I’m a wife/mom/writer, and this is my wish list. Making Amazon shopping lists is my part-time job, so I have a direct line to the newest, coolest, most crave-worthy products hitting the virtual shelves. For today’s list, I’m compiling 37 of my top picks that I actually want for myself! I hope you’ll be inspired by my wishes, and maybe I can even help you find a few gifts for the people in your life.
Ready to wish with me? For starters, I’m really hoping someone gets me this cute crossbody bag that comes in my favorite color. I’m also asking for a book about writing, earrings inspired by Picasso, and one of the most practical things I’ve ever seen. Let’s do this!
This Hair Styling Tool for Beachy Waves
Hope springs eternal, especially when it comes to styling my fine, shoulder-length hair. I’m always willing to try new gadgets, so I’m asking for this hair styling tool that crimps hair into beachy waves. Check out the user reviews for photos and styling tips from Amazon customers.
These Appetizer Plates
The last time I had friends over for dinner, I lamented that I didn’t have any small plates for hors d’oeuvres. My friend Amanda said, “I should get you a set for Christmas.” That led me to a quick Amazon search, where I found this set of eight Corelle appetizer plates that come in a variety of cute styles (my favorite is the “Celebrations” set).
This Coffee Mug With My Official Title
As a professional mom with 16 years of on-the-job experience, I’m here to tell you that we mothers actually *love* the cheesy, clichéd “mom” gifts. Bring on the macaroni picture frames, pony bead bracelets, and this Best Mom Ever mug!
This Body Butters Gift Set
When I’m shopping for myself, I buy the industrial-sized vats of inexpensive lotion. When someone else is shopping for me, I expect a gift set of body butters! These rich, decadent creams come in glorious scents like British Rose, Mango, and Shea…and I want them all.
This Carry-On Tote Bag That Slips Over Suitcase Handles
A luxury vacation might not be under the tree this year, but I’d settle for getting one step closer with this carry-on tote bag. It’s the perfect size for essentials I want close at hand during a flight, and it’s smartly designed to slip over suitcase handles for those long walks through the airport.
This Crossbody Bag That Comes in My Favorite Color (And Yours, Too!)
So many things to love about this crossbody bag! It’s stylish, affordable, has excellent reviews, and comes in 43 different colors. Let me repeat: FORTY-THREE COLORS, people!
This Diet Coke Travel Cup Keeps My Favorite Soda Ice-Cold
Look, I know it’s probably not good for me, but I still love Diet Coke. Let me celebrate my fizzy, caffeinated, not-so-guilty pleasure with this insulated tumbler. The sturdy plastic is double-walled to keep drinks cold and prevent condensation forming.
This Dry Erase Menu Board
I have a dream that if I own this dry erase menu board, I’ll suddenly start planning meals a week at a time, and my family will be excited to read what’s for dinner each night. Okay, maybe I’m being too ambitious, but I want this thing anyway!
This 12-Sided Exercise Dice
Working out is a necessity, but it’s hard to stay motivated week after week. This 12-sided jumbo exercise dice might help! The lightweight dodecagon is printed with instructions like “10 Push-Ups,” “Water Break,” and “Run for 2 Minutes.” (Bonus: We’ve all just learned that a 12-sided shape is called a dodecagon. You’re welcome!)
This Instagrammable Felt Letter Board
As a writer, I love to incorporate written messages into decor and photos whenever possible. That’s why I’m wishing for this charming felt letter board, which comes in a bunch of colors. The smooth felt board is encased in an oak frame and includes a bag of 300 characters.
This Frosting Bulb Kit For Easier Decorating
Birthday cakes, celebratory cupcakes, all the cookies–we do a lot of baking and decorating in my house! I’m excited to try these new frosting bulbs, which are silicone containers that let you easily squeeze frosting through the interchangeable tips. This set includes two bulbs and six piping tips.
This Fluffy Throw Blanket With Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
I have throw blankets stashed all over the house, but none of them glow in the dark! This cozy, plush throw blanket measures 50 by 60 inches, the perfect size for wrapping up to watch TV or keeping at the foot of the bed for chilly nights. It’s easy to find in the dark, thanks to the softly glowing stars (after 10 minutes of light exposure, the glow lasts up to 6 hours).
These Hair Serum Capsules
I have an arsenal of daily hair products, but this jar of hair serum capsules would be a luxurious treat. Each biodegradable, plant-based pod contains one dose of hair serum loaded with keratin and vitamin B5. Massage into hair to provide moisture, shine, and thermal protection.
This Iced Coffee Sleeve
I live in L.A., where local law requires citizens to carry a beverage at all times. This reusable neoprene sleeve will be a welcome holder of my ubiquitous iced coffee, tea, or soda. It comes in three sizes and a bunch of colors, including a couple of really cute holiday prints.
This Smart Vanity Mirror With Adjustable Lighting & Built-In Speaker
Ever since remodeling my master bathroom, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect vanity mirror. I’ve finally found it. The iHome Vanity Mirror has wrap-around LED lighting with low/medium/high settings. It also contains a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, so it doubles as a bathroom speaker to play music or podcasts while getting ready. Plus it comes with smart assistants so you can ask Alexa or Google to play whatever you’d like!
It Is a Truth Universally Acknowledged That These Jane Austen Coasters Would Be a Great Gift
This set of six coasters is perfect for any Jane Austen fan, especially the type who has a strong preference for which actor played Darcy best. (Colin Firth.) One five-star reviewer says, “Practically perfect in every way…I would absolutely recommend these, and may purchase again for future gift giving.”
