think are a little bit of a splurge, but who doesn’t love to spoil their guys a little every now and then. I love this Banana Republic dopp kit, it’s stylish and still just the right size to fit on a carry on when traveling. The two sides make it easy to separate liquids from things like a comb, razor, toothbrush and nail clippers. A new brown or black leather belt, when bought in the correct length and width like this one from Nordstrom make a classic gift a bit more dressy. Brown belts can be worn at almost anytime, with just about any colored pants and are the most likely to  need replacing. This black would be a great gift to give before a company holiday party when your hubby realizes his old belt no longer fits. Either way, it will be a great item to give! These ear warmers from Target are inexpensive, stylish, easy to pack and carry. While not a splurge item, most guys won’t admit to needing a hat and will most likely not buy one for themselves, even in the coldest weather. You know they’ll think of you every time they wear them and feel a little bit warmer. I love this slim wallet design, enough space for the guy who has tons of cards, or the minimalist card carrier. And Banana Republic leather products hold up really well to daily use. My absolute favorite splurge item are these Bose headphones. They are amazing quality and use bluetooth connectivity so he won’t be tied down with wires. With built-in-mic with HD Voice and an easily packable fold-flat design may be his favorite gift under the tree this year.

 

For Fun

 

Pandemic // Coup // The Resistance // This One Time, I…

 

There are so many great games on the market today, it’s so hard to pick just a few. For the avid game lover who has all the best games, these indie games will put the smile on their face you are looking for! Pandemic is a co-operative game (no hard feelings like Monopoly) and can be played in smaller groups of 2-4 players.  In this game, a team of specialists in various fields play together to find cures to save the world. Coup is a game for a slightly larger crowd, 2-6 players and can be played in a relatively short period of time. He’ll love to play this game with relatives that he would secretly love to crush as the winner must manipulate, bribe and bluff their way into absolute power to win. The Resistance is not a game for the faint of heart as it is a very intense social deduction game. Good for a very large group, 5-10 players, and is a fun way to test how good a liar your friends can be. The final game is a hilarious one called THIS ONE TIME, I… THE GAME OF LUDICROUS LIFE CHOICES. This is the Party Edition, and has been called the best adult icebreaker card game for men and women. This is a super fun, pregame, drinking, and party game where rules are optional. It’s ages 17+, so you decide where it’s best to break this gift out. 

 

Still looking for more ideas? Personalized gifts are always great. Perhaps a photo of you in a frame for their desk or a new mug with your favorite vacation photo or coasters with your favorite memories together. Or perhaps you’re looking for something even more simple, maybe a last minute gift? How about a gift card? A Lowes Home Improvement, Topgolf, Fandango, or even Amazon gift cards are all great ideas.

 

What would you add? Leave a comment  below with your great gift ideas!

xo,

Christine

Gifts for the Hostess, a Simple Way to Say ‘Thank You’

I’m so excited to share this very special post written by a very special blogger, my step-mom! I asked her to help me put together a few tips on gifts for a hostess for all the upcoming holiday get togethers. It’s once again that exciting time of year filled with holiday parties, sparkling galas, and dazzling cocktail parties. Let’s take a moment to also remember those who put so much love, patience and effort into hosting these wonderful events.

“The greatest wisdom is in simplicity.

Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness.

It’s not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free.

All you need is within you.

Find your heart, and you will find your way.”

-Carlos Barrios, Mayan leader

These are wise words, and great advice. Our lives have gotten so busy! We hurry to work, to the grocery store, to pick up the kids from school, get their costumes for dress rehearsals, our own clothes from the dry cleaners, new dance shoes, the list goes on. In all our busyness, are we missing out on the simple pleasures of the holidays? One of life’s simplest pleasure is giving, and saying ‘Thank you.’ We all know this, but it seems like its just one more thing on the to do list.

We know we should bring a gift to the holiday party we invited to, but struggle to come up with anything. We spend countless hours searching Pinterest, Amazon, or Google. It is so easy to get lost in the search for proper gift idea, or proper etiquette, even what should be simple advice on how to give, what to give and when to give. It all becomes dreadfully overwhelming! After countless articles, opinions and other wild ideas we see online, often we still have no gift and feel more overwhelmed than ever!

A hostess gift shouldn’t be complicated, it doesn’t even have to be something you spend a lot of money on.

Giving, saying thank you, and sharing is in my family’s second nature, you might even say it is ingrained in our DNA. We didn’t have the internet, nor did we spend hours reading books on etiquette. For us, it was simply the pleasure of sharing. The best received gifts are often those based on simplicity. A box of chocolate, a single rose from my mom’s garden, a small plate of warm cookies, a homemade fresh bread, even a bowl of fresh fruit. No matter how simple, it spoke of kindness, it spoke of the heart, and the message was simple – you care!

For a modern twist on a hostess gift, consider fresh and fragrant gifts. A bouquet of fresh herbs would be a particularly welcome gift to the home chef, but anyone can enjoy fresh greenery in the home. A few sprigs of parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, marjoram, and lavender. Give extraordinary, ordinary herbs.

Your lovely bouquet could be a simple conversation starter. For example, did you know these herbs have specific meaning, used by herbalist for centuries as aids for upset stomach, to improve mood, as antiseptic, to boost confidence, not to mention there were times when almost all of them were part of a wedding bouquet.

Combine your herbal gift with a dipping dish, some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh bread for more elaborate gift.

 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you’ve been invited to dinner party. When you’re desperately searching for elaborate, proper hostess gift, remember to think of something simple. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a simple bouquet or a more elaborate presentation. The most important thing keep in mind is that whatever gift you give, it comes from a kind, loving, giving heart.

Wishing you peace and kindness,

Veronika