pre-Christmas PANIC time

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Christmas Check In

Well. As Carla excitedly informed me this morning, we have TEN DAYS until Christmas! 

Let’s do a little check-in to see where we are:

Décor: We have still not put up our tree, BUT Carla did inspire me to put out some of our other Christmas decorations after school one day this week, so it’s moderately festive in here. I would still like to figure out some sort of ribbon/garland/pine bough situation for all the many doorways in this house, and also the railings, but I have yet to do more than just think “I want to decorate the doorways” so it may not happen this year. We also have two mostly dead mums on the front stoop, and I would love to replace them with something more Christmassy/alive, but that may not happen either. Setting up the TREE is the priority. I did bake the menorah today, so that’s all nice and shiny for next year and stowed safely in a drawer, so that’s something. 

Gifts: I am pretty sure that everything is ordered? And, if not in my house, on the way? That feels suspicious; I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. I am STILL dithering about the espresso machine, but dithering toward not ordering it. Also: all the gifts for all but one of the out-of-town recipients have been wrapped AND mailed, so I’m pleased with that. Lots of wrapping yet to do, but there is time. Oh! I do still need to buy gift cards for a few people (Target gift cards for the mail person and the garbage and recycling people, all of whom gave us holiday cards with their names, so I think that is a sign that we should return the favor; a Dunkin Donuts gift card for Carla’s music teacher) and deliver gifts to my hair dresser and Carla’s other music teacher. We also have a Toys for Tots gift to deliver to the appropriate place. And I would like to pick up a few extra small stocking stuffers. But this all feels DOABLE, which, again, makes me suspicious because apparently I can never just feel okay with a thing.

Meal Plans: My parents and I have figured out the meals for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My mother is handling Christmas Eve; Christmas Day will be at my house, but my dad will make his traditional spice roast. (We’ll also have goat cheese and garlic mashed potatoes, Caesar salad, sticky toffee pudding cake and a yule log.) The roast and yule log have been ordered. I guess I need to figure out what to make for breakfast for Christmas Day… but there’s time for that. 

Holiday Baking Projects: Carla has requested that we make cookies again this year instead of chocolates, which is fine. So now we need to figure out WHAT we want to make. I am making cranberry crumble bars for a holiday open house we are attending, but beyond that I’m not feeling pulled toward any cookie in particular. What do you think we should make?

Music: I found a radio station that plays nonstop Christmas music, so I’ve been listening to that. I find I’m mostly in the mood for traditional stuff, so there’s a lot of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald on rotation. What I REALLY want to listen to are Christmas hymns: Joy to the World and Carol of the Bells and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and O Little Town of Bethlehem. I’m not quite sure where to find these specific songs, though, except in church. 

Holiday Events: So far, we don’t have a ton of things planned, which feels good and doable. We are going to an open house, put on by one of our new neighbors. Carla has two playdates scheduled. An out of town friend and his husband will come by for cookies and tea the week after Christmas. We have dinner plans with friends the night before New Year’s Eve. Add in some fun with my parents and that feels like plenty of special get-togethers with lots of time for relaxing. 

Weather: Currently, we have sunshine and blue skies which I refuse to complain about. But if we could get a nice dusting of snow right around Christmas, I would be very pleased. 

I feel like I’ve made pretty decent progress since Monday. How are you faring with your Christmas plans?

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Assorted Christmas Gift Ideas 2023

It seems like it is probably TOO LATE to take advantage of any gift ideas at this point; so many gifts, even on Amazon, are marked “arrives after Christmas.” Fortunately, we live in an area that has a large number of stores, so we can buy things in person. But I don’t particularly like going into stores. I suppose this is the tax I am paying for procrastinating. 

Anyway. Here are some of the items we are getting for family members, items I’ve asked for, and items I’ve considered. In case you need inspiration – or in case, like me, you enjoy looking at gifts lists and feeling consumeristic panic build inside your soul reassuring yourself that you have done a decent job after all.

Also, if you know me in real life and we tend to exchange gifts: This is the point where you should stop reading, because I am going to spoil the surprise. (All images below from amazon or the website linked in the product name.)

