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EP 72: Holiday Gift Guide 2024
1.7k Plays1 year ago
The holidays are here, and so is our much-anticipated Holiday Gift Guide Episode! Whether you're shopping for yourself, your littles, your partner, or everyone else on your list, Candace and Whitney are here with hot gift ideas for every category:
- For You – Because moms deserve to treat themselves, too!
- For Baby – Adorable and practical picks for the newest member of the family.
- For Toddler – Toys, gear, and everything in between to keep your toddler entertained.
- For Dad/Husband – Thoughtful gifts to wow the dads in your life.
- For Friends & Family – Perfect presents for everyone from your bestie to the in-laws.
- For Home – Cozy, chic, and functional finds to elevate your space.
We’ve covered all the bases so you can skip the stress and shop with confidence this holiday season. Plus, we're sharing some of our personal favorites and why we love them.
SHOP THE FULL GIFT GUIDE HERE: https://shopmy.us/collections/1038129
Don’t forget: all links to the items mentioned will be posted in our Instagram Stories and saved to our Gift Guide Highlight for easy access.
Grab your holiday beverage of choice and tune in for all the gift-giving inspiration you need! 🎄✨
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Transcript
Introduction: Meet Candace and Whitney
00:00:07
Speaker
Like there's no right way to do it.
00:00:11
Speaker
Oh, we're going to get into it. Merry Christmas mamas. My name is Candace and I am here with my best friend Whitney and this is the mom group chat podcast. Jingle Jangle. Jingle Jangle.
Holiday Spirit and Inclusivity
00:00:27
Speaker
I have no idea when this episode's coming out. It'll probably be like way before Christmas. so I probably should have like thought that one through a little more, but We're getting in the holiday spirit, everyone. We're in the spirit. And and I also sideed I should have said happy holidays because we're inclusive to all of our Jewish listeners. We're inclusive. Happy holidays. I got a lot of Jewish friends that listen. So yes. Shalom.
00:00:59
Speaker
I'm
Morning Routines and Muffin Tales
00:01:00
Speaker
having a weird morning over here. I've done some very out of character things. I saw and I literally was baking muffins at five a.m. this morning. I'm like, what am I doing? But I mean, like, not just.
00:01:15
Speaker
muffin like it was a fancy muffin. OK, you know how many people have responded to my Instagram story saying, can you send me that recipe? Guys, it is a box. It is from a box. They are the Betty Crocker cinnamon streusel muffin mix. But it's like not just your regular old like true blueberry fake artificial blueberry. I mean, it looked fancy and you made a lot. There's a lot.
00:01:44
Speaker
Well, i'm I have learned the key to success with muffins in our household is to make mini muffins. yeah it's I feel like that photo I posted was kind of an optical illusion. They looked like large muffins, but they are mini muffins. but yeah like they were I thought they were big. Okay.
00:02:02
Speaker
No, they're mini muffins. So I made 24 mini muffins. But I don't know about anyone else's toddler, but my toddler takes one bite of a muffin and then we'll set it down and either the dog gets it or she'll ask for a new one. And then if I don't give her a new one, she gets, she has a full f freaking freak out.
Toddler Eating Habits and Life Hacks
00:02:22
Speaker
I don't know, just like toddler things. And so I've learned that mini muffins are the way to go. They're like bite sized.
00:02:28
Speaker
And if I have to give her two of them, it's not a big deal. So that's my that's my life hack right there. No, that's smart. Graydon's like a he likes those stupid party muffins, which are basically cake. Those mini party muffins.
00:02:44
Speaker
My freaking sister brought them to the lake one time for her boys. And then Graydon was like, holy shit, what is this glorious concoction? And Chris and I were like, damn it, like we weren't ready to do that kind of stuff like the pop tarts, those things, whatever. but Yeah, I grew up in the 90s. Don't hate. I loved them. Whatever. But we weren't ready yet. Now he loves them. So we get them here and there. But um He'll eat those. Margo's the one that likes those Publix, like blueberry muffins. Yeah, that's what. Yeah. So we we we get those a lot, especially if they are BOGO. But they're kind of expensive. So we've been trying to buy like a mix or I try to make them myself and make many ones, but.
00:03:32
Speaker
If those Publix ones are BOGO, we are getting those for sure. Yeah. Well, yours looked good. I like the thanks banana ones from Publix are so good. They're so good. Usually I try to buy the mixed one where it's like one row of three, very one row of banana. um Those are so good.
Makeup Trials and Sleep Regressions
00:03:50
Speaker
The other out of character thing I did this morning, which like Winnie, I never do, is I did a winged liner. Oh.
00:03:59
Speaker
Like, who am I? I'm Whitney. You're me. yeah I did it today too. I i don't know. This side's really good. This side's really bad. So that's just you know how it goes with wing liner. But I don't know what came over me. I just was like, I'm just going to feel a little crazy. I'm going to do a wing liner on a Monday morning. A little flick of the wrist out and a boop. Yeah. But I was just like, who the fuck am I? I mean, Muffin's at like 5 AM. m I'm doing a wing liner.
00:04:28
Speaker
I don't even know who I am anymore. Was Evie up at five or were you just up? Yeah, Evie was up at five and I ended up feeding her and putting her down. We're in the middle of a nine month sleep regression, everyone. And it's tough days. Actually, last night wasn't bad. Her only wake up was five a.m. Oh. So that actually like I'm complaining for no reason that she was fine, but she did wake up and it wasn't.
