THREE GIFTS I SWEAR BY 🎁

As I was compiling this holiday wish list, I realized something funny - or maybe embarrassing. My favorite gifts were all born from my constant talking complaining. My husband - either through attentive listening or wanting me to zip it - has given me some fantastic problem-solving gifts over the past few years.

This got me thinking about OUR gift lists. With moms so focused on shopping for everyone else and creating astonishing holiday magic, there is little time left to create meaningful wish lists for ourselves.

What would happen if we asked for a solution rather than a desire?

I mean, sure, a plush cashmere sweater would be lovely, but its joy often fades with time. Solving a daily problem, however - whether it's saving time, reducing stress, or adding consistent enjoyment - creates value that can increase over the years.

Here are three game-changing gifts I use and appreciate every single day:

1. Ember Mug

If you reheat your coffee or tea roughly 87 times a day, this one's for you. I received mine four years ago and haven't looked back. It keeps my coffee at a consistent temperature, so I don’t have to make endless trips to the microwave. Honestly, it's one of my favorite gifts ever - and they now have some pretty new colors!

Check them out HERE.

2. AirPods Pro (Noise-Canceling Headphones)

These were a reluctant try that turned into a daily essential. Initially, I wanted them to combat my gym's early-morning yacht rock (there's a time and place for "Jessie's Girl," but 6:12 AM isn't it). Now? I use them for everything. Meditation, thinking time, even hair drying - they create instant peace by muting the world's small annoyances, from the gross sounds of licking dogs to the high-pitched whir of noisy dryers.

The adaptive noise-canceling feature means I can still hear when people need to talk to me, and I can completely silence distractions when needed. As I prepare for my upcoming empty nest, these have unexpectedly become tools for easing into periods of quiet reflection.

Find them on Costco HERE.

3. The Fair Play Method Book & Cards

Here is my best tip, and one I’ve talked about before (read more here and watch here) if you’re overwhelmed with your neverending to-do list or are experiencing a slow-growing frustration (resentment?) with your husband or partner, this is for you.

This isn't just a book - it's an experience and potentially the most valuable gift you could request. This could be transformative.

The gift isn't just the book or card deck - it's asking your partner to sit down with you and do the work to find a better balance at home. If you're the default parent, planner, or everything-handler, this could be your path to relief.

Ideal for those who’d rather have the gift of time and sanity over another sparkly bauble.

Check out the book HERE and the cards HERE

The Bottom Line

Before finalizing your holiday wish list, take a moment to reflect on your daily frustrations. What tasks constantly drain your energy? What small annoyances repeatedly pop up? The solutions to these problems might just be your perfect gifts.

Remember: the best presents aren't always the most glamorous - they're the ones that make your life better every single day.

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas ✨

P.S. Join me on Substack at The Other Side of Motherhood 🥰