2017 Holiday Gifts
*Updated December 2019

Let the fun begin!

We hope this is a helpful assortment of gift ideas. There should be something for everyone on your list.

Holiday gifts away luggage

Away Luggage is a new suitcase company which has thought about what the perfect travel bag should offer. They have developed suitcases with unbreakable shells, built-in USB chargers and many interior compartments. They try to keep their prices as low as possible. The Bigger Carry-On, second smallest in a line-up of four sizes, is unbreakable, and is made to fit overhead in major U.S. airlines. It is 22.7” x 14.7” x 9.6” and it weighs 7.3 lbs. It comes in thirteen colors. $245.00.

See the ASE article on all the new carry-on suitcase options.

holiday gifts whale bath mat

This Kikkerland whale bathmat goes inside the tub to prevent slipping. It has suction cups on the bottom, is mildew resistant and is made from natural rubber. It is 27” x 15”. $20.00.

food scale for holiday gifts

 

 

 

For the chef, a food scale that folds up to the size of a candy bar for storage. When it is open it provides a stable platform for bowls or anything else to be weighed. It has an easy to read LCD display. It also has an ‘add and weigh’ option which allows multiple ingredients to be measured in the same bowl. It comes in white or green and is $27.00.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimonos are beautiful and elegant. Give the special woman in your life one of these gorgeous silk kimonos from Open The Kimono. Don’t dawdle – they keep selling out. $275.00 each.

 

 

 

 

Instant Pots are still the rage. Get rid of your yogurt maker, rice cooker, pressure cooker and slow cooker and invest $84.00 in the top of the line Instant Pot. A review I read cited the following reasons the reviewer is madly in love with her Instant Pot:

  • Cooks food in record time
  • Has a great sauté function
  • Switches between multiple functions
  • Easy to use
  • It makes soup, chicken, chili, eggs, steam cheesecake, rice, mac & cheese, pasta dishes, just to name a few.
  • Cleaning is easy

see ASE article

This is a great enamel/wood container for the kitchen. The ash lid has a rubber seal to provide airtight storage. The enamel bottom is dishwasher safe. It is beautiful and useful. It is 7.4” x 7.2” x 5.6”. $50.00.

Stocking stuffer holiday gift salad cutter

 

 

 

For your favorite salad eater, a quick salad maker. The Salad Cutter Bowl washes and chops in one container. $8.88.

For the cook who likes to avoid mess this spill stopper lid is great for cooking corn, pasta, rice, soups and anything that boils over. It can also cover bowls in the microwave that might erupt. It is microwave and dishwasher safe. $16.80.

Taking a winter vacation to the sun? Give everyone a sand-free beach towel. I own one and it’s great! No need to shake it out to lie back down on your towel. The designs are gorgeous. $59.00.

culture cream butter holiday gift

For the chef, Banner Butter is a delicious small-batch butter, made with cultured cream. The basic Banner Butter flavors are Sea Salt, Sweet and Roasted Garlic. They have 13 other flavors. A subscription is $185 plus a $50 shipping surcharge. The recipient receives 4 blocks of butters every three months for a year. Fall: Sea-Salt, Cinnamon, Roasted Garlic, Balsamic Fig. Winter: Sea-Salt, Sorghum Butter, Roasted Garlic, Dark Chocolate. Ships week of November 27th. Spring: Sea-Salt, Lavender Butter, Roasted Garlic, Lemon Chive. Ships week of March 1st. Summer: Sea-Salt, Sorghum Butter, Roasted Garlic, Smoked Sea-Salt. Ships week of June 1st.

2017 holiday gifts rope basket

My favorite shop in Maine, The Good Supply, carries these rope baskets I love. They are Maine-made and I have them several around the house to catch the junk, and I keep one in the kitchen as a bread server. This one is 13” in diameter by 6” tall. It is made from 100% cotton rope. Choose from four different color threads for your baskets.

Tina Frey makes the most beautiful kitchen and bathroom products. One of my oldest friends gave me a white resin tray with three of these dishes inside it for hors d’oeuvres and I love it. This white resin dish is 4” x 4” x 1” and can be used for anything from nuts to soap. Browse her other products and you can put together great combinations. It comes in white or cement color. $30.00.

airbolt travel lock

The AirBolt Bluetooth lock is a TSA-approved luggage lock when you’re traveling. Forget about those tiny keys, or combinations. It communicates with your smartphone via an app. You can track your luggage with it. Just push a button to unlock if you are within proper range of the lock. To prevent accidental unlockings, it will relock itself if the rope isn’t taken out of the lock. It has a rechargeable battery, is weather resistant, and comes in 7 colors. It can be used for anything that needs locking up, not just for luggage. It is officially TSA approved, FCC and CE certified. The Bluetooth can also be put in Airplane Mode for any period of time. There is free shipping worldwide. $59.95.

London-made sugar cookies in many themes, shapes and colors. They come in a lovely tin box and look delicious. Choose any theme or personalize. They have a five month shelf-life and can be shipped worldwide. These Woodland Creature biscuits pictured are 32.50 British pounds or $43.00 not including shipping. These are very special cookies!

