Stockings are hung.
Garland is strung.
Lights are lit.
Trees are decorated.
…and our cats are having the time of their life trying to bring it all down.
*sigh
It’s Christmas time!
My favorite time of year.
Time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The best birthday celebration the world has ever seen.
When all the family comes together, exchanging gifts to celebrate the sweetest gift the world has ever received. Gifts that shadow those the three wise men presented; gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gifts for a king.
Gifts as out of place in a barn as the Son of God in a feed trough.
Jesus.
The gift of a forever Good Heavenly Father to a desperate world
Jesus.
God’s forever gift to us.
Jesus.
His birth, the moment God entered into the world in the most unexpected ways.
Forever changing history.
Forever reminding us of just how extravagant God’s love is.
While some customs have arrived at through popular movies, western tradition, family habits or just plain preference there is one that remains my favorite. The exchange of gifts.
It’s not the amount that is spent but the thought that’s put into loving friends and family in personal ways. Meeting needs, wants, desires in beautifully wrapped packages. Each one a message to the receiver.
You are loved.
You are seen.
You are cherished.
This year I thought it would be fun to create a gift list. Our house is full of four different personalities and each person has curated some of their top gifts. I hope this list helps as you search for that perfect gift for your loved ones.
Stocking Stuffers:
Socks are back. My most used socks are these. The arch support and comfort is on point and the back part of the sock ensures it stays in place. (Because nobody likes a rebellious sock)
Knick knacks that will make you laugh: This is my go-to spot for fun stocking stuffers. Humor abounds on this site. Have fun clicking through inappropriate and hilarious gifts
Beenie: Shop, support a cause & get quality at the same time. Last Christmas I purchased several beanies, hats and tanks from Hope Outfitters. The fit is fantastic, quality amazing and the cause’s are so worth supporting.
Advent Calendar: In the hustle and bustle of holiday celebrations it can be easy to forget WHo we are celebrating. Hanging a handmade advent calendar up just offers a simple way to bring the focus back to Jesus,
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=christian+advant+calendar
Gift cards: I love putting gift cards in stockings. Who doesn’t like cash to spend at a favorite shop? It’s an easy stocking gift that the receiver is sure to appreciate.
$5 gift card to local coffee shop:
https://foxtrotco.com/stores/virginia/old-town-alexandria/400
Or
https://mishascoffee.com are a few of our favorites
My Top Gifts.
Best slippers ever. Working from home has ensured that my most worn shoe is, in fact, a slipper. Wearing them all day, every day means that I need a slipper that is cozy as well as durable. Look no further than the moccasin below. They are so cozy you’ll never want to take it off, and the rubber bottoms mean you can wear them outside if you wish.
Joggers you’ll never want to take off. These joggers. Oh my goodness. These pants are breathable, fabric is wonderfully stretchy, soft and all things cozy. Vuori is quickly becoming our family’s go-to company for athleisure-wear.
Favorite Skin Care: Replenishing my skin care cabinet with some of my favorite items.100% pure is a company I’ve been using for years. They live up to their name with clean, natural and environmentally sustainable ingredients, combined in products that feel incredible and actually work. This is one of my favorite PM treatments and something I love opening on Christmas.
Local Pottery.
Last year some friends and I took a pottery workshop with Talia and she is as beautiful as her clay creations. I love supporting local artists as well as adding timeless pieces to our cupboards. (Her Perfect mug is my FAVORITE cup and I use it every morning).
Dane’s Gifts:
My husband…sweet sweet husband. You can take the boy out of the farm but oh I can most assuredly say, the farm never really leaves. If he could live in the woods, chopping his own trees down with his custom hatchet, wearing a hardy flannel button down and cozy bomber hat…well that’s what he does and we live in the suburbs. Below are a few of his favorite things.
Flannel Shacket. Let’s be honest, the man sweats more than anyone I know. He needs a jacket thats light weight but durable. Patagonia is made to last and worth the splurge.
Bomber hat.
https://www.rei.com/product/211995/dorfman-hat-co-weathered-vegan-leather-trooper-trapper-hat
Portable Fire place
https://www.solostove.com/en-us
Salted Caramels: As you drive up Ferndale’s Main St. and pass the never ending rows of Victorian homes you’ll find yourself instantly drawn to the sugary smells of “Sweetness and Light”. The most adorable confectionary shop owned by two locals who just happen to be dear friends of ours.
Matt and Tami have owned and operated this store for years. Creating hand crafted goodies that are beyond drool worthy. I’ve tasted chocolate around the world and can say with certainty that their chocolates are divine.
Dane’s favorites are their Moo Bars (Think caramel/mallow and almonds dipped in dark or milk chocolate and packaged like a snickers bar from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory) & their salted caramels. Get a box because these caramels will be the best you’ve ever tasted (They could win an award for these…maybe they have). They ship but place your order early because they sell out!
https://www.sweetnessandlight.com
Kent’s Gifts:
Our resident computer coding, car fixing, podcast watching, kettlebell swinging, musician. Kent’s gifts are perfect if your loved one identifies with any of the above ;p
https://www.reebok.com/us/classic-leather-make-it-yours-shoes/GX6196.html
In Kents words; “I like em cause they’re simple, old school, and complete a solid dad look.” No, he’s not a dad, but his terrible Dad jokes are a norm in our house. They are so bad, so so bad, and he just won’t stop.
In kents words: “More like a dad on the feet but not in the pocket. Everything you need stuck together.” I have no clue what this does but click on the link and you can read about it ha. I’m sure the “tech” person in your family would enjoy it!
Apple Pencil Tips – 4 pack
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MLUN2AM/A
These tools are great for a guy who spends ample time on his ipad/computer. In Kent’s words “Doodlin and writing has made my pencil is dull and feel funny so need em lol”
Kristie’s Gift Picks: Our resident shorty. This lovely Filipino is responsible for keeping our house up to date with all the cool kids. You can find her in a local dive bar (making friends with the bartender and calling her “Auntie” by the end of the night *true story) or at DC’s latest hotspot sipping the season’s hottest drink. Though a closet emo, she is always on trend with the latest and greatest. Her gifts are for sure the trendiest on this list.
“Empathy Sweatshirt”: Because I’m a sucker for comfy crewnecks and The Mayfair Group does the best job at combining comfort + compassion. A win-win!
https://themayfairgroupllc.com
Platform High Top Vans:
Because they’re classic, edgy, and the fact that they make me 2 inches taller is a plus. 😉
Disco Ball Keychain: A perfect stocking stuffer that allows you to bring the party with you everywhere you go.
Oat Milk Mug: Because not drinking dairy is good, but letting people KNOW you’re not drinking dairy is EVEN BETTER.
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com
Butter Bottle Opener: Because it combines my two loves: butter and beer.
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