Gift Guide #7: Your Adoring Wife Who Watches Jeopardy Reruns and Lights Candles Like It’s Her Job.

I have never commented before, though I have been a reader of your blog for years. Please don’t stress over nit-picky criticism. As others have said as well, there are many readers (frequent comments, or those, like me, who just come to soak it all up) who adore your blog! I’m a teacher, a working mom of two little kids, and my husband works in non-profit. We don’t have a lot of disposable income, but Christmas is the one time of the year that I love to splurge a little more on the people I love. This year I received some of the sweetest notes of gratitude from my students, as well as a good number of Amazon and Visa gift cards….and I’ll be treating myself to some of the lovely items in your gifts guides as well. If there were ever a year to show our people and ourselves a little love, however we choose to do that, this is it. Blessings to you this holiday season!

We as a family don’t celebrate christmas but I really appreciate your gift guide. We still buy each other presents!
You seem to receive so, so, much critique & although it might be an occupational hazard, you handle it with such grace.
Whenever I need some light relief distraction CoJ is my go-to. Thank you for being here. I appreciate you.

Any tips on what to write in holiday cards this year? Would love some suggestions.

I can’t help but wonder if I hadn’t left BK ten years ago, would I have thought it’s normal to spend 42 bucks for 12 cookies. I’d like to think no, but I guess I’ll never know…

Thank you, Joanna, for your thoughtful gift guides. I have purchased meaningful things/donations/subscriptions for family and friends over the years. I know I can come to Cup of Jo for inspiration. Keep up the great work!

These gift guides are always SO helpful and I really apperciate you getting them out earlier than you might normally, what with more people needing to shop online and expecting things to take longer to arrive. I also very much appreciate the variety of price points here (especially since you said this was your list, specifically. VEry nice for readers and anyone shopping for you.) And Lastly, thank you for your inclusion of smaller businesses. Shopping small businesses is something I am trying to do more.

I’m in the GHA and also looked up that’s it at Urban outfitters. No UO here in Hamilton and Toronto feels so far away these days ha! Good luck!

Whoa, I totally could have written this list Jo! Right down to the donation to SAY.org! One of my favorite non-profits, they have a wonderful summer camp for kids like my middle son Connor who stutters loud and proud, they have done wonders for so many kids. (And Connor’s latest idol: Biden)XOXO

Love the New York magazine suggestion! I actually just bought myself a digital subscription because I read so many of their articles! Their website and its offshoots are fantastic: super smart cultural criticism, politics talk, a little fashion, a little gossip.

Actually, the same great mix of stuff I find here! :)

I love this guide! Where is the weighted blanket from? I need to give someone a little hint?

Joanna – I am gobsmacked at how much critique you get on your posts, & also in awe of how kind & gracious you are. Thank you for being you! (And for all you do for those we are giving gifts to each year. My kids & loved ones – and me! Ha – have loved little things you’ve highlighted for years! ❤️) You are a gift.

I just wanted to say Happy Holidays and a big THANX to all of you at Cup of Jo for the excellent content you create every day of the year. And what a year it has been! Go to sleep now 2020. Big blessings to you in 2021.

My husband asked what I wanted for Christmas this year and I just sent him a link to the whole COJ gift guide! He could pick nearly ANYTHING off any one of your lists (including the kids one!) and I’d be happy as a clam. Thank you for such thoughtful lists.

I love Cup of Jo, but I have to say I find the emphasis on shopping, to the apparent exclusion of all other topics, debilitating at this time of year. This is usually such a whole life site, and I miss the variety and topicality of the normal posts.

Oh my gosh this is the most beautiful list. I want everything. Especially that beautiful chain bracelet.

Has anybody in the GTA, Canada seen the We’re Not Really Strangers Game in stores? Would love to buy for my brother and his girlfriend.

I honestly think the writers here are living in a world so far from the majority of readers. $95 dollars for thin slippers? $42 dollars for 12 cookies?

I love most of the content here but I think I’ll just start skipping any shopping recommendations because these lists just make my eyes bug out.

Does anyone else automatically think of the Jessica Darling books when they see “You, Yes You” written anywhere??? My favorite book series (read it if you haven’t! It’s marketed as a teen book but is so well written it defies categorization) I read Perfect Fifths or watch Friday Night Lights any time I need a pick me up.

SLP here, just had to say thank you for shouting out SAY! <3

I have a stutter and feel a little more seen. Thank you ?

These are all excellent ideas. Thanks everyone!

Thank you for doing a “for your wife” gift guide! As a gay woman, feeling included and seen is so important!

Haha, did Alex write this description about you? Xo

Hi CoJ,
What do you think about using more gender inclusive language in your posts? I am positive you have readers who identify as a ‘wife’ and do not use she/her/hers pronouns. Using “they” could be an alternative that would make all feel welcome. Thanks!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for adding a donation to SAY as part of your guide. As a parent of kids who stutter, you have know idea how much this means to me and my family.

This is such a nice and balanced list. I also loved this list of charitable suggestions (I’m “giving” one to my mom):
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/11/21/opinion/sunday/charitable-holiday-gift-guide.amp.html