EMMA’S 2023 GIFT GUIDES

There are about a million different categories I could make gift guides for, but I decided to stick with what I know best. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites for the kids, men & women on your gifting lists.

FOR LITTLES

Sometimes aesthetically pleasing toys get a bad wrap for being boring. While I don’t think all toys need to be stylish, I do enjoy purchasing toys that are fun to display on shelves and in our playroom. Each item on this list is both lovely AND fun.

Terrier Rocking Horse: We bought this for our youngest last year and he is finally getting really interested in it. I would say the peak age for this toy is about 2 years old. I love how sweet it looks in his nursery. This would be a great gift for a baby to age into throughout the year.

Acrylic Tic Tac Toe: Isn’t this the cutest? My oldest is getting more into games and loves tic tac toe. I would style this on a coffee table or playroom console. The large pieces are nice and baby-friendly, which is always a bonus around here.

Oversized Plush Shark: Good old IKEA. This was a gift from an aunt and I was skeptical at how HUGE it is, but it has been the best toy. We also love the octopus. The kids wrestle it, pretend with it, and it looks pretty darn cute in a stuffed animal bin. I use it to cover all the other less-cute “stuffies.”

Nesting Woodland Animals: I used to have a thrifted set of plastic nesting dolls and they were a hit with the 3 & under crowd. I think this set would be beautiful on a shelf.

Yellow Hammock Chair Swing: This is on my list for my 5-year-old this year (shhhhh!). I have a corner that needs some color and function in his room and this hammock chair brings both. It has rave reviews & I’m a big fan of giving Christmas gifts that aren’t just toys with a million pieces.

Felt Gardening Set: We bought this for my little guy’s first birthday, and it is still played with every single day over a year later by both kids. Fan favorite, 10/10 would recommend.

Home Children’s Book: I don’t own this book, but I’ve had my eye on it for a while now. High-quality books are some of my favorite gifts to get my kids for holidays. We usually thrift our books, so most of our extra lovely hardcover books are gifts.

Wooden Mushroom Kaliedoscope: We received one of these in a craft subscription box and I think it is too cute on a nursery bookshelf. Even better, both kids love looking through it.

Terrier Rocking Horse | Acrylic Tic Tac Toe | Oversized Plush Shark

Nesting Woodland Animals | Yellow Hammock Chair Swing

Felt Gardening Set | Home Children’s Book | Wooden Mushroom Kaliedoscope

FOR HIM

You can probably tell I’m married to an outdoorsman by this list, but I know I’m not the only one! Hopefully these ideas help you find something unique for the men in your life.

Scheel’s Gift Card: I know Scheel’s isn’t nation-wide, but it’s a big deal in our family. Going there is an event and my husband loves being able to browse with some money set aside just for that.

National Parks Pass: This pass pays for itself quickly, especially if you’re within driving distance of more than one park. It is valid for everyone in your car and expires in 12 months.

Resin & Wood Business Card Holder: Give him something that he’ll see on his desk throughout the day and remind him of you. I think the resin and wood combo is just plain cool.

Vintage Pocket Knife: Several years ago I bought Colton a vintage pocket knife at a thrift store and it’s become one of his favorite gifts. Etsy has lot’s of different ones available—who doesn’t love one-of-a-kind?

Melin Hat: Colton has a lot of hats. He started wearing these ones from Melin this year and I love how they look on him. They are waterproof, sweat-proof and they look polished enough to pull an outfit together instead of dressing it down. The cut is youthful & stylish—your guy is going to love it.

Classic Flannel Shirt: Who doesn’t love a man in flannel? A little gift for both of you, really.

Carhartt Long-sleeve Tee: They’re sturdy so they lay nicely and are high-quality. They don’t stain as easily as your run-of-the-mill tee and they work well alone or as a layer.

Man Bag: Colton was skeptical when I said he needed a man bag, but he found this brand earlier this year and wears it everywhere. Plus it’s big enough to hold a diaper and kid essentials—great for young dads.

Sunflower Seed Spittoon: Hear me out. I know this is made for chewing tobacco, but Colton loves to chew sunflower seeds on his commute and let’s just say a stylish solution is in order. This 5oz. spittoon is easy to empty and comes with a cleaning brush. Wives-of-sunflower-seed-chewers unite!

Scheel’s Gift Card | National Parks Pass | Resin & Wood Business Card Holder

Vintage Pocket Knife | Melin Hat

Classic Flannel Shirt | Carhartt Long-sleeve Tee | Man Bag | Sunflower Seed Spittoon

FOR HER

I own a couple of these things, but a lot of them are things I would be tickled to open on Christmas morning. Spoil the lady in your life!

The Sill Gift Card: You can buy plants from The Sill to be shipped, but I bet she will love picking out her own new plant baby with a gift card. (Spoiler: I would!)

Cross-Body Bag: I own this exact bag and it’s been awesome! I almost exclusively use cross-body bags around town as a young mom and I wanted one that would feel elevated with my nicer outfits. Bonus, the faux leather is wipeable. This one survived a pumpkin painting play date!

Ceramic Shell Pin: I’ve been a fan of Krista Coon’s ceramic work for a long time. I think one of her handmade ceramic pins would be a super fun & unique gift. The thing she doesn’t even know she needs!

Instant Camera: There are lot’s of different instant cameras out there, but I love how this one has the look of an old camera. Darling. This gift is great for anyone 10 & up if you ask me. I’m pushing 30 and I’d be giddy.

Pura Car Diffuser: I don’t own any Pura products, but it’s a major wishlist item for me. Their car diffuser is new this year! My kids trash my car. Often. How fun would it be to close your eyes in the messy car and feel like you’re in Anthropologie? I would choose the Pura Car Volcano Scent since it’s the same scent as my fave candle.

Couple Connect: My husband bought this game just because a couple of months ago and it was the most thoughtful gift. There are tons of cards, so we just skip ones that feel corny to us, but a lot of them spark some really thoughtful conversations. Perfect for chatting at the end of a long day without wondering what to talk about. She’ll feel so happy that you’re giving the gift of conversation.

Custom Photo Strips: If you’ve been around for a while, you know my favorite printer is Persnickety Prints. Their 2x8 press print photo strips make great art, bookmarks, coffee table pieces, you name it! Make one of the two of you, her and her friends, her and the kids, the dog, anything! This is a low-effort, high-pay-off gift that will put a smile on her face.

The Sill Gift Card | Cross-Body Bag

Ceramic Shell Pin | Instant Camera

Pura Car Diffuser | Pura Car Volcano Scent | Couple Connect | Custom Photo Strips

That’s a wrap on my main gift guides for 2023! I have a few extra links just for my subscribers, so if you need more ideas for hard-to-shop-for loved ones, you can sign up for Emma E-mail here.

Happy Gifting!

xo, Emma

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