My Favorite Gifts from Christmas 2018: What I Gave and Got

One of my favorite bloggers recently did a post like this, and I thought it was so fun. So, today, I’m sharing a few of the gifts I was most excited to give AND to receive at Christmas this year…

*This is totally unsponsored but there are a couple good old fashioned affiliate links in there. 🙂 #thanksforyoursupport

GIFTS I GAVE:

Every baby/toddler on my list this year got a copy of Classic Lit A to Z: An Alphabet Primer by BabyLit. I love everything Babylit does, but this is especially awesome because it includes SO many classic characters etc. in one simple little board book.

Sam got this very cool Comic Book Making Kit from Lulu Jr. that we’ve just started working on. He’s super excited that it gets “published” and turned in to a “real book,” when he’s done.

And Nora got a play school kit from Melissa and Doug that, truly, is the stuff my childhood dreams were made of!!

I bought the Winter FabFitFun box for my sister, and she was thoroughly impressed with all the good stuff that came in it – especially this dry shampoo and this eye-brightener from Thrive Causemetics.

Nora’s teachers (who are both young and adorable) got plaid leather earrings from One Delightful Shop (+ Starbucks gift cards – duh) and were tickled.

I gave my mom her standard Emily Ley Weekly Simplified Planner and a few matching accessories from the Target line. She’s almost as crazy about EL as I am! (P.S. There are only a few styles left, but all Simplified Planners are 20% off right now if you haven’t already grabbed your 2019 planner!)

My sister and I went in together to get my dad a carry-on suitcase from AWAY for all the traveling he’s been doing lately, and it really is SO nice.

I gave our former nanny/my close girlfriend a copy of Kelly Corrigan’s Tell Me More – one of my favorite books of the year.

And both sets of grandparents got photo books of pictures from the year that I made and ordered from Chatbooks — I know there are lots of places that make these, but I love the look of these and that they upload straight from Instagram with dates, captions, etc. They are always a huge hit. (Also, how adorable is that photo my friend Trent took of Sam & Nora?)

GIFTS “I” GOT:

My mom gave me a pair of camo Rothy’s that I’m OBSESSED with. #worththehype

Kathryn (my beauty guru) hooked me up with all kinds of awesome beauty products, but I’m especially loving this Origins moisturizing cream and MAC Prep + Prime spray.

My uncle gave me Michelle Obama’s new book – something I’m so excited to read and super happy to own so I can pass along to friends, etc. *I’ve been highlighting the heck out of it so far!!!

Jeff’s parents gave both kids a new Osmo game that they’ve already thoroughly enjoyed. (Side note: If you have a kid ages 4+, you NEED an Osmo. We got the creative kit (pictured below) when Sam was about 4, and it is one of our all-time favorite purchases. Plus, new games are released every year so the fun just continues!)

My sister gave Sam this fun Escape Room game, and my parents gave him The Great States game (super educational and easy to play) that we all enjoyed playing over break. As a bonus, I used it in my classroom to liven up a Grammar Escape Room this week, and it was a big hit with the teenagers too (though Sam is way better at it).

And Nora got her first American girl doll – Tenney – from my mom.  I’m not sure who is more excited – her or me!

Wasn’t that fun?

What was your favorite gift this holiday season? I’d love to hear in the comments!

E