Can I be honest for a second?
I don’t always love giving gifts. Why, you ask? Because I feel like I always run out of time to shop.
Like I’m scrambling to find the right gift for the right person and settling on something the person I’m shopping for might not like.
And if you’ve been here for a little while now, you know that I don’t love the accumulation of stuff either.
I find that gifting can sometimes just equal more stuff instead of intentional, thoughtful gifting that means more than just what’s in the packaging.
So this year, I’m starting early and putting together a little gift guide to help you shop for those on your list and fill the base of your tree with intention this year.
GIFT GIVING GUIDE: GIVE WITH INTENTION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
When it comes to gift giving as adults, I always like to focus in on something that will spark joy in someone.
Maybe it’s an item that serves a function that is lacking in their home. Maybe it’s an item that will help bring their family closer together or save them time. Or maybe it’s something that plays into a hobby of theirs.
Or maybe, just maybe, it’s something that will help them care a little more for THEMSELVES this year.
I also always love to include multiple items that relate together to round out a concept or idea in my gifts.
So my hope is that these items will give you ideas as to how you can give with function, intention, and love in mind, as well as round out a few of your gift ideas so your gifts are thoughtful and make an impact.
HELP SOMEONE TAKE ON THEIR DAYS WITH A COFFEE EXPERIENCE
It sounds so simple, but coffee is an experience for most people. Millions can’t start their days without it, and so many turn to it to help them get through the day.
It’s so much more than just a drink.
When I give the gift of coffee, I love to find a couple of cute seasonal or relatable mugs like these…
Then, I like to find a coffee that I love and think they might too. This part should be thoughtful and not necessarily something you pick up at your nearest grocery store.
I adore my Barnyard Coffee and love that they have seasonal flavors available. I swear you can taste the love and hard work that goes into their blends.
Every time I’ve given Barnyard Coffee as a gift, it’s been a hit! Plus, I love shopping small whenever I can, and they deserve all the love!
Try rounding this gift out with a little gift card to their favorite local coffee shop so they can enjoy your gift at home and on the go.
It sounds so simple but means so much!
If you want to take it a step further add in a cute colorful Keurig and some pods!
HELP SUPPLY ORGANIZATION & PEACE
Everyone likes to be organized. But not everyone wants to take the steps to think ahead about how to best be organized.
Give the gift of organization this year with a Spaces Planner.
If someone on your list likes to-do lists, this is the planner for them. They might not even know it yet, but by giving this gift, you’re actually setting the person your gifting up for success.
Without the stress and anxiety that comes with unorganized chaos, they’ll experience more peace and happiness.
If they have an office or desk space, round this gift out with a few new office supplies or candles they can set on their desk.
And if they work at home, couple this gift with a month or two of hired housekeeping so they can be at peace knowing they’re not only organized and ready to take on their lists, but that they don’t have the added stress of a dirty house.
DO YOU SEE WHAT I’M DOING HERE??
Are you starting to see what I’m doing here? Figure out the why behind the gift. What problem does it solve for the person receiving it? And how can you add other gifts to the initial gift to continue to help solve that problem?
SHOW HANDMADE LOVE & CARE WITH COOKIE JARS
Looking for teacher gift ideas? Give the gift of something homemade coupled with functional items they can use and reuse like DIY Cookie Jars.
Click here for the recipe to go in your cookie jar, but then add to them…
- Cute rose gold measuring spoons
- Olive + Linen Turkish Towels (Save 30% on these with code: FARMHOUSEISH30)
- A wooden mixing spoon
Think through items that they could use not only to help them make the cookie jar recipe, but that they could use in their kitchen to help cook and care for their loved ones for years to come.
A COOKING EXPERIENCE + AN EXCLUSIVE COUPON CODE
Nothing brings a family together like homemade meals. And nothing gets you excited to get into the kitchen like new recipes and spices to try out!
I love these Wah Guan spices developed by Chef, Marcus Anthony, and they just released the perfect gift set in time for the holidays.
Shop the gift set here. And use my code FARMHOUSEISH to save 30%!
Pair this gift with other kitchen essentials like a nice bakeware dish set, some kitchen towels, and some baking utensils.
A SPA DAY AT HOME
Let’s be honest, 2020 hasn’t been easy, and it’s been even harder to get out and about these days.
People are wearing more hats than ever before, and self-care has become a long lost dream.
I know you have that person on your list that takes care of everyone else but themselves, so give them the gift of self-care (without them even knowing it).
Start with a massage gift card to their favorite spot (or somewhere local). Then add in some things like…
And add in a little Native gift set like this peppermint body wash and deodorant.
GIFTS TO STOCK UP ON TO HAVE ON HAND
I also always love to stock up on gifts to have on hand during the holidays.
This way, you aren’t scrambling to find the perfect host gift or gift to give to the person you inevitably leave off your list!
Plus, as you can see above, I love rounding out my gifts with smaller items, and many are the same!
