Hey there! Welcome to the PMT Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide! I created this resource as a one-stop shop to share my tried and true favorite products that make great gifts.

I wanted to make shopping for gifts more convenient, so I put all my favorites in one place along with some fresh finds. That way, you don’t have to wait for or sift through multiple blog posts to find ideas. Instead, you can easily access all gift ideas in one place at the same time!

To quickly find this page at anytime this holiday season:

• Come here to the blog (www.puttingmetogether.com)
• Click the Holiday Gift Guide picture on the righthand sidebar (on a laptop) OR at the very bottom of this page (if you’re on a mobile device)

I hope this helps make holiday gift shopping smoother and quicker for you! 😊

About This Gift Guide

This gift guide contains two sections:

1. Tried & True Section – This section is mostly made of Audrey’s and some PMT team members’ favorites that we actually use or have given as gifts with happy recipients! A few items that we haven’t tried are sprinkled in here simply because it seemed helpful to put them under those categories.
2. Fresh Finds – Newer items (that we may or may not have tried yet) that worth checking out if you want fresh gift ideas. This section will be updated regularly throughout this holiday season!

Read more about each section below.

I hope this guide helps make gift-giving a less stressful and more joyful experience!

 

This section primarily contains items that my family and I have personally tried and that I can vouch for. You know that I can’t contain myself when it comes to sharing GREAT products, and it doesn’t stop at clothes. I LOVE sharing gift guides this time of year because it’s a chance for me to tell you about all the other fantastic products our family uses, too!

One thing to know about me is that I’m so not about gift guides full of pretty looking items that turn out to be junk. The items in the Tried & True section are some of my family’s favorite products—ones we’ve used for years and know will make great gifts!

This year we are also including some tried & true items that one of our teammates, Cecilia, loves and recommends.

I hope this gives you confidence in giving gifts that are both great quality and that have made people’s lives better!  

SIZING INFO: For reference, I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes. I list the size I wear for pieces in the descriptions.

 

1. Nickel & Suede Lightweight Leather Earrings – EASIEST gifts to give. So many styles, beautifully made, super great quality.  
2. Long Pendant Necklace – Super similar to the one I wear in every other outfit pic! 
3. Initial Short Pendant Necklace – My other current go-to necklace. This small addition packs a huge punch! For a lookalike that’s 1/5 the cost (!!) check HERE. Not sure about its quality though.
4. Belt Bag / Sling / Fanny Pack – This has become my go-to bag instead of crossbodies. I throw it around my shoulder instead of around my waist. Affordable and TONS of colors!
5. Travel Jewelry Organizer – PMT FAVORITE. Has a huge panel for jewelry—the only one I’ve found that can hold my Nickel & Suede earrings or any other statement earrings. Has a few zipper pockets.  Also fairly flat and doesn’t take up much space.
6. Daniel Wellington Watch – Classic – Compliment magnet! Sooo classy and goes with everything. You can find the smaller version HERE.
7. Daniel Wellington Watch – Black
8. Everyday Reversible Tote – My daily tote for years
9. Barefoot Dreams Cardigan – FAN FAVORITE. Super cozy and soft for lounging around the house.  Too heavy for me, but my sister and mother-in-law LOVE it. Washes extremely well—like new after years.
10. Butter Socks – For the person who loves all things soft and cozy!
11. UGG Slippers – Water-resistant fan favorites.
12. Thankful Sweatshirt – I don’t own this, but I want to! Available in S to 3XL. A similar option HERE with smaller lettering.
13. Sherpa Lined Waterproof Jacket w/ Hood – REALLY good jacket, especially at this price! Cozy and warm thanks to sherpa lining, but waterproof. And it’s lightweight, not heavy or bulky given how cozy it is! 5 colors. I wear size M. See it on me HERE.

 

