Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: 40 Things for 40 Years - Part 4

Here we are. Only a few days left to buy gifts. Or, maybe you are celebrating after the holiday and still have some time to shop. Whatever your situation is, here are 10 more gift ideas from yours truly!

31. Reminiscing on the older gift guides has been inspiring. Back in 2011, I created gift guides based on different monetary values. On the first day, I recommended the Tiffany & Co. charm bracelet and I must say, the charm options have gone downhill. I’ve been recently receiving Instagram ads for a site called Charm It. They have cute, affordable charms and bracelets for girls. You can buy one now, and add on charms all year!

32. I have two methods to help me answer “What do you want for Christmas?” (or Birthday). I save a list of items on an Amazon gift list and I have a Bookmark folder of things. I also have a digital wishlist for Lennon that I keep updating throughout the year. Family members tend to love this. Let’s dip into my Bookmark list and see what we have…This stuff is pretty pricey, so that’s why it’s sitting here! Some Tiffany & Co. pearl earrings, Estelle wine glasses, and the New York Times Cookbook (I’ve fallen in love with its online database and I love a good cookbook!).

33. How fun was the 2014 gift guide - A Colorful Christmas! Bold colors are making their way back to the runway, which means we’ll likely see it in stores next year and I am here for it! A few years ago I purchased a rainbow handbag from Kurt Geiger and I love it. It goes with so many outfits (because it’s rainbow!).

34. Um. I’m barely making in through 40 gift ideas and looking back to 2015…I published 50! FIFTY! For that gift guide, I did 3-5 gifts inspired by every state! Man, to be young, well-rested, childless, and not dealing with a global pandemic lol. Inspired by this guide is one thing I’m HOPING to do more of in 2015…travel. I cannot tell you how excited I am for a trip next summer back to my favorite beach town(s) - the Outer Banks. Two stores that we shop from online year-round are Morning View Coffee and Zen & Zip. If you decide to order some beans, we are big fans of the Booty Blend! Follow Zen & Zip on Instagram for cute athletic and athleisure gear and accessories!

35. One of the best items that I ever purchased was a good camera. Yeah, iPhones take nice photos and they are almost always in an arms reach, but I love, love, love me a good camera. This is a bit of an investment gift, but you won’t regret it! Trust me! I use this Canon set and added on an additional lens. Using it around the holidays, birthdays, and other kid-related milestones has produced some amazing photos!

36. In 2017 I took my first real cycling/spin class. I had done some classes at a gym, but let’s say 2017 was my real studio experience. I’m a big fan of CycleBar locally; however, I do have a bike at home in case I’m looking for exercise in the comfort of my basement. You can get classes online through Peleton without the bike! For my faux Peleton situation, I use a BarWing bike from Amazon (under $300!). I liked the Schwinn’s too, but a lot were sold out! I do find I like going to a spin studio for a better workout and I’m more motivated when I’m paying! I’d really like some Tiem shoes in the future!

37. Around this year, we became a Google Home family. We have the Nest Mini devices in several rooms and the Nest Hub in our kitchen. I can’t tell you how much I love saying “Hey, Google” and requesting music. I also plug in the pods outside for music while working! It’s also great to answer quick questions, handsfree! Our family uses Duo to call my grandparents and check in! They don’t have to worry about figuring out face time and frankly don’t have the right device! Recently, Lennon discovered some new tricks and requested a Wifi lightbulb for her room. Now, she can ask Google for an array of colors at night. We are just scratching the surface of fun!

38. Christmas at 38 was the first one in our new house, so likely house items were on my list! A new home ornament is great for someone you know that purchased a house or a painting of the person’s new house with the year it was “established!”

39. My 39th birthday was one of the last times I went out pre-covid. We went curling with some friends and to a bar. You know, a gift card to go curling would make an amazing gift if you are in the Pittsburgh area! Or, find a curling or ax throwing spot near you!

