2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Red Hawk Coffee: On a family road trip back east this past summer, we visited local coffee shops in eight states. Red Hawk, based out of Pittsburgh PA, was hands down the best coffee we tried. Red Hawk roasts their beans in-house for a bold taste with a silky smooth finish.

$20 - 23 for a 12-ounce bag of beans

Thanks to Covid nesting I have perfected my home baking game. Yes, I still eat cake, I just make it homemade with healthy and wholesome ingredients. A bundt pan like this Nordic Ware pan makes my healthy cakes extra pretty.

Approximately $27.98

Sleepy Monk is on my holiday guide every year as our all-time favorite cup of joe. Based out of Cannon Beach, Oregon, it is worth a trip to Oregon to have a fresh sip, but ordering a bag or two of their roasted beans is the next best thing. If you have a coffee aficionado in your life, you must get them Sleepy Monk!

$16 - 18 for one pound bags

Truth: My husband and son use our Nespresso machine every single day. It always makes a great cup of espresso and the Aeroccino accessory that comes with it turns everyday oat milk into a frothy little latte. Who needs those chain coffee shops when you have this kind of coffee perfection at home?

Approximately $175

Did you know you should be drinking half your body weight in water (in ounces) each day? This 24 oz Tervis tumbler will help you get there. These insulated double-wall tumblers are durable, keep cold drinks cold longer, and have so many different designs for the whole family, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Peanuts, and Disney.

Approximately $18 -24 per tumbler

Have you ever tried pour-over coffee? It is the bomb! Pour-over coffee, using this handy-dandy Chemex glass carafe, makes a perfect cup of coffee every time because the hot water drips through the coffee grounds more slowly than a traditional drip coffeemaker, allowing the many flavors of the bean to shine through. Yes, it takes longer to make so is more of a weekend indulgence, but pour-over is worth the effort.

Approximately $46.98 for an 8-cup carafe, less for a smaller carafe.

This book is a must-have for beginners and expert chefs alike. If you are a beginner cook, this book will help you understand the fundamentals of cooking; if you are an experienced chef, there is plenty of tips to take your cooking to the next level. This is one of my top three favorite cookbooks/cooking guides.

Approximately $16.67

A scarf with hidden pockets to put small items that convert to a blanket? Genius! This handle little scarf is perfect for tucking in a few tissues, a lip balm, or even a passport or driver's license. I haven't gotten much use out of my scarf this year but hope to use it on several trips next year!

When I travel, I usually bring my laptop, Kindle, mobile phone, Fitbit, and wireless headphones. All these devices require charging cords/cables but organizing those cords into a small space to pack in my suitcase (and finding them later) can be difficult. This handy little binder solves that problem and keeps the organization freak in me very happy. Compact, with pockets to put several power cords and plugs, I can find what I need immediately. If you or a loved one travels often, this is a must-have!

Approximately $15.99

As a photographer, I always take at least one camera with me when I travel. This backpack has insulated pockets that are movable so I can fit not only my camera but several individual lenses and other camera equipment and I know it will stay safe while traveling. Even a hobby photographer will appreciate the convenience and protection this waterproof bag offers.

Approximately $35.99

These handmade totes by MCM Designs are perfect for traveling. Durable, with big pockets, many are reversible, and they have cute designs. MCM designs also make the most adorable kid-size totes for your little travelers, including totes with little pockets for crayons! Each tote has a unique, individual pattern so you won't see a million other people walking through the airport with the same bag.

Prices vary.

Please allow me to indulge in a little shameless self-promotion. If you travel in 2022, you must use a reliable travel advisor to help you plan your trip, someone with the knowledge, experience, resources and professional relationships to help every trip go smooth. Especially now with so many travel changes and Covid restrictions, a travel advisor is a valuable partner. As a veteran luxury travel advisor with over 32+ years of experience, I am that trusted advisor. Yes, I charge consulting fees for my services, but I am worth every penny. If you have a trip you would like to plan in 2022, please reach out, and let's talk.

julie@wanderbloomtvl.com

I walk/run about 40 - 45 miles a week so put a lot of wear and tear on my running shoes. I was going through another brand's shoes every two months and my feet hurt all the time. A friend recommended these Brooks shoes and I resisted because of the sticker price, but finally gave in and bought a pair. OMG, what a difference they made! The pair I currently wear have lasted six months (and counting) and my feet no longer hurt at the end of my runs. My workouts have actually become longer and more efficient because the shoes are so comfortable. Do yourself or someone you love who runs a favor and get them these shoes!

Approximately $129.99

I am a fan of all the Lumene products but this is a new favorite. My skin feels clean and soft and my face glows after I wash it. Bonus? It has a light citrus scent!

