Such a great guide! I admit, I only use gift guides to gift myself. Can't wait to try the Archer Wren undies and considering getting the nameplate necklace with the word "resist".
I started smiling as soon as I saw this, because I was hoping/waiting for you to put out a Gift Guide, and probably should have asked! You have such good sense about these things!!! I have been mostly deleting the gift guides that have been filling up my inbox, because they're mostly stupid/impractical/WAY too expensive.
I made handmade jewelry and/or small ornaments for almost all of my friends this year. I bought/sourced the materials throughout the year. I got a couple of small gift cards for those who don't care for these things. I'm going to bake cookies and quick bread for people at church and neighbors. I've had some big expenses this year, and I'm making do the best I can with what I have :)
8 hrs agoLiked by Virginia Sole-Smith, Corinne Fay
Burnt Toasties will know how I feel about receiving clothing 🤣
I’m committing to buying local when I can. I have plans for Julia Turshen’s book. We also are going for more experience based gifts, like restaurant gift cards, etc. my husband and I don’t do a lot of Christmas shopping, outside of our kids, but I’m a fan of random, I-saw-this-and-thought-of-you gifts, so this is a nice reference.
I love gift guides even though I rarely buy for others off them! I’ve mentioned before my mom likes to buy clothing as gifts so this weekend I updated everyone’s measurements so she could be prepared!
I asked my mom to rehang my art and to help me purge both my and my kids’ closets- these tasks feel very insurmountable to me and I remember her helping me before my second kid was born and it was the best gift ever. I am into experience gifts now and my mom, sister, and bonus sister (my college roommate) all went to afternoon tea to celebrate our birthday early this weekend too.
I have been really into rings lately though so I may add this for anyone who is looking to get me something!
I mostly like to get people books as gifts because my family tend to utilize the library more and it feels special for me to provide fresh books for their shelves every year! The last couple years I was able to get personalized signed books from author events for my fam and I’m looking to see who I missed because most of them were in September.
I agree clothes are too personal to buy for people and sizing is hard and people can get upset if you get something that’s too big or too small etc. the only clothing I buy as a gift is nice roomy pyjamas/cozy robe for friends who just had a baby. Everyone needs sleepwear and it’s nice to give moms pretty pyjamas so they feel good if guests pop over to see baby. Also a robe is a good gift bc people want it big so you can aim for the largest reasonable size for the person and know it will work.
10 hrs agoLiked by Corinne Fay, Virginia Sole-Smith
I speak only in adoring superlatives of this gift guide. The best. The useful-est. The charming-est. I already bought one item and have my eye on two others. Thank you!!
I felt the same way!!! Corinne is like a wise sage--she knows what goes with what, what clothing is worth buying, what products are decent and sustainable, what makes a good gift--just the BEST!!!
Oooh that is a great point! I’m 5’5”ish and even I find it a bit too deep sometimes? But overall still more comfortable than hovering over a chair I’m afraid I’ll crush!!!!
Super fun, Corinne! Always fun to read your posts. I love a great gift guide. I especially love the boots and jewelry on your list. One super fun thing I am excited to give this year is a recipe tin box from Rifle Paper Company. The prints are so cute, and I love a recipe box. Vintage ones on etsy are super fun too for your favorite cook.
Julia's cookbook arrived Sunday. I'm preparing my first meal from it tonight, the farro with root veggies on page 49. Looking forward to all of the soothing prep, the aroma as the veggies roast, plating and eating, of course. It's a very cool cookbook. "Simply Julia" was among my favorites, but I think I love "What Goes With That" even more. Such a practical guide.
You still shouldn't buy the denim shacket even if it's on sale. It's still ridiculously expensive! Think how many of the wonderful things on your great gift guide that you could buy for that amount!
I love practical and functional gifts like new Fiesta dishware or that stool. I'd love to receive a practical bra, underwear and socks frankly. For a few special friends, I'm gifting a great Fat Folks tarot deck that was limited edition. Family - ethnically sourced spices from Madagascar, local wine, honey, and maple syrup.
Has anyone had the Charlotte Stone boots that can speak to the width? I have a high instep & wide feet and am always nervous to try them but am absolutely obsessed with the way they look!!!
I know Virginia has some Charlotte Stone sneakers... I bet you could also email and ask if they could measure the width? I love that they put the length measurements on their size chart but they should include width, too!
You could definitely email them (because returns are a little annoying). I have size 9.5-10 feet that are a little on the wide side and take a CS 41 -- this does not work with their cute heels, but I have Martino clogs and the (ok confession this is why I didn't get these boots) crazy cowboy boot style and they fit so well.
I saw so many collapsible stools at balloon fiesta this year! I didn’t know what they were, because I saw people carrying them, not using them. Brilliant for people of all ages.
Such a great guide! I admit, I only use gift guides to gift myself. Can't wait to try the Archer Wren undies and considering getting the nameplate necklace with the word "resist".
I have wondered about this a lot actually, if gift guides are mostly for our own shopping?? I love the nameplate idea! 💜
I'm digging those Charlotte Stone boots.
I started smiling as soon as I saw this, because I was hoping/waiting for you to put out a Gift Guide, and probably should have asked! You have such good sense about these things!!! I have been mostly deleting the gift guides that have been filling up my inbox, because they're mostly stupid/impractical/WAY too expensive.
