Shuangy’s Gift Guide for 2020
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Shuangy’s Kitchen Sink 2020 Gift Guide is finally here! I have created a complete Gift Guide for all the people in your life that you care a little extra about. I have got a guide for the quarantine couple, one for the healthy home chef, and one for all the active homebodies out there.
I’m so excited that Christmas is just around the corner!
At one point I thought this year would never come to an end even though it has been a very busy year for me. But now I’m kind of surprised how fast it actually went by.
But let’s get real.
It’s been a rough year for all of us, and it hasn’t gotten any easier from not being able to see our friends and family. And like me, you are probably not spending the holidays with the people you usually do. So, let’s send some love and encouragement to the people that mean the most to us.
I have put some serious thought into these gift guides, and I think you will be able to find something for most of the special ones in your life, because I have!
And honestly, I would definitely be happy if I was on the receiving end of most of these gifts as well, and I’m not the one to tell you that you can’t buy yourself a little something too.
I have curated three gift guides this year. One for the quarantine couple, one for the healthy home chef and one for all the active homebodies out there.
The guides include some ideas on how to stay cozy while keeping the hands and mind busy until you get to hang out with your favorite people again.
And as a small business owner, I thought it was important to highlight some other small, woman-owned businesses. And this year, as I’m sure you know, it’s extra important to support your favorite local brands so they can continue to grow their passion and provide for their families.
The quarantine couple
This is a gift guide for him and her, the couple who needs to be entertained, comfortable, and sane until life goes back to normal.
I have included some of the things that are on my wish list, a few things to keep you entertained, and of course, wine and noise-canceling headphones.
And I’m definitely getting Tom and I matching pajamas’ this year. It’s not like we are going anywhere…
1. Socks that do good – $78
Socks are the perfect gift, and with Bombas socks, the gift is even better. They donate a pair for every pair purchased. Did you know that socks are one of the most wanted items at the homeless shelters? So now you can do good, while you are spoiling a loved one. They have a great variety, but I think this gift box is so cute!
2. Noise-canceling headphones – $129
With multiple people in each household working from home these are a necessity! If you have never tried noise-canceling headphones you are in for a treat. In seconds you get transformed into your own bubble and won’t get bothered by your spouse slamming on the keyboard. Being cordless makes it even better and you can freely move around your house listening to your favorite podcast. Snag these while they are still on sale or pick one that’s in your budget.
3. Matching Pajama $35
Dressing up this holiday season? Of course, in comfy matching PJs! There are so many cute and fun pajamas out there, but these are some of my favorites! It gets even better that they come from a local shop here in Charlotte where the owner Kayla and her team comes up with so many fun prints!
4. The bucket list book – $29
This is the perfect gift for the couple, or single friend, who loves to travel! Right now is the perfect time to dream and plan for all the future trips ahead. Not only is this book filled with fun inspiration, but it’s also the perfect coffee table book with beautiful pictures and great conversation starters.
5. Wine Subscription – $50
This is such a great gift for your parents or a friend or any wine lover in your life. With a subscription box, they will always have something new to try and they can eliminate one stop on their grocery run. There are many subscription boxes out there now that you can pick and choose from, but this is one of my favorites.
6. Ticket to Ride – $50
Anyone been playing board games during quarantine? Well, to be honest, we haven’t… But if we did, we would have been playing Ticket to Ride! You might have heard about it since it’s been around for a while and is highly ranked. There are now multiple editions, like Europe, Japan, and London, which means you can pick a specific game depending on who you are gifting it to.
7. Essential oil diffuser kit – $40
Essential oils can be such a great addition to any home, and it makes a perfect gift for a new homeowner or anyone who needs to love being at home a little bit more. This is a great starter kit with 10 different essential oils to discover which ones are their favorite oils to use.
8. Sunflower garden grow kit – $12
This is such a cute gift that will give the receiver something to do and something to look forward to. It’s an easy DIY kit that includes six different sunflower heirloom varieties to grow at home and it comes in the most adorable packaging.
9. Campfire mug candle – $40
The perfect 2-in-1 gift! First, enjoy the beautifully scented soy candle, and then enjoy some hot cocoa in this cozy mug! The Pretty Honest Shop has so many handmade candles and is black women-owned and located here in Charlotte, North Carolina. I just love everything about this, and I’m sure whoever you gift this to, will do too!
10. Reusable cotton pads – $13
We all are trying to be more eco-friendly, right? This is a great gift and stocking stuffer, and it’s such an easy way to be a little kinder to mother earth. These organic bamboo cotton pads come with a cute box to store them in as well as a laundry bag to make them super easy to wash with regular towels.
11. The Vanishing Half – $16
This book by Brit Bennett is about race and identity and is Time Magazines #1 book of the year. It has been on my to-read list for a while now and I’m sure most people on your Holiday shopping list would appreciate it as well. Get it from Amazon or even better, support your local bookstore!
The Healthy Home Chef
I love giving gifts that I know will be used on a daily basis! This Gift Guide includes some of my kitchen favorites, which I don’t mind spending a little extra on when I know they are going to be used more or less every day for a long time.
Here are a few very useful kitchen items that will elevate home cooking and make it a little bit more fun and even yummier.
1. Pepper Mill $45
There are so many fun pepper mills out there, but if you are looking for quality and a classic look, look no further. This Peugeot pepper mill is the way to go. This is a great gift for the home cook who hasn’t realized that pre-ground pepper is nothing like freshly ground black pepper! It will elevate any dish in just a few twists.
