When writing my holiday gift guides the past few years, I’ve placed a high priority on things I already own and love. It’s important to me that I’m able to personally vouch for each item, so you know that the things on these lists are worth the money. For this year’s 2020 gift guide, I’m sharing the best things we’ve bought (or been gifted) this year – from technology to toddler toys!
Note: this post may contain affiliate links (i.e., if you click my link and make a purchase, I’ll make a small commission at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure policy here.
2020 Gift Guide: For Adults
Tech
- Mous Phone Case: Scott and I had Mous cases on our old iPhone 7s for years and just traded them in without a single scratch or dent! (And I no joke drop my phone AT LEAST once per day. I am not a responsible phone owner!) When we upgraded, we made sure to have new Mous cases ready before our new phones arrived! They are hands down the best, most protective cases, but aren’t thick or bulky.
- Taotronics Soundelite 72 Bluetooth Headphones: I bought these bluetooth headphones for Scott so he’d stop borrowing mine. (Kidding, but I’m not kidding.) He’s gotten tons of use out of them, and I’m thinking about replacing my slightly broken pair with another set of these soon! They’re perfect for wearing while working, running errands, or chasing a toddler. I like that they charge with a regular microUSB charger, have a good battery life, and have some options for EQ customization.
- Canon 10-18mm Lens: If someone on your list loves their DSLR camera, this would be a great addition to their kit! It’s really nice for extra wide-angle landscapes or shooting interiors. I’ve been really pleased with the quality and am surprised at how often I pull it out. (Note: this is only compatible with crop sensor Canon DSLR cameras, so double-check before purchasing!)
Clothing
- Goodfellow & Co. Textured Henley: I jokingly refer to these as pajama henleys, because Scott tells me how comfortable they are every time he wears them. They come in several colors and look great! Clothes that are nice enough to wear for Zoom calls while still feeling like pajamas are the kind of clothes we need this year.
- J Crew Perfect Rain Jacket: I bought this to replace an older green utility jacket from years ago that no longer fits over my hips (thanks very much to pregnancy and childbirth). It’s not totally waterproof, but does great against wind and light rain, and it has an extremely flattering shape, which means I wear it all the time. I love the Dark Moss color, but it comes in several others as well!
- Target Perfectly Cozy Sweatshirt and Joggers: I bought this jogger set from Target after looking for some nice matching loungewear, and it’s amazing! It’s maybe the comfiest outfit I own, and I’ve worn them way too often in the past week. Great for lounging at home on the weekends or as pajamas, these are perfect for the coming winter! I’m seriously considering getting another color. (The striped version pictured above is here.)
Food
- Harney Teas: I’ve placed probably too many orders from Harney since discovering them a few months back. I find their prices to be reasonable and the quality to be top-notch. They offer herbals, blends, and plain teas from around the world, which means they have something for everyone! (My favorites are the Orange Pekoe and Victorian London Fog.)
- Dough Whisk: Although it’s definitely not a kitchen necessity, I love and use my dough whisk on a weekly basis! It’s great for anything you would use a normal whisk for, but is much easier to clean, so it’s especially perfect for doughs. This would make a perfect gift for the baker in your life!
- Chemex Coffeemaker: I’ve loved and used my Chemex for years, so when we broke ours this year (after 5 years of service, RIP), we immediately bought a new one. I like the 8 cup size because it works well for my cup or two per day, but also can accommodate a party! It’s fast, easy to clean, looks beautiful on the counter, and makes great coffee, so it’s the perfect everyday coffee system for me.
Fun
- Rhodia Dot Grid Webnotebook: I’ve bought probably 10 of these notebooks, so I’m sure that shows how much I love them! I use them for bullet journaling because I think they’re the perfect notebook. They have a nice leatherette cover, a ribbon bookmark, an elastic strap for keeping the pages closed, and a pocket in the back. I also love the paper; it’s high-quality and doesn’t bleed through easily.
- 7 Wonders Duel: Based on the very popular original 7 Wonders game, but adapted specifically for 2 players, this is a great option for couples! Although the instructions seemed like a lot to wade through for the first game, it was surprisingly easy to pick up once we started playing. It has a few different ways to win, which makes it significantly more interesting than most 2-player games we’ve tried!
