2024 Life of Yes℠ Gift Guide
Every Fall I share what I love or aspire to love in case any of them sound delicious for yourself or people in your life this holiday season and beyond in an annual gift guide.
Anything you’re squeeeee’ing? A product or business you want to spotlight? Drop it in the comments. And YES!, even if it’s your thing. Especially if it’s your thing. Self-promotion is welcome and encouraged.
Context, Disclaimers, & Reminders
Skip to the Guide if you know all this cause hi, you’ve been Guide’ing for years
Most of my recommendations aren’t your traditional gift ideas.
I find efficiency, organization, comfort, ease, death preparation, and cleaning sexy; I’d much rather a Container Store gift card than diamonds.
I don’t care about fashion, makeup, skincare, labels, “have to make reservations six months in advance” restaurants, jewelry (my Overstock.com wedding ring cost $19) or many other things seemingly everyone else cares about.
Gifts for others are the best! So are gifts for self! We often neglect self; you’re a better parent, spouse, friend, coworker, sibling, boss+ when you take care of self.
I’m frugal AF but I have fancy taste when it comes to some things, mostly travel related (hotels, first class, airport lounges); my budget often doesn’t allow for off the rack fancy so finding budget-friendly ways to indulge is also a love e.g. travel hacking.
Gift Someone With the Fanciest Version of What They Already Use — This is a very Life of Yes℠ mentality (I’ve gotten and so appreciated premium versions of Spotify, Canva, etc.).
Links may be referral links. If an Amazon link, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Speaking of Amazon, an encouragement to buy anything you can buy elsewhere elsewhere if it’ll help a small business. Use my links as recommendation/research links and see if your local Mom & Pop has what I recommend. If you do buy on Amazon though, encouragement to go through small business affiliate links so at least you’re kinda shopping small.
Buying someone a service — haircut, manicure, house cleaning — is deliciously win-win-win especially if you know the service provider (my Service Provider Referral List is here); you win, the gift recipient wins, and the service provider wins.
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Store items: Adulting Kit, Speaker in a Box, tshirts, tanks, onesies, posters, video tutorials, cleaning e-book, gift cards+
- Gift your family Mac & Cheese Family Reunion Facilitation
- Bring us in to your event or workplace
Love you dearly but boundariessssss — before you inbox or DM me about a recommendation, ask yourself if instead you can google it, check out the company’s website, or reach out to the company’s Customer Service. “My Dyson is acting weird, any ideas on how to fix it?” or “How do you use Bon Ami?” or “Do you know the dimensions of the plant stand?” are not questions to send me.
You can find previous year gift idea lists on my blog (filtered by “gifts”).
Annual reminder of the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe (time sensitive!).
At any time of year if you’re jonesing for my recommendations, I have a bunch of lists I keep updated in the Mac & Cheese Amazon Store.
2024 Life of Yes℠ Gift Guide
If you see an *, it means you’re supporting a Cheese-It! Win win win.
Experiences
Stores
Items
Books
Experiences
Chicago Movie Tours* (Hi Kelli!) — “Experience Chicago’s longstanding history with the movies on a guided walking tour, private walking tour, or a virtual tour.”
We went on one this summer and even us long-Chicagoans learned stuff about our city and saw newness. A great “parents in town” activity.
Broadway Rave — “A Broadway Dance Party celebrating the best in showtunes and musical theatre.”
You go to a club but it’s Broadway! Yessssss. Shows all over the country. If you’ve got a Broadway nerd in your life, surprise them with tickets.
Open Studio, Flowers for Dreams — “Build your own blooms every Saturday afternoon at our beautiful city studios. Self-guided floral design in our artisan flower workshop.” Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit.
FutureU: Self Care Summit* (Hi Christine! And Jess!) — “Whether you’re seeking to recharge your energy, elevate your career, or find balance between personal and professional life, the FutureU: Self-Care Summit is designed for individuals who are committed to growth and ready to prioritize their well-being. If you’re ready to step into 2025 with clarity, purpose, and a powerful community by your side, this event is for you.”
