Did you catch Oprah’s favorite things Sunday evening on OWN? Even though she’s done with the talk show gig, she’s decided to keep the tradition of her favorite things show. This year her recipients were all military families, which made for a tear-jerker of an episode. I’m sure they’ll replay it throughout the holiday season, so check your local listings! I love this time of year. Tis’ the season of togetherness, love, friendship and giving. I believe in a good balance of gift giving and receiving, cooking and eating, and savoring every moment the season brings.

There are so many people who I care about that I love to shop for. One of my favorite parts of gift giving is watching them tear open the paper and enjoy that first look. Although I love gift-giving, I don’t believe a holiday gift needs to be expensive or extravagant. The part of shopping for my loved ones that I enjoy the most is choosing something meaningful and special that fit their personalities. Giving shouldn’t be about breaking the bank, even if black Friday commercials tell us otherwise. Homemade gifts like herb infused oils, baked goods, or handmade crafts can light up someone’s day. Check out my Pinterest board showcasing some of my favorite homemade gifts.

My motto is most definitely “it’s the thought that counts“. I thought it would be fun to do my own rendition of Oprah’s Favorite Things by sharing some of MY favorite things this year. If you’re looking for a gift for someone like me (foodie + outdoor enthusiast), you may find some inspiration for your own shopping adventures!

(I think this list could also double as my own Dear Santa wish list, but I won’t advertise that). 😉 😉

How great is this hairdryer caddy? It hangs right on your towel rack and neatly keeps everything at arm’s reach. I’m a HUGE fan of these Croc flip flops. They’re so comfortable and I literally wear them everywhere. This style comes in all colors, but I love this new camel/brown combination! One of my favorite color combinations is orange and navy blue. I just love this bedding set from Target. Have a baker in your life? These are my favorite tried and true Airbake cookie sheets. Nothing is better! I must have these reusable grocery bags in my life. Probably the most awesome idea I’ve ever seen. No need for disposable bags! These nesting bowls are great for mixing, prepping or serving just about anything. As a baker, I love my KitchenAid mixer. This scraper attachment would be a great accessory to add to anyone’s collection! I’m a big fan of crockpot cooking. When I saw this triple crockpot, I knew it would make a great gift in anyone’s kitchen! I saw these cell phone wall charger holders a long time ago, and have yet to buy myself one. This is a must-have! (PS- This particular Etsy user has them in a variety of patterns and colors! I’m a sucker for quirky kitchen tools, so when I saw these paring knives, I knew they would have to be on my favorite things list! A friend of mine bought these blue tooth wireless earphones a while back and they’re definitely a great gift for the runner in your life! I’ve been on the lookout for a handheld water bottle and it seems like this one has been a highly suggested one out in in the blog world. I love that it comes in so many colors! It took me a while to find a great pair of running socks. These Asics are so comfortable, dry-wicking and have a back cushion preventing them from sliding down! I’ve been in the market for a Garmin watch to use for running. I’ve heard rave reviews about this cute little forerunner. It’s comes in pink, green (my favorite) and black and it’s the most reasonably priced of all the forerunners. Do you have any quirky, interesting, creative or fun gift ideas that won’t empty your piggy bank? Do share! Steph 🙂

Do share!