Our Holiday Wish List
Like any other upstanding blogger on the interwebs, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks neck-deep crafting holiday wish list ideas and gift guides for you! I’ve been going cross-eyed staring at my screen, categorizing gift ideas “for the traveller”, “for the foodie”, “experience gifts”, etc. And, like any other living, breathing human being my choices do, to an extent, reflect my own preferences.
That means you won’t find nick-nacky, gag-gifts or low-quality items in our guides. Why? Not that we don’t appreciate a budget (hey, we get it) but our own personal style is one of quality over quantity. And, if you’re one of our readers, that’s likely you too! We prefer to invest in (and give) gifts that satisfy one or more of these criteria:
- Add long-term value to someone’s life (heirloom gifts)
- Will (if it’s a physical item) stand the test of time (no fast-fashion here)
- Creates an opportunity for real connection
- Makes someone’s life better, easier, and more simplified
- Contributes to someone’s well-being
- Makes space for creating memories
We’re both big fans of sustainable gift-giving, reducing waste, and avoiding giving gifts that will end up in the trash, on a shelf, or in a box. We’re also fans of simplicity. That means, rather than having someone take a stab in the dark when it comes to gift giving why not just tell them? Let’s be honest – I’m 40 this year and my parents still ask “What’s on your wishlist this year?”.
So in that vein, we’ve started a tradition of sharing our own wishlists each year. We hope this serves as inspiration for you too (and helps our parents with their annual question)!
Functional Travel Gift Ideas
This is a quick list of some functional items that make a lot of sense for frequent travellers or adventuers. Great sunglasses are always on our lists (we go through them quicker than most) and I couldn’t survive without collapsible dishes (we have the cups but we’re dying for a set of STOJO mugs). Any traveller knows packable bags are a must. You’d be surprised how often we say “I wish we had a hammock here” and, with car camping on the rise a custom-fit air mattress would be an amazing addition to our kit!
Sara’s Wish List
Before you come for me, let me say my piece. This is a WISH list. Some of the items here are investments! I use these wishlists each year to stay focused on what I want and need and more often than not, I wind up making these purchases for myself. It’s actually a great way to avoid impulse shopping and practice mindful consumerism for me. But, since we’re here…let’s start with the bougiest of my wishlist, shall we?
The Beis Weekender Bag. What can I say? I’m a bougie, bougie gal and this bag is at the top of my ongoing “luggage I gotta have” list. Also on the list is the Manao Ana Changing Robe (isn’t she a beauty?). I promised myself that if I made it to season 2 of ice plunging, I’d invest in this robe. I made it…but haven’t quite invested yet!
Adult Super Swaddle from Goosebumps. I’ve had my eye on the super swaddle for a while now and haven’t pulled the trigger. Perfect for frequent travellers! They’re super thin (which means packable) and I ALWAYS have/want a blanket on my lap.
Capsule Wardrobe Additions
White leather court shoes. I made the mistake of purchasing fabric white shoes and they’re impossible to keep clean. Now that I’ve worn them out, it’s time for an upgrade. These re-leather court shoes from Everlane are made of 50% recycled leather and 50% non-leather materials but there are also more budget-friendly options like these KEDS you can grab on Amazon. PLUS, high-quality ankle socks are a serious gap in my wardrobe. I have more merino wool (the only kind I wear) hiking socks than I know what to do with but what I NEED are merino ankle socks! I love darn tough because they’re backed by a lifetime warranty!
100% Merino Wool Tanks, Tees & Long Sleeves
If you’ve attended any of my capsule wardrobe workshops you know I’m a big fan of Merino wool because it lasts forever. Investing in basic colours (black, grey, white) of 100% merino wool will never disappoint. These are at the top of my list.
Note: I recommend sizing up if you’re planning to wear these as everyday essentials. They’re meant as base layers which means they fit close to the body so I always opt for XL (I’m usually a L). You’re also looking for at least 85% merino wool – better if it’s 100%!
A packable mid-length puffer jacket is something every traveller should have but, somehow, I don’t! Personally, I find transition jackets harder to come by. As a traveller, you want something that’s versatile, warm and still packable (no one likes travelling with a parka in tow, am I right?). I’ve also got the men’s Herschel supply raincoat on my personal wish list (in medium).
Take It Outside Gift Cards – like Brent, most of my wardrobe comes from TIO! Beyond that, I’m also on the market for a great pair of hiking sandals (size 10… for anyone who’s wondering) and Glerups finally released a slip-on with a rubber sole!
Brent’s Wish List
Brent is SO funny – he always says he “needs nothing” but, as his partner in life and business, I can tell you a different story. He wears the hell out of his darn tough socks and could use a few more pairs in neutral colours. He also walked holes in his OnClouds this year and hasn’t replaced them yet (these are the BEST walking shoes we’ve found) and is forever “borrowing” my noise-cancelling headphones.
Daily Essentials That Brent is Missing:
He could also use a solid raincoat, like this gem from Herschel supply. I actually know someone who has this coat and they claim it’s the BEST!
Our Travel Tech Wish List
There are some things, if you’re not a traveller yourself, you’d never know are gold! Things like a laptop stand that takes the strain off your neck (hello…my neck hurts every day), an adjustable leather camera strap (the strap that comes standard totally sucks), and a drop-proof laptop case! If you’ve seen our Ultimate Travel Gift Guide, this will look familiar but we’re including a few things twice because they’re that good.
Sara’s Book List
As I mentioned in our “Favourite Things Gift guide”, we read a lot! But that doesn’t stop me from having an ever-growing list of books I’d like to devour. And, happily, books make wonderfully simple gifts for any bookworm in your life. Here’s what’s currently on my “must-read” list!
Household Wish List
Whether you own a house or live in a rental, there’s always a list a mile long of things you want or need. Cozy, decadent throws like this one are a simple gift that works in most households! We’re also obsessed with brushed-cotton linens (after sleeping in some amazing accommodations this year).
Ikea Gift Cards – Ikea gift cards are one of those things you can never go wrong with. We’ve got our eye on a cowhide for the dining room along with sheepskin throws for our living room and a handful of other decor items.
Our Couples Wish List
Stop your scroll! If you’ve got couples on your list this year, stop right here! We’ve got a wish list of our own that I think will help if you’ve got couples on your list.
Photoshoots – We take more photos than most, sure. But who doesn’t love having some special lifestyle photos? The beauty of this gift is that many couples never pull the trigger and spend the money so if you do it for them, you’re the hero. Here are a couple of Halifax-based lifestyle photographers we’d love to work with again or for the first time:
- Katherine Gillis – Katherine Gillis Photography
- Genevieve Reynolds – Genevieve Reynolds Photography
- Jenna Crowell – Mountain Primitive (have worked with her, and loved it)
Experience Gifts – we’ve already curated a full experience gift guide and these make perfect gifts for couples!
Did you find our holiday wish list helpful? Do you have any other great gift ideas? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out out other guides:
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You guys are awesome! Thanks for sharing so many great ideas 🙂
Wow, thanks for all the great ideas. We are trying to focus on experiences and gift cards instead of “stuff”
Great ideas!
my wish list includes comfy socks
Beautiful gifts
The clutter after the holidays drives me nuts! I would much rather not receive a present than get something wasteful just for the sake of the exchange. Sometimes we do donations to small, local charities in lieu of physical gifts and I love it!
Donations are such a lovely idea. I couldn’t agree more – getting a “thing” that you don’t want or need just for the sake of a gift is (to me) very wasteful and that energy, time, money & love could go somewhere more meaningful
There are so many great travel gifts.
I keep coming back for gift ideas
Smart choices and good taste Sara and Brent.