2020 Holiday Gift Guide
This year, the holiday gift guide is a little different. It’s focused on making at home quarantine just a little more bearable. With Covid-19 cases on the rise and most traditional winter gatherings on hold, we will be spending more time at home than ever before. In the 2020 Holiday gift guide you will find small luxuries for kids and adults to enjoy together on cozy nights in. Each item is something that we personally own and love. We hope that you will find something you’ll enjoy too. Also for family game night, here’s a reminder that we already rounded up 48 games that we adore!
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At-Home Beauty
1. Ilia Mascara – Want to up your Zoom game? Kirsten swears by this mascara because it’s natural enough for daytime but it can be built up for nighttime. She has sensitive eyelids, but this eco-friendly formula doesn’t bother her at all. The built-in combo helps to separate her lashes too. She’s obsessed and she’s not the only one. It’s an Allure Best of Beauty Winner.
2. Revlon Hairdryer – There is a reason this hairdryer made our holiday shopping guide 2 years in a row. It’s a timesaver and it’s foolproof! Get beautiful hair in half the time by styling and blowdrying at the same time. Since purchasing this $42 hairdryer my $200 hairdryer has been relegated to the back of the closet. It’s just that good.
3. Olive and June Nail Polish – Kirsten is OBSESSED with this nail polish. As someone who believed she was terrible at manicures, this polish changed mind. It’s longer lasting than OPI or Essie and the poppy tool makes it easy to paint. While a limited number of colors are available at Target, we highly recommend you shop the Olive and June website where you can get manicure and now pedicure kits!
4. Ahava Face Mask – Nourish your skin (and help prevent mask-ne) with this hydrating face mask that you can leave on overnight. Whenever Kirsten’s face feels a little dry, she slathers this on and wakes up to rehydrated skin.
5. Lavender Hand Cream – With winter upon us and our handwashing at an alltime high, we need a deep, creamy hand moisturizer. The lavender in this cream is designed to soothe you to sleep, but we find a deep sniff helps lower our anxiety throughout the day.
6. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray – Between the pandemic, the election, and having our kids home from school, our sleep has been inconsistent. Jackie and Kirsten both purchased this pillow spray to help them drift off to sleep. Their kids and husbands sometimes steal it too.
7. Bluetooth Shower Speaker – Kirsten got this speaker in a gift box earlier this year and she uses it religiously in her bathroom. If you know someone that likes to sing in the shower or listen to a book while taking a bath, this is the perfect present!
Cozy Technology
1. iRobot – Kirsten got this earlier in November and she loves it. With everyone spending more and more time in the house, the vacuuming was getting overwhelming. She runs it every day and it’s one more chore to tick off her list.
2. Movie Projector – An MVP for quarantine has for sure been this movie projector. All summer and fall we were able to enjoy the great outdoors with friends thanks to this projector. For winter, we are planning to bring it in and project movies on the ceiling. In spring, we will go back to having friends over for socially distanced movies on this screen.
3. Heated Blankets – When it’s cold outside but you want to hang with friends, this blanket will come in handy! Plug it in and enjoy the warmth. Plus, the detachable cord makes it easy to throw in the washing machine if you spill food or wine on it. At around $25 it’s a great gift this year!
4. Neck Massager – Jackie’s husband just purchased this neck massager for her and she’s been raving about it. With all the tension she has from working on the computer all day, this was truly the perfect present.
5. Nespresso – Kirsten has been eyeing up this machine for a long time now. With all the money she’s saved this year on not getting takeout coffee, she might just splurge this holiday season. Mmmm homemade pumpkin spice lattes all year!!!
6. Ember Mug – As a person who sips coffee for an hour (thanks, virtual school) getting an ember mug was a game-changer. Finally! No need to reheat my coffee all morning because it stays at my ideal temperature (136 degrees to be exact) for up to 3 hours! I just wish I had gotten mine monogrammed.
7. Airpods Pro Case – Audiobook lovers know that a good set of headphones are key, but I misplace my AirPods case all the time! Now, I can put them in this adorable case and connect them directly to my wallet. No more lost case….plus it’s pretty. ♥️
8. Instant Pot w/ Air Fryer -Ask Jackie about her beloved Instant Pot and prepare to see hearts come out of her eyes. She uses it to cook dinners for her family all the time, but even she is considering upgrading her version for the new edition that comes with an air fryer on top. Honestly, what will they think of next?
For Her
1. Book of the Month – We’ve been subscribers of this service for years. We love that we get hardback books at a discounted price and often those books are early releases, or books we wouldn’t have known about if not for BOTM. Perfect for snuggling up with on cold winter nights.
