Holiday gift guide - 2016 edition

Despite the depressing hell-portal that is the looming Trump administration, it's begun to look a lot like gift-giving season. Are you ready? Have it all mapped out? You may be laughing, Ha ha yeah right, who's got the time! You may wish I could be the recipient of your award-winning sneer, just for asking. But I've been thinking about gifts all year, especially since August. I love thinking about gifts. Do you? If not, don't fret. I've got some ideas for you, provided your gift can be late because I'm terribly delayed in posting this. (Ha! As if anyone cares. It's dark in this cave.)

Better late than never, welcome to my 2016 holiday gift guide!

This time my guide is very literal. I reveal what I'm actually spending money on and what I specifically wish for. The unifying elements appear to be practicality, nourishment, and zen. (Hey, it's been a tough year.) Let's dive in...

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My mom and dad and my partner's sister and her husband are getting the same thing.

A very high quality, American made, machine washable, wool throw blanket:

This blanket is $109 and never on sale. I've been wanting one for myself, but it feels, ya know, unnecessary. I'm hoping they are completely awesome and that they last for decades. I want everyone to fight over who gets to use it each night as they cozy in. I want it to become a family heirloom. That's the intention anyway.

I'm also giving my mom the Hamilton soundtrack and my dad a used book.

The blanket receivers, another set of sibling and spouse, and a cat-sitting friend will receive a custom collection of my home kitchen essentials:

This gift is heavily sourced from The Spice House. Depending on the recipient, the 'kitchen essentials gift' will also include a jar of homemade house spice (a jazzed up cinnamon), a beeswax wrapper, and perhaps a bag of locally roasted coffee beans. This gift will ultimately range in value from ~$30 to $60.

My partner and I each get something from my mom/parents and we're aiming to really make that one each. After wanting one for a very long time, I'm getting a Clarisonic Mia. For my beau we've asked for the Nintendo Classic reboot, which is sold out now but we'll get it eventually.

Five of the kids we buy for are getting books. This will be a big Shel Silverstein year:

Back to things for me, we have my online wishlist. This is the fodder for people who WILL buy me gifts, and request to know what I want. What I want? Hmmm... Okay, I'll include a few wants. But also a few extremely practical wants. On the cheaper end, Himalayan tea light holders, beeswax tea lights, and three colors of tinted lip balm. The most expensive item, a true, true want (which I believe would up my memory game) is a modern "polaroid" camera and film. The list contains things I collect (at least three cookbooks) and a few items that will upgrade my safety and preparedness game (I'm fun!). 

Gosh, is there anyone else? YES, how could I forget two family pollyannas (one more serious with a $100+ price point and one more silly, a generic "female" $25). Maybe for another day... 

For now, happy New Year, all. May it be our best one yet.