Ah, the holidays.
I usually start out with the mindset of not getting stressed, having all my shopping done early and online and not giving into the madness of it all. But, eventually, something (or many things) completely stress me out, I think I have all my shopping done and then remember I need 18 more things the week before Christmas and, become overly sensitive, moody and require more and more alcohol to “relax” at the end of the week.
Ah, the holidays.
This year I’m resigning myself to the fact that not everything will go as planned. I can do my best to purchase the “perfect” gift for those I care about most (my kids) and forget the rest. #HolidaySpirit
In an effort to declutter my brain and clarify my shopping list, I present to you my gift guide of what to give and get by way of what not to give and get.
Feast your eyes:
Hard to Buy For
We all have that person on our list who, when we see their name, think “I cannot believe I have to actually get a gift for this a-hole.” Yes, that person. It could also actually be the person who has everything or, most annoying of all, the person who buys themselves everything they want, right before the holidays!
Get This
Donation in their name. Obviously they’re too much of a narcissist to do it themselves, and this may be the only way they contribute anything to humankind. You’re doing everyone a favor.
Sarah of Run Far Girl, has a great list of charities to donate to. Check it out here.
Not That
A gift card. Normally, I highly recommend gift cards but not for this type of person. They need a special kind of gift where, because they are ridiculously selfish, will not see “what’s in it for them.” Everyone wins.
Gadget/Tech Nerds
I have several of these on my list and, this year, once again Amazon has come to my rescue! I should definitely send Jeff Bezos a gift basket.
Get This
The Amazon ECHO! I seriously love this thing and here is a short demo of why…
- We did not name her, Amazon did.
- She can do SO much more.
- Do you see Johnny Elf hanging from the mistletoe in the background? #ThisIsMyLife
Not That
This year, think outside the Apple people!
Anything Apple. I’m so over their ridiculously expensive and constantly updated products. Yes I love my phone, iPod, and laptop but I haven’t heard great things about the watch and the “new” iPad just seems so unnecessary. Stop trying so hard apple and just be an apple.
The Non-Runner
*Gasp*
Let’s be real, there are far more “non-fitness” types on your list. If not, the holidays would be a breeze. Athleta, running shoe store, Momentum Jewelry, throw in some hydration tablets, compression socks and we’re done.
You wish.
Get This
The easy way out of this is to give them a running gift that they don’t know is a running gift. Below are some of my favorite things that I can wear running or shopping:
Exhibit A: TrailHeads Women’s Power Stretch Convertible Mittens | You can wear these anywhere and they are as awesome as ever!
Exhibit B: Althleta No Sweat Jacket | Luckily for the non-runners among us, fitness clothing is trending toward “from barre class to supermarket” gear. This sweater/jacket is one of my favorites and is a classic example.
Exhibit C: Wicked Good Biodegradable Hand Warmers | Do I need to elaborate on this? If you’re like me, your hands are always freezing this time of year. I use these on the run or before a race but also take them outside with the boys or whenever I know I will be without heat for more then 10 minutes.
Exhibit D: KUHL Klaudette Pant | You could hike in these pants but you could just as easily belly up to a bar. I choose to do both in mine.
Exhibit E: New Balance Women’s 696 Sneakers from J.Crew | There are two big clues that these are not for running – they call them “sneakers” and they are sold by J. Crew. I absolutely love my pair and wear them everywhere. #sparkle
Not That
Basically anything obviously fitness or running related like a gym bag or race bib. It’s like giving a SAHM a vacuum. They obviously do not want it! Or, perhaps they do, but not for Christmas. Now is not the time to be dropping hints about why they should do what you do…even if they really, really should. It’s a time of being charitable and grateful and respecting other people’s wishes.
You have 364 other days to jam running down their throats.
[Tweet “Running gifts for your non-runner friends…and they will still like you. They may like you more! #giftguide”]
Runners/Fitness Friends
This is the easiest person to shop for by far. We know your deepest wants and needs. And, as much as we would love to fly us both to Hilton Head South Carolina this March to the Runner’s World Zelle retreat, perhaps we can settle for a few of the following:
Get This
Momentum Jewelry
You cannot go wrong here and, whether you chose a bracelet, necklace or foot note, your recipient is sure to love it!
Apera Performance Duffel Gym Bag
I’ve had a lot of gym bags in the last 15 years or so and this one, by far, is my most favorite. I also have a backpack.
Just look at the sheer amount of STUFF I fit in this thing!
Compression Socks
Affordable, adorable, useable and appreciated.
Everyone does with compression sleeves!
Beats by Dre Wireless Headphones
Yes, I know they were just bought by Apple but whatever. Totally different. Since I bought these I have been loving them. They are easy to charge, synch and the volume, pause, play and stop controls are all within easy reach and react well the first time you hit them. Best of all? They stay put. No bouncing. No falling out. Nada. Oh yeah, and the sound quality is pretty amazing too.
I could go on and on about more running clothes, socks, food and gear but, I think we’re done here…for now.
Happy shopping!
[Tweet “A complete guide to what to give (and not give!) this year! #giftguide2015”]
What is on your give and get list this year?
If money was no object, what gift would you give and to whom? Get?
So many ideas! I second the Apera bag. I have the backpack and that things a ton!
I also have a backpack and I love it! I’ll be gifting both this year 🙂 Thanks Angela.