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Stanley Tumbler: This was Carla’s number one most fervently requested gift. EVERYONE has a Stanley, she told me. I did notice, when I volunteered at her school’s Book Fair recently, that quite a lot of kids have one. And it seems like most parents I’ve spoken to are getting their fifth grader a Stanley for Christmas as well. One of my friends said that her daughter’s teacher even suggested having “a Stanley day” in class, since so many of the kids had one (which is problematic in a lot of ways, but hopefully the teacher realized that after the fact and will not bring it up again). So I think this is a case where Carla has a fairly realistic read on the situation. (As opposed to “everyone has a phone!” which is patently false.) I will just say: I think this is an impractical and ridiculous item. The thing is enormous; it has a straw, which means it will be prone to leaking and also prone to molding; it is much too expensive for what it is. And yet I also understand the joy of receiving a thing that is completely on trend. So Carla is getting one. If it arrives in time for Christmas, which it may not. 

Straw Covers: The Stanley requires accessories. Sigh. Fortunately, these are adorable and may help prevent leaks? At least they will provide a tiny bit of germ protection for the straw.

Puzzle: My husband is an enthusiastic puzzler, so I always like to get him a new puzzle for giftish occasions. This one seems like the perfect intersection of difficult but not too difficult. We ended up not getting this one for him, because my daughter wanted to order a custom puzzle that featured a photo of her with her dad, but this would have been my pick if she hadn’t felt so strongly. 

Disney Puzzle: My sister-in-law requested a Thomas Kinkade Disney puzzle – I guess she and my niece have a collection of them, which I think is so sweet.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman: This book is on my own wish list. I adore this series. 

ASL Flash Cards: I haven’t yet done so, but I’m leaning toward ordering these American Sign Language flash cards for Carla. (And for me to share.) One of our family members is losing their hearing, and we’ve discussed learning ASL so we can all continue to communicate. I feel like a class would be a better method, but these flash cards get good reviews and we all need to start somewhere. 

Derwent Watercolour Pencils: My mother recently started learning how to paint with watercolors. She is so talented, it blows me away. I think she has all the supplies she needs for painting, but I came across these pencils and they sound like a fun way to add detail and texture to one’s watercolor art. Not sure if these will be something she ends up using a lot, but hopefully she will have a good time experimenting with them. 

NeeDoh Cats: Carla has loved the NeeDoh balls in the past, and these cats are CATS, so I know she will love finding these in her stocking. Oh my gosh: there are PIGS too. Now I’m not sure what to do. 

Slow Horses by Mick Herron: My husband specifically requested this book, so I’m getting it for him. (I really wanted to get him The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, but my local bookstore doesn’t have it.)

Stuffed Owl: My niece is really into Harry Potter and requested a white stuffed owl. An easy thing to say yes to!

Hogwarts Robe: As long as we’re on the subject, this dress-up robe would be perfect for my niece or other Harry Potter fans.

Harry Potter Sweets: We also got my niece some HP candy for her stocking. 

Truff Hot Sauce: The regular Truff was a hit last year, and this year I’m getting the white truffle version for my husband. Or maybe I will buy mini bottles and give one to everybody.

Chocolate Tasting Kit: My husband sent me a link to a bar of chocolate, and since he has been terrifically difficult to shop for this year, I immediately went to the website to buy it. I noticed that there was a $55 threshold for free shipping, so perused the other options to see if there was anything else I needed to get him, and indeed! there was! I found this chocolate tasting kit, which would be so fun to do with guests OR with a daughter who loves chocolate as much as her father does. I also got a second kit for my parents, because I think they might enjoy doing a chocolate tasting party with some of their new friends. Long and boring story with a really great payoff alert: When I placed my order, I forgot to add the second tasting kit to my cart because I am an idiot; thinking about buying a gift is not the same as BUYING THE GIFT, you heard it here first. I immediately emailed the company to see if they could add on another kit to my existing order but did not hear back, probably because it was a Sunday. The next morning I got a notification that my order had shipped, so – worried about getting things in time for Christmas – I ordered a second tasting kit separately and paid a dumbass tax for shipping. THEN I got an email that they were going to send me a tasting kit and waive the shipping! So I had to call the company and ask if they could cancel the order I’d placed. And they did. I spoke to a real human being, who answered the phone after one ring, and who was completely lovely to speak to. So even though I do not like chocolate, this company has won my undying love and affection right out of the gate with their superb customer service.  

Comfy: My daughter and husband bought me a leopard print Comfy a few years ago. My daughter adopted it and wears it all the time. Lately, she has been wearing it to sleep in so that she can get away with sleeping on top of her covers, which means she never has to make her bed. Gotta love a loophole. Anyway: my mother-in-law admired Carla’s Comfy when she visited recently, and so we are getting her a Comfy for Christmas. 

