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Holiday Gift Guide: 2017 Edition

It’s that time of year again! I’ve done all the dirty work to research some of the best gifts out there, so you don’t have to. There are plenty of creative and unique gifts out there to buy, so don’t go complaining that there’s nothing to buy for anyone when there are things like a bobblehead maker out there that make getting a personalized gift for someone easier than ever before. I’m going to dive right in so you can get some shopping done hopefully right from your computer, where you can be pantless and not have to elbow anyone at Target. You’re welcome. Here we go!

Cozmo. If you’re looking for the ultimate kid gift this year, this is it. He’s a real-life robot like you’ve only seen in movies, with a personality that evolves the more you hang out. And it’s equipped with Code Lab, the perfect platform for new coders to unlock their imaginations. Ah, to be a kid in 2017. Cozmo

Backyard Safari Cargo Vest. Penelope is always going outside to “explore.” She brings her binoculars and mini magnifier and she’s always fumbling while carrying all the leafs and things she discovers. I’m picturing her opening this up and heading out back with this and my heart is exploding with cuteness. Backyard Safari Cargo Vest

Harry Potter Black Cauldron Ceramic Soup Mug and Spoon. Your favorite Hogwart is taken care of. Made to look just like a cauldron from a potions class at Hogwarts, this awesome mug will make you feel like a fantastic witch or wizard every time you take a drink – it even includes a spoon and lid so that you can keep your potion of wakening both warm and properly mixed! Harry Potter Black Cauldron Ceramic Soup Mug and Spoon

Chefsteps Joule Sous Vide. Do you Sous Vide? My sister and brother-in-law swear by this cooking method, saying they’ve never had a better burger or salmon EVER. Bonus: this one is smaller and takes up half the size of a regular sous vide. Chefsteps Joule Sous Vide

Heirloom Wooden Personalized Recipe Box + Recipe Cards. This gorgeous box is handcrafted and made to order. It’s the perfect personalized gift for the chef on your list. I love when a product adds genius details to make it even better, and this one delivers: it has the innovation of the lid to be flipped over and double as a recipe card holder with a slightly angled slot to prop up your favorite recipe for easy reading. SO smart. Heirloom Wooden Personalized Recipe Box + Recipe Cards

Star Wars Levitating Death Star Bluetooth Speaker. Are you kidding me? A gravity-defying orb with 5-Watt speaker delivers 360 degrees of uncompromising sound quality for five hours on a single charge? Your kids – and husband will LOVE this thing. Star Wars Levitating Death Star Bluetooth Speaker

All-New Amazon Echo Dot. Alexa, can you tell me the next part of the recipe since my hands are covered in chicken? Alexa, can you play Elf on TV? Alexa, can you get my kids to keep quiet for thirty seconds so I can complete a thought? We might not be onto that last one yet, but this All-new Echo (2nd Gen) has a new speaker, new design, and is available in a range of styles including fabrics and wood veneers. Echo connects to Alexa to play music, make calls, set alarms and timers, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more—instantly. All New Amazon Echo Dot

ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Diffuser Set. We have a diffuser in the house and I love it because it gives off a great scent without having to light candles. Get your house holiday ready with the scents of rosemary and peppermint for the holidays, then give one out as a gift. ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Diffuser Set

uKeg Pressurized Growler for Craft Beer. Perfect for the passionate brewmaster on your list, this 64 oz keg keeps beer fresh and carbonated for two weeks.The stainless steel insulated design will also keep it cold for 24 hours, so party on. uKeg Pressurized Growler for Craft Beer

Hims products for men. You’ve seen him standing there at the mirror, stressing. “Is my hair getting thinner?” he asks, with that panicked look on his face. Do him a solid by introducing him to Hims products. “The DHT shampoo helps block the DHT hormone by essentially strangling the hair follicle and adds volume to their hair. Where the vitamins help promote thicker hair, stronger nails, and better skin.” If you feel weird about giving this just remember that year he bought you a kitchen tool without your asking, and all the energy you put into restraining yourself. Hims products for men

Custom Perfume Creation Gift Set. I’ve always wanted to mix my own personal perfume since I never find one I love. Each of these gift sets by Victoria Colette was designed to create your own unique scent combination. Have fun mixing, matching, and layering her fragrances with her new gift sets! They are at a great price, so go snatch them up now. Custom Perfume Creation Gift Set by Victoria Colette

create your own perfume gift set

Mermaid Makeup Brush Set in Rose Gold. If this isn’t a fabulous way to start your day and put your makeup on, I don’t know what is. I’m not even sure what all these brushes do but suddenly I NEED THIS SET. Mermaid Makeup Brush Set in Rose Gold

