Image by Jason Gillman from Pixabay
I know that it’s still mid-November, but I am already stressing out over what gifts to get for my husband, son, daughter and co-workers. I have everyone else covered, but I’m still on the look out for great gifts, just in case I missed anyone, or I want to gift something extra.
I do have a holiday gift guide that is divided up between gifts for children, gifts for teens, gifts for women, gifts for men and so forth. You can find the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide HERE.
I have more great gift ideas worth considering that I’ll be adding to the guide over the coming weeks. In the mean time, here are some more great gift options you should check out.
Heirloom Quality Gifts for Children
Do you have any of your favorite childhood toys still in your possession? I have many of my favorite childhood toys. There are so many memories attached to them. My own children even played with a lot of my toys when they were younger.
Sadly, many toys these days cannot stand the test of time. Usually it’s because they are cheaply made due to being mass produced.
I work with children and it bothers me more than you can imagine to see even my youngest students (five years old) OBSESSED with video games and being on their tablets or parent’s smartphones. Video games are robbing children of their imagination and creativity. Therefore I am very happy to support any toy that shows a child there is more to the world then what is seen on the small screen.
A beautiful product line I was recently introduced to is Maileg (pronounced My Lie).
Maileg the charming Danish brand that ignites childhood imagination and creates toys intended to be enjoyed through generations. Their brand encourages storytelling through miniature characters and furniture.
There’s much talk about the developmental importance of screen-free play for young children. Maileg makes it easy to guide playtime back to basics where imaginative play reins supreme! ! Parents and grandparents love to gift this form of playtime to their children, and the collectors’ market also enjoys the fine details and craftsmanship that goes into every item.
Check out a few of their adorable products.
Maileg was kind enough to send me one of their precious mice figures to see just how well made (and adorable!) their products are. I received their little Angel Mouse in Suitcase.
This sweet little mouse came tucked inside a little suitcase that can serve as it’s home. It’s like a mouse-sized lunch box (made out of metal).
The mouse is very well made. I tugged on the limbs and checked for loose stitching. I didn’t find anything wrong with it, not even a single flaw.
These toys are the kind of toys that can be passed down from sibling to sibling, as well as generation to generation.
I’m an adult and I can honestly say if I was a child I could see myself spending hours on end playing with the dollhouses, furniture and cute figures. I even wish I had one of the houses! I’ve always wanted a doll house, but these houses with the little mice is just too precious.
If you are interested in checking out all Maileg has to over, visit them online at MailegUSA.com. Be sure to check out their winter critters. TOO CUTE!
The brand can also be found on social media.
Gifts for Anyone
Check out these gifting options that could work for anyone on your holiday shopping list, from family to friends, and from co-workers, “Secret Santa” and more.
Subscription services are all the rage these days. I personally subscribe to several. I love the convenience of receiving my favorite products monthly or bi-monthly. I also love that subscription services are a great way to discover new products you might not otherwise learn about.
Curls Monthly is a subscription service for people who have curly and wavy hair. I personally have naturally wavy hair with some areas that curl naturally as well.
Curls Monthly is a fabulous way to discover the perfect curly products, and have them delivered straight to your mailbox/doorstep.
When you subscribe to their monthly mailer you’ll received 5+ travel sized curl products and find what suits your haircare needs to have a great hair day, every day!
This is a fun way to discover products that work best for your hair, and it gives you the option to “try before you buy.” That way you don’t have to waste money purchasing products you hope will work for your hair. With Curls Monthly you’ll be able to try out products and you can choose to purchase a larger version if it works for your hair.
I received a package to try out for myself. I received the following products.
I have never heard of the brand Miche before. It was nice to get the opportunity to try a variety of their products. I really like the shampoo and conditioner, but my favorite product is the Hydrate and Refresh Spary.
When I wash my hair and let it air dry, my waves/curls are perfect. Sadly, the next day my hair just goes flat. I asked my hairdresser about it. She doesn’t know why that happens, but told me to spritz my hair with some water to perk the waves/curls back up. I do that, but it still doesn’t look as nice as it does the say I wash my hair.
This spray works wonders on my hair. It’s so much better than just spritzing water on my hair. This helps to revive my curls/waves and perks them up.