Ermagodddd, I would LOVE people to gift me gifts like this. It’s so easy to not invest in self, for a myriad of reasons, so when you get a permission slip that says, “Go ahead, I gotchu. You deserve it,” THE BEST. If you know anyone who could use that permission slip, hit ’em up. Bonus: I’m a speaker!
Guild Row Membership — “Voted BEST COWORKING SPACE by the Chicago Reader ‘21, ‘22 & ‘23. Guild Row is built for those who want to get things done in a space that’s both relaxed and driven. With natural light, private zoom booths, and a no-nonsense vibe, it’s where you focus, recharge, and connect with people who are on the same page. This is your spot to create, grow, and push forward—without the noise.”
I’ve been here for a few events and it’s gorggggggeous. As someone impacted in work, focus, energy, and creativity by my physical environment, Guild Row is the type of spot where I’m my best. If you’re looking for an out of home office and something different than a coffeehouse, where you’re more likely to gain community, highly recommend this place. I like the diversity, esthetic, location, and events emphasis. Bonus: you can head across the street to Thattu*, a Cheese-Its restaurant! (Hi Margaret!) This is a wonderful gift for that entrepreneur, small business owner, side hustle pal of yours.
Stores
All in the Chicagoland area unless noted. If you live elsewhere, they may have an online store so click away if piqued.
Raygun — Cute variety of clothing, home & kitchen, etc. items, including a huge Midwest collection. Stores all over the Midwest, including Chicago.
Rep Chi — All the Chicago-centric items you could ever imagine! I love buying this stuff for “I’m new to the city” or “I’m leaving the city” care packages.
Muji (online) — ““Lower priced for a reason.” This phrase encapsulates how MUJI first began in 1980. We launched products that might almost be regarded as substandard if based on traditional criteria. Focusing on our three priorities of “selection of materials,” “streamlining of processes,” and “simplification of packages,” we have grown into a brand with over 7,000 no-frills quality products.”
I first learned about Muji for their office supplies. Turns out, lots of cool items!
Peanut Butter Taco (online) — Mostly stickers! Mostly of the organizing and planning variety! But other goodness too!
Bas Bleu (online) — “Bas Bleu is a “bookseller by post,” which is a melodic way of saying we’re a mail-order company that produces a catalog of books and bookish things. We sell books and gifts that offer elements of wit, wisdom, and joy. Our selections are eclectic and rarely appear on bestseller lists.”
Out of Print (online) — “Since 2010, Out of Print’s mission has been to spread the joy of reading by transforming literary classics into bookish apparel and accessories.”
Hello, Tokyo — “Hello Tokyo offers thousands of high-quality, functional, super cute Japanese products at dollar store prices. Discover Japanese culture with our origami paper, calligraphy tools, obento products, sensu fans, and other traditional Japanese items.”
Calamityware (online) — “We bring monsters and mishaps to life in a wide range of unusually unsettling giftware.”
Items
Microwave Bowl Holders — We got these as gifts a few years ago and looooove ’em and use ’em alllll the time. Tip: if someone likes a particular XYZ, you can probably find it, e.g. ones with dogs, ones from a certain college, etc. Ours our LSU.
Ouisi — Good for ice breakers and for people struggling with memory loss. “We are passionate about collaboration, conversation, co-creation and open-ended play. This is time well spent, at any age.”
Airplane Travel Essentials for Flying: Flex Flap Phone/Tablet Holder — “Created by a flight attendant who saw a need for a phone stand that would allow you to watch movies and TV shows on long flights with your personal device.”
Shower Bench Seat — Weather Resistant/Non-Slip/Indoor or Outdoor Use. I got this a year ago to help with shaving legs. Did a lot of research RE easy cleaning and standing up to constantly getting soaked. I love the look of the natural bamboo ones but couldn’t find any that fit my parameters. This one’s been great!
