This time of year every blogger posts gift guides or wish lists for the holidays. “But I thought you weren’t like everyone else, Emily.” I know, I know, I’m jumping on this train. But this is the Polar Express heading up north so it’s a good train to be on. Anyway, don’t run away yet! I tried to make my list a little different. Not that these items are things you haven’t seen before, but maybe they just aren’t at the forefront of your mind for gifts. We could all say we want/need a new GPS tracker or Lululemon crops (*insert hands-raised emoji*) so I’m going to skip the obvious.
I like to consider myself a practical, down-to-earth person, although my mother claims I am only down-to-earth if earth is covered in Lululemon and expensive almond butter. Can’t say I hate the idea of that world. Therefore, the main items on my list this year are what I consider “practical”: things I would buy anyway and that I already use every day throughout the year. So maybe these gifts aren’t for your closest loved ones, but then again, I don’t recommend you resort to lists on the internet to find those special gifts.
If you want to give a gift that will get good use (or you just like nice things) read on…
Specialty gift cards– Let me first say that I’m personally not a fan of giving gift cards to your closest loved ones. However, I understand their convenience. I suggest buying a card to a place where they can “treat themselves.” I spend generic AMEX gift cards on gas and toiletries. If the card is for a specific place, such as Whole Foods or a massage studio (like Massage Envy), then I will be forced to indulge. “Forced” as in I will be the first one at the Whole Foods parking lot at 7 a.m. because I’ll be so excited to spend it.
Spiralizer– If you don’t yet own this super handy kitchen item, what are you doing with your life? add it to your list! I get so much use out of my spiralizer year-round that I don’t remember life without it. Slight exaggeration. While I personally own the Paderno version, I want Ali’s new Inspiralizer! It came out after I already had one so I haven’t tried it yet.
Expensive food products– Hear me out on this one…nut butters (and other items like goji berries, certain granola, bars, etc.) are PRICEY. If my dad knew I spent an average of $10 on every jar of almond butter he’d have a fit. Guess he knows now. Good food is worth the cost for me. So while I’d buy this anyway throughout the year, I would not complain about having a jar or two in my stocking. My favorite brands: Wild Friends, Kal0t, Justin’s, NuttZo and MaraNatha.
Magazine subscriptions- This is the gift that keeps on giving. I am a proud magazine subscriber and every month (or week with my People) I look forward to a new issue. A few of my favorite fitness related ones: Runner’s World and Women’s Running.
Rewind Candles- Candles made from repurposed wine bottle that are crafted to smell like different wines? Sold.
Fitness Packages- Trendy fitness classes such as Orange Theory and specialty cycling studios are awesome workouts but cost a pretty penny. While buying a package is similar to buying a gift card, I consider this more “thoughtful” because it means you know more about the person’s life, interests and fitness habits. You could buy a larger package for multiple classes or even just a drop-in session for your friend to try out a new place in town.
Infused Olive Oils & Vinegars- My mom got me hooked on these and now I don’t want to cook with anything else. They add so much flavor without needed a million ingredients. A few flavors we like: Coconut Balsamic Vinegar, Butternut Squash Seed Oil and Honey-Ginger Balsamic. I’m linking to my store in Tampa (Joe & Son’s) but Williams Sonoma and other specialty cooking stores have similar products.
Compression socks– When in doubt, the athlete in your life will love these socks…even if they already have a pair. Consider a fun pattern or color that they could use for other holidays or occasions throughout the year. I wear Pro-Compression.
Click To Tweet
YES to compression socks and ALL the nut butter! I love gift cards…They are easy and maybe not as personal, but it saves from making returns…HAHA! Great gift guide! XOXO
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…What The Single Woman Buys At Costco Part V
Very true point about returns. The best is when you find a gift card months later and realize you haven’t used it yet!
I started a list. I made sort of a list. I changed it all to a dicks sporting goods gift card :-)
Not a bad idea at all. I could easily spend a decent amount of money there!
My mom is a huge magazine reader so she has always gifted me my favorite magazines as subscriptions and it is the perfect gift since it keeps on giving every month all year long!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Sugar Cookie Smoothie Bowl
Exactly! I’m so excited whenever the issue comes in the mail.
I can never get too many gift guides! I just got a spiralizer for my birthday and my mom got me a bunch of magazine subscriptions last year so I can attest to those being amazing gifts! and I would absolutely love my stocking stuffed full with massage envy gift cards and nut butters… and ghee would that keep? Probably not but I can have a fridge stocking too!
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Marathon Must-Have’s
Good question! I still haven’t tried ghee so I don’t know. A fridge stocking is a GENIUS idea!
Great list- I renewed all my magazines for ridiculously cheap on Black Friday but wouldn’t mind some nut butters and specialty foods in my stocking :)
Lauren recently posted…Things I Was Thankful for this Weekend
I did the same thing with my magazines! Most aren’t too expensive anyway but I’ll take a savings any change I get.
This a GREAT gift guide Emily. Nut butters, goji berries for SHO.
