Holiday Gift Guides 2020

Although it’s been 70 degrees here in CT these past few days, the days are getting shorter and everyone is starting to get in the Holiday spirit. 2020 has proven to be one for the record books and I think everyone is just excited to welcome in some joyful times! I love the Holiday season- the songs, the decorations, the window shopping and the family time. I am Jewish and grew up celebrating Hanukah but my family would always venture into New York City to check out the tree and the lights and I loved celebrating Christmas with friends. Now, we celebrate both holidays as my husband’s family celebrates Christmas. My boys are very lucky to get to celebrate both holidays and get extra time with friends and family. This year is probably going to look a little different, but I wanted to still bring some holiday cheer by putting together some gift guides.

Gifts for the Women In Your Life (aka, Mommin In Style’s Wish List!)

This year I tried to think of practical gifts while also looking for nice things that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself. Some of these items I own and love and can vouch for. Others I am hoping to get this holiday season (hint, hint Mr. Mommin in Style!). Here is what I came up with:

1. Tula Illuminating Skin Tone Kit: I love Tula products and was so excited when they launched their limited edition Holiday Kits. You get the best of their products in one. This kit in particular stood out for me since it has three of my favorite products: the Purifying Facial Cleanser, Face Filter blurring and moisturizing primer, and the Rose Glow and Get It brightening eye balm, which I reviewed here. The kit also comes with a 4 pack of soothing eye gel masks and a limited edition holographic makeup case. I can’t wait to get this kit before it sells out!
2. Barefoot Dreams Blanket: I never understood the hype of this blanket until I got my hands on one during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale two years ago. Now, I own two and I get why they are so popular. These blankets are super soft, wash well, and are big enough for two! I have one in my living room, which my boys usually steal, and one on my bed that I sleep with every night. This is such a great gift and I love the various styles and colors it comes in. Worth the price tag!
3. Calypso Bead Bar bracelets: My obsession with an arm stack is next level and I can’t get enough of Calypso Bead Bars choices. They have so many different colors and options and they change with every season. This is a female owned, small business that I am happy to support. There are so many pretty options and these bracelets would make great gifts. I posted the Central Park stack in pretty Fall colors and the Magnolia gold options, which are so pretty for the Holiday season. Go ahead and give Calypso a follow here and prepare to become obsessed!
4. Old Navy Sherpa Mules: Sherpa is my favorite fabric for winter and when I saw these Old Navy mules in sherpa and animal print, it was love at first sight! There are many other sherpa mules out there at very high price points and I find these ones by Old Navy to be just as comfortable and stylish. They go on sale often and you can snag them for 20$ on a good day! I can’t wait to wear these when they arrive in the mail!
5. Baublebar Gold Beaded Apple Watch Band: I have been on the hunt for a dressier apple watch to wear if I ever go out again! There is a Lagos one I have been eyeing for years but I can’t justify the price tag. When I saw that Bauble Bar released these gold plated, beaded apple watch bands that match their uber-popular Pisa stacking bracelets, I knew I needed to add it to my wish list.
6. Milk Frother: I know a milk frother doesn’t seem like a fancy gift but it’s something that will make any coffee lovers’ morning routine that much better. There are lots of fancy coffee makers out there but I stick to the good old Keurig and then use this $40 Amazon milk frother and it tastes like I a latte from a fancy coffee place. I don’t know why, but frothed milk just makes any morning cup of joe that much better.
7. Our Place Pan: This is a new to me brand and I have definitely become #influenced by all of the Instagram ads about it because I cant wait to get one this holiday season. I am intrigued by the ease of the pan, especially the clean up after using, and the multiple, modern colors the pan comes in was a definite selling point for me. I am adding this to my personal wish list and can report back after I’ve used it to see if all of those Influencers who swear by it are right!
8. Personalized Yeti Mug: A personalized and fashionable Yeti mug goes great with a new milk frother for the holiday season. I love all of my reusable cold and hot coffee cups and when I saw these cute Yeti cups styled in fashionable prints and colors, I knew I had to get one. I also love that this is another female-owned, small business owned by two moms out of California who are hustling to get these orders fulfilled. Check them out on Instagram and give them a follow.
9. Cashmere Blend Beanie: My love for Social Threads run deep and their holiday guide this year did not disappoint. They have so many cute gift options including a few animal print, holiday-themed beanies that I also have my eye on. This classic, neutral, cashmere blended beanie with a pom is my winter go-to. I love a soft, warm, stylish beanie to compliment any winter outfit.
10. Spanx Faux Leather Moto Leggings: In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a pair of faux- leather Spanx leggings. This year, I am getting this moto-style pair to go along with the two other pairs I already own. I spend every weekend in a different pair of Spanx leggings and they not only suck you in perfectly, in true Spanx- style, but they are super stylish and warm! These make a great gift for any holiday season and will be used for many winters to come.

Gifts for the Boys in your life ages 7-13 (what I know best!)

Since I am a #boymom, I am well versed in what the boys in my life are lusting after for the holidays. It also helps that they’ve been writing their Hanukah/ Christmas lists for weeks now. The gifts they have picked out would probably make any young boy happy (other than the Xbox or Nintendo Switch, which my boys already own!)

