Get excited; it’s that time of year! As someone who struggles to refrain from giving gifts before the official gift-giving day, finding an unexpected, meaningful gift for those in my circles brings me great joy. I am a big fan of supporting local businesses, especially shops that offer customization with a monogram, label, or any type of personalized touch. This year I am sharing my favorite gift ideas in the CoCreative Interiors 2021 Holiday Gift Guide. I hope it helps you find the perfect gift for those you love most!
Parents & Significant Others
Parents and significant others are often the hardest people to shop for during the holiday season. They usually don’t want or need anything specific, and finding something both meaningful AND useful can be quite a challenge. Unless your parents or significant other is asking for something specific, here’s my advice: find items to elevate their daily activities and bring a smile to their faces. All of the items I have selected for this category in the 2021 holiday gift guide elevate daily activities and make them just a little more special.
Candles & Wax Melts
I love a high-quality candle that smells amazing. You really cannot go wrong with anything from The Forestry Studio. Their hand-poured, soy-based candles have the most amazing scents, and because they are made with soy, they don’t have an underlying petroleum-based smell you often get from candles. Some of them are even so hand-safe that you can use the candle as a lotion bar! My favorite scent is coffeehouse, and here’s a tip: for a more potent smell, try their wax melts.
Photo: The Forestry Studio
Modern Forest Wax Melts & Candles $6-$30
Custom Tile Mat
A stylish bath mat is nice, but one that you can customize on your own is just plain fun! This classic black and white tile mat from Knotty & Board Interiors comes with an extra set of black tiles that allows you to get creative and add your message or design.
Photo: Knotty & Board Interiors
Knotty & Board Interiors Large Tile Mat $110
Monogrammed Pajamas
Pajamas are always a great gift! Instead of a holiday-specific design, I like to find patterns and materials that will be enjoyed year-round. For an extra special touch, add a monogram to personalize your gift. Pajamas are also a fun item to add to a gift basket. Bundle a set of PJs with a throw blanket, book, teapot, and tea and give the gift of a relaxing afternoon.
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant Milly & Lilly Tom Tom Pajamas $90
Custom Golf Tees
If you have a golfer in your life, golf tees are a gift that is always welcome. I love golf tees customized with initials, a funny saying, or even a shared joke. A perfect stand-alone gift for any golfer in your life or a great stocking stuffer!
Photo: Eventfully Made
Eventfully Made Golf Tees, Set of 20 $10-$13
Shaving Soap
My husband recently became obsessed with artisan shaving soaps after my mom gifted him with a shaving set. Bonus, the quality is impressive, and I can’t believe how long a single container lasts. Made with tallow lanolin, cocoa butter, shea butter, and avocado oil, make these soaps are nourishing and gentle on the skin. If you have a man in your life who enjoys going beyond the electric razor, these soaps are perfect.
Photo: Shannons Soaps
Shannons Soaps 4 oz Shaving Soaps $11.95-$13.50
Nightstand Catch-All
What man doesn’t empty their pockets at the end of the day onto their nightstand or dresser? A catch-all is a great place to capture essential items while keeping the nightstand or dresser neatly organized. Adding a simple monogram does more than make it more personal – it serves as a reminder to keep things in their place!
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant Monogrammed Leather Crocodile Embossed Catch-All$116
Newlyweds
Though newlyweds often need the basics, fun and unexpected gifts allow couples to explore their unique combined style. Adding a little something extra to accompany a gift selected from their registry is a fun way to bring even more joy to such a happy and exciting time. Although these items have been selected for the 2021 holiday gift guide, they could also be wonderful wedding gifts any time of the year.
Custom Address Stamp
A custom address stamp is a thoughtful and useful gift for a newly married couple or anyone who has recently purchased a new home. With so many style options, you can choose a unique design that matches their taste and personality.
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant Pineapple Address Stamp $40
Serving Tray
In my opinion, you can never have too many serving trays. They can be used throughout the home, and they are a small way to bring those bold pops of color we all love into a more neutral space.
Photo: Society Social
Society Social Faux Bamboo Tray $105
Bar Tools
Bar tools are items that people like to have but often don’t purchase for themselves. A nice bar toolset is a luxury gift that will be used for years to come. If you want to add to your gift, include a drink recipe and all the ingredients so they can try out their new tools right away!
Photo: The Hour Shop
The Hour Bar Tool Sets from $150
Siblings & Friends
Finding gifts for friends and siblings is fun and typically pressure-free. Because each person is so special and unique, you can get creative with gift-giving. My favorite shopping tip for the people closest to you? Keep it simple. You can choose one item you can elevate by adding it to a gift basket with related items or bundling it with smaller gifts.
