Holiday Gift Guide 2017 – The Wellness Edition for Foodies, Fashionistas, & Beyond!

We are back with a bangin’ Holiday Gift Guide 2017! I can hardly believe the holidays have fallen upon us again. If you’re scrambling and thinking to yourself, “Holy CRAP I’ve gotta buy gifts” then this guide is for you! This year the theme is wellness, all things to make you feel at your tip top best! We compiled a list of everything from yoga pants, to skincare, to mouth-watering funky cheese! There is something perfect for everyone and we can personally attest to the awesomeness of these products. Check out our guide from last year and see for yourself we know our stuff! Enjoy!

For the Foodies –

No surprise here that we would start with this category first, being that we are hedonists and shedonists who just absolutely adore all things delicious food! Our Holiday Gift Guide 2017 wouldn’t be complete without Murray’s Cheese! Who doesn’t like to eat delicious goodies and think of that special someone who got it for them? You’re such a good friend/family member/lover/co-worker!

Murray’s Cheese

Founded in 1940 by Murray Greenberg, Murray’s Cheese is proud to be a Greenwich Village tradition and part of the neighborhood’s rich food history, along with neighboring destinations like Faicco’s, Ottomanelli’s and Rocco’s. It’s a pretty safe bet to say that they’re cheese obsessed. Their goal is to find the most delicious cheese and specialty grocery items from across the globe, teach you a bit about them, and then make sure you enjoy them.

Murray’s is offering a delightful selection of artisanal cheese boxes that are sure to make any cheese lover in your life squeal with delight!

Music to Your Ears: The Greatest Hits

The edible version of your favorite playlist! Enjoy a party-worthy selection of cheeses – including English Cheddar, Brie and Manchego – paired with jam, apricots and crackers, and try to resist the urge to dance, dance, dance. Contains two pounds of cheese, enough for 6-10 hungry groupies. ($90)

A Taste of Italy: La Dolce Vita

It’s no secret that Italians do it right. Dazzle your giftees with this rich selection of salumi, formaggio and snacks from a country where food is a deity. Featuring Italian favorites like nutty Fontina and spicy Gorgonzola, as well as several meats, olives and crackers, this collection serves 6-8 “Molto Bello!” cheese lovers. ($120)

The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Meat of the Month Club

The Meat of the Month Club will satisfy all your carnivorous cravings! Each month, you’ll receive two delicious examples of cured meat mastery, delivered right to your doorstep and ready to be paired with your favorite cheeses. Each delivery includes information on the featured meats, written by a Murray’s expert.  (Starting at $225 / four months)

 

The Entertainer’s Paradise: Weekend at Murray’s

Throw a party Murray’s style! This exquisite collection includes four delectable cheeses, a rich assortment of meats, and the perfect accompaniments to build an A-List cheese board. It will turn any gathering into an instant party that even your Aunt Linda will enjoy. Contains 3.5 pounds of meat and cheese, serving 14-16 guests. ($250)

 

Golden Door Farms

To pair with your delightful Murray’s cheeses, we highly recommend Golden Door Farms NEW Artisan Salt Trio and Delightful Honey Collection. They would be a perfect gift for any foodie you know, especially since Golden Door gives 100% of it’s profits to organizations that help children in need. Additionally, many celebrities, including Amy Schumer and Julia Roberts are fans of Golden Door!

Golden Door Delightful Honey Trio: Swirl a spoonful of the Sweet Peppermint Honey into your favorite tea, slather the Spicy Serrano Honey on your favorite toast, or drizzle the Smoked Applewood Honey over your favorite mild cheese.

The Golden Door Artisan Salt Trio  gives any meal an artisan flair with these essential salts ranging in flavors from smoky to spicy to sweet. An amazing addition to help spruce up morning breakfast, add flavor to steak, or even sweeten your favorite desert.

Hampton’s Salts

Hamptons Salt Company is the preeminent provider of all natural sea salt. Their salt merchants scour the world to offer you the best selection of raw salts, flavored salts or smoked salts. All of their salts are unrefined and have no unhealthy additives. Each salt has a unique taste profile based on the sea from where it originated and the natural minerals are not stripped out like refined salt.

Their selection of flavored and smoked salts are all natural and provide a burst of flavor with just a pinch and can add some zip to any meal, snack or drink! And they also have collections sets so you can try a little bit of everything.

