2025 Holiday Shopping Ideas

Should you find yourselves in a quandary about holiday gifts this year, I have some ideas for you (for kids, travelers, DIY/ kitchen maestros, workers/players). Expandable (and retractable when it comes to travel) and personalized are the themes I seem to be drawn to this holiday season. Oh, and for those of you trying to avoid Amazon, there are plenty of options below, or you can simply check out Etsy and support small makers.

But first, I have found a couple of very cool entertaining items I want to share (which I will be purchasing) for myself.

• Fancy Panz. Are you bringing something in those aluminum "half size" foil casserole pans (approx. 12.75 x 9 x 2.5) to a gathering this holiday season, or is someone likely to bring something over in one to your place? Well, if so, check these out! They are frames which add stability, carry-ability, temperature control, and a nicer aesthetic to those flimsy yet utterly useful aluminum pans. So easy to use, too -- simply open the attached frame, set your food-filled foil pan inside & snap on the clear top. Add a hot or cold pack underneath if you want, too. They also have other sizes. Available at Amazon (in case you are placing an order, or direct from the company) for about $28.00.

• SophistiPlate's gorgeous disposable place settings. I typically do not use disposable place settings when I entertain, but some of these designs are lovely enough that I am planning to try them (for a holiday meal I will host, but not at home). You can choose how many people you want it for, but a service for 8 includes everything you need to create a professional tablescape (8 Dinner plates, 8 Salad/Luncheon plates, 8 Appetizer/Dessert Plates, 20 Guest Towels, and 20 Cocktail Napkins) will run you $45. You can also purchase very stylish plastic utensils! Order at Amazon (cheaper) or directly (where there are more patterns and are curated by occasion).

For the Young 'Ins

I often do not weigh in on kid gifts, but I have seen some really cool ideas I thought I'd share.

• Kidamento kid cameras. Cheap they are not, but anecdotally they keep your kids entertained without a screen and I'd argue that's worth A LOT! They are roughly $75. Click here for more info or to purchase.

• Personalized (beach) towels. Personalized products are great for kids for a number of reasons -- they show you were thinking of them specifically, they are harder to lose/ get confused with someone else's similar product, and they're fun! Check out these fun towels, currently available for roughly $20, here.

• Super-sized magnetic tiles to build forts. I cannot imagine how much I or my kid would have loved these giant building tiles, for ages 3 and up. They spur imagination and hours of fun, for a price ($300+). You really should check them out here.

• Personalized puzzles. Very customizable, choose 30-1,000+ pieces. Click here for more information. $22.99 at time of this writing.

• Legos. Of course; for kids of ALL ages! Click here for more info or to purchase.

For the Travelers

Some of my favorites (new and old)!

• Vacuum-sealing packing bags. I have used these bags and they really do save space. Shockingly, I found the biggest benefit when I packed my sneakers in them -- you can never really smush the 2 together fully otherwise! Plus the bags are waterproof and the vacuum piece is small and USB rechargeable (so it doesn't take up much room). Just put the empty bags in your bag, fill them up in place and then suck all the air out. It's fun and useful! $69.00 (for the bag and the vacuum), and they always seem to be having a sale. Click here for more info and to purchase.

• Away suitcases (and anything else they sell). Having the right suitcase is essential in your journey toward efficient packing. As I've said before, my current thinking is that a hard-sided bag, preferably with built-in compression panels and expands, is the way to go. Away has two carry-on sizes, and meets my requirements. I really appreciate that they are up-front about which airlines allow which sized bag for carry-on so you know what to expect. All their bags come in many colors, are lightweight, and have a compression panel to help you fit more into the bag. Plus, of course, they have other sizes as well. Click here for more. Prices for the carry-ons start at $206.

• The BEST carry-on backpack. I've mentioned this before and I'll mention it until the cows come home. The Blast Extended Backpack from Bagsmart is amazing. It comes in a non-expandable version, but the expandable one is extraordinary. It has a sleeve so it can slide down the handle of your rolly bag and has a bottom section you can use for shoes, dirty laundry, or anything else you don't want to intermingle with the rest of your stuff. I use this not just for air travel, but for week-end and week-long get-aways as well (with the vacuum compression bags above).

• Super-thin wireless phone charger.  This charger attaches wirelessly (magnetically, and best with a mag safe case) to the back of your phone (apple and android) to recharge it quickly. It's a little heavy, but I wonder how we survived without it? Seriously a great gift for anyone who, well, has a cell phone! Click here to order (currently $109.95 for a 3-pack).

For the DIYers and Home Cooks

• Anything from the King Arthur store would make a great gift for the kitchen warriors on your list. If you're not sure, get a gift card!

• Ratchet Screwdriver Set.  For anyone who doesn't already have a well-stocked tool kit, this is an essential. Unlike most kits, this has screwdriver heads beyond flat and philip's head. Plus, the ergonomics are impressive. At $23.99 this is a really good gift for almost anyone -- young or old. Click here for more information and to order.

• Glass oil cruets which both spray and pour.  This is a great gift for anyone who cooks and keeps oil near the stove. Instead of having a can of spray oil (with lots of ingredients you don't want) plus one or two other containers of oil at hand for drizzling/ pouring, this will save space and doesn't leach anything nasty from plastic. If this is something you'd like, buy it and give it to a loved one to gift to you (or forward this); that's what I did (and I now know I'll get what I want)! Click here for more information and to order.

For the Workers & the Players

• Journey wireless charging desk mat.  For all those who work from home and need to keep multiple devices charged, this is a sleek desk blotter, wireless charger, and mouse pad all in one. Plus, you can store papers under it, too. Cheap it's not ($130), but it'll last a while and really elevate a work space. Check it out, here.

• Personalized golf ball stamper. Yep, another personalized option here. If you are buying for a golfer, this is a great little gift. For $28, your loved one can rest assured they are playing the right ball every time. Click here to order.

• Mug warmer. Don't let your hot beverage get cold! This one is better than the others because it is nice to look at AND does the job. You've seen this one before, but that doesn't make it a great gift for those who take their time getting through their coffee and tea while working. It's $19.99 -- click here for more info and to order.

As I said above, should you want more ideas, check out Etsy. They have tons of ideas -- personalized and not, support many small makers/ crafters, and are not Amazon. :-)

Hope you find this helpful. Happy shopping!

[A reminder that I do make a small commission on some of these purchases.]