Karaoke Microphone: Carla loves to sing and has been asking for a karaoke machine. This microphone seems like a good bet. Despite the complete disinterest of the children in the photo, whose hands look fake to me and also why are they wearing wigs. 

Guitar Strap: This is one of the few things my husband specifically requested for Christmas, so he is getting one. 

Leopard Print Heart Pillow: I am resisting buying this with all my might. Carla would LOVE IT. But… we just got her a bunch of new throw pillows. BUT IT IS SO CUTE. AND SOFT. AND LEOPARD. Do you need it? Does someone you know need it? It should be boughten. 

Super Mario Wonder: This would be officially for my husband, but it’s a game he and Carla could play together. 

The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt: This book was specifically requested by my father-in-law, so it’s exactly what he’s getting. 

Temporary Tattoo Pens: We have not had good luck, in our house, with things like makeup and face paint. But I know Carla would love these. Sigh. 

Glitter Tattoo Art Kit: Oh wow. This is even better (and more potentially problematic for my particular kid) than the tattoo pens. 

Friends Socks: My best friend needs these.

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett: My daughter loves graphic novels and Mac Barnett and cats, so this seems like a no brainer.

Ember Mug: My sister-in-law is getting this keeps-your-coffee-warm mug for Christmas. My husband has one and LOVES it. I guzzle my tea before it has a chance to cool, but for people who sip their coffee over long periods, this would be perfect. 

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin: This book is on my own wishlist, but I’m also getting it for one of the avid readers on my gift list. 

Bean Bag Chair: I am really wishing we waited for Christmas to buy this chair. Carla loves it SO MUCH and it’s big enough to have a real impact on Christmas morning. WHY did we not wait???? (My husband is of the opinion that a chair is not an appropriate Christmas gift, that’s why.) Anyway. Maybe you have someone who needs this chair. It is GREAT. 

House Plant: This was one of the things I asked for this year. I would love to get a new house plant, especially if it’s one that requires very little in the way of attention or care.

Puck Sling Game: I am on the fence about this one! I think my husband and child would like it, and it might be fun to have another game that Carla can play when the neighbor kids come over. But… will it be fun enough to play more than once??

Tea Light Raclette: This may be something I have thought about for my mother-in-law before, but if so, I am thinking about it again. She loves raclette, and this takes up so little space.

Dogtown by Katharine Applegate: We got this for Carla for Hanukkah and she LOVES it. Has already finished it. If you have a kid who likes animals and stories told from the perspective of an animal, this is a good one. 

Pet Adoption Truck Clay Craft Kit: This is another Hanukkah gift that was a huge hit. So many tiny clay dogs being made around here. We will probably get Carla another kit from Klutz for Christmas (maybe the candy cart?) because she loves them so much. 

Book Light: I had zero ideas – ZERO – for what to get a friend of Carla’s for her birthday, so we went with a bookstore gift card, a bookmark, and a book light. Carla was very envious of the book light, so now she will get one in her stocking. 

Bier Stein: We have an honest-to-goodness bar in our new house, and I think my husband would really like some fun beer steins from European breweries. 

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Fountain Pens: Listen, I do not know why Carla wants these. All I know is that we saw them in a store and she said, with intensity and fervor, “I have always wanted a fountain pen.” They will fit in a stocking; done

Little Live Guinea Pigs: I feel like Carla is aging out of toys like this, which makes me want to buy her ALL THE TOYS. She loves these ridiculous Little Live Pets so much. So. Much. 

Wordle Game: My sister-in-law turned me on to the existence of this game; she’s getting it for my mother-in-law. And I am in turn getting it for my parents, who do Wordle religiously. (Don’t we all?)

Walkie Talkie Robot: I hate robots. HATE. Carla is obsessed with them, and asks for them constantly, and yet once she owns one, she uses it five times and then it languishes forever in a closet. But. She put this item on her Santa list (does she still believe in Santa, or is she humoring me???) and added a note that said, “Please! Please!” so this is what Santa is getting her. I cannot wait to become super annoyed with it and then watch as she forgets about it in a week. (I know Elisabeth would say, “Just say no to a gift you will resent,” with her typical gentle zen, but I am not there yet, Elisabeth!)

Decanter: My father is getting a decanter this year. I liked the simplicity of this one, and the wood and leather accents add a nice masculine touch.