40. Oh now we’ve come…to the end of the road...number 40! Let’s go with the gift that I actually received for my 40th birthday - a wine fridge! It’s been a nice addition to our dining room and I love having a bottle ready to drink when friends come over! It feels like a very adult gift, am I right!? This eight-bottle option is a bit smaller and can go on a tabletop.

This was fun! It took a little bit more time than I had hoped to put together, but I find it nice to be back blogging! Here’s to more of that in 2022!

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: 40 Things for 40 Years - Part 3

21. The teen years were rather hard - both for this gift guide and in life lol. I’m actually looking forward to today - the 20’s!

And we are kicking things off with something fun - 21! Booze is the obvious one here, but let’s not go with the obvious. How about some hangover helpers! Too Faced makes a hangover lip balm and face primer. A weighted eye mask will help block out the light and remove some stress from the eye area. I mean, alcohol is typically a welcome gift, but the hangover helpers are nice!


22. If everything that was cool 20 years ago is cool again, let’s talk about jewelry. Thanks to some celebrities and Elle Woods, the Return to Tiffany line was a must-have. You could either invest in a good silver cleaner and cloth from the company or upgrade with a new ring, bracelet, or earrings!


23. During the Christmas of 2004, I was gearing up for a big, big thing on New Year’s Day....Moving to Chicago! I literally moved to the Windy City on January 1, 2005. My mom and dad moved me in and then drove back to Pittsburgh on January 2. When visiting Chicago, taking guests to get some deep-dish pizza was always a must. I love that I can order Giordano’s online and have it shipped frozen to Pittsburgh. We did this last year and I can say it’s delicious!


24. For my 24th birthday, I made my first Kate Spade purchase. A small shoulder bag that appears to be making a comeback (it was very similar to this! And, I still have it!). Kate Spade remains one of my favorite brands to this day and I love gifting anything from the accessories line, like these statement earrings, iWatch band, or necklace.


25. Living in Chicago, one thing was a lifesaver on those chilly below zero nights - my electric blanket. Yes, I feel like I’m a senior citizen talking about my love of electric blankets, but they are just so amazing! And, how cute is this plaid one - only $26!! Living in Chicago I actually had a heated mattress pad warmer. I’d fire up my bed about an hour before I was about to get in and it would be toasty!


26. Walking home from work on Tuesdays in Chicago, it became a weekly ritual to stop by Anthropologie to check out the new markdowns (the sales associate told me that Tuesdays were the new sale day!) and to get Chipotle after - they were basically neighbors and one block from my apartment. Anthropologie has a lot of cute gifts. From necklaces, to blankets, to mugs, and ornaments - there are a lot of options for teachers, friends, hostesses, co-workers, etc.


27. Guess what 2008 was? The FIRST Shot of Brandi* Gift Guide!! I reserved the URL for Shot of Brandi* in 2006 and officially launched the blog in 2008. I remember preparing and preparing posts in anticipation. I was so excited to share info - and I still am! Looking back, it’s pretty crazy how this gift guide stood the test of time! The list was Tickets, Dates, Food & Alcohol, Monthly (fill in the blank club), and a Charity Donation!


28. We are now approaching the years where I can look back on some of my older gift guides for inspiration. The 2009 gift guide was inspired by class personalities because it was right after my 10-Year Class Reunion. Using “Best Dressed” for ideas, I do love a good beauty gift and browsing Ulta recently there are so many good holiday sets. My store was sold out of a lot, but this Tarte Full Face set for $32 caught my eye (it was sold out too). Sephora has a Too Faced Christmas in the City kit with a ton of shades for $42, and Kohl’s has a Sephora beauty favorites set for $36!


29. 2010 was the Smithkowski’s first married Christmas. Newlyweds are hard to buy for because we received SO MANY things that we needed as wedding/shower gifts. One thing that we didn’t receive that would have come in handy this time of year - Christmas decorations! Gifting an engaged couple a tree (if they don’t have one) could be memorable. Or something I’ve mentioned here before that would make an AMAZING gift - this set of wedding ornaments that all have a special meaning.