The spray is $20, which can be pricey for a product you are not sure if it will work or not. Trust me, I have wasted A LOT of money on products that seemed promising only to not work. Now that I know this spray works, and I like the shampoo and conditioner, I will happily purchase larger (full size) versions.
Curls Monthly sends different products each month, and plans start at only $22 per month. A subscription would make a great gift for your teen, significant other, sister, best friend and anyone else who loves to care for their curly hair.
For more information, visit CurlsMonthly.com. The brand can also be found on social media.
If you enjoy gifting people unique gifts, you might want to check out EkuBox. EKU stands for “Eat, Keep and Use.” Each EkuBox contains artisan products, hand-written notes, useful household products and more. Each box is exquisitely packages with great attention to detail. This is a gift you won’t want to wrap. The way the brand packages their boxes is too beautiful not to let it be seen and enjoyed.
EkuBox is NOT just for the holidays. Their gifts are available year-round and are ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, sympathy, get well, hostess gifts and any other occasion you can think of. They are even given as corporate gifts.
I received the brand’s Autumn Harvest Bliss Gift Box to review.
Right from the start you can tell that this was a special gift. The outside of the box featured a real ribbon and a sprig of sprig of wheat grass (?). I’m not sure what the plant is called, but I know I’ve seen it before.
Inside the box I was greeted by gourmet handmade sea salt caramels that were so scrumptious. They melted in my mouth. I will admit that I ate all of them that same day. I couldn’t get enough of them.
Also in the box was a box of Rustic Bakery’s Maple Butter Cookies. These, pair with a cup of tea, was perfect. They were even shaped like maple leaves and acorns.
The apple butter…OH! Don’t get me started on the apple butter. To say it’s delicious is an understatement. There are no words good enough to describe that mouth-watering goodness.
To round out this incredible curated box was a pear shaped candle. What a fun idea!
To check out what else EkuBox offers, visit them online at EkuBox.com. You can also find them on social media.
For the foodie and/or food lover in your life, let me introduce you to Sauce Goddess.
My husband and I tend to make the same meals week after week. Partially because we both work outside of the home and what we make is easier for weekday nights, but also because we keep forgetting to open up the many recipe books we have and try some new recipes.
Sometimes we make certain things for the simple reason that we enjoy eating them. But sometimes even your favorite meal could use some sprucing up. That is where Sauce Goddess comes in.
Sauce Goddess is a woman-owned business of award-winning sauces and spices. Their products help to elevated your favorite meals with their line of gluten-free sauces, spices and dip mixes. Because their products are made with REAL food ingredients, you will taste the difference.
I received some sauces and rubs from the brand to try out for myself.
The sauces/dips are great for meat, poultry, pork, veggies and even potatoes.
They do not taste store bought at all. They taste homemade and are very fresh tasting.
I’m not a fan of very spicey things (a little spice is fine). The Cayenne Sweet & Spicy packs a punch. It has too much of a “kick” for my taste, but my son and daughter love it.
My favorite is the Brown Sugar Sticky Sweet sauce. Try it on some chicken, it’s SOOOOOO GOOOOOD.
The Black Pepper sauce has just enough spice to it to be flavorful without burning your mouth. It’s spicy but not too spicy.
We used the Sweet & Tangy last night on our pork chops, and I’m saving the rest for the spiral ham we’re having for Thanksgiving.
The sauces are a bit on the pricey side compared to their store counterparts – BUT – you are paying more for them because they are premium, quality made products. For me, it’s worth spending a little more for something that is very flavorful and great for just about anything.
We received some rubs too.
My husband and I haven’t really tried these yet because honestly, we are not familiar with how to use rubs. We’ve never used them before. If they are as flavorful as the sauces, I know we’ll enjoy them. I’m especially curious about the Moroccan Twist rub. That one sounds especially interesting. My son love Latin foods and is anxious to try that rub too.
I wish we had a barbecue. I bet these sauces (and the rubs) would make any barbecued food a million times better.
I’ve you’d like to check out what else Sauce Goddess has available, visit the brand at SauceGoddess.com. They too are also found on social media.