00:04:53
Speaker
This is why I'm just not sure what it is. You know, it's like one of those mom guessing games where I'm like, is it teething? Is it regression? Is it blah, blah, blah?
Managing Early Wake-ups and Overstimulation
00:05:00
Speaker
She definitely is at that age. She'll be nine months tomorrow. So we're right at that age. She has a bunch of teeth coming in. So I think, okay, like her wake up this morning was like, she was standing up in her crib, like screaming, crying, which to me means teething, I think. Yeah.
00:05:18
Speaker
ah But I fed her and changed her and rocked her and she went right back to sleep and she actually slept till 8 a.m. So. Wow. That was a win. um Wow. Yeah. So very happy about that. But I don't know. And then once she was up at five, I was like, I'm not going to go back to sleep. I know I'll wake up feeling worse. You know, plus Alice would be up any minute. So I was like, I'll just make some muffins, even though I have 500 other things to do.
00:05:46
Speaker
Well, it'll feed the family for the rest of the week. So that's a nice, like quick grab. Go get out of the house. So that's a win. Yeah, that is a win. I will consider it a win. If my kids wake up at five, I'm like, well, this is it. We're starting the day. Really? They never go back to sleep.
00:06:06
Speaker
I don't attempt because I'm awake and I'm like I'm like happy to get up. I'm like, let's go. We're starting the day. That's not me. I'm like, go back to sleep. No, I think I'm strange in that. um But oh, well, it's just I'm ready to get up. So let's all get up.
00:06:28
Speaker
I get that. I wish I was like that. And also I think the thing is like, I know my kids will go back to sleep. Like typically if they're up at five, maybe not Alice now that she's older. But Evie, as long as I feed her, she'll go right back down. So I just I just do the damn thing. But um how was your weekend? You know,
00:06:50
Speaker
I know I wanted to hear an update. I don't know if it's like for the pot or not. No, I mean,
Family Trips and Energy Management
00:06:54
Speaker
it's just like it wasn't anything in particular. It just was a long the weekend feels long now that it's getting darker earlier. <unk> And with us trying to move, I know it's because like we're not exactly focusing on like their needs and like playing with them. So like they're just like extra whiny while we're trying to pack.
00:07:17
Speaker
And it just, it was just annoying. I think I'm about to start my period. I was just like annoyed all weekend and yeah very overstimulated all weekend. Did you punch your husband in the face? No. Try it. Try it sometime. I'm just kidding. Don't do that. I'm not condoning that.
00:07:38
Speaker
I I snapped at him just because he was like the closest person to snap at. So sorry, Chris, but um it was just like he was he had worked yesterday and um he was like he forgot we had a birthday party and he was like, wait, why are you putting grading down early? Wait, whose party is it? And it just like triggered me that like, look listen,
00:08:08
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. Remember something for one god dang second,
Opryland vs. Dollywood: The Great Clarification
00:08:13
Speaker
you know, like, oh, my God, tired explaining everything to everyone. i Anyway, I know I just was like a little very not a little I was very snappy all weekend.
00:08:24
Speaker
Um, I try to be cute and fun. I took the kids to Opryland, which was like the fun part. Oh my gosh. Yeah. I saw your Instagram stories and I was like, Oh my God, I had no idea she was doing that. Yeah. And I, I mean, my sister was just in town. They like took.
00:08:39
Speaker
or my sister, my mom did that for like their birthday present. And so like I just tagged along and I went Sunday morning and I spent all morning there and it was so fun and cute and they loved it. um It was just like when we got in the car and we're on the way back, it was like a letdown of energy. And I was like, I'm exhausted and I'm in a bad mood all of a sudden. um And then how far is that from like where you live?
00:09:06
Speaker
It's like 30 minutes. Oh, that's not bad. OK, I thought it was going to be like a two hour
Moving Stress and Balancing Family Needs
00:09:13
Speaker
drive or something. I don't know where that is. Oh, I mean, it's in Nashville. It's just like I thought it I thought for some reason that it was.
00:09:23
Speaker
closer to Ashley. you No, that's Dollywood's close to Ashley. Oh, that's what I'm thinking of. Okay, I'm so sorry. they're and I'm thinking of different things. They have similar vibes. Dollywood's like the theme park and Dolly Parton inspired and then Opryland is obviously like where the big hotel is.
00:09:43
Speaker
used to be this bomb ass theme park as well, but they tore that down and put in Opry Mills Mall. Um, if you're from Nashville, shout out to growing up with that. And, um, yeah, so it was really fun and cute and they put like a new water, like it's called sound waves. So you can go do all that, but the kids are still a little young, maybe next year for grading though. So.
00:10:11
Speaker
Fine. Well, that sounds good overall. Yeah, it was good. It's just I think the anxiety of like not being able to get a lot done with them around is...
Holiday Gift Planning and TikTok Tips
00:10:22
Speaker
frustrating totally i totally get that it's a lot yeah chris keeps being like why we need to get your mom like why aren't your parents helping i'm like we haven't asked like chris you can't just like wish up that my parents would to come here every weekend and take the kids for hours upon hours like we have not asked them to take it's funny it's literally we had the same conversation with my between vinnie and i i'm like it's it takes a lot of planning to
00:10:52
Speaker
Get them to come and do that. And you have to make sure, you you know, I'm just like, Chris, we're not. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we're closing in on the move. Are you getting so excited?
