2020 Holiday Gift Guides, gathered in one list

This year we got our gift guide post up a lot sooner than usual, because we are highlighting tons of small makers and Black-owned businesses that we enjoy, and we want to give those shops as much lead time as possible (heck, large stores seem to need more lead time than ever these days too). We also included a handful of tried & true items from larger companies that we have picked up and enjoyed (like a go-to tool or family game).

There is stuff for grown-ups, kids, and a ton of budget-friendly ideas that are under $20, and even under $10 that would be strong for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or white elephant exchanges!

Gifts For Grown-Ups

Here is what we are loving, either firsthand items that we have personally picked up and enjoyed – or things that we are getting for friends & family (or hoping to find under the tree ourselves).

1. This plant lover’s doormat makes me laugh so hard ($52)
2. We are eying this go-to daughter t-shirt for all three of John’s sisters ($24)
3. John & the kids got me two surprise mail-order plants like this for Mother’s Day (this pothos & this fern) and they are still going strong (from $25)
4. Santa is bringing me Bobbi’s black & white earrings & I am THRILLED ($45)
5. We own and enjoy this wave basket which works as a large tray for magazines on a table or you can hang it on the wall as large textural art! ($69)
6. We got this custom address stamp for the duplex & one for this house. So special & personalized! (from $94)
7. I picked up one of these minimalist birthstone rings for each of my kids’ birthdays & enjoy how delicate and sweet they are ($48)
8. John lately wrapped up Playing Pleasant – a thriller about babies that were switched at birth, and enjoyed every second of it ($25)
9. For the iPhone enthusiast in your life, here is a cool gray leather apple watchband (they have plenty of other cool designs too) ($28)
10. This has been my go-to necklace for years & the owners of this shop could not be nicer (mine’s white gold, .10 stone, 16″ chain & it is 20% off right now!) ($184)
11. I know John’s hoping for a wireless charging station – and this one is beautifully made with the choice of maple or walnut wood ($91)
12. This unisex head chef & sous chef t-shirt set is so sweet for anyone you know that cooks with a little one ($48)
13. I lately got The New Southern Style by Alyssa Rosenheck and it is a striking and inclusive home book packed with inspiration ($37)
14. I picked up these brass geometric earrings this summer and they are vivid and so well made. Such a fan of all of her designs ($35)
15. Run, do not walk, and get this gourmet popcorn for someone you enjoy – and send some to your house too. Trust me on this. (from $20)
16. I picked up this geode airplant planter and it is like a work of art on my shelf. Simply so detailed & lovely. Highly recommend. ($30)
17. We got John’s parents a scratch-off travel map for a road trip last year & they enjoyed it & framed it when they got home ($30)
18. These are hands down John’s go-to shoes because they are especially comfortable, washable, & eco-friendly (they also have gift cards) ($95)
19. This organic leafy green seed kit is for the gardener in your life ($35)
20. This personalized recipe pie pan is oven safe and they put your enjoyed one’s actual handwritten recipe on it. Such a sweet keepsake! ($75)

Gifts For Kids

Here are some lively & creative gifts that we found for the wee ones in your life. These are things that we in fact own and enjoy, or items that we are buying our kids this year (or considering for other little cousins & friends).

1. This rainbow sewing kit is for any creative kid you know that loves a project (both of ours enjoy things like this!) ($25)
2. These stunning handmade dolls have remarkable reviews and the maker is a finalist in this year’s Etsy design awards! ($64)
3. For kids who enjoy buried treasure (like our son!), there is this dinosaur egg digging kit. It is $39 for a 12-pack, so you can split it for multiple kids
4. Ah nostalgia. When I came across these vintage garbage pail kids cards I could not stop thinking about how much I enjoyed them as a kid ($18)
5. We got this Women In Art book for our daughter since she already has the Women in Science one. They are both packed with inspirational stories ($16)
6. Last year I had a felt slingshot on the list but it did not make it under the tree, but this year it is happening. Both kids are gonna be flinging felt balls everywhere & I am weirdly excited about it. ($20)
7. We picked up this set of colorful kid’s headphones for our children this year (at home learning = plenty of headphones!) and they are comfortable and durable (they’ve been through some things!) ($34 for 2)
8. This dachshund felting kit is another “project” gift for the artsy kid in your life (can you tell we have two who enjoy things like this?). ($17)
9. We picked up these bike tire lights to keep our dusk rides especially safe & people compliment the kids as they zoom by all aglow ($15)
10. This Track Series Boxed Set of books are a go-to around here. Strong for age 10 or so, and each character inspires while overcoming obstacles. ($30 for 4)
11. These paper doll printables stole my heart & there are so many lively options – including female firefighters & astronauts – and paper finger puppets! ($5)
12. We own & enjoy these kid’s nylon knives which are a strong way to get kids chopping away in the kitchen. Our kids cut fruits & vegetables with them, and consistently enjoy eating stuff they assist make. ($9 for 3)
13. This Qwixx dice game is a go-to in our house. It is simply as lively for adults as kids, and it is a sneaky way to get them to do math (under $8!)
14. This personalized Where Are You books can be customized with your child’s name & appearance for a Where’s Waldo-like adventure. We sent a Wonderbly alphabet book to our new baby niece & it was quite a hit too. ($30)
15. This personalized baking set is another one of those lively “experience” gifts since it can be accompanied by time spent baking together ($20)
16. This personalized holiday gift sack is for the dino lover in your life (we have a certain nephew in mind) and they also sell other personalized designs ($28)
17. This Worldly book box subscription means that Atlas Book Club sends boxes of books that are themed around distinct countries each month (you can also purchase boxes a la cart, starting at $39)
18. This scavenger hunt game is truly-well rated, and also in my cart ($25)
19. Who does not enjoy a STEM dress?! They also sell dresses for girls who enjoy science, bugs, space, construction, dinosaurs & more ($35, see them all here).
20. This Blokus Game was a gift from a family member & it has become one of our go-tos. Everyone can play on their own (including our 6-year-old) and we have as much lively as the kids ($20)

Gifts Under $25

This is my go-to list to make each year, because I enjoy a deal – and so many of these things still feel so personalized and special! There are even items under $10 and even $7 that would make strong neighbor gifts, white elephant ideas, or lively stocking stuffers.

1. I picked up one of these handmade catchall bowls this summer & they are striking! I keep mine in the kitchen with crystals in it (of course) but they are strong for jewelry, business cards, & more ($23)
2. We got custom face socks like these for the grandparents (of our kids making their goofiest faces) and they were quite a hit ($13)
3. These snowman bath bombs are strong gifts for kids, teachers, neighbors, anyone truly. And at under $7 you can spread the enjoy around.
4. I picked up these tassel earrings and they are so lightweight, flattering, & simply $24
5. Keeping on the Sherry-loves-earrings theme, I also picked up these tortoise hoop earrings so I can attest to how light & well made they are ($10)
6. This state bottle opener is one of those strong gifts that feels so personalized & is also practical and oh so useful ($12)
7. If you are a stationery & pen nerd like myself, you will enjoy these smooth metallic gel pens – and they also have strong notebooks. ($9)
8. For the travel-lover, this leather luggage tag looks so posh & it is simply $10!
9. I picked up this Chunky Sweater candle for John as a Father’s Day gift & he loves it. Three young brothers make these candles & their story is remarkable ($20)
10. Who does not enjoy an animal face coffee/tea cup?! I’d give this to someone with a pleasant box of tea or coffee – or even hot chocolate ($15)
11. This mini tube man is so much lively, I wish I had a white elephant exchange coming up, because dang-it, he’d win ($13)
12. Back on the mug train for one second because this Team Trash mug made me laugh out loud. Fill it with chocolate or cheese – ha! ($12)
13. Speaking of things that make us laugh – this Never Forget Pluto shirt is so nerdy and funny, I might simply have to get it for John ($19)
14. The Stud Buddy is is our go-to stud finder. It literally holds itself up on the wall when it finds a stud so you are hands-free to mark it ($10)
15. This plant mask is so delightfully striking. Everything she makes is so well rated & lovely, here is the whole shop ($17)
16. John picked up this modern bike bell and loves the plain design and pleasant bright *rinnnnnng*. Strong for the cyclist in your life ($20)
17. These small circle earrings are simply $16 and so delicate and minimal.
18. We have had this laser level for years & it sticks to the wall, shines a line, and makes hanging a row of frames or adding board & batten much easier ($15)
19. I have this gold key bow wristlet and enjoy how straightforward it is to find in a purse – plus I can loop it around my wrist for swift trips to the store ($8)
20. These charcoal bags suck up odor like mad (lay them outside in full sun for an hour when you get them & every month after that & they last for years!). They make a good stocking stuffer since the joke can be “I got you coal” ($13)

Psst – To see last year’s lists, a lot of which is still linked and for sale, click here – and to check out our Black-owned business roundup (which has over 500 highly recommended shops!) click here.

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