our Christmas lists

Now, I am not a blogger who makes a ton of money (ahem... ANY money) blogging using affiliate links or sponsored posts. I think I made a total of like $0.26 last year on a combination of Amazon links and the ads on my blog. #realtalk

So I'm not posting this to get a bunch of affiliate money but rather because I'm always genuinely curious what other people are buying for Christmas, and because seeing what other people get usually gives me some good ideas for those last people on my lists!

David and I gave each other a $20 limit this year, since we're getting a new fancy couch for the basement and a bunch of other furniture, and we're counting that as our Christmas present to each other. (Although honestly that's WAY more than we normally spend at Christmas on each other, so yeah, just a disclaimer there.) I won't post what I got him because he's my #1 avid blog reader but I think he knows already anyway... oh well. Problems with a shared Amazon account.

Anyway, onto the ideas!

Pela Compostable (!!) iPhone Case: I found this on one of the aforementioned gift guides I read from other people, and HOW COOL. A phone case made out of 100% recycled materials that is compostable after it breaks/you get a new phone? Insane. And they're cute, too!

Old Dog Cora and the Christmas Tree: I randomly happened to search in our library for books with our kids' names in them, and this one popped up. It is so sweet! I'm thinking of finding a copy for our Christmas library.

Knockoff magnatiles: these are the #1 toy played with in our house, and I'm SO glad I got them as the shared kid gift for our kids... last year, I think? Or maybe the year before? They're fun and versatile and there's no need to drop money on the name brand ones because these are wonderful quality. Also they're $5 off with a coupon today, which is $5 cheaper than I bought them for!

You Are An Artist by Sarah Urist Green: this book looks lovely for resparking creativity in a measurable way. Post-kids-brain-Hannah sometimes misses her brain capacity, and I think this would be an awesome way to restart it.

100% linen sheets: I mentioned this on Instagram, but I snagged a clearance set of 55% linen sheets from Bed Bath and Beyond a few months ago and they have CHANGED MY LIFE. They are by far the most comfortable bedding I've ever slept in. I keep trying to change our sheets sooner than I need to so I can get back to this set, they're that good. I'm going to eventually replace every sheet we own with linen, and these are next on my list -- supposedly 100% linen is even more comfortable.

Dominion and Carcassonne: there are two games that David and I play together pretty consistently (besides our wacky 2 person Catan setup), Dominion and Carcassonne. I usually demolish him in Dominion and he always beats me by a LOT in Carcassonne. Nevertheless they're still really fun to play -- somehow they just match up with our game-playing skills that way, but are still fun if you're losing. Both of them are also games you can buy tons of expansions for, but we haven't gotten around to that ourselves. Also on our game wishlist are Betrayal at House on the Hill and Glass Road.

Just Mercy: And I can't do a wishlist without a book recommendation from my own reading! The most impactful book I've read this year was Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson. It's an intense and horrifying look at what passes for the justice system in this country, written by a death row lawyer. I know I was super late to the game with this one, but if you are also, I can't recommend it enough. If I had to pick a fiction from this year, I'd go with The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. Absolutely enthralling.

Okay, that's enough for now. What's the most unique gift you're giving this year? I'm always on the lookout for creative ideas!
HG