Custom Tea Towel
Do you have a well-known family recipe that is meaningful to all of your siblings? If you have a well-loved recipe card written in the hand of someone special, turn them into a fantastic gift for your brothers and sisters. Talented artisans can take an old recipe card and print the exact image onto a tea towel so everyone can enjoy the nostalgia of the family recipe for years to come. To create a gift basket, add the ingredients and tools to make the recipe in a beautiful mixing bowl or pan and tie it with a ribbon!
Photo: Etsy
Custom Printed Tea Towel from $18
Custom Cornhole Set
Cornhole is a fun lawn game that is played all over the country. The game has become so popular that you can now customize the game pieces to match your decor. If you have someone in your life who lives for long summer evenings on the lawn, this is a perfect gift for them! Pair with other lawn games like ladder ball and croquet for a beautiful game set that they can enjoy all summer long.
Photo: Cathy Lancaster Home
Cathy Lancaster Home Custom Cornhole Set $300
Throw Blanket
A throw blanket is always a lovely gift. Snuggling under a cozy blanket is one of the simple joys of life, and a gorgeous blanket adds style and texture to any room. Pair a nice blanket with a smores kit for a cozy evening around the fire that can be enjoyed during any season.
Photo: Knotty & Board Interiors
Knotty & Board Interiors Tufted Lola Throw $110
Teachers
If anyone deserves gifts, it’s teachers – especially after all they’ve endured during the not-so-jolly COVID season. Find things that aren’t teacher-themed but instead can be used in the classroom or at home. Because let’s be real, how many “World’s Greatest Teacher” plaques do teachers need? Instead of the usual teacher gifts, we have selected some unique and useful options for the 2021 holiday gift guide!
Vase
Send fresh flowers to brighten the classroom in a classic vase that deserves a place in the home. If you want to add something more, consider a flower delivery subscription for the remainder of the school year.
Photo: Knotty & Board Interiors
Knotty & Board Interiors Hemp Rope Clear Glass Vase $25
Picture Frames
Because gifts from the heart have the most meaning, have your kiddo make a hand-made drawing expressing how much they love their teacher. To make it extra-special, display it in a neutral yet unique frame that can be used elsewhere once the sentiment has been shared and received.
Photo: Knotty & Board Interiors
Knotty & Board Interiors Sandstone Frame $20
Custom Stationery
Custom stationery, letterhead, or note cards are a thoughtful gift for anyone, but I love finding these items for teachers to jazz up their desks. With so many colorful options, you can’t go wrong!
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant Flat Note Cards (Set of 10) $18.99
Coaches & Service Providers
There are so many people in our day-to-day lives that make life just a little bit easier. From kid activity coaches to bus drivers to the person who delivers your mail, the holidays are a time to give a big THANK YOU! Since gift cards or cash are typically given to those who fill these critical roles, I like to find creative ways to package those monetary gifts.
Luggage Tags
Luggage tags are a handy item that can be used again and again. When using them as a gift card holder, simply slip the gift card in where the address goes typically.
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant Bag Tag Set $30
Custom Tumblers
A monogrammed tumbler is an excellent gift for anyone who is always on the go, and it can serve as the gift packaging as well! I like to fill them with candy and add a gift card. It makes for a colorful gift that can be used every day.
Photo: The Monogram Merchant
The Monogram Merchant 24oz Tervis Tumbler $24.99
Custom Christmas Ornaments
A simple and sweet way to deliver a gift card is in a custom ornament. There are many artisans on Etsy who create customized ornaments with a name or a special message. Not only will they appreciate the gift, but they will also have a decoration to hang on their tree next year.
Photo: Etsy
Personalized Gift Card Holder $15
Host/Hostess Gifts
The holidays are the time for gathering, and you should never show up empty-handed! Bring a beautiful host/hostess gift to show your appreciation. I love to find items that have a variety of colors/options so that you can choose one that fits the style of your host/hostess.
Coasters
Coasters are a small item that always seems to be in short supply. Coasters can be customized to color and pattern to match the style of the hostess’s home. Pair these with a bottle of wine or spirits for a lovely thank you gift.
Photo: Holly Stuart Home
Holly Stuart Home Set of 4 Coasters from $24
Kitchen Towels
Who does not love a colorful tea towel? They are useful and add a pop of color to your kitchen. When giving a tea towel as a hostess gift, you can wrap or tie it around a bottle of wine or champagne for a lovely thank you for hosting gift.
Photo: Cathy Lancaster
Cathy Lancaster Kitchen Towels $32
Cheese Knives
Cheese cutters and knives are something many people do not realize they need until they are serving a cheese tray. I love giving a nice set as a host/hostess gift as they are often used immediately!
