Well, here we are. Time to start stressing out about Christmas gifts. I am a terrible gift giver, so this is a struggle for me every year.

In the interest of helping someone out who maybe has a Person Similar to Casey on their Christmas list, I thought I would list out some of my favorite items that I currently own and love.

Hair Turban
(updated link 11/20) This has been life-changing for me. Being able to get my hair up and off my shoulders after taking a shower is amazing, and it stays put while I get dressed and do all the things in the morning! I will never be without one of these again.

Loungefly Mini Backpack
I had spent most of my life resigned to carrying a stupid fucking purse everywhere I go. I switched to a Loungefly mini backpack when my mom bought me one, and it’s basically my entire personality now. No more purse strap awkwardly sitting right between my boobs! No more purse strap falling off my shoulder! No more purse swinging around anytime I have to bend over! I’ve been told it’s super lame to use a mini backpack and I do not care. I will never go back.

Loop Earplugs
I have the Switch earplugs and I love them. I use them at home when my kids are both watching anime at very high volume in both the living areas and I have nowhere to hide. I used them when I volunteered for an event at school and had to be in a crowded gymnasium full of screaming children for an hour. I used them at an arcade last weekend. They are stupid expensive, and the sort of thing I didn’t think I really needed, but I really love having them now. Thus: the perfect gift!

Nights on Earth Calendar
I am so interested in astronomy and stargazing and yet never take the time to keep track of meteor showers and other events. This calendar puts it all in front of me every day in a nicely visualized package. Love it.

Prisms
My mom always had prisms hanging in the window at her house, and now I have them in the south-facing windows on the main floor. We refer to the winter–when the sun is bright and low in the sky and the trees are bare–as “rainbow season” in my house, and the cats enjoy chasing the little rainbows around if you give the prism a nudge.

Yeowww! Catnip Pillows
Speaking of the cats, these are CK’s favorite cat toys ever. I have to replace them every so often because they become sad, empty husks after months of pouncing and snuggling. Hey, a gift for the cats counts as a gift for the person who loves the cats!

Body Butter
This stuff is too greasy to be used during the day, but moisturizing just once every evening seems to keep me crack-free all winter.

Eliminator Squirrel Proof Feeder
Yes, this is the one I finally cleaned the other day! Despite years of attempts, the squirrels have never managed to get into this one. Expensive, but pays for itself quickly as your seed costs plummet once those hungry little bastards stop stealing from the birds. (I do still put out corn separately for the bunnies and squirrels. I’m not a monster.)

Full Face Snorkel
This is pretty niche, but I love this snorkel and use it at the cabin all summer. It’s nearly impossible to dive with it on, but it provides some amazing views of the underwater world of fish.

Wilhelmina Mints
My favorite! I enjoy one every evening while I’m cleaning up the kitchen.

Nintendo Switch
I know it’s expensive, and I know Nintendo is about to release a new console next year, but there are so many amazing games on the Switch and I don’t want anyone to miss out! I have lots of game recommendations too, but that should probably be a separate post.

Exploding Kittens
Possibly my favorite card game despite the aggressive name. Easy to learn but tons of strategy.

Darn Tough socks
These things are so good but so stupid expensive, which makes them a great gift. They also come with a lifetime warranty (for real! I’ve done it!) which means you’re buying someone a pair of socks for life. Now that’s love.

Sunrise Clock
This was another surprise hit in my history of questionable purchases. I use the sunrise function to wake me every day. It’s far less jarring than waking to a blaring alarm, and I get out of bed much less groggy. Highly recommend this for anyone. I think there are even more of these on the market now so you may want to do your own research before making a purchase.