 
30. Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun DUN dun - cue the Tchaikovsky! The 2011 Shot of Brandi Gift Guide featured gifts inspired by the Nutcracker! I’m rather excited to head back into the theater to see a performance this week! So, tickets are an obvious gift! I’m a big fan of Rifle Paper Co. and they have some amazing Nutcracker themed merchandise. I love this mug, wrapping paper, and puzzle. Also check out the amazing party plates, cups, and napkins!

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Shot of Brandi* Gift Guide: 40 Things for 40 Years - Part 2

Let’s roll into the next decade with gifts for 11-20-year-olds. This is a bit of a weird age group where it feels like a drastic change between a tween and an “adult.” You really “grow up” during these years into truly becoming an adult!

Speaking of rolling, I hear roller skates made a bit of a comeback during the pandemic. Probably with a boost from TikTok. I love this pair from Chicago Skates. Not only are they an amazing shade of pink, but they LIGHT UP! The inline skates are pretty rad too!

 
Probably before you hit 12, updating your bedroom from kid to tween starts to happen. If you are buying for a 12-year-old that isn’t yours, maybe ask if there is something you can buy for their room. I’m thinking cool lights, a neon sign, or lamp.

 
Guys. If you have a teenager, bless you! It’s really hard to think about what I liked at 15 and what a teen today might want! A quick Google search tells me that Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls (I guess still!?), PlayStation, and Power Rangers were big back when I was 15. The Beanie Babies reminded me of a hot early request in this house - Squishmallows. I’m not sure I understand the point of these beyond a stuffed animal, but that statement in itself makes me sound like a huge adult, right!? Of course I’m linking a unicorn one here, but there are so many different animals. I’ve also discovered there are a lot of imitators so beware.

 
If I thought 13 was hard, here comes 14! Ahhhh the freshman year of high school. It makes me think of the popularity of fuzzy sweaters. Maybe because I wore one in my school picture. I’d say there was a 100% chance my fuzzy sweater was from Express, so let’s go with that. There is also a cool Free People option that is on sale right now at Macy’s.

 
The Christmas of ‘96. I was 15 and just 2 months shy of my 16th birthday. Clothes would have likely been at the top of my list, some disposable cameras (which, yet again are making a comeback). While I’m assuming most 16-year-olds are well into having a phone, perhaps another Apple device would be a good gift. From an iWatch to AirPods, you’ll create some excitement once they spot an Apple box! OR, if someone has both, a new iWatch band or AirPods case is nice!

 
I spent some time in a high school this week and one thing these girls like - leggings. You really can’t go wrong here with some Lululemon (try the Align leggings), Aerie, or Athleta.

 
Some of my fondest memories from high school are from “camping.” Some nights it was drinking in the woods. During the summer we would camp out at a friend's house. Sometimes in tents. Sometimes sleeping in pool chairs. One thing that could totally have enhanced the “camping” experience (other than the alcohol) was a projector to watch movies! Well, not for the parties in the woods where we were trying to be discreet. The compact size and built-in carrier on this projector one would have made it easy to lug into the woods. I probably could have used a sleeping bag and a backpack cooler too lol.

 
Gonna party like it’s 1999! Mid-way through my senior year and I was probably thinking about one thing...heading to WVU the following fall. So let’s roll out the red carpet and bring on some Mountaineer gifts! I actually hung on to my first WVU hooded sweatshirt. I’ll give it to Lennon when she heads on campus in 12 years. The styles of WVU-branded clothing options have been upgraded. You can’t go wrong with a sweatshirt and this tailgate starter pack is amazing. Gosh when I end up on the ShopWVU website I just want it all! I’m totally against inflatables, but I keep thinking about how good this Mountaineer would look on our lawn.

 
You know what they say about fashion - it repeats itself every 20 years. That means everything from the year 2000 is cool again. While it might not have been totally 2000, there are two things that can help you achieve ultimate coziness from this era that are back with a vengeance - Uggs and velour. Let’s start with the Uggs. Short Uggs are on all of the hot gift lists (like the national ones, not the Shot of Brandi one which might get 62 views). Other Ugg options are the Fluff Yeah slippers or cozy socks. And the velour. It’s back. I’ve heard that Juicy suits are returning, but I even saw them at Old Navy today in the form of this short set.

