Our 2026 Holiday Gift Guide: Cathy’s Favorites

Our 2026 gift guides are here! We’re starting with my personal favorites.

There’s something fun about a gift guide that’s just your favorites, so here are mine! Most of these are things I own and love at home: the candle I can’t stop burning, the top I’m wearing on repeat, and the blanket we fight over. Then there are the gifts I give over and over, like skincare essentials for my girlfriends, beautiful landscapes, and cashmere everything! And a few are from my own list this year: a puzzle, a watercolor kit, and the slippers I already bought myself and will have waiting under the tree on Christmas morning ;)

You’ll find cozy things, pretty things, and a few useful ones, at all different price points (plenty under $50!). The sellers are a mix, too: a few big names, plus independent artists, a women-owned Washington business, and an author who started her own press. I’m also working on our home lovers gift guide and a book gift guide, because books really do make the best gifts :) Let’s get into it...

Happy gifting :)

22 Gift Ideas I’m Giving (and Wishing For) This Year

1. Balsam Fir Candle in pretty ceramic vessel (Large 3-Wick)

Balsam fir is my favorite scent this time of year, and this large 3-wick size with a beautiful pottery jar is so very giftable. psst: I just bought one for our snug! $50

2. Kindle

Our whole family has upgraded over time, and it’s made reading a bit more accessible, especially for the kids who share rooms (no issues with lights on late!) and travel. We check out library books on them and skip the subscriptions. $XXX (but always on sale for Black Friday!)

3. Australian Shearling Slippers (Under $50)

I already bought myself these, and I really can’t beat the price. Old houses, cold floors: slippers just make winter better. $49.90

4. A Pretty winter Puzzle

I buy a puzzle every year, and I love the scene on this one. I think puzzles are like automatic time together, and I love having one out on a small table over the holidays. This one is 1000 piece and has a fun winter main street scene. And here’s a pretty 500-piece alternative. $21.99

5. Cashmere Triangle Scarf

I’ve been seeing these triangle scarfs everywhere and I can’t wait to try one. Pretty, warm, and so versatile. This one goes in lots of colors and is hand washable at home. $36

6. Custom Address Stamp

This is the exact custom address stamp I bought for us :) It would make such a fun and thoughtful gift for anyone who’s moved lately. I like the self-inking option to make addressing all those Christmas cards easy. From $16.96

7. Pretty Patterned Water Bottle

THIS pattern! I love that water bottles can be so pretty, and I take one everywhere, like most of the people I know. This would be great for adults or kids (there are lots of patterns :). $29.74

8. My Most-Worn Top (Under $50)

THIS set is so, so good. I wear the top more than anything else because it’s comfy like a sweatshirt but way more elevated, and it’s under $50 and I can say from experience, girlfriends love getting it as a gift :) I have matching wide-leg pants too to make a cute set. $42

9. Pretty Sudoku Puzzle Books

Sudoku, but make it pretty! Who wouldn’t love to toss one of these in a purse for that wait at the doctor’s office or in line for pickup? So giftable. $9.99

10. Under-Eye Patches

These are my favorite morning pampering. They de-bag underages and soften the fine lines under eyes and I use these in the morning anytime I’m feeling dehydrated or have an event or just feel like a litter pampering. They’re my go-to gift for girlfriends. $18

11. Pretty PlateS for the displaying

I love the idea of gifting pretty plates for the wall, whether they’re vintage or new. My sister and I happened into in Charleston, and we both fell in love with this pattern so this set of four is on my list for our future kitchen wall. $175

12. Landscape Art

I love giving art as a gift! Whether it’s vintage, new, or homemade, it reminds the receiver of the giver every time they see it :) This landscape is by artist Tessa Brown, who paints out of her Texas home while juggling her kids, and we loved having her pieces in the Farmhouse. from $40

13. A Pretty Pillow

A pretty pillow is such an easy gift, and this one is a beautiful cotton number by Rejuvenation in on my list! We’ve gotten a few of their pillows in the past and always have the best fabrics, are well-made, and last forever. $69

14. Estelle Colored Glasses

We have this exact set in blush pink, and they’re so pretty and unique. The story behind Estelle is lovely, and it feels like you’re collecting very special pieces. from $120

15. Watercolor Kit

Washington artist Emily Lex makes these charming watercolor kits, and I have about 10 of them in my basket right now :) Everyone I know wants to embrace hands-on creating more, and this feels like an easy way to try watercolor, for kids and adults alike. $24

16. Cashmere SweaterS (From $50)

Cashmere is THE gift this season, don’t you think? This sweater is from Quince, and honestly, it’s the only place I buy cashmere new anymore because it’s affordable, luxurious, fits well, and is washable at home (!!!). Other cashmere sweaters of their’s that I’d recommend as gifts: this $50 crewneck, this cotton cashmere rugby polo (I get SO many compliments!), shrunken cable crewneck, and this oversized V-neck in the prettiest blue. note: I sized down in the sweater shown and oversized v-neck but all other are TTS. $89.90

psst: my camera is one of my favorite things and it’s linked here. If it’s out of budget, I shared a fun, smaller option along with a mini printer.

17. Gold Double Circle Necklace

My sister and I swooned over this one in Charleston, and I love the double circle design. $68

18. Lip Sleeping Mask

An easy stocking stuffer or gift for friends (or yourself). Your lips will thank you. I use it morning and night, and it’s the only thing that keeps my lips actually hydrated this time of year. Can’t recommend it enough. $26

19. Luxury Hand Soap

We love gifting this soap! It’s a practical and useful, but also elevated. This one is from a women-owned Washington business and Fresh Linen is my favorite year-round scent. The holiday soap is excellent, too. Gift a bundled set or individual bottle. $38

20. Colorful Cookie Scoops

We all want cookie scoops and no one seems to have them! This colorful set is really fun and has great reviews. Adding these to my own Christmas list. $19.99

21. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Series)

We’re doing an entire book gift guide, so I tried not to share many books here, but I couldn’t help myself with the Emma series. It’s one of my favorite things of 2026! 1800s England, witty characters, clean enough for teens, and so incredibly binge-able. It’s a great gift for any Jane Austen lovers in your life. And the author’s backstory is just as good: Beth Brower started her own press after traditional publishers rejected her, published the first two novels, and the series is now out in the US from Penguin. $15

22. Cashmere Blanket

I’m not sure there’s anything more luxurious than a cashmere blanket. We have this beautiful ribbed knit cashmere throw in the snug (we’ve been swapping out synthetics for natural fibers -those microplastics!), and it’s an easy gift for anyone who loves their home. psst: since it’s from Quince, returns are easy for up to 365 days. $178

frayed ribbon on title, set of 6, $32


I hope you found a gift (or two) on this list. Our home lovers gift guide and our book gift guide are coming soon.

Happy holiday gifting!

xx

ps we may receive a small affiliate commission if you purchase something through our links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Grit and Polish!

pps we do NOT accept sponsors or payment for our gift guides. Every item here was picked by us, and it’s something we own, love, or have on our own list.

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