Kelsey's Favorite Gifts for Christmas

This week, Kelsey is taking over the blog for the holidays! She's put together a list of her favorite things (minus her cats, obviously) that will inspire the gift-giver in you to get the perfect present.

If you asked me the question, "What's one thing you'd love to get this year for Christmas?" and my answer will always be: something thoughtful that I can use every day! When running a small business, the gifts I truly appreciate are ones that make daily tasks more enjoyable, save me time, or help me relax. My list of must-have's are ones I use on a regular basis, and would highly recommend to anyone. Hint: read until the end for a surprise!

SLIPPERS

One thing that helps me to unplug from being a business owner once I get home for the day is taking off my shoes and putting on a cozy, comfy pair of slippers that are almost exactly like Steve Maddens. It sounds crazy, but there's really a mental shift that happens when I put them on, and my brain can unwind a little easier. Plus, I hate the cold, so keeping my feet warm is absolutely essential for my happiness!

CRZ LEGGINGS

I actually have these on my list every year, because they're STILL my favorite! I wear these leggings all the time, they are so comfy and don't pill. They're the only leggings I've used for work outs plus my every day life that have stood up to the wear and tear I put on them.

BERRY PROPEL

I'm not always great about staying hydrated, especially on a busy day during the holiday season or when I'm training. But a little flavor, plus some added vitamins and minerals, makes me actually enjoy drinking more water. I keep a stash of the Berry (HAS to be Berry) single servings at the office, in my purse and at home so I can grab and go.

OWALA WATER BOTTLE

Speaking of water, my most favorite water bottle of all time has to be my Owala! I've seriously recommended them to everyone, and the easy use and fun colors helps me keep sipping all day, so I'm not even having to think about drinking enough. My favorite part of this bottle is the straw, and the color I have is the pink bottle.

AIRPODS

In my day to day of frequent phone calls and the hum of sewing machines, my Airpods are a must and go with me everywhere. I'll even confess a secret: I'm normally very good about keeping track of things, but I lost one earbud from my first pair somewhere in Bentonville, Arkansas, and was alerted by my Apple Watch when I made a return trip the next time that it was nearby. Someday, I'll find it!

MY BIZZY KITCHEN COOKBOOK

Easy to follow recipes that I'll use time and again is the best way to go in the kitchen. That's why my Skinny Pizza Dough Cookbook is always within reach! I'll never forget meeting legendary Biz herself last year, where she referred to us meeting as "the premiere of the Biz and Kelsey show". I became addicted to her right away, as well as her famous pizza dough!

COLOURPOP PALETTE

I'm a get-ready-in-5-minutes kind of person. I like to have my go-to looks, and ColourPop's palettes are so easy and I love the combination of shades! I prefer blush neutrals, but if I want to bump up my look after work, I can just choose from my favorite palettes (Clay It Cool, Baby Got Peach or Feelin' Bubbly) and I'm ready to go.

TACO, CAT, GOAT, CHEESE, PIZZA

This is seriously one of the most fun games I've ever played! I'm always rolