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holiday gift guide 2025 : for the little kids
adorable play things for the younger kids! tried to find lots of unique things they probably wouldn’t already have, plus some things my kids and other family members really love!
amazon
yoto audiobook player
the first has to be a yoto! we love this cute little audiobook player. i recommend getting the mini because it’s just as good and it’s cheaper. and you can get cute jackets in pretty colors like the green one that comes in this bundle!
my favorite thing is that once your kid has one, you can just keep gifting them story cards for all occasions (and its a very easy gift to request from relatives or friends). you can buy the cards on amazon — but if you buy on their website, they have a lot more cards to choose from in the card store!
amazon
double-sided wood art easel
this art easel comes with fun accessories and can flip over into a table
crate & kids
indoor bowling set
an indoor bowling set that looks cute and also seems like it’d actually last
williams sonoma
bake and create pizza set
a very cute little kit for them to make their own pizza, even comes with a little apron!
amazon
balance bike
and if they’re not quite ready for training wheels, this little balance bike is great!
maisonette
hair salon
comes with a magnetic face board you can style plus tons of adorable styling accessories, im obsessed
amazon
wooden city building blocks
we loved these city blocks with arlo, super fun to create different scenes and the set comes with so much!!
target
instax mini 12 camera
but for $20 more you could get an instant film camera if your kids are trustworthy lol
walmart
little tikes story dream machine starter
this projector lets them listen, watch and read along to their favorite stories and comes with some cute ones to get started
amazon
magnetic scenes playset
magnet scenes are so fun — but i especially love these because they include storage for the magnetic stickers (the ones we have were just strewn literally all over our entire house at all times)
amazon
dual tip brush markers
these are the markers we get for arlo — they’re brush markers on one side and thin on the other and there are so many nice colors!!
amazon
lcd writing tablet
we love these writing tablets, and this one looks pretty good and comes in a few color options
amazon
wooden tool box
but if you don’t want to get the whole bench, here’s a fun (and pretty) little tool box that’s inexpensive too
amazon
play kitchen
the cutest kitchen i got for the kids this year — it even comes with a working “ice” machine
lalo
lalo play boxes
a perfect grandparent gift is a subscription kit — lalo play boxes are so cute.
kiwi co
kiwi co subscription crates
kiwi co subscription crates are also such a good grandparent gift — we have these in arlos closet for sick days / i’m bored days.
amazon
pop up play tunnel
my kids loved this play tunnel so much!! it’s inexpensive and it looks cute! best part is, you can fold it up quite small and store it away.
amazon
foldable wooden slide
i love that this slide is foldable so you can stow it away when not being played with!
target
toy ice cream cart
how fun is this ice cream cart? it comes with a little bell for them to ring and ice cream you can store inside
wayfair
amusement park train table
train tables are usually so ugly but this one is actually so so cute!!
uncommon goods
electric monorail set
a cute magnetic train set you can build in all directions, even upside down!
amazon
loog mini acoustic guitar
this guitar is really fun and it comes in different colors. you can also download the app to teach your kids how to play!
amazon
ride on truck
or if you want one they can drive on their own, this truck comes in a cute color
smol
basketball hoop
a pretty basketball hoop finally exists! use code ALMOSTMAKESPERFECT for 10% off
amazon
rotating disco ball
my kids are so obsessed with their little disco ball that i had to include one, instant DANCE PARTY VIBES
west elm
puppet show theatre
a puppet theatre would be such a fun gift!! bonus points if you throw in the puppets too
amazon
play tent
a cute little play tent! it’s on the smaller side and can also be folded up which is nice
amazon
unicorn claw machine
i got this for my goddaughter and it was SUCH A FREAKING HIT that now i have to get one of these for my kids
let me know what you plan on getting your little ones!!
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holiday gift guide 2025 : for the cook
another gift guide! for all your loved ones who are always in the kitchen, i gathered a bunch of unique, stylish finds in all different price points that would make such good gifts if i do say so myself.
amazon
menus: a book for your meals and memories
a journal to document their menus and gatherings, with paintings by jacques pépin
etsy
herb stripper
such an easy way to strip herbs, not to mention it’s a handsome and inexpensive gift
amazon
automatic pan stirrer
an automatic pan stirrer with a timer. you just put this in the pan when the recipe calls for continuous stirring!!
amazon
silicone food huggers
these are super versatile — they can go on fruits, veggies, cans etc. they’re also inexpensive and would make good stocking stuffers too
williams sonoma
jacobsen salt co. infused salt set
you could pair the salt cellar above with this cute gift set of different salts or works just as well as a solo gift
food52
nested food storage containers
nestable, microwavable, and dishwasher safe! we’ve been using these for years and they’re the best.
amazon
reusable bowl covers
love bowl covers!! they are easy to use and wash and so convenient for storing foods or transporting them
material
the 8” knife
the best kitchen knives — we love these. the 8″ chef knife would make a perfect gift but if you really want to go for it, they have a trio of knives too.
hawkins new york
pebble cutting board
you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous cutting board (this one is nice enough for serving too!)
