Ryan
Mom’s One a Day Journal – This has become our go-to gift for new mothers. I purchased this unique diary for my wife after the birth of our second child. It provides just enough room to record a quick memory, thought, anecdote, or quote from each day – for five years in a row. Y’know how Facebook shows you your memories each day? This is like that. Only way awesomer.
Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones – I’m only halfway through this massive biography, but I’m totally hooked. Jim Henson was the first celebrity whose death affected me on a deep, deep level. This book provides an intimate peek at his genius from the people who knew him best. If you grew up loving the Muppets, read this book. And if you only knew Jim Henson as the man who made the Muppets, read this book. (I suggest the Kindle version, if possible. The print edition is 608 pages long!)
Can’s Can – This is a not-for-profit organization created by my friend, Greg Poole, that benefits a variety of special causes in my neck of the woods (southern Illinois). Check out the Cans Can to purchase autographed memorabilia from sports stars, celebrities, politicians, and more. Funds go to other non-profits and towards the purchase of educational technology for area schools, groups, disabled children, and more.
Amazon Echo – Hands-free, voice-activated, and always ready to help. Listen to music, get news and weather, turn on lights, update calendars and to-do lists, clone yourself*, buy stuff from Amazon, learn new jokes, and more. It’s like Siri for your home.
The Grand Ole Opry – HOWDEEEEEEE!!!! Love country music? Visit the Opry! Can’t stand country music? Visit the Opry! The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee is one of my favorite places on earth. There’s no other venue that showcases a variety of talent, collaborations, and legendary performers like the Opry does. Spring for the backstage tour, too. That’s where the REAL magic happens. And if you can’t make it all the way to Music City, buy a copy of my friend Dan Rogers’ fantastic book, Backstage At The Grand Ole Opry. (You can also tune in to Opry performances live on WSM-AM – one of my favorite radio stations.)
*Not yet. But it’s just a matter of time.
Mallory
A subscription to Netflix: Netflix is a must have for the film/TV show buff. My husband and I enjoy sitting down at the end of a busy day and catching up on our favorite shows together. At $7.99/month, gifting someone a several month subscription is not only affordable, but very easy if you’re running out of time for holiday shopping!
Google Chromecast: Possibly my favorite thing on this list, Google Chromecast is an amazing way to share what you’re watching on your mobile device with everyone in the room by streaming directly to your TV. It’s easy, versatile, and inexpensive. Definitely the most useful entertainment item in my home right now.
Galaxy Tab 4: This item is definitely on the more expensive end of things, but it’s really worth it. This small tablet is perfect for travel or even as a workplace note-taker/portable calendar.
World Vision: My family sponsored children in need through World Vision for years, and it’s something I’ve brought into my own household as an adult. It’s a wonderful way to bring the joy of Christmas to poverty stricken children around the world. It will be the best Christmas present they ever received!
Loot Crate: A must have gift for the nerd in your life! Each monthly box or “crate” has a theme. It’s a fun, simple gift at a really great price!
Laura
Bark Box – For any dog owner in your life – this is the perfect gift. Every box comes with healthy treats and multiple toys that fit the monthly theme. My dog has started to recognize the boxes and flips out whenever she sees one.
23 and Me – So this was my go-to gift for the person you have no idea what to buy for them. Essentially it is a home DNA kit, they send you the box, you send back a saliva sample (gross I know) ,and then they send you an ancestry report giving you a breakdown of your ethnic makeup. It is pretty crazy to see how the report matches up with all those family stories you have been hearing for years.
Kindle Unlimited – I absolutely love to read but it is a total bummer when you buy a book and it turns out to be a dud. With Kindle Unlimited you pay a monthly fee and can download as many books as you desire. Not all books are available but the selection is pretty huge.
Kona Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee – I am a new mom to a baby that really doesn’t enjoy sleep all that much. Coffee is an absolute necessity and ever since my husband and I visited Hawaii we have been in love with Kona coffee. This flavor is our favorite!
Squatty Potty – This seems completely silly and could almost be considered a joke gift, but it is AWESOME. The science behind it is cool (our bodies are not designed to sit with our legs at 90 degrees to use the bathroom) and it really works! Don’t question it, just try it.
Deidre
Something that I always look for when I buy a someone a gift is what I call “the usefulness factor”.
Number one on my list totally nails that point.
The Schlage Keypad entry system is pretty easy to install (I’ve added 3 to our house), and ensures that you will never lock yourself out of your house again! You can also program it with personalized entry codes for different people.
The next item on my list is not only useful, but it’s colorful and stress-reducing.
These six nesting, color-coded storage containers not only offer storage, but they also ensure that you will never again search through a pile of containers and lids to figure out which ones go together. Each lid color matches a dot on the bottom of the container it fits. Stress-free cooking folks!
I found my next gift item while perusing Facebook. It was featured in one of those mesmerizing ad videos highlighting all of its many uses. The Loopy Case was designed by a dad who dropped his brand new iphone and cracked the screen just hours after finally upgrading from his ancient Motorola RAZR… This little jewel has saved me from dropping my phone so many times!
My next gift idea is mainly for the ladies, sorry guys! I love the look of classic Converse Chuck Taylors, but they make my foot look huge and I have to untie them every time I want to put them on. These slip-on Chucks are soooo cute and easy to put on! The design looks smaller on my foot and they’re so versatile. Don’t tell Tim, but I have three pair! 🙂
Last, but not least is a gift that we bought for our 6 year old daughter last year for Christmas. It’s been nostalgic for me to watch her use her new Polaroid Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera, and she has loved creating a sweet photo journal.
Tim
Zyppah: Spellcheck hates it; I love it (so does my family). I snore. I hate that I do it. I wear this little mouthguard-type-thing at night, and I don’t snore. NBC Nightly News tested several different anti-snoring devices, and it was the only one that really, really worked on their test case. I tried it. It worked for me, too.
Lori McKenna, Jason Isbell, and John Prine: There are a bucketload of good songwriters but too few truly great ones. These are my three favorites. Who are yours?
He Reads Truth: Dee recommended this app to me as a daily devotional and Bible study for men based on her rewarding experience with the original She Reads Truth: a devotional for women. There’s a website and an app. The app is free and there are in-app purchases for additional studies.
Blinkist: While I love to savor fiction, I need to streamline my professional development non-fiction reading. A subscription to Blinkist gives you exceptional executive summaries—or “blinks”—of 1500+ nonfiction titles. It’s like the CliffsNotes of old. If I like the “blink” enough, I may read the entire book.
The Original Jacknobber II – Sure, its name may be contradictory, but the relief it gives my neck and shoulders more than makes up for any grammatical transgressions. I’ve tried about a dozen self-massager thingies, and this one is the reigning champ.
Bonus: The List of All Gift Lists – Do you know about Dodoburd.com? If you don’t, I’m sorry. It’s going to cause you to lose a couple hours of your time looking through it today.
Merry Christmas and God bless you all in the new year!
