Welcome to my 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! Below, you’ll find gifts for everyone on your list, from moms and dads to tots and teens! There’s even a section for pet gift ideas!
The best part? This is just the beginning! I wanted to get it up before the holiday rush. I will be adding new gift ideas every week, so be sure to bookmark this page and come back!
Go to: Gifts for Adults Little Kids Older Kids Teens Pets Secret Santa
Note to brands: If you would like your product included, please check out How to Get Featured in My 2019 Holiday Gift Guide!
Last note: this page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my gift guide, I earn a small commission. I also received many of the products below in exchange for inclusion. However, I hand-pick which items to add and never include anything that I woudn’t buy or use myself.
Gift Ideas for Adults
Looking for the best gifts for her? How about the perfect present for dad? Either way, I’ve got you covered below! I stopped doing separate “his and hers” guides last year because it’s ridiculous (and crass) to assume that a woman can’t like a tech gift or a guy can’t enjoy pampering himself from time to time. 😀 So, below you’ll find gifts for all of the adults in your life.
Perhaps one of the coolest subscription boxes, MATTER is filled with some of the neatest materials, objects, specimens, or artifacts around. Basically, all different types of matter. Items are curated from labs, museums, and such. Great gift for a science lover!
My Alchemy Skin Care Travel Mini
My Alchemy Skincare is a cruelty-free, toxin-free, and socially responsible luxury skin care line. The Travel Mini comes with Wildcrafted Cleanser, Rose Hydrosol, Illuminate Face Serum, Eco-Friendly Disposable Towelettes and Vitamini Vitamin. The serum is amazing!
An Encyclopedia of Tolkien
The full name says it all: An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That Inspired Tolkien’s World (Leather-bound Classics). It’s a gorgeous book for any fantasy lover and a total must for a Tolkien fan. I wish I could keep it for myself, but I actually have someone in mind for it. 😀
Crescent Moon Charm Necklace
My dear friend Adelina makes these beautiful crescent moon charms. Each one has two colors (one of each side), and they come on keychains as well. Check out her shop for more gorgeous glass-work gift ideas for everyone on your list!
You know those robes that everyone likes to steal from fancy hotels? Well, thanks to Plush Necessities, you don’t have to commit a crime to give the gift of spa-like comfort! Just snag this soft & comfy Hooded Terry Robe! It’s made with 100% cotton and backed by a 60-day guarantee. My son loves his! It’s absorbant enough to replace your towel after a shower.
Mollieollie Diaper Caddy
23andME DNA Test
There will probably never be a year that I don’t recommend 23andMe in my gift guide. It’s definitely my favorite DNA kit. I’ve learned so much about myself and my family over the last few years. Since you get access to future updates, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Forget that plain old framed picture! Nations Photo Lab takes custom photo gifts to whole new levels with their metal prints! Choose from a ton of different sizes and make it 100% your own with colorful backgrounds, text, and more
Personalized Photo Pillows
Another unique way to give a photo as a gift, these personalized pillows from Nations Photo Lab are just as customizable as their prints. Change the background, add text, or just show off a single picture in all its glory!
Slipcover to Revive Old Furniture
Kindle Fire HD 10
At the top of my wishlist you’ll find a brand new Kindle Fire HD10. I have an older 7th gen that’s been good to me, but it’s time for an upgrade since the newer generations are a bit faster. Sure, it’s not as powerful as its $500+(sometimes ++) Apple counterpart, but if you’re looking for a great tablet that’s perfect for streaming, reading and some casual games and that won’t utterly break your bank account, you can’t go wrong here.
Taste Trunk Gourmet Box
Taste Trunk has several different boxes for all price ranges. My favorite is the Gourmet Box, which comes with items centered around a fancy dinner party, and includes elements for a 3-course meal.
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker
If you’re looking for a unique gift idea for someone who has everything but a fridge with a built-in ice maker, here you go! I love mine! It’s a great group gift idea for someone who loves hosting parties. Use code PRETTYOPINIONATED to save 20%.
Gift Ideas for Little Kids
The Gift Ideas for Little Kids section includes toys appropriate for birth through age 5. Please check the age recommendation for each toy, because obviously a toy that’s good for a toddler may not be ideal for a young baby, and vice-versa.
Disney Stories for 3-Year-Olds
From Peter Pan to 101 Dalmatians, three-year-olds will be introduced to wonderful Disney adventures in bite-size versions crafted specifically for a preschooler’s shorter attention span. This beautiful hardcover book will definitely become a favorite at bedtime!
