Not Your Average Gift Guide
Clutter-free ideas for everyone on your list
Looking to celebrate your friends and family without adding more clutter to their homes and lives? I’ve obsessively researched and rounded up my favorite creative, consumable, and experience-based gifts, so you can treat the ones you love – minus the side of clutter. My guide to thoughtful and intentional gifting right this way.
A Get It Done Day
This idea is courtesy of my friend Nadia, and it’s my favorite by far. When Nadia was diagnosed with cancer (while pregnant), her friends and colleagues joined forces to support her with a “Get It Done Day.” They arrived at her home ready to help with household tasks like decluttering and dropping off donations, home repairs, mounting art, errands - you name it. Gathering a group to support someone in a time of need is one of the kindest and most fulfilling ways I can think of to give. More details from Nadia right here.
A Subscription Box
A subscription box of consumable goodies is a great way to support your local farmers, artisans, and makers, while providing a practical, consumable (read: clutter-free) gift. For the locals, I love a farmer’s market produce haul from Frog Hollow Farm, cheese club membership from Cowgirl Creamery, or a wine club membership from Scribe Winery which also provides access to join tastings and culinary events on their stunning property in Sonoma.
A DIY Greeting Card Bundle
Another crowdsourced idea! My friend Stephanie loves to put together a ready-to-go greeting card kit complete with a collection of all the essentials (blank cards, birthday cards, congrats, etc.) all stamped and stored in a chic box or greeting card organizer ($15). Throw in this custom return address stamp ($21) and call it a day.
Work It Out
Help a loved one kickstart their health goals with Recalibrate by Backbody Project: A 6-week, no-fuss virtual workout plan with just 90 minutes a week to build strength, consistency, and lasting fitness habits. Pair with some Bala Bangle Weights ($55) or a chic water bottle ($25).
Recalibrate by Backbody Project ($79) *Code SHIRA to buy one, and gift one! Get it here for you and your BFF
City Guides
From the founders of the indie travel and lifestyle magazine Cereal, this series is filled with expertly curated edits of what to see and do in Paris, New York and London. Rather than your typical travel directory, these beautifully minimal guidebooks capture the spirit of each city through profiles and interviews with celebrated locals, as well as stunning photo essays featuring can’t-miss restaurants, shops, hotels and historic landmarks.
Cereal City Guides ($25): Get them here
Feel Good Art
Loving the new cheeky art prints via
- a sweet and unique gift for a friend of family member who appreciates original art. Especially love this one and this one.Olivia Joffrey Prints (from $45): Get them here
Sustainable Skincare
Botnia is one of my favorite small, female-founded businesses to support. All of their products are made from organic ingredients sourced from their local flower farm - cruelty free, and always free from toxins, fillers, and synthetic fillers. They are fiercely committed to sustainability, and their packaging is recyclable, compostable, and reusable. The flower mask ($7) makes a great stocking stuffer, or splurge on the soothing repair mask ($50) or one of their signature skincare sets.
Botnia Starter Set ($95): Get it Here
The Kitchen Bundle
Coyuchi is another favorite local brand, committed to quality products made to last and wildy sustainable production. I’ve had my eye on these lovely organic basket-weave kitchen towels, and think they’d make a lovely hostess gift paired with this pretty wooden dish brush ($12) or my favorite natural dish soap ($12).
Organic Dish Towel Set ($58): Get Them Here
The Sweetest Handcrafted Jewelry
Merwolf is a small female-founded business based on the Southeast coast of North Carolina and all jewelry is handcrafted in the United States. I own the 14k falling star studs and also love these blossom studs.
Handcrafted Jewelry (from $69) Get it here
Personalized Heritage Olive Oil
For the person who has it all - this extra virgin olive oil is grown and harvested by Philip Aquith, a fourth generation Olive farmer in Ojai, California. The bottle is messaged by hand with a personalized label written for you and comes in an embossed gift box, finished with a grosgrain bow. Fun and fancy!
Personalized Olive Oil Gift Box ($78) Get it here; Heritage Olive Oil ($48) Get it here
The Coolest Utility Tote (plus chocolate!)
