The Impossible Gift Guide

what to gift the hardest-to-please folks in your life

For the past few years, I asked you to tell me about the most impossible folks to buy gifts for, and created a streamlined gift guide for each that generally builds on our family’s gifting tradition - 2 bigger gifts, 2 smaller gifts, and 1 book recommendation.

Here it is - the 2024 edition of the Impossible Gift Guide.

This year, I’ve asked that my donation gift be made to PSI, a global health nonprofit that makes it easier for all people to live healthier lives, and plan the families they desire.

I’m honored to be partnering with PSI this holiday season, and to share their generous Giving Tuesday campaign. Every donation made between December 1-3 will be matched by PSI’s board chair, up to $50,000. Monthly recurring donations will be matched for the first 6 months.

Just $5 helps PSI create healthcare access for 1 woman.

I invite you to borrow our own gifting tradition, and to direct your donations this year to PSI.

And for the people in your life that are impossible to shop for, a donation in their name is the best gift.

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jump to:

• kids

• gens x - z

• elders

• stocking stuffers

• pajamas

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Main Gifts

KIDS

When You Want To Torture Their Parents

• 12-Piece Fort Building Connector Set ($28)

• Poop Bingo ($20)

• Musical Chain Reaction Construction Set ($65)

• Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad ($45)

• Bundaloo Claw Machine Arcade Game ($40)

• Booty Shakin Llama ($30)

Their Parents Will Love You

• Story Time Backgammon ($20)

• Pick Up Bricks Toy Vacuum ($99)

• Kid Anthropologist World Explorer Subscription ($150)

• Jumbo Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Dice ($30)

• Endlessly Reusable Art Book ($40)

• Charmspring Boards ($145)

Little Ones (0-5)

• Giant Heart with Hidden Cells ($35)

• Little Photographer Kids Digital Camera ($50)

• Your Stars Personalized Nightlight ($57)

• Little Patient ($60)

• Burrito Baby ($48)

In The Middle (5-9)

• Super Entrepreneur Jewelry Business Kit ($75)

• Draw Your Own App Games Set ($30)

• Space Shuttle Air Fort ($60)

• Noodling Noodles Sensory Fidget Toy ($15)

• Squishmallows Mystery Pack ($16)

• Pokemon Origami: Fold Your Own Pokemon ($20)

• Illustoria Magazine Subscription ($40)

Older Ones (9-15)

• Wreck This Journal & Sakura Pigma Drawing Kit ($45)

• Finish This Book ($10)

• Mini 3D Printer ($200)

• Meme Vinyl Sticker Pack ($8)

• Golden Heart Hands Statue ($26)

Gamers (Of All Ages)

• Nintendo Alarmo Clock ($100)

• Gamer Storage Station ($48)

• Create Your Own Video Game Set ($85)

• Things I Learned from Mario's Butt ($37)

GEN X-Z

The Best Gifts I’ve Ever Received

• Click and Grow Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit ($250)

• Custom Embroidered Book Bag Clutch ($332)

• Rainbow Brite And The Star Stealer DVD ($30)

• Dragon Head Book Clip ($14)

• Jewels That Made History ($45)

Childless Cat Ladies

• Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through The Eras ($20)

• Custom Pet Embroidered Sweatshirt ($129)

• Taylor Swift Diamond Painting Kit ($14)

• Custom Pet Nose Print Necklace ($215)

Chads & Brads

• A Set of Man Forks ($60)

• Drive A Supercar Experience ($300)

• SmartGrip Bundle ($100)

• You Never Forget Your First ($11)

• Vuori Sunday Performance Joggers ($98)

She’s Every Woman

• Worry Stone Pendant Necklace ($60)

• Swivel Bath Tray ($50)

• Women Who Read Are Dangerous ($18)

• Women's Short Quilted Robe ($25)

• Large Capacity Teacup and Saucer ($40)

• Unwind Studio Sunglasses Case Needlepoint Kit ($53)