Thinking about a 200-year-old me living in 2021, what would I want? I’m usually not a gift card fan, but I gotta be honest - it’s probably best for a 20-year-old! I’m thinking Amazon, DoorDash, or Uber.

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide - 40 Things for 40 Years

Earlier this year, I celebrated a milestone birthday. The big 4-0. So when thinking about themes for this year’s gift guide, I decided to break down 10 gifts for the last 4 decades of my life. I figure by offering things by year, it could match up to anyone at any age on your list (i.e. gift number 1 would be for a 1-year-old or something I liked at that age - like 21 = booze!).


Let’s get things going with the first 10 years!

 

0. One of my favorite newborn gifts is a personalized blanket from Pottery Barn Kids. In fact, their personalized towels are a great gift for older kiddos too!

1. Another go-to gift for a baby girl: her first American Girl doll! The Bitty Baby is an awesome option and has some adorable accessories! Lennon received her first Bitty Baby when she was 1 and a half and named her “Baby Suri” and the name stuck to this day! Also, Lennon was still using the jogging stroller today (five years later)!

2. Parents today say the same thing - our kid has too many toys. At two, they won’t remember what you bought them. I suggest you go to Five Below and get some cool crap and then put the rest of the money you’d spent in a card and hand it to the parents. Or, ask if they have an account set up for their child. I recently started an Acorns Early account for Lennon and I’m excited to see her savings grow!

3. My cousin and I would spend HOURS on our battery-powered cars. The options today are unbelievable. From a ride-on carriage to a food truck to a Mercedes-Benz, there is a car for every kid!

4. Four is a good age for a big giant present to surprise your little one. I’m thinking of a dollhouse or car tower.

5. Something that’s been on the Santa list in our house each year is Barbies, which it’s pretty cool to see this toy passed down from generation to generation. This year, I love the astronaut spaceship! Add on the Chelsea rocketship for extra fun!

6. Ahhh the age that I’m doing a lot of shopping for now. The “big” wishlist items are anything but big! Lennon told Santa that she wanted the Got2Glow Fairy Finder (although this product name is a little difficult for all of us to remember).

7. It might be a little late for this or time for an upgrade, but every kid needs a bike. I’m obsessed with the pint-sized beach cruisers. Scooters have become popular too and tend to travel well!

8. Little me would have been so into any craft kit. I mean, old me is also into this and thankfully so is my kid! We are big fans of Kid Made Modern in this house. I can’t tell you how many times the Arts and Crafts Library saved us during the long early days of the pandemic. These small kits make great stocking stuffers, items to bring on long car rides, or to pack into a bag for trips to relatives (that don’t have toys!). OR, you can pick some up for young guests!

9. Growing up, if you would have asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I went through a “talk show host” phase. Could you imagine young me growing up with today’s technology? I probably would have convinced my parents to let me have a YouTube channel. For the younger budding talk show host in your life, this wooden reporter set is just way too cute. I also like the Vtech Kidizoom Creator Cam for actual video recording! I’m also hearing the Fujifilm cameras are popular among the early tween set!

10. I asked my resident expert of 10-year-olds, Amy, for a pro tip on what this age wants. I was anticipating the answer was going to be “gift cards,” but to my surprise, the list is LONG. Clothes (American Eagle, Abercrombie Kids, Forever 21, and Nike - LOTS of Nike). The real thing I discovered here was that this 10-year-old wants some expensive shoes from a website called GOAT. Once I started exploring these super expensive shoes, I started digging these almost $500 Nikes. I guess I need to start saving now for 10-year-old Christmas in 4 years!

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Gift Ideas: BEST. GIFTS. EVER.

Tangled was on repeat in our house a year ago and I’m glad it was - it’s a super cute movie. And, if you ask my daughter what her favorite part of our last Disney trip was, she will tell you the “Rapunzel Bathrooms.” I guess she wasn’t impressed by the teacups.