Taylor Swift T-Shirt: My kiddo is, like everyone else, obsessed with Taylor Swift. I like the positivity of this sweatshirt featuring a Bejeweled lyric. Or this T-shirt, also featuring a Bejeweled lyric.

Warmie: I feel like my daughter and my niece and everyone (including me) needs a warm-up-able stuffed animal. 

Jog Belt: It seems a little weird to be thinking about the pool when it’s 30 degrees outside, but I think it would be fun to have a jog belt to wear in the pool. I don’t really like to swim, but I’ve heard that aqua jogging can be really good exercise.

Kendra Scott Gem Pendant: This is another “all the kids have one!” item on Carla’s wish list. Fortunately, her grandmother is buying one for her. 

Bag Balm: Why yes, I do buy myself the occasional stocking stuffer, and this is going in my stocking this year. Thanks to Elisabeth and Birchie for the recommendation! 

Pikachu Squishmallow: While my child does not need another stuffie, like, at all, she did request a Squishmallow… and she loves Pokémon, still, for some reason… so Santa is bringing her this. Please read this entire bullet with the concentrated resignation that I felt when placing the order.

Opopop Discovery Kit: I have a family member who is a HUGE popcorn fan, and this variety pack would be such a fun way to honor that passion. 

Nodpod Sleep Mask: I have been having such a hard time sleeping in our new house because the lighting situation is so different from that in our old house. And I wake up so easily. Maybe this would be the solution?

Clip On Earrings: Carla still doesn’t have her ears pierced (topic for another post), but has been Very Interested in earrings of late. Her grandmother bought her a pair of these clip ons, and she wears them ALL the time, I think specifically because they look like they could be real earrings for pierced ears. 

Hot Sauce: My husband loves these hot sauces. We lost them all in a power outage earlier this summer, and I know he would love a new set.

Pink Scrunchies: Carla is wearing her hair in ponytails or up in a clip lately, and pink is her new favorite color, so I think these would be a massive hit.

Claw Clips:  She is also very much into claw clips, and this is a nice variety of colors and shapes for not a whole lot of money.

One More Chapter Sweatshirt: Pretty much everyone in my family could relate to this sweatshirt.

Bonne Maman Gift Box: For your jam loving bestie. (Or, in my case, husband.)

Soup Bowl with Handles: This was a request from my mother. How could I resist Snoopy??? Although I have to admit, I was strongly tempted by this set of colorful polka dot mugs, which would work well as soup bowls. I have a set in a more regular size, and I looooove them. So cheery. I also really like this soup and sandwich combo.

Colorful Tights: Carla has been really into wearing shorts over black tights this year. I wonder if she would be interested in adding some colorful tights to the rotation?

Yoga Mat: This is on my wish list (thanks to Nicole for the recommendation!) and I am hopeful that my husband will surprise me with it. 

Bar Glasses: This is me really stretching for gift ideas (my husband’s family sends wish lists around to one another, so I have to come up with SOMETHING), but it might be fun to have some new drinkware for the bar. We don’t have any old fashioned glasses. I like these elegant beer glasses as well. These are fun (they feature the Rockies!) but seem hard to clean.

Bananya Card Game: My daughter has become recently enamored of a ridiculous “show” on TV about these little cats that live inside bananas. I think it is targeted to a MUCH younger audience, but she thinks it’s adorable. She would love this game, and cards always make for good stocking stuffers.

Mini Espresso Machine: My husband has been talking about getting an espresso machine… but then explicitly told me not to get him one… but he keeps talking about wanting one. So I am fretting a little about whether I should have bought him this or not. Will I panic buy it at the last moment? Who’s to say. 

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent: Birchie recommended this book to me and I loved it and now I am buying it for one of the book-loving people on my gift list. 

Waffle Maker: What I DID buy him is a waffle maker. He has fallen in love with Liege waffles and this waffle maker supposedly makes nice, fluffy waffles. 

Pearl Sugar: My (very limited) understanding of Liege waffles is that they contain pearl sugar, so I got a bag of pearl sugar for my husband’s stocking. 

Woodworking Kit: My dad and Carla have been doing a decent amount of woodworking together. My dad showed her how to use a drill and a saw and they made some elaborate creations together. So Carla circled a bunch of woodworking kits in the Mindware catalogs we get biweekly this time of year. I think my dad is putting together his own version of a kit for her, which I think is so adorable. 

This list feels incomplete while at the same time being overly long, but this is what I have! What are the hot ticket Christmas items for the people in your life?

