Friday, November 17, 2023

Catholic Christmas Gifts for Kids

I thinkkkk I have completed all of my Christmas shopping. I really tried to get it all done before Advent this year so it wouldn't take up time during Advent, but something else will probs come up. We do the something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. The something you need doubles as a "want" usually. I also put little things in stockings. 

Here is a round up of Catholic gifts for kids, I might add more later as I think of things, I might not.



I don't have this, so not sure exactly how large it is in real life but kids love taking things out and putting them back in. Would love to see a little carrying the little Holy Fam around.


Bruno asks to play "Saint puzzle" almost every day. Sometimes I say, "can you find 'X' letter?" or ask him to find the different Saints. There are little quotes or bits of biographical information about each Saint on the back, as well as their feast day. Bruno is really into asking what each Saint's feast day is. 



These blocks are probably my favorite Catholic gift ever. I'm planning on starting a yearly tradition of using the fun Jen Fulwiler Saint of the Year Name Generator  to pick a patron Saint for the year for all members of my family, then buying the Saint block for each of the Saints (assuming a block exists for that Saint), then having the people in my family pick a block out of the hat and claiming that Saint as their patron Saint buddy for the year. I plan on doing this during the calendar New Year, not "Catholic New Year". Anyways, the pictures on these blocks are so lovely and they can be stacked, or put in vehicles for play. We keep ours on our little altar table. 



I got this book for Peter, even though it's kinda for me because he isn't really into toys but it will keep his attention at Mass for a few minutes. 

I don't have this book but it looks super sweet. It is about the Saints and their animal friends! 

We have a different set of Saint magnets but I like these more because they are a little more substantial since they are wood. I like playing "find the Saint" with Bruno and Peter enjoys taking magnets off the fridge where he can reach.

This etsy shop has fleece blankets or the swaddle material swaddles you can get with custom Saint names. You can also request the Saint image or symbols you want too. When P was born, I got a 'Peter Vianney' blanket with images of St. Peter, St. John Vianney, keys, a cross, and a rosary. 


Saturday, December 11, 2021

2021 Girls Gift Guide

 

fleece leggings

I have been wearing these for the past 4 days.





sisters nightdress

the nightgown that I got from here over the summer doesn't look like it is available anymore but it is probably the favorite item I purchased this year. I love everything from this brand! most of the dresses are nursing friendly too


no clue if these are actually good knives, but they're pretty



  I keep coming back to these. No clue if I will ever wear non-slip on shoes again




coffee gift subscription

this potentially was on my gift guide last year. subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving! I got this for my dad because he doesn't really like any gifts, just started drinking coffee a few years ago, and only likes whole bean single-origin coffee. He won't read this


paper bag

I  need to brainstorm about what all I could store in these. I like the ones that are brown on the bottom with gold on top the most.


I am terrible at following directions but these look fun



I don't really even bring anything on trips but I loveee these. Love how they are magnetic and how they  look together


2021 Christmas Gift Guide for Babies

I LOVE baby things. This year the only things on my list were baby things. Here are some of my faves, since Christmas is only however many days away def look into the shipping ETAs if you are actually ordering anything and want it by Dec. 25th.

Baby Ball Pit



Crate & kids also has one but it looks like it doesn't ship until April, there are also a ton on Amazon etc. that  look similar. The one above doesn't have balls (Maisonette also has the ball pit pictured above with balls). I like these because they aren't an eyesore, baby's like throwing balls, and for wobbly sitters this is a nice thing to play in. 


I consider stacking rings or stacking cups a baby must! My mom got different ones for Bruno for his feast day and he loves them! He started playing with them at 4 months and mostly just mouths them but now he is getting more into enjoying knocking them down after they have been stacked. Love a good open-play toy. 





Just thought this was a cute bath toy.




I don't own this toy but I remember my brothers really liked it.