I made handmade jewelry and/or small ornaments for almost all of my friends this year. I bought/sourced the materials throughout the year. I got a couple of small gift cards for those who don't care for these things. I'm going to bake cookies and quick bread for people at church and neighbors. I've had some big expenses this year, and I'm making do the best I can with what I have :)
Those sound like such nice gifts!! I love getting homemade ornaments and food!
Awww, thank you!!! <3 Not everyone loves something not bought at a store! Lucky for me, the people I'm closest to are the kind that do :)
Burnt Toasties will know how I feel about receiving clothing 🤣
I’m committing to buying local when I can. I have plans for Julia Turshen’s book. We also are going for more experience based gifts, like restaurant gift cards, etc. my husband and I don’t do a lot of Christmas shopping, outside of our kids, but I’m a fan of random, I-saw-this-and-thought-of-you gifts, so this is a nice reference.
I love gift guides even though I rarely buy for others off them! I’ve mentioned before my mom likes to buy clothing as gifts so this weekend I updated everyone’s measurements so she could be prepared!
I asked my mom to rehang my art and to help me purge both my and my kids’ closets- these tasks feel very insurmountable to me and I remember her helping me before my second kid was born and it was the best gift ever. I am into experience gifts now and my mom, sister, and bonus sister (my college roommate) all went to afternoon tea to celebrate our birthday early this weekend too.
I have been really into rings lately though so I may add this for anyone who is looking to get me something!
I mostly like to get people books as gifts because my family tend to utilize the library more and it feels special for me to provide fresh books for their shelves every year! The last couple years I was able to get personalized signed books from author events for my fam and I’m looking to see who I missed because most of them were in September.
Books make the best gifts!
I agree clothes are too personal to buy for people and sizing is hard and people can get upset if you get something that’s too big or too small etc. the only clothing I buy as a gift is nice roomy pyjamas/cozy robe for friends who just had a baby. Everyone needs sleepwear and it’s nice to give moms pretty pyjamas so they feel good if guests pop over to see baby. Also a robe is a good gift bc people want it big so you can aim for the largest reasonable size for the person and know it will work.
That’s a nice gift!! Would love to know which robes / pajamas you recommend.
yes! would love a robe recommendation!
Consider this an urgent and retroactive ask for a Corinne Gift Guide!! I haven’t even read past the first two paragraphs and I’m all in.
I speak only in adoring superlatives of this gift guide. The best. The useful-est. The charming-est. I already bought one item and have my eye on two others. Thank you!!
Thanks, Becky 💜💜💜
I felt the same way!!! Corinne is like a wise sage--she knows what goes with what, what clothing is worth buying, what products are decent and sustainable, what makes a good gift--just the BEST!!!
Is the collapsible stool theeeeeeee gift of 2024? Maybe so!! Family white elephant gift solved?
In a fit of not-like-me frugality, I decided I had enough boots and did not order those CS boots a few weeks ago. I continue to admire them from afar.
(well, two stools, one for me, one for someone else?)
I think the stool is actually a GREAT white elephant!!! I admire your restraint in not ordering the boots!!
I love a good gift guide! Just a heads up - the camping chair is not super comfortable if you're short like me (5'2") but my husband does love it!
Oooh that is a great point! I’m 5’5”ish and even I find it a bit too deep sometimes? But overall still more comfortable than hovering over a chair I’m afraid I’ll crush!!!!
Super fun, Corinne! Always fun to read your posts. I love a great gift guide. I especially love the boots and jewelry on your list. One super fun thing I am excited to give this year is a recipe tin box from Rifle Paper Company. The prints are so cute, and I love a recipe box. Vintage ones on etsy are super fun too for your favorite cook.
That’s a great gift and I agree about rifle paper company - such pretty things!!
Julia's cookbook arrived Sunday. I'm preparing my first meal from it tonight, the farro with root veggies on page 49. Looking forward to all of the soothing prep, the aroma as the veggies roast, plating and eating, of course. It's a very cool cookbook. "Simply Julia" was among my favorites, but I think I love "What Goes With That" even more. Such a practical guide.
Oooh hooray! That recipe looks so good, I hope you love it!!
You still shouldn't buy the denim shacket even if it's on sale. It's still ridiculously expensive! Think how many of the wonderful things on your great gift guide that you could buy for that amount!
Oh I won’t be! My size is sold out anyways 🙃
I love practical and functional gifts like new Fiesta dishware or that stool. I'd love to receive a practical bra, underwear and socks frankly. For a few special friends, I'm gifting a great Fat Folks tarot deck that was limited edition. Family - ethnically sourced spices from Madagascar, local wine, honey, and maple syrup.
Oh wow, fat folks tarot deck sounds incredible!
Omg thank you for this guide!!!
Has anyone had the Charlotte Stone boots that can speak to the width? I have a high instep & wide feet and am always nervous to try them but am absolutely obsessed with the way they look!!!
I know Virginia has some Charlotte Stone sneakers... I bet you could also email and ask if they could measure the width? I love that they put the length measurements on their size chart but they should include width, too!
You could definitely email them (because returns are a little annoying). I have size 9.5-10 feet that are a little on the wide side and take a CS 41 -- this does not work with their cute heels, but I have Martino clogs and the (ok confession this is why I didn't get these boots) crazy cowboy boot style and they fit so well.
That name necklace! So good 💖
I saw so many collapsible stools at balloon fiesta this year! I didn’t know what they were, because I saw people carrying them, not using them. Brilliant for people of all ages.
OH my gosh, it is really the PERFECT thing for balloon fiesta! Really easy to tote around.
I love reading gift guides. Thanks for sharing!