It’s no secret that things are a liiiiittle different than we’re used to this time of year. That being said, celebration, joy and gratitude are not canceled. If you’re choosing and able to gift this year, do so with intention with help from my 2020 Mindful Holiday Gift Guide.
Mindful Holiday Gift Guide
If this year has shown me anything, it’s that I don’t really need as much as I may have thought to be happy. There are, of course, necessities or staple items that aid your lifestyle, so that is what I aimed on focusing on for this Mindful Holiday Gift Guide. My Kitchen Staples are full of my top picks for cooking and prep gadgets and tools that I truly use in my daily and weekly life.
I also included realistic affordable gifts to make your loved ones feel special during this time. I tried to find as many on etsy.com as I could to support small businesses as well!
Finally, consider forgoing gifts and giving to those in need instead. This year is hard on each and every single one of us, but how great would it be to give back to those that may need some extra help getting a winter coat or enough animal food this year. There is SO much good in the world, and I think it would be amazing to bring some extra joy and peace to those in need.
Kitchen Staples
These picks are no fuss, gadgets and tools in my kitchen that truly get use just about every day. Kitchen items can be really expensive, so I did my best to find the best deals and most reasonable prices if you’re looking to save while adding to your kitchen tools. There are a lot of good sales on these things to take advantage of if you or a loved one is in need of one of these particular things!
Click here to shop my Kitchen Staples!
Kitchen Staple Details:
- Coffee Maker – I drink coffee daily, and I save so much money by making it at home! Plus, it saves time and I know exactly what ingredients are in my morning cup.
- Cast Iron Skillet – I cook just about everything in my cast iron skillet, no exaggeration. If you’re concerned about how to take care of it, don’t be! It’s honestly pretty simple. I’ve had the same one for years and it still works great!
- Immersion Blender – This is great for blending soups in the same pot that it was cooked in so you don’t have to dirty your blender! I also love it for mixing bigger coffee drinks and making creamy mashed potatoes.
- Knife Set – Self explanatory, right? I mean, have you ever tried cutting a big juicy tomato with a butter knife?
- Juicer – I started buying pre-made celery juice from the grocery store to incorporate into my morning routine and realized, I’d probably save some money if I invested in a juicer if I’m going to be drinking juice daily! It’s also really satisfying and fun to make different combinations and use up produce in your fridge.
- Milk Frother – If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen me make my Vanilla Latte just about every single morning. I absolutely LOVE this milk frother for making cozy drinks and I especially love that it’s super affordable. Plus, you can get 10% off on Zulay Kitchen’s website (here!) using my code “KAYLA10”!
- Garlic Press – This just makes life so easy. I use garlic in so many of my recipes and this makes garlic prep and clean up a breeze!
- Cutting Board – Easy to clean, store and take care of. Another self explanatory one.
- Food Chopper – This is basically a more affordable food processor that is super effective. I absolutely love to use it to make breading out of crackers or pretzels and to make my own dressings and sauces!
Organization & Personalization
My environment and surroundings play a major role in my self care and mental health. A way to help me feel calm is by making sure my space is organized and personalized with special touches. Here are a few pieces that I use and love for smart storage, useful decor and unique touches.
Shop my Organization and Personalization picks here!
Organization and Personalization Details:
- Vintage Glassware – There is something so special about cheersing with loved ones with a unique glass. Make memories with family/friends and celebrate accomplishments with a vintage touch.
- Spice Drawer Organizer – Nothing has ever made me feel like I had my life together more than when I got this organizer. Who knew organized and color coded spices could spark so much joy?!
- Small Serving Bowls – These are the perfect size for charcuterie boards and hosting in general!
- Utensil Drawer Organizer – This organizer takes it up a notch from the plastic version and looks so nice in your drawer! It’s also adjustable in size, so you can take it with you if you ever move!
- Personalized Mug – I love mugs. I think they are so special and are a part of my morning routine. It’s so fun to gift mugs, in my opinion, as they are extremely useful, cute and often an affordable way to show you care!
- Unique and Versatile Plates – I think it’s important to have a set of plates that you’re excited to eat off of that can take you from your morning avocado toast to dinner parties with loved ones to pizza night at home. I love when they are neutral in color while having a little unique/handmade look to them!
- Linen Napkins – These come in every color you can think of and add so much to a table! Plus, they’re super affordable.
- Counter/Shelf Containers – Functional decor is everything. What better way to make your kitchen counter or open shelving look nice by putting your most used items in a cute jar on display!
- Mug Tree – Hi, did you know I love mugs? Again with the functional decor, this is a great way to clear some cabinet space while showcasing your most loved mugs.
- Charcuterie Board – Every host needs one! Or even if you just want to make a snack spread for yourself, that’s encouraged here too. They’re great for cheese displays and even act as a nice anchor to a table or counter to catch mail next to a candle or flowers.
- Cake Stand – Take that boxed cake to the next level with a cake stand to make loved ones feel a little extra special! It’s also great for a place to set drink ware while hosting.
Recommended by You
I asked my followers over on Instagram to share their favorite and most useful kitchen items. Above is a selection of the most recommended items!
Shop your top kitchen must-have recommendations here. Plus, get 10% off on the cold brew pitcher (here!) using my code “KAYLA10”!
Tried & True
I asked a few of my good friends over on Instagram to share their top three must-have items for the at home chef, the expert baker and the wellness guru. Shop their picks here!
The Wellness Guru
Delaney Fello, Resilient & Rising
@resilient.rising
- Soap Shack Ritual Oil Cleanse Set by Tootsweet
- “home body” by Rupi Kaur
- Calm, Lavender and Harmony Essential Oils by Essence Maker
The Skilled Baker
Sirenna Patapis, Bake the Edge Off
@bakethedgeoff
The At Home Chef
Silvie Janssen, Seasoned by Silvie
@seasonedbysilvie
Give Back
While this Mindful Holiday Gift Guide is made up of useful and purposeful gift ideas, this year more than ever I see how important it is to help those in need. If you’re able, consider making a donation to your favorite charity or cause, or forgo gifting all together adopt a family in need to buy gifts for. That is what my family is doing this year and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
You can find giving trees in grocery stores and search online to find ways to give back to those in your community that need a little extra love or help this holiday season. Also, local animal shelters are always open for donations to help provide the care that the animals need!
Support Small
Looking for some more small businesses to support this season? Click here to see a list of some of my favorites!
With all of that being said, I hope you have a very safe and happy holiday season!
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