1. Chromebook: This is not only a good gift for any young boy (ages 10+), but it’s also practical. Especially with so much of school being virtual nowadays, my older son is in need of his own laptop and the Chromebook fits the bill. It’s lightweight and durable and has enough bells and whistles to keep him happy, but not too many that he becomes distracted while doing school work!
2. Gaming Headset: To be honest, I am not sure exactly what these do but I know that both of my boys asked for them so they must be cool!
3. LED strip lights: My son has wanted these for a while to make his tween bedroom look “cool”. These come with a remote to change the color and a way to connect the lights to an app. They also say they are easy assembly, so let’s hope my 10-year-old can figure it out on his own!
4. Gaming Keyboard: Like the headphones and chair above, I don’t get it..but this is the stuff my kids ask for and I like the rainbow colors so I’m in!
5. Hoverboard: Who remembers Back to the Future 2 when Michael J. Fox almost gets run over by kids on hoverboards? Welcome to 2020, where hoverboards are a real thing and kids want them. My 7-year-old has been begging for one of these for a while and I can’t wait for him to ruin our beautiful new floors by riding it all over (mom humor!)
6. Galaxy Light Projector: Since my older son is getting his room decked out in colorful LED lights, I figured my little guy needed some flare to his space too. This galaxy projector lights up the entire ceiling with cool colors and graphics. You can choose from a space theme to an underwater scene and many others.
7. Headbandz: This is a family favorite and honestly, my kids never get sick of playing it, which I don’t say about many board games. Grab this and have some fun with your kids during the cold winter months, stuck inside.
8. Gaming Chair: These things are not cute, but my boys want them and they can keep them in the basement away from my sight! It seems like the 2020 version of the beanbag chair me and my brother used to sit on to play Mario or Sonic, but I guess it’s what all the cool kids use to “game” nowadays!
9. Inflatable Kayak: During quarantine, my kids started going to a local pond and would borrow their friend’s blow-up kayak. It provided hours of fun for them to row out to the middle of the pond and explore all by themselves! This is a great gift and something nice to have for the whole family. It can also easily be taken on vacation if we ever go on one of those again…
10. Bath Bombs with a Money Surprise! My friend Laurie told me about these from Etsy and I had to buy them for my kids! My boys still love to take baths and how fun is it to surprise them with good scented bath bombs that have a surprise $5 bill inside! I can’t wait for them to see the surprise of this fun gift!

Lux Gifts for Extra Special Holiday Cheer

2020 sure has been a crazy year. With the anxiety of the pandemic, schools closing, homeschooling, working from home, quarantining, and now looking at all of that all over again, we could all use some special treatment. This Lux Gift Guide is meant for the mamas in your life or anyone who likes to spoil themselves or be spoiled. Some of the items are definitely a splurge but sometimes after having a hard time, splurging on others or yourself just feels right!

1. Pura Smart Home Fragrance Diffuser, Holiday Gift Set: I have been wanting to try the Pura Home Fragrance System for a while. How cool is it to control the smell of your house from your phone? Plus, you can use all kinds of amazing smelling oils that come in fragrances such as the Anthropologie favorite Volcano or fabulous Nest scents. This gift set is great because it comes with the device plus two holiday scents. I can’t wait to try this!
2. Lagos 18k Gold Apple Watch Band: This is for sure a splurge but it is classic and timeless. I wear my Apple Watch every single day and it was my favorite holiday gift from last year. This watch band will last years and will never go out of style. It’s a statement and a solid investment to any stylish wardrobe.
3. Moncler Down Coat: Another splurge item that will never go out of style and will last season after season. I love the look of this white Moncler because its a little different from the standard black ones but still gives the same style and functionality. This thing will keep you warm through the Arctic and with a longer length, you won’t regret buying this showstopper for any cold winter months.
4. Dior Book Tote: I have been eyeing this tote for months. I love its classic style and the throwback Dior print makes it so special. If you are looking for a stylish, classic, everyday bag, look no further. The Book Tote also comes in so many colors and designs, you can find one that matches exactly what you are looking for.
5. Artis Makeup Brush Set: I have been #influenced by all of the bloggers using these brushes in their makeup tutorials. Not only are they so pretty, but they also seem to add a flawless look to any makeup routine. I am definitely not a makeup expert but these brushes are a good investment and could replace all of the old, cheap makeup brushes I have been using for years.
6. Bala Wearable ankle or wrist weights: With my Peleton coming in a few weeks, I wanted to find easy, light weights to add to my workout routine. The Bala weights come in fun colors and a range of sizes. These are another great gift idea for anyone starting their New Year workout plan!
7. Dudley Stephens Palmer Puff Sleeve Fleece: I love Dudley Stephens fleece pullovers and when they launched this new collection with the added puff sleeve, I knew I had to have one. This is a local brand and their products are so well made and classic. The cult classic Park Slope turtleneck comes in a variety of fun colors and is so cozy for the long winter months in New England.
8. Skin Ceuticals Best Seller Gift Set: I am obsessed with Skin Ceuticals and have tried all three of their best selling products included in this gift set. They are the gold standard of skincare and their serums are amazing. I was introduced to them when I went to SkinLab at Harbor Point and have not looked back since starting to use their products in the summer. This gift set will get anyone started with their top 3 best sellers and favorite products for diminishing wrinkles, dark spots, evening out skin tone, and giving you an overall glow.
9. Slip Silk Face Masks: If we are going to be wearing masks for the foreseeable future, we might as well invest in some lux ones by Slip. These sink face masks look so smooth and comfy and would hopefully help with any maskne the other masks I have been wearing all day at work have caused. This is a great gift for anyone during these crazy times #2020.
10. Gucci Wallet on a Chain: I have this wallet and love it. Not only is it a super functional and stylish wallet but it comes with a chic, gold chain strap so you can wear this as a clutch as well. This is another investment piece that will never go out of style and will last years.

I hope this year’s holiday season brings joy and health to everyone and even if you don’t get what you want, what we could all really use right now is some peace. Happy Holidays!

What are you hoping to get for the Holidays?