1. L’Occitane Hand Lotion – Pretty lotion that works fairly well. Doesn’t get too greasy.  Love the little gift sets. I keep one in my bag, one in my car, and one on my desk.
2. Jack Black Hand Lotion – This became my new favorite hand lotion over the last 1.5 years. Works SOOOO well! (Better than L’Occitane, but those make prettier gifts. 😉) Soaks into hands fairly quickly, then leaves no grease or scent. Just soft hands!
3. Throw Blanket – EASY gift when you don’t know what to give. SUPER soft and fuzzy, and affordable. We have 3! Wash very well, don’t pill. Tons of colors.
4. Simple Modern Tumbler – Sleek straw tumbler for keeping drinks cold. Great design, fits in cup holders, lots of colors. 
5. Olive & June Nail Polish Kit – The mani and pedi systems are AWESOME! Yes, the nail polish is good too, but what got me hooked is the full kits! I used to never paint my nails because they’d chip after a day or two, and I thought it was a lot of work for nothing. The Olive & June system makes it quicker with its Polish Remover Pot (just swish your finger around a couple of times and it removes your polish!!), the clean up brush, the nail file and buffer, the cuticle serum (awesome btw!), and the patented bottle handle to help you paint with your non-dominant hand. And YES my polish actually lasted for more than 7 days when I prepped it right with all their tools. I also use the Quick Drying Drops add-on. You can get 20% off any polish system through my link, HERE. (And I’ll get a free polish.)
6. Foot File – I can’t find the exact one I own, but it’s by this brand. This thing is AMAZING. Best one I’ve tried!
7. Selfie Stand w/ Remote – My friend brought this out to take a group pic, and I instantly bought my own. Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $24 with 67,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
8. Hair Ties – The hair ties I’ve been using for nearly a couple of years. These are pricey BUT they keep your hair in place! Even my smooth, sleek hair that falls out of other hair ties.
9. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Duo – The spray is GREAT at keeping your makeup on, and this is 64% off! INSANE!
10. Jane Iredale Makeup Removing Mitt – Bought this last year and have used it everyday since. Helps remove all makeup with just water, and it really actually removes everything! This eliminates the need to use any wipes and creates way less waste. Another option is HERE, which is much thicker and a fan favorite though I haven’t used it.
11. Larkly SPF Mineral Sunscreen Powder – Was gifted this a while back and have been using it for many months now. I love that I can set my makeup and also know that I’m getting sun protection all in one. Also, SPF aside, this powder is really easy to use with it’s attached, retractable brush! 
12. Theracane Massager – Not a cute or pretty gift, but SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
13. Reusable Lidded Bowls – Leakproof bowl great for anyone who carries lunch or meals on the go. (Psst..great gift for teachers!) 3 colors.
14. Sugarfina Candies – Yummy, and they look beautiful! Friends always appreciate receiving them. Can buy a large multi-pack set for one person, or buy a 4-set of the same candies to divvy up as small gifts for multiple people.
15. Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette – Great palette for lots of skin tones!
16. Steel Straws w/ Silicone Tips – Better for the environment, and the silicone tip allows you to bite down and have some give like plastic straws do. Been using a set for a few years, but these colors are cuter than the ones I have!
17. Beauty Blender – Easy to gift—people always need a new one of these!
18. Makeup Brushes – Pair it with the gifts above for a makeup starter kit set.
19. Hydroflask Water Bottle – Keeps water cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 6. Tons of colors.

 

1. PMT Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides & Outfit Guides – Grab a gift card to the PMT Shop and give the gift of style with a PMT Outfit Guide! Help someone create a mix and match wardrobe and learn to put together outfits effortlessly.
2. PMT Wardrobe Staples Styler – For the friend who is beyond the basics and wants to have more fun with style.
3. Cultivate What Matters Powersheets Goal Setting Planner – Great gift for those who want to live intentional lives. I’m going on 6 years of using this. SO helpful for being intentional with your days, years, and LIFE!

 

I used to travel on average 12x per year for at least 10 years. That’s a LOT of trips, and I became a packing whiz! Some of the items below are my favorite items that have endured years of heavy travel and make traveling and packing more convenient and efficient.  

Many of these are great for both women and men.

1. GoToobs – BEST travel tubes. Don’t leak, easy to clean.
2. Packing Cubes – Game changers! We’ve gifted these many times, and EVERYONE reports how life-changing they are after they finally use them. Keeps your whole suitcase organized and makes traveling less stressful. Can throw these in the washing machine! This brand is also AMAZING. I’ve used the SAME SET for OVER 15 years with heavy travel, and they are still going strong!
3. Jewelry Travel Organizer – My favorite travel jewelry organizer because it has a huge panel for all my Nickel & Suede earrings! 😀  
4. Toiletry Bag – Not the prettiest, but I owned this for 12 years (!!!) with LOTS of use, and it totally held up until just this past year. 12 colors, 3 sizes available. I own Medium.
5. Portable Phone Charger – So practical, and anyone who is on-the-go constantly has been grateful we gifted them one of these.
6. Mother Lode Weekender Backpack– Carry-on volume backpack allows you to travel handsfree. Great reviews! Benson had one of these until we had kids and needed bigger bags. Slightly smaller version HERE.
7. Mother Lode Luggage – Our favorite luggage when traveling with kids. Top half is soft shell, bottom half is hard cased with adjustable organization compartments.
8. Hydroflask Water Bottle – My favorite! Keeps water cold and keeps you hydrated while traveling.
9. Clothing Steamer – Portable steamer ensures you look your best even when living out of a suitcase.
10. Toiletry Organizer
11. Daily Travel Backpack – Great reviews for everyday backpack for travel.
12. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker – Use it to find your keys, bag, or even phone. 4.5 stars with 27,600+ ratings.
13. Portable Air Purifier – I don’t own this, but it has great reviews. Small and battery operated, so you can take it to travel on flights, use in the car, or use in any room in your house to purify the air (which can help with allergies sometimes too!) There is a white one HERE and black one HERE.
14. 2-Port FAST Car Charger for iPhones and iPads – We use this, and it has 2 ports and charges *quickly.* 4,600+ awesome reviews. My mom got one after using ours and it was a huge game changer. (It was painfully slow trying to charge directly from her car otherwise!)
15. Travel Pillow w/ Face Hole – Looks so funny, but lots of people like it! Allows you to sleep face down without as much strain on your neck. Inflatable, so it deflates to become very compact.
16. Reusable Lidded Bowls – Leakproof bowl great for anyone who carries lunch or meals on the go. (Psst… great gift for teachers!) 3 colors.