KidArtLit
Art kit meets story time in this fun subscription box for kids! Each month, they’ll receive a hardback children’s books & themed projects to go along with it. I love how it helps connect stories to real-world adventures. It’s a great way to encourage a reluctant reader to explore the world of literature.
My Audio Stories
GEOMAG Magicube Safari Park
GEOMAG is best known for their super cool sets for older kids, but did you know they have a Magicube line just for the tiny tots? The blocks connect on all sides, making for some crazy fun & creative combinations! This set comes with 16 “safari” themed cubes.
GEOMAG Magicube Princess
Like the Safari set, each Magicube connects on all sides, but the Princess set is designed for slightly older kids (3+). It includes 11 cubes plus “magic clips” to take the creative experience to new levels of fun.
Pinkfong Baby Shark Official Song Puppet
WowWee is back with another fun Baby Shark toy! This time, it’s a singing puppet that plays the earworm tune. The neat part: you can speed up or slow down the song depending on how fast you move his mouth.
The Toothless Monster
A fun book, a cuddly plush, and a set of glow-in-the-dark teeth…what’s not to love about this adorable gift idea for kids? The award-winning set teaches kids about diversity and helping others while letting them track their own toothy journey. Don’t worry, the Tooth Fairy isn’t getting replaced. She’s just getting a little help.
Bambi Scentsy Buddy
Scentsy has some crazy cute licensed Disney products (including Pooh Bear!), but I am in love with the Bambi Sidekick! Designed for the tiniest tots, Bambi comes with a special Twitterpated scent made just for him! He’s perfect for kids of all ages, including babies.
Tiger Tribe is an Australian-based parent-run company that makes the cutest (& super affordable) arts & craft sets for all ages. This set is just right for kids ages 3 and up. It includes 4 fun designs that magically appear when kids use the included water brush. When it dries, the scene vanishes, so they can play over and over with it. Since there’s no actual paint, there’s no mess to clean up later.
If you want to give a gift that encourages kids to read more, you’ll love Hooray Heroes. With dozens of beautifully illustrated stories for boys, girls, siblings and even twins, they’re among the most unique personalized kids’ books I’ve ever seen. With customization options for everything from hair color & style to eye shape and more, you can literally put YOUR kids right in the middle of the action. They really are quite beautiful books!
When Jacob was little, LeapFrog was a major part of every holiday. I was sad when he outgrew them. Now that I have a young niece and nephew, they’re back on my shopping list again! RockIt Twist is part gaming device, part MP3 player for kids age 4-8. Hatch and grow adorable RockIt pets, then play puzzles, music and more to help them grow. As with all LeapFrog products, the entire experience is highly educational without being boring. In other words, kids have so much fun they don’t know they’re learning!
Take the RockIt Twist fun even further with this super budget-friendly add-on pack that includes two virtual RockIt Pets. Kids learn new vocab with Penelope Penguin, P.I and learn all about the ocean with a narwhal named Coral. The 2-pack costs the same as single packs, making it an outstanding deal for the holidays.
Everyone’s favorite little ear-worm-inducing shark delivers a dose of messy fun with SLIMYGOOD Mix’EMS! Transform ordinary goop with fun mix-ins, like glitter, confettie, and charms. Grab a full-size set at Family Dollar, or snag smaller stocking-size sets on Amazon.
Learning Resources Coding Critters
Learning Resources Coding Critters give kids as young as 4 a head start on learning coding. The 23-piece pet playset lets them design endless hours of fun with simple code, or they can just play with their pals in Play Mode right away.
Gift Ideas for Older Kids
The older kids gift ideas are perfect for children ages 6 to around 12, give or take.
Unicorn Dream Box
Unicorn Dream Box is a monthly subscription box full of magic and pixie dust! Depending on the size that you choose (there are three options), your unicorn-loving recipient will get 3-9 fun surprises each month!
WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Fingerlings
The Fingerlings craze meets the Baby Shark trend with these cute little finger pets! They respond to sound, motion, and touch with adorable blinking eyes and splish-splash sounds. Each one plays the full Baby Shark, song, too.
Stikbot Zanimation Studio
Grab your budding movie maker the Stickbot Zanimation Studio and a couple of add-on packs, then watch them create animation magic! Teaches the art of stop animation, video editing, and how to use a green scene.