00:11:05
Speaker
I'm ready. Like my house is a bomb. You know, that irritates the show. oh I know. I know. That's another reason you're probably on edge. It is because I'm I work, breathe, poop, sleep here. So it's like, I don't know. It's just anyway, this is supposed to be a Holly Jolly episode. And here I am. OK.
00:11:24
Speaker
I'm so sorry. No, no, no, you're fine. We are in a holly-dolly mood. I'm so excited for this episode because you know with everything we've gone through in the past month, like the holidays have been like a far thought, to be honest. like I just haven't, because even if I were to get gifts for the girls, like we don't have any we don't have a home, so like we don't have anywhere to put them.
Holiday Gift Guide Introduction
00:11:48
Speaker
i I it has been on my mind to like start to compile some things and this forced me to sit down and think about like what the girls would like and then also you know I we lost so much in the flood like there's so many things that I like I feel like for Christmas I'm usually scrambling of like what do what do I want what do I even I don't need anything buth blah blah blah this is the first year that I'm like wait a second There's a lot that I need, you know? So um it was just so fun. I'd like to do a shout out to TikTok because
00:12:22
Speaker
um They like I went on to TikTok and I remember I did this last year and it was like what all the cool girls are asking for for Christmas. And then I did like I went through all of our categories and searched it on TikTok. And man, I got some good stuff. And I'm so excited to share. So mine were mostly inspired by ads that I get on Instagram, which is usually how I shop. I am very much influenced in every way on Instagram. So I kind of feel the same way. Yeah, yeah. Normally, nowadays when people are like, I just had a birthday and they're like, what do you want? What do you want? I'm like, nothing. I don't know. I'm moving. I haven't even thought about it, but...
00:13:07
Speaker
I got to think about it and I'm like excited for all the stuff we've picked out. I can't wait to hear what you picked. I know. I'm really excited. And I would say like, like I said, half of this list is inspired by like TikTok and what the cool girls are asking for, but also stuff that we genuinely need for whenever we do move into a house or a rental or I don't know what the you know, whatever, where wherever we end up, these are the things we're going to some things we're going to need. So, OK, should we explain? Yes,
Personal Gift Ideas: Cookware to Toothbrushes
00:13:42
Speaker
the the gift guide, which we did, we've done in the past and we picked categories and then we picked two things within the category.
00:13:52
Speaker
of what we didn't want to be overwhelming you know everyone bombards and actually I love seeing gift guides because it inspires me too and if it's like one or two things off the entire like um collage that um influencers will post so we were like let's just pick two things we're doing a baby category we're doing a toddler category we're gonna do boy and girl toys so Lots of inspo, hopefully. And even like gifts for us that you know yeah moms moms are always on the back burner. so
00:14:25
Speaker
Yep. We're also, we also had dad slash husband in there. Um, and then we have a home category, Whitney's fave, which honestly ended up being my fave because we lost a lot of our home items. So I'm like so excited about that. And then we have a friends and family, which is kind of like a catch all like mother-in-law friends that want to give gifts, like,
00:14:51
Speaker
blah, blah, blah. So I'm so excited. Shall we dive in? You go. Okay. We're going to start at the top, which is like personal stuff that we are asking for, right? Yep. Okay. First item on my list is, I feel like you've heard influencers talk about it, but it is genuinely something I need and it is a full caraway cookware set.
00:15:21
Speaker
I want that to put it on. Honest. Yeah. Like we lost all of our pots and pans in the flood. The only ones I saved are our late crusade, like really nice ones. yeah And I had to deeply sanitize them. And could I have saved all of our pots and pans?
00:15:40
Speaker
Some of them like if they didn't have any like handle like all but all that all of that stuff was like Literally the our whole bottom cabinets were soaking like the floodwater was up through the hole So think of yeah, it's really yucky to think about cooking in these pans that have been sitting in like sewer water basically So I got rid of all of them and accept the late crusade Dutch oven. Yeah. and Thank God. The rest of my late crusade stuff was up um on a shelf. Thank God. So anyways, this caraway set, it's something that I've had my eye on for like a long time. You know, you see the ads, they look so beautiful. They come with like a holder for under. Yeah. Pretty colors. So that's the first thing on my list.
00:16:27
Speaker
Um, yeah, obsessed. Chris literally said the same thing to me. He's like, we need to get new, uh, pots and pans. We've had our since we've been married. So they're, they've seen better. ten plus years Yeah. that eyes Love that idea. Do you want to go back and forth? Like I do. Okay, cool. yeah Okay. My, my first item, this is really weird, but I was thinking.
00:16:52
Speaker
um'm I've been getting served this ad a lot and it is a yeah luxury toothbrush. And when I say, when I say luxury, I mean, it is fricking cute and pretty and like, who doesn't want like a tortoise shell toothbrush for $29? It is so cute. And then they have like some that have like gold trim on it. um When I saw the price, I was like, okay, yeah, that's expensive for a toothbrush, but also like,
00:17:20
Speaker
very not for just in their grand scheme. Well, I don't know if you've seen how much the oral be like IO toothbrushes. It's like three hundred dollars. So well, toothbrushes can be so expensive. It's called the Trask toothbrush. um And like I said, I have my eye on this like tortoise shell one. And I was like, you know,
00:17:41
Speaker
I used to be really, really, really into like designery things. I mean, still love, but like I don't buy all that fancy stuff anymore. Like I have kids and I'm like, this feels really nice to put on the counter in my bathroom and make my bathroom look pretty next to like the makeup mirror. I don't know. I was like, I really want that because I think it could make like spruce up the counter space and make it look cute. Totally. A cute little gold toothbrush holder. I don't know. i'm in Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:11
Speaker
I feel like that is the definition of what they say is like everyday luxury. Like yeah it just like makes your everyday normal. root Like you're going to brush your teeth every day. Like might as well make it feel cute. You know, cute. Make it cute. So that's my cute.
Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers
00:18:27
Speaker
Um, okay. The next thing on my list is something I actually have received previously that I loved so much that I am asking for it again. And it is the, okay. You know, the perfume but brand replica. Um,
00:18:46
Speaker
I feel like if you saw, I don't have a bottle of it, which is why I'm asking for it, but um they have a gift set that only comes out during the holidays. It is the Mini Cofret set and it is six of their scents. And they're in these cute little mini bottles um and they are the absolute best scents. Oh my gosh. like And i'm I think I'm learning as I get old. I'm definitely a perfume girl. like This is my perfume tray right here.
00:19:16
Speaker
I am not someone who like has a signature scent necessarily. like I like to mix it up and I like to wear different things based on my moods and these perfumes are very pricey normally. like They're very pricey if you were to buy a bottle of these. So this is a great way to like get six different scents for a reasonable price that are going to last you for a long time to try out different things.
00:19:40
Speaker
And then when I got this, I ended up buying my favorite scent of the six, like in a full size, but it's a great gift to ask for. It's also like something, honestly, it could go on a lot of these lists for like mother-in-law or friends. Like these scents are so, so good.
00:20:01
Speaker
I love a good perfume. I feel like yeah my brother, so sweet Hunter, he um every like birthday or Christmas, that's like what he buys all the girls in the family. um So he's like, i have yeah he's like so what what are you into this year? So he's like my perfume guy. so Oh, that's so funny. Yeah. I'm like, well, which one do I want this year? Do I want to repeat? Do I want something new?
00:20:27
Speaker
So that's a good one to tell him, um, even though like in our family now, like we only buy gifts for the kids, but, um, and we Hunter and I decided cause our birthdays are Halloween and obviously October, October 30th, we like really, let's just not do anything this year. We canceled each other out. Yeah. But normally my perfume guy.
00:20:46
Speaker
um so nice yeah mine it My last um one that I picked for myself is I am obviously a huge crew neck girl. I'm always living in a crew neck.
00:21:02
Speaker
Um, if you work from home, you're a stay at home mom, like you want to just throw on something comfortable. I, my face, one of my favorite sweaters that I've ever gotten was from airy. And so I was looking online and I found this like, it's called the airy getaway quarter sweatshirt.
00:21:20
Speaker
Oh my God, it comes in this baby blue, which blue is my favorite color. I was like, oh, and it's long. Like, I like it when it covers my butt. And I'm like, I am going to live in that from like December 1st through fricking February. Like, so, um, that was like the other thing I picked. up it I, um, I have probably a 50 crew next. I'm not going to lie. I'm a, are you serious? I'm not kidding. I love them.
00:21:50
Speaker
I see when I like I buy it. Wow. Like I live in them. I live in them and my shorts. I just it's my favorite freaking thing to wear. I mean, we all have our thing, you know, we've said we say this all the time. Like I probably have 70 lipsticks, you know, and we all have our thing. I have one. I'm not kidding. Oh, that's funny.
00:22:18
Speaker
OK, should we move on? The next thing I have on my list is baby. Should we do that? Yes. OK. First thing on my list is something that probably a lot of different brands sell. The one that I am linking, I guess, is just from Amazon. But it is, when I look back at the things we most use when Alice was like a baby, like and I'm talking about like from crawling stage to like two years old. That's kind of like whip what this is for. Yeah. or
00:22:53
Speaker
yeah just like starting to be mobile and it is that two-piece step and ramp like soft set um i don't know how to explain it i don't know if you do you know what i'm talking about wit i'm just thinking of like a soft play yeah it's kind of like a soft play set it's like what it's like a set of two stairs and then a ramp but and It is. I'm not kidding. Like for some reason they love it. It's a great way to help them learn to go up and down little stairs safely. It helps them learn to stand and walk and balance. Alice still likes it as a two year old. Like so she'll use the ramp and like say she's going down a slide um and it's not that expensive. Like I said, there's probably a bunch of different brands on Amazon, but um highly recommend.
00:23:45
Speaker
cute. Mario would be obsessed with that because she loves the stairs. um so For the first one for baby, I'm doing a girl category and then I have a boy category. I know. I didn't do that. I'm sorry. It's okay. For girls,
Toddler Engagement and Creativity
00:24:01
Speaker
um I picked, so this is like a kind of like a, gri I would say yeah like grand millennial preppy thing. I ordered this headband holder off of Etsy where you could get it like this little monogram at the top and it has yeah cute little flowers and then it has three ribbons hanging down from it.
00:24:19
Speaker
where you can clip all of their bows and it's just a really cute way to ah the but all the bows. um And if your baby um doesn't have like a ton of hair at first, so you obviously aren't going to be clipping all these bows, I got like a headband holder and it's for adults.
00:24:37
Speaker
But you're able to like wrap all the headbands. Yeah. Headband holder. And I got that off of Amazon. It was pretty cheap. I'll be linking it on there, obviously, and the Etsy one as well. But super cute way to like decorate their room. I hung it up with one of those command strip things and yeah, in the corner. And it just was like a cute little decoration to have and organizing. Super cute. It's a gift for mom and baby. Yes.