 

1. Hydroflask Water Bottle – Keeps water cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 6. Tons of colors.
2. Apple Watch – Always a great gift!
3. Kindle Oasis – Appreciated by any avid reader.
4. Joggers – Husband’s favorite! Slim cut and look great all the time, especially with black Nikes.
5. Layering Tee – Super practical and affordable. Layer these under tops in the winter to stay warm.
6. Comfy Long Sleeve Tee – Benson just started wearing these, and they are SO COMFY! Medium wight and super soft with a good drape. He loves them!
7. Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
8. Cable Organizer – Small gift that makes commuting to work more enjoyable through organization.  
9. Black Jeans – These were game changers for Benson and our other friend who we gifted these to. Neither of them knew men’s jeans could be stretchy and so comfy! Also very affordable. The pair Benson owns are no longer available, but this should be a similar pair.
10. Electric Kettle – Lets you boil water at specific temps and keeps water hot long after you’ve turned it on.
11. City Map Print – Cool custom city map print for any city!
12. Sonos Move Smart Speaker – My husband (and our kids) move this around the entire house to play music. Portable and easy to use! Other smaller options are this Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – 39,000+ great reviews! Compact w/ a cool design. Or this Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – even smaller than the previous one. This Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker also has great reviews and several fun color options!
13. Leather Toiletry Bag – My husband doesn’t own this, but it’s SUPER affordable and looks more expensive than it is. 1,680+ great reviews!
14. Hanging Dopp Kit – Also super affordable with a sleeker design.
15. Slim Pocket Wallet – Cut the bulk and travel lighter. 1,650+ great reviews.  
16. LEGO Sets – LEGOs are not just for kids! With Addie getting more and more into LEGOs, Benson brought out his old childhood sets that his mom saved (crazy, I know!). He’s been back into building old sets and loving it!
17. Nike Dri-Fit Workout Tees – He works out 6 days a week and loves these! Lots of colors.
18. Portable iPhone / iPad Powerbank – Gifted the older version of this to a friend who is always out and about so he couldn’t charge his phone, and it changed his world.

 

1. Clothes Steamer – Forget ironing! Steaming clothes is way more fun and honestly a game changer!
2. Fabric Defuzzer – Not an impressive-looking gift, but my family members who are extremely utilitarian love this. Makes sweaters look like new!
3. Instant Camera – Always fun to bust out at parties!
4. Throw Blanket – EASY gift when you don’t know what to give. SUPER soft and fuzzy, and affordable. We have 3! Wash very well, don’t pill. Tons of colors.
5. Instant Pot – Gotta love these!
6. Sous Vide Cooker – Precision cooker allows you to cook the PERFECT meat/egg/veggies/anything, every single time—while not even paying attention to it! All my foodie-cousins use this.
7. Electric Kettle – Lets you boil water at specific temps, and keeps water hot long after you’ve turned it on.
8. Simple Modern Tumbler – Sleek design and tons of colors. 
9. Hydroflask Water Bottle – Our favorite! Keeps water cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 6. Tons of colors.
10. Dyson Vacuum – Cordless makes life so much easier.
11. Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
12. Roborock Robot Vacuum – We LOVE THIS! Many of you saw it in my Instagram stories last year, amazed at how this vacuums in beautiful straight lines (unlike others that are sporadic and miss spots). This also has a mopping feature to tidy up floors a bit better. It also uses sensor instead of cameras, so it can vacuum in the dark. It is pricey, but it is so, so, SO good.
13. Ninja Air Fryer – My mom LOVES hers! She cooks amazing fried chicken in it, and it’s so juicy but deliciously crispy—and healthier! 
14. Selfie Stand w/ Remote – My friend brought this out to take a group pic, and I instantly bought my own. Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $24 with 67,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
15. Steel Straws w/ Silicone Tips – Better for the environment, and the silicone tip allows you to bite down and have some give like plastic straws do. Been using a set for a few years, but these colors are cuter than the ones I have!
16. Sonos Move Smart Speaker – Our kids love to move this around the entire house to play music. Portable and easy to use!
17. Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier – Holds 500mL of water and lasts up to 10 hours! Has lots of light options.
18. Charcuterie Board 
19. City Map Print – Cool custom city map print for any city!
20. Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
21. Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (smaller)
22. Back and Neck Heating Massager – I don’t own this one, but it looks sooo nice to relax after a long day!
23. Shave Ice Maker – Ummm yes, please! Plus, it’s cute!
24. This Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker has great reviews and several fun color options!
25. Voluspa Candles – These smell SOOO good! They come in beautiful large glass jars and sets of smaller tins (that are easy to break up into multiple gifts).
26. Reusable Lidded Bowls – Leakproof bowl great for anyone who carries lunch or meals on the go. (Psst..great gift for teachers!) 3 colors.