With more than 20 varieties, Hamptons Salt’s all-natural sea salts encompass the sweet and the savory, the spicy and the mellow. The company’s collections, such as the Flavor Seeker, the Daily Chef, and the Collector, make the perfect gift for any foodie. The addition of Hamptons Salt is sure to elevate any meal.

Urban Leaf

Urban Leaf allows you to upcycle your glass bottles (hello, wine!) to grow The World’s Smallest Garden with fresh herbs.

This is an eco-friendly beginner hydroponic unit that lets plants water themselves – using patented hydroponic technology. It couldn’t be easier! Just fill the bottle with water, insert Urban Leaf, and wait for the garden to GROW! Full instructions can be found here.

HAMAMA

Want to grow fresh greens? Absolutely no green thumb? Introducing HAMAMA!

This subscription box sends you three of their patented kill-proof microgreen Seed Quilts each month that absolutely anyone can grow.  This means your friend who can’t even keep a pet rock alive can now introduce greenery and fresh food into their home. Seriously, you don’t even need to water it or provide sunlight!

What are microgreens? So glad you asked! They are the “baby” versions of vegetables and plants, and are 40 times more nutritious than their mature counterparts. With a one-time purchase of HAMAMA’s Grow Kit and a monthly subscription to their Seed Quilts, you can now grow this superfood hassle-free, year-round. We just knew this would fit right in with our Holiday Gift Guide 2017!

Design it Yourself Gift Baskets

Design It Yourself Gift Baskets (designityourselfgiftbaskets.com) is a U.S. based company (located in Houston) that allows for customers to easily design their custom extraordinary gift baskets for every occasion!

With a wide variety of options, we know that a basket from Design It Yourself Gift Baskets would be the perfect gift for any individual during the Holiday Season. From gourmet food enthusiasts to wine lovers, we’ve got everyone covered! Plus, the price point for each one varies from budget-friendly to a more elevated cost.

Name: White Wine Christmas Gift Basket

Description: This heavenly arrangement is guaranteed to make an impression! Inside this handsome basket, they’ll discover a wine of your choice that has been expertly paired with a classic assortment of tasty chocolates and cookies.

Link: http://www.designityourselfgiftbaskets.com/item–White-Wine-Christmas-Christmas-Gift-Basket–WHITEWINEXMAS

Price: $110.95

• Includes: Bottle of Wine, Dolcetto Chocolate Wafer Squares, Holly Baking Choc. Peanut Butter Cookies, Dolcetto Chocolate Wafer Rolls, Cocoa Amore Cocoa Collection, Sanders P’Nuttie Delights, Marich Milk Chocolate Almonds, Brown & Haley Almond Roca, Primo Dolce Truffle Cookies, Sheila G’s Salted Caramel Brownie Brittle, Marich Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn, Asher’s Chocolate Sandwich Cookie, Russell Stover Holiday Chocolates

Name: Chocolate & Red Wine Christmas Gift Basket

Description: This ultra-sophisticated wine gift features an intoxicating blend of Your choice of a wine and a generous selection of mouthwatering chocolates.

Link: http://www.designityourselfgiftbaskets.com/item–Chocolate-Red-Wine-Christmas-Wine-Baskets–CHOCREDXMAS

Price: $89.95

• Includes: Bottle of Wine, Biscoff Belgian Biscuits, Vision Pack Chocolate Cream Puffs, Too Good Gourmet Dulce Leche Cookies, Sanders Chocolate P’Nuttie Delights, Lindor Truffles, Primo Dolce Truffle Cookies, Sweet Cravings Creme Brule Truffle

 

A few other gift basket varieties they offer:

• Sports Gift baskets – for the athlete
• Hunter Survival Kit – for the outdoor junky!

• Pet Gift Baskets – for the pet lover
• Food Gift Baskets – for the foodie
• Holiday Gift Baskets – for anyone!

 

Princess House

Tis the season to make healthy holiday dreams and New Year’s resolutions come true with kitchen and entertaining tools that make perfect presents – all mostly under a $100 – from Princess House, a leading provider of unique and exclusive cookware, food storage and home and entertainment products. A true Holiday Gift Guide 2017 must include these amazing kitchen gadgets.

For the Avocado Toast Lover (Who doesn’t love avocado toast?)

 

Princess House® Specialty

5-in-1 Avocado Tool

Price: $27.95

*      Cut, pit, slice, scoop and mash with just one tool!

