The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide!

I literally cannot believe that I’m already thinking about CHRISTMAS!!

BUT – my fiancé and I are moving at the end of this month, so that means, that if I want to do any Christmas shopping in New York City, NOW is the time to do it!

Here’s a fun fact about me: I LOVE giving gifts. I have loved it ever since I was a little girl. At Christmas time, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been more excited to give gifts, than to receive them.

My best Christmas gift I ever gave as a kid: I made a “juke box” out of a paper grocery bag, complete with the little insert slit for the “records.” And then I gave everyone in my family different cardboard “records” and they would insert it into the juke box, and I would sing to them! haha — OK, looking back now, I’m realizing that I probably enjoyed that gift a lot more than they did, but hey — you gotta hand it to little 5 year old me — I had some gumption!

In fact, there was a time that I actually wanted to open up a “Gift Curator” Shop for people, and help them find the perfect gift for their loved ones.

ANYWAY. All that to say, that I’ve been scouring the internet and I’ve found some super fun, unique gifts just for you!

FOR HIM (or Her!): Happy Head — A New Year with Great Hair!

With all the family parties and get togethers with friends during Christmastime, we want to feel our most confident. And for one reason or another, many people struggle with hair thinning or hair loss. I know when I was in the throes of anorexia back in high school, I experienced terrible hair loss, and let me tell you — my confidence level was at rock bottom.

Happy Head is the strongest FDA-approved prescription hair growth medicine, that is delivered to your door without a visit to the doctor. You just answer a questionnaire online, and you’ll get Happy Head delivered directly to you, in an easy subscription format. And they have formulas for both men and women. Confidence is an amazing gift to receive. Get Happy Head here. (50% off your first order)

FOR HIM: Rabbit Hole Whiskey — The Best Gift is Time Together over a Great Drink!

Let’s be honest: what do we all really want for Christmas?! A good party! At least I know I do! Just coming off my engagement party, and with our wedding on the horizon, there is A LOT to celebrate! And Rabbit Hole whiskey is a phenomenal addition to any bar cart! It is a creatively crafted Kentucky Bourbon that has been featured in Forbes, Esquire, Vinepair, Maxim and Southern Living, among numerous others! With 90% of bourbon coming from just a handful of distilleries today, Rabbit Hole’s passion for exceptional, unique flavor is evident from everything from the grains, to the finish, to the packaging.

I love giving high quality whiskey to the men (and some women!) in my life with the message that I want to drink it together. So not only is it something they’ll actually enjoy, but it’s an experiential gift that you can enjoy together! Find where to buy it near you, here!

FOR HER: A Love Letter Box from 211 to Waterloo

I absolutely am in love with this gorgeous gift box from 211 to Waterloo. I am of the ilk that there is nothing better than receiving a handwritten letter in the mail. In fact, throughout the time that Steven and I were dating (and still to this day), I send him random postcards in the mail just to let him know I love and appreciate him. Because hey — the mail is usually full of bills and junk. A handwritten letter is like a little gem in the mailbox that makes you smile.

And this box comes with beautiful handmade cotton stationary, a solid brass ballpoint pen, and this gorgeous antique wax seal to make them extra elegant. I am obsessed. And 211 to Waterloo has other elegant and beautiful curated gift boxes for everyone in your life — from your college student brother, to your parents, grandparents, friends and brides-to-be. Get one here!

For KIDDOS/DESSERT LOVERS: Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar

Big news — everyone’s favorite shortbread cookie: Walker’s, just released their limited edition 2022 Advent Calendar! Oh my gosh what a yummy way to countdown to Christmas! Believe it or not, Advent starts in just 20 days – on November 27! So now is the time to grab one of these beautiful Advent calendars! Each calendar has 8 thin Shortbread Fingers, 4 Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbread, 4 Shortbread Hearts, 4 Salted Caramel Squares and 1 Shortbread Star. Y-U-M. (They are Steven-approved, — two-thumbs up– for those wondering how they taste!)

Walker’s also has their classic Shortbread cookies in Christmas edition shapes, as well as adorable gingerbread men, which I cannot wait to decorate with my nieces when I see them over Thanksgiving! Get yours here!

FOR THE FOODIE: PRIMAL KITCHEN REAL FOOD SAUCES (I love their AVOCADO OIL RANCH AND MAYO)

If there’s one thing my fiancee loves, it’s sauces. I’ll tell you what — everywhere we go out to eat, he wants to try their house-made sauce, extra sauce, double sauce on the side. The man loves condiments. So you can only imagine how PUMPED he was when I gave him Primal Kitchen’s Ranch and Mayo!!

I absolutely love the fact that they use AVOCADO OIL instead of those hydrogenated soy products that, not only are NOT on the Specific Carb Diet, but are not something we want to put in our bodies! Primal Kitchen prides itself on using only REAL, high quality ingredients to produce not only the best tasting products, but also the best for you, too.

And they’re so dang delicious. Talk about elevating a meal to the next level! Primal Kitchen products are available at all major stores! Find one here/order online! (And PS – they’re having a Black Friday sale right now!)

FOR THE FOODIE: PANINI PRESS FOR YOUR TOASTER! By Revolution Cooking

Well this is just about the coolest kitchen gadget I’ve ever seen! This panini press (and quesadilla maker), FITS IN YOUR TOASTER! I know, right? So cool. The good folks over at Revolution Cooking are literally starting a revolution!

