Not to brag, but I’m an Olympic gold medalist in gift giving – or at least I think so. I love mulling over the perfect birthday or holiday gift for my friends and family, and it’s fun to get creative. One of my greatest Secret Santa gifts of all time was a cameo from an artist who specializes in tingling sensations from specific triggers for an ASMR-obsessed friend.
It’s one thing to find the perfect gift for one person. But things can get hectic when you need to find the perfect gift for your friends, family, in-laws, neighbors and anyone else on your list. Enter: the Newsgroup rewiring holiday gift guide. My colleagues and I picked some of our favorite gift ideas based on our own gift-giving experiences and research (we don’t get any money if you buy them). Happy donating!
For activists
Hydro Flask Water Bottle ($28.50-$41.25)
The pro-choice protesters need to stay hydrated. This Hydro Flask water bottles are insulated and dishwasher safe. Additionally, you can customize the size (choose from 20-ounce, 24-ounce, 32-ounce, 32-ounce travel bottle, or 40-ounce) and cap (choose from an insulated cap, leak-proof sip intended for hot drinks, a cap with a straw, and a tuff cap). And to top it all off, you can choose from multiple bottle, cap, color and boot colors; engravings cost extra.
Donate to an abortion fund (amount is up to you)
It’s easy! It’s simple! And it’s a gift that supports the people who need it most. You can find your local abortion fund via the ‘Find a fund’ page of the National Network of Abortion Funds.
For pregnant friends
Lilac Labor and Delivery Dress ($69.99)
RNG Head of Operations Diana Fraser recommends Lila’s labor and delivery dressdesigned by an L&D nurse. It will help make the hospital stay more comfortable and allow the nurses to ensure that pregnant patients can get everything they need without their bums hanging out in the cold hospital gown! It is available in more than a dozen colors and patterns, as well as five different styles.
Gift voucher (you can determine the amount yourself)
Although becoming a parent is super exciting and fun, it’s very easy to make gifts for parents all about the kids, especially for moms. Fraser recommends giving parents a gift certificate for something they are interested in after giving birth, as they can often miss pursuing their hobbies alone. So love your friends as you know them!
For mothers
Anthropologie Candle ($15.40-$85.40 – retail prices)
I’ll Die on This Hill: Anthropologie makes the best candles of all time. When the powers that be create a Candle Hall of Fame, Capri Blue Woody Spruce & Firewood should be the first inductee. It’s criminal that Anthropologie only sells this smell during the holiday period. Yes, I collect the little ones, and yes, I paid over $120 for the 50 ounce candle this year. (It’s already sold out!) My best friend recently let me know that there is indeed one 130 ounce Capri Blue Volcano candle– it usually costs $228, but it’s on sale now for $159.60. It’s cozy, warms your home and serves as a beautiful centerpiece.
For fathers
Personalized Coffee Bar Sign (starts at $19.88)
Why is it so hard to shop for dads? Every year my sister and I ask our father what he would like. And every year he asks us to just write him a nice letter. But last year my sister knocked it out of the park. She found one customizable light board for my dad’s little coffee station on Etsy, and he’s obsessed with it. I would recommend this sign for dads who see themselves as bartenders, and this for your favorite grill master.
For in-laws
Framed Family Photo ($12.49)
My partner’s parents are big sweethearts who, just like my father, would literally be happy with a nice card. Instead of just the card, I print out a beautiful photo of their family and frame it with it photo frame from Michael’s. I especially like this frame because it comes in multiple sizes, and they can choose to hang it on the wall or place it on a desk or table. It is simple, neutral and personal. And if you really feel like it, you can give your in-laws one Aura framewhich allows you to upload photos digitally and switch them out as desired. Grandparents will also love this gift because you can link it to your kids’ photo stream and give them a non-stop slideshow of their favorite little ones.
For children
Chunky Deli Food Plate Books ($12.99)
Fraser’s 2-year-old nephew really loves food and cooking as his taste buds expand. He asked his parents to read it Big Deli books every night, and then gave them a goodnight hug for months. From books like the Small pasta bookUnpleasant Seafood rainbow– and themed bundles – you can find the right reading material for your little one’s tastes.
Pottery Barn Kids Mini Play Kitchen ($79)
It’s probably a little too early for your favorite pup to start playing with fire, but they can get some practice with it mini play kitchen. The ‘oven’ has three knobs, a window and a fixed shelf, and comes with an egg beater, gloves and a heat-insulating pad. For extra fun you can tack this wooden pizza set ($49).
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg ($16.99)
Sometimes what seems like a mistake is actually an opportunity to make something beautiful. That is the message of this interactive children’s book, recommended by RNG Editorial director Catesby Holmes. This board book teaches accident-prone children to be creative with drips, drips, stains, smudges, spills, tears and holes.
For a teenager
PlayerLux Portable CD Player ($85)
Holmes also said: Analog is not dead! Remember the palpable pleasure of flipping through your giant Caselogic CD book to choose exactly the album you wanted to hear, and then listening all the way through? It turns out that young music nerds crave the curation that comes from exploring bands and building their own libraries after a decade of unlimited access to digital music. Help them on their musical journey with this sleek, modern version of the Discman.
For a student
Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera ($93.35)
When I was in college, I loved taking my Fujifilm Instax camera to parties, movie nights, you name it. I still have all my little pictures of it [redacted number] years ago. I used to have the Fujifilm Instax Mini (which comes in a ton of cute pastel colors), but I have since upgraded to the Instax Square SQ1 ($159.95), which offers the more traditional square footage. Every camera requires something different film sizes, so make sure you choose the right one for your gift.
iPad ($349-$999)
Okay, yeah, it’s a splurge. Only one iPad– or any other tablet of your choice – is also the perfect way for a student to (basically) have everything he or she needs for school in one lightweight device. They can download their textbooks, access their syllabi, and take a few Netflix breaks between classes and studying. Plus, they can even take notes by hand if a tacky professor bans laptops in class. (And in the grouchy professor’s defense, I did much better in classes where I had to take notes by hand.)
For self-care
Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager with Heat ($69.95)
Our senior graphic designer, Cage Rivera, loves this massage device. Even though it’s for the neck, they say it’s great for menstrual cramps because of the heat and massage aspect of it. They especially recommend it as a lifesaver for people with endometriosis.
Ouai St. Barts Cleansing Scalp and Body Sugar Scrub ($42)
Rivera cried out too Ouai’s scalp and body scrubcombined with any dandruff shampoo, to remove all flakes. It has also helped with itchy scalp, and they say it would work well in a self-care gift basket.
For a White Elephant exchange
LEGO Flower and Plant Set ($14.99-$109.99)
White Elephant parties are a blessing and a curse. You don’t have to buy something for every person at a gathering, but you also have to find just the right gift for relative strangers. Luckily this one LEGO flower sets rock—you can bring out your inner child and make a night of building one. They are Nice and can be displayed in your home after building. These crowd-pleasers are especially perfect for your friends with less green fingers. My personal favorites are the plum blossom and the hibiscus.
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