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Great Big List of Holiday Gift Ideas 

For hundreds more gift ideas, you can find previous years’ gift guides here.

I got cocky, friends. Because my parents were here for Thanksgiving, I made sure all their gifts had arrived and were wrapped so they could take them home when they left. It felt good, being so ahead of the game, so prepared. 

My husband and I are giving each other the gift of new Apple watches this year, so that was done and dusted as well. Plus, I got him a few other little things just so he’d have some surprises to open. 

Riding high on all this advance gifting, I completely forgot that I have many other people to buy gifts for. Including Carla. So my old friend Holiday Panic has once again arrived on my doorstep. My problem is not lack of ideas. I collect ideas all year long, and label them with the person I have bookmarked them for. Plus, everyone on my husband’s side sends wish lists, which makes things simpler. And yet… I overthink! And hem and haw. And then once I am finally settled on what I think the gifts should be, I present them to my husband and he weighs in. (Is this an ideal system? No. And yet it is the one we must work with.)

Right now, I have completed the information gathering stage of the gift-giving process and am in the contemplation stage. Below are things I’m considering for some of the folks on my list but haven’t yet purchased. If you are still in the information gathering stage for one or more of your gift recipients (or for yourself!), I hope these ideas offer a little inspiration.

Cotton Candy Machine: Santa is bringing this for Carla. While my husband and I are not particularly pleased (do we really need more sugar? won’t everything be sticky?) we are not arguing with Santa, especially because neither of us can think of any other appropriate “big” gift. Also because this will DELIGHT Carla. Sigh. Of course, the flossing sugar is sold separately, so Santa will have to bring that too. Image from amazon.com

Monopoly: Speaking of gifts I am getting Carla even though it makes me cranky. This is one of the worst games of all time (only topped by Life, in my opinion) but Carla has been asking for it for years. There are also all sorts of different branded versions of Monopoly, which I don’t understand? Star Wars? Friends? Unicorns and Llamas? So I am just going with the ol’ standard. Can’t wait to play. Nope – change of plans. My husband wants us to get her the Sparkle version. That is what we’ll do. Now concludes way too much thinking about Monopoly. Image from amazon.com

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb: This came out way back in February, but it seems like it would appeal to both of my parents so I bought it for them to share. Image from amazon.com

Chocolate Bees: CHOCOLATE BEES. Image from johnandkiras.com

Mayhem in Library Puzzle: My husband is a puzzle fan extraordinaire, so obviously I will get him a puzzle. But which one? This one looks fun and challenging. Image from amazon.com

The Sunny City Puzzle: Probably I will get him this one, which is the third in Series One of the Magic Puzzles. (He has done the other two in Series One.) He really loves these “mystery” puzzles. Image from amazon.com

Beyond the Kelp Puzzle: Or maybe I will get him another Odd Pieces puzzle. He loved the Turbo 3000 one, which is a mystery in a different way from the Magic Puzzles. Image from amazon.com

Dog Park Puzzle: Okay, this is the last of the puzzles. But it is SO CUTE. I love the bright happy colors. Does it matter if I love it, considering you breeze in every few days to add one piece and then breeze out? you ask. Well, no. Except that the puzzles live in my dining room until they are complete, so it’s nice when they are aesthetically pleasing. Image from amazon.com

Library Tote: This is so cute. I have a friend in mind who would love this. Image from etsy.com

Telestrations: We already own this – I bought it immediately after reading about Allison’s experience playing it – but it is SO fun. Carla loves it. It’s like telephone meets Pictionary. According to my husband, it is more of an activity than a game, but it’s really enjoyable and one of the few games that works for elementary-age kids as well as adults. Image from amazon.com

Petite Zebra Garden: Who doesn’t love a succulent? This one is so pretty! Image from lulasgarden.com

Barbie Hatch and Gather Egg Farm Playset: Carla professes to still love Barbies, and how much longer will toys appeal to her anyway? So I am leaning toward getting this set for her. She really likes the tiny Barbie animals better than the dolls anyway. Image from amazon.com

Squishmallow: I do not get Squishmallows, aside from how soft and cuddly they are, but they are all the rage with the fourth grade set this year.  Image from amazon.com

It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles by Jack Prelutsky: Carla loves poems, and this was one of the books we were considering for her birthday but didn’t end up getting.  Image from amazon.com

Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein: Here’s another book of poems that Carla would love (she is an avid Silverstein fan).  Image from amazon.com