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…No-Bake Gingerbread Protein Bars [vegan, gluten-free]
I need a separate pantry to keep all of my nut butters at this point!
Nut butter, fitness classes and whole foods vouchers ( to spend on yet more but butter!) are all on my Christmas list this year! X
Good old predictive text- definitely *nut not *but !!
We would be great roommates because we like all the same things :) And don’t worry, my phone autocorrects “nut” to “but” too.
I love your graphic! I totally should have done that…#gradproblems. Anyways, I love your list! That wine candle sounds phenomenal and I’m pretty sure I need one. Or 12. I also say YAY on gift cards, especially if someone wants one. I know I asked for some so I can get some “professional” clothes!
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…The Runner’s Wish List
Also. Thanks for reminding me that I have to change my address on my Runner’s World subscription :)
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…The Runner’s Wish List
I should have called the graphic (and this entire post) “senioritis at its max.” Procrastinating everything lately! I just changed my address on my subscriptions too :)
Great list! I actually think nut butters and infused oils are worth the cost not just for their tastiness, but also because if you think about the cost per calorie, they’re a pretty nice amount and they keep you satisfied and going strong much longer than “cheaper” foods :)
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…WIAW #34: Thanksgiving Leftovers
Completely agree. They add so much more flavor and nutrition to meals that it seems like a no brainer now.
All I want for Christmas is nut butter. End of story. Actually expensive fitness classes are an awesome gift because it’s in the “Totally want this but don’t absolutely need it” which are the best gifts
Yes! That’s a great way to describe it. Little luxuries like that are great to save for a rainy day.
Confession: I’ve never seen the Polar Express. It’s kind of irrelevant to your post but you made the reference and I realized I should probably add that movie to my list of movies to watch.
If I was gifted a massage, I’d be SO happy! Such a great idea!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…WIAW: Thanksgiving Eats!
Oh yes you should! I only saw the movie once years ago but I read the book every year growing up.
Haha my mom would say the same thing. I’m “down to earth” except when it comes to massages, spin classes, lululemon… but for the most part, I’m pretty frugal. A whole foods gift card is gold. I would blow it all in one day on the hot bar (and the cake balls…). And you can’t go wrong with Pro Compression. You just can’t.
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Thanksgiving 2015
I’m not surprise, we literally are the same person. I’m pretty frugal too…I don’t considering the money I spend to be a waste. It all goes to good things!
If I just got a bunch of nut butter, I would be pretty content! Haha!
Really, it’s so hard to make a list now and I’m fine with my family just giving me a visa or amazon gift card!
But the big ticket item for “santa” is the stand mixer!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
My sister has one of those! It looks so pretty on our kitchen counter.
I’m so excited about my spiralizer attachment for my kitchaid that I am getting. Like SO FREAKING EXCITED
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Maintaining Fitness During Injury (Part 2)
ALL the zoodles! And sweet potato noodles!
I’m with you on gift cards.. I feel like they can be pretty impersonal but I love the idea of massages, gift cards to specific restaurants, etc. I think I ask for a massage gift card every single year haha.
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Winter Running Plans
I do too! I end up paying for massages myself because they are SO worth it.
I know a lot of people say no to gift cards but at the end of the day I love them. I have a hard time when people ask what I want so a gift card usually will give me time to figure it out. Then again. I’m all about homemade gifts too and most people don’t agree with me there!
Kristin recently posted…Instalately – November In an Instagram
I love homemade gifts! Those are some of my favorite gifts. I will tell people I want a gift card too. My 5 year old self is yelling at me for not asking for toys…
Amazing guide! I’ll take all of these gifts please
Gretchen recently posted…Wednesday Reviews : Trader Joe’s
I will write a letter to Santa on your behalf ;)
Those candles are the BEST!!!
Kaitlin recently posted…Life of Late ~ 11.27.15
I spent WAY too long smelling all of the choices at the store because I couldn’t decide which scent I wanted.
I would be over the moon to receive any of these gifts! Especially the compression socks & whole foods gift card- you can never have too many of those!!
Kerri Mcgrail recently posted…Pomegranate Avocado Lentil Salad
Agreed! The more the merrier :)
YES YES YES!!!! I got a spiralizer last year for Christmas and I was OVER.THE.MOON. Seriously you don’t realize how much you use one until you have it!! Also you can never go wrong with nut butters…. I know I asked for some this year ;)
It’s my go-to kitchen tool now! You can make so many things with it.
YessI All the nut butters! I really want to get my hands on the new Wild Friends flavors. I would love some good compression socks for Christmas.
sarah recently posted…A New Protein Source Reviewed
Pro Compression has some great sales normally! As for Wild Friends, I usually order online to get the flavor I want.
I would love ALL of these gifts! And I had the same hesitation with posting a holiday gift guide but I know a lot of people just read one or two blogs so they may not feel like they’ve seen a million gift guides already? Or maybe not…either way, I’ve gotten lots of great ideas from other bloggers’ guides!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…A Food-Lover’s Guide to Gift Giving
I personally like reading all the gift guides! Even if I don’t buy a specific item from the list it gives me good ideas.