A collection of my current 2025 favorites to inspire meaningful gift ideas for you and yours this holiday season. Happy holidays!
Happy happy holidays, friends!
We’re gearing up here at F&V to host M’s family from Germany for the holiday season. Now that we have Flora (our Australian Shepherd), taking long international trips becomes all the more challenging. We’ve usually alternated on and off years to spend Christmas here with my family and in Germany with Marco’s family. This year was a “Germany” year, but, when you can’t bring yourself to Germany…bring Germany to you! (That’s what they say, right?!) I’m excited to spend the holidays showing them some of my favorite American traditions for Christmas and New Years just as they have shared their German traditions with me over the years. I got the “Christmas box” out before Thanksgiving and will be put a lot more time and thought into decorating this year since we’ll be hosting!
I also started my gift list early, because I have so many ideas! Here are a few of my favorite 2025 discoveries that I want to share with you this year!. Check them out to see if they might light up you and yours. For more great gift ideas, check out my 2023 Holiday Gift Guide and 2024 Holiday Gift Guide. Wishing you a very safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!
1. Gaiatop USB Desk Fan: ($12)
I purchased this desktop fan for my yoga teacher training after realizing that the training space was in a hot yoga studio! The studio doesn’t have AC, only heat, so the room stayed warm during out teacher training learning even with the door open. This little fan was a powerhouse on hot days and just that little bit of cool breeze helped keep me cool(er) and calm. I (almost) felt bad that I couldn’t share the breeze with my fellow yogis. This would be a great gift for an office dweller or anyone who likes to stay cool as a cucumber. The same brand also has a portable model for strollers, so you can grab one for the mamas on your list, too!
2. MOTEERLLU Personalized Hand Embroidered Corner Bookmark: ($10)
I have transitioned mostly to using a Kindle for leisurely reading, but nothing really replaces the feeling of having a book in your hands, does it? And when you do have a physical copy, it’s nice to have something equally tangible to mark your place. This embroidered bookmark sit on the corner of your page so you can see your initial peaking out. I use my “L” bookmark to mark the texts I read out loud to theme my yogas classes. The bookmarks come in different seasonal shades and colors. This is a great gift for the bookworm on your list!
3. Molly Mutt 3-Seater Non-Slip Couch Cover: ($170)
Marco and I joke that one of our biggest mistakes was encouraging Flora to get on the couch at an early age. We’re pretty sure that she now thinks of the couch as a giant dog bed, and is fiercely protective of her “spot” (taking up more than half of the cushion space…). Unfortunately, she also thinks the couch is a place to dig and place and chew, so that’s where this couch protector has come in clutch this year. Molly Mutt has super cute designs that actually make our living room look cuter, while fitting securely around the cushions and back of the couch. This way, despite her best efforts, Flora can’t reach the surface of the couch. I love that this couch cover is machine washable. Believe me, this worse the investment. Our has been through hell and 12 months later is still tear-free and protecting! This is a great gift for a new (or old!) dog parent who wants to extend the longevity of their furniture!
4. Breezeful™ High Waisted Crossover Pants: ($40)
This is another item that I purchased for my yoga teacher training program. We start our weekends together with a hot yoga class and then transition into lecture and learning. I noticed after the first weekend that everyone in my group changed clothing after the hot class into comfier clothing. Now, I had also brought a change of clothes, but I only thought to change from one pair of yoga pants to…another pair of yoga pants. I remember looking around wistfully at all of the loose fitting bottoms. When I got home, I purchased a pair of these High Waisted Crossover Pants. They’re super lightweight and moisture wicking, making them ideal for sticky hot weather. I love that they have more coverage than shorts, but still look stylish and cute with a crop top because of their notched waistline. I loved them so much that I bought 3 more colors. This is a great gift for an active friend or family member!