Ladies Night Mistaken Lyrics Coasters. My sister constantly mistakes lyrics and sometimes it is so funny we laugh for hours. I for one used to think Rockin’ the Casbah was “Rock the Cash Box.” (I’m not proud.) Needless to say, these will make your stomach hurt from laughing during your next ladies night. Ladies Night Mistaken Lyrics Coasters

Gold Waterproof Vegan Laptop Backpack. For the stylish but also ethical fashionista. Gold Waterproof Vegan Laptop Backpack

Satya Zodiac Gold-Plated Necklace. Balancing style and spirituality, each piece in the Zodiac Collection depicts your sign in the heavens with stars made from gold and glittering birthstones that contrast with a dark gunmetal sky. Hanging from the end of a golden rolo chain, this 0.8-inch pendant is made from 18-karat gold-plate and gunmetal over brass. It comes with a gift pouch. Satya Zodiac Gold-Plated Necklace

Friendship “State to State” Wine Glass. If there was ever a best gift to send your girlfriend, this is it. These wine glasses are hand painted with the quote “Best Friends Forever never apart maybe by distance but never by heart” and on the reverse side, your choice of two locations, one where you live and one where your best friend lives. You know how they say every time you use a gift you will think of the person who gave it to you? Well, you’ll be on her mind pretty regularly with these little gems. Friendship State to State Wine Glasses

Personalized Champagne Flutes. These are great to give to the new couple on your list. I love the copper detail on the bottom – it’s classy and elegant. Each glass is meticulously painted with either rose gold or gold paint to match the base of the glass, which adds such a special touch. These can also be presented as a great gift for a bridesmaid, or even as a way to ask someone to be in the wedding party! Cheers: Personalized Champagne Flutes

Custom Doormat Rug. I don’t really know what message you’d write or who you’d gift this to, but this made me laugh way harder than it should have. Custom Doormat Rug

Custom Floral Hostess Gift. My friend Sara makes these adorable arrangements with dried flowers in a cozy mug. They are charming and perfect for teachers gifts, hostess gifts, and more. See all she’s got and order your own: Custom Floral Hostess

An Intuitive Reading. Give the gift of insight and mental clarity by gifting a reading to your spiritual friend. Lisa takes a humanistic approach to readings, meaning that they are person-centered and not event-based. While yes, you will receive information about previous situations and what’s coming up to prepare for, the focus will primarily be on you, your soul and what’s really going on. Talk about deep! An Intuitive Reading

Bellabeat Leaf Urban Health Tracker. It’s a necklace! It’s a bracelet! It’s actually both, but really is a gorgeous little gadget that tracks everything from sleep patterns to stress to reproductive health. Bellabeat Leaf Urban Health Tracker

Look Like a Beauty, Train Like a Beast high-quality workout tee. This is the year of strong women, and this is the shirt for them, too. Take it from the creators: “Printed on our crazy-soft, super-smooth, pre-shrunk, ring-spun tees. We simply wouldn’t print on any shirt that we don’t wear ourselves.” Look Like a Beauty Train Like a Beast workout tee

The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey. My Italian father pronounces her name “Hoprah.” That’ s not relevant, but it’s true. If you get one inspirational thing for someone on your list, let this book be it. The Wisdom of Sundays features selections from the most meaningful conversations between Oprah and some of today’s most-admired thought-leaders. Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, and Shonda Rhimes share their lessons in finding purpose through mindfulness and intention. Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hahn, Marianne Williamson and Wayne Dyer explain our complex relationship with the ego and the healing powers of love and connection; and award-winning and bestselling writers like Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Elizabeth Lesser explore the beauty of forgiveness and spirituality. The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey.

Shakespearean Insult Chart. “More of your conversation would infect my brain.” “I was seeking for a fool when I found you.” This 18×24 art print poster features 100 of Shakespeare’s greatest insults. (46cm x 61cm) Shakespearean Insult Chart.

