Just for fun, and because I love when someone I trust shares what favorite gifts they’ve given or gotten, I put together a list of some affordable favorites. I hope my Favorite Things Gift Guide helps you with your holiday shopping (and/or self-care!) this season. If you’re looking for books to gift, here’s my full list of bookworm gifts for 2024.
BEAUTY
Game-changers, I tell you.
Empress facial stone: I haven’t entered the botox/filler world and don’t plan to anytime soon (just personal health reasons) But I swear by using my Gua sha facial sculptor to minimize wrinkles, decrease tension, and tone down puffiness. I use it 3-4 times a week before bed. This one is a really nice one and 20% off right now, but you can always start with a cheaper one. This one is more than half off and comes with a jade roller too.
Sol de Janeiro body mist: I can’t get enough of this scent. I don’t always wear perfume, but spritz this on when I’m going out and sometimes at the gym to subdue the stink.
Benefit Brow setter: I’ve tried at least five different brow gels and this is the best! Helps you have fuller brows with the lamination effect that stay in place all day.
NYX Blush: My teenager and I just started using this $10 blush and we love it! She likes the baby pink My Butta Half and I like With Time.
Shape tape concealer: This is a really lightweight, creamy concealer for everyday color correction. I like the light-medium shade.
Nars concealer
If you need something with a bit more coverage, this is my favorite! I use Cafe au Lait.
Maracuja Lipstick: Obsessed with this lipstick. It’s what I wear on Good Things Utah and hot dates. Cherry Blossom is the perfect shade.
Ilia Foundation and a dupe: I’m a diehard for Ilia products and use their Super Serum Skin Tint (in Kai) every day. I wanted to find something similar for my teenager. A specialist at Ulta raved about the E.L.F. Halo Glow Liquid Filter. It has a little shimmer to it that catches light and makes your face look dewy. My daughter loves it and I use it sometimes too, either as a primer or light foundation. Hard to beat at $14!
Favorite lip gloss under $10: This grocery store gloss is just the best and so many of you bought it when I shared about it in a previous email. I have four or five tubes of it but my favorite colors right now are Sun and Pearl. Just a nice natural shimmer.
HEALTH & FITNESS
My go-tos.
Athleta leggings: I’ve used these high-waisted leggings for years and got so much wear out of them before replacing because I love them so much. years ultra high-rise in the perfect flattering fit. I size down one to XS. Some colors are half off right now.
V2K Nikes: These sneakers had been on my list for a long time and Clay surprised me with them as an early graduation present. I love them. So comfy, supportive for all kinds of workouts, including my daily old lady walks around the neighborhood. I wear 9 in Nikes (a half size up from my usual).
Free People dupe Pullover: I always get compliments on this. Cozy, warm, and so cute with leggings.
Curcumin (turmeric) supplement: If I had to only take ONE supplement all my life this would be it. My functional med practitioner recommended this specific brand and I notice a difference when I don’t take it. It decreases inflammation and boosts immunity. If you struggle with achey joints, curcumin has been shown to help!
Magnesium: This is another daily must for me. I take it before bed to sleep. It relaxes your brain and muscles and I swear it calms my endless nighttime brain chatter. This is the kind my functional med gal recommends.
Melatonin: I occasionally take melatonin to help me sleep. Did you know it not only helps with better sleep but can boost your immune system, decrease symptoms of seasonal depression, and regulates menstrual cycles? I like this brand because it also has the added benefits of chamomile, lavender, L-Theanine, and elderberry. On sale right now.
Greens & Electrolytes cocktail: I know, every influencer talks about MixHers and I was on the fence for awhile but started putting their greens in my water with my favorite electrolytes and love how they make me feel. Get a discount with my code KimC. (I also love their hormone-friendly energy mix, HerPower, and the immune support mix. I swear it protected me from two sicknesses that passed through everyone in my family except me.) If you want to try the Redmond electrolytes, get 15% off here.
COZY THINGS
To help you not hate winter.
Ugg dupes: I’ve been living in these since they came in the mail. If you’re between sizes, size down.
World’s best sweats under $20: H&M have the most comfy sweats, hands-down. I just got these sweatpants and they’re crazy comfy. I got this hoodie to match, too. I usually wear small but like them big and cozy so I sized up to medium in both.
Favorite wireless bras: My tried and true wireless bra from Gap is on sale for $19 right now! I also just got this one and have fallen in love with the comfort and shape it gives.
Comfiest everyday socks: My teenage daughter and I wear these quarter-length socks and they’re so soft!
Checkered blanket: Every living room needs this comfy, cute checkered blanket. Makes a fun gift, too. You could pair it with a book, socks, and my favorite herbal tea!
Alarm clock: I’m a big believer in the no-phones-in-bedrooms thing and searched far and wide to find an alarm clock that wasn’t too loud and din’t make annoying beeping sounds to wake me up. This $30 one is a winner. I can dim the light as high or low as I want, and I wake up to the loveliest birdsong every morning.
KIDS
A few foolproof gifts my kids have loved.
NatGeo subscription: My mom has gifted this NatGeo animal magazine subscription to my kids for as long as I can remember. They devour these magazines! I love how well-designed and educational they are.
Kids Kindle: Giving my kids a Kindle to read at night in bed and on trips has upped their interest in reading significantly. This is the one we have for our kids.
Yoto Mini Player: This is one of my favorite purchases I’ve made for my kids, ever. It’s a screen-free audiobook, music, and podcast player for kids! The content is so high quality and has provided hours of entertainment and learning for my kids. I first got the full-size one for my daughter when she was six, then got the mini version for my son when he was nine or ten. The mini is my favorite because you can travel with it and it just takes up less space. We have this card organizer too. You can get it from the Yoto site for 10% off with this link.
Gabb Phone and Watch: I’m so grateful Gabb was around when it was time to give my daughter her first phone. It’s completely safe for kids, no social media, no internet browsing, and safe texting and calling. I love the parent app I can easily monitor everything from. My younger two kids have the watches and they’re the best. With my code KIMBERLY, you can still get a FREE Gabb Phone 4 or Gabb Watch 3e + a FREE accessory with any device purchase!
FOR YOUR MAN
Husbands can be a tricky to buy for but we’ve both very much enjoyed every one of these gifts. 😉
Coconu: It has to be said, this product is very important in my age and stage of life. Ha. The texture and ingredients are perfect. Obviously any man would jump for joy to get this in his stocking with a spicy little note/coupon. Get it here.
True Classic Tees: Hands-down my favorite short-sleeved t-shirt on my man. Hot damn. Seriously, trust me on this one. The pack with the best colors is still on sale right now. You’re so welcome.
Bylt long-sleeve tee: My favorite *long-sleeved* tee on my man. I can’t even tell you. Just slap one of these on him and let the rest unfold. It’s the fit, the fabric, the color, the drop hem. Created to bless the female gaze worldwide. Storm is an excellent color choice. It’s gonna be working up some storms in you, okay? It’s fitted, so size up if you don’t want it too tight. (But you might, ya know?)
Invictus Victory Elixir: I mean, the name says it all. We went on a group date when Clay was wearing this and even his guy friends were all over him, asking what cologne he was wearing.
That’s a wrap! Happy thoughtful shopping.
xo
Kim