5. RMS Beauty Daily Tinted Lip Balm: ($26)
I declare every year that this is the year that I’m going to start wearing lipstick. And, I feel like this RMS tinted lip balm kind of made it true. I love wearing these on my lips because they glide on smoothly with enough color transfer that you feel like you’re wearing lip color, but not so much that it screams LIPSTICK! The result is subtle, matte color that lasts all day long. I trust that RMS doesn’t have any nasties in their products and instead uses ingredients I can trust. I have a few different shades so I can alternate throughout the week based on the mood. This is a great gift for anyone who loves trying a little lip color!
6. Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle: ($180)
I got this Electric Kettle for M’s birthday last year which was kind of selfish because I use (and love) it just as much as he does. I thought it would be a nice upgrade for M, who at the time was using a stovetop kettle to make 3-4 coffees a day. We lovingly look back on this purchase and joke that it was our “gateway drug” to true coffee snobbery. After you make one upgrade, well, all of the rest of the equipment follows! But honestly, this kettle is sleek, efficient, and makes brewing a cup of coffee effortless and easy. I have no complaints about it and think it’s a very good investment for anyone who loves coffee. I look forward to my morning pour over made with this electric kettle daily! It’s also fantastic for making anything temperature regulated, like tea, hot cocoa, or anytime you need hot water fast. Perfect for the coffee drinker on your list!
7. Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Blocks: ($22)
This year I noticed that my old cork yoga blocks were…kind of falling apart. The 10 year old blocks were finally starting to show wear and tear and sluff off on the edges. I purchased this foam yoga blocks as a replacement in Sage green, and I’m so happy I did. I love the feel of the soft foam under my hands and find their light weight makes them easier to pick up and transport. Bonus points that they match my sage green yoga mat perfectly! These are a great purchase for the yogi on your list!
8. REI Sahara Shade Hoodie: ($50)
You can never have too many sun tees, is something that every smart person says. Or many it’s just me that says that when I’m packing for any trip. However, I love these Sahara Shade Hoodies that are an REI brand I’m loving right now. They’re a bit thicker than a classic sun tee, making them a nice weight for sunny fall or spring days where you don’t want to wear a jacket. I love the sleeve length and the thumb holes and the large hood so you maintain full sun coverage. The fabric comes in lots of fun colors and feels very durable and soft despite multiple washings. This is a great gift for anyone adventurous and in need of some sun cover on your list!
9. Wilderdog Utility Pack: ($36)
I’ve been through a *lot* of treat bags and small purses for the purpose of dog walking. Cross bodies were too uncomfortable and a backpack was too inconvenient to access while holding a leash. I finally settled on this Utility Pack, which is basically a fanny pack. But it’s also so much more than a fanny pack because of the poop bag department which allows you to grab and pull a poop bag from the front compartment. I didn’t know how much I needed this until I had it, and now the convenience is something I can’t imagine not using! The rest of the bag is a convenient size to fit everything you need for strolls with the pup: cell phone, sunglasses, keys, etc. I ghilight recommend this pack for a dog lover in your life!
10. Hydroflask 20 L Carry Out™ Soft Cooler: ($90)
I purchased this Hydroflask Cooler for our beach trip this year so we’d have a portable cooler that would be easy to carry lunch down to the beachfront. We ended up having horrible weather at Carolina Beach, so we never did get to eat that picnic lunch on the sand. But that’s OK, because I’m still loving this soft cooler. It’s large enough to fit several items, but not too big that you can’t carry it for a while traveling or on the go. I like to add several ice packs top the inside to extend it’s cooling capacity, but even without any cooling agents this insulated cooler does a great job of keeping things cool for hours. I love using it now for small day trips instead of a heavy hard bodied cooler. With the right packing, you can fit food for a day or even weekend trip in this compact carry out. Because you are probably also vegan and maybe gluten-free like me, having food options while traveling is a priority for me. This is a great gift for anyone on the go who likes to have their options with them!