Are you one of those families that enjoy getting matching pajamas for Christmas and taking your photo wearing them for your Christmas cards? Sadly, that was not a “thing” when my kids were little. As corny as it seems, I would have loved to had done that with my kids as a family. I think that is a special thing to do. I love it when our friends and family send us those kinds of Christmas cards.
If you are looking for some fun matching pajamas, check out Bellabu Bear. They are premium bamboo pajamas “made with love.”
If you have never experienced bamboo clothing, you are missing out. Even though bamboo is a plant, and it’s “hard” when you touch it in nature, it makes buttery soft material. It makes great sense to create pajamas out of bamboo. Who wouldn’t want to wear something oh-so-soft to bed.
Bellabu Bear has MORE than just matching pajamas sets. That is only one category of pajamas they sell. They have pajamas for babies, kids and adults. They even have plus sizes.
I received a plus size nightshirt to review. Sadly, I don’t have a picture of me wearing it. For one, I’d feel weird wearing a nightshirt for the world to see. Secondly, it was a little too snug on me, and I’d feel awkward having people outside of my husband see me in it.
I normally wear a 2X (22/24). The size I received was a 2X and if it wasn’t for my abdomen (it looks swollen due to scar tissue build up from past surgeries), it would have fit fine. It does fit fine. It’s only tight where I have all the scar tissue build up (yes, it’s a thing).
As for the quality, this is a great sleep shirt. It’s so soft! I wish everything I owed was made out of bamboo. Not only is it so comfortable and soft, but bamboo is anti-bacterial, resistant to wrinkles, and it’s eco friendly when made sustainably.
Bellabu Bear has many character pajamas including popular franchises like Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and comic heroes, but they also have holiday and seasonal designs too.
To learn more, visit BellabuBear.com.
Stocking Stuffers
I live in New York where it’s cold during the holiday season (usually), but other parts of the country have hot, sunny weather year round. For that reason it’s not a bad idea to stuff some products into a stocking that would help protect your loved ones skin from the sun.
Autumn Blum, a certified dive instructor and chemist, founded Stream2Sea sunscreen and skincare products to set a new and reigning standard for sustainable, ocean-safe body care products and sunscreens.
I received some Stream2Sea products to review. I received a wonderful assortment of the brand’s products.
I happen to wear sunscreen year round due to having a pale complexion and having to have six “suspicious” moles removed from my body over the years.
I hate wearing sunscreen because I don’t like the sticky and/or greasy feeling it leaves on my skin. Stream2Sea sunscreen is different. It’s a mineral sunscreen and I find that it feels better on my skin than other sunscreens I’ve used in the past. Case in point, the first thing I do when I get home from work is not only wash my hands, but also to remove any sunscreen on exposed parts of my skin (usually my arms, face and chest unless I’m wearing long sleeves). Since using Stream2Sea, I don’t feel a need to quickly wash it off when I get home. I don’t even notice I’m wearing a sunscreen. My skin feels no difference with or without it on. That’s a GOOD thing.
There is a reason why they call is an Everyday Sunscreen, because it’s ideal to wear everyday year round.
I used the shampoo and conditioner, even though my hair has not been exposed to salt water. It’s safe for color treated hair, which I appreciate. They are nice products which do a great job cleaning my hair and they rinse out well. I just happen to need a deeper conditioner due to my course, thick hair.
I’ve been using the hydrating lip moisturizer every day and it’s been keeping my lips hydrated. This time of year my lips already start to dry up and crack. So far, so good.
The hand cream is great for every day use. I keep it on my desk. I really like the scent it has, and I appreciate that is absorbs quickly. Since I am always on my computer when I am at my desk, I need a hand cream that will dry quickly so as not to get all over my keyboard.
Sunscreen and skincare products might not sound like a Christmas gift idea, however, for the sun lover and outdoor person in your life, these would make welcome gifts this holiday season, and better stocking stuffers than a gift card or box of chocolates.
For more information visit Stream2Sea.com.
Nothing beats a great pair of socks. I love socks. I have many pairs of them from no-shows to knee highs, and from character themed socks to a variety of colors, and just about everything in between.