 

1. Personalized Photo Calendars – SO good for my mom and Benson’s mom who are hard to shop for.  And you can do this every year! We create a calendar for them with pics of all their kids and grandkids.
2. Personalized Photo Collages – If you don’t want to go the calendar route, your parents will appreciate a photo collage too!
3. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker – Help parents keep track of their keys, bag, or even phone. 4.5 stars with 27,600+ ratings.
4. Barefoot Dreams Cardigan – FAN FAVORITE. Super cozy and soft for lounging around the house.  Too heavy for me, but my sister and mother-in-law LOVE it. Washes extremely well—like new after years.
5. Roborock Robot Vacuum – We recently got this and LOVE IT! Many of you saw it in my Instagram stories a while back, amazed at how this vacuums in beautiful straight lines (unlike others that are sporadic and miss spots). This also has a mopping feature to tidy up floors a bit better. It also uses sensor instead of cameras, so it can vacuum in the dark. It is pricey, but it is so, so, SO good. (Might have to teach them how to use the tech, but it’s easy after setting it up!)
6. Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need!  We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
7. Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier – Holds 500mL of water and lasts up to 10 hours! Has lots of light options.
8. Electric Kettle – Our favorite for boiling water at diff temps. Keeps water hot at temp until you shut it off.
9. UGG Blanket – Really nice fan favorite blanket!
10. Back and Neck Heating Massager – I don’t own this one, but it looks sooo nice to relax after a long day!
11. Back & Neck Deep Tissue Massager – If you want a heavier duty massager, try this one. Nearly 3,500 reviews and 4.5 stars!

 

I once took a poll asking teachers what their favorite gifts to receive were. Hundreds of teachers responded, and an overwhelming 95% of them said GIFT CARDS! To Target, Starbucks, and Amazon, specifically. Movies and restaurants are great too.

A handwritten note or homemade card from the student was also very popular. Many said, “Please, no treats!” while a handful of others welcomed chocolate, coffee, and wine. 😂

In case you want to include a gift with a gift card and a note from your child, here are a few ideas:

1. Nickel & Suede Lightweight Leather Earrings 
2. Nice Hand Soap
3. Cute Succulent Pots (3-pack, could split up between teachers)
4. L’Occitane Hand Lotion (can split packs between teachers)
5. Throw Blanket – EASY gift when you don’t know what to give. SUPER soft and fuzzy, and affordable.  We have 3!  Wash very well, don’t pill.  Tons of colors.
6. Selfie Stand w/ Remote – Teachers can use this to take pics of them with their class easily. (Often teachers take pics of our kids but may seldom have pics of themselves with the kids.) Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $24 with 67,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
7. Nail Polish Set – Combining a set like this with a gift card or anything else listed above adds a nice little touch.
8. Burt’s Bees Tips & Toes Kit – Great little kit with lots of products to help someone treat their hands, feet, fingers, and toes well. You can add this Almond Milk Hand Cream too!
9. Butter Socks – SO soft and cozy!

Gift Cards

1. Target Gift Card
2. Specialty Gift Cards (Starbucks, Food, Movies, etc)
3. Nordstrom Gift Card
4. Amazon Gift Card

 

There are thousands of toys and gifts for kids, and what kids are interested in varies so much by age. But in case you need a place to start, I’ll just share a few of what my kids have loved. For reference, I have three kids. My daughters are 8 years old (Addie) and 4.5 years old (Ella), and my son is 2.5 years old (Aiden). 

 

