Gift Guide 2024: Your Recs and Some Fun Gifts

Time for another round of ideas and gift suggestions, and this week we are starting with comments from you all on previous gift guides!

NB: Some of our links are affiliate coded, which sends a portion of your purchase back to us, and no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for using our links, and if that’s not your thing, no worries! All opinions expressed in this post are my own, unless I’m quoting someone, and they’re all brilliant. 

Rebecca recommended something I think I really, really want (so tell me what you want, what you really really want):  electric mattress pads.

I have purchased multiple people in my life electric mattress pads for Christmas (including ourselves) and it really is the peak of winter luxury to get into a pre-warmed bed.

I want to get into a pre-warmed bed RIGHT FREAKING NOW.  I recently stayed at an AirBnB in Burlington, Vermont, and wow, the heater under the flat sheet was something I’d never experienced and it was TERRIFIC.

There are all sorts of sizes, including King and California King. But knowing that my husband would rebuke a heated mattress as much as I covet one, I’m looking at one-side only pads, or multi-zone pads.

The Caperia Multi-zone heated mattress pad has FOUR zones, two on each side for body and feet!

Multizone Waterproof Heated Mattress Pad, $150/King size

I may need a moment to compose myself. I feel like a whole new world has opened up for me. And my cold extremities. I could get a twin sized one just for my side, now that I think about it .

Rebecca also mentioned:

I’m also saddened to report that pottery barn’s faux fur ruched throw is indeed incredible, I bought it for myself two years ago on a black Friday sale as an outrageous indulgence and it is so lovely and heavy and cozy and ridiculous and I do not share from November until at least March

Ok, this is just terrible: the faux fur ruched throw IS gorgeous. Thank you, Rebecca!

Mary K linked to a magnetic pickup tool that looks EXTREMELY handy. (That is all I will say because I think I know who this would be a good gift for. )

Magnetic Pickup Tool with LED lights, $17

I love how Mary’s algorithm is working for me, too. Thank you!

Zileen linked to this awesome DiFold origami water bottle:

DiFOLD Origami Bottle, $34

That would be extremely useful.

I know many people gift calendars – and there are many to choose from. LML recommended Art for Everyday Online:

…a small business favorite that I purchase every year: Art for Everyday desk or poster size calendars. Dogs, Flowers, or artist Kate Libby design.

They’re VERY cute!

KKW recommended Ground Up, where you can get fresh milled flour! There are MANY to choose from, too.

I also have a few useful and nifty kitchen gifts. I love getting kitchen tools that are useful (we cook a LOT a lot) and aren’t necessarily things I’d buy for myself.

We use the electric kettle all the time, and have bought one for a few people. It lives on the counter, and our house/pet sitters tell us how much they love it, too.

Cuisinart Electric Kettle, 1.7L, $99

This is not a very romantic gift, but I love having it:

Emergency Fire Blanket, Two for $18

I used a Command hook to mount this blanket on the inside of a cabinet drawer directly behind our cooktop. I also sent one with my older child this fall for their first apartment. We also have fire extinguishers on each level of the house, but I feel better having both.

Sometimes I go look at the whole OXO storefront to see what’s new. We use our OXO items all the time, like these measuring cups:

OXO three piece measuring cup set, $24

Also, if you, like me, shop for cereal at Costco or Sam’s, and buy cereal because there are teenagers in your vicinity, may I recommend these cereal storage containers, which have held the Costco-sized bags of cereal with no problem.

The off-brand bagged cereal in the grocery store also doesn’t go stale as fast with these containers.

Snapware 22.8 Cup Cereal Storage Containers, Two for $20

(I love the off-brand cereal bags. They’re cheaper and most of them taste the same, like the frosted mini wheats clone. I LOVE frosted mini wheats.)(I love them so much.)

Speaking of cereals, look at these adorable individual cereal box puzzles!

Mini Cereal Box Puzzles, 100pc, six for $17

Did you know Foreman Grills are still a thing? They are! They’re dishwasher safe now, too!

George Foreman Fully Submersible™ Grill, $52

I know many folks love gifting mugs, and this one grabbed my attention:

My Tummy Hurts and I’m Mad At The Goverment mug, $15

Look Human has really great mugs. Like the one that reads, “I am small and sensitive but also fight me.”

I’m extremely curious about the tiny miniature book nook kits:

Storybook DIY Kit, Uncommon Goods, Multiple Designs, $35

Have you tried one of these? I am tempted every time I see one.

And this jigsaw puzzle is a murder mystery in and of itself:

Murder Most Puzzling 500 pc puzzle, Uncommon Goods, $20

And finally, doing a lot of my shopping via the Rakuten portal has been delightful. Many of the stores have kept their increased percentages, too. I still have a referral link good for a $40 cash back bonus when you spend $40. You’re welcome to use it and get extra cash for yourself!

What items have caught your eye recently? What’s on your holiday list?