If you are just now in the thick of shopping for gifts for friends, family, clients, faraway relatives, etc., I have a few suggestions. These are items that were pitched to me that I just loved, or things I want myself!
Agoura Hills Mom 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
The Winter Collection from DavidsTea
DavidsTea is a loose-tea shop that has locations in US and Canada. A new one just opened at The Village at Topanga, the new outdoor mall in Woodland Hills. Their teas are old-school loose teas, for better flavor. The Winter Collection is a group of 5 flavors – including hot chocolate, which smells amazing, like a chocolate dream with way fewer calories – and it comes with a set of biodegradable filters (or make-your-own tea bags).
Or you can gift this set with a pretty holiday infuser mug. Just put the tea in the strainer, pour hot water over it into the mug, and steep.
Winter Collection – $25, available in store only (see here for locations – the Woodland Hills store is at The Village: 6316 Topanga Canyon Blvd Suite 1115, Woodland Hills, United States, 91367)
Holiday infuser mug – $23 available also online
2016 Nobody Hikes in LA wall calendar
For your LA hiker. I post about hiking here all the time, so obviously I am your LA hiker. But please, don’t all order this for me at once. What will I do with 50 of them? Maybe I would give them away on the blog. But you don’t want to get presents for strangers who read my blog. Seriously, it’s enough that you had the thought. Just order one for the other avid hiker in your life.
Nobody Hikes in LA 2016 Calendar – $13 on lulu.com
Cloudpets Teddy
For your friend or relative who travels away from his or her children all the time. This bear syncs up to an iPad or iPhone, and you can record your voice and send it to that device, which will sync back to the bear. The bear will play your recorded message. The child will hug it and feel loved by you from afar. My son loves his Teddy! Not that I travel all that much, but when I do, it can come in handy.
Cloudpets Teddy – $29.99 (plus S&H) online. Free shipping for active military.
Above Us Only Sky by Michele Young-Stone
For the grownup reader. A novel about a young girl who was born with wings, her connection to her Lithuanian heritage. Flips between 1980’s and World War II, and told with a lovely, light touch. Here’s my review on my personal site. I think it’s my favorite book of 2016.
Above Us Only Sky – $21.24 on Amazon
Books For Kids
Fiction: Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman A dad goes out to buy milk and falls into a fantastic adventure. I can totally see Gaiman telling his children this story himself. Great illustrations and just a fun read for kids.
For the young reader who loves non-fiction: Guinness World Records 2016 book boasts loads of fresh topics including YouTube, hacking, pirates (the swashbuckling variety), apps and more! Video game fanatics will be ecstatic when they discover the Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer’s Edition features more than 20 pages on the global gaming sensation Minecraft! And of course this must-own reference on video games features all new records for revered gaming franchises like Super Mario Brothers, Legend of Zelda and much more.
Fortunately, The Milk – $5.39 on Amazon
Guiness World Records 2016 & Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer’s Edition – $16.00 and $8.57 on Amazon
Ninja Nesting Dolls
These mini-nesting dolls could be for the kids or for a whimsy-loving adult. They are so small – the largest is only 4.5″ tall – and so badass. How could you NOT love them?
Ninja Nesting Dolls – $12.59 by The Original Toy Company on Amazon
What’s on your wish list? Merry Christmas, everyone!
I received samples of some, but not all, of the above products. All opinions are my own.