 

*      Ergonomically designed handle + knife combines great style with superior performance to make meal prep easier.

 

*      Use the serrated edge to slice the skin, then with pointy side grab, twist and remove the pit.

 

*      Use the curved tip to slice, scoop and mash.

 

 

For the Healthy at Heart

Marissa Perfect Portion Dinner Plates (4)

Price: $79.99

Let these plates be your guide to a healthy meal!

 

*      Set of 4 Dinner Plates are made of porcelain and features an embossed design.

 

*      A cleverly embossed pattern divides plate into the right portions of 25% protein, 25% healthy carbohydrates, 50% veggies for a well-balanced meal.

For the Home Cook

 

Princess House® Specialty Mandoline Slicer

Price: $119.95

Performs 7 different cutting functions quickly, precisely and accurately—slices, ribbons, matchsticks, shreds, fries, chips and spaghettis. Uniform slices ensure consistent cooking.

Crux

CRUX Toaster Oven with Convection

• The tried and true multitasker gets an upgrade: pop in a 12” pizza appetizer or a small batch of cookies while waiting for dinner to finish in the oven
• Yields faster, more even heating and maintains better temperature accuracy, providing a uniform heating profile without hot-spots – ultimately, better toasting results.
• The 17-liter capacity holds up to 6 slices of bread or a 12” pizza. Prepare meals quickly and easily.
• MSRP $119.99; Available at Macy’s.com

Knack

Knack has created a highly personalized gift selection technique on their web site. They offer hundreds of gift set ideas from expert curators including everything from sustainable gift items to gifts made by emerging artisans to inspired gifts for the gourmand. These gift sets can be curated, as well.

Gourmet PB & J Set

This fun gift set updates the childhood classic–the PB & J–with a jar of CB’s Nuts’ Creamunchy Peanut Butter, grown-up Bow Hill Blueberry Jam, and a Seattle Chocolates PB&J Chocolate Bar.  ($38)

K-Teas

Tea Lovers! (that also love their cocktails)

K-Teas: I know coffee is tasty and the saving grace of all sleepy people, but I’m here to say…out with the beans, and in with the leaves! K-Teas is some seriously delectable, totally natural teas and mulling spices that are going to make you forget about your bad breath inducing java. Teas that evoke your favorite cocktails (and are easily made into said cocktails), mulling spices to up your foodie game…trust me when I say delicious, healthy teas are where it’s at! (and perfect for gifting)

 

For the Fashionistas – 

 

Vessel

We all need bags, so why not get some sexy stylish ones? Vessel bags are some of the most luxurious, stylish bags around. From their golf bags and luggage to their backpacks, when you buy a Vessel bag you’re making a statement about who you are and where you’re going. But soon, there will be more to love about your favorite bag. 

While Vessel bags have always been top-of-the-line, the company’s perpetual drive for excellence prompted the 2.0 collection. Some of the thoughtful new features include an interior pocket that’s deeper and wider for easier use, new designer color combinations to choose from, and tubed handles for an easier carry. Each bag in the 2.0 line will also feature the Filled With Purpose lining, a special lining to remind customers that Vessel donates a backpack to a child in need every time a customer buys a Vessel bag. So far, it’s given out more than 18,000 backpacks through its Buy One, Give One program.

Here’s Some of the 2.0 Collection – 

2.0 Backpack – Modern, sleek, compact backpack for easy traveling. Upgraded with a trolley handle sleeve for comfortable carry and equipped with additional padded shoulder straps and water-resistant pockets for effortless organization.

2.0 Tote – Stylish, minimalist logo hardware on pebbled or satin leather. Designed to keep its structured shape for years to come.

2.0 Duffel – Perfect for overnight and weekend travel, this contemporary luxury duffel keeps your organized. It’s easy to stack with a rolling suitcase.

2.0 Toiletry – Features a book style opening to elegantly create storage for all your essentials. Hangs on any towel bar or hook for easy access.

 

Karma Mob

Karma Mob is an amazing line of clothing in the studio/streetwear style that is perfect for yoga types and new age spiritual types! These leggings just had to be in our Holiday Gift Guide 2017! Blending NYC style streetwear with good intention on quality apparel and materials (the tees and sweatpants are sooooo comfortable.) Designed in NYC and eco friendly! They also make the coolest eco yoga mats! Price points between 28-70$ usd. Check out their awesome clothes at www.karmamobnyc.com!