Cat Lamp: Carla would love this because she hates falling asleep in a dark room, but it would also be perfect for younger kids (or adults!). Image from amazon.com

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn: My parents love mysteries, and they both got a kick out of the Thursday Murder Club books… this seems kind of along the same lines and sounds fun. Image from amazon.com

Electric Wine Opener: I got one of these as part of a Fab, Fit, Fun box, and I LOVE IT. So easy to use, no broken corks. I think my parents and in-laws need one of these. Image from markandgraham.com

Jean Jacket: If you happen to have a child with a temperament similar to Carla’s, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this jacket. It is cute and durable and my child has worn it to school nearly every day since I bought it for her in September. Yes, she wears it under her winter coat. She says it makes her feel like a rockstar.  Image from amazon.com

Joan Jett T-Shirt: I really, really want to get Carla this T-shirt. Wouldn’t it go great under her jean jacket? But it’s not in her size and I think the adult version would be too big. Image from etsy.com

The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff: My mother is a history buff and also loves biographies, so this was a shoo-in for her gift this year.  Image from amazon.com

Go Away I’m Writing Socks: My writer friend and I both need a pair of these. Image from redbubble.com

Devotions by Mary Oliver: Thanks to Nicole’s effusive mentions of these poems, I am in possession of this book and it is wonderful. Also, it is UNDER TEN DOLLARS (at the writing of this post), alert alert!  Image from amazon.com

Mary Oliver Sweatshirt: Words to live by. While reading your new copy of Devotions. Image from etsy.com

Animal Drawing Set and Digital Art Lessons: My kiddo loves to draw, and she really likes things with an online instruction component. I think this would be right up her alley. Image from amazon.com

Hey Clay: Along similar lines, these little sculpting kits (also with a digital instructive element) were a huge hit with Carla when she was slightly younger. So if you have a kid who likes crafting/sculpting who also likes to follow instructions, this is a gift you need to buy. Image from amazon.com

Sunrise Alarm Clock: You know I love a practical gift, and I am very weary of a) waking up before my alarm because Carla’s is blaring and she is blissfully sleeping right through it and b) having to go through the very long and touchy process of dragging Carla out of sleep. This will solve all our problems, surely? Image from amazon.com

SoulKu Necklace: This might be the opposite of practical, but I absolutely adore these gorgeous necklaces, imbued with things like confidence, self-esteem, or courage. Image from soulku.com

Remote Control Tarantula: Carla has been begging for one of these for at least two years. I am so reluctant to get one for her (I sense lots of jump scares in my future), but she has asked for so few things this year! Image from scientificsonline.com

Bubble Machine: Carla still loves bubbles and would enjoy this so much… although this feels like it would be more appropriate for her birthday when she can go outside and use the thing right away. Image from amazon.com

Baseball Stadium Pint Glasses: I feel like this is the kind of thing I look at with interest for every opportunity I have to buy gifts for my husband, and never end up actually buying it. But here I am again, looking at it with interest. Image from uncommongoods.com

Robot Kit: Carla has been asking for a robot – one that will do her bidding, specifically; LOL good luck Carla – so this is the one my parents are getting for her. My husband and I are getting the same one for our niece so the girls can take over the world together. Image from makeblock.com

Cookbook: Nagi is one of my go-to food bloggers. I have never made a recipe of hers that I didn’t LOVE, and plenty of her recipes are things I make over and over. This cookbook would make a terrific gift for the foodie in your life. Image from amazon.com

Wireless Meat Thermometer: My husband got me this thermometer awhile back and it is AMAZING. We used both probes this year to cook the turkey, and the turkey was cooked perfectly and on time for the first time ever. My mother-in-law requested something similar, so I think this is a good candidate for her gift. Image from amazon.com

Fish Plate: This plate is gorgeous, and speaks to me as a Pisces. Image from goodeeworld.com

Butterfly Wings: I saw these and thought they were so fun and beautiful, and then it struck me that Carla has probably outgrown this kind of thing. That makes me really sad, but maybe her cousin would still find them magical. Image from mindware.com

Cooking Challenge Kit: We are big fans of Master Chef Jr. and British Bake Off Junior around here. I bet Carla would enjoy cooking up her own challenge creations. Image from mindware.com

Peanut Butter Sampler: My husband adores peanut butter, so of course I had to get him a sampler from Off Beat Butters. Image from cleansimpleeats.com

