Holiday Gift Guide

‘Tis the season! No matter who is on your gift list this holiday season, it can always seem stressful to pick out something that truly fits the recipient. Whether you would like the gift to be practical, funny or even sentimental, one of the most crucial things is to ensure you give something the recipient will actually utilize. I believe this “utilization factor” of a gift not only shows that you thought about the recipient when selecting a gift, but ensures that you are not buying just to buy. In today’s consumer driven world, it can be so easy to get caught up in the spirit of gifting that you lose sight of being a conscience consumer with the recipient in mind.

Mary Kate Donahue, 2019.

Below is a collection of thoughtful gifts that you can ensure will be put to good use, depending on the recipient’s lifestyle and preferences. Happy gifting!

For the beauty lover. A Birchbox subscription. As something I have personally been gifted and also have gifted to others, I am a huge fan of a Birchbox subscription, since the gift continues for a few months past the original gifting date. My personal favorite is the Birchbox Best Sellers Box + 3-Month Subscription Card, since the recipient gets a few items initially and then you have pre-paid for them to receive similar items for another three months.

For the person who has everything. Have no idea what to get someone because they have just about everything? You can’t go wrong with a Homesick candle. Maybe the recipient went to the University of Georgia, get her the Athens candle. Maybe the recipient is a born and raised Washingtonian, get them the Washington, DC candle. Maybe the recipient spends their summers in Bethany Beach, get them the Delaware candle. You get the idea; these candles can be personal without being too over the top.

For the busy mom. Know someone who can never locate their keys in their massive tote bag? This key ring is for them! The Big O Key Rings are revolutionary and patented, making it easy to slide up your arm when holding a child’s hand or carrying several grocery bags. Not to mention, there is an array of colors and materials, making it perfect for everyone’s budget and taste.

For anyone. Whether you know someone who is wasteful with plastic water bottle use or can’t seem to drink enough water in a day, the Hydroflask is the perfect gift. Hydroflasks feature vacuum insulation to lock in temperate and are made of stainless steel. With a water bottle and tumblers for coffee, beer and wine, there is a Hydroflask style for everyone on your list.

For the homebody. If the recipient has yet to invest in a pair of UGG slippers, then you cannot go wrong with giving them gift of warm and cozy footwear. With styles for women, men and children, I can assure you that the recipient will almost never take their UGG slippers off.

For the girly girl. For the girl who loves all things fashion, you can’t go wrong with Thacker NYC’s Nolita Leather O-Ring Clutch. The bag features a unique rectangular shape with a metal ring at the top for hands-free use. Because of the bag’s unique features, it is something that you wouldn’t normally purchase for yourself, but if received as gift, you will most certainly make use of it…and get lots of compliments in the process! P.S. If you're local to the DC area, come pick out your favorite Thacker handbag with me at Sassanova in Bethesda!

For the college student. As a recent college graduate, I can assure that a shower drink holder like the SipCaddy Bath & Shower Portable Cupholder Caddy will be put to good use. Plus, a college student is in the appropriate stage in life to drink in the shower.

For the master chef. Have a go-to family recipe? Have it transcribed on a platter or serving dish. Not only is this a meaningful way to ensure a recipe lives on, but it is perfect, as the dish or baked good can later be served off of the platter. There are several options on Etsy. Last Christmas, my sister gifted my mom a dish with our grandmother’s fudge recipe printed on it, and now we use it to hold the fudge we make at the holidays.

For the girl who struggles in between salon visits. Know someone who can’t quite seem to tame her mane? Look no further than Revlon® Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer. This was gifted to me last Christmas, and it has truly changed my life. Not only is it easier to style my hair, but I use my flat iron much less, as this Revlon product leaves your hair silky and smooth.

For the man who loves to groom. The Beard King Beard Bib will make his life much easier, as cleanup post grooming will become a breeze. Not only will he thank you for making the disposal easier, but he will feel posh while grooming his beard.

For the person you have no idea what to get for them. Are you seriously stumped on a gift for someone? Are they a bit more sentimental than materialistic? Then, pick out a beautiful frame (check out the selection at Anthropologie or World Market) and a get a copy of a meaningful photograph of the recipient, maybe even one with both of you in it. In today’s social media age, a hard copy of a photograph can go a long way.