Myka Meier
FAVORITE HOSTESS GIFTS
Anything homemade or home baked is always my favorite thing to bring, especially around the holidays! Your favorite batch of brownies or holiday cookies or even homemade holiday cinnamon potpourri. I will usually tie a beautiful festive bow around whatever I bring and attach a couple of holiday cookie cutters or a special ornament to make it extra special
I also am definitely buying this Dolly Parton cookie baking kit for someone this year!
BEST STOCKING STUFFERS
This one is easy, as it’s one of the best parts of my Christmas! We have a bustling full house of 10 adults plus children and everyone stays in pajamas and fluffy slippers during the wee hours of the day. Our family starts the excitement off each Christmas morning the same way every year… with warm cinnamon buns followed by mimosas and coffee for the adults and fresh squeezed orange juice for the little ones. The kids run to see what Santa left them while we play Christmas music and get cozy. Then, we all gather around and open stockings together…both adults and children get stockings in our family! They are usually over stuffed, extra large stockings with a combination of delicious treats, small bits and bobs and clever little gifts sure to make anyone smile.
My favorite picks for stocking stuffers this year:
~A copy of either one of my two books happens to be just the perfect size to fit into a stocking ?
For the lady or gent in your family: Modern Etiquette Made Easy
For new grads: Business Etiquette Made Easy
~For adults: A sprinkling of things such as festive chocolates, aloe vera infused socks, cable organizers, velvet headbands, air pod covers, vitamins, a bow tie, nail polish, razor blades, leather gloves, lip gloss or chapstick, makeup or face wipes, and of course their favorite treats such as protein bars or beef jerky
~For children of varying ages: Christmas crackers (this is such a fun tradition!), e-tip gloves, smelly stickers, Rubix cube, a harmonica, a digital bookmark, silly putty, headphones, bath toys, coloring books, a headlamp to read at night, gift cards, and of course their favorite candy
GIFT IDEAS FOR CHILDREN
My daughter Valentina was gifted a personalized book that is called “Where’s Valentina?” which is sort of like a Where’s Waldo book. The best part is that you can choose what the character looks like so it is similar to the child! I have gifted this book to so many little ones I love and it’s a hit every time:
GIFTS FOR PETS
Personalized treat jars (filled with treats!)
GIFTS FOR SIGNIFICANT OTHER
I love keepsake gifts! Cufflinks that are coins from their birth year or that are coins from their favorite country to visit
10 mm off-white pearl earrings are classic and wow
I also adore a gift that is an experience. Each year my husband gifts me an experience and it’s my favorite gift to look forward to and I never can guess what it will be. He usually will plan it all out and put a lot of effort into the excursion and then creates a homemade brochure that he prints out and wraps for me to open. It’s always a surprise, fully planned by him, and could be anything- one year it was dance lessons together and another it was two ski passes.
GIFTS FOR TEACHERS AND NEIGHBORS
Teachers- With so many virtual meetings and courses, I think a good, strong light ring will go a long way!
Neighbors- A pie. Either homemade or bakery bought will do!
WHAT IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR PERSONAL WISHLIST?
~I have the smaller carry on version of this monogrammed suitcase but I love it so much I’m hoping Santa brings me the larger version.
~I love hosting, and often have a friend or two for a casual dinner after work and will invite them into the kitchen with a glass of wine while I cook and chat. I have my eye on this new apron by Gretchen Scott.
I love to exercise and run outside and my zipper pockets to hold everything just aren’t cutting it. Have this running belt on my wish list.