11. Nike Zenvy Highwaisted Joggers: ($110)
I’m not ashamed to say that I live in these Nike Zenvy Joggers. Since the first pair I purchased a year ago I now have 7 that I rotate throughout the week. I wish I could find some jeans as comfortable as these joggers, but, well, maybe that will be on next year’s Christmas guide. These joggers are breathable and fit and hang nicely while not being too constrictive. I love wearing them for my daily workouts at home, like yoga, pilates, and weight training. I usually rock them into my work day, especially when I have an active photography and kitchen day. They’re even sleek enough to dress up and wear out. I often wear them out to appointments and even to dinner with a nice top. Athleisure for the win! So, if tight leggings aren’t your thing cut you still want to look stylish and put together, try out these Joggers. Perfect for *anyone* on your list, but bonus points if they’re active and athletic!
12. Clear Concert Bag: ($30)
New concert venue rules instruct you to have a clear bag for entry, so this year I finally purchased a clear concert bag. And you know what, I kind of love it! I have used this bag for several occasions this year. Most notably, seeing the Glass Animals in Richmond, VA (my favorite band!!!). You can pack a *lot* in this little thing, and it’s kind of fun to be able to see it all so you know where to dig. The cross body strap is surprisingly comfortable and versatile. A bag like this is a great gift idea for the music/concert lover on your list!
13. Semi-Well-Adjusted: ($19)
Who else remembers Mike’s Super Short Show on the Disney Channel?! When I saw that Alyson Stoner has a memoir out, I was excited to read it to see what they’ve been up to since the Disney Channel. I didn’t expect to love this memoir as much as I did, but Alyson’s honesty and candor about their struggles with mental health and self identity with a backdrop of growing up in the public eye of Hollywood was both refreshing and surprisingly relatable. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who loves good storytelling with a lot of heart and a deep call to inner wisdom and growth. Perfect for the reader on your list!
14. Studio KSL: (prices vary)
You know I’m all about my at home workouts, and this year I fell in love with the Studio KSL app. I know Katrina Scott through her co-founding of Tone It Up, so when I heard that she was starting her own fitness program/app, I wanted to try it out. I love that KSL focuses on simple effective movements for longevity with an emphasis on community. The app has Live workouts almost every Saturday, which I try to attend if I’m around! The weekly schedule is efficient and effective, targeting different body parts and workouts styles on each day. The app has a great mix of yoga, strength training, HIIT, and restorative movements so you always have options. This is a great gift for anyone trying to get motivated to workout at home!
15. Puzzle Saver: ($50)
M and I love to work puzzles around this time of year. However, we rarely finish them in a day. I mean, who does? Especially not the 1000 piece kind. In the past, we just leave the puzzle on the dining room able for days as the skeleton of the puzzle grows and grows until it’s finally recognizable as a whole. Usually leaving on the dining room table also encourages us to finish it faster because we desperately need our eating space back. However, after getting Flora, we can’t leave puzzle pieces lying around anymore, unless we want them permanently eaten or chewed up! That’s where this puzzle saver comes in handy. I was skeptical, believe me, that it could actually roll up and preserve your puzzle without disrupting the HOURS of work we put in. However, it does just that. And it frees up your living space until you have the brain space to get back to puzzling. This is a great gift for the puzzler in your life!
16. Babygold Custom Name Necklace: (prices vary)
This might be the most expensive gift that I’ve ever bought myself, but I’m not mad about it. Last year I decided that I really wanted to purchase a custom name necklace. As a lover of gold jewelry, I wanted the pieces to be solid gold (not plated or filled) so the quality will last for years. I am obsessed with my “Lauren” necklace that I customized for myself with two different latch points so it cane be worn at either length. M jokes that I wear it around so people won’t forget my name, but I think it’s elegant and beautiful and just so…me. I’m sharing this gift in case it’s so “you”, too! Or so- “somebody else you love”. Because this necklace is customizable, you can write literally anything you want and gift it to your favorites, whether it’s a name, a word, or a letter. Perfect for the gold lover on your list!
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