10 Unique Gifts to Impress your Family and Friends

Occasionally I come across a gift idea that I want to share with everyone I know. When you see certain products, you immediately start racking your brain for the right person who would love it because it is just that cool. No matter who is on your list, you can find the right gift on this list of 10 ideas--and most on Amazon with Prime shipping--and most currently ON SALE.


1. For the organizer
These eBags Packing Cubes make it easy to keep your suitcase organized. Do you have that one family member who color coordinates their closet? This is the perfect gift for them.

http://www.amazon.com/eBags-Packing-Cubes-3pc-Set/dp/B004C0XZM4

2. For the phone addict
We all have the person in our family who just won't put down their phone--even if they have to take off their gloves in freezing weather to use it! These ELMA Touchscreen Gloves let you use your touchscreen phone without getting cold fingers.

http://www.amazon.com/ELMA-Knitted-Mittens-Texting-Touchscreen/dp/B0159XUVNS

3. For the beer lover
This gift from The Grommet is perfect for the local beer lover who likes to try new brews. They can collect bottle caps for their state until they fill their Beer Cap Trap map. Does your favorite beer lover like to try beer from all over the country? Look for the U.S.-shaped map on the same site!

https://www.thegrommet.com/beer-cap-trap-choose-your-state-beer-cap-map

4. For the cat person
If you have more than two cats, you are automatically judged by the world. This Crazy Cat Lady Game from Archie McPhee will make your favorite cat-person laugh and also give you a new game to try this holiday season.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J7AIAU

5. For the person with a messy car
Some people's cars are spotless and some people just can't help but use the backseat as a trashcan. This Car Seat Organizer is currently over 70% off and offers the perfect way to use one of your seats as a personal organizer.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WNGV2Y2

6. For the person on-the-go
This GRID-IT! organizer from Cocoon lets someone keep straight all of their devices, cords, gum, chapstick, and anything else that typically clutters a purse or briefcase. For anyone in your life that is always on the move, this gift can help them stay a little more organized along the way.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00479FQCM

7. For the one with a new apartment
If you only have one knife, this is the one to have. It covers all basic knife needs and is currently 60% off! I recently bought this for my niece who is in college and living on her own for the first time. Probably not a great gift for your family chef since they more likely want specialized knives, but good for someone who is just starting out on their own or wants to start cooking more.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011CUNWR4

8. For the board game lover
Skull King is my family's new favorite game. Almost guaranteed to be a surprise, yet I can promise you that it's entertaining and well made. A little bit of strategy and a lot of fun, the game's characters are based on the game maker's family members.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CK1EJG8

9. For the jetsetter
For the person on your list who is always traveling, this Trtl travel pillow from The Grommet is the perfect gift. They were sold out just days ago and current orders will not ship until December 10th--so now is the time to order.

https://www.thegrommet.com/trtl-neck-support-travel-pillow#

10. For the outdoorsy one
For someone adventurer or athlete, this convenient little gift could be a game changer. Runners, campers, hikers, they all need a good towel. Depending which size you choose, these are currently as much as 60% on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Outfitters-MicroDry-Towel-Lightweight/dp/B00TQAWYFE

7 Things You Should Know about Depression

If you’ve encountered clinical depression—either directly or through a loved one—you know how devastating it can be to a person and to everyone around them. You know how hopeless it can feel to try to help a person who is depressed—to know what to say, what to do, when to push and when to hold back, when to show tough love, and when to just be there. 

I have been clinically depressed three times. I’ve also watched more than one person that I love go through the same—watched the people closest to me experience what I would not wish on my worst enemy. To that end, I want to share these seven things I think everyone should know about depression, from the perspective of someone who has been there.

We will hurt you without realizing it. To us, you are invincible. You’re in the land of the living where people laugh and mean it, get out of bed without valiant effort, and understand that it’s possible to be loved. You’re on the other side and we can’t fathom that we have the power to hurt you. We are powerless.

We spend exorbitant amounts of energy trying to act “normal” so we don’t make those around us uncomfortable. Everything in our being is telling us to stay home and avoid the world. Interacting with others makes us tired. Be understanding when we don’t want to participate in social activities.

We will push you away when we need you the most. Human interaction and personal relationships are the antithesis to depression. Visit us even when we try to push you away. Being present in our lives and reminding us that we are not alone is invaluable.

Nothing you can say will help, so just be there. We need you to listen without trying to fix things, to remind us that you aren’t going anywhere, to let us know that it’s okay that we’re depressed and that you don’t expect us to pretend that everything is okay. When you remain present in our lives, we are reassured that you are still in our corner.

When it comes to therapy or medication, telling us what to do or wanting us to operate on a specific timeline is not helpful. We are doing our best. Both of these paths require hard work and time, and whether we try either one is a personal choice. Support our decisions.

You shouldn’t feel obligated to take care of a depressed person. Do it only because you want to and feel up to it and believe you are close enough to be right for the job. It’s okay to choose your own sanity and wellbeing—either some of the time when you need a break, or all of the time if you choose not to become a part of the person’s support network.

Helping a depressed friend should not mean that you have to sacrifice your own wellbeing or give up your own plans and activities. You do not have to respond to every cry for help as if the apocalypse is coming. It’s okay to respond to a dramatic text by saying, “I’m in the middle of something, can I call you tomorrow?” or “I love you and I want to help, but I’m actually dealing with a personal problem myself right now”. If you get run down by being too available and involved, you won’t have energy left to be a good friend.


I've written a book that goes a bit further into each of these ideas—but it's still short and concise, just like this blog post. If you're interested to read more, please consider buying my book.

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