Here is what I’m stocking up on this year (and what I stock up on all year long) so I always have a stash handy…
OLIVE + LINEN TOWELS (USE MY CODE FARMHOUSEISH30 TO SAVE 30%)
I give these towels with all kinds of gifts. If it’s kitchen related, I toss in a hand towel set. Bathroom related? Some bath towels.
These are the perfect towels to add a little something to those gifts that just don’t quite feel complete.
I also like to use these to wrap gifts sometimes instead of paper!
ANTIQUE CANDLE CO. CANDLES
Grab a bundle or two for easy gift add-ons this season. And maybe grab some Tree Farm for yourself… just saying.
BOURBON & BOWTIES BRACELETS
I always have a stash of these! And I love them for myself, too. They’re so unique and fun, and they come in all kinds of styles and colors.
The perfect stocking stuffer!
WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS…
When it comes to kids, I really don’t like to inundate them with more stuff. Instead, I try to be incredibly intentional and minimal in the gifts they receive.
And I do so by asking the following questions.
Some of these questions double-dip as not every question will apply to every toy or gift! The point is to make sure the item you choose serves a bigger purpose than to just live in your home and take up space!
Make sure it means something or provides something that otherwise would be lacking!
WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE?
This is an easy question to ask. What it the gift’s purpose? It is educational? Does it clothe them? Will it help them become more analytical?
A variety of gifts can serve a variety of purposes. Just make sure the item you choose serves a bigger purpose in your child’s growth and development.
WILL IT MAKE THEM THINK OR HELP THEM IMAGINE?
This is one of my favorite questions to ask. Again, a lot of toys or games can help your child think, but the key is to ask the question in relation to your child!
Will the toy or item you choose for them help them create or experiment with imaginative play? Will it teach them a new educational lesson like a science experiment or how to make something?
Will it get those wheels turning?
My daughter, in particular, loves imagining and creating. She gets so excited about arts and crafts and dress-up, so those are always a good go-to for us in this category.
IS IT SOMETHING THEY’LL BECOME ATTACHED TO?
Will they love it? Will they learn how to nurture from it? This might apply to something like a stuffed animal, doll, or action figure. For some children, these items might just take up space while for others, they’ll learn valuable life lessons like how to love, cope, nurture, and manage emotions!
Ask yourself if your child will benefit on a deeper level with this toy before you make the purchase! It’s easy to end up with boxes and bins full of under-loved stuffed animals (trust me!).
WILL IT TEACH THEM ANYTHING?
This is a bit of a repeat with the other questions, but it’s also important to ask if they will learn anything from the toy!
Will it teach them how to act socially? Will they learn about a musical instrument? Will they discover how to create or do something new? Will it challenge them and teach them patience and understanding in the process?
This could be answered in a variety of different ways, but in my opinion, it’s important that every gift teaches a lesson.
DOES IT MEET A NEED?
The last category I’ll talk about today — does it meet a need? An item might not check off the last few boxes but it might meet a need your child has.
Clothing and shoes, for example, is a good one for this category! I don’t like to buy new outfits just to buy new outfits, but if your child is outgrowing their current closet, this is an important one!
Same with things like school — do they need a new lunchbox? Something for a sport or activity they’re in? Those are great gift ideas! Remember — meeting your child’s needs is an incredible gift, always. Needs should always be greater than wants.
GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
One thing I always love to get my girls are doll houses. I feel like they help them learn, play, imagine, and nurture!
My favorites are the Magnolia dollhouses because they’re simple and leave ample room for imaginative play!
I’m also loving this play kitchen for simplified, imaginative play!
If you need some other examples, here are things I love to shop for…
- Books that teach bigger lessons
- Arts & crafts
- Musical instruments and/or lessons
- Sport or activity lessons (and gear)
- Tickets or days at the children’s museum, zoo, aquarium, etc.
- Clothing and shoes as they become a need
- Puzzles
- Brainteasers
- Search & finds
- Dress-up clothes or occupational kits (like doctor or vet kits)
- Dolls, dollhouses, and accessories
- Bedding as it becomes a need
- Outdoor toys and games
- Science experiments
Head here for more Amazon gift ideas!
Things I like to avoid…
- Video games
- Electronics
- Plastic figurines
- Stuffed animals that won’t be loved
- Toys that don’t serve a purpose or just take up space
- Anything I know my child will not learn and grow from
EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT
Remember, your child is different from my child! Something that helps my child grow may not help your child grow. And that’s okay!
By shopping intentionally and asking yourself the questions above with your child in mind, you’ll be able to start pinpointing what your child truly wants, needs, and loves.
This isn’t a foolproof system. It’s just a way to make sure you’re asking more questions to make sure you’re shopping with intention instead of just falling into the consumer mindset.
Toys that will help your child learn, grow, and succeed in life by teaching them greater concepts and lessons will never feel like they’re just taking up space!
For more ideas, on intentional toys to buy, head here!
Do you have a go-to gift you always have on hand? Let me know in the comments!
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