Holiday Matchmaking: Choosing the Perfect Gift

Sometimes choosing the perfect gift is easy. For the flower lover, a holiday plant or a colorful bouquet is always a good choice. But sometimes matchmaking gifts takes considerable thought–and searching.

For a family member who has a really big truck–and who usually has to get to work after a snowstorm–I found the SnoShark, a heavy duty, yet durable and lightweight snow removal tool made with high-grade aluminum, zinc alloy and stainless steel parts that are built to last. The anti-freeze nylon paddle can withstand severe temperatures and the EVA foam assists the paddle in gliding through the snow while protecting your finish. SnoShark extends to two locking positions for easy cleaning yet collapses down to a compact size for convenient storage. 

The SnowShark comes in 2 sizes, the Standard and SnoShark®-XL ($64.99), which allows you reach and remove snow from the highest points of your adventure vehicles (SUV’s, Campers, Vans & Trucks…even Semis) with ease.  The patented push/pull action allows you to ‘move’ larger amounts of snow in either direction and extends to two locking positions, 40 & 54 inches for quick & easy cleaning yet collapses down to a compact 24 inches for convenient storage.  

The makers believe in the product so much that they offer a lifetime warranty! 

Yes, there are grownups who love to frolic in the snow and attend sporting events in the cold. For such people, I’m choosing the Mozy22, a jacket for the legs. It’s the ultimate adjustable outdoor wrap that moves with you. Designed to be 500% warmer than stadium blankets, the new Mozy 22 is the versatile lower-body apparel providing superior warmth and hands-free mobility.

Mozy 22 Highlights:

• Durable, technical, jacquard weave nylon 
• New Sapphire and Sterling colors
• Weatherproof, windproof and durable 
• Hands-free adjustable warmth
• Seamlessly sit, stand, and move without tangling
• Sustained heat retention for 20℉ – 60℉ climates
• Flame retardant to CAL-117 standard
• Increased water repellency 
• Dual, multifunctional pockets
• Compact and portable
• Customizable with interchangeable patches
• Carabiner clip for valuables
• Machine washable
• Available in three sizes and three trim colors: red, teal, and black 
• Patent-pending design 

Starting at $69 Available on Amazon and at www.getthemozy.com 

I have a techie friend who owns a slew of electronics, including a new iPhone and a new iPad; all of these need recharging, sometimes at the same time. So for him, I chose the 2Tango Dual Fast Wireless Charger ($79.99) from RapidX. This is a compact and expandable device that charges iPhones, Androids, Airpods and more (7.5W charging for iPhone, 10W charging for Androads); it’s Qi-certified.

The 2Tango can charge 2 devices at once. It is foldable, allowing easy transition from 1 charging pad to 2. It has dual 10W Wireless Charging Pads, center ring LED charging indicators, a clean white design with rubberized risers & metal frame.

For people of any age who love to sketch, draw and doodle creatively, there is COLORpockit™, an all-in-one, portable coloring kit that’s perfect for at-home or on the go creativity, relaxation, and screen free activity. 

COLORpockit is the perfect companion whenever the urge to create strikes–and a great alternative to screen time.  The lightweight and durable design fits in a purse or backpack, so it can be used in the car, on a plane or just about anywhere.

The COLORpockit coloring kit is a high-quality plastic case containing a sampler deck of 4”x6” coloring cards, 12 double-sided colored pencils, a built-in sharpener, and is available in a variety of colors.  COLORpockit works as a lap desk with a sliding lid covering card storage and shavings compartment, plus a pencil drawer that slides out either side. There are over 70 custom refill coloring decks available when you finish coloring the included deck.

COLORpockits are available at COLORpockit.com , Amazon, and Etsy.