Anyways, it’s a cute movie and Disney World needs to up its game and include some more Rapunzel items. Until then, here’s some gift ideas inspired by the one with the long, golden hair! 

1. I Do My Hair Toss - With Rapunzel, it’s all about the hair. For your mane-obsessed friend or family member, how about a Dry Bar gift set (or gift card!), Slip scrunchies or headband (I’m totally having a headband moment).
2. When Rapunzel firsts meets Eugene, she hits him over the head with a frying pan. I’ve found that after 10 years some of my pans needed a little refresh! I’m going to suggest this set from All Clad since they are a Pittsburgh-area brand! 
3. Rapunzel loves the special “floating lights” that fly every summer on her birthday. Ever since we honeymooned in Cabo, I’ve been obsessed with star lanterns similar to this one from Pottery Barn. Since that’s kinda random, let me suggest this lantern purse based on the ones in the movie! 
4. Everyone is all about those experience gifts. What about some bow and arrow lessons? I saw some people take lessons over the summer at North Park via the ‘gram. I did a little research and there are some places in Pittsburgh where you can shoot indoors - like Bucks & Bows or The Archer’s Edge. There is also a Rapunzel bow and arrow set that is part of our toy collection.
5. Mandy Moore is the voice of Rapunzel in Tangled and if you are a fan of her music, you just might be in luck. She’s touring this spring and it actually kicks off in Pittsburgh! Check out all dates here. 

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Gift Ideas: The Fairest Of Them All

When we took my daughter to Disney for the first time (she was around 16 months), the first Princess she spotted was Snow White. Several months later, she asked if she could watch the movie, so I obliged. Man, I forgot that this is a heavy cartoon! For this exercise, Snow White and her dwarf friends provide oh-so-much inspiration for gifts! 

1. Mirror, Mirror - The first Anthropologie Home Outlet in the U.S. recently opened near me. My expectations for the store might have been a tad too high, but one thing they have is amazing mirrors. If you aren’t close by, check out the Anthro website for options (that go on sale all the time!). This Hello Beautiful mirror makes a cute gift option under $50.
2. 7 Dwarfs Mini Lipstick Set - I’m not one of those women that have a signature lipstick shade, so this set could potentially help me find the perfect color for my pout! The small size is also great for festive clutches! 
3. Sweet Dreams - Like Sleepy, settle down for a warm winter’s nap with this Ugg Weighted Blanket. 
4. No Sneezy - For the family that is always dealing with sickness (ME!), how about a diffuser. I’ve read good things about the CAMPO Ceramic Diffuser and just might be adding one to my list. 
5. An Apple A Day - The poisoned apple sends Snow White into a deep sleep. Give a friend or family member the gift of their very own apple orchard with this Apple-Tree-To-Be kit!

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Gift Ideas: Belle of the Ball

Continuing the theme of Disney Princess-inspired gifts, let’s move on to one of my favorite princesses - Belle.

 

1. Books - Belle is obsessed with books - and girllll I can relate. While I’ve been trying to use the library more to keep our collection down, I love a good cookbook gift. Some newly released cookbooks include: The Joy of Cooking 2019, Entertaining with Disney and Beautiful Boards. I’m also obsessed with You Are A F*cking Awesome Mom, by Leslie Anne Bruce - It’s the perfect gift for a new mom or someone expecting! Finally, I was surprised how much I loved Michelle Obama’s Becoming and there is now a journal to add to the gift
2. Hannah Anderson Tulle Skirt - I’m a fan of what I’ve decided to call “Discrete Disney.” Like a piece of apparel that doesn’t scream the character. I love this line of Hannah Anderson princess gear and it’s on way sale!
3. Kate Spade Belle Boulevard - Almost 10 years later and I finally used my wedding china two weeks ago! Inspired by my recent dinner party, the name of this collection (Belle Boulevard) and the one and only Mrs. Potts, a teapot is a cute gift for a tea-lover on your list. 
4. Magical Rose - The real MVP of Beauty and the Beast is the magical rose. Nowadays, when I think of rose, my mind goes to a good rose. There are several cute bottles out there that would make a great present for a girlfriend or hostess gift. Some options: White Girl Rose, Summer Water and Rose All Day. Also, how cute is the Babe holiday box!? 
5. Art of Shaving Beard Kit - For the “beast” on your list, how about the Art of Shaving Beard Kit!