Romantasy Is Her Personality

• I Can't Even Read Sweatshirt ($32)

• Basgiath War College Sweatshirt ($45)

• Evil Eye House Slippers ($23)

• Awe Inspired Goddess Necklace ($160)

• Christina Ricci's Cat Full of Spiders Tarot Deck and Guidebook ($27)

She’s Got Taste (And You Have No Clue What To Get Her)

• Milk & Sugar Luxe Cuticle Cream ($8)

• Varley Freya Sweatshirt ($145)

• Naghedi St. Barths Small Tote ($225)

• Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive ($45)

• Motif Skincare Regeneration Trio ($200)

• Julia Amory Pareo ($50)

ELDERS

Handydads

• Leatherman Multitool ($56)

• Darn Tough Mens Socks ($25)

• Avantree Ensemble - Wireless Headphones ($90)

• RAK Magnetic Wristband with Thumb Loop ($18)

Slight Shade

• On Tyranny and On Freedom ($40)

• Metal Olive Branch ($39)

• Scottish Title Pack with Land Ownership ($100)

• The Gift of Nothing ($11)

Homebodies

• Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Rechargeable ($40)

• LED Neck Reading Light ($21)

• Stimulating Massage Ball ($25)

• Movie Lovers Puzzle Book ($20)

• Bird Feeder with Camera ($95)

Wise Ones

• History Every Day Interactive Mug ($28)

• Word Wheel Puzzle ($28)

• The Ultimate Agatha Christie Puzzle Book ($22)

• History By Mail Subscription ($42)

• Patented: 1,000 Design Patents ($40)

Practical Gifts

• Pistachio Pedestal ($65)

• Stone Splash Drying Rack ($45)

• Acupressure Neck Relief Cushion ($35)

• Tomato Airtight Bowl Covers - Set of 4 ($54)

Hostess

• Superfood Salt & Pepper Gift Set ($65)

• Spicewalla Grill & Roast Collection ($32)

• Spicewalla Haute Chocolate Collection ($32)

• Spicewalla Hot Stuff Chili Collection ($28)

• Brightland Mini Essentials Collection ($70)

• Rosemary and Bright Tree ($56)

• Candle Accessory Set + USB Rechargable Lighter ($45)

White Elephant

• Hot Dog & Bun Toaster ($20)

• Back Scratcher + Head Massager ($5)

• Battery Daddy ($27)

• Screaming Goat ($9)

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Stocking Stuffers

My mother started a tradition of filling our stockings with toiletries for the upcoming year. As a kid, I hated this tradition. As a mom, I recognize my mother’s brilliance in everything, and especially in this tradition. Take a peek at what’s going in our stockings:

KIDS

• Bamboo toothbrushes + kids flossers

• JB SKRUB toiletries for Rho

• Honest Company shampoo/body wash and conditioner for Rhaki

• Aquaphor spray

US

• Toothbrush heads

• Bamboo flossers

• Alchimie Forever kantic brightening moisture mask

• Motif regeneration trio set

• Belif eye gel

• Beauty of Joseon sunscreen (you can buy the Korean versions directly off Instagram - stock up before January!)

• Molton Brown shower gel

• Hanni shower salve + shower scarf

(MY) PARENTS

• The Outset daily essentials set + night cream

• Remedy night serum

• Travertine spa steam shower spray

• Aquaphor spray

• Laneige lip balm

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Pajamas

I have yet to find a set of matching pajamas that we all find comfortable, suitable for year round wear, and a theme we all agree with. Until then, I get each of us a pair of our own favorite pajamas in the colors or designs we each want.

Festive? Not at all. Practical? Absolutely.

• For me: Printfresh satin wildest dreams set (I don’t need any more pajamas for sleep, but would love to add a new lounge set to my dresser)

• For Sri: Lautza soft pajama set (I always get a pair of these for my father as well)

• For Rho: 6 piece Minecraft pajama set

• For Rhaki: 6 piece Pokemon pajama set