I know people who insist on a touch of luxury in everything they use. For them, a gift from KAILU, a luxury Asian-American bedding brand. Designed in San Francisco and proudly handmade in China, these items are made from the silk that has famously clothed the emperors of ancient Chinese culture. With each piece thoughtfully being handmade using thousands-year-old techniques, KAILU’s portable throw set makes travel, stargazing, and even working from home more luxurious. Its ultra-smooth feel and temperature-regulating raw silk filling will keep the user comfortable indoors and out, and its lightweight, compact shape makes it easy to carry when traveling, without having to make room in luggage. Plus, it comes with a linen drawstring carrying pouch and, for a limited time, a mulberry silk eye mask.

The raw silk core is made from100% long-strand mulberry silk fill. The covering is 100% cotton fabric casing. It is allergy resistant / dust-mite free and supremely breathable. There is a hidden zipper closure along with 4 ties to correspond with the throw cover.

Yes, there are still people who keep personal journals and write in them with actual pens. I know one such person, and for her, I’m planning to give a beautiful journal and an attractive rollerball pen from the luxury gift emporium, Pen Heaven. Best of all, I can personal these gifts with her name

The company showcases an array of appealing items, all of which are suitable for engraving and embossing, which allows the giver to add some personal flair to any gift.

From the retro Filofax and vintage Bomo Art Journal, to cult design brand Worther and elite penmakers, Waterman, available in a multitude of colors, Pen Heaven has something those who still love to write–and do it in cursive.

For those who love the unusual and exotic, an easy choice is delivered by NOVICA.com, the world’s largest online impact marketplace which supports indigenous artisans worldwide, just launched its first ever fully-customizable subscription called the “Undiscovered Box” which delivers handmade and fair-trade artisan treasures from around the globe – including options for gifts, jewelry, accessories, and decor from a specific nation. 

The debut Winter Artisan Box, available now through February 15^th, delivers artisan treasures from Peru – the Land of the Incas, with the help of a local curator and Artisan Guide named Nilda Callanaupa who is an internally acclaimed weaver. Shoppers can select a range of luxurious Peruvian comforts to keep cozy for winter and delight the home – including a Baby Alpaca Shawl for her or wrap scarf for him, reverse-hand painted “passion” glass jewelry box, a soft Alpaca blend neutral throw, a charming hand painted Red Ceramic Bull sculpture used for traditional story-telling, Andean Floral hand tooled leather catchall, vibrant hand painted gourd for the office, hand woven bags, various handmade jewelry options including layered sodalite sterling silver ceramic beaded bracelets, sterling silver “modern moon” earrings; and more.

The Undiscovered Box lets you travel to a new nation by experiencing its hidden gems and preserves disappearing arts in nations around the world by showcasing hidden craft skills passed down through generations. Unlike any other subscription box in the marketplace, each customer can select their most beloved (5) products from a highly curated selection, including gender-neutral options.  Each seasonal box has a Value over $200 & Retail Price of only $59.99/quarterly.  

Kids of all ages love bath products, but buying the right kind means understanding that ingredients matter. Dabble & Dollop, the only mixable children’s bath brand, promises to use only the safest, highest quality, cleanest, best smelling, eco-ethical ingredients.

“While many brands list dozens of non-functional extracts and long ingredient decks, we do not participate in that deception,” explains brand Founder & CEO Stephanie Leshney. “We only use what is necessary and nothing more.”

Dabble & Dollops 3-in-1 mixables were its first product and the line is made with sustainable USA-sourced plant-based ingredients, vegan, Certified Tear-Free, dermatologist-tested ultra-mild, Leaping Bunny Certified.  All of the brand’s products are vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free. Additionally, Dabble & Dollop’s bath bombs are natural, gluten-free and are made in California.

