A Few of Our Favorite Things -Holiday Gift Edition

By Ann Fulton & Emily Russo, MS, RD, CDN

Ready or not, it's that time of year again, and we've got you covered with a list of holiday gifts for all your favorite people! 
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Ready or not, it’s that time of year again, and we’ve got you covered with a list of holiday gifts for all your favorite people! 🎁

 

Holiday shopping is easy. Coming up with the perfect gift ideas for all the special people in our lives is often the tricky part.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite gift ideas for this year, with hope that you can check off an item or two on your list…and maybe spark some holiday cheer too!

 

R.Riveter Bags
A reader told me she works for this company, and I was intrigued. This business was founded by women who were married to military personal, and regular moves made it difficult for them to sustain a job. R. Riveter provides flexible income as military spouses move across the country every two to three years, and the quality of the products is excellent. There are totes, purses, backpacks, wallets, and more. I purchased a new wallet for my younger son, Christian, last year, and he loves it. (I have my eye on this practical bag with the cool strap!)

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs - whether they be big or small - this year!

East Fork
Emily first heard of this company through family living in Ashville, NC. The company began as one potter throwing clay on an old tobacco farm in Madison County, NC, and the lead-free ceramic dinnerware is durable and made with integrity. The look is earthy and natural yet chic. Emily gifted my family a mug and bowl set last year, which we use daily! (Dishwasher and microwave-safe.)

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Fillings
It’s fun to support local businesses and especially helpful when they will ship to those who are out of town! Here’s what caught our eye this year…

These gloves are super soft inside and come in a variety of colors and patterns–checkered, stripes, pompoms, you name it! I picked out a few that caught my eye, but there’s a BIG rack with lots more options. The gloves retail for $50 and are one size.

Small, colorful purses can make a welcome gift, and these are a personal favorite. I’ve had one for several years, and I use it regularly when going out at night and always pack it when traveling. (When seeking out items for this list, I added a second color to my collection!) Though not shown in the photo, the purses come with a wristlet and cross body strap. There are also slots inside for credit cards, and there’s enough room for a cell phone and lipstick. $58

Necklaces like these look pretty on their own, but the on-trend way to wear them is to layer with pieces you already have. The necklaces are available in silver and gold and retail for $40.

Penn Stone – outdoor decor!
Family owned for over 100 years, this local business has everything for outdoor living needs–including cute yard art! I’ve made this a store a destination when needing a gift for someone who’s hard to buy for. Wind chimes, birdhouses, yard sculptures, and cool candles are just some of the gifts that friends and family have made good use of. The two items below are current favorites for their broad appeal and reasonable price points. Note that Penn Stone only ships larger items, so for those who are not able to visit the store, we found similar options here.

These adorable bunnies are hopping into a 30% promotion and are priced at $47.25.

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

 
This beautiful birdhouse is also 30% off and currently retails for $91.
 
Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!
 

Phillips Sunrise Alarm Clock
Not a morning person? With the days getting shorter, this alarm clock signals you to get up on time by mimicking the sunrise 30 minutes before the alarm sounds, making the chore of getting out of bed less painful and more gentle! Retails on Amazon for $42.95. 

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year! 

Hoya Heart Plants
My boys gave me this adorable succulent a few years ago, and the heart shaped leaf is so joyful. Purchased locally at Building Character (but available wherever you live and online), the plant is low maintenance, and most importantly, hard to kill! Can sit cheerily on a windowsill for about $15 (depending on the store).

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Kids Aprons
These adorable aprons are perfect for budding home chefs. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and can be personalized with a maximum of 12 letters. I purchased these for my nieces, and they love to wear them when it’s time to cook. You can even buy matching aprons for a parent or grandparent. Aprons start at $14.50, depending on size.

Ballerina Farm Meat Boxes
A dancer met the son of a New York City businessman. They married, moved to Utah, and now live on a cattle ranch with their growing family (they currently have 6 kids!). They offer both subscription meat boxes and one-time shipments of their high-quality meat from Berkshire pigs and Angus cattle. I’ve given this as a gift to people who like to grill and for those who may not really want more “stuff.” I’ve also cooked the meat, and the quality is indeed excellent. The company ships overnight (with dry ice to keep the meat frozen); prices will vary depending on what is chosen.

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Theragun
We started to see these in advertisements and Emily knew a friend who had one, but we got to know the product well when Jack got one through work. Everyone in Ann’s family has used it for a different purpose, from a sore lower back or stiff neck to a tight quad muscle. It has been a go-to tool–and it works! To accommodate the body part in need, the product comes with different attachments and levels of pressure. A few versions are available; Amazon’s basic versions currently retails for $299.  

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Olive Oils
Olive oil is a practical hostess gift alternative to a bottle of wine. Everybody can use it! This photo includes a high-quality mail order olive oil (Brightland) as well as two from Mandros, a local Lancaster Greek market. In many cases–as with Mandros–the prices are very good. The oils are also always from the first press. There are other excellent olive oils that can be found in grocery stores, such as the one on the far right, which is a top-rated, everyday oil.

