Oh hi!
It’s me, Elizabeth.
You might notice a new look for this newsletter today. It’s all the same great content with a new email service (Substack) that has more features to help me bring you the best recipes and recommendations. I’m so glad you’re here!
The holiday season is upon us, and I'm thrilled to share my carefully curated selection of gifts with you, including a discount code (45% off!) for my favorite natural bamboo jammies and home linens that are even better than the ones they give on their own website (see below!).
This 2023 Holiday Gift Guide has something special for everyone on your list, whether you're shopping for loved ones or treating yourself.
I've searched high and low to bring you the best presents out there. From unique finds to luxurious indulgences, I take my time all year to personally vet everything on this list. And don't worry – I've made sure there are options for every budget too.
Cozy Earth Jammies, Sheets & Towels (45% off!)
I have to start by sharing this incredibly generous code from Cozy Earth, the maker of the softest natural bamboo jammies, sheets, towels, and other home linens on the market. They've been named one of Oprah's favorite things for many years in a row, and their stuff is absolutely wonderful!
Use code ELIZABETHRIDER45 at checkout.
They give a few influencers extra discounts to give our readers during the holidays, and they just sent me a 45% off code (ELIZABETHRIDER45) for you to use through Nov 27th. (This is a better deal than they give on their website, so take advantage of it if you want it ;))
All of my sheets and towels are Cozy Earth (a great gift for you to give to yourself!) and their jammies, joggers, and waffle wrap are fantastic gifts as well.
The Best Pan I've Ever Used
This pan is hands down the best pan I've ever used. I've been eyeing it for a while and recently purchased it, and, WOW. It's a great gift for anyone who loves to cook.
Hexclad pans have a non-toxic non-stick surface (it's forged in a way that does not release PFOAs or any other chemicals) and it has the searing power of stainless steel and the durability of cast iron. I'm sold—it's really amazing.
I'll write a longer post about this later, but I've tried every ceramic pan out there and the non-stick surface on them only lasts about a year (and they don’t create a great sear). Hexclad is the way to go! See their website for holiday deals (up to 50% off!).
Maison Louis Marie Candle
A candle almost always makes a great gift! If you're not sure what to give, go for a nice candle. This No.04 Bois de Balincourt candle smells divine.
My Go-To Balsamic
I've tried so many other balsamics and always come back to this one. It's really the best I've tried, and I love that it comes in this beautiful bottle with a built-in pour spout. If you know someone who likes to cook, then it's a great gift.
Cute Necklace
I have this in the gift ideas for girls below, too, but it makes a great gift for anyone who loves necklaces. This Zodiac version is nice, and this Initial version is also super cute.
Homemade Gifts
Homemade Bath Salts or a Homemade Sugar Scrub also make great DIY spa gifts for anyone who likes to pamper themselves with a bath.
Experiences
Shopping for someone who has everything? Sometimes a physical gift is perfect for the situation, and sometimes you might want to give an experience instead of a physical gift. Here’s my list of ideas to give an experience over a physical gift:
Cooking Class Vouchers: Gift a voucher for a cooking class where they can learn to make a new cuisine—Google cooking classes in your area or check out your local grocery stores to see if they host classes.
Sports Experience: Arrange for an adventure sports day, such as rock climbing, paragliding, or scuba diving, tailored to their thrill-seeking (or not) level.
Concert or Theater Tickets: Purchase tickets to a concert, ballet, or theater production—this is a great way to give an experience and support your local arts community.
Spa Day Gift Card: Offer the gift of relaxation with a spa gift card so they can choose from a massage, facial, or other treatment.
Weekend Getaway: Book a weekend retreat in a cozy cabin, beach resort, or a charming bed and breakfast, or get them an Air BnB gift card.
Art Workshop Enrollment: Sign them up for a pottery, painting, or photography workshop, depending on their interests.
Wine or Brewery Tour: Arrange a day trip to a local winery or brewery for a tasting and tour experience if that would be their thing.
Private Dance Lessons: Arrange for private dance lessons in a style they enjoy, such as salsa, ballroom, or hip-hop.
Museum Memberships: Give a year-long membership to a local museum or aquarium for a gift that gives all year!
A custom experience with you. You know your loved ones best, get creative and come up with a fun day for some one-on-one bonding time and write it into a card to give as a gift.
Gifts for Pre-Teen and Teen Girls
Here are some ideas for girls (about ages 9-13) that have been a hit in our house:
See my recommendations for girls here.
Also, I just went back and looked at my previous gift guides (here, here, and here) and, honestly, I still recommend every single thing on those lists.
And… with Thanksgiving coming up, I’m prepping the blog for the 30k+ people who come to learn how to make easy-to-peel eggs the to make those deviled eggs for Thanksgiving. A brand new video is coming tomorrow to show you exactly how to make those shells fall right off.
Cheers!
Elizabeth