National Parks of the USA Bucket List Travel Water Bottle — “Track all of your National Park adventures with our intricately developed water bottle and corresponding colorful souvenir stickers. The only OFFICIAL bottle partner of the National Parks Conservation Association: 3% of every purchase of all Parks of the USA bottles will go to National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), to inspire and inform the public about these incredible places, helping to ensure that our parks can be explored now, and for generations to come.”
Big League Pins* (Hi Angie! She shot our wedding) — Support small business, be an ally, cheer on the Cubbies, be a Chicago-homer, celebrate getting married, and so much more.
Reusable Swedish Dishcloths, Free the Ocean— “Replace 17 rolls of paper towels with just one Swedish Dishcloth!”
Kitchen SinkShroom: Revolutionary Clog-Free Stainless Steel Sink Strainer
Hard Bristle Crevice Cleaning Brush — I have a kitchen one, a bathroom one, and a few just in case ones! So great for the crack between the counter and stove, behind faucets, drains. So cheap, so useful!
Criss Cross Chair — I’ve been going back and forth on whether to get this (I haven’t yet). Now that one with wheels is out, I’m even more intrigued. So many love it, the look and comfy’ness. Poke around RE brands, there are tonsssss, some better than others.
Hair Towels — We both use these! I love not having to use a huge body towel on my head and love that this stays on tight as I do other stuff. We call them our Bears in the Back towels cause there’s a bear at the back where you loop the elastic to make the towel tight, and the title helps us remember how to put it on. Dorks!
SmartLight Full Spectrum Floor Lamps — “Help you to see details more clearly and colors more accurately. We’ve created a customizable lighting solution that is perfect for readers, artists, hobbyists, crafters & anyone seeking a powerful lamp with adjustable light.”
Denik Notebooks — Buy artist created ones or design your own.
Uni Mitsubishi Vermilion and Prussian Blue Pencil — “This high-quality woodcased pencil conveniently features vermilion red lead on one end and Prussian blue lead on the other. It is great for writing, drawing, or making corrections and other mark-ups.”
Book Pins & Charms, Ideal Bookshelf
Model Two Digital Audio Player — “Equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Google Chromecast, and AirPlay 2 it’s never been easier to stream your favorite music and connect multiple devices. The sleek design, dual orientation, and intuitive form factors allow it to fit perfectly into your space. The three aluminum grills and real wood cabinet combination make it the perfect stand-alone speaker or addition to your growing audio collection.” This whole store — Boston General Store — is fun!
Desk Pad, Elyse Breanne — I looove these designs and kinda want 7 desks so I can have 7 pads.
Mini Sticker Printer — I found out about these by discovering people who do reading journals and one of the sections are tiny print outs of the book covers.
Custom hand embosser — I saw people using this on their books, e.g. “Property of Saya Hillman.” “Precision crafted to make raised impressions on book pages, envelopes, stationery, invitations, foil seals and more.”
Confidant Hardcover Notebook, Baronfig — Lies flat!
Candle lighter, Reidea — “Live a much easier life with our candle lighter that lights anything in seconds, and experience a new way of ignition without flame, butane and any harm to the environment.”
Tile Trackers — We use these in luggage and in our car. You can also add to wallets, keys, phones… anything you lose or if it got taken, you’d want to locate it quickly and easily.
Rechargeable book light, Vekkia
Slippers, Bombas — I love these in Fall and Winter when I want slippers that are like socks (e.g. I can put my feet up on the couch in them).
National Parks Notebooks, Field Notes — “Gorgeous illustrations of iconic National Parks are featured on the covers of these Memo Books, which are grouped into 3-Packs that make up the “National Parks” Series. Choose your favorite 3-Pack, or collect them all.”
Coffee Mug Warmer / Candle Plate — I use these for melting candles. My candles last longer, there’s no open flame, and it’s better for the environment. If you’re someone who takes awhile to sip hot drinks, game-changer!
Visual measuring utensils, Welcome Industries — “With our Visual Measuring Cups & Visual Measuring Spoons, a half simply looks like half.”
Socks, Darn Tough — All Merino wool.