Hotheads

Freeze Frames

Accessorize with the newest in sunglass wear for men and women created by a nurse to soothe puffy eyes as featured on www.FreezeFrames.com. FDA-approved and recommended by doctors, FreezeFrames® Cool Care Eyewear provide the benefits of ice through the convenience of stylish, quality sunglasses that also UVA protect. The secret treatment comes in patented Gel-Pads attachments, which magnetically click into place within the FreezeFrames® casing, and are anatomically engineered to discretely target zone-specific problematic eye areas unlike any other eye care product on the market today. The attachments soothe ‘the puffy and tired’ with gentle cooling compression customary of how a ’nurse’ might apply ice to swollen, symptomatic eyes areas. Inventor, Alison Read, RNFA, is among the rare 8% of women who hold patents, and is a Los Angeles-based specialized nurse who created FreezeFrames® to ‘nurse’ bad eye days. Her invention solved her own puffy eye problem and is now available to ‘nurse’ yours. Alison works in a specialized advanced practice surgical role routinely held by assistant surgeons and surgical residents. She has extensive surgical experience in orthopedics, neurology and plastic surgery, and specialized training qualifying her to work alongside some of Beverly Hill’s top surgeons. $89.95 exclusive online.

For The Beyond:

 

Cat Studio

Inspired by a love of world culture and art, catstudio‘s original geography collection is a timeless ode to geography and craftsmanship. These iconic hand-embroidered pillows embrace a love of travel and discovery with a twist of humor, nostalgia, and hand-craftsmanship. Available in over 200 designs, with new products and designs constantly being added to the collection. In addition to the original geography pillows, catstudio also offers their designs on dish towels, glasses, and many other items as well.  With price points starting at under $20 and going up $660, catstudio designs include all fifty states, cities around the world, national parks, landmarks, holiday designs, and the brand new collegiate collection. Available at retailers throughout the country and at catstudio.com.

Mythologie:

For the Beyond category of our Holiday Gift Guide 2017, we definitely had to include Mythologie. It is a new homeopathic cruelty free skincare line. It was created by a woman who was fed up with being medicated, and looked to herbs and nature to cure her ailments.  She originally created the line for her own use, but decided just earlier this year to share with the world. The facial serums are made from organic herbs and smell amazing while noticeably uplifting the spirits and rejuvenating the skin.

Crystal Deodorant

Crystal is the original mineral salt deodorant brand and still leads the category today.  For your family and friends who prefer a safe and reliable alternative, Crystal makes roll-on deodorants that contain only mineral salts and natural plant essences (rather than chemical ingredients that simply mask odor). Crystal roll-ons dry instantly, are non-sticky, and leave no residue. The smooth glide roll-ons are available in an unscented version and in four Crystal essence aromas – Lavender & White Tea, Chamomile & Green Tea, Pomegranate and the newest, Vanilla Jasmine.

 

 

Robin McGraw Revelation Skincare

Women often put themselves at the bottom of the list with so many other priorities on their list but they deserve to take care of themselves and embrace their own beauty, health and happiness. Robin McGraw Revelation’s Luxury Skincare products make for great gifts because all women deserve to feel beautiful on the inside and outside.

All products are available on RobinMcGrawRevelation.com and Amazon.com.

Notable items from the line include:

• OMG! is this really ME? – Instant Face Shaper: Finally, shapewear for your face. This potent gel utilizes natural clay-derived compounds to instantly make skin feel tightened and lifted. It also contains plant-derived stem cell extracts to fight free radicals and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Key benefits:
    • Instant lifting, tightening and blurring effects
    • Fills in crow’s feet and deep wrinkles for a smooth appearing complexion
    • Softens puffiness and bags around the eye area

 

• Face It, You Look Amazing! – Revitalizing Serum: Achieve a refreshed, relaxed, and younger-looking complexion with this advanced formulation. An innovative blend of four unique peptides relaxes and smooths the appearance of expression lines to help diminish the visible signs of aging.
  • Key benefits:
    • Provides a softened, relaxed appearance for a youthful looking complexion
    • Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the face
    • Naturally hydrates and moisturizes the skin with plumping and tightening result

 

