Gifts for Him.

If the guy in your life is anything like mine, he’ll tell you he doesn’t need anything for Christmas. So I gathered up a list of things that I think any guy whether he’s your dad, your husband, your bestie or your brother might like.

His favorite team always deserves a spot on his list, whether they’re doing well or not in his favorite sport.

The very best mug to keep his drink properly warm or cold on his way to work.

My sister in law got us one of these last year for Christmas and it is actually so fun. We’ve used it so much more than I thought we would. We even brought it on vacation with friends for an after dinner s’mores dessert, no bonfire necessary.

The Singapore Sling is the best I’ve had, just saying.

As if he needed another excuse to go out and tend a kitchen project with a beer. I want one badly, and I want my husband to want one too.

Again, tools of the trade – a necessity. Love the case for them.

Why mess up his outfit while he’s being manly?

Just an all around great pair of sneaks. Goes with everything from a work happy hour, to Saturday soccer games with the kids.

Festive socks because how could I not include some?

A sweater is the easiest go to gift I can think of, and I love the quilted texture on this one.

Every guy needs a great leather wallet. You just have to figure out if he’s more of a bifold or trifold kind of guy.

Love this whole set, and that waxed leather travel bag is a classic.

You guys have to get these if your guy likes beer. They keep your mug cold for HOURS. They come in can size or in bottle.

The best slippers ever, the end.

A few other ideas not pictured:

  • A great deal on a crate of wine if he’s a wine guy.
  • My sister does an advent calendar of beer for her husband every year. She does it with a few of her friends and they buy four or six packs of fun beers and split it so they end up with a full calendar of different kinds. So fun.
  • For all his bedside clutter, I mean gadgets.
  • A magazine subscription is a go to suggestion for those hard to buy for. I asked for one last year from my in-laws and I get irrationally excited every month when my Food & Wine comes in the mail.
  • The only actual thing that’s on his list. Lol

A List of Recipes For Your Cookie Box

A little late, but links for cookie ideas for your own cookie box this year!

Last year’s box:

  1. Peanut Butter Blossoms
  2. Buckeyes
  3. Chocolate Chunk Shortbread
  4. Roll Out Sugar Cookies
  5. Gingerbread
  6. Peppermint Brownie Cookies
  7. Salted Caramels
  8. Molasses Cookies Dipped in White Chocolate

New Cookies to Try

How To Make a Cookie Box.

Two days until December and it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to assemble those cookie boxes this year. If you want to! Of course, it’s highly optional, but highly rewarding holiday gifting activity if you choose to do it!

Growing up in small town Indiana as part of a close knit and large extended family, cookie plates were a THING. You knew that Aunt Lee and Aunt Dianne and any number of any family members and friends were going to drop by the house the week before Christmas bearing cookie plates. Everyone had their favorite cookie on the plate and as one of six kids, you had to be quick if you wanted to get one.

Enter my own adulthood and last year I made my own cookie boxes for friends and neighbors down here in Florida. I’m not sure how other people do it, but I started early and it made for a really manageable Christmas cookie timeline that didn’t make me feel overwhelmed.

To do now: make your list of cookies/candies. I did 8 last year and will aim for the same this year. I’ll share recipes in the coming weeks, but I did – caramels, buckeyes, sugar cookies, molasses cookies, peanut butter blossoms, gingerbread, chocolate chunk shortbread, peppermint brownie cookies. I’m switching out a few but will keep most the same because part of the joy is the predictability.

To do each week from now until gifting time: make a couple doughs and stick it in the freezer. Did you know you can freeze cookie dough for up to 3 months? Last year I waited until the week before Christmas and made one dough each night and froze. It wasn’t awful but I think two a week is more manageable and doesn’t take away the joy. I’ll do one on a quiet night during the week and one on the weekend. Wait until the week of to make any candies (caramels, fudge, peppermint bark, candied oranges, etc) as those won’t freeze well. I have my sugar cookie dough in the freezer already and molasses cookies are slated for tonight.

To do at any time leading up to Christmas: find your cookie boxes. This actually gave me some trouble last year, so this year I’ll be scouting ahead. Hobby Lobby and Michaels seem to be the best resources for these little cardboard boxes for small or medium batches. Source your sprinkles and any cute decorations you want to use! Buy early as they sell out quickly. And get the giant cookie sheets. It’s 100% worth not having to do multiple batches and just getting the cookies all in the oven in one go. For your pretty instagram picture, you’re going to want to find a nice wooden box to arrange them all. I found a couple in the dollar spot at Target this year, and last year mine was from Michael’s. Check the jewelry section. They have a little wooden box with compartments that are perfect for cookies.

The night before baking day: put your doughs into the fridge to defrost overnight.

The week of: make your candies, your frostings. Pick up any extra supplies you might need.

The day before: bake your roll out sugar cookies. Stick them in the fridge after baking so that you can decorate them on baking day. You could even get these completely done and also ice them as they’re the most time consuming.

On baking day: set aside much of your day for baking and clean up. You’ve done the hard work! Now you just have to get it all baked and decorated. If you’re not dropping off your cookies on the same day – don’t make the boxes yet. Especially if you’re making a cookie with a peppermint or peanut butter profile. The taste will definitely seep into the other cookies.

Try to gift your cookies asap! The fresher the better!!

I’m going to do another post this week with some suggestions of cookies that are yummy! If it’s your first year, maybe just try a couple cookies and gift them to friends and family. Happy baking season friends!!

Any questions?? Drop them in comments! I