OOOH THE HUSBAND HAS THE BEATS!
and now I wanna tip top in and snag em and gift e to me 🙂
I hope you got away with them 🙂 Seriously, they are fantastic!…and I bet they would be great on skates 🙂
This is awesome. My parents are easy to shop for because everyone needs a running shoe. My mom frequently walks the dogs and my dad runs. Soit’s easy for me!
Oh how I wish I could gift everyone with running shoes!! I also wish everyone would gift me with the same 🙂
If money were no object id buy a year worth of nanny services for all of my friends. Because we deserve it lol. I love these recommendations ! I still love my trailheads gloves and I’m also super over Apple. I have a MacBook and an iPhone and that’s about it. The watch has never been intriguing to me. The beats are such a great idea too!!
That is such a GREAT idea!! I gifted my Aunt with a private meal service for a week last year. I could only afford one week but she said it was the best week ever 🙂 Glad you agree with me on the “I’m over it” Apple motto!
I love getting all the shopping done early when possible. Love the domain idea! I remember meeting Katy Widrick and being in awe of how many she has bought over the years, including ones for her girls… just in case!
I try to get it all done early but I inevitably forget something…or many things. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again this year!! Thanks Laura.
I love how you did this list!! I have those headphones and love them!! I took the easy route this year and got everyone something from Havaianas this year… I mean it is Brazilian!
Brilliant! I love Havaianas and have at least three pair. Maybe four.
I’ve been eyeing the Echo – after watching your video I may be sold! Excellent gift guide, Allie!
GET IT! It’s perfect for you and I bet your kids would find creative ways to use it as well.
I love running gifts….Gone For A Run has so many cute running gifts, too…. but of course running gifts are so easy to buy…. the hardest is to buy a gift for the non-running man…I’ve been resorting to 4 packs of specialty beer glasses or something along those lines..
LOL! You can’t go wrong with beer glasses for men. And yes, they are so hard to buy for. The gift I gave my husband last year (which he claimed he really wanted BTW) is still sitting in it’s box in the garage. Seriously.
Good luck!
I do not want any gifts…. Except for ONE kind of intangible thing… That only ONE PERSON can give to me, bahhh ha ha ahaha ha ha! But I won’t hold my breath over that one.
Otherwise, I am the queen of giving gifts and have some pretty bomb ass ideas for some peeps. And no, these gifts do NOT include gift cards and/or bath soaps. LOL
If they don’t give it to you – MOVE ON! Anyone would be insane to not want to gift you all.the.things!!!
And I accept any and all gift cards 🙂
I’m very practical. If money was no object I’d fill as many oil tanks as I could for the single moms I used to work with. Buy the lift driver appropriate all weather gear. She stands out in the rain and snow in sneakers.
Love your charitable contribution gift idea!!
Love that. And, it’s something you could do any time of year!
Seriously, this year I’m all out of ideas for what to get people! So thank you for this. So many great suggestions and some of my favorite brands! And I love your video 🙂
Glad I could help Christine! Thanks 🙂
I love that you included the TrailHeads convertible mittens in with gifts for your non running friends. I wear them for everything…running, snowshoeing, errands, when I’m photographing my kids’ games/meets in the cold…they go EVERYWHERE with me! They are awesome! I need to check out those handwarmers too…good to be prepared, right?! Love my compression socks too! Great ideas all around!
You know I love my TrailHeads gear and, part of the reason is because it’s not JUST for running. I use most of their stuff for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Thanks Michelle!
Totally agree!! Me too!
I want those mittens for hiking! Now I just need to subtly (not so subtly?) send that link to my husband. Great gift guide, Allie!
Don’t go for subtle, just hit him over the head with it! 🙂
wow this list is great! i am checking out the Echo for my husband, he is a total gadget head. i love this list, thank you!
if money were no object, i think i’d get my husband a week off somewhere tropical and have him relax.
if it were me, i’d like the same gift. except i don’t mind cold places, just somewhere away and where we can relax. we did just spend 4 days in NOLA but that wasn’t exactly relaxing… so my gift would have to include a driver of some sort 🙂 maybe a nice sleepy village in Italy!
That sounds just about perfect! I think I would like a vacation away with my entire family during Christmas. No gifts, just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. I may suggest this for next year…thanks for the idea!
Ohhh, I love my Apera bag and just got a backpack! I really need a pair of wireless headphones and been eyeing the ones you have. Good to know that you like them. There are so many choices out there it’s hard to choose!
They are really great and perfect for pretty much any and all fitness. They hold a charge for a while too.
So glad you love Alexa as much as I do. She makes life easier 🙂
And OMG, I just watched the video of Alexa and I NEED one of those ASAP.
That Athleta jacket is so cute! I definitely try to do most of my shopping online right around this time before the holidays really hit… I’ve gotten a lot of it done in the past week, but definitely still have more to do!
It’s really comfortable and easy to wash too.
Here’s to getting the rest of your shopping done…online!
Great gift picks!! I want ALL OF THEM! hehe.. – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Great list! Momentum Jewelry is such a great gift! I also love Apera’s bags and Brooks calf sleeves!!!
You know I love my brooks calf sleeves and I cannot thank them enough for those ones!
I ordered an Apera bag for my stepmom for Christmas. They have some new colors and a few changes to actually make them even better.
Thanks Jesica!