gift guide – MeeshyD

gift guide, home

Dear Santa

December 12, 2019

I had grand ideas of putting together a bunch of shopping guides this holiday season, but let’s be real, it’s a lot more fun to compile a list of links to things I really want. Let’s call this my wish list for Santa…

I’m getting to the age that I’m just tired of crappy Tfal pots that last for about a year before getting all scratched up with loose handles. I’m ready for grown-up pots. From the moment I saw these Dansk pots on Cup of Jo a few months ago, I can’t get them off my mind. I think it would be the kind of pot I could leave on my stove and I know I’d use it over and over and over again.

I’m quite particular with my measuring cups. I get the heeby jeebys when I use any cooking products made of stainless steel. It’s something about the sound they make when they come into another metal object, so any stainless steel measuring cups are a no-go, but my current plastic ones drive me mad because the print on the handles wore out so I have to use deductive reasoning to figure out their measurements everytime I bake. It’s a drag. I found these ones by OXO that have the measurement engraved in the plastic. I fully plan on sending the link to Keith with a winky face and the word ‘xmas’.

I currently keep my salt in a little Mason jar next to my stove and it is life-changing to be able to grab a pinch of salt while I’m cooking to add some flavor. I’m ready to take my salt-by-the-stove situation to the next level with a dual compartment salt cellar (amazon). That way I wouldn’t have to go to the extra trouble to twist the lid off the Mason jar and I would be able to have an extra fancy Maldon salt (amazon) option in addition to my traditional table salt. Wow, I think I am obnoxious just reading that paragraph about, but I like what I like people!

Moving on from the kitchen portion of my Santa Wish List, let’s talk paper goods. I love a good set of stationery and this Rifle Paper Co set is the business. I prefer my cards to be pretty, but without any text so that my own words can shine. But seriously, I like a blank message so I can use it however I want. Sometimes ‘thank you’ just doesn’t fit the occasion!

I also love a good journal in my life. I’m a major devotee of Moleskin. I prefer their soft color journals so I can really get in there with my writing and notes. This one looks great, but you really can’t go wrong.

Okay, I’m just going to say this because you probably know by now that I’m into all sorts of woo woo shit. When I visualize the sucess I’m going to have with this blog, I picture a gold pen in my mind’s eye. Get it? Writing and spinning it into gold? I’d love to have this gold fountain pen to sign all of my future checks to myself with.

If we’re really going all out, I’d love it if Santa also brought me a MacBook Pro! Hah! They don’t call it a wish list for nothin’.

Last, but certainly not least… It gives me so much joy to play with my dog Jax, so I’d love it if someone bought us one of these Kong Wubbas. Jax can destroy one in just a couple of days, so I don’t usually buy them but I’d love it if Santa bought one for me.

Okay, I think that’s plenty of consumerism on my part.

What would you love it if Santa brought for you?

gift guide, just for fun, workplace

Gift Ideas for Co-workers

November 27, 2019

It’s Thanksgiving this week, which means that the holidays are sneaking up on us. Have you bought anything yet? I haven’t bought a single, solitary thing. I’m not really known for my planning capabilities so I’m not surprised and I’m not stressed quite yet. I maintain that time is an illusion, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to participate in the gift-giving season. There’s something special about this time of the year where you get an opportunity to express the love and appreciation you have for the people around you in a non-cheesy way. A gift is a perfect way to open that door, so I relish an opportunity to give a delightfully thoughtful gift to my coworkers during the holiday season.

Here are some ideas rolling around in my head for the special work friends in my life. My number one no-brainer tip to give a great gift is to actually know and observe the person you are buying. People give little clues and breadcrumbs about what they’d appreciate as a gift if you just pay attention. For example:

Do you see your coworker at the coffee machine every morning? If so, they’d probably love the accoutrements associated with their preferred beverage. Last year, I gave my coworker a ceramic tea steeping cup (amazon) and a bunch of loose leaf premium teas (amazon). It made me so happy to see her using it in the office this past year. If your coworker is into coffee, how fun would it be to give them a chemex (amazon) for the office? Their life would never be the same. No more crappy office coffee for them.

If your coworker shows up to meetings and studiously scribbles notes, it’s just a no-brainer to buy him or her an awesome notebook and pen. I swear by these big, wide moleskins (amazon) in a bright color. My colleague recently gave me U Brands pens (amazon) and they have been ultra delicious to write with.

Is your coworker constantly telling you about their latest weekend warrior trips? If so, get them something travel related. You can never go wrong with a great passport case (madewell) or luggage tag (madewell). It’s the gesture that counts the most.

What about the person who is constantly on their ear buds trying to tune out the loud talkers? Get them a case that fits their personality. I can’t stop thinking about this cute one from Rifle paper (rifle paper).

My work bestie is a busy mom trying to balance motherhood with her work. I know it’s not easy for her to carve out time for herself. I was thinking about getting her a self-care kit (body shop) and a nice bottle of wine. That way it’s just there when she needs it. She’d probably appreciate that more than a massage gift card because it requires no advanced planning.

I know this is probably the most obvious gift guide of all time, but I’d honestly be jazzed to receive any of the gifts I listed above from a coworker. Don’t overthink it. Just buy a token and use a card to express the way you feel. That’s all that matters anyway.

Do you have any gift ideas to add to this list?