1.5 TO 3 YEARS OLD

1. Duplos – This set or any other. Great for kids 4 y/o and under. 
2. Magna-Tiles or Picasso Tiles – These never get old, and kids can use them at nearly any age. We own the Picasso Tiles which are less expensive. They’re great!
3. Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh – Both our girls love it and would welcome any set given to them!
4. Kinetic Sand – All of our kids LOVE this.  We didn’t get this exact set, but something similar.  This sand acts like wet sand, but it’s not wet at all. It’s magnetic! And reusable! It’s supposed to NOT stick to your hands, but Ella has sweaty little hands, so it sticks to her anyway. We use baby powder to get it off. It doesn’t stick to anyone else’s hands in our family. Ella can play with this on her own without any assistance, unlike Play-doh where she needs help rolling things out.
5. Smart Board – All of our kids love this at all ages. It’s even great for Aiden at 2 years old. He loves writing on it and erasing!
6. Microphone – Seems better for older kids, but all of our kids loved this at age 2+. Kids love hearing their own voices booming loudly!
7. Skip Hop Backpack – Fan favorite. Great for preschoolers.
8. Camper RV – They pretend they’re driving somewhere all the time in this.
9. T-Ball Set – So fun!
10. Little Tikes Basketball Set – Aiden love this. FYI you MUST install the net correctly for it to stay on. We had issues with it alway falling off until we realized we installed it incorrectly. Now it’s NEVER a problem.
11. Micro Scooter – Aiden is a scootering WHIZ, and this one is awesome.
12. Tool Kit – All three of our kids LOVE THIS! I’m VERY impressed by it. The drill looks realistic and can change speeds and drill in reverse. (Realistic is key because my kids will ALWAYS ignore the toy and try to go for the real deal.) All the pieces just look so good! Aiden plays with it all, but especially loves the drill, hammer, and tape measurer. This is the best price I’ve seen for it, besides at Costco.
13. Doctor Kit – All three of our kids love this!
14. Cash Register – They all love this, too. Allows them to play store, restaurant, etc. As a younger kid, they just love to press the buttons.
15. Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Trike – Our kids like to ride in this and the like that we can push them easily.
16. Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
17. Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart – Very fun and adorable! Our kids and their cousins played with this for hours when it first arrived. See it in pink HERE.
18. Daniel Tiger 5 Minute Stories – And any Daniel Tiger book, really. The 5 Minute Stories are nice to get a lot of books at once, but they are shorter versions of some of the standalone books.
19. Lift-the-Flap books – Our kids loved these at young ages. These are Aiden’s favorites right now: Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?, Toes, Ears, & Nose!, Merry Christmas, Daniel Tiger!
20. Waterproof Name Labels – We don’t own this exact set but have something similar. Someone gave them to us as a gift, and they’ve been so helpful to label our kids’ water bottles, reusable snack bags, and other things we bring to daycare.
21. First Blocks Bucket – All of our kids loved this when they were really, really young.
22. Color with Water Reusable Coloring Book // Set #2 – Mess-free coloring w/ water paintbrush.  Great for kids 3 y/o and under.
23. Baby Shark Mess Free Color Wonder – Mess-free coloring w/ magic markers. Great for kids 3 y/o and under.
24. Melissa & Doug Cookie Set & Melissa & Doug Cupcake Set – Hours of imaginary play from these for all of our kids
25. Rain Boots – Kids outgrow them constantly, so it’s always helpful to get these as gifts!
26. Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
27. Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and act more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
28. Iridescent Umbrella for Kids – My kids love this thing. I like that it’s see-through so that my kids still have visibility while they hold their umbrellas way too close to their faces. 😂

 

Addie & Ella’s Favorites from 4 to 6 years old

1. Magna-Tiles or Picasso Tiles – Favorite for years, and still going! We own the Picasso Tiles, which are less expensive, and they are great!
2. Kinetic Sand – Mentioned above, but as for Addie, she can play with this for hours as well. She builds way more intricate things than Ella and loves to build tiny cities and pretend ice cream shop, etc.
3. Microphone – Kids love hearing their own voices booming loudly.  😛 
4. Daniel Tiger Electronic Storyteller – Nice for when kids are too young to read–this reads to them. Similar Paw Patrol Reader and Minnie Mouse Reader.
5. Diamond Painting Sticker Sets – These have kept our kids busy for so long. They come in all sorts of sets, like Disney Princesses or Super Heroes.
6. Diamond Painting Unicorn Set – We gave this larger unicorn kit to Addie for her birthday and she LOVED it!  Her best friend wanted it after seeing Addie’s, so we gifted it to her, too.
7. Mermaid & Unicorn Mosaics – Sparkly, rainbow-y paint-by-sticker type activity
8. Sequence for Kids – Addie was addicted!
9. Rain Boots – Kids outgrow them constantly, so it’s always helpful to get these as gifts!
10. Digital Camera – Durable for kids
11. Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh. Addie loved the more intricate Play-doh sets as she got older.
12. Modeling Magic Clay – Feels like lightweight foamy “clay,” similar to a lighter weight Play-Doh, but it air dries hard, so you can sculpt small creations like jewelry, animals, and other cute collectibles. This set comes with tons of colors and additional hardware to make jewelry.
13. Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
14. Books – Sooooo many, but some favorites that provide broader representation are Julie Black Belt – the Kung Fu Chronicles, Julie Black Belt – the Belt of Fire, Katie Woo books, Sofia Martinez books, The Questioneers Books, Shark Lady
15. Waterproof Name Labels – We don’t own this exact set but have something similar. Someone gave them to us as a gift, and they’ve been so helpful to label our kids’ water bottles, reusable snack bags, and other things we bring to daycare.
16. Unicorn Craft Kit – Addie never had this but had been eyeing it since she was 5. 😆
17. Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
18. Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and act more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
19. Polka Dot Wall Stickers & Other Wall Stickers – I bought these for our girls and they were soooo excited to add this cuteness to their room! Was VERY easy to do, also. They’ve stayed on our wall for about a year now with no issues unless Aiden rips them off. 🙄 LOTS of cool wall stickers HERE. Aiden would love this vehicles set.
20. Iridescent Umbrella for Kids – My kids love this thing. I like that it’s see-through so that my kids still have visibility while they hold their umbrellas way too close to their faces. 😂

