*Thank you to all of our partners for collabing with us on this special sponsored gift guide. Wishing your family comfort and joy this blessed holiday season!
As we take a second to reflect on this past year—political upheaval, racial discord, and the isolation of living through a world-wide pandemic—we realize that it’s been the hardest year to date. And yet oftentimes it takes adversity to make us see what’s really important, what we’re truly grateful for: family, health, home, and happiness.
This year, as my thoughts turn to the holidays, my sincerest wish is for comfort and joy for all my family and friends. We don’t need much, and the theme I’d like to focus all my gifting around this year is just that: bringing comfort and joy.
I’ve hand-picked a few of my favorite items and gifts that are designed to bring comfort and joy to your home, family, and socially-distanced circles.
2020 Gift Guide: Comfort & Joy
1. Cozy Home & Apparel
I found out about UpWest this year (they are brand new!) and immediately fell in love. They have the comfiest, coziest clothing for women and men, along with lovely pillows, throws, and home items that have become my favorites this year to snuggle up in.
Make sure to get 20% off your entire first order with code FIRSTORDER.
2. Soothing Immunity-Boosting Drinks
This gift is unique and thoughtful, especially this year. Birds & Bees Teas offers natural, organic herbal teas, warm drink accessories, and gift sets that help boost immunity. This year, I’m gifting all my kids’ teachers this Family Immunity Tea tin (you may want to snag one for yourself!). And friends and family are getting this cool Elderberry Syrup Making Kit. (It’s an incredibly powerful superfood/antioxidant!)
Use code HowDoesShe for 15% off.
3. Family Comfort Food
One huge blessing that emerged from the ashes of this year, was the opportunity for families to slow down and be together more. Well, we kind of had to! But without a million places to go, my little family actually sat down to family dinner together every night. For those months that I couldn’t go to the grocery store, I had Blue Apron delivered and it was heaven-sent.
This holiday season, think inside the box.
Give those special families in your life the gift of family dinner. You can snag a Blue Apron gift card in any amount that would bring delicious, gourmet recipes right to their doorstep. You can print it out or email it to your recipient, which is why a Blue Apron gift card also makes an excellent last-minute gift.
Trust me, as a busy mom of four, this is a gift that would mean the world to me.
4. Joy in Growing
Moms with babies during this time are going to need extra support. They don’t need a million different gadgets to trip over, but rather a few intentional baby essentials that grow with their baby. Baby gear that performs several functions in one, like these smart and thoughtful Graco Baby products.
This Pack ‘n Play: No need to buy a changing table, bassinet, and playard…this Pack ‘n Play does it all. It’s an amazing gift that will be used for years and years. (Believe me, I used mine through all four kids!)
This highchair: It’s like a transformer, changing to fit your baby’s needs every step of the way. Look at the 7 smart functions it performs! (My kids love the step stool.)
This carrier: Snug as a bug in a rug, this best-seller hugs baby close as a newborn and then transitions to a back carrier so that your toddler can enjoy the view.
5. Bring Outside Beauty Inside
A friend sent me flowers during an especially rough emotional time this past year and it made me feel so loved. What a sweet and thoughtful gift. This year, with so much emotional uncertainty, a beautiful holiday flower tree or this cute “Home for the Holidays” evergreen keepsake would bring comfort and joy to any space.
Or gift a houseplant that will never die (my personal favorite!), like this gorgeous faux fiddle leaf fig fern.
Use code EVERGREEN20 to get 20% off (excluding the faux plant).
6. A Happy Home
Homes and apartments all over the world became personal havens this year as we all paused life and went into quarantine. It taught me that while I can’t control what’s going on outside, I can control what’s going on inside my home.
Create your own sanctuary with some of of these Bed Bath & Beyond favorites:
Cozy cactus bedding (by the same UGG boots brand!)
Keurig coffee and hot cocoa maker – We stayed at an AirBnB with one and the kids went crazy! The perfect kitchen accessory, especially if you like yummy, warm drinks in the morning or at nighttime. Oh, and don’t forget all the fun pods!
What’s nice is that you can pick up your order curbside or in your local Bed Bath & Beyond store, or even get same day delivery.
7. Stay and Play
This was a year to live in your comfy clothes. We all got a whole new appreciation for athleisure as we took meetings in our favorite sweatshirts, sweats, and leggings. School clothes became comfy and sporty with many kids learning from home. You can never go wrong with a Nike gift and here are some of my faves:
Kids hoodies (many of them are up to 40% off)
These “Luxe” leggings: buttery soft
These classics: Every guy/gal should have a pair, they’re that iconic.
8. Stocking Stuffers with a Smile
Anything that makes me smile this year has my complete attention. I can’t think of anything better on Christmas morning than to have a room full of smiles. These gal-focused stocking stuffers from Boohoo (they’re the UK’s version of Forever 21) are super fun and make great friend gifts too. They ship to the US and have some great novelty items, like these:
This cozy flannel jammie set
9. Artist-Designed Gifts
I’ve long been a fan of Minted designs, from their fab holiday cards, to their artist-designed bags and my personal favorite…aprons. They even have kids’ apron & oven mitt sets!
Really, if you’re looking for something extra unique and of deluxe quality that someone on your list will treasure long after 2020, go see all of the cool gifts Minted has to offer.
10. The Puffy Blanket
One of the coziest blankets you’ll ever own. This deluxe faux fur blanket has an ultra soft lining that makes snuggling up absolute perfection. Grab a book or turn on the TV and find the ultimate comfort and joy with the Puffy Blanket.
11. A stylish phone case
It’s always a good idea to give something that celebrates your loved one’s unique personality. Stunning and super protective, Burga Samsung phone cases are not only a practical gift, but a stylish one too. Visit Burga.com and even create an individual set of cases for various tech devices.
I hope this has given you a few good ideas for gifting this season. It’s not so much about the quantity as it is the quality and the thought behind giving. Wishing you all a very merry holiday season with an abundance of comfort and joy.
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