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10 Things to Give

Here are 10 0f my favorite things to give (and receive!) this year.

1. Personalized Pencils $7
There are few things more satisfying than having a nice cup of sharp pencils on your desk with your name on them. If you want to go beyond names you can write poetry, personal jokes. (photo via) ” Good for: a Coworker


2. A Poster of the Stars $50
Anything collected by the Hubble telescope is in the public domain. Which means anyone can use it for anything they want. Download the high res files here for free and send it off to the internet to print and you have yourself some lovely artwork. (via Michelle) Good for: a Brother


3. Book Consultation $75
All Erik Heywood does all day long is think about and research books. Old books and new books and hard to find books. You tell Erik what kind of books you are thinking about buying. (ie: I’m looking for books for my husband who is an artist. He likes books about artists and the creative process and especially art books.) Then Erik will put together a book list of 10 books he recommends. He will speak with you over the phone and tell you about each of the books and you can decide which ones to buy. I did this last year and I bought almost his entire list of books and Paul loved them. Honestly, one of the best things I’ve ever done. Good for: Anyone


4. A Pocket Axe $50
This pocket knife has an honest to goodness axe attached. You know, for those times you need to cut down a tree. Every dude I’ve told about this gets ridiculously excited. Good for: a Dad


5. Reference Guide for Leisure Time $7
I made one of these for Paul one year. Basically its a guide for when you find yourself with some free time. To make it you contact all your friends with great taste and expertise and ask them to make a list of 15 great movies or books or restaurants etc. Then you put all the information in a moleskine notebook based on category and you’ve done all the research for the interesting things they can do in their spare time. See more information here. Good for: a Lover


6. Pretty Scissors $18
If you are going to have a pair of scissors around, might as well make them beautiful. Good for: Someone who Appreciates Beautiful Things


7. Exotic Salts $12
These pretty make gorgeous presents for the person who probably has everything. (If you are in the Bay Area go to Boulette’s Larder in the Ferry Building and buy their custom spice mixes. They make the best presents ever.) Good for: A Foodie


8. A Sandwich from a New York Deli $40
Did you know Katz’s Deli in New York will overnight all the fixings anywhere in the US to make an authentic pastrami or corned beef sandwich? Good for: A former New Yorker


9. Instax Mini Camera $99
I still think these make the best presents. Instant film is so fun and I love having tangible pictures around. These are also great to take to a party. You can take pictures of people and then give it to them on the spot. (PS buy film off ebay, its really cheap.) Good for: A Camera Lover


10. Pantone Marker Set $483
A girl can dream can’t she? This Pantone marker set is priced a little out of my budget but maybe someone out there will get to own it. Good for: a Design Junkie


  1. Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!

    December 8, 2011

    This is a fab list! Love the idea of the book consultation!

  2. a lovely being

    December 8, 2011

    The book consultation sounds AMAZING! I’ve heard of Erik before – so cool. I think he might have my dream job. Anywho, very cool roundup of gifts (as to be expected).

    x fallon

  3. Hilltop Hausfrau

    December 8, 2011

    The markers are indeed uber-great. wonder if they have a layaway plan? Or maybe I could get a “just because” registry and friends could donate towards the set over several years for birthdays? Sigh…

  4. Sarah

    December 8, 2011

    Ohmygosh. I have seen a lot of gift guides on different blogs this season, and this one is by FAR my favorite. There are at least four of these that I’m 100% for sure going to do. THANK YOU!

  5. Misha

    December 8, 2011

    I LOVe all of these wonderfully thoughtful ideas for gifts. I pride myself in finding gifts that “mean something” and these are all so perfect.
    I’m loving the poacket axe for my hubster and the poster of the stars for my 5 year old son. Gosh. fabulous!
    oh, and that marker set, my husband would absolutely swoon over. (if a man is capable of swooning)

  6. Pinky

    December 8, 2011

    Luv the Instax Camera! Wish to have that one.

    Certainly all the gift suggestions are perfect for Christmas gift to family and friends!

    Thank you for sharing.

  7. Juliane

    December 8, 2011

    Awesome list!

