When I was growing up, my parents had a tradition: one large gift, then our stocking gifts, and that was it from them. My siblings and I would also exchange smaller gifts with each other. This meant that the holiday was, for us, a time about celebrating family instead of opening gifts. I valued that tradition, and while now, with my family, we don’t quite follow that to the letter, it’s nice to focus on the time and effort of finding a great gift for someone instead of several less-ideal gifts. I try not to start celebrating Christmas until it truly begins–and, for me, the Christmas season truly starts when the Thanksgiving Day Parade ends (I do realize how commercialized it is, but I can’t help it; Miracle on 34th Street was a seminal film for me!) However, I’m posting these guides early in an attempt to keep myself from any last-minute shopping crises, which always seem to arise these days. I hope they might be helpful for you, too!

I like my gifts to be meaningful for the recipient to receive and me to give. With that in mine, I’ve assembled a few gift guides with some of my favorite gifts to give–stocking stuffers, gifts for the home, and books, as well as guides for the discerning man and the discerning woman. I hope you find these helpful, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

(A note: all my gift guides are free of affiliate links and only list gifts I’ve given, received, or plan to give (and hope to receive!) I hope you find these guides useful–please leave me a comment and let me know!)