• Welcome Back YOUth – Retinol Serum 0.3%: Gift yourself or a loved one a younger-looking complexion. This serum with 0.3% Retinol helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and pores, while Vitamin C helps visibly brighten dull skin. Powered by a unique time-released technology, this potent yet balanced serum gradually delivers Retinol to minimize irritation and maximize visible results.
  • Key benefits
    • Minimizes the appearance of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation for a brighter complexion
    • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
    • Powerful antioxidant support to defend against free radicals and damaging environmental aggressors

 

• Hydra Qwench – Moisturizing Night Cream: O, The Oprah Magazine Fall 2017 Beauty O-Ward winner!
  • Wake up to a repaired refreshed complexion! This unique nightly treatment addresses multiple visible signs of aging while protecting skin from future damage. Increases firmness and elasticity, balance skin tone, and restore skin’s moisture all while you sleep.
  • Key benefits:
    • Diminishes the appearance of sagging skin
    • Naturally hydrates and moisturizes
    • Improves the look of dull, tired skin

 

• Foaming Joy! – Purifying Facial Cleanser: O, The Oprah Magazine Spring 2017 Beauty O-Ward winner!
  • This antioxidant foaming gel cleanser gently and thoroughly removes all traces of makeup, dirt and oil, leaving skin soft, supple, and glowing. The balanced formula contains hydrating and purifying ingredients to cleanse without stripping skin.
  • Key benefits:
    • Provides balanced and gentle cleansing for daily use
    • Naturally hydrates and moisturizes
    • Improves the look of tired, dull skin

POLISHED Skincare

With the Holiday season approaching, it’s always difficult to find a guy-approved gift for the boyfriend, husband, dad or brother, in your life.  Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Lancer (skin guru behind Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, the Kardashians & even Beyonce) has an affordable and useful gift idea for men — his recently launched skincare line POLISHED.

Dr. Lancer partnered up with client and friend, Ryan Seacrest, to create POLISHED, a dermatologist-developed, tested and approved daily regimen that targets the specific needs of men’s skin and is powered by the highest grade and most innovative ingredients.

 

The line includes an anti-aging serum, dual cleanse and shave, oil-free moisturizer, a daily micro scrub, and a daily lip care — as well as a 4-piece travel sized kit. Pricing details can be found below.

 

• Polished by Dr. Lancer Travel Kit – US (4 piece)-  $48.00 **PICTURED**
• Daily Micro-Scrub – $35.00
• Dual Cleanse & Shave – $20.00
• Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen – $35.00
• Anti-Aging Serum – $55.00
• Lip Care SPF 15 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen – $10.00

AILLEA Beauty

With 2 locations in Denver, 1 in Atlanta and an e-commerce business, AILLEA is one of the country’s most prominent and successful clean beauty boutiques, a true go-go for a clean products.

AILLEA offers a wide array of products for everyone on your holiday gift giving list… Brands include RMS Beauty, Kjaer Weis, ILIA, Kypris, Indie Lee, Josh Rosebrook, Rahua, Agent Nateur, Osmia, CV Skinlabs, Orgaid, Vintner’s Daughter, Mullein + Sparrow, Vapour, Battington Lashes, Osmia Organics, Honest Hazel, Maya Chia, and many more. We recommend these products below for a very happy yogi in your life!

Honest Hazel Eye Gels

Powerful natural ingredients: Cactus Collagen increases skin elasticity, improves circulation and reduces puffiness. Soothing Aloe Vera, Vitamin C and Vitamin E smooths fine lines and wrinkles. Arbutin combats dark circles and hyper-pigmentation.

Brain Dust Moon Juice

Brain Dust® is an adaptogenic blend of enlightening superherbs and supermushrooms that help combat the effects of stress to align you with the cosmic flow for great achievement.*

• Helps enhance focus and mental stamina*
• Helps promote mental clarity & concentration*
• Helps promote a positive mind and mood*
• Helps to alleviate the effects of stress and tension

*Statements have not been evaluated by FDA

Orgaid Vitamin C Sheet Mask

Orgaid’s sheet mask is developed for those who are looking for a safe and healthy skincare product that is convenient to use. We use USDA Certified Organic ingredients that are safe, and do not include any chemical preservatives. We also use “Ecoderma” fabric that is made with advanced technology to help soak in the serum deeper into skin.

Thank you for perusing our Holiday Gift Guide 2017! All your gift recipients this year will just love you! Be sure to recommend our Holiday Gift Guide 2017 to your friends and family so they can spoil you too!