Vintage Vinyl Speaker. For those who admire vintage but still like to live in the modern world, this classic style turntable with bluetooth wireless audio streaming is the answer. It’s got Full Range Sound Reproduction with Dual Built-in Stereo Speakers, and you can play all your favorite vinyl records with its 3 speed turntable (33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM). It even has a USB flash drive memory reader and can play your MP3 audio files. Cross that music lover right off your list. Vintage Vinyl Speaker.

Fatboy Bean Bag Large Chair. This year as a surprise Christmas gift we’re turning our bonus room into a playroom/media room for our kids. I can tell you this here because they can’t read yet. The best part for us is that we aren’t spending a ton of money – we are just reconfiguring the space better, buying a few storage cubbies from IKEA and filling it with the items they already have. We are toying with the idea of splurging on one of these bean bag chairs. These cozy chairs are great for a media room, playroom, corner reading nook, or dorm room, and come in several different colors. Fatboy Bean Bag large Chair

3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set. My nephew wants this gift, which means it must be cool. This Amazon Exclusive is perfect for STEM learning and is the only child-safe 3D tool with no hot parts. Creative and safe? I’m sold. 3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set

Just Play Doc McStuffins Pet Vet On the Go Pet Carrier Whispers Playset. The most adorable little playset for the adorable little mini human on your list. Just Play Doc McStuffins Pet Vet on the Go Pet Carrier Whispers Playset

Music & Lights Comfy Car for Babies. This plush, cozy little baby nest is perfect for little tushies. With plenty of interactive gadgets on it to keep the little one entertained, this stationary car is a safe place to play. It’s perfect for baby to practice sitting up or for older babies to sit up and play in comfort and style. Music & Lights Comfy Car for Babies

Grandparents Coffee Mug Set of 2. If you’re looking for an adorable way to announce a pregnancy, this is it. They are hand-painted and made with love in the USA – just like your little bundle. (Unless of course your little bundle was made in Mexico, on your wedding anniversary after a little too much tequila. What?) Grandparents Coffee Mug Set of 2

Sexy Truth or Dare Game. Spice up your hubby’s stocking by planting one of these in there, with an invitation for your next date-night-in. Maybe you should buy a set of the mugs up above, just so you can stay ahead of the game. Sexy Truth Or Dare game.

Custom dog or cat bowl. Let the furry ones on your list feel the love while they eat with these custom, handmade, ceramic bowls. These are microwave safe and made in the USA. Custom dog or cat bowl

Cookbook for the Healthy Eater. This cookbook which I co-authored is one of the best gifts you could give to those who are passionate about healthy eating – especially those with little ones at home. What a Good Eater! is a cookbook of baby and toddler recipes with healthy herbs and spices to add flavor and broaden your baby’s palate. It’s a guide for parents to confidently feed their babies and toddlers wholesome, healthy, age-appropriate foods which help promote a diverse palate right from the get-go. What a Good Eater! Healthy Family Cookbook

Resource Book for Bride-to-Be. If someone in your life is busy planning a wedding or thinking of getting engaged, do them a favor and get them this book. They will plan better, they will laugh more, and they will know exactly how to navigate the wedding world to make sure they get married on their own terms. The Real-Deal Bridal Bible

Did you like this post? Check out the books I’ve written – they make great holiday gifts! You can also see last year’s gift guide here.

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Alessandra Macaluso is the author of What a Good Eater! , Lucy the Bee and the Healing Honey, and The Real-Deal Bridal Bible. She’s also a Qigong and Tai Chi instructor, and overall wellness advocate. Her work has been featured in several anthologies which can all be found on her Amazon author page, and she has contributed to The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, TODAY Parents, and many other online publications.

Alessandra is a northerner-turned-southerner, enjoying the south with her children, Penelope and Ciro, and her husband, Greg.

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Rudy used every last bit of his savings plus $5 of mine to buy cozmo two days ago. He loves him so much that he asked me if we can please consider him part of the family! Haha he’s very cute, and if you’re up for learning Cozmo’s SDK written in Python then his potential is much greater than what he already comes with. We was worried Rudy would get bored of him quickly after figuring out all his features and games, but he’s already sitting at our family computer using the kid friendly programming options and is determined to try the ‘adult’ programming language when he’s done with this one!

[…] Also-check out this awesome ‘Holiday Gift Guide’ that my author/sister puts together every year.  It has some really hip, functional and affordable gift ideas for everyone on your list!  https://alessandramacaluso.com/holiday-gift-guide-2017-edition/ […]

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