2. Instant Pot $70
You all know how much I love my instant pot and pressure cooker! I one hundred percent recommend that you buy this to your brother or BBF who hasn’t gotten one yet, and it will change their life! And right now, the one I’m using is on sale.
3. Yummly $90
Cooking with a thermometer is the best way to guarantee the perfect cook. Every. Single. Time. This, next generation, meat thermometer is wire-free and app-based and will guide the chef through cooking. It will let you know when to adjust the heat, when to flip, and for how long to rest the meat when done.
This blog post is in collaboration with a partnership with Yummly.
4. Mortar and Pestle $17
Not only is this a fun and cute kitchen accessory, but it’s also so useful! Use it for grinding spices, making pesto, guacamole, and mojitos! I like this classic look, but there are a lot of different designs out there. Pick one that makes the most sense for your receiver.
5. Wooden cutting board $65
A robust, beautiful wooden cutting board is a great gift for the serious home chef. It will definitely make them feel like a professional! This one is reversible with a cracker holder on one side so it can be used as a gorgeous charcuterie board when trying to be fancy while staying at home.
6. Microplane $15
The Microplane grater is a game changer! Gift it to the pasta lover who grates Parmigiano over everything or the person who uses a lot of ginger and garlic in their cooking. The Microplane grates super thinly and creates big fluffy cheese clouds that no one can resist.
7. Misfits Market Subscription $22
I love this company! They save the “ugly” fruits and veggies that would otherwise have been thrown out and sell them to us for a discounted price. It’s genius, affordable and very good for the environment! Give it to the veggie lover who is always up for trying new things in the kitchen. (You can use “SHUANGY25” for 25% off of your first box)
8. Silicone Muffin Pan $9
This might be the best invention since sliced bread. I know it’s been around for a while but maybe your aunt who loves to bake hasn’t discovered it yet. I use min every week and the muffins pop right out every time. The best part, besides that it reduces my waste, it’s machine washable.
9. Bucher Box Subscription $129
The perfect gift for the carnivore who loves good quality meat and cares about where it comes from. This is a once-a-month box with 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, heritage-breed pork, and wild-caught seafood.
10. Nespresso Milk Frother $99
I love my Nespresso Milk Frother! It’s such an easy way to elevate my coffee at home that there is no need to go out and buy my latte anymore. There are cheaper handheld frothers out there, but for a luxurious gift, go with this one.
11. Engraved wooden spoon $17
A Few Spare Moments is one of the cutest Etsy shops out there and is owned by Brittni Toews and her husband Nate. Their personalized engraved wooden utensils are adorable and make the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates a little extra love put in their food.
12. Local Coffee $45
Coffee might be the best gift ever. We all drink it, and there is nothing like a luxurious cup from a local roastery that really cares where the coffee comes from. Order from this link to access a coffee gift box from three Charlotte coffee roasteries or find your local coffee shop for a very appreciated gift.
The Active Homebody
You all know I love my fitness classes and are overall living a pretty active lifestyle. And so does my friends.
Working out has gotten a whole new meaning this year, not only because I’m pregnant but also with gyms being very restricted and living areas being turned into yoga rooms. It’s getting colder and although I love the crispy morning walks with Biscuit, it now requires some new gears.
Here is a Gift Guide with some ideas for your family and friends’ home gyms and some gifts to make their outdoor run a little more comfortable.
1. The reflective vest $49
Let’s be honest, we all curse over people running in front of our car in the dark, and yet it’s so hard putting on that reflective gear going out for an evening run. But I have found the coolest vest that your running friends can put on top of all the regular running equipment without compromising with style. I might even get one for myself.
2. Hands-free Leash $23
Exercising is always more fun with a friend, right? With this hands-free leash, the running dog owner can easily take their best bud out for a run. It’s a great gift for anyone with a dog relay since it’s always preferable to have your hands free while walking the dog.
3. Massage gun $104
I think it’s pretty safe to say that the massage gun is the Christmas gift of the year, and for very good reasons. Why pay for expensive treatments when you can have one every day in the comfort of your home? The price tag can be pretty hefty, but I found one with top reviews for $100 that might be the one to get.
4. Headlight $44
This is a great gift for the “nothing can stop me” kind of person. And I mean with the daylight being pretty limited right now, this is a great option for extending the window of being able to be outside.
5. Foam roller $35
This is the massage gun’s older brother that’s been around for a while. It has seriously helped me out so many times when my back has felt tight or my legs have been sore after too many squats. This is the perfect gift for anyone who is looking to take care of their body.
6. Resistance bands $6
These bands give your workout a whole different dimension and make you feel muscles you didn’t even know existed, while still being considered a low impact and safe workout. This might be the cheapest, most colorful, and best stocking stuffer for anyone who has transformed their living room into a home gym.
7. Float Therapy $89
Floating is such a cool treat. You lay in a zero-gravity saltwater tank that allows the mind and body to let go, relax, and reset. Since you are all alone it’s a perfectly socially distant approved activity for anyone who needs to be recharged.
8. Bluetooth speaker $70
Everyone knows that music will make every workout more fun! A portable Bluetooth speaker is honestly such a great investment and I couldn’t imagine a life without it anymore. Bring it outside for a backyard workout or even to the pool this summer since this one is waterproof. Make sure to grab this Bluetooth speaker while it’s still on sale
9. Yoga Pants $89
Can anyone ever get too many yoga pants? I really don’t think so! These are so cute, and I love the high waist and the pocket. This is honestly the perfect gift for yourself, or for your BBF if you feel like spending a lil extra as thanks for her support this year.
I hope you find something for all your loved ones in these Gift Guides! Let me know if you get them something from my list and if so, how much they all liked it!
Merry Christmas y’all!