In the same spirit as the kid’s guide from earlier this week, here’s a list of ideas for gifts to give grownups. The specifics here aren’t as important as the general notion that gifts don’t have to carry a certain monetary value to be special. Rather than a purely aspirational guide, I’ve pulled together this list culled from examples of presents I’ve given to, or received from, my own family in years past. I’m hopeful it might serve as a jumping off point for some of you.
Lots of these are things you might be able to make yourself. Others are treasures you might find secondhand. Nearly all of them are things you can find from independent shops and makers. As always, if you have additions of your own that you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them.
+ Beeswax candles (Homemade or otherwise).
+ A plate full of homemade cookies (presented in a bandana for easy transport).
+ A hot/cold pack.
+ Upgraded pantry staples. (Like hand-harvested rice! Or fancy beans!)
+ A vintage record.
+ A keyring.
+ Special soap.
+ Replacement kitchen essentials. (Like fresh potholders or dish towels!)
+ Colorful tea.
+ A board game.
+ Cord clasps.
+ Bath salts.
+ A calendar.
+ A set of vintage pillowcases.
+ A pair of socks.
+ A set of coasters.
+ A winter bulb.
+ A festive spice cabinet addition or two.
+ An insulated water bottle.
+ An issue of a new magazine.
+ A secret potion.
+ A notebook.
+ An extra tiny bowl.
+ Sugar scrub. (Mixed in your home, or somewhere else.)
For the curious:
The amaryllis bulb pictured is one I found at my favorite local garden shop. The candle I found at our local grocery store. The bandana is a well-worn old favorite. And the soap is from Little Seed Farm.
18 Comments
also love your striped shirt! mind sharing the source?
this is actually a friend of mine! her shirt is vintage!
What a gorgeous (and actually helpful!) list! So many gift guides feel aspirational or “fluffy,” but I would give any one of these gifts!
One of the simplest, loveliest gifts I have received was during a $10 gift swap: a pound of good, local coffee beans. I smiled every morning they lasted, thinking of my brother-in-law choosing them for me and knowing my morning rituals so well. They felt like such a little luxury.
Yes! Agreed. I love giving special coffee!
Those fire starters are the best! We bought a fifty pound box for our wood stove this year and they really make me happy! 🙂 Also, fog & linen’s new Jenn towel is so pretty! Wishlisted.
This is perfect! I’m trying to go less store bought and more handmade things year mostly due to a tighter budget and a growing extended family. I’m actually quite excited. I have homemade bread, jams/buyers, lavender sachets, family pic (for grandparents), and wood butter. I’m going to add several of these to the list.
Following the link above, I made your brown sugar scrub this evening (here in Europe), with a cardamon-vanilla essential oil blend I had around. Just what I needed tonight! I can’t wait to try the cinnamon one. Thank you.
I’m sending my parents a gift certificate for their local farmers market this year. Fingers crossed that they actually use it! But I’m seeing more places that will let you buy a gift certificate online and mail it, which is awfully nice when you live far apart.
I just wanted to thank you for both of these gift guides so far. I’m really touched by your thoughtfulness in sharing actually cool ideas under $25, from a variety of sources. Love so many of these ideas, and I wouldn’t have thought of them myself!
Thank you so much for this wonderful list! There are so many wonderful ways to show people that we love them – besides spending loads of money. For my part, I decided to take up canning this year, and I’ve got two shelves full of pickles and salsa and jams and apple butter (and your recipe for Luxardo cherries!). Pretty much everyone I know and love is getting some food in a jar this year 🙂
I love this list so much! Great inspiration! Thank you!! 🙂
I love giving sets of Swedish dishcloths (for washing dishes, not drying.) They are sold in many stores, or do a quick google search for online options. The designs are beautiful and fun, and they wear like iron. Added bonus: they weigh next to nothing so are extra nice when shipping.
A friend once told me that her favorite gift is nice olive oil, an idea I’ve tucked away as a nice alternative to a bottle of wine.
Another upgraded pantry staple is spices from Mill & Mortar. My mom got me sea salt, and ras al-hanout one year. I love the containers–they are keep-worthy! https://www.millmortar.com
(maybe related to the notebook gift) Erin, or other readers, do you have any suggestions for a notebook with journal prompts?
I would enjoy giving or getting any of these gifts! Great list.
Thank you so much for these sweet mentions, Erin! Honored to be a part of this thoughtful list! xo Briar
I am adding a jar of fancy jam to my christmas wish list. Bonne Maman or St. Dalfour are my faves!
My favorite on the list is the notebook because I do like writing, after all, and the blank pages give me something to look forward to. The socks are a good gift too, especially on cold winter nights when you need to stay warm.
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