 

Addie’s Favorites at 7-8 years old

1. LEGO Friends Advent Calendar – Pre-Christmas gift, but so good. Addie LOVEDDDDD last year’s and has been itching for this one. There’s a Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar, and lotssssss more sets HERE.
2. Classic LEGO Set – Addie could play with LEGOs for hours.  Honestly as a parent, though, I dislike the LEGO sets that have you build ONE thing, like a castle or ship or Star Wars ship or something.  It keeps Addie busy for hours, but then she almost never plays with it or builds it again.  I prefer the Classic LEGO Set with pieces that are more versatile!
3. Friends Lego Sets – While she loves Classic LEGO, she adores the LEGO Friends sets! The colors and intricate details of the pieces are right up her alley. Her favorite so far is Andrea’s House. She would also love this Cupcake Cafe.
4. Modeling Magic Clay – Feels like lightweight foamy “clay,” similar to a lighter weight Play-Doh, but it air dries hard, so you can sculpt small creations like jewelry, animals, and other cute collectibles. This set comes with tons of colors and additional hardware to make jewelry.
5. Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
6. Scooter – Took a short time to get used to it, and now it’s super easy to ride. Benson and I also ride on it!
7. Games – Current favorites are Sushi Go, Skip Bo, Mancala, and Uno
8. Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
9. Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and act more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
10. Sherpa Bed Rest Pillow – Addie doesn’t own this yet but she really wants it to relax and read. (She’s a bookworm.)

 

1. Micro Scooter – Aiden is a scootering WHIZ, and this one is awesome. This one is for younger kids but it comes in 3 different sizes, so if you have bigger kids, look for the larger ones.
2. Scooter for older kids – Addie has this one. Took a short time to get used to it, and now it’s super easy to ride. Benson also rides on it!
3. Balance Bike – Helps kids learn to ride bikes w/o needing training wheels. Several colors. It helped Addie transition to a two-wheeler SEAMLESSLY. It was shocking how easy riding a two-wheeler was for her after using this, honestly.
4. Big LEGO sets and LEGO Friends sets – These can get pricey, but Addie really loves the big sets, like I mentioned earlier.
5. Grocery Store Checkout – Our kids WISH they could have this!
6. Play Kitchen – Our kids LOVE the fake ice & ice dispenser!
7. Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Trike – Our kids like to ride in this and the like that we can push them easily.
8. Nintendo Switch – Can be used as a handheld or a console. Seems to have more family-oriented games than other consoles.
9. Karaoke Singing Machine – We don’t own this because we already have the mic I mentioned above, but this is cool! 2 mics and ability to record.
10. Fujifilm Instax Camera – This price seems better than the ones on Amazon.

 

We don’t own all of these, but I wanted to offer a few suggestions to get your ideas going. Anything that brings together families and that multiple people can do all at once is a winner! Some of these are for the entire family while others are group gifts for the kids.

1. Fujifilm Instax Camera – This price seems better than the ones on Amazon.
2. S’mores Maker – Give as is or add a board game or movie
3. Hot Air Popcorn Maker – Give as is or add a board game or movie
4. Cornhole
5. Foosball & Air Hockey Table Top Set – Nice that it doesn’t take up more floorspace.
6. Board games like Jenga, Rummikub, Sequence, Codenames, Catan, Mahjong, Uno, Ticket to Ride etc.
7. Magna-Tiles or Picasso Tiles
8. Street Hockey Set
9. T-Ball Set
10. Play Kitchen – Our kids LOVE the fake ice & ice dispenser!
11. Karaoke Singing Machine – 2 mics and ability to record
12. Nintendo Switch – Can be used as a handheld or a console. Seems to have more family-oriented games than other consoles.
13. Kids Bowling Set – Affordable and looks fun!

 

Cecilia’s Favorites

This year, PMT team member Cecilia is sharing some of her and her family’s favorites!