Photo: Society Social
Society Social Wicker Weave Set of 3 Cheese Knives from $38.50
Coworkers & Clients
Whether you work in an office with wonderful coworkers or have a client base that you adore, small holiday gifts are an excellent way to show appreciation. My selections for the 2021 holiday gift guide are small but useful items that are the perfect gifts for those in your work world.
Custom Moleskin Notebooks
I am a notebook aficionado. I always have a notebook to jot down ideas, take project notes and record anything important that comes up. Since I love beautiful things, a custom moleskin notebook is always with me. This is an excellent gift for anyone who likes to take notes and appreciates a quality notebook.
Photo: Cathy Lancaster
Cathy Lancaster Gallery Customer Moleskin from $35
Business Card Holder
I love anything colorful, and this confetti business card holder delivers a pop of color to any desk. A great gift for those coworkers and clients that bring personality to your workday.
Photo: Society Social
Society Social Confetti Acrylic Business Card Holder from $20.95
Desk Top Tray
A well-organized desktop is a think of beauty, and sometimes all you need is someplace to put all of odds and ends. A simple tray that can be used on a desk or even hold perfume or jewelry is a lovely gift for the people you work with every day.
Photo: Society Social
Society Social Faux Bamboo Fretwork Tray from $29.95
Gift Exchange
Many holiday parties include a gift exchange. Since you are trying to bring something that many people might like, I recommend keeping it simple!
Wine Charms
Wine charms make a great gift exchange item, and there are so many options! They can be pretty, colorful, or funny (like these adorable Schiits Creek charms.) Wine charms are always useful, and when paired with a bottle of wine, they are the perfect exchange gift.
Photo: Eventfully Made
Eventfully Made Wine Charms set of 4 from $12
Drink Mixers
A big part of the holiday parties is all the delicious cocktails! People like to make artisan cocktails in their homes, but often the ingredient list is overwhelming. A great drink mixer can make at-home cocktails easy. A trio of mixers is a great gift exchange item and if you want to add on, consider bringing the spirits to make a cocktail.
Photo: Seedlip
Seedlip Trio from $89
Cheese Board Markers
I love a beautiful cheese board. It is so lovely to tell all the cheeses at a glance, and some cute cheese markers are a great addition. Pair with a beautiful board and some cheese knives for a charcuterie set.
Photo: Knotty & Board Interiors
Knotty & Board Interiors Stainless Steel Fork Cheese Markers, Set of 6 $25
Stocking stuffers
How many times have you been caught without stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve? During all the holiday shopping business, I often forget about the stocking until 11 PM on Christmas Eve. This year, I am being very intentional about what I purchase for stockings. It is the perfect place to share artisan products that I love with my loved ones, and I hope the fun products listed in the 2021 holiday gift guide make it into your stockings on Christmas Eve.
Sugar Scrub
Anyone who loves having soft skin will love a good sugar scrub! Various oils and nut butter are blended with sugar to make a luxurious scrub that softens and hydrates your skin.
Photo: Shannons Soaps
Shannons Soaps Sugar Scrub $10
Craft Kits
Stocking stuffers are often a lot of super-cheap toys that kids will lose in their rooms before January 1st. I like to find things that will hold their attention and be something they want to keep for a while. A craft kit gives them something to do and allows them to use their creativity to make something they can use.
Photo: Eventfully Made
Eventfully Made Craft Kits from $12
Ther-A-Peu-Tic Chocolate Bars
Ther-A-Peu-Tic is an artisan chocolate company that creates handmade hemp chocolates that offer amazing tasting chocolate with all the benefits of CBD. Perfect adult stocking stuffers!
Photo: Ther-A-Peu-Tic Chocolate Bars
Ther-A-Peu-Tic Chocolate Bars from $7.49
Sweet Gifts
One thing that is ALWAYS a hit is sweets! So, if you are short on time, need a treat to take to a party, or simply want to send something easy to let someone know you are thinking of them, these are some of my absolute faves.
Crumbl Cookies
Crumbl cookie locations have exploded all over the country in the past year. THEY ARE AMAZING. I recently sent a box of cookies to a stressed-out client, and they worked like a charm! They make the perfect sweet treat for anyone in your life. They offer a rotating menu that can be purchased in-store, delivered locally, or shipped nationwide.
Photo: Crumble Cookie
Crumbl Cookies from $4
Lady Yum
Lady Yum is a macaron bakery based in the Pacific Northwest that makes the most delicious and colorful cookies. They ship anywhere in the country so that everyone can enjoy these delightful treats!
Photo: Lady Yum
Lady Yum Macaron Packs from $25
I hope our 2021 holiday gift guide helps you find the perfect presents for your friends and family. While I gave you some specific items from some of my favorite artisans and stores, I encourage you to explore all they have to offer! As long as you gift from the heart, you cannot go wrong!
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