  8. Nicole Underwood

    December 8, 2011

    Oh man, that pantone marker set!! *swoonsville*

  9. Joan

    December 8, 2011

    First of all, what’s with Pantone’s comeback all of a sudden? They’re everywhere! Second, I would LOVE to give those markers to my daughter for Christmas, but, alas, they’re out of my budget as well. I WILL be sending that axe to a couple people though!

  10. Mary

    December 8, 2011

    I’ve been eyeing the camera for some time. I want ALL these things…well maybe not the pocket axe though it looks awfully handy.

  11. Molly @thewaffler

    December 8, 2011

    My son would love, love, love the poster of the stars and my daughter would equally love the Pantone marker set (though it’s definitely on the pricy side). Me, I just want the corned beef sandwich.

  12. Jennifer

    December 8, 2011

    That book consultation is such a unique idea! I love it. I also love my Instax mini camera. My hubs gave it to me this year for my birthday : )

  13. Jenny

    December 8, 2011

    This guide is wonderful – thank you! When you say “Send it off to the internet” to be printed, do you have any favorites/recommendations? I’ve been looking for a large-format photo printing place/site/whatever for a while now.

  14. EMILY

    December 8, 2011

    Oh the book idea is so special and romantic. I love that.

  15. Miki

    December 8, 2011

    Oh, my! Those Pantone markers!!! 😀

    Hope you’re having a great week!

    Miki.

  16. Kate

    December 8, 2011

    Oh wow! Pantone Markers!!! It is too much, I would dry them up in a second! EEEEEEE…….might have to put this on list!

  17. bevy

    December 8, 2011

    I want some nice scissors! and it’s difficult to tell people this, because I don’t think they understand. these look great!

    I really like the reference guide. Great idea!

  18. andrea

    December 8, 2011

    Wow, I didn’t know these were in the public domain!

  19. Natasha

    December 8, 2011

    i am drooling over the markers but would settle for the colored pencils.

  20. sarah@boxwood

    December 8, 2011

    i always try and give something handmade by me to the hubs at christmas, i love your reference guide idea book, so fun. thanks. x

  21. Mara {A Blog About Love}

    December 8, 2011

    I want every single one of these. Can’t say that about any gift guide I’ve seen yet. & Erik – that man is so talented & one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. Miss his humor here in BK.

  22. canvasofculture

    December 8, 2011

    seriously one of my very favorite new sites! love this:)

    http://canvasofculture.blogspot.com/

  23. debbie

    December 8, 2011

    I just discovered your blog and am so glad I did! Now you’ve got me thinking about buying an Instax Mini Camera for myself…that one is just so adorable<3

  24. cara

    December 8, 2011

    out of all of the gift guides i’ve seen online this winter season, this is my favorite! 🙂

  25. Maddy

    December 9, 2011

    Your gift guides have given me so many good ideas! Any more?

  26. Jeannie

    December 9, 2011

    Jordan – thank you for the fuji camera idea – just got it for my hubby yay!!

  27. Susan

    December 9, 2011

    Great ideas! FYI the personalized pencils are such a great idea for an elementary school kid–Oriental Trading Company has much better prices than the link you included and they got good reviews on the site. Hope this helps someone!

  28. Stephanie

    December 9, 2011

    Great picks! I love my Pantone markers (I only have a handful though) and I gifted those very scissors to my friend Bev this year (college friend of @lizstan). So pretty and something you’d never buy for yourself. And now I think I’ll add the camera to my wish list too. My kids would love instant pictures.

  29. cdotha

    December 10, 2011

    I enjoyed the suggestions, but would it be too hard to ask not to gender two of the coolest? Why is the hubble print best for a brother? And why the Swiss Army knife best for a Dad? Seriously…I know plenty of ladies who would love these and lots of little girls who would kill for science related items.

      • jordan
      • December 10, 2011

      Hi cdotha! You can buy these for anyone! I only added a gender on those two because I was thinking they would specifically make great gifts for my father in law and for my brother. (I’m totally ordering the star picture for myself. I looove it.)

  30. houseofearnest

    December 14, 2011

    I saw the multi-tool and immediately bought it. It’s amazing. My husband is going to LOVE it!

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