Cecilia’s Favorites:

1. Joggers (petite-friendly!) – True to size and fits a petite frame well. I’ve had several (petite) women stop me and ask what joggers I’m wearing!
2. Leggings (petite-friendly!) – A PMT favorite. The 7/8 length fits perfectly like full length on me (I’m 5’1″). True to size.
3. Bobble Cardigan – My favorite cardigan this season! The silhouette is flattering and the bobbles are fun! It also comes in plus sizing. (I went down a size.)
4. Everyday Backpack – Lightweight, water-resistant, LOTS and LOTS of pockets!!! (including a cushioned laptop compartment and an anti-theft zippered pocket that rests against your back), sleek and attractive design, and it’s UNDER $30!! This may be my favorite purchase of the YEAR! Great for everyday use, but also for traveling or even as a diaper bag.
5. Small Transport Tote – This is the perfect everyday handbag, and the genuine leather softens up soo nicely! Big enough for all your essentials, including a book or kindle! I love the short handles that allow you to quickly grab your bag and the longer strap to carry this bag hands free.
6. Medium Transport Tote – When I need something larger, I reach for this genuine leather tote. I love the pocket in the front and the zip top.
7. Koolaburra by Ugg Slippers – Cozy and not clunky!
8. Minimalist Necklace – I wear a similar necklace as my go-to everyday necklace. You can choose your chain length, as well as the material (gold-filled, sterling silver, or mixed metal). It goes with everything!
9. Lightweight Crewneck Sweatshirt – I love this sweatshirt so much, I have it in 2 colors! It is super lightweight and is relaxed but not sloppy. (I am 5’1″ and went down a size.) Watch for frequent-enough sales!
10. No-Show Sneaker Socks – I’ve tried a bunch of no-show socks, and I like how these aren’t too thin and don’t slip around or off my feet. Plus, they come in lots of fun colors!

 

Cecilia’s Husband’s Favorites:

1. Golf Ball Retriever – What does it say about my husband’s game that one of his favorite things is this tool that helps him retrieve his golf ball from water holes? 😅 Either way, maybe a golfer in your life will appreciate this handy and affordable tool!
2. Stovetop Espresso Maker – Affordable and space-efficient! This thing makes really good espresso the way many Italians make it in their homes. Note: 1 cup = 1 espresso shot. We use the 6-cup size (6 espresso shots) and pour with hot water for an Americano or over ice for iced coffee drinks.
3. Insulated Spill-Proof Thermos – Really good quality! Keeps his coffee hot for hours.

 

Non-Clothing for Her or the Family:

1. Customized Self-Inking Address Stamp – This gift set allows the recipient to choose their own design (amongst hundreds!) and customize with their address.
2. Corkcicle Tumbler – Keeps my coffee hot for hours! This floral one is a personal favorite.
3. Pretty Apron – Such a fun host/hostess gift!
4. Everyday Backpack (Sporty/Casual) – Lightweight, water-resistant, LOTS and LOTS of pockets!!! (including a cushioned laptop compartment and an anti-theft zippered pocket that rests against your back), sleek and attractive design, and it’s UNDER $30!! This may be my favorite purchase of the YEAR! Great for everyday use, but also for traveling or even as a diaper bag.
5. Everyday Backpack (Fashion) – Same level of organization and functionality as the backpack above (LOTS of pockets!!), but in a beautiful faux leather in 4 colors!
6. Voluspa Candles – These smell SOOO good! They come in beautiful large glass jars and sets of smaller tins (that are easy to break up into multiple gifts).
7. Large Reusable Tote (with lots of pockets!) – So useful for kids’ sports games, tailgating, car trips, beach trips, etc. This smaller one is useful, too!
8. Board Games – Our family’s favorites (some that are a little bit more unique): Catan, Ticket to Ride, Ticket to Ride: First Journey, Sushi Go Party, Dixit (young kids can play too!), Incan Gold, Codenames, Uno Flip.
9. Wall Calendar (that doubles as art) – Soo pretty! See all the other beautiful calendars from Paper Source.
10. Fun Books for the Literature Lover (that can serve as coffee table reads) – Where’s Jane? (like Where’s Waldo? but you search for Jane Austen hiding in scenes from her novels!), What a Wonderful Word (beautifully illustrated book of words from around the world that don’t have direct English translations), Poems That Make Grown Women Cry and Poems That Make Grown Men Cry (One hundred women and men, respectively—distinguished in literature, film, science, theater, and human rights—share the poems that powerfully move them. Examples of women include Yoko Ono and Judi Dench, and examples of men include J.J. Abrams and Colin Firth. Two of my favorite anthologies of poetry!)
11. Ina Garten’s New Cookbook – Ina Garten is my go-to for solid, unfussy, but bold-in-flavor classics; her pot roast is still my fave! A personal favorite is Barefoot Contessa at Home; you can find them all HERE.
12. Chinese Cookbook: The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen – Homey, Cantonese dishes that are simple to make! What sets this book apart is the recipe titles that are listed in English AND in CANTONESE spelled out phonetically, (e.g., “Stir-Fried Cloud Ears and Luffa” has listed under it “Wun Yee Chow See Qwa”), which has helped me identify familiar dishes in my mother tongue that would otherwise have remained foreign in its English equivalent. This book doesn’t have a ton of pictures, but I don’t find I need them. This would make a great gift for someone like me who speaks but cannot read Chinese, and still connects largely to her heritage through food. See the author’s other cookbooks HERE and HERE.
13. Black Mesh Metal Strap Watch – Sleek, sophisticated, minimalist. I got this during a sale, and it looks good with pretty much every outfit. I have a thin wrist and the 32mm fits me well.
14. Minimalist Watch – LOVE the designs of Void watches. I have the color Copper/Grey/Navy, and this smaller-faced watch works well with my small wrist. There are SO many other (and larger) watches, too, for both men and women, HERE.
15. Lululemon Belt Bag – I use this almost every day and didn’t even realize how popular (and hard to find) it had been until people started commenting on my bag. Kinda ridiculous 😆 but now that it’s back in stock, it makes a GREAT gift from young to old! (Think: that teen niece who’s so hard to shop for.)
16. Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark – I admit this is pricey, but it’s the BEST peppermint bark ever! With its cute tin, it makes a great gift for a boss, coworker, dinner host, or anyone who loves good chocolate (and may not spring for this for themselves). My personal favorite is the dark chocolate, but you can’t go wrong with original or the sampler!