00:25:06
Speaker
I love that. OK, next for me, OK, this was probably our most used Christmas present from Alice's first Christmas, and it got destroyed in the flood. So I am reordering it with an update.
00:25:23
Speaker
for this Christmas. And this is kind of a two for one because the babies love it, but it is a great gift for family members. And it is a custom baby board book from Artifact Uprising. So basically you can create your own board book of like my our family or um like You know, you could make one that's like with Grammy and Pop Pop and like have, you know, pictures of like we and you can add text like we like to go to the zoo with a picture of them at the zoo. The babies love to flip a book and see themselves in the book.
00:26:03
Speaker
um And then families love to get it and like keep it at their house and they can read the Grammy and pop up book like with, you know, the babies when they're there. So ah again, this is kind of a two for one, but truly that was Alice's like favorite book. And we needed an update anyway, because obviously Evie's here now and that one ev' is not a character in that book. So we were due for an update anyway. um But yes, that is truly one of the most favorite gifts we've ever done. I was thinking about making one for Margo, and I love that company. Me too. The stuff is so cute. Yeah, super cute, really easy to work with. Good idea. And that's gender neutral, so that works. Yeah, totally. Both of mine were gender neutral. Yeah, true, true, true.
00:26:54
Speaker
aggressive queen My other one is also kind of gender neutral, but um really good for boys. It was just like a Montessori busy board, but you can get it customized with their name on it. Um, so like the name is a puzzle, but then it also has like shoe snaps where you can learn how to do that. Um, you can learn how to do the zipper, but that really keeps them fricking occupied forever. And they.
00:27:22
Speaker
Love it like Graydon had one and Margo's now found it and it has dinosaurs all over it. It's kind of boyish, but she loves that thing. So definitely that's a good one. Yeah, a good idea. I feel like as moms too, we're like always looking for screen free like things to keep them busy. So that's a really good one. Yeah.
00:27:46
Speaker
All right. For toddler. Okay. This one does actually, my first option here kind of has a girl and a boy side. ok So this is a shout out to the brand Lalo and their items. Um, and they have two items. So I'm doing kind of like a boy version and a girl version, even though both of them can be used by all genders. Okay.
00:28:11
Speaker
but um their play kitchen or workbench. So it's like one of those super cute play kitchens. And then the workbench is almost like a construction, like tool workbench. So it's like a kitchen, but like, you know, but a workbench for boys.
00:28:30
Speaker
Which honestly, like Alice might like that one more. It looked like it had cooler stuff on it. Like a saw and you're like, yeah. And there I found that option and also like their Black Friday. They are doing like super early Black Friday deals right now and the whole website's 40 percent off. So and I think it still will be when we put this live. So.
00:28:52
Speaker
um I'll link that specifically, but they have such good stuff at Lalo. They're such a good brand. And I feel like Alice is, again, another great, ah like, screen free, busy toy option. We got handy hand me I always call it hand me down in my country or what. um ah My sisters play kitchen and.
00:29:20
Speaker
I don't know, they aren't like super into it. And I'm like, is it the style of kitchen? Or if I buy a nicer one, would they like they like it here and there if I like sit out there with them, but it's not gonna be something that they gravitate towards? And I'm like,
00:29:37
Speaker
well I feel like that's fair. Some of them some people are like some kids just aren't I I've seen that exact comment in our mom group like someone will get one and their kid like it'll go by like a year will go by and they haven't they don't really play with it. And it's like, OK, time to go. Well, yeah, because it takes up a lot of space. But like is it that one that they don't like?
00:30:00
Speaker
I don't know. Hollis loved hers. I i think though, part of the reason that it did so well is um she, so ours was in our kitchen. So when I was cooking, she got to cook and I would, like if I was stirring something, I would be like, where's your pot? Stir with me. I also used to, I would take like dried noodles, like, you know, uncooked noodles,
00:30:27
Speaker
And I would put them in her pots and pans so she could like play around with them. And if they spilled, it didn't matter. So that was my. But keeping it in the so it was in the kitchen instead of in her playroom. And I feel like that helped because she was like, it was like, oh, mom's in the kitchen and so am I. I think. Yeah.
00:30:45
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's about where you put it because ours right now is in the garage So but if we're hanging out in the garage, they'll go. I don't know. It's just yeah hit or miss. Yeah pin miss ah for Margo, which she is now my toddler. So it was kind of funny, like earlier when you said my toddler, I'm like, which one? And then I'm like, oh, yours is still a baby. Mine are both toddlers. Graydon's kind of turning into a kid, honestly. Anyway, sad. I know.
00:31:18
Speaker
But for Margo, I think I am going to get her some dress up clothes. Like yeah I think she's getting really into it. Halloween was just like the precursor to like what she's about to.
00:31:33
Speaker
dive into my girl. um I saw a Mason that website. Is it like Mason net? I love Mason. Yeah. I don't want to mispronounce. They have the cutest frickin stuff for boys and girls, but they have these like sparkly like lavender or pink capes and they come with crowns and all this you stuff. So I was like, I'm planning on getting her some dress up clothes.
00:32:01
Speaker
That is such a fun stage. I love Alice's dress up like play. It's so cute to watch. It's so fun. Yeah. And Graydon, he re-found his dinosaur costume from last year, so it's a size two. Obviously, like the body is too small, but he'll put on the head and then he'll wear the Spider-Man suit with it. So he's like half lizard, half man.