amazon
cooking torch
a blow torch is such a fun gift because they can do so much with it and will always think of you 🙂
amazon
braided rope bundt cake pan
the gold bundt pan i use every year to make my apple snacking cake! it’s so unique.
flamingo estate
winter harvest persimmon vinegar
fancy vinegar (in pretty packaging) is always a hit in my opinion
fishwife
the cookbook gift box
for the tinned fish fanatic — this set comes with the new fishwife cookbook plus three tins of fish
amazon
the sea lover’s cookbook
a cookbook all about coastal living and eating, plus it’s full of pretty photos
amazon
by heart: recipes to hold near and dear
a beautiful cookbook filled with restaurant-quality recipes you can make at home
and if those don’t seem like a match, i have a whollllle list of beautiful cookbooks on my amazon storefront
and that’s it! what are you getting for the cooks on your list this year?
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holiday gift guide 2025 : for the entertainer
always one of my favorite gift guides to make because i loooove pretty hosting things even when i barely host anyone at all! lots of different easy gifts for the host in your lives!
amazon
instax square instant camera
because if they’re into entertaining they must be into documenting memories and whatnot right? and it comes with a matching case
flamingo estate
the tablemates gift set
a really nice oil and vinegar set in pretty packaging. i love flamingo estate!
amazon
gold champagne stopper
if they don’t have a champagne bottle stopper they need one immediately, it’s a game changer
mark & graham
canvas double wine tote
a cute canvas wine tote you can also monogram! don’t forget to throw in a bottle of wine (or two)
pottery barn
shell ice bucket
this whole collection of ice buckets is so fun! comes in different shapes and sizes to choose from. i love
amazon
usb candle lighter
my favorite lighter forever! you just charge it and it will always work and doesn’t need fluid! and it fits inside a candle so much better than the short lighters. i have several of these!
amazon
handmade greeting card & envelope set
everyone needs pretty stationary! you could also pair this with the custom stamp below
cailini coastal
dozen oyster plate
the most beautiful oyster plate! this would make such a special gift.
birch lane
candy bowl
love this cute bowl because you can use it for so many things — a centerpiece bowl, trifles, candy, just endless possibilities!!
amazon
arty parties
a fun book on planning the perfect party, plus a beautiful coffee table addition!
amazon
mother of pearl caviar spoons
for the fancy hosts in your life, these caviar spoons are so pretty and a special gift they probably won’t get from anyone else. throw in some caviar and you’ll win christmas
amazon
bonne maman sampler pack
name one person who doesn’t like bonne maman preserves!! they could use this sampler set for so many gatherings (or just themselves)
amazon
aesop reverence aromatique hand wash
the BEST hand soap, the gentle little exfoliating beads make it feel so fancy
amazon
kitchenaid gingham oven mitts
these pretty gingham oven mitts are nice quality but so inexpensive
hope you found something good! let me know what you end up getting for the entertainers on your list
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cozy dinners to make when it’s cold out
there is no season that inspires me more to get in the kitchen and cook a cozy sunday night meal for the family! i have googled “cozy dinner recipes to make in autumn” or “cozy dinners to make in winter” or some variation of that countless times, so i decided a little list of cozy recipes to inspire your cozy cold weather dinners was in order (and as a place i can come back and reference when i’m also in need of inspiration!)
you’ll notice this list has a lot of chicken on it, because – chicken is cozy. duh.
you may also notice a plethora of alison roman recipes, because also duh!and ps – i made an autumn spotify playlist and a cooking playlist that are perfect music to cook to if i do say so myself!
sausage & butternut squash pasta
this pasta could not be cozier! i’ll forever put fried sage leaves on top of almost every pasta i eat when it’s chilly out.
recipe here
dilly bean stew with cabbage and frizzled onions
one of our go-to’s, it’s easy enough to make on weeknights and the leftovers are just as tasty.
we just love this soup so much, we even refer to autumn as dilly bean stew season!recipe here
roast chicken
obviously there are a million ways to roast a chicken, i am a sucker forever for one with some roasted carrots, onions and stuffing.
but ever since i made this anchovy butter chicken, i can’t see a scenario where i could make a more delicious chicken using a different recipe! my anchovy hating relatives were literally fighting over the carcass (don’t tell anyone about the anchovy if they’re squeamish! they won’t know!)
anchovy-butter chicken with chicken fat croutons
steamed mussels with white wine
a big vat of mussels with some crusty bread (or fries!)?! what’s cozier than that?! i used to make mussels all the time pre-kids because they’re shockingly easy to make but feels so fancy and festive.
recipe here
chicken pot pie
i mean what is cozier than a warm chicken pot pie!? i am obsessed with (you guessed it) alison romans version where she uses storebought puff pastry – it’s sooo good. i always make pot pie with a rotisserie chicken to save myself the time.
recipe here
chicken with buttered onion rice
so this specific recipe was delicious but i found it a little time consuming, so i’ve started doing it with pre-chopped onions instead to save time. i loooove this rice! it’s like grown up rice-a-roni!