 

I also know that if you’ve been following PMT for a while, you’ve seen the Tried & True list a thousand times and want some more ideas. The Fresh Finds section will have new items that the PMT Team has rounded up! They may not be products we’ve tried and can vouch for personally, but we will have at least sifted through the reviews for most of the items to bring you great finds.

The Fresh Finds section will be added to regularly throughout this holiday season by me (Audrey) and the PMT team. 

Last updated 11/16/22

1. Korean American Cookbook – My friend (who is Korean American) has been cooking her way through this book, and the things I’ve tasted from it are DELICIOUS. From the book description: “An homage to what it means to be Korean American with delectable recipes that explore how new culinary traditions can be forged to honor both your past and your present.” It’s not full of traditional Korean recipes, rather it mixes those with the present. And they’re YUMMY!
2. Scarf – Easy gift that someone can always use. This comes in several colors and has great reviews.
3. Slim Wallet – Since using my small belt bag, I’ve needed a slim wallet. This one comes in LOTS of colors and is under $13!
4. Boba Plushie – For the boba-lover (like me)! Soft and cuddly. My kids love it, too. Comes in several “flavors” and sizes. I got this one in the small size in “C-regular.” But I also got a larger strawberry milk tea one from HERE—this one has open eyes, whereas the strawberry milk tea one in the first one has closed eyes.
5. Ooni Pizza Oven – Ooh, I’ve been wanting one of these!
6. Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towels – These are supposedly best-sellers!
7. The Hygge Game – A game for the family—300 interesting, thoughtful questions to spark cozy conversation!
8. Parents Are Human Card Game – A bilingual card game that helps spark deep conversations with your family and loved ones! Comes in 15 language editions!
9. Waterproof Phone Pouch – Another great gift for the traveler
10. Travel Business Backpack – Not only does this have many compartments for organization, it also has a USB charging port! Sherin from Team PMT has it and loves it!

 

Last updated 12/6/22

1. Plaid Flannel Scarf – Cozy and festive!
2. Cookie Cravings & Chocolate Bar Tasting Selection – Beautifully packaged to make a great gift
3. BlendJet Blender – REALLY good reviews to make personal smoothies!
4. Fuzzy High Top Sneakers – Look cozy!
5. Sherpa-Lined Zip Hoodie for Men – Who wouldn’t want a hoodie that’s cozy and lined with sherpa?
6. Sherpa-Lined Trucker Jacket for Men – Speaking of sherpa-lined layers, this jacket comes in several colors.
7. Discover Toy Light Easel – Fun (and non-messy!) toy to promote creativity!
8. Men’s Quarter Zip Pullover – Looks casual but polished and comes in several colors.

 

Last updated 12/19/22

Last-minute gifts to arrive by Christmas!

1. Stylish Laptop Backpack – In two sizes (to accommodate 14″ or 15.6″ laptops). Similar to the one Team Member Ceci calls her favorite purchase of the year.
2. Makeup Remover Cloth – I own this and it works great! Gets off all makeup, including eye makeup, and saves you from using wipes.
3. Custom Name Labels for Kids – Here’s a non-toy idea that you can get for kids and is sooo useful! We got these for our 2.5-year-old, and we know these will basically be a toy for him; he loves putting stickers on things!
4. Unboxme Self Care Kit – Give the gift of cozy with this beautiful, ready-made gift box.
5. Men’s Long Sleeve Fleece Quarter-Zip – LOTS of great reviews, and really affordable!
6. Back and Neck Massager – Everyone needs one of these after a long day.
7. Touch Screen Thermal Gloves – Super affordable with great reviews. Help someone stay warm and still use their devices!
8. Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulders – Keep them warm, comfortable, and relaxed.
9. Cute Wool Socks – Help someone stay warm, cozy, and CUTE! Great reviews, and lots of different prints and colors! Another brand HERE with more subdued colors.
10. Walkie Talkies for Kids – Kids LOVE walkie talkies!