00:32:27
Speaker
That is like such a boy thing to do, I feel like. Oh, my God. He's crazy. I love that. OK, my next choice is like kind of the most basic answer of all time, but it is truly. Our favorite thing we got last year, and I plan to get more of an extended set this year, and it is Magnetiles like.
00:32:51
Speaker
they are they love them too they are hands down are most played with toy by far they keep the girls busy the longest and they have so many cute extended sets that have like trains and ramps they have frozen themed sets like there's so many different options and I love getting more of them because I just feel like it it stretches their imagination even more. Like she's learning to like build, oh, like I can have a train come out of the side of this house. Like it's so fun to watch her like think of new ideas and create new things. So again, I know this is like
00:33:32
Speaker
the most basic answer but truly that's like what I am planning to get Alice is an extended set of magnetiles. It's a really good gifting. I think Green just like rediscovered them all of a sudden. It's like he found the bag of them and was like, forget about you. um yeah And unfortunately like I don't know if we would ever get to the point where he could do a train through a tunnel because he's all about smashing. so If you build up,
Creative Spaces: Toddler Art Tables
00:34:02
Speaker
he break down. Big man break down. We don't get too far with them, but he does love them and Margot likes them too. I know I told you that story of when TJ was over at our house. And yeah and Alice built this like beautiful big house and TJ just smashed it. And he was like, TJ smash. and And Alice was like horrified. She was like, oh my God. She was like, Mom. That is like one of the hardest things about being a mom. I had thought this over the weekend. One, I built him a house while he napped. And when he woke up, I was like, Craydon.
00:34:44
Speaker
And he was like, oh, and then he looked at me. Can I break it? And I was like, you know, the part of you is like, no, like I worked hard. yeah And then I just was like. Yeah, I don't care. Just do it. Same thing with coloring. I bought the kids, which y'all might've seen, I posted it, like one of those Target gingerbread hues, like where they can color on it. And I'm over here, I'm like, Graydon, you do this wall, I'll do this wall. So I'm over here and he comes over and he's like, mom, I'm gonna color yours. And I'm like, ooh, this is really hard for me. I know, it's hard. I feel the same way.
00:35:19
Speaker
scribble on my gingerbread man's head, but go for it, sweetheart. You know, I know the like perfectionist and like the person, the part of me that wants it to look pretty is like so. ah Yeah. Which anyway. you Twelve dollars at Target. They loved that thing anyway. That's right. I'm going to have to get one of those. Oh my God. They've been they played in it all night, played in it all morning. I was like, OK, this is great. yeah My last toddler item I have on here.
00:35:50
Speaker
Graydon is very into coloring right now. Oh yes finally I'm like yay and I feel safe with him having it even though like if Margo gets a hold of a crayon it's in her mouth.
00:36:04
Speaker
um But I was thinking about getting him like an art table. um We already have like a table where they eat and he'll like sit there in color. But I'm thinking in my new house, I can like designate a little art corner where at the end it has like art supplies in it, like the cra coloring books where you can put paper. um And so I thought maybe a cute little art table. I found one on Amazon for like one hundred and fifty dollars, kind of more on the pricey side. But um but if it has like storage and stuff in it, I feel like it's worth it.
00:36:35
Speaker
something really cute for both of them to use as they get older. Amazing. I love that. I feel like that's on the horizon for us as soon as we have a house. Yeah, I don't know. I think something with school, like he's really just gotten into it. So yeah. OK, two more categories to go. Let's do home.
Gifts for Dads and Husbands
00:36:58
Speaker
Well, we yeah we use skipped husband and dad.
00:37:01
Speaker
Oh, I'm sorry. Three to go. Wow. Sorry, dad. but Yeah. OK. I don't know about y'all, but my husband is like literally the hardest person to shop for. He's so picky. He does not like any clothing shoes. Like I can't pick any of that for him. It's so hard, like.
00:37:20
Speaker
So I stick to outdoor and tools personally. So this reflects that. But my first is an outdoor pizza oven. This is something I've heard him talk about. It takes dinner off my plate for him to use his little tool. Listen, these tools for dad, I am all about like personal gain. OK, whatever their gift can do for me. That is that's that's the goal here. So anyways, outdoor pizza oven.
00:37:49
Speaker
yeah um Our friends have one and it's freaking good, like amazing. My first one is Margaritaville machine, which we have. Again, personal gain. Personal gain. But it is so fun. And I feel like at our new house, um we have like a little bar outside and I was like, you know what? A Margaritaville machine with your friends.
00:38:14
Speaker
The winner, maybe not so much with a frozen machine, but like in the summer is going to be so fun. So yeah, that's always so fun. And it's a nice gift, like a big, yeah, fun gift. That is. Yeah, that's ah that's a really good option.
00:38:30
Speaker
Okay, my next one is a shout out to Shannon and ah it is a ah wet, dry vac. It is a shop vac. I'm sorry, but you can never go wrong with one of these.
00:38:45
Speaker
and if They already have a large one, let me tell you. Those littler ones that are like seven or eight gallons, like they're so cheap. They're like 60 bucks or maybe even less, like $50. And they're so great to be portable, to go around the house and like clean up little things. So get your husband to shop back. You can task him with all sorts of things. Again, I'm all about personal gain. What can you do for me?