Jam Sampler: Peanut butter makes me think of jam, and jam makes me think of having a jam plan, and I am sure Monica Geller would agree that jams make good gifts. This sample from New Canaan Farms looks fancy. (Would make a good hostess gift, too.) Image from newcanaanfarms.com

Origami Kit: Paper crafts are a perennial favorite around here. Image from amazon.com

Hair Chalk Salon: Carla would LOSE HER MIND over this. She loves hair chalk (I, however, do not). Image from amazon.com

Beer Can Glass: There’s something I find very simple and elegant about this glass-shaped-like-a-beer-can. Image from crateandbarrel.com

Sweatshirt Weather Candle: I love this candle, but even more fun is looking at all the other irreverent and ballsy options on That Gay Guy Candle Company’s website.  Image from thatgayguycandlecompany.com

Fujifilm Instax 11:  This little camera is on my niece’s wish list this year. How adorable is it?! Image from target.com

Instax Carrying Case: Now the question of whether you get the carrying case and camera in the same colors, or different ones… Hmm… Image from amazon.com

Schitt’s Creek Earrings: My sister-in-law wears fun earrings, so I got her some from a show we both like.  Image from etsy.com

Illustrated Version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling: We got Carla the entire set of these beautiful books a few years ago and she loved them. Perhaps my niece would be interested as well? Image from amazon.com

Pocket Microscope: I don’t know exactly what Carla or her cousin would use this for, but I bet they would come up with something wonderful.  Image from amazon.com

Bug Vacuum: I don’t know why Carla wants this, but she asked for it specifically. And honestly, if she plans to take over our in-home bug removal, I am not standing in her way. Image from amazon.com

Gratitude Journal: This one is extremely irreverent, but it makes me giggle. I have a couple of people in my life who would really enjoy this. Image from amazon.com

Def Leppard Artistry Palette: Lovely reader Allison R. asked me for advice on makeup for the tween set… and I am sorry to say that my advice is “rely on people who know makeup.” A friend got this makeup palette for Carla, probably because of the leopard on the front. Carla LOVES it. We have lots of talks about appropriate times/venues for wearing makeup when you are NINE. Image from revolutionbeauty.us

Hot for Hue Artistry Palette: Another friend, whose daughter is very into makeup now (she is NINE), got this little palette for Carla. It lives in the uppermost regions of my linen closet with all of Carla’s makeup, because she loves it a little too enthusiastically.  Image from ulta.com

Paradise on Ice Palette: This palette is made specifically for kids, and I have purchased it in the past for Carla’s makeup-loving friends.  Image from petitenpretty.com

Makeup Starter Kit: This looks like it would be perfect for a makeup fan who’s a little younger than Carla – five or six, maybe.  Image from kleenaturals.com

Butterfly Oasis: Carla would love this, and I bet my mother would too. Image from uncommongoods.com

Bud Vase: I feel very strongly that you or I need to own this. Image from anthropologie.com

Treasury of Egyptian Mythology: My niece is really into mythology right now, and I think she’d love this (she is a huge fan of Cleopatra). Image from amazon.com

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths: This was a book I checked out from the library over and over when I was a kid, and I bought it for Carla two years ago. Maybe my niece needs it too! Image from amazon.com

Lap Desk: I have one of these (although mine is nowhere near as pretty) and love it, and Carla saw one recently and mentioned she might like one. Why not?  Image from amazon.com

Slippers: My husband’s only slippers are a pair of giant hairy bear feet (which, of course, are delightful). I think he might wear these more frequently. Image from nordstrom.com

Comfy Wearable Blanket: My daughter got me one of these as a gift several years ago but she is the one who wears it near-daily in the cold months. It is bigger than she is and she swears it is the most comfortable thing ever. Image from amazon.com

Wearable Throw: And here is the elegant, upscale version of the Comfy. Image from nordstrom.com

Friendship Bracelet Kit: This was on my niece’s wishlist. Second grade is definitely when friendship bracelet fever began in our house, peaking in third grade. Image from amazon.com

Smartphone Photo Vault: While I have to admit I didn’t realize Sharper Image was still around, I think I may end up getting this for my mother-in-law. Image from sharperimage.com

All the Broken Places by John Boyne: My father-in-law is – as are we all, right? – a huge John Boyne fan. I think he needs the author’s newest book. Image from amazon.com

Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History by Jeff Nussbaum: This is another one that sounds right in my father-in-law’s wheelhouse. Image from amazon.com