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Trio Tea Timer
A perfect gift for tea lovers, the trio timer clocks how long to brew black, green, and white tea. Gift as is, or include a package of tea and a cool mug (see East Fork, above!) for a fun, tea-themed box. ($16 on Amazon.)

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Details
Pop in the store if you’re local, or if not, purchase this store favorite online – a silicone bib with adjustable neck and snack pouch for protection (and cuteness!) at every meal. Comes in other colors and phrases (such as “taco belle” and “get in my belly”) and retails for $16.

Ready or not, it's that time of year again (emoji face), and we've got you covered with a list of holiday gifts for all your favorite people!

Fernish
Another local gem, this boutique offers a lovely collection of home gifts and gadgets, like this pretty stone match striker for $28. Functional, decorative, and easy to keep handy on any shelf, table or mantle. You can purchase locally or call the store to ship. 

Ready or not, it's that time of year again (emoji face), and we've got you covered with a list of holiday gifts for all your favorite people!

King Arthur Dog Biscuit Mix
We all love our furry friends, and this dog biscuit mix can be a fun project for pet owners and a great for kids too. It comes in carrot and beef broth or pumpkin and apple flavors and retails for $7.95. Alternatively, start from scratch and Make Your Own Dog Treats, then package them in a cute box!

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Sea Monkeys
If you know kids who are begging for pets, sea monkeys may be a great place to start! The kit includes the eggs, which hatch under your love and care. Weekly feeding is all that’s required from there. Emily is currently growing them with her kids, who love watching them grow every day (they can grow up to an inch!). The sea monkeys brought back great memories, and I took a video to send to my boys, who remembered loving these when they were little!

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Flavor Thesaurus
This beautiful book was an especially helpful reference when I began creating recipes. Simply look up an ingredient, and the book lists good flavor pairings, from herbs and spices to fruits, vegetables, and more. Perfect for seasoned cooks who may enjoy occasional inspiration and for new cooks who are winging for the first time. Hardcover is currently listed for $27.90 on Booshop.org. 

Subscription to Bon Appetit
Remember when we all received lots of magazines? Now that most things are online, the tactile experience of flipping pages can be a welcome change. For more recipe inspiration as well as world-wide restaurant recommendations, food trends, food gadgets, gifts, and much more, anyone who loves food would appreciate a subscription to Bon Appetit! A digital subscription can be gifted as well. Currently listed as $30/year or $4.99/month. 

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Homemade Holiday Gifts (perfect for kids to give)
Every year as my boys were growing up, we came up with a fun project they could make on their own or with a little supervision. We had fun, and the boys were always proud to gift something they put their time and effort into, rather than me giving them money to purchase something. We thought about what their dad and grandparents, might enjoy. Over the years, we made picture frames, ornaments, and even painted pots. Adding a plant to the pot is an optional extra! 

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs - whether they be big or small - this year!

The following is a craft my mom came up with when the boys were little. Great for hand-eye-coordination and economical as well, the cute candy cane ornaments make great gifts for kids to give their friends and are cute as present toppers too. Christian would sit and make these for an hour at a time!

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs - whether they be big or small - this year!

Nugget Ice Maker
This is a very special gift for those who really love their iced beverages. The small shape makes for great iced tea, cocktails or mocktails, and plain old ice water – with an added bonus of small chewable cubes after the drink is gone! Convenient scooping and refilling make this a fun holiday surprise. Make sure you examine sizing, refilling options, and styles as prices start at $299 and go up from there.

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Carbonator 3 by aarke
Another special toy for those who love their beverages, especially sparkling water, and who are conscious of their plastic bottle usage. A reader recently said she is “obsessed” with hers and uses it daily. She describes it as sleeker and easier to use than the soda stream, another popular model. But it does come at a price, starting at $259, but would be a very special holiday gift!

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Siligrams Personalized Ice Trays
The picture says it all. These customizable ice trays are new on the market, so would be good for that person who thought they had everything! Do they need it? No, but at $29.99 it’s a clever way to have fun making drinks this season and will remind everyone who’s drink it is!

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!
Gifts for right now!

Turkey Butter Mold
A sign the holidays are truly upon us: Keller’s turkey butter mold is a fun table topper at Thanksgiving and perfect for buttering bread, or just as decoration. Which part would you cut into first? 

Here some unique and heart-warming ideas for all of your gift giving needs this year!

Advent Calendars
For those who enjoy counting down the days with an advent calendar, we found options for tea and coffee drinkers, chocolate and caramel aficionados–even licorice lovers! There’s also a spin on an advent calendar that counts each day of Hanukkah with a special treat. One of these fun calendars would be a fun gift for a November birthday!

Ready or not, it's that time of year again, and we've got you covered with a list of holiday gifts for all your favorite people! 

❤️ 🎁 However you end up gifting or celebrating your holidays this season, we hope it is joyful. If you decide on one of these gifts, let us know how it was received in the comments section below or tag @fountainavenuekitchen on your favorite social media channel! 

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