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Shot Of Brandi Holiday Gift Guide

When thinking about a holiday gift guide, I got a little stuck (blame it on the 5,000 tabs open in my head right now). So I looked around my house for inspiration and, well, I was inspired.

Even before Disney+ came into our lives, Disney movies have been taking over our television screen for a few years now. I don’t mind - it allows me to revisit the classics and also take in some flicks that I’ve never watched.

So let’s kick things off with gifts inspired by the ultimate princess, Cinderella. I mean, she does have the biggest house in Disney World, right?

1. With this girl, it’s allllll about the shoes. If your budget is endless, how about these beauties from Jimmy Choo or J. Crew Glitter Boots. For those of us with a shoestring budget (get it), Cinderella Toms or Kate Spade Keds.
2. They See Me Rollin’ - When I spotted this motorized princess carriage for the first time, I gasped. It’s so amazing. If the price tag is a little too royalty for you, there is also a Little Tikes carriage coup! 
3. Cinderella’s life isn’t always lavish. When her evil stepmother makes her clean the house, Cinderella may appreciate some new supplies! One of my goals in 2020 is to switch to “cleaner” cleaning supplies, so I would totally love a gift card to Grove Collaborative. There are also several natural product starter kits like Thrive Market, Branch Basics or The Laundress. 
4. When shopping for Disney-related products, items can get a little loud. You’ll soon learn that I’m a fan of “Discrete Disney” - Items that are Disney-themed, but don’t scream DISNEY. For a Cinderella-themed room, I love these framed photos from Pottery Barn Kids. There are several items in this collection, like this Cinderella Jewelry Box.
5. Stay in a Castle - Thinking about Cinderella’s Castle in Disney, a giant gift would be the opportunity to sleep like Cindy. When I think of castles, I think of Ireland. Aer Lingus Vacations offer several Ireland packages that give you the opportunity to spend a night in a castle!

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Gift Ideas Inspired By Books: Mary Poppins

I cannot tell you how pumped up I am to see Mary Poppins Returns. After reading some magazine features on the movie, I can’t stop talking about this movie! Of course both movies are based on the books by P. L. Travers.

An obvious gift here would be some movie tickets or say an iTunes gift card to buy the movie when it comes out. I know that people are all about those experience gifts right now and I feel like the experience of going to a movie may be one that is forgotten! It’s expensive for tickets and snacks that a gift card could help! And, those tickets could be accompanied by anything on the list below! 

1. Mary Poppins Boxed Set - I'm thinking about buying this book for my pre-schooler.

2. Hunter Boots

3. Burberry Umbrella - While Mary Poppins’ umbrella famously has a parrot head handle, any lady on your list will love this luxury umbrella!

4. Kite Crossbody

5. Sugar Bowl - Like the umbrella, I wanted to up the game on another memorable moment from the original movie. You know the words...Just...a...spoonful...

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Gift Ideas Inspired By Books: Thelma The Unicorn

This book ended up in our house the same way I discovered books growing up - from a Scholastic Book Fair! We love this book in the Smith house. As my readers know, I had a porcelain unicorn collection growing up and we used the spirit animal as inspiration for Lennon’s room decor. Thank goodness she shares my love of the glittery, horned animal.

If you haven’t read this gem, it’s about a horse that wishes she was someone else - a unicorn - but she finds out that it’s not always better to pretend your something you are not!

1. Thelma The Unicorn Book

2. Unicorn Snow Tube

3. Unicorn Garden - 8-year-old me would have LOVED this.

4. Custom Unicorn Planner

5. Unicorn Nail Polish Set

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Gift Ideas Inspired By Books: Dragon Loves Tacos

I loved books as a kid. Still do. After a slow start, I was worried that my daughter wouldn’t share my love of books, but finally she’s catching on.