I also suffer from neuropathy in both feet. I am very picky about the socks that I wear. Socks that are too binding, too thick or too heavy make my neuropathy worse. My daughter has a huge sock collection too, only because what socks I can’t wear I give to her.
Socks might not seem like a fun Christmas gift, but it is a very practical gift. If you gift someone quality socks, even better, especially if they are luxurious socks.
Did you know that the earth’s most versatile fiber comes from alpacas? These adorable animals are celebrated for their buttery softness and sustainability.
Pacas are a line of are a line of socks, sweaters, slippers and cozy blankets are made from Alpaca fleece.
I was sent some Pacas socks to try out. When I first saw them I was worried that they would be too heavy or binding, especially because they are five times warmer than wool. However they are not heavy like wool. They actually fit my feet perfectly and do not aggravate my neuropathy at all (if you suffer from neuropathy please know that this is MY experience with these socks, it might not be your experience).
Pacas socks are hypoallergenic, thermoregulating and moisture wicking. They are great socks for everyday wear, as well as for doing sports.
I’m on my feet the entire time I’m at work, and these socks are so comfortable to wear. They also stay in place and don’t bunch up in my sneaker.
I have the brand’s low cut socks which also have a padded heel tab. I’m not sure what purpose it serves. I thought it would make the socks feel weird, but I don’t feel that pad at all.
Pacas are available in a variety of colors, styles and sizes from baby to adult.
The brand is also kind enough to donate socks to local children’s hospitals to provide them with comfy socks during their stays. That is very kind and generous of the brand.
If you want to learn more about Pacas, visit the brand at Pacas.com. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you or your child suffer from acne or blemishes? I was fortunate to have good skin as a teen, as was my husband and even our son. Our daughter on the other hand, even at the age of 26, is still dealing with acne and acne scaring. We tried every product we could get our hands on when she was a teen, even prescription products and even putting her on birth control ONLY to help with her acne.
Acne can really mess with a young person’s self esteem and confidence. Even at 26 our daughter feels very self conscious about her skin (mostly now due to the scaring).
If you or your child suffers from acne and blemishes, let me introduce you to Skwad.
SKWAD was founded by Elise Kandrac. It was inspired by her concern for her teenagers’ self-esteem and the gender-specific nature of skincare products for young teens. Elise recognized that her children’s perception of their appearance was affecting their confidence more than their actual achievements. The values of Hawaii, where Elise has family connections, strongly influenced the brand. These values are reflected in the brand’s mission. SKWAD is committed to environmental responsibility, choosing packaging and ingredients with the planet in mind. Their marine-safe formulations are custom-made, and they utilize innovative technology like recycled raw ingredients to ensure sustainability.
SKWAD products are great for anyone, not just for teens.
I was sent some products to review.
The Toning Sap is a spray on toner that you can use anytime, anywhere. There is no need for a cotton ball or cotton pad. Simply spray and go (make sure to avoid the eye area).
I tried this a few times before giving it to my daughter (my son had no clue what a toner was to begin with). I test to have bad luck with things, so I did spray this on a cotton pad just to make sure I didn’t spray any in my eyes.
As a toner it seemed to work well. It worked as as well as other toners that I own. I have sensitive skin at times too (depending on the ingredients) and I had no issues with this product.
The Shaving Mask is unique where it’s both a mask and a product to soften your facial hair before you shave. As a mask simply apply it to your skin, leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse off. Next shave like you would normally.
I don’t shave my face (obviously), so I had no way of testing this. My son (he’s 24) doesn’t have acne skin. His skin is actually perfect. I asked him to try this. He said he didn’t really notice a difference as far as his facial hair. But then again, my son is a man of few words so trying to get him to provide feedback on ANYTHING is like pulling teeth.
I am listing SKWAD as a stocking stuffer. I don’t know how well received it would be as a gift you place under the tree, but as a stocking stuffer, this could make a great option for anyone in your life who suffers from acne and blemishes.
For more information visit SKWADShop.com. You can also check them out on social media.
These are just some great gift and stocking stuffer ideas. Be sure to check the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide often.
Happy Shopping!
Kimberly
*I received product samples in order to do these reviews. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
