Intentional Christmas Gifts Our Team is Giving in 2023

Christmas is just around the corner and if you still have a few loved ones left on your list, we’re here to help. We asked our team to round up a few of their favorite intentional Christmas gifts. These are gifts that many of us have given in the past or will be given this year.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

I realize that there is an awful lot of art on this list. But would you expect anything less from a design studio?

1. Mary By Mary Jewelry – Our brand designer Sara introduced me to this brand. I have the birth flower necklace listed in the image above (for Davey + the boys) but there are countless beautiful pieces in their shop. Sara is also a big fan of their rings.
2. Gracefully Made Art Notebook – This Alabama artist is local to our web designer Alex. This year he’s gifting one of her pet portraits, but I saw this gorgeous notebook in her shop and knew it had to make this list.
3. Hannah Weisner Art Puzzles – I think Hannah’s artwork is gorgeous and if you have a puzzle lover in your life, this would be a great gift. I sent one to my Michigan sister-in-law to help get her through the cold midwest winter.
4. Advent Cookbook – This is technically a book of German Advent recipes, but I think it would be a great gift for any Christmas lover. I picked one up for a friend and all the beautiful recipes inside made me want to grab a copy for myself. Am I German you ask? No, I am not.
5. Michelle Boyd Bookmarks – Michelle Boyd was recently interviewed on Shanna Skidmore’s podcast. These beautiful bookmarks in her shop would be perfect for friends.
6. Sézane Gifts – IMO, Sézane can do no wrong. I love everything about their clothing and their brand. I now own three Sézane pieces and it’s my 2024 goal to add another piece to my wardrobe. The Chloe blouse is my favorite piece in my closet and I grabbed a gift card for my mom so that she can order one as well. Let’s hope she doesn’t read this.
7. Floret Flower Farm Seeds – I love giving beautiful seed packets and flower bulbs as gifts. These Floret Flower Farm seeds are gorgeous and if your loved one doesn’t quite have a green thumb yet, I would also grab a copy of their book.
8. Hannah Winters Prints – I love Hannah Winters art and I’ve given her work as gifts a few times. I have one of her poster sized prints hanging in my room and my own Christmas list for this year included another print.
9. Mini Nativities – If you have someone in your life who celebrates Epiphany (January 6), these nativities are a fun gift. Not only are they beautiful, but the figures can be baked into the cake.
10. Citrus & Pine Custom Art – One of our team members, Adriana, is also the talent behind Citrus and Pine. She specializes in custom watercolor paintings of homes. This would be a meaningful gift for new homeowners, someone who recently left a house they loved or of a parent’s childhood home.
11. Sweet Pea Seeds – I ordered these exact seeds last year. Not only are they easy to grow, but they also grow quickly and add some fun color to your garden. I turn three garden rods into a teepee and let them grow up the structure. This big bag will last a few years.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Him

1. Compass Coffee – Our web designer Sam highly recommended this DC-based coffee roaster.
2. Mother Shrub Cocktail Mixes – Another Sam pick. These drinking vinegars make great cocktail mixers.
3. Normal Brand Clothing – If the man in your life could use a bit of a glow up, grab him something from Normal.
4. Barbour Boots – A pair of classic wellies for the winter (recommended by Sam!) They fit more comfortably than other popular wellie brands and hold up well to hard use.
5. Waterfowl Glasses – Sam. Again. Guys, he has really great taste. If I hadn’t already bought my Dad’s gift, I would have grabbed these for him. He’s an avid waterfowl hunter and these are so classy that I don’t think my mom would mind them on display in her china cabinet.
6. Sandfree Towels – A towel that picks up zero sand. Even with wet. Do I know how this magic is possible? No. But after experiencing one at the beach this summer, I knew I had to order a few for family Christmas gifts.
7. Tingly Ted’s Hot Sauce – I’m really hoping that my family doesn’t read our blog because I’m spilling another gift idea. My brother loves all things meat and grilling + his name is Ted. I love all things Ed Sheeran. Did my Spotify wrapped list include artists other than Ed? No, it did not. When I saw Ed Sheeran announce his new hot sauce brand, I knew I had to grab some for the Ted in my life.
8. Divvy Up Socks – Davey’s brother has a mild obsession with his dog so last year, I had a pair of socks made with his dog’s face on them from this brand. It was a winner.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Children

1. Bla Bla Kids Stuffed Animals – Adorable stuffed animals you won’t mind sitting out on a bed. Or, let’s be honest, the floor.
2. Feltman Brothers Clothing – Classic, Southern inspire outfits perfect for a new baby or a special occasion.
3. Little Unicorn Swaddles – Our team loves the beautiful patterns on these newborn swaddles.
4. Jellycat Stuffies – We have two of these in our house. A tiger for Bennett and a cheetah for Jack (his favorite). While they were a lower price when I bought them, I’ll say that the price is worth it. They’re very soft and have held up well to nightly snuggles.
5. Constructive Eating Plates – When you reach the toddler years, meal times can get rough. We picked up the dinosaur version of this set for Jack a few years ago and it gets used daily. Bennett has entered his truck era (and his picky eating era), so we’re giving him one of these for Christmas.
6. Letters from Father Christmas – Inspired by Tolkien, I write a yearly letter to the boys from Father Christmas. My letters do not do his justice, but the boys enjoy them. Well, I probably enjoy them more… Tolkien’s family published the original drawings + letters in this beautiful book. We’re giving it to some friends for Christmas but I’m also going to get a copy for our home to read aloud to the boys.
7. Personalized Duffle Bag – These high quality, preppy bags are perfect for little travelers.
8. Craftspring Ornaments – My mom gave us an ornament every year while we were growing up. This is a tradition Davey and I started when we were newlyweds and continued as the boys were born. We’ve done a few Craftspring ornaments. They have SO many options that it’s really easy to find one suited to someone’s interests and personality.
9. Customized Even Tide Pennant – These custom pennants would be fun gifts to help decorate a little one’s room.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone

1. Custom Birthday Book – This would be a fun way to celebrate someone who has had a lot of birthdays. Note – I did not say “old”. This book will pull a front page from the New York Times on someone’s birthday from the day they were born until the present day. Order any date as long as it’s at least one day prior to the year 2002.
2. Custom Family Tea Towel – This would be a sweet way to remember a loved one’s favorite family recipe.
3. Vintage Christmas Carol Book – A beautiful copy of the Christmas Carol (for reading or decorating!)
4. Family Recipe Pie Plate – Commemorate a favorite family pie recipe with this custom engraved pie plate.
5. Heritage Christmas Tradition Books – Each book is billed with an assortment of short holiday tales that best represent each region or country. Welcome the holidays by choosing a different story to read nightly near the tree.
6. Artifact Uprising Wooden Calendar – When we were photographers, we used to send these to our clients after their engagement session. They’re very high quality and were always very well received!
7. Custom Birthday Puzzle – Similar to the custom birthday book, but in puzzle form.
8. Ceramic Christmas Ornaments – I often order these beautiful ceramic ornaments to paint and give as gifts to neighbors and friends.

I always enjoy reading through other gift roundups and I hope you enjoy this one as well. Good luck finishing off those Christmas lists!