Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Divorced Friends, Family, and, Yes, Your Ex, Too
The holidays can be tricky for the divorced crowd. Whether it’s the first, second, or twenty-second Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwaanza following their divorce, your divorced friends, family, and yes, even your ex, could experience a rush of emotions and surprise visits from the ghosts of holidays past.
Aside from an invitation, phone call, or handwritten note to let them know you’re thinking of them, a great way to lift the spirits of the special divorced guys and gals in your life is to add them to your holiday shopping list. Who wouldn’t love a holiday gift that speaks directly to them and their lifestyle, and which they might not ordinarily purchase for themselves? In my opinion, those are the best kinds of presents, and why I’ve put together this list.
What follows is a list of my absolute favorite holiday gifts. By the way, each of them can also make great gifts to give yourself and will, without a doubt, become part of your self-care routine, which is so important after divorce. Happy shopping, and an even happier holiday to you!
Under $20
Milk Bubble Bath
What could be better than treating yourself to a bubble bath after a long day? I particularly love the Milk Bubble Bath because of its light, fresh scent. It’s also not drying and leaves my skin soft and smooth. A true indulgence without the indulgent price
“The Co-Parenting Handbook”
If you’re a divorced parent and don’t already own a copy of “The Co-Parenting Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids from Little Ones to Young Adults through Divorce or Separation,” go buy one for yourself and someone you care about deeply. This book will help guide you through the adjustment from parenting with your spouse to co-parenting with your children’s other parent. You will refer to this book so often, you will always have it close at hand, earmarking it and writing your notes in the margins. You may even call it the best bedtime story you ever read because of how well you will sleep at night after following the author’s brilliant advice.
Under $50
Forgeron Wine
My home state of Washington is known for their exceptional wine. One of my favorites is Forgeron, which has vineyards located throughout wine country in Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, and Yakima Valley. If you can’t make it to one of their tasting rooms, try the next best thing: create a tasting room in your own home by having bottles delivered right to your door. If you fall in love with a few selections, the company offers a wine club with reasonable prices to make sure you stay well stocked.
Blue Pool Oysters
If you love oysters as much as I do, then Washington’s Hama Hama is your place. A fifth generation family-owned shellfish farm located in Washington’s Olympic Penninsula, they specialize in oysters and other seafood varieties, and will ship to your home. Give them a call and they will be happy to give you tips on shucking and what to choose for your next dinner.
“Holiday” Luxury Candle
This is a Holiday candle alright, but one inspired not by Christmas but by the favorite fragrance worn by musical legend Billie Holiday. One of my favorite candlemakers, Harlem Candle Co. has created a collection of sultry, luxurious candles, each with its own aromatic scent that will transport you to the New York City neighborhood where jazz legends like Holiday spellbound audiences in dimly lit, smoky venues. The collection is so impressive, you will have a hard time buying only one.
“So Good” Fluffy Slippers
Twelve AM’s “So Good” fluffy slippers are so soft and comfortable, you’ll never want to take them off. Available in four soothing colors (baby pink, chocolate brown, dark grey and tan), you may need to pick more than one.
Half and Half Doberge Cake
You can take the girl out of Louisiana but you can’t take the Louisiana out of the girl. A specialty from New Orlean’s own Gambino Bakery, their half and half doberge cake has six layers of rich buttermilk cake sandwiched by handmade custard, and frosted with creamy buttercream. The literal icing on the cake is poured to perfection. A recipe dating back to 1949, the owners promise this cake will bring Big Easy flare to your next celebration, and I’m here to say, they keep their promise.
Under $100
Glassybaby Votive
As a Washington resident, this Seattle-based company is near and dear to my heart. Carefully crafted of hand-blown glass, each glassybaby votive is cleverly named by the sentiment it's meant to express or imagery it seeks to evoke, such as “gratitude,” “wisdom,” and “lucky penny.” Even better, each is a “votive with a motive,” with $3 from every purchase donated to the glassybaby foundation, which provides “hope and healing to people, animals, and our planet.”
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
This little pressure-cooker has changed my life. You can cook anything in it —steel-cut oats, chicken and rice, chili, stew, you name it. It’s a miracle because I can make my favorite recipes in it and have one pot to clean up afterward. Available on Amazon.
Faux Sheepskin Throw
All the warmth you could ever want while binge-watching your favorite Netflix series or rom-com, this faux sheepskin throw from Pottery Barn will become an instant favorite for curling up with on the couch. The creamy white color complements any decor, so if you don’t plan on it traveling from room to room, or sharing it, you may need more than one.
Over $100
California Closets
Having space all to yourself, whether to work, write or craft, is one of the best investments you can make. One of my favorite places to get my design juices flowing is at California Closets. Don’t let the name deceive you; the company can help you re-envision your space in a whole new way, bringing you years of enjoyment — and productivity.
Estate Planning
Make a difference this holiday season by thinking outside the box and give the gift that too few people think about giving — estate planning. Whether it’s a gift to yourself or to someone you love, such as your son, daughter, sister, brother, or friend, give them a nudge this holiday season to get their planning done with a pre-paid estate plan. Purchase in time for the holidays, and receive 15% off, keeping in mind the peace of mind you or someone you love will receive is priceless.