Playmobil has really outdone themselves with this stunning playset! It comes with a whopping 266 pieces, including interchangeable outfits for the Princess, and a Queen that sits on a sparkling illuminated throne. The whole set is just gorgeous. I can’t wait to play with it with my niece!
Stargazer’s Journal
Encourage kids of all ages to look to the stars with this beautiful illustrated journal. Along with space for jotting down their own notes, they’ll find intriguing astronomy facts, mythology stories, and tips for identifying constellations. It even includes a list of reputable websites to help budding astronomers learn more. Check out more great ideas from Usborne here!
Educational Insights Artie 3000
Artie 3000 is a fantastic little coding robot for kids that lets them design the code, and then Artie draws the lines. He comes with preprogrammed designs, so beginners can start coding right away. No internet connection required, as he actually has his own built-in Wi-Fi server,
Election Night is an award-winning game from Semper Smart Games that teaches kids ages 8 & up a wide range of skills while showing them what it’s like to run for President. Along with lessons in geography, strategy, and how the Electoral College works, the game uses a patent-pending PlaySmart Dice system to help kids master complex math skills. It’s really quite a neat game with plenty of replay value.
Of all the things I miss about Jake’s childhood, playing with Hot Wheels sets ranks pretty high up there! I thought the sets were advanced and cool when he was smaller, but this one is miles beyond anything he ever had. It’s pricey, I won’t lie, but it’s also far more diverse than other sets since you can configure it 20+ different ways in the “real world,” and infinite ways through the free Hot Wheels id digital App.
Another cute arts & crafts set from Tiger Tribe, this one is perfect for kids ages 5 and up. It comes with everything they’ll need to learn how to draw adorable animals, including a sketch pad, colored pencils, a “how to” booklet and more.
Tiger Tribe Magic 3D Sci-Fi Fun Set
One of my favorite sets from Tiger Tribe has to be this super fun 3D Sci-Fi coloring kit. Your space-loving kids can color 36 different scenes with the set of 10 markers, then pop on the included old-school 3-D glasses and watch their creations pop off the pages.
Tiger Tribe Top Secret Missions Detective Set
One last great gift idea from Tiger Tribe, this one lets your kids become top secret detectives. It comes with everything they need to solve 48 different secret missions and training tasks, including a spy pen, code ring and more. It’s great for ages 5+.
Monopoly Unicorns vs. LLamas
Out of the bazillion Monopoly games available right now, this Amazon Exclusive version has to be my favorite ever! It pits the two trendiest and cutest creatures against each other to find which beast is the best. The darling pastel game pieces alone make it worth the purchase!
VTech Kidi Star Dance
Like LeapFrog, we owned pretty much every VTech toy made during my son’s younger years. I know my niece is going to LOVE the Kidi Star Dance! She can play four games with the motion-activated bands, learn 20 new dance moves, dance along to 8 original songs, or dance to her favorite songs with on an MP3 player (not included). It’s perfect for kids ages 5+.
Sew Mazing Create Your Own Unicorn
If you’re looking for a no-tech toy that really encourages imaginations, grab this adorable “Create Your Own Unicorn” craft set. Kids can customize it, then hang the finished decoration on their walls. The set is available in stores at AC Moore and Barnes & Noble, or through the Buy It link at Toys R Us Canada.
WowWee Lucky Fortune Collectible Bracelets
One of the top toys of the year for older kids, the collectible WowWee Lucky Fortune Bracelets are selling like hotcakes, so get them before they’re gone! This set comes with four mystery cookies & bracelets in 4 levels of rarity (Lucky, Very Lucky, Very Very Lucky, and Ultra Lucky).
Hatchimals Wow Llalacorn
Kids who love llamas and unicorns don’t have to choose between the two thanks to these crazy cute Hatchimals! They grow to 32″ tall (which is more than half my height) and are interactive with over 250 sounds and reactions. Forget the kids, I want one!
Gift Ideas for Teens
Coming up with gift ideas for teens is definitely a challenge! Trust me, I know! My son is 13 this year, and I’m struggling to find him the perfect gifts. These ideas are a great place to start! Most are also appropriate for tweens.
The ultimate subscription for anyone who is obsessed with Japan, loves anime, or just wants to try international candy! I was so pleased to discover that it ships directly from Japan and everything tastes just like it did when I lived there (which isn’t true of grocery store Pocky). It’s definitely one of my top 10 favorite subscription boxes I ever tried.