Growing up, one of my favorite lunches was a salami sandwich (with “happy face mustard”) that my dad would put in the “sandwich press” – which was this big, bulky appliance from early 90’s. Well — THIS Panini Press from Rev Cooking is so sleek and fabulous and fits in standard toasters! And when you make the “Tik-Tok-style” quartered quesadilla, it heats those up beautifully too! (A recipe for a quesadilla like that is coming tomorrow!) I can officially check this wedding registry item off our list! Get one here.

For Her: STACKED SKIN CARE DERMAPLANING TOOL

Getting a facial is one of the most enjoyable — and costly — “splurges” I enjoy once a year. And this gift is perfect for the woman who wants to enjoy a little spa treatment, self-care at home!

If you never heard of dermaplaning, allow me to spit a little knowledge! One little secret skincare experts aren’t telling you: by nature, skin is designed to keep things out, not let things in. It sounds simple, but your regimen is only as effective as your skin’s ability to absorb ingredients. This is why aesthetician Kerry Benjamin created StackedSkincare, the 4x award-winning skincare brand with over 6500+ 5 star reviews. Kerry, alongside an industrial designer, custom engineered at-home facial tools. This dermaplaning tool removes dry, dead skin (and peach fuzz) to help products penetrate more effectively. I absolutely love it. Get one here! And use code “BBB15” for 15% off $75!

FOR THE COOK: Vitamix Blender

A Vitamix is truly the gold standard when it comes to blenders. Steven got one for us after we had been dating for about a year, and WOW — let me tell you — it’s like there’s a CAR ENGINE in there! It is such a phenomenal appliance. It has TRANSFORMED my cooking. I was thoroughly “team food processor” — I figured, I’ve got this great food processor that gets the job done well enough. How wrong I was. It makes what I thought was “smooth” from my food processor, seem like gravel! It is worth every penny. Get one here.

FOR LITERALLY ANYONE – Alexa Echo Dot (50% off)

Steven, myself, and my parents all have the Alexa Echo dot — and the extension speakers — all throughout our homes. It makes surround sound a reality throughout your entire house. And as huge “music people” like we all are — this is a smile enducing, mood boosting, joy-bringer, if I’ve ever seen one. I got mine from my sister-in-law last Christmas 🙂 Get one Here!

FOR YOUR PARENTS – Nixplay Digital Photo Frame – Family Share Frame

The Nixplay digital frame is another one of those gifts that has been given multiple times in our family. First, my brother gave one to my mom and dad. Then they gave one to Steven to stay connected. And now, I’m passing along the info to you! These digital frames are so great, because you can give the “upload link” to anyone you want — friends, loved ones, family — and they can upload their photos to your frame from anywhere! It’s such a personal way to stay connected with people all over the world. Get one here.

FOR HIM – Whiskey Smoker

My brother has one of these whiskey smokers, and it’s his favorite “party trick.” At every gathering, he’ll always break out the “good whiskey” and whip out this smoker gun, creating a truly unique whiskey experience. I’m not a whiskey drinker, so I’m not the best person to give a personal taste-test to, but I can say from personal eye witness account, that people go absolutely crazy over this. Get one here.

FOR YOUR GAMER NEPHEW – Giant Flour Tortilla Blanket

This is just a fun, teen-approved gift. Who wouldn’t love playing PS5 in a life-sized tortilla wrap? I mean – talk about quirky. Pair it with a gift certificate to the PS5 Game download store – Perfect for your kid brother who won’t part from his gaming console. Get one here.

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER – Desk Coffee Mug Warmer

People love their coffee. This coffee mug warmer is the perfect addition to anyone’s desk during the cold winter months. Give this with a nice bag of small-batch, locally-roasted coffee beans and you’ve got a really thoughtful, interesting Christmas gift they’ll enjoy every morning from here on out! Get one here.

EXPERIENTIAL GIFTS

FOR HIM — YOUR BROTHER OR BOYFRIEND – Day Pass at your Local Rock Climbing Gym

Something fun and active that you could do together, rain or shine! Promise him a cold beer when you’re finished!

YOUR MOM – Cooking/Wine Tasting Class

There’s nothing more fun than bonding in the kitchen, especially when there’s good wine involved! Take the stress (and the clean up) off, and learn a delicious new recipe together at a cooking class! Bonus if it comes with wine pairings!

YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER – Tickets to a Concert/Show/Sports Game they love!

Is your boyfriend an avid Knick’s fan? Does your girlfriend love Shania Twain? Have you both been dying to see Wicked on Broadway — or the Broadway tour? THIS IS SUCH A GREAT GIFT! Take in the show – or game or concert – and have a lovely dinner beforehand! Just make sure they block the date off on their calendar in advance!

THE BUSY NEW PARENTS IN YOUR LIFE – A Gift Certificate to a nice restaurant in town, with a coupon for free babysitting services — (yours!)

There is nothing more perfect for that busy young couple in your life that is juggling kids/work/life — than A NIGHT OFF TOGETHER! Get them a great reservation (and gift certificate) at a fabulous restaurant in town — or if you’re feeling fancy, book them a couple’s massage — and then offer your babysitting services, so they can enjoy worry free! This is one of my favorite gifts to give!

So there you have it, sports fans! Your Caralyn-Curated Gift Guide for Christmas 2022!

I have purposefully NOT shared this post with my family/loved ones, because hey — it would spoil the surprises! But all that to say, Christmas is, of course, about more than the gifts under the tree. However, it is fun to have a thoughful token of appreciation and gift to show someone how much you care at the holidays.

I hope that the next few weeks leading up to Christmas are A LOT less hectic and stressful that MINE are going to be!

And if you have any other great gift ideas, PLEASE share them in the comments below!

Have a great night, and until Wednesday!

xoxo Caralyn

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