I love these Solar Illuminated Planters. They come in three sizes, Small round for $72.86, Tall $96.39, and Medium $88.29. You can choose color-changing mode or a single color. They are solar powered so no outlets or extensions are needed. The medium is 18” x 20” with 10” of planting depth.

pudus holiday gift socks

Pudus slipper socks are cozy and come in 40 different designs. The women’s socks come in one adjustable size (5-11), and the faux fur cuff is adjustable. They have non-slip silicone grippers on the soles. $24.99.

For the security-conscience, give the Skybell doorbell camera. The homeowner can see the visitor through the video doorbell. When a visitor either rings the doorbell, or trips the motion detector, the homeowner can see, hear and speak to the visitor from wherever the homeowner is. $199.00.

Barnacle bags for gifts

I love all the products made on site by Barnacle Bags. This is a large waxed canvas shoulder bag in slate grey. It has antique brass snaps for closure and a 1” wide adjustable strap. It is 19.5” w x15” h x 4” d and $125.00.

 

 

Give the fromager on your list a Girolle which is a French cheese curler. A curler produces curly whisps of a hard cheese for an elegant presentation. There are five variations to choose from. $39.99 – $79.99.

This engraved tactical folding knife is lightweight and very well made. It is 4.5” when closed. The blade is 3.25”. $24.95.

The Library of America is a nonprofit organization that publishes our nation’s greatest authors in very attractive editions that are wonderful to collect. Give someone a subscription or start them on just one. They are a great addition to any library. $32.00 each.

These women’s rubber rain boots are chic and practical. There are 11 low pairs to choose from, and one high boot. $160.00.

 

 

This falls under the category of ‘why didn’t I think of this’? Helen’s Asian Kitchen Japanese washing bowl with a perforated side strainer makes rinsing and draining food so much easier! It’s great for washing, soaking and rinsing rice and all other grains, and for washing and rinsing fruit or vegetables before cooking. It is stainless steel and lightweight. $11.80.

 

 

 

I love these men’s belts. There are three trims to choose from, red on black leather, blue on black leather and orange on brown leather (currently sold out). $110.00.

 

This is a window bird feeder by Eva Solo. Watch the birds right outside your window. It is made of glass and mounts directly on your windowpane. The glass can go in the dishwasher to clean. The large size is 8” in diameter and $69.00.

The small size window bird feeder is 5.6” in diameter. $59.00.

This is a company that makes tailored men’s swim trunks for under $100. The trunks are ‘streetwear-inspired beachwear’. There are 32 patterns to choose from. All are $78.00.

 

I love this Accident Eraser set. There are four erasers, each with it’s own function. The leather eraser can also be used on suede. The wallpaper eraser also removes colored pens, crayon and remains of labels. The floor eraser works on all wood and plastics. One set is $10.95. Two sets are now $17.95.

This is a fabulous present or hostess gift! This company makes many products that are easy to bake and all in a 16 oz. cup. The classic gift is the Belgian chocolate soufflé mix. It serves two or more. Add 3 oz. of cool water, 1 tablespoon of canola or vegetable oil and microwave for 3 minutes. That’s it!! There are replacement pouches for sale as well, and you reuse the 16 oz. cup. There is also pecan pie, s’mores, slated caramel soufflé, and chocolate fondue kits available. $22.95.  A set of two is $39.95.

Sweet Jules Caramels Holiday gifts

I have just placed my annual order at Sweet Jules Caramels. They are delicious. If you don’t already have caramel favorites, start with a box of their assortment. Their flavors are Classic Vanilla Bean, Fleur de Sel (French sea salt), Jules of Paris (dark chocolate caramel with French sea salt), Dark Chocolate & Pecan, Beer & Pretzel, Sicilian Orange, Bananas Foster, and Cafe Italiano. A medium box is $24.95 and has 2 of each flavor, and a large box is $42.95 and has 4 of each flavor.

 

 

Mancrates Holiday gifts

‘Man food’ from a website called ManCrates.com. Give him a Bacon Crate which has Jerky Honey Jalapeno Bacon, Jerky Maple Bacon, Bacon Popcorn, and many more bacon products. It ships in a sealed wood manly crate. $59.99.

 

bowtie for 2017 holidays

I love the Bowline Co. from Portland, ME. Their ties are designed and made by their employees in Portland. This Dexter tie is made from lightweight worsted wool plaid. It is self-tie and adjustable. Choose what style you’d like for the ends (diamond point or flat end). $69.00.

I also love the ceramics at SKT Ceramics. They make dishes for everyday plus creamers and pitchers. This large cup is 4” tall and 3.5” in diameter. There are many fetching designs. $42.00.

fun 2017 holiday gifts pineapples

Give someone the gift of delicious fruit. I’ve welcomed those gifts during the holiday season because house guests and family love them! This baby pineapple crate has 6 – 7 pineapples and is $53.79 and ships 2nd day air.

 

Still looking for just the right thing? Try these suggestions;

Stocking Stuffers for 2019

stocking stuffers 2019