I love all of lovevery's stuff! The play gym is probably my most used baby thing. If there are only specific toys you want from the kits you can look for the same kind of toys on their own. I got one of the "magic tissue" boxes from poshmark and Bruno is super into it (not as into it as me though)




this shop has lots of baby roll neck sweaters and I think they are just the sweetest!





this is probably meant for older than a baby but babies loveee getting things out of  baskets so if you put the foods in low baskets I bet they'd be a fan. I love pretend food and all pretend things SO much lol





    I asked for this for Christmas and someone mighttt be getting it. will report back if he likes it!

a classic





I love the idea of giving different Saints that are special to the child for different occassions. I've given Bruno his first, middle and Confirmation Saint blocks. Young babies can mouth these and bang them together, older babies can stack them, and older kids can pretend play with them. This shop has a TON of different Saints to pick from, there is also a Nativity set which looks cute displayed.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

2020 Gift Guide for Guys


These are a great gift because guys probably wouldn't buy them for themselves but they are SO warm and have an actual sole so you can wear them to take out the trash and stuff. I've gifted these before. 

I've never cleaned sneakers so not sure if this kit is ideal for that but if it is then this would good for sneakerheads who regularly clean their shoes.





Subscription boxes and subscriptions are so fun! This one has a coffee questionnaire for the recipient to help figure out what the perfect grounds for them to try are.




I got two of these for Brendan before and doubt he's used it but I LOVE using it. Especially during COVID it's great for recreating brewery flights at home. My favorite thing to do with them is getting random make your own 6 pack beers and then having the other person pour your flight and vice versa and remember the numbers of what beer was what and then you can guess at the end to see who can get the most right.



Sweaters are such classic Christmas gifts, fair isle ones or ones that remind me of the Santa Clause are especially fun. J.Crew always has crazy sales and a pretty good selection, the Nadaam $75 cashmere sweater is also a good sweater option. 



Shoes are good gifts for someone who is not actually into shoes because that feels like a different language. Any of the retro Nikes like blazers or killshots are good ideas for mostly anyone.





Flison's flannels are definitely more durable / well made than your average flannel. They are also available and sometimes are on sale at Backcountry 



Fun for people who love hot sauce on everything and trying new things. One of my brother's is obsessed with hot sauce.

The mug Yeti is my favorite, I got it for myself for a Gift exchange before. This one is probably more universal, it can fit into cup holders. Good for anyone who doesn't already have one.



Way to try out all of jack black's best sellers 


A useful tech thing that will fit into the recipient's life and you think will be used are also good gift ideas for guys. I didn't really look into any of this stuff for this year.

Monday, November 30, 2020

2020 Gift Guide for Girls

I'm posting this gift guide at the end of Cyber Monday, the promos I mention were ones onsite at the time. It seems like the sales are all better this year and things are selling out more quickly. I would just do the usual check honey / the website for promotion codes, check affiliate sites like retail me not etc., check for welcome email promotions, and if you are into a particular rewards points / cash back program use that too if you want to get a deal but the CM promo is over.

This gift guide per usual is heavily influenced by things I have bought and use all the time or things that are on my list this year.

Cowhide Clogs


I just love these! I know there are limited places to go right now but these would definitely be a favorite during and after the pandemic. Sorry there are only like 2 sizes left, everything seems to be really selling out this year! Website advises to size up. These are currently 25% off in cart (through 11/30). 
Kombucha Kit

I have never made kombucha before so I can't vouch if this contains close to all of the needed things to make it useful (it looks like you need your own can) but it looks fun! Would be a good gift for someone who loves kombucha but hasn't braved making it.



dae hair mini kit

I've been wanting to try this shampoo and conditioner. the mini kit is the perfect size for trying out before committing to the full-size and the packaging is super cute for gifting. Amber Fillerup really knows hair and this has super good reviews. You can also get it at Sephora and it sometimes goes on sale.
Fuzzy Lined White Crocs

 I've said this a lot but I've worn crocs almost exclusively since March. I wear them with socks when it is cold but these fuzzy lined ones would really come in handy. I cannot recommend Crocs enough if you are looking for an easy and comfortable shoe. These are normally excluded from discounts so if you see them on sale it is def a good deal! They have outlets too and since the classic styles are the same there is no reason to not get them at the outlet but the last time I was there the promotion was kinda dumb like buy one get one half off and I couldn't talk the person I was with to also get a pair.