Approximately $10.49

I like to listen to podcasts or music when I run and prefer wireless headphones. I tried two "expensive" brands but they were unreliable, uncomfortable, or just plain junk. These are my go-to headphones. I love that the charging case tells me how much battery is left, plus they are comfortable to wear, with clear sound.

Approximately $29.99

This is my second Fitbit and it has so many more features than the first one I had (Alta). I can wear it while running, walking, jump roping, hiking, and even swimming and it tracks my steps, measures zone minutes (rate of cardio), counts calories, and measures my sleep patterns. I will admit, I have become a bit obsessed, I try to outdo my zone minutes and step records. But that's a good obsession, right? The Fitbit makes tracking my fitness achievements easy and stress-free so I can concentrate on getting healthier!

Approximately $129.95

This fall I decided to switch up my cardio routine by adding a jump rope. Let's make something clear right now: a grown-ass woman, when given the chance, will always trip and fall over a corded jump rope, it is not a pretty sight. Fortunately, my sister recommended this weighted cordless jump rope and it was a game-changer for me. I love, love, love this jump rope--I can use it anywhere without (almost) breaking my neck and my coordination has improved. Do yourself and your bones a favor and get one of these if you want to add a jump rope to your fitness routine.

Approx. $14.98

This is actually a recommendation from my son. He started using Portal over a year ago when it first launched and is a forever fan of the app. The nature sounds allow him to better concentrate, relax, and de-stress. He first used it while working on his college thesis and now uses it whenever he needs to concentrate on a task without interruptions. He recommended it to me when I had trouble with insomnia last spring and it was a lifesaver to help me relax and sleep.

The app has a free version and an expanded membership plan starts at approximately $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

(I received a sample of this device but opinions are my own.)

There are three of us in my household right now, all with mobile devices, tablets, Fitbits, and other gadgets. Sometimes it gets a little crazy with all the power and USB cords lying around, but this Power Hub Plus keeps us all connected and organized. We can power up to seven devices on the hub, with outlets for USB and AC power connections, and the silicone slots hold our devices securely in place while they are being charged.

Approximately $65.00

What can I say, I love our Roku! The Roku streaming media player helped us to "cut the cord" in early 2020 without sacrificing our favorite shows. We can get most local and favorite channels on YouTube TV through our Roku, plus Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney+, and more. We started with a basic Roku and upgraded to a remote with voice control this year. It was easy to set up and is easy to use!

Approximately $38.99

This game has single-handedly brought my family together in more ways than I can count. What started as a pandemic weekend indulgence to skip boredom has become a family obsession. 9 times out of 10 my son wins, but my husband and I attempt to topple his winning streak at least once every weekend. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don't, but Catan has become a beloved Cohn family tradition. If you've never played it with your family, now is the time!

Approximately $22.00

This is a fast-paced game that requires at least four players to form teams. The object of the game is to eliminate all the clues before the other team eliminates theirs. It is so much fun! Approximately $8.99

I got one of these for a friend for her birthday last year. This year, a family member gave us one for Thanksgiving. These puzzle kits are magical wooden pieces hand-carved to perfection, placed together to form intricate and magical 3D puzzles. If you have someone who is hard to shop for, get them one of these incredible puzzle gifts! Hint: They have several different designs including music boxes, Hogwarts towers, and more.

Approximately $19.99 - 79.99 each

In today's world, it is more important than ever to have privacy while using the web, especially for children and young adults. These webcam covers slide open and shut when needed, keeping your camera from hackers and prying eyes. Bonus? They can be used on desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. They come in a six-pack, enough for the whole family.

A chocolate treat that is both healthy and delicious? Yes please! Dark chocolate-covered quinoa and dried fruit snacks with a bit of crunch in every bite. These are one of the few sweet treats I indulge in and they are worth every calorie. They have several varieties in milk and dark chocolate but I prefer dark chocolate. I can get these at my local Kroger or CVS store for less, but if you can't find them, Amazon has them.

Approximately $31.99 for six bags.

These cute little silicone food storage containers wrap around fresh fruit and vegetables to keep them fresh longer. They make wrappers for citrus fruits, avocados, tomatoes, and more.

Approximately $6.99

Do you know someone who would like to be a fairy godmother/father in the kitchen? Get them one of these dusting wands so they can make magic with their baking. These dusting wands sprinkle a light dusting of flour, sugar, or spices over cakes, pies, and cookies.

Approximately $5.99

Let's be honest, it has been a frustrating two years. If you can't laugh, you'll cry...it's much better to laugh. I've gifted this screaming goat to about ten people in the past year and it has been a hilarious godsend every time. We even have one in our house! This silly little goat is not going to solve every problem, but if you need a moment of levity, this will do the trick. Trust me.

Approximately $7.75

Shopping for a home mixologist? They will love these fun little dice, just one toss and they can create some fun and unique cocktails!

Approximately $24.00