2. Leopard Sweats – Could this loungewear set be any cuter? Honeydew is known for their comfy clothes, but this is a set you wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear in public.
3. Scarfigan – Another item that both Jackie and Kirsten own, this scarfigan might be our favorite item on this list! Part blanket, part scarf. This poncho type garment is worn by each of us whenever we are lounging around the house. We know snuggies are popular, but this gives us more freedom in our arms. Because it’s not to heavy, it’s easy to wear around the house all the time, not just when laying on the sofa. Think of it as a wearable blanket! We promise you will use it all winter long.
4. Wrinkle-Resistant Sheets – Expensive Boll and Branch sheets may be all the rage right now, but I’m happy with this wrinkle-resistant set currently on my bed. The set includes a fitted sheet, top-sheet, and 2 pillowcases for only $32! So treat yourself to cozy new sheets for a hotel experience at home.
5. Fuzzy Slippers – Jackie and Kirsten each have a pair of the clog ugg slippers but these are giving us serious heart eyes. With so many color options, we aren’t sure what to pick! These keep selling out, so check this link too.
6. Book Vase – Kirsten has one of the vases in this collection and she adores it. Sometimes she uses it to hold flowers, sometimes she uses it to hold odds and ends, but it’s always proudly on display in her home.
7. Homesick Candles – I’ve long been a fan of Homesick candles. They’ve traditionally made candles that smell like different states, but now they’ve added in ski trips, beach vacations, and other fun scents. Light one, close your eyes and be transported.
For Him
1. Glencairn Glasses – Whiskey and bourbon are all the rage these days – but is the man in your life doing his tastings right? After visiting a bourbon distillery this summer and discovering these Glencairn glasses all the men in my life rushed out and purchased them. Designed by the Scots to taste their whiskey, these bad boys mean business. Bonus, if you knock the glass over, it lands on the rounded part preventing any liquid from spilling out.
2. Cookbook – Matty Matheson’s swear-laiden cooking videos are beloved because he’s funny and the food is SOOO good. I love his pancake recipe and his shepard’s pie recipe. Let the man in your life learn from Matty this winter. You won’t regret it!
3. Libro.fm – We are obsessed with Libro.fm. We wrote an entire blog post on why it’s better than audible. If your husband is a reader, has a long comute, or wants to start a new hobby…this code with give you 2 books for the price of one!
4. Yeti Cooler – Yeti is well known for it’s quality and utility. Their coolers are perfect for camping, fishing, tailgating, or beach days.
5. Phone Soap-Phone soap is a germ killing machine for your phone, tablet, laptop, watch, wallet and more. Kill virus germs including COVID! It’s a practical gift that will help the whole family.
6. Ping-Pong Table – Ping-pong is rising in popularity these days. Kirsten’s husband loves playing this game. He plays so fiercely it’s practically cardio. Enjoy long winter night tournaments as the family learns to increase their skill.
7. Golf Rangefinder – Jackie is getting this for her golf-loving hubby (and maybe for her own use.) They both started playing alot of golf during quarantine because it’s one of the safest outdoor activities.
For the Kids
1. Little Passports – Kirsten’s kids have had a little passports subscription for years, They’ve switched packs each year but have tried the USA, World, and both science kits. They loved them all!
2. Table Talk – Use your time at home for something useful! These table talk conversation cards can jumpstart great discussions with kids. When you are running out of things to talk about, this might be just the thing you need!
3. Fort Building Kit – A S.T.E.M. activity that’s perfect for a cold, snowy day. This fun kit is adorable for all kids. Let them make a castle, a fort, or a submarine. Add some sheets and watch them enjoy this playset for hours.
4. Snow Art Kit – Come winter, we will be looking for any excuse to get our kids outside! Encourage them to put their artistic skills to good use with this fun snow art stencil and paint set!
5. Hape Quadrilla – My dad found this kit for my boys 3 years ago and it’s been going strong all this time. We do lots of building and rebuilding but it’s almost always assembled in our home playroom.
6. S’mores Chapstick – Last year, for one of the nights of Hannukkah, Kirsten gave her kids chapstick in 8 different fun flavors. They had the best time figuring out who would get what flavor, which involved smelling every one. It was a surprise hit! She’s planning to do it again this year. Check out this jumbo pack too!
7. 4d Puzzle – Kirsten has the London version of this puzzle and it’s so cool that she has it on permanent display. First you build the original city, then you add a second layer with the modern city, and then you add the buildings. PLUS the roads glow-in-the-dark. The puzzle is educational and fun.