- Kindle Paperwhite: I received my Kindle as a birthday gift and love it! I read pretty much exclusively e-books, so having a device other than my phone to read on is really nice. The display is amazing – being able to read in bright sunlight is such a game-changer! Scott also appreciates how dark the dark mode is when I’m reading in bed.
- Chez Lapin Candles: This is my favorite candle company; I’ve smelled quite a few of their candles and have never disliked a single one! (As someone who doesn’t like candles as a general rule, that says a lot.) Scott (who also generally hates candles) specifically requested that we buy a few for the holiday season. They’re a local Pittsburgh company, but they also ship! We have (and love) Smoked Birch & Leather, Cinnamon & Rosemary, and White Pine & Vetiver. (But really, you can’t go wrong.)
2020 Gift Guide: For Toddlers
Clothing
- Totes Cirrus Toddler Rain Boots: We picked up these cute rain boots at Target a little bit ago and they are perfect! We wanted to make sure Jamie had some good, waterproof clothing to make outdoor play during the rainy and snowy months more fun (i.e., less wet). These are really lightweight, and Jamie likes that he can put them on and take them off by himself. (They come in kid and adult sizes, too!)
- Waterproof Rain Suit: This waterproof rain suit is a great outer layer for the fall/winter/spring! (Just layer a coat under it for extra warmth when it’s colder.) It’s hard to find toddler clothing that’s actually waterproof, but this definitely is. It totally keeps the rain and snow out, so it’s perfect for wet weather!
- Cat & Jack Snuggly Soft Pajamas: These are the nicest pajamas we’ve ever bought for Jamie! He asks to wear them all the time (including when we’re trying to change him out of pajamas). They’re super soft, stretchy, inexpensive and look great! We have 5 pairs. They do run a little small; Jamie fits in 18m clothes best, but he wears a 2T in these.
Toys, Books, and Play
- Skoolzy Peg Set: This is a great open-ended toy! Since there are a million ways you can use them, I know it’s a toy that will grow with him. They can be used for color and number practice, stacking, making patterns, and lacing! Jamie loves putting the pegs in the foam board and stacking up big towers of them.
- Step2 Water Table: Out of all the things we’ve bought for Jamie this year, this is probably the one he’s used the most. He LOVED his water table all summer long, and I’m sure we’ll be setting it up in the bathtub at least once over the winter. Great sensory play and almost endless fun!
- Green Toys Watering Can Set: Jamie loved helping in the garden this year! These tools were fun for him to have so he could help water the plants and dig in the dirt. The tools are high-quality recycled plastic and will last for years to come. (We have several things from Green Toys and haven’t found one that we don’t love yet!)
- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: This is probably my favorite book out of all the ones Jamie owns! It’s a great story about the animals and bugs that exist in the garden, and it walks though gardening in all 4 seasons. It also feels good to read out loud; the language is really beautiful, so it’s one that I always enjoy reading. (This is also a great option for winter!)
Necessities
- Bentgo Kids Lunch Box: Since Jamie now eats 3 meals and two snacks per day, a nice lunchbox has been really nice to have. It’s perfect for sending with him when Scott and I are both working and he’s being watched elsewhere. The divided compartments are really helpful in deciding what to pack, and it’s a nice size for toddlers!
- Contigo Kids Water Bottle: We like a spill-proof cup for Jamie’s water and really like the size and sturdiness of this one. (We had a previous straw cup that we had to get rid of because Jamie bit through the silicone straw.) It’s really spill-proof and Jamie’s able to open and close the spout on his own. The lid/straw/spout disassembles to make it really easy to clean well, which I also love!
If you liked my 2020 gift guide and want more, check out these posts:
- How to Buy the Best Gifts Ever (one of my all-time favorite posts!)
- 2019 Simplified Stocking Stuffers (Under $20) Gift Guide
- 2019 Simplified Gift Guide
- 12 Free Christmas Printables
Pin This Post: 2020 Gift Guide