Geomag Pro L New York SKYLINE
Did you know that Geomag makes a “Pro-L” version that’s just perfect for older kids and budding architects? This incredible set will help them recreate the NYC skyline with 174 magnetic pieces, including 60 Geomag bars, 48 spheres, and 66 panels.
Heart of the Moors by Holly Black
Heart of the Moors is a must-have stocking stuffer for fans of Maleficent, Holly Black, or both! It’s part of the Disney canon, and takes place between the first movie and the new sequel. See my review here
Anime Lover’s Hoodie
Looking for a fun gift for an anime-loving teen? This great unisex hoodie just about sums up what it’s like to live with my son! It’s super cozy & warm, and comes in a few different colors.
There is something so incredibly satisfying about peeling off a 7th Heaven Peel-Off Face Mask! With a massive variety for all skin types and super affordable prices, they make perfect teen stocking stuffers! Check out their site to find them at your favorite retailer. Walmart also has them in stores.
Ballsy Jolly Jewels Gift Set
If you’ve got a teen boy and a great sense of humor, you really can’t go wrong with the Jolly Jewels gift set. More than just a hilariously named clever line of men’s products, they’re actually specially formulated for a guy’s most sensitive bits. The “Made in the USA” brand is free of parabens, sulfates and synthetic dyes- you know, the stuff men DON’T need on their…stuff.
Crunchyroll Premium Gift Subscription
My son is a huge anime & manga fan, so we’ve had a premium membership to Crunchyroll for a while now. They have a massive selection of shows, including many that aren’t available on any of the other major streaming platforms. Plus, many shows are simulcast within about an hour of broadcast in Japan. The affordable premium membership gets your teen access to the entire library of ad-free HD anime as well as their manga collection. If you have anime-loving teens, Crunchyroll is pretty much an essential.
Crunchyroll also has its own store loaded with everything anime & gaming fans could ever possibly want, including plenty of exclusive merch, like the “One Piece” Hoody above. The Crunchyroll Loves collections are available only at the Crunchyroll Store and will not be restocked once items are sold out, so head over there now and snag your favorite merch. Bonus, if you are a premium member, you’ll score a 10% discount on regularly priced items.
Unstable Unicorns Base Game
One of Kickstarter’s top 50 most backed projects, Unstable Unicorns is a fun strategic game in which you build a unicorn Army and betray your friends…in a totally good way. The first player to collect 7 unicorns in their army wins. With plenty of cards designed to let your frenemies stop you from advancing, it’s not as easy as it sounds! It’s designed for 2-8 players and is ideal for ages 14+.
LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle 21313 Building Kit
Is this not the coolest LEGO kit for teens ever? The advanced fan-created set includes 962 bricks and an instruction booklet with details about the creator. It features a buildable cork and wax seal element, the ship complete with captain’s quarters, and a display stand with a nameplate and “compass.”
Gift Ideas for Pets & Pet Parents
Check out some of my favorite gift ideas for pets as well as those of us who love them!
K9 Planet Adventure Box
This fun new subscription box for dogs includes two super high-quality toys and two bags of treats, along with a little surprise for humans. What sets it apart from other pet boxes is the theme. Each month, the toys and treats represent a different part of the world, making it as educational for humans as it is fun for dogs. It’s a great idea if you’re looking for a gift to help your kids bond with your dog!
TruDog is best known for their human-grade raw diet dog food, but they also make some pretty exceptional treats! This gift set includes 5 bags of real meat goodies, like bacon rolls, beef liver and more. They’re made with USA sourced and harvested meats and only the ingredients necessary. In other words, no fake junk or fillers!
Why should kids have all the “Countdown to Christmas” fun? Let your pup in on the action and excitement with this cute Advent Calendar for Dogs from Sam’s Club! It’s filled with 22 grain-free treats, each with only two ingredients. At under $10, it’s a total steal!
Wag More Bark Less dog treats from Cloud Star are totally Freya-approved! All of their treats are made with real high-quality ingredients, no artificial or unncessary fillers. Plus, if Freya’s passion for them is any indication, they taste great! They make great additions to a gift basket for dogs!
Looking for a great gift for the pet parents on your list? This beautiful hoodie perfectly symbolizes the “peace and togetherness” spirit of the season! It comes in a few different colors, but I like the black best because it really shows off the beautiful design.
EPEC Disc Launcher
If you have a fetch-fanatic dog in your life, you’ll want to grab the EPEC Disc Launcher. While it has a bit of a learning curve, once you master it you’ll be able to throw longer and farther with ease! Plus, thanks to the design, you don’t even have to bend over to pick up the includes disc.