Corrugated Cardboard Cutter — Keep one by the door for all those Amazon boxes.
Washi Paper Incense, Five Elements Home — “A new type of incense, made of Japanese washi paper. It is made by grinding stick incense into a powder and dissolving it in water, together with the paper. It is an item that can only be made by Awaji incense artisans who have learned the skill of washi paper making. Because the final product is made of paper, you can fold it or cut it into any shape. You can even carry unburnt incense in your wallet, to transfer fragrance to your business cards.”
The Woobles — “Learn to crochet kits for beginners.”
Nee Doh — “The squishy, squeezy square sensation! Squish it or squeeze it, it always goes back to its square shape.”
Pencut Premium Scissors — “Tuck these slim, portable scissors into your pen case, so you’ll never be without scissors wherever you go! The scissor loops can be retracted when not in use, making these the perfect size and shape to slip into your bag along with your pens and pencils. A translucent cap covers the blades and makes them easy to find amongst your things. These scissors feature stainless steel blades that can easily cut through a variety of material, from thin plastic to thick cardstock.”
Nano Drone — “Incredibly zippy and fun to fly, the Sky Viper Nano Drone packs a full-sized punch into a palm-sized package. It’s advanced enough to satisfy experienced pilots wanting a small drone to fly in confined spaces, yet simple and lightweight enough for beginning pilots to learn the basics.”
Write On Cord Labels for Cable Management and Identification
Oven Rack Push Pull Stick — ” Mrs. Anderson’s Baking oven push pull stick for pulling hot bakeware and oven racks closer and protecting against dangerous burns when reaching into hot ovens. Made from Natural Bamboo; fully renewable for a more sustainable living; contoured handle for secure grip; will not scratch surfaces. Side notch pulls out hot oven racks and brings bakeware closer; top notch pushes in oven racks; Helps protect hands and arms from dangerous burns. Ideal for maneuvering hot casserole dishes, cookie sheets, cake pans, pie dishes, pizza pans, hot oven racks, and toaster oven racks, too.”
Pumice Heavy Duty Scouring Stick — A favorite cleaning tool! I use it on hard to clean stoves and ovens. Toilet hard water rings are also a popular use. Make sure you always keep it wet when in use, otherwise you’ll scratch your surfaces. These are a client’s before & after.
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths — These are my go to cleaning rags. We have kitchen ones and everywhere else ones. They don’t leave lint behind so great on mirrors.
Reusable Duster Compatible with Swiffer Hand Duster — OMGGGGG. Why did it take me so long to switch to reusable?!?! The amount of money I’ve spend on disposable ones is shameful. Not to mention, these are so much better for earth.
Metal Travel Pill Organizer — I love the cuteness, lightness, waterproofness, and that you can make 7 days 14 days.
Disposable Crevice Cleaning Brush — For icky crevices, e.g. on the toilet. Also good in fridges, keyboards, cars, and window tracks.
Small Huggie Hoop Earrings — I like wearing earrings that I never take out and that go with everything. I’ve had these in for about a year now, no green, no ick, match most my outfits.
Colorful Computer Wireless Keyboards Mouse Combo — The clickety-clack! The feel of the keys! The color! So good! I don’t like the mouse so use a different one and some of the letters have started to rub off on the keys but since I know the keys by heart, eh. Worth it!
Silk Bonnet — I felt my hair wasn’t as healthy as it could be. Thinning, dry, not as lustrous as it once was. I heard that satin helps protect hair (and curls, if you have curls) so wear this when I sleep (as well as sleep on this). It’s been about a year and I do think my hair is healthier.
Books
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman — “Drawing on the insights of both ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers, Oliver Burkeman delivers an entertaining, humorous, practical, and ultimately profound guide to time and time management. Rejecting the futile modern fixation on “getting everything done,” Four Thousand Weeks introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing finitude, showing how many of the unhelpful ways we’ve come to think about time aren’t inescapable, unchanging truths, but choices we’ve made as individuals and as a society―and that we could do things differently.”