I have a new Canadian friend! And she makes the coolest custom totes! Upcycled from rubber off cuts, ensuring almost no two are the same - perfect for ski season lunches, weekend market hauls, a beach day, and keeping wine cold over ice in the summer. Compact, collapsible, with colorblock detailing and a webbed carry handle. Fill it with your favorite bubbly and this chocolate ($10).
Upcycled Tote ($63) Get It Here *code SHIRA for 15% off @ERIN & CO
A Resort Pass
Treat your loved ones to a daycation - a relaxing day of pool, spa, and beach access at a local resort. Bundle with a chic beach towel ($25) for the ultimate gift.
Resort Pass (price varies by location) Get It Here
For the Carb Lover
Manhattans iconic Levain Bakery has launched a cookie club and I’m not sure what could be a better gift for the sweet tooth in your life. Each month eight freshly baked cookies will arrive at their door and you’ll be a hero.
Levain Bakery 3-Month Gift Subscription ($132): Get it Here
The Book Bundle
Quick plug for my home and life editing books for those seeking actionable solutions for overstuffed lives. Add a cloth ribbon or my favorite candle and you’re all set. A thoughtful gift that inspires intentionality and simplicity.
Minimalista, Organized Living, & LifeStyled (from $17-$30) Get Them Here
*Signed Copies Here (note in comments at checkout and I’ll personalize for you!)
These Are Cool Too
A friend recommended this monthly photo photo printing membership for your favorite moments.
Photo Printing Membership ($16) Get it here
A really cool (un)disposable camera develops your film and return digital scans, physical prints or both. They repair, refurbish and re-cycle your camera, giving it new life. 10 photo prints on premium photographic paper each month, wrapped in an acid-free glassine envelope.
(Un) Disposable Camera plus prints ($33) Get it here
I’d love to know: what are you gifting this year? Post your own links and recs in the comments so we can create a little resource hub together.
Obsessed: This clean clean, award-winning, cult-favorite mascara is my new ride or die. Plus for every mascara purchased a baby sea turtle will be saved!
🍂 Just for fun: I made you a fall playlist!
12/3 NYC Book Launch News: Tickets available NOW for my NYC book launch party December 3rd at the Williams Sonoma shop! Join me on book launch day for bubbly, book signing, and a discussion moderated by podcast host Katie Fogarty. RSVP right here.
11/18: Meet me at Marché - a curated holiday marketplace celebrating women-owned brands (SF Bay Area). I’ll be posted at the Saffron and Poe booth signing copies of Minimalista and Organized Living and gifting exclusive advanced copies of LifeStyled every hour - Tix here.
Also! If you can’t make it you can still enter here to win a curated bundle of holiday goodies from Saffron and Poe plus an advanced copy of LifeStyled shipped to you.
12/6 SF Bay Area Book Launch Celebration at Erica Tanov - SOLD OUT. Stay tuned for more events coming in the new year!
Get Organized Master Class: Learn how to edit, organize, and elevate your home like a pro. To the course
Work With Me 1:1: No-fluff strategy and support to help you tackle your large and small goals. Get support here
Curated Product Recs: My fewer better faves for your home, life, and wardrobe. To the recs
Get the Books: Actionable strategies to clear clutter, get organized, & elevate your home and life. To the books
Pre-order LifeStyled now from your favorite bookshop! bookshop | target | amazon | barnes and noble | signed copies - so grateful for your support!
In December 2020, my sister, our mom & I bought or made small gifts for each other over a 12-day period because we knew we wouldn't be able to spend Christmas together. We alternated days (e.g. I gave my mom & sis gifts on days 1, 4, 7 and 10) and usually gave both recipients the same gift, with slight variations. Gift themes included baked goods, secondhand books, small beauty items, White Elephant-type presents, etc. The day's gift giver would leave the presents on the doorsteps of the other two, and if the weather was nice we could have socially distanced conversations. It was a nice way to feel connected when we couldn't be together. We did that out of necessity for 2 years, but after Covid died down and we could safely gather again we found that we wanted to continue the 12 days of Christmas tradition. It forces us to get creative, to find tiny things we can give that don't cost much or take up much space.
Thank you for all the great ideas. Would like to try the mascara but no straightforward way to opt out of cookies on the site. Do you have an alternative link? I’d like you to get credit for the purchase.