Dabble & Dollop Product Overview:

Droplets: Dabble & Dollop Droplets take bath bombs for kids to the next level. A 100% natural, clean & safe way to make bath time fun and encourage creativity. Set includes 12 bath bombs available in either Original Scents (3 Strawberry, 3 Tangerine, 3 Honeydew and 3 Vanilla); or Tropical Scents (3 Strawberry, 3 Tangerine, 3 Honeydew and 3 Vanilla).  Each Droplet is “kid-sized” at 1 inch, making them perfect for a gentle, moisturizing, sweetly scented bath experience. In addition to being 100% natural, our Droplets are vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and made in California, USA. MSRP: $25

3-in-1 Mixables: It’s a Shampoo! It’s a Body Wash! It’s a Bubble Bath! Dabble & Dollop’s 3-in-1 Mixables feature fresh, authentic scents designed to be mixed, kids can customize their own sudsy creations each and every night. Choose from any of our 7 amazing aromas and textures. Use alone or get Creatively Clean and mix them up to create over 125 unique bathing combinations!

Dabble & Dollop 3-in-1 products are made with sustainable USA-sourced plant-based ingredients, are Certified Tear-Free, Gluten-free, Dermatologist-tested ultra-mild, Vegan and arrive in USA-made Post-Consumer Recycled soft-touch bottles. These products are Leaping Bunny Certified, Cruelty-Free and feature our innovative SmartScent™ technology, which utilizes a blend of natural oils and nature-identical compounds (formulated to the strictest European Union standards for quality and purity) and is free of known-allergens. MSRP: $15 each

I recently came across a gift I would have loved as child. It’s a little rich for my gift-giving budget right now, but for parents who can afford it, the new Power Pony is bound to delight any child who loves horses and ride-able toys.

Founder and Inventor Mia (10 years old) started making this toy when she was five years old. A horse enthusiast, this young lady always wants to ride a horse, so she invented one that she could ride anytime.

About Power Pony: Power Pony is the only powered rideable pony, imagined by kids for kids and built to ride like a real horse. The handcrafted Power Pony is powered by the patent-pending ZüME engine. It is iOS connected and fully interactive.

How It Works:

• Uniquely powered by a patented foot-controlled ZüME engine.
• Moves quickly so take your time and start slowly and you will be racing, turning, and spinning in no time
• To move forward, press the toes of both feet down evenly
• To move backward, press the heels of both feet down evenly 
• To stop, reverse the pressure of both feet bringing them to a neutral position
• To accelerate speed in any direction, apply more pressure to toes or heels increasing the angle of the ZüME Engine footpads
• Turns are done by applying more pressure to one side or the other while moving in any direction (the harder you push, the quicker and faster the turn)
• On the spot spinning may be executed while stationary by applying toe pressure on one foot and heel pressure on the other
• Push the Music note to activate realistic sounds and LED lights in the Pony’s ears and the Unicorn’s horn
• Activate the ZüME Smile for even more fun with the Power Pony
• All ZüME Engines are equipped with interactive LED lights on the engine and in the wheels that are activated while riding
• The riding experience is fully customizable when paired with the ZüME iOS App
• Three preset speeds allow you to quickly set and change your Power Pony’s speed and sensitivity – Trot, Gallop, or Race
• Price: $499

Power Pony always recommends learning to ride in the slowest setting (Beginner/Trot) until a child is comfortable with increasing to the next levels (Intermediate/Gallop or Pro/Race). Plus, always wear shoes and protective equipment while riding, such as a certified protective helmet.  

For kids of all ages, Popdarts has you covered. It’s the game of darts re-invented, it’s this year’s hottest new game. After a TikTok went viral with 23 million views, inventors (and brothers) Josh and Jason Carman quit their steady jobs in finance to pursue Popdarts full time. Popdarts are suction darts that stick to smooth surfaces such as countertops, windows, car windshields and glass doors. This dart game with a twist can reconnect family members and friends. The compact sets can be played wherever you go, indoors or out. 

Since 1824, Duca di Salaparuta, an icon on the Sicilian wine scene, has been producing outstanding wines from local varieties across three estates on the island. Each subregion is unique in its own way, expressing the richness and diversity of such a dynamic land. Kados and Lavico, respectively made from Grillo and Nerello Mascalese grapes, are two elegant and easy- drinking wines which are a perfect pairing for all types of holiday dishes!

Do any of these gifts match with the people in your life? If not, keep searching and reflecting until you find your own holiday-matchmaking groove!