Nail Stamper: This is so cute and looks like so much fun. Image from amazon.com

Interesting Facts for Curious Minds: Carla got a book of random questions at her school book fair this fall, and loved it. I think she’d enjoy this just as much.  (Or we can wait until Volume 2 of the random questions series comes out in January.) Image from amazon.com

Chocolate Melting Pot: I’m not sure what my mother-in-law has in mind for this wishlist item, but I would like to be involved. Image from amazon.com

Fender Sweatshirt: My guitarist husband needs this for sure. Image from kohls.com

Iconic Guitars T-Shirt: Or maybe this T-shirt.  Image from etsy.com

Personalized Guitar Picks: These picks are Carla’s gifts to her dad this year.  Image from etsy.com

Mobile Gaming Controller: Speaking of my husband: He recently – finally – got a PS5, and he would like this for gaming wherever we go. Image from amazon.com

Kid Spy Books: I really wish I had someone to buy these books for. Carla and her dad read them all last year and they were So Great. Full of humor and history and adventure and 80s references for us millennial parents. I keep hoping Mac Barnett will come out with a new one, but so far no dice. Image from amazon.com

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett: There IS a new picture book – part of a new fairy tale series, apparently? – by the wonderful writer/illustrator team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. How I wish we were still in the picture book phase!  Image from amazon.com

Odder by Katherine Applegate: Speaking of books I have already bought and want desperately to buy for someone else: this book-in-verse was a HUGE hit with Carla, whose favorite genre of books is Animal Centric Adventures with a Heartwarming Element. Image from amazon.com

A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry: This is another book that Carla absolutely adored. But she checked it out from the library, so we don’t own it. And it’s only $7… maybe I need to get her her own copy. (This is how a life of book overbuying begins, I suppose.) Image from amazon.com

Wolf Plush: And I could get her a wolf stuffie to go with the book!!!! My husband is never going to support this plan. Image from amazon.com

Frasier Fir Candle: I read somewhere that this is the ultimate Christmas-smelling candle.  Image from amazon.com

Tea, Book, and Oxford Commas Mug: I do not, under any circumstances, need another mug. But if I did, I would want this one.  Image from etsy.com

Working From Home Mug: Here is another mug that I do not need but would really enjoy. Maybe for my sister-in-law? Image from etsy.com

Work From Home Socks: She may also need these socks. Image from etsy.com

Treadmill Desk Attachment: I already own this one, but I love it (when I use it). (Treadmill not included.) Image from amazon.com

Space Heater: To round out the work-from-home essentials set, I own this space heater and it makes my office nice and cozy. Image from amazon.com

Turtle Fur Neck Warmer: This is one of the most boring gifts of all time, but I “borrowed” my brother’s turtle fur last year when we were skiing, and it may have come home with me. He’s getting a new one this year. Image from amazon.com

Book Safe: Carla is really into safes and hidey holes. This would be perfect her to store all her special treasures. Image from amazon.com

Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math by Jeannine Atkins: Carla truly loves math this year (her teachers are ANGELS) and I want to encourage that in any way possible. Her cousin is another math fan; maybe I should order one for each kid. Image from amazon.com

Flannel Pajama Pants: My husband needs a new pair, these are – according to the NYTimes, the best. Image from llbean.com

Cat Bookends: Carla is running out of space on her bookshelves, and these would come in handy. Plus they are black (her favorite color) and cats (her favorite animal).  Image from amazon.com

Self-Watering Planter: This glass planter is quite a splurge, but it’s so simple and elegant (and practical!). Image from goodeeworld.com

Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry: Carla and I had such fun reading the first Anastasia book together, I know we’d enjoy the next in the series. Image from amazon.com

Fancy Hand Cream: If you know one thing about me, it’s that I love a good tea towel. If you know anything else, it’s that I ask for fancy hand cream every single year for Christmas. A friend of mine swears by this one. Image from ulta.com

That’s it for today, Internet! Lots to contemplate, lots to buy. Now I’m off to engage in the annual back-and-forth with my husband, wherein I try to buy everyone way more gifts than they need and he gently guides me toward a less intense outlay of gifts until we finally settle somewhere in the middle.

Where are you in your holiday shopping? (I know some people reading this are done! Kudos!!! I envy your foresight and decisiveness.) Who is the most difficult person on your gift list this year? What is one gift you KNOW you are buying (or have already purchased because you are better at planning ahead than I am)?