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, Afua Hirsch— “You’re British. Your parents are British. You were raised in Britain. Your partner, your children, and most of your friends are British. So why do people keep asking you where you are from? Brit(ish) is about a search for identity. It is about the everyday racism that plagues British society. It is about our awkward, troubled relationship with our history. It is about why liberal attempts to be “color-blind” have caused more problems than they have solved. It is about why we continue to avoid talking about race.”
It’s OK That You’re Not OK, Megan Devine — “In It’s OK That You’re Not OK, Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides―as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner―Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, “happy” life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it.” Partner with How to Carry What Can’t Be Fixed: A Journal for Grief.
How It Feels to Find Yourself: Navigating Life’s Changes with Purpose, Clarity, and Heart, Meera Lee Patel— “How It Feels to Find Yourself pairs vibrant color palettes with thoughtful observations and guidance for navigating the most important relationship in our lives: the one we have with ourselves. Through illustrated charts, honest essays, and insightful questions for deeper reflection, Meera Lee Patel encourages us to sharpen our internal compasses—so we can discover our purpose, let go of what we’ve outgrown, and navigate challenging relationships with confidence.”
Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere, Maria Bamford— “Packed with “Bamford’s brilliance, relentless humor, and insatiable instinct for survival (Library Journal), this memoir explores what it means to keep going, and to be a member of society (or any group she’s invited to) despite not being very good at it. In turn, she hopes to transform isolating experiences into comedy that will make you feel less alone (without turning into a cult following).”
Courage To Be Disliked — “Framed as a protracted conversation between a philosopher and a young man and based on the theories of leading psychologist Alfred Adler, this book argues for personal liberation through identifying and overcoming the limitations that society imposes on people.”
Keep This Off the Record* (Hi Arden!), Arden Joy — “A vibrant LGBTQIA+ rom-com, where Shakespearean sparks ignite a contemporary lesbian love story, perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Casey McQuiston.” Arden runs the wonderful Girls Who Travel, “an award-winning community redefining travel to be inclusive, sustainable, and empowering for all women” — join the crew online and maybe even on a group trip?!
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin —
Selected as Chicago Public Library’s One Book, One Chicago! Check out upcoming events.
As a non-fiction reader, memoir specifically, someone who last “gamed” in the ‘90s, Super Mario Bros. 3 specifically, and an earth tones fan, scrunched noser at fluorescents specifically, I was skeptical.
And I was right.
“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, And Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin is a horrible book.
In that I have the 401 page hardcover and thus cannot take it on my travels* and thus was unable to devour it at the manic pace desired.
It’s additionally horrible in that it ends. A quarter of the way through, I was sad for Future Saya who, at some point, would read the final sentence.
Having now devoured all 401+ pages — I thirstily lapped up “A note about the author” and “A note on the type,” and like a record player on repeat, automatically lifted and repositioned my needle to re-read a bit of the beginning — “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, And Tomorrow” joins “Anno’s Journey”, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, “Babysitters Club”, “Sweet Valley High”**, “Maus”, “Bird by Bird”, “Pride & Prejudice”, “A Fine Balance,” and most Peter Spier creations on Saya’s Favorite Books of All Time list.
It’s also been added to “Gifts to Give Anyone, Anywhere, at Anytime” list.
It wouldn’t surprise me if I could find ways to add it to my Job Criteria, Home Criteria, and Boyfriend Criteria lists. It’s that universal and that chock full of parallels.
I thought I’d have a few post-it tabs stuck to its insides, not the standard “too many to count” in most of the books I read. A new vocabulary tab here and there. Just the new vocab tabs — ludic, fripperies, obelisk+ — number too many to count. And I’m a relatively intelligent English major! I enjoyed Zevin’s peppering of new to me jargon. She peppers not in a condescending or formal or unnatural way, but in an always be learning, surprise treats along the path way.
Then there are tabs for books I want to read. Places I want to visit. Art I want to see. People I want to know more about. Nuggets I want to share with specific individuals. Nuggets I want to share with anyone and everyone.
