Things I Love Gifting - A Collection of Past LOVES for Inspiration

Things I Love Gifting 2020: A round-up of some of my favorite finds that are perfect for this giving season.

I'm pretty sure my Blogger Card gets pulled if I don't come up with some kind of Holiday Gift Guide; however, I think I might be able to slide by if I just round up and organize a one-stop-shop of past "Things I Love Thursday" stuff that totally fits the bill --all here for you to find in one handy spot. {What a GREAT idea!} Granted, there won't be any "kid" ideas here for your own little people, nieces/nephews, or grands. Additionally, you'll likely struggle finding anything for your husband, dad, brother, father-in-law, or brother-in-law. If you are someone who buys presents for your pets --you're shit out of luck looking for inspiration here too. HOWEVER, if you are shopping for other women in your life: mom, sister, teens, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, girlfriends, hostesses, teachers, neighbors, etcetera... THIS might be the post for you. {I suggest you SAVE this post for future birthdays, Mother's Day, and Teacher Appreciation Week --an easy way to do that is to "pin" (to Pinterest) one or more of the graphics below.} This post might also help you come up with a few ideas for you to add to your own letter to Santa --IF you're a person, like me, who can't help but provide VERY specific gift ideas.

Below are 5 categories. I've limited the number of items/ideas/experiences in each category to just eight. Not too overwhelming --but plenty to pull from or get inspired by. Below you will find, in this order, suggestions for gifts organized in a way that my brain thinks makes sense:

~ Approaching the Holidays... think: Hostess/Teacher/Co-Worker/Neighbor recipients

~ Smaller Gifts (in physical size and price): stocking stuffers, Hanukkah trinkets, and thoughtful extras

~ Classic Favorites: Some of my all-time favorite things (moderately priced?) between $25-$180

~ Treasures in Charlotte: These are awesome options that are specific to the region because of delivery/location

~ Virtual Gifts: Unique and thoughtful gifts your recipients can enjoy from home (and some you can order "last minute")

Gift Guide: Approaching Holidays - Hostess, Teacher, Co-Worker

1. Swedish Dish Towels (so many great designs, Danica Studio is my favorite brand); 2. Frasier Fir candles (THE scent of the season, always); 3. This Just Speaks to Me by Hoda Kotb (a great way to start the day); 4. Anything from Good Postage (Let's keep the art of note sending alive!); 5. Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces by Hilton Carter (pure candy for any plant-lover's eye); 6. Gift Tags and Holiday Stamps from Substation Paperie (for a chic wrap job); 7. The Intellectual Devotional: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class (a favorite way to end the day); 8. Spiral Note Book by Morgan Harper Nichols (a perfectly lovely place to take notes, track to-dos, and create all the lists)

Gift Guide: Stocking-Stuffers, Hanukkah Treats, and Thoughtful Extras

1. Stainiac (a little goes a long way); 2. Garlic Press (don't know how I went so long without this in my kitchen); 3. Lip Gloss (so many shades --such a great product); 4. Ugg Socks (the ultimate in cozy); 5.  Onion Goggles (perhaps the best stocking stuffer I have ever received); 6. Sunglasses (flattering, affordable, fun); 7. Huggie Earrings (the snakes are my favorite--but so many to choose from); 8. Insta-Dri Nail Polish (this easy winner should be in everyone's stocking)

Gift Guide: Classic Favorites on a Moderate Budget 

1. Paper Source Wall Art Calendar (a favorite year-after-year gift); 2. St. Anne Tote (custom design the bag of your choice); 3. Kindle e-Reader (mine is 8 years old and I love it so); 4. Half-Baked Harvest Super Simple Cookbook (I've heard great things about her second book too!); 5. Haflinger Wool Slippers (cozy, durable, and classic); 6. A 12-month Magazine Subscription (Milk Street for the cook or Vanity Fair are my favorites. Remember to put a hard-copy in a gift bag for day-of giving); 7. Gorjana Jewelry (you can't go wrong with any of their pieces); 8. The Body Shop Japanese Camellia Cream (velvet soft, super-smelling, BEST body cream) NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. Devastated. However, all of the Body Butters are very indulgent and I love this business.

Gift Guide: Treasures in Charlotte, NC

1. M&K Macaron Delivery (the sweetest treats from some super-sweet girls, contact and order form through Instagram); 2. City Stems Creation (always impressive, you must contact Laura through Instagram); 3. Craft Cocktail Accessories and Necessities from Tamu Curtis (everything you need to create the perfect sips); 4. 1-Day/2-Day/Annual Passes to the USNWC (ice-skating, whitewater, flatwater, zip lines, ropes courses, outdoor music, yoga, food and drink, bike trails... such a jewel right here in our city); 5. Oil Painting Class (socially-distanced) with Heidi Kirschner (come away with a piece of art you won't have to hide in your basement); 6. Queen Brie CLT Custom Cheese & Charcuterie Board (stunning and delicious, contact through Instagram for pricing and delivery); 7. Plant House Gift Certificate (select the vessel, select the plant(s) and they'll help with the rest); 8. "Your Farms Your Table" Dinner Delivery (make it a date night, make it a small get-together on the patio: 3 course chef-prepared dinner, delivered warm, to your door)

Gift Guide: Virtual Ideas that Will Delight

1. Page 1. Book Subscription (a hand-chosen and curated monthly surprise based on your reader's specified tastes); 2. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Delivery (so many flavors, so much happiness, how could you decide?); 3. SkillPop Virtual Class (everything from watercolor painting to navigating LinkedIn for around $20); 4. Harvest & Moon Virtual Tarot Reading (Mariah could not be more gifted or lovely, schedule your reading through her Instagram page); 5. Daily Harvest Custom Gift Box (the gift of good health: smoothies, harvest bowls, scoops, lattes, so much goodness, delivered to the door); 6. A Virtual Group Cocktail Class from The Cocktailery (classes for 2 - 100+ of your closest friends and relatives, make 1, 2, or 3 fresh and fabulous cocktails "together"); 7. Apple TV+ Subscription (for the sole purpose of gifting your loved ones TED LASSO, the best show on television); 8. Audible Subscription (one of my ALL-TIME best "loves" is listening to a great book in the car, on a walk, or just relaxing; chose a gift subscription for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months)