Did you know that KONG launched subscription box for dogs? It’s pretty awesome, too! For around $30 a month, your dog gets a new KONG rubber toy, a second enrichment toy plus three tasty treats. Your first box also includes a free Classic Kong. The entire box is customized based on the info you provide in your pup’s profile. I want to pass on a tip that I received during a phone call with KONG: most dogs are fine with the standard red KONG. Very few are actually “super chewers.” Freya loves to chew toys and she hasn’t even managed to tear off a single bit of her classic red KONG. I’ve bought and reviewed a lot of pet subscription boxes, and I can confidently say that this one is WELL worth the money.
Let’s be honest, everyone and their dog is making CBD pet treats now. So, what makes Green Grove different? Well, for one, they’re among the few brands who really gets that not everyone has a purse dog! They make treats that are great for dogs of all sizes and that have reasonable recommended servings. In other words, you don’t have to give your larger breed a fistful to achieve the desired effect. They also apparently taste great! I didn’t taste them, obviously, but Freya loves them. I find that they do help her chill out in the evening when she really has a hard time settling down.
Hostess, Secret Santa, and Gift Stash Ideas
Bloomsy Box
If you want to give the gift of flowers, make it Bloomsy Box! The flower subscription service delivers beautiful fresh flowers straight from the farm, so they never spend a moment sitting around wilting in a warehouse. Choose from weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries. If you want to just buy a single flower gift, they have a huge variety of bouquet options, ranging from single blooms to mixed florals. You can even give long-lasting beautifully potted plants!
Caroline’s Cakes were one of Oprah’s Favorite Things back in 2017, and it’s easy to taste why! Their new Cake Bites are tiny squares of pure baked joy. Rich, dense, and oh-so full of flavor, you’ll have a hard time eating just one! Make sure you buy an extra batch for yourself! They come in 6 flavors right now, although I had a sample of a chocolate peppermint one that was just crazy good! Keep an eye out for that, as I’m sure they’ll be adding it in time for the holidays.
Plush Signature Robe from Plush Necessities
From grandparents & aunts to coworkers to babysitters, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t love this oh-so-cozy plush microfiber robe. It is literally one of the softest things I’ve ever felt. I keep my house cool in the winter to save on energy costs. I almost can’t wait for it to get super cold so I can wrap myself up in my new Plush robe! It’s positively glorious!
Plush Signature Slippers from Plush Necessities
Like the robe, the Plush Signature Slippers are made with superfine microfiber plush. They make a great add-on to the robe or a perfect gift on their own. They’re so warm and fuzzy, my son has barely taken them off! We swapped, he likes the terry robe (above in the adults section) but plush slippers, and I like vice-versa, so it worked out great!
While it may sound like an odd gift, CBD oil is actually pretty high up on my own wish list. It works really well for a lot of my chronic pain issues, but the stuff I bought down the street tastes like what I imagine chewing on a hemp plant would! Paradise CBD isn’t just beautifully packaged (which alone makes it great for gifting), their edible CBD products taste like candy…and that’s it. No hemp taste or aftertaste. Plus, they work great (for me, anyway, I’m not making medical claims for you). They have a huge range of flavors and candies, like caramels, lozenges, and gummies!
Royal Rose Syrups has a huge line of high-quality yetshockingly inexpensive flavor-infused simple syrups, but the Champagne Cocktail Kit is one of my favorites. The Raspberry and the Anise syrups pair perfectly with bubbly champagne, but you can also use them to make your own natural sodas or add them to coffee, tea, and more. If you’re not loving this set, grab a few syrups from their shop and make your own! Seriously, they’re beyond affordable at under $5 each.
Give the gift of a good night’s sleep with D’AO Labs’ Mental Tranquility sleep remedy. Made with 12 different herbs and inspired by a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine remedy (Gui Pi Tang), the all-natural formula helps quiet your mind so you can rest easy and uninterrupted. I gave it a try and it really helped my anxious brain relax a bit!
There’s peanut butter, then there’s B.Nutty! This stuff is SO good that I’ve been eating it by the spoonful. The gift set comes with a dozen of their most popular flavors. My favorites are Sugar Cookie and Irresistible Pretzel. The Blissful Blueberry is also shockingly good considering I never would have thought to combine those flavors. Do yourself a favor and buy a second gift set just for yourself. You won’t regret it!