the last-minute gift guide 2024!!!
for all the tricky people in your life!
Hi! Welcome to “good mood food” from Kale Me Maybe’s Carina Wolff. If you’ve made it here and aren’t yet a subscriber, come join! You can expect recipes, musings, and faves in your inbox every Wednesday! Paid subscribers get even more on Fridays — right now I’m doing a 30-minute budget meal series!
I know it’s a little wild to release a gift guide just 11 days out from Christmas and Hannukah, but let’s be honest, I know you’re not done with your shopping yet.
As someone who likes my gifts to be personal, practical, and magical, I hope this guide can help you solve all your present challenges. And let’s just say, thank goodness for rush shipping!
For The Person Who Buys Themselves Everything
Wonderbox AMC Movie Package, $49
When someone buys themselves everything they need, it’s best to focus on experiences, and who doesn’t love going a night at the movies? This Theater Package for two includes 2 movie tickets to AMC theaters, 2 drinks, and one popcorn to share.
Resort Pass Gift Card, any amount
If your self-sufficient friend or family member isn’t much of a movie goer, why not try Resort Pass? If you’re not familiar, Resort Pass offers day passes to popular hotels and resorts, which means you can spend time enjoying the amenities like the pool, spa, or beach without booking an overnight stay. Gift any amount of money you’d like and offer your recipient some nice R&R.
The Sill Houseplants, prices start at $29
I think plants are a beautiful gift, and you can never have too many. The Sill offers gorgeous houseplants that you can order online. There are so many options, from a classic pothos to their “Hardy Houseplants Duo.” Their planters are chic, and there are often different color options!
For Your In-Laws
Loved and Found Pizza Night Curated Gift Box, $128
I love to give gifts that encourage date night activities, and this curated box from Anthropologie comes with the supplies needed to make a pizza together. It includes some awesome, high-end ingredients like Graza olive oil, Yo Mama’s Pizza sauce, and Spicewalla pizza seasoning.
Personalized Family Recipe Board, $100
This customized recipe board is so sweet and sentimental and will hopefully help you win some brownie points. Pick your in-laws favorite recipe and get it etched onto a wooden cutting board for a cute kitchen keepsake that can be passed down the generations.
Skylight Digital Picture Frame, $124
Upon first glance, a digital frame feels predictable and a little cheesy, but then I learned that you can add photos remotely, and I was sold. Keep your in-laws in the loop with your life by getting them this digital frame and then uploading all you adventures with your partner!
For Practical People Who Don’t Like Clutter
Farmers Market & Grocery Tote, $50
Lord help me, this category may be the hardest, because everything can be clutter if you’re not into it. So we’ll stick with things that feel organizational in nature, starting with this Farmers Market Tote. It has exterior slots for flowers and wine, and it’s the cutest striped cotton! Practical, but chic, and very functional!
This wall calendar is as practical as it is cool. It’s minimalist and modern, yet won’t take up too much space on your loved one’s wall. Each month is a different color combination, but they’re all bangers! Might have to get one of these for myself.
Robin Marble Wine Bottle Holder, $128
This marble wine holder is so chic and arguably will help eliminate clutter by putting your wine bottles in one place. It’s not only a gorgeous piece to put on display, but it also serves a functional purpose!
For The Picky Person
Trade Coffee Subscription, starting at $50
The best gift you could give a picky person is the gift of letting them choose their own gift themselves! Trade Coffee offers customizable subscriptions from small batch roasters, so if you have a coffee lover in your life, you can gift them either a 3-month, 6-month, or one-year subscription, and they’ll be in charge of picking what type of bean sounds appealing to them.
ClassPass gift card, any amount
Another option with lots of options is ClassPass. Even if the person you’re buying a gift for isn’t into fitness, ClassPass offers plenty of other services like massages, acupuncture, manicures and pedicures, cryotherapy, hair services, and more! It’s a great way to give someone the gift of treating themselves without having to guess what they’re in the mood for.
Jacobsen Salt Co. Infused Salt Gift Set, $39.95
In my head, everyone likes salt, even a picky person, and I know I would be thrilled to received this Jacobsen Salt Tin collection. This is my favorite sea salt brand, and all with these different flavors of infused salt, there’s bound to be at least one that your picky friend will go crazy for.
For The Person You’re Dating (But It’s Not That Serious Yet)
Elwood Oversized Core Crewneck, $65
I’m not sure why it popped into my head, but I imagined a nice cotton sweat set to be a nice gift for someone you’re romantically involved in. Maybe because it shows you care about their comfort? My Elwood Sweatshirt is my favorite sweatshirt ever, and it’s unisex. You can always pair it with matching sweatpants or shorts!
A good water bottle is always a nice gift, and if you’re just getting started with someone, you can gift them the luxury of staying hydrated. Grant and I are huge fans of the Purist Bottles, which is made of stainless steel but has a thin layer of glass so you don’t have any leftover flavor residue or any dangerous plastics. Might I also recommend the union top for better sipping?
Personalized Vinyl Record with Photo, starting at $12.90
On the flip side, if you do feel like getting personal and sentimental, this customizable vinyl with a photo and plaque is a cute way to lean into romance! Choose a song that means something to you as a couple along with a sweet photo, and your loved one will have a special keepsake to commemorate the beginning of your relationship!