recipe here
turkey chili
i never really make chili often even though i love it (arlo has an aversion to beans!) bu6t this recipe has INCREDIBLE reviews!
recipe here
winter squash soup
i have been making this soup for years – it’s SO easy and always delicious (totally easy enough for a weeknight, especially if you use pre-prepared butternut squash). i love it with crème fraîche, some fried sage leaves and homemade crusty croutons.
recipe here
bolognese
while i loooove a good meaty bolognese, i’ve actually yet to find MY perfect bolognese recipe (i’ve tried a few but still searching for the one). people love this one but if you have one you absolutely love i’d love to know about it.
recipe here
thai meatball soup
this recipe has been on my list forever, hoping i’ll finally try this winter, it looks amazing and is so highly reviewed.
recipe here
shalloty tarragon chicken thighs
another one that’s easy enough to make on a weeknight, it’s so delicious and french and my whole family loves it so much.
recipe here
one pot chicken with caramelized lemons and dates
the first time i ever made this, my husband actually freaked out about how good it was. i love to make it with way extra dates and extra shallots.
recipe here
tangy brisket with fennel and herbs
OOOOOMG. this. brisket. recipe. we couldn’t deal with how good it was. it is absolutely going to be our go-to brisket for every jewish holiday from here on out. it’s incredible! and of course it’s by the one and only alison roman.
recipe here
leek galette
i’ve never met a leek galette i didn’t love, this one looks amaaaazing, trying immediately. (i’ve also made this one a couple times but it’s paywalled now!)
recipe here
i will continue to add to this list, but i hope this inspires your cozy dinners 🙂
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cute halloween shirts for kids
now that your kids have their halloween pajamas, it’s time to stock up on spooky tees. love all of these cute options.
click on the images in the collage directly to shop!
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cute halloween art for frame tvs
it’s october!! and that means it’s time to refresh your frame tv with some halloween art immediately.
click on the images in the collage directly to shop!
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printable autumn bucket list
so i’ve already designed a bucket list for autumn/winter but since we’re making the absolute most of things these days, i thought a SPECIFIC autumn bucket list was in order, and i’ll make another one for winter!
i’m sooo excited to do all the fall things but i kept this list a lot shorter than the other so it could be just focused on the fun seasonal activities (i usually include house projects etc as well) but i kept this one JUST FOR FUN.
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cute halloween pajamas for baby + kids
rounded up so many cute halloween pjs for your little ones — click on the images in the collage directly to shop!
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diy glowing ghosts
tomato cage ghosts are all the rage right now — but we came up with a fun spin to make their eyes lit up! it makes it extra spooooky especially at night. sorry i didn’t take a photo of said night but i’m sure you can take my word for it.
we had these lights already because gid just got them for sticking in random stuff for halloween haha — they are small battery powered lantern lights that are perfect for this, because you can screw them to turn them on and off but the batteries actually last for so long.i also just used our actual sheets without cutting them up because a. i want to use them again and didn’t want to ruin my sheets or go buy something and b. actual ghosts always use full bed sheets duh.
i’m hoping we can use these year after year and honestly the fact that they won’t have fabric on them means they probably will end up a lot less gross in our garage by next year.materials
tomato cageS
craft ball (ours are 7.6″ diameter)
LED mini lantern lights
white sheetdirections
01. plop your foam ball right on top of the tomato cage (upside down!)
02. carve small holes into the face where you want to stick the eyes. stick the lights into the holes and screw them to turn them on!
03. cover with some bedsheets and go startle someone!
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apple bundt cake with honey glaze
we made this cake for rosh hashanah and i had to share it (because i keep getting DMs asking for the specifics). it’s jake cohens apple honey snacking cake recipe, but when i saw it i immediately wanted to do it in bundt form with a glaze versus the confectioners sugar (i just love a glaze way more).
apple bundt cake with honey glaze
this apple bundt cake is one bowl, super quick to make and SO MOIST AND DELICIOUS. we make it every year!Ingredients
for the cake
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 honeycrisp apples (mostly peeled, cored and chopped)*
for the glaze
- 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 2-4 tb of milk
- 1 tb honey
- 1 tb juice (i used pineapple)
- splash of vanilla paste
Instructions
- preheat the oven to 325 degrees and spray or grease the bundt pan.
- in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, granulated sugar, apple sauce, honey, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking soda and stir until just combined. fold in the apples and pour into the prepared cake pan.
- bake, rotating halfway through, for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes before glazing.
- mix confectioners sugar, honey, juice and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. once cake is cooled and on a plate, slowly pour glaze all along the top and let drip down the sides. use a spoon to redistribute what drips into the center.
- if you want to decorate with chamomile flowers like i did, just wait for the glaze to dry and cut them so theres a little tiny stem to stick into the cake. it’s actually pretty fun. i just had everyone remove before eating!
Notes
*jake cohen left his apples unpeeled, but we peeled ours. totally personal preference! **if you want more glaze, you can easily make a second batch quickly — honestly i loved the glaze so much, i would maybe try a second batch next time can you tell i love glaze?!sources
jake cohens cookbook / bundt pan / our apple corer