00:39:13
Speaker
The shop vac, you know, you experience this while you're here, it blows in and out and we use it to spill up our like water ah floats in the backyard. Like we'll use it to air into it so that we're not sitting there like huffing and puffing in the summer. Like get your shop vac out, blow up the fake pool or the pool, whatever. Yeah. It's awesome. Just saying. Yeah, exactly. Another another use. It is multi use. Yes. I'm going to send one to Andrew this Christmas. That's so funny.
00:39:48
Speaker
ah My other my other one is like something with Chris like he has like a tried and true he always for pants he loves those Lululemon ABC joggers I get them for him every year um he lives in those things like he goes to work and changes into scrubs immediately so he's always about like comfy casual like whatever yeah So this year I found this Lululemon crew neck and it's like all black, but it's kind of like that scuba material. Yeah. You know what I mean? And I thought that would look so chic. And he's also a crew neck guy or pull over kind of guy. So I was like, I think he'd really like that. And it'd make him look super cool walking into work. I like really wish I could dress my husband. I feel like he has so much potential. He just does not like he's like a uniform guy. He wears the same shit all the time. So does Chris. I mean, he he rotates between us. Yeah. But Chris is like our green ABC more. No, Chris is more into fashion than
00:40:58
Speaker
He'll buy something. When y'all came to Tampa, he was like, i'm he's like, do you like my shirt? He was so excited about wearing that shirt. And I was like, I love that. I remember asking Vinny, I'm like, if I bought you that, would you wear it? And he was like, like maybe. And I was like, I don't i i wish that i wish that Vinny was like a little more into it. What can you do? Yeah. OK, moving on to home.
Home Gift Ideas: Luxuries and Customization
00:41:27
Speaker
Oh, I guess that's me. Sorry. I forgot that I was first. Okay. This first item is my favorite candles and they are the most beautiful candles to gift people. They are Otherland candles. I don't know if anyone's ever heard of those. They used to be And they still are, I guess. Like one of my go-to gift things for people just because you can buy these sets of three candles that come in this like gorgeous, beautiful box. They have the most like luxury sense. They are so, so, so good. And like the the um jars are so like interesting and beautiful. I will say they are definitely not
00:42:16
Speaker
Like they're more like whimsical cool not like they're not like gold and yeah, I don't know Do you know anything like a picture? I know you need to like when I post them you'll understand they have like really colorful like whimsical jars and the boxes are so like beautiful and colorful um and they are just They're a conversation starter. like almost When I used to have them in my house, like if I had one burning, people would always ask about A, the scent, and then when I would show them the jar, they'd be like, oh my God, that is so cool. like What is that? I can't wait. Yeah. My first one is I have my new bonus room on my mind.
00:43:01
Speaker
And I want this massive like furry bean bag. And it's oh not, if you guys might, I don't know if I'm the only one getting targeted ads like crazy for this thing, but it is massive. And when I say that me as a five, five human would be engulfed by this thing, I'm not kidding. Like it is massive. Like picture me as a little baby looking type thing in this big pod, this big circle. And you're just like in the middle and snuggled in with a warm blankie. Oh my God, put me in it. like I feel like my whole family could fit on this thing.
00:43:38
Speaker
um And it's wow, I'm intrigued. oh I'm targeted for this ad, but I'm so excited to come visit you and sit in it. Well, I mean, there's like expensive ones like that. ah You could get on Pottery Barn or whatever, but I found one on Amazon for sixty eight dollars. And I was like, you know what? I'm going to start there. Like, I don't have to get like the fanciest bean bag. Yeah, especially in a bonus room with kids and snacks and like I'm a big proponent of, like, get something you can replace easily with kids because. Yeah, I mean, it's going to get ruined. It's the things huge. If it pops, it would probably fill the room with popcorn balls. But, you know, looking forward to potentially having that. I love that.
00:44:24
Speaker
Okay, my next item is something random. We lost all of our like a lot of our ah entertaining items, like stuff I had collected over the years to like entertain. um And one of those things is which again like is only stuff we use for special occasions or like dinner parties. but You know, that stuff like you collect over like years and I want to start to collect those things back. And so I found these quill napkin rings. I don't even know how to describe them, but they're by.
00:44:58
Speaker
um Nagala Trading Company. They're on the Perigold website. Again, I don't know, just but they, yeah, it's fancy. I mean, they're not cheap. They're $95 for a set of six, but like ah they are. Quill is like kind of fucking cool. like Yeah. and they they're like really interesting looking, but still neutral to where I feel like you could use them for a lot of different holidays. yeah And it'll add interest to your table settings. So yes, I will post a picture of them obviously, but they're like, if I got these as a gift, I would be so thrilled. So thrilled. I love the good table setting. I was saying like, yeah i owe it like that's usually like what I asked for for my birthday or Christmas is like,
00:45:45
Speaker
I would like a new set of dishes or something. yeah i I always ask for that. um Let's see, what else was my let me pull up my least. Sorry, I lost. OK, I'm back. My last home item I picked is a monogram like doormat since I'm moving into my new house. um And I personally love the one from Front Gate. It's really just your letter. It's not personalized. It doesn't say Williams on it. it Yeah. yeah have the w But the reason I like this one from Frontgate is because it's it doesn't come in just the normal like size where it would sit in front of your door. it's You can get a huge one, so it looks like even more customized and something you didn't think like would bring elegance to your front door, but it does because it is so big. It is gorgeous.
00:46:37
Speaker
And they have a few different colors, but they have like a black and tan that is very pretty. And I think when people walk up, they'd be like, wow, this is really nice. I love that. I need that. Oh, it's good. Amazing. All right. OK, friends and family. Last category.