Beaded Flower Rings

There is currently free shipping on jewelry. If you know someone's ring size these dainty little flower rings would be a good gift or obvi good for yourself, they look cute stacked. 

Faux Fur Slipper Boots

My mom got these recently and the insides are SOOO soft. Anthro currently has 30% off everything. With the increased time at home these cozy slippers are even more timely. I change into pajamas around 6:30 these days and would wear these while I work.

 

Blue Cocoon Coat


Coats are one thing I think I have too many of and would need to donate some before I introduced anything new BUT if you don't have a cocoon coat they really are an ideal non-puffer winter coat. The structured look is very flattering they make you look semi put together no matter what you're wearing under it. The colors are usually really good, I'd say it is worth seeing in person for some of the limited ones. They are also warmer than most dressy coats. 

J.Crew always has sales but is currently 50% off + extra 10% (making this $164.25)

Nap Dress

Again, a rare thing to go on sale, this nap dress is currently 20% off. IMO the best plaid from the winter color dress launch was the one that sold out almost immediately. These dresses lend themselves to warmer weather wear anyways so I think I would prefer one of those instead of what is left of the winter prints. These dresses supposedly look good while pregnant (and I would also wear it after) so it fits into a kind of limited bucket of clothing that is currently appealing to me. 

Christmas Tree Napkin


I actually got these last year and used them a lot! It looks like the end of the shipping window is cutting it super close to Christmas delivery so if you are wanting them by then confirm with the seller. Cocktail napkins are a nice gift for someone that would use them because there are SO many different designs that you can usually find a perfect one for them (when in doubt I go the monogrammed route). Embroidery also basically always looks good.

JCrew Camera Bag


This is currently on sale for $49.50. I love this size of bag, I use my little straw circle one all the time and am looking for a colder month alternative. Mark & Graham has a similar more $ one that you can get monogrammed if you are interested in that.

Face Masks

These are my favorite face masks! These are a great little gift for anyone that likes face masks. Using these are part of my ideal relaxing weekend routine. Pre covid I loved using masks as part of my leisurely getting ready ritual.

Beaded Bracelet Kit


I love little beaded bracelets and love that this kit has lots of different beads. This might be hard to gift but I think it would def be a fun thing to bring on a group trip! Madewell has a more adult version for an individual bracelet here

Cobble Hill Turtleneck


The Cobble Hill is my favorite of the Dudley Stephens styles because of the length. I think look better with leggings or more tapered pants anyways so I don't think I would wear the shorter Park Slope one as much. These are a good gift because they are kinda $ for someone to justify buying for themselves because they are just fleece. I got one for my mom last year and we love twinning in them. I wore mine (sleeping etc.) from the evening of Thanksgiving until Sunday, I think they're great and I don't feel sloppy as when wearing a huge sweatshirt or something. 

These also are usually released in small ish quantities and sell out quickly. The black vello fleece (think regular fleece like llbean sweatshirt fleece) re-dropped yesterday and is only still available in XS and S. Tuckernuck currently has some of the short Park Slope styles and they have a sale for 20% off 

Charcuterie Kit


Charcuterie makes snacking more fun! If you aren't local to Ohio your city might have a similar local version, this company does ship nationwide though. This seems like a more fun mail gift than an open in person gift idk why.

StoryWorth Book


This is probably more beneficial to the giver than the receiver but the person you give it to will get an email with a question once a week. The question is about the person's life and they send back their answer and at the end StoryWorth makes them into a really nice book! I want to keep this in mind for sure when my dad is old. It reminds me of StoryCorps.

Reindeer Sweater

I had to include something from Oysho because it looks like they now ship to the US! This is super exciting news. They're the besttt place for sets, pajamas, and any comfy clothes. 


Check Twiggy Dress
Just including this because it is my favorite dress I've seen in a long time even though its basically totally sold out. 


here are the gift guides from years past: 2019 / 2017 / 2016  / 2015  / 2013