This Phone Case With Flattering Lighting for Selfies
I need this immediately! This phone case has built-in lighting that casts a flattering glow to improve photos and selfies. Five-star reviewers have said, “For selfies, it will take a shot with perfect lighting even in pitch black,” and “I LOVE LOVE LOVE this case…totally dimmable to get the desired brightness!”
This Mother of Dragons Sweatshirt
No matter what you think of Daenerys’s fate, she was an awe-inspiring mother to her three strong-willed dragons. As a mom of three strong-willed humans, I can relate. I’ll wear this cozy Mother of Dragons sweatshirt with pride.
This Mother of Pearl Photo Frame
Framed photos make wonderful gifts for just about anyone. I would love it if my family gave me a picture of their smiling faces enclosed in this gorgeous mother of pearl frame.
This Neck Traction Pillow Relieves TMJ, Neck, Shoulder Pain
Just looking at this neck traction pillow makes me realize I need to relax more. After working at the computer all day, I tend to have a lot of tightness in my jaw, neck, and shoulders. According to reviewers, this pillow should help.
This Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit
Just add whiskey! This compact, travel-sized cocktail kit contains everything else you need to stir up six perfect old fashioned cocktails. Perfect for plane travel or hotel rooms (or, I dunno, Tuesdays).
This Brilliant Book About Writing by Stephen King
Stephen King’s nonfiction book On Writing is a classic among writers. It’s filled with anecdotes, philosophy, and advice from one of the world’s great modern authors, and has been called “A one-of-a-kind classic” by The Wall Street Journal.
This One Line a Day Journal Preserves Memories
Even though I write every day, I don’t keep a journal or diary. That might change if I had this One Line a Day Journal, which is a low-pressure approach to capturing life one small moment at a time. It’s designed to last five years, so you can track occasions and memories over time.
This Pajamagram Set of Cotton Jersey Pajamas
Pajamas are a classic gift for a reason! Everyone appreciates a set of new, soft, cozy pajamas in a cheerful color. This Pajamagram set of women’s cotton jersey PJs is a great value and has earned hundreds of five-star ratings on Amazon.
This Personal Library Kit
I love my books. I’m happy to loan a good book to a friend, but I really want to make sure I get it back! This personal library kit might help. It includes self-adhesive pockets to stick inside books, checkout cards, and a date stamp.
These Picasso-Inspired Earrings
Unique and an amazing value (seriously–check out the price!), this set of three gold-tone earrings are inspired by Picasso’s art. They’re earning five-star ratings on Amazon for being “wonderful quality for the price” and “absolutely stunning.”
This Sectional Serving Bowl
Perfect for taking healthy appetizers to class parties or social gatherings, this sectional serving bowl is made of sturdy plastic so it’s lightweight yet durable. Includes a lid that latches in place to keep contents secure.
This Spontuneous Game for Family Gatherings
My family plays a lot of board games, but frankly, too many of them require complex strategy, math, and/or dragons. How about a party game where everyone just sings?? That’s the idea behind Spontuneous, which I can’t wait to break out at family gatherings this holiday season!
This Stair Step Basket Might Encourage Tidy Habits
I’m writing this on my laptop on my couch, but I sense something looming behind me. It’s a mound of socks, books, hats, and other annoying items that need to be carried upstairs and put away. If only I had this clever stair step basket, at least the clutter would be contained!
This Sunrise Alarm Clock Wakes with Gradually Increasing Light
Mornings are tough. Waking up to a blaring phone alarm when it’s dark is frankly depressing! So I’m putting this sunrise alarm clock on my wish list this year. It gradually changes color and brightness from dark red to bright yellow to help you wake up more naturally.
This Hemingway Pencil Cup Looks Great in Any Clean, Well-Lit Place
The sun also rises on this Hemingway pencil cup, a moveable feast of form and function. Measuring 5 inches wide and formed of sturdy resin, this desktop accessory will not ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. After all, no man is an island, and no woman should be denied a pencil cup shaped like a 20th century tool of intellectual liberation.
This Toolaloo Bag and Cup Holder Makes Running Errands More Bearable
I’m a busy mom with a to-do list longer than this article, so I’m game for any gadget that helps me stay efficient and happy. This Toolaloo bag and cup holder is right up my alley. Attach it to a shopping cart to corral shopping bags and keep your drink right where you need it.
These Uncommon Questions Spark Interesting Conversations
I’ve seen a few of these conversation starter sets around, but this one really caught my attention. It’s designed for couples, but Uncommon Questions also works with groups of close friends. Each card includes a unique, thought-provoking question like, “What was the greatest feat of your childhood?” or “What is your favorite pair of shoes you have ever owned?”
This Vanilla Sugar Lip Scrub Would Be a Nice Little Stocking Stuffer
Organic, vegan, and packed with natural oils, beeswax, fair trade certified sugar, and natural flavoring, this vanilla sugar lip scrub is an indulgent treat with no guilt attached. One five-star reviewers says it results in “super soft lips.”
This Emergency Phone Charger Fits in Your Wallet
A thoughtful and practical gift, this emergency phone charger is about the size of a thick credit card. Charge it up, slip it into your wallet or pocket, then relax knowing you have a quick charge available if you need it.
This You & Me Wood Decoration Set
This you & me wooden set would be a sweet little gift for any couple. Made in Los Angeles of American alder wood, the two pieces are laser-cut to fit together like puzzle pieces. You can even add personalized engraving on the back for an additional fee.