00:46:57
Speaker
Last category.
Gifts for Friends and Family
00:46:59
Speaker
Okay, this gift is probably one of my go to gifts for friends and family. And that is, and again, it's kind of something I would love to receive but I think it's, it usually bodes well is um a beautiful cookbook and like a set, either like a nice set of kitchen towels or even like a set of fabric napkins or even like paired with those napkin rings or something. Oh, yeah. um But ah a cookbook that is on my list. I'm a big cookbook girl, too. But um there's a cookbook ah called What Can I Bring? And um it is by oh, my God, I'm blanking on her name. Hold on.
00:47:42
Speaker
It is by Sophie Hansen and it says easy, delicious food for sharing. And it's like I feel like we're in this phase of life with kids of like, oh, come over like or we're having people over. And the question is like, what can I bring, you know? yeah And um so I feel like this is a great that's so like you something to have on hand. um And something I love about this cookbook is she the chapters in here are by um like by season, like spring, summer, autumn, winter, which is cool because you can kind of like easy reference like, okay, we're in winter time. What can I bring? So perfect. Uh, so yeah, I would probably pair that with like a beautiful kitchen towel or the napkin rings or something like, or a beautiful like serving spoon, something like that. I feel like stuff like that is,
00:48:34
Speaker
Always a good gift gift. And I love when people like will stick like a note card or like turn a page and be like, this is my favorite one, by the way. like I think that's so sweet to do. Yeah, totally.
00:48:46
Speaker
um My first gift for friends or family is the new Surrett bag. We are not sponsored, but I just wanna say like her stuff is amazing. Like after getting to talk to her um and she had mentioned putting out this um bag, it is so perfect for anyone that is pregnant or even if you're not, like it's a great healthy way to put on any of her products. She has all kinds of stuff in this little bag. It's perfect for stocking stuffers, but I think it is such a freaking cute bag and it's really well priced as well. Yeah, totally. And a great way to like try out some new stuff like and again, you don't have to be pregnant, even just like we said, being a mom, like yeah making sure your products are safe and healthy, like when.
00:49:35
Speaker
Okay. My last item, when you said earlier about the tortoise show tortoise shell toothbrush, I was like, oh, I have a tortoise shell item on my list too. funny um and that is So this item is a customized frame bridge framed print, but I saw an influencer again, someone on TikTok, I don't even know who, but they framed like a print of their kids or of them with their daughter or something. And it was a tortoiseshell frame with a red striped like matte. It was so cute and different looking. And like it did not look like it looked so custom. I mean, it is custom, but you know what I mean? It looked expensive. Like it looked like Hermes or something. And I was like, Oh, this is just a frame bridge print of your kids. Like, yeah, and i yeah I feel like that is such a good option of like, or even, you know,
00:50:37
Speaker
you know After losing Shannon, like I cherish the pictures of my friends now. like If someone were to give me a picture of us together, like I don't know. I just feel like it'd be such a special gift and there's so many cute options of like frames and mats now. like There's just so many. Oh, my God. Yeah, I'm obsessed with them. They just came out with all those new different mats this year. Oh, my God. They're so cute. They even have also pale blue, which is my favorite. um But I ordered from them whenever I got some photos done of Graydon and it came in like three days. It was, yeah, freaking fast. um But I love that. Anything that like.
00:51:19
Speaker
you it makes it look like you put a left ah lot of effort into. Chef's kiss, which is my last one, which we're gonna end with a banger. One of my favorite gifts to give. And I got this idea from my friend in Rhode Island. She gave it to me one Christmas and I was like, this is the coolest thing I've ever gotten in my life.
00:51:38
Speaker
yeah It is a YSL lipstick and they do customize you where you can put, engrave your name and into the lipstick. Like on the side. Yes. And it's free. It is so luxe and cute and cool. Like I gave it to my boss last year and she thought it was the coolest thing ever too. You literally put your name on there, Whitney. It's my lipstick. It is the cutest freaking thing on earth.
00:52:05
Speaker
Oh my gosh, I had no idea they did that. Oh yeah. And it's free. It's crazy. Wow. Okay. Definitely going to have to look into that. Such a good gift for like, uh, yeah. If you're doing a secret Santa, I think they're like 30 bucks and with your name on it, YSL, like done.
00:52:25
Speaker
Wow. Wow. That's amazing. That's like my top secret gift. So y'all are welcome. ah Yeah. That's a really, really good one. Wow. Yeah.
00:52:36
Speaker
yeah Okay. I
Conclusion and Holiday Wishes
00:52:38
Speaker
don't know about you, but I have even more options than we talked about on here. So I think we we plan to do a more, like we're going to obviously post all of the links and everything that we've talked about on here, but I think we'll probably do an even more like extensive gift guide, you know, with even more items um and ideas for you guys. And we'll try to link everything so that it's easy to shop.
00:53:02
Speaker
This is your sign to do it early. I don't know about you, but like the fire drill of the week before Christmas is so stressful. Like yeah don't do that to yourself. Shop now. Yeah. And black Friday is coming up. So get into it. Yes. Um, well, I love you guys. Happy holidays. I love you so much. Holly jolly. I can't wait to see what you get for Christmas. Same.
00:53:30
Speaker
All right. Love you guys. Bye. Thank you so much for being a part of our mom group chat. New episodes drop every Tuesday and don't forget the group chat is blowing up on our Instagram page. So make sure you're following along over there. All right. Got to go. My toddler just put something in her mouth.