Given that I spent a lot of my nights with kids books, I decided that would make a good theme for my annual gift guide!

Over the course of the next few days, I’ll share some gift suggestions using inspiration from the titles of some awesome kids books.

Apologies in advance that a few skew a little girly and a lot of my suggestions are children's’ gifts, but hopefully you’ll find some inspiration!

Let’s kick things off with Dragon Loves Tacos!

Just call me a dragon because I LOVE TACOS! This popular kids book has become a popular birthday party theme and it’s awesome. At first, I was a little skeptical of this book, but then it caught on and I totally loved it. If you haven’t read it yet, the title kinda gives the plot away. Dragons love tacos. But, there is one kind of taco they don’t like. Here are my gifts inspired by Dragon Loves Tacos!

1. Dragon Loves Tacos Returns Book + Matching PJ Set (Original book with PJs here)

2. Tacosaurus Rex Taco Holder

3. Tortilla Flatbread Maker

4. Dragon Rocker

5. Food Truck Playhouse

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: Home Alone

Blame it on millennials, but after celebrating its 27th anniversary Home Alone is and its famous lines are currently trending.

1. The film starts by showing viewers family members running around a huge house in the suburbs of Chicago as they pack for a holiday trip to Paris. While clearly the biggest gift you could give would be a trip to Paris (or the McMansion the McCallister family lives in), a more affordable gift could be new luggage. This marble-patterned carry on is super cute.

2. A power outage causes the family to sleep in. They to the airport and fail to realize they left behind their eight-year-old son - Kevin McCallister. This is where the whole “Home Alone” part comes in. At first Kevin thinks it’s cool to have the house to himself. Then he becomes frightened of his scary neighbor and two burglars that are looking to prey on his house. If you or a family member are worried about unwanted guests, how about a Nest security camera.

3. Kevin creates a number of booby traps around the house to trick the burglars. One of the is putting toy cars on the ground, which somehow causes the men to fall to the ground. These Star Wars cars are cool for the Jedi on your list.

4. The booby traps are basically like one big obstacle course. And with an unlimited budget, you can get some lucky kids this inflatable bounce house. A more realistic gift is this DIY course from Target.

5 & 6. Like I mentioned earlier, some of the famous lines from the movie are trending on apparel. One of them is from a faux gangster movie that Kevin watches that says “Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal.” Another one revolves around Kevin’s brother’s girlfriend. When Kevin sees a pic of her, he says “Buzz, your girlfriend...Woof.” Both of these are perfect for an ugly sweater party!

And if you are looking to catch up on this flick, you can buy the movie here.

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Shot of Brandi Gift Guide: A Christmas Story

This classic story needs no introduction. And if you haven't’ seen this one, TBS plays it for 24 hours on Christmas. I’m talking about A Christmas Story.

1. The movie centers around the main character Ralphie’s wish to receive a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. **Spoiler Alert** while he eventually receives the gun, there are a few other iconic and somewhat unwanted gifts he receives, like a bunny pajamas from his aunt. This bunny onesie would be perfect for Christmas bar crawl or ugly sweater party!

2. Ralphie’s dad wins a “major award” in a contest, but he doesn’t know what it is until the item arrives. Turns out that it’s a leg lamp - which Wikipedia tells me was the logo of a soft drink company. Bed, Bath & Beyond sells a 20-inch replica of the lamp - perfect for a white elephant gift exchange!

3. During the movie, Ralphie slips and says a swear word to his father. As punishment, his mom puts a bar of soap in his mouth. Luxury soaps can be great to keep on hand for last minute hostess gifts that you can keep if needed! I like these from Jo Malone or these plain bars that you can add cute ribbons and labor to!

4. While this item doesn’t appear in the classic, A Christmas Story is filmed in Cleveland, which is the home of the awesome Great Lakes Brewery. The Christmas Ale is one of my favs and is a fantastic item to take to a party!

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