Most of our conversations during the holiday season, so far, have been about our upcoming wedding…so we apologize that our gift guide is so late! We are big procrastinators, so we hope our fellow last-minute shoppers can still take away some gift ideas from our own Christmas lists.
Gift Ideas for Gentlemen by Ryan
Back by popular demand, my 2018 gift guide. Things have been a little more hectic (in a good way) in 2018 so this list is going to be a little shorter than last year. We are only a couple weeks away from the big guy coming down from the North Pole, so most of you are probably done shopping. For those that aren’t, you’re welcome.
- Did you spend $1,000 on a set of Cutco knives this year? I hope not. Wusthof knives are just as good. I got the chance to actually test them side by side. At 1/3rd of the price for a block of knives, you can have this in your kitchen come 2019.
- This year I went on the Bourbon Trail with a few of my good friends. I went in to the trip with no expectations but came back with a newly discovered love of bourbon. If your man drinks his bourbon neat, a set of these glasses is a must.
- Anna and I just got back from Hawaii. Between flights, layovers, and beach time I got through almost two Harry Potter books. Don’t make your loved one lug a giant book (or stack of them) through security, get them a kindle.
- Going along with last years #1 gift, the Traeger. I quickly found out I needed a way to know if my meat was ready. I ruined two briskets (Editor’s Note: $$$$$$$ !!!) because I just wasn’t sure if they were done enough…they were. The Weber iGrill can support up to four meat probes and even has an attachment to monitor the temp of your grill or smoker. Everything I’ve done since then has turned out. This is a perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t want to ruin a party with overdone meat.
- Finally, did you or a someone you love buy a home this year? Maybe you feel like when you leave for the weekend your neighbors will watch out for your house? In 2017, alone, there were over 7.5 million property crimes in the U.S. Get your homeowners some home security products. They are not very expensive considering what a robbery could cost you. One of the most important components is the camera. We have a Nest home ecosystem and the cameras we have are what keep us feeling safe when we are away. They all run through the app and will even turn off when you come home, so you don’t feel like your camera is always watching. Nest also has a thermostat, smoke/CO2 alarms, and doorbell cameras. This maybe isn’t a super fun gift, but it’s one he will appreciate.
Gift Ideas for the Ladies by Anna
My approach to the gift guide this year is (lazily) telling you what I’d be asking for if the roomie and I were exchanging gifts AND what I told my mama I wanted. So, here we go:
- I’ve been itching to get my hands on Chris Loves Julia’s t-shirt line, ProperTee, since they launched it earlier this year. This “homebody” tee is top of my list, but this ”indoorsy” sweatshirt could also not describe me more accurately. I need them in 2019.
- A real fiddle leaf fig (or multiples) would be a great gift for anyone who loves plants and lives in a home/apartment with plenty of natural light. If not, I’ve heard rave reviews about this faux fiddle that I have been picturing in every room of our home. 😍
- The yoga blocks everyone sweats directly on at my yoga studio freak. me. out. I love these patterned ones from lululemon because my mat is plain gray and could use a fun addition. Although I love the look of the fancy ones, I’d be just as thrilled with these $3.28 clearance ones from Target, too!
- If there’s anyone in your life who loves tea, consider this gift! I want one of these tea makers/pitchers because I love that you simply set it on top of your mug and it fills it up from the bottom. So cool! I used one for the first time at a coffee shop and I had THREE full pitchers before leaving I was so obsessed.
- My mom bought me this Coconut Pineapple lotion from Hawaii a couple years ago and I held off on using it until I got home from my first trip to Hawaii a couple weeks ago. The smell is heaven on earth and it’s made in my new favorite state—Hawaii! I found it online and am feeling more at peace knowing I can order more when mine runs out.
- I have one pair of these Gap sculpt compression leggings and, sincerely, would like 100 more. I live in them and do yoga in them. They stay up, take forever to show wear (limited/no pilling), and have flattering lines that make me feel and look skinnier. I’m sold.
- This is exactly what I asked for from my mama— a 23andMe DNA test. Honestly, I’ve spent most of 2018 waiting for Christmas to ask for it. Let’s all cross our fingers that Santa will bring it for me! 😉
- I’m all about the idea of a leather jacket but not the price tag of a real one. The idea of owning such an expensive coat gives me anxiety. I love the look of this faux leather jacket and think it’d make a great gift for cool moms and your sister who’s still in college.
- A gift certificate for any type of spa service will never not be a great gift, in my opinion. It’s like giving the gift of a clear, stress-free mind. For my birthday, Ryan got me a gift certificate to East Village Spa (my favorite in Des Moines) and I cannot wait to cash it in for a second massage in the next couple weeks.
- My feet are constantly freezing and I finally threw out my old slippers recently.I had the bulkier Ugg ones that felt more like shoes than slippers to me. If I were asking for gifts, I’d want these Ugg ones (you cannot beat the warmth) that are more like slides. These cheaper slippers from Amazon also look heavenly and like they’d keep my toesies warm.
Merry Christmas! Hope we inspired a few of you last-minute shoppers, like us, with our ideas! We adore Christmas and have been living the Christmas life since the first week of November. We wish you and yours the most wonderful holiday with your loved ones. We’re so grateful for your support of our lives Behind Our Red Door! 🎄