Friday Finds: Mere's Gift Guide featuring cookbooks, cozy home goods, handmade items, and more!

Have you seen our 2020 Gift Guides? A lot of time and intention went into putting them together, and you should check them out! Read on for a few of my personal suggestions for gifts, too! While I am not usually particularly interested in giving or receiving gifts, this year feels different. Frankly, I believe that overconsumption is a big problem for many reasons, and I struggle with the idea of contributing unused/unwanted things to the lives of my loved ones. In years past, I’ve requested donations in my name to local non-profits and mutual aid organizations. That said, I enjoy sharing what I love with others, and because we won’t be together given the pandemic and the lockdown in Minnesota (finally!), gifts feel somewhat appropriate this year.

I’m looking forward to connecting with my people in ways that feel safe: from afar, virtually, and by mail. Included below are a few items on my wishlist, things I already own and love, and a few objects I plan to gift this year. <3

I bought this gorgeous 2021 calendar for myself, and I’m looking forward to putting each page in a small frame at the close of each month.

In my opinion, Arounna can do no wrong, and I eagerly look forward to every single one of her shop updates. My collection of Bookhou purses and pouches miiiiight be getting out of hand.
As we look ahead to winter and the dearth of social options that will be available to us, I’m preparing to hunker down with my partner. One thing that might help stave off the cabin fever? Two-player games like these: Fox in the Forest, which we already own, and Parks and Caper.
Something we’re looking forward to once there’s more snow on the ground? Using our new kicksled!
I’m pretty sure one of my best friends would absolutely love this cheeky vase.
And this handsome and handmade fireplace set would be perfect for my dear friend’s new house.
A few people on my list will be receiving charming prints from this Etsy shop. Nature-inspired woodblocks carved by a now-deceased artist that have been lovingly restored and printed by her daughter? How perfectly wonderful!
If you’ve been to my house, you know that there’s no shortage of comfortable blankets in the living room. This one has been a favorite for years (it’s a perfect weight, and it has aged so well!), and we liked this twin blanket (in metallic blue!) so much that we bought a second one (in caramel!) recently. Between the fireplace, the record player, the decorated tree, and the TV, I think we’ll be spending a lot of time on the couch this winter, and I like knowing that we’re going to be cozy.
This lively set of napkins has been brightening up our dinner table for the last few weeks (and wouldn’t they be great for dinner parties…someday? No more guessing whose napkin is whose if things get chaotic!).
On my wishlist: these locally-made beeswax candles, suet bricks for our bird feeders (I like these for their minimal packaging), and these seasonal candies which I cannot get enough of. (Seriously, get yourself at least one bag of each of those, and grab me a few bags while you’re at it! Ha!)
A few more favorites: Red Dahlia lip balm, strike-anywhere matches, and these braided hair binders.

If you’re stuck on what to give to the people in your life this year, consider the Four Gift Rule, "something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read". If you don’t know what books your person has already read, consider giving them a new cookbook. It’s both something to read + an experiential gift that just might get them out of a cooking rut or teach them something new. Need a simple option to check the “something to wear” box? Nice socks become more and more appealing the older I get. I like these Smartwool socks in navy and anything (blue/cool) from Darn Tough. As far as wants and needs go, I find myself gravitating toward things that will improve my physical health, my mental health, and my physical comfort. Maybe a stylish new loungewear set is just the thing to brighten your loved one’s winter, or some warm gloves to enable them to take longer walks during these cold, dark days! You got this. I’d love to know what’s on your wishlist this year!