There are tabs for writing techniques and styles I want to emulate in my own writing.
Tabs for “Awwwww…” College in Boston! Biracialism! Craftsmans! Oregon Trail!
Tabs for topics: friendships, love, grief, creativity, work, regret, aging, knowing self, nostalgia, what if, trauma, communication, miscommunication, choices, failure, “success”, loneliness, infiniteness…
Tabs for wants: mmmmm, a benefactor. Financially, yes; but so much more, (wave of hand)…
Tabs for never before wanted wants: fan art. I’ve never thought, “I wish I could see visuals of the characters.” But throughout the novel, I wondered about Sadie, Sam, and Marx. Upon finishing, I rabbit-holed to see what fans had created. I wasn’t disappointed.
Tabs for concepts, quotes, and “this resonates so hard.” To remember, to share, because they validate and encourage.
Zevin weaves stories and time and characters and worlds together in a seamless, nourishing manner that provided me with numerous feel goods, widening eyes, and tiny gasps.
Am I now a gamer? (Not yet, but intrigued.)
Am I now a person who seeks out co-fans? To discuss plot lines, themes, surprises? To talk that heart-wrenching moment? IYKYK. (Toe in the water…)
Am I now a Googler who has to find out where an author went to school, where they live, and the name of their dog? Well, I already was. More so now.
Squeeee-fully leaping onto the Tomorrowx3 (as Zevin calls it) bandwagon, way after it reached capacity, but confident my fellow nerds will make space.
I’m tempted to take a Chicago walk, fluorescent book under arm, to see if anyone will see the cover, catch my eye, and say, “Happy Foot Sad Foot, right?”
*I had a New Hampshire-Massachusetts-Connecticut-New York trip and Spain trip during my Tomorrowx3 era. I woefully left the book at home for the first trip and neglected my stomach, cardio, spreadsheets, and fiddle leaf figs in order to finish it by Spain.
**Don’t come for me for my Sweet Valley High inclusion. Elizabeth and Jessica were formed in my formative years, the siblings I’ve never had and friends I barely had who taught me the whispers, giggles, and eye-rolls a bullied outsider craves. My heart will always sigh upon SVH mention.
If you have gift suggestions of your own, drop ’em in the comments! Even if, especially if, YOU’RE the gift. Self-promotion is not a bad thing. If you’re not your biggest fan, who will be? Looking at you women and POCs.
Ooooh totally looking at that fancy Pill Box for my dog! Senior dogs, and their meds, IYKYK! I’m taking advantage of the invitation for some shameless self promotion & dropping my business, Seldom Out! I make scented candles inspired by the music I love, sort of olfactory observations on music & life. I have Dream Pop, Ambient, Soul & Blues, House, and a bunch of mix genres like all French speaking inspired. Candles are all vegan friendly, no beeswax or paraffin, palm. You can find me at seldomout.com & if you just want to browse the playlists, they are there… Read more »
What a fab combo, Jenna! Thanks for sharing. I love you have the playlists on your site (and I hear ya RE reason for name of your business, me toooo).
Sharing the link again cause yours didn’t hyperlink: https://seldomout.com/
First, I get SO excited when your gift guide shows up in my inbox. I use it, I share it, and I love it! I have a product to suggest this year. I felt like I was constantly searching for a water bottle that absolutely wouldn’t leak and ruin my laptop. Turn that sentence around — I finally got a waterproof laptop case! What a gamechanger! The first time your water bottle leaks in the bag that has your laptop and you DON’T panic is nothing short of amazing. Love this thing. I think their marketing is weak. I would… Read more »
Ohhhh, great share, Carol! I love how you flipped the question AND found a solution. Like the color array too.
PS How many times have you been at conferences and been annoyed that you are given another mouse pad, tote bag, or coffee mug? I have wondered if this company would produce with some sponsor’s logo and mass produce at a much lower cost. Good swag, right? It’s getting pulled out in every meeting and everyone asks about it!
100%!