The Catch-Up | Vol 29
A special holiday edition of The Catch-Up! Inside, all of my holiday gift guides for her, him, children, and a personalized guide for your loved ones.
Hello friends!
Hello friends! Happy Black Friday and welcome to my special holiday edition of The Catch-Up, my weekly column that arrives in your inboxes every week. The Catch-Up consists of everything that has caught my eye, heart, imagination, interest, and family throughout the week. I hope you each had a lovely Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones! I’ve been sprinkling in lots of holiday content throughout my recent Catch-Ups - wrappings & ribbons, a Christmas gift tracker + children’s Christmas pajamas, and what I’m most looking forward to this holiday season but today’s Catch-Up is dedicated to my gift recommendations. I hope you enjoy and hope it is helpful as you navigate Black Friday sales and holiday shopping.
What you may have missed on the blog this week:
Holiday kids dressing: lots of cute outfit recipes!
What to wear for family photos: for you, for your husband, for little boys, and little girls (including what we wore in ours!)
What to do with 72 Hours in London: two different complete itineraries + my full London travel guide
Meaningful questions to ask your parents: Great to ask while with family this week for Thanksgiving!
what caught my heart
My Gift Guide for Her! Where would I be without all the sensational women in my life? My mom is at the top of the list but there are so many women I carry in my heart who I simply wouldn’t ever want to live a Christmas without - my sister, my mother-in-law, my sisters-in-law, my dearest friends, my nieces, my goddaughter. They all make me who I am! I want to gift them well because, when done right, gifting is an act of love. A few ideas I love…
A really luxe hairbrush: I love it because it makes a huge difference to use a wonderful brush but it’s the type of item no one wants to spend money on for themselves so it’s a perfect gift.
Reading material: Yolo Journal subscription for the travel-minded, Frederic Magazine subscription for the design-minded, Cabana Magazine subscription for the lifestyle-minded, or an Air Mail subscription for the culturally-minded.
A reset: I’m craving a reset so badly after all the autumnal and holiday indulging I’ve been doing so I honestly want this more than anything this year.
A Sailors’ Valentine: for the Nantucket gal, get her something really special so she’ll have a piece of the island all year long.
The gift of rest: my favorite leave-in conditioner, my favorite nightgown, favorite cashmere socks, my favorite body stone, my favorite book I've read this year, my favorite hand-calligraphed personalized tea caddy, and a sourdough kit for the lovely activity she’s been craving.
Party picks: Caviar and mother of pearl caviar plates and spoons for the New Year’s host, go-to satin drawstring purse, antique silver etched ice bucket, sparkly velvet heels, and a chic “going out top.”
Shop more here.
what caught my imagination
My Gift Guide for Personalized Gifts is full of imagination! A personalized gift shows you went the extra mile and both thought ahead (in time to get it personalized) and thought of them (with something from the heart). A few ideas I love…
The eyelet pendant I wear everyday: a really beautiful, nice jewelry gift. Pro tip: give your husband a hint that this is on your personal list. On the front side of mine, I had my boys; initials hand engraved and on the backside I had a saying I always say to them hand engraved.
For the new mom: custom cozy baby blanket (my boys each have one), mama loves crew sweater, stork baby pillow, beautiful picture frame, relaxing tea caddy, custom wooden hair brush for your little one, boat tote as a diaper bag (this is what I did!), scrumptious lovey, cradle to cocktails bubble blower, and the Boobie pillow.
For the bride: a gorgeous personalized garment bag for those wedding and honeymoon looks, THE wedding clutch, travel jewelry roll for all the sparkles, embroidered scalloped handkerchief for the watery eyes, and a bespoke wedding photo album.
For him: personalized olive oil, English condiment holder, silver ice cream lid (I’m absolutely obsessed!), handwritten brass zippo, classic crewneck, and an Italian leather money clip.
For Children: bespoke tennis balls (get a set for each kid in your family!), embroidered crowns, aprons to make cookies for Santa together, cook kid backpacks, custom puzzle, and the whimsical bedding my boys love.
Shop more here.
what caught my kids
What is more fun than shopping for kids!? My guide has tons of great ideas for babies, toddlers, and kids alike. I found specialty Etsy items, mainstream favorites (hello Hot Wheels!), books, sporty gifts, art supplies, and lots more. A few ideas I love…
The gift of reading: I can’t recommend these personalized books enough. We have so many because my children love them and love to read about themselves within a story. Really, really well done.
The gift of forever: I’m a sucker for keepsakes like these hand painted chairs, holiday trunks to save all the special holiday items, needlepoint kits to learn to needlepoint together, and hand painted stools.
Stuff that is regrettably worth it: magnetic marble run, Hot Wheels track set, air toobz - it all takes up space but your kids with LOVE it all.
Items that have personally provided us hours of entertainment (this list + the regrettably worth it items above!): craft supplies kit, foldable scooters, kitchen helper stool, Toniebox, Smithsonian Picturepedia, sensory kits, water blasters, wooden tool kit, rapid-filling water balloons, light sabers, and jigsaw puzzles.
Shop more here.
what caught my husband
My Gift Guide for Men is pretty great if I do say so myself. It has everything from handsome well made clothing to Edwin’s favorite kitchen tools to smart reading recommendations to the best tequila drink! I also have ideas for men who need nothing and for men like your dad or father-in-law who might not be offering up lots of ideas to you when it comes to shopping. A few ideas I love…
For the cocktail hour guy: stainless steel cocktail shaker, wood dice box, and Edwin’s favorite tequila soda.
My dad’s first novel: a southern family drama your man will love.
Something random I like to gift because men love to wear it but hate to buy it for themselves: a cashmere beanie.
The quarter-zip Edwin wears almost daily.
Pickleball!!!
This coffee table book is beautiful.
Shop more here.
P.S. I’m sharing my exact favorite Black Friday sales right here and specifically calling out the retailer, the sale, and why I love the item.
P.S.S. Dress your holiday home with all my picks right here.
P.S.S.S. Dress yourself for the holidays with all my style picks right here.
P.S.S.S.S. Holiday books!
Thank you so very much for reading this week’s edition of The Catch-Up. I’m so grateful you are here. Feel free to drop a comment below - I love to chat! Also, if you made it this far and like what you read, would you consider heart-ing this post, just below here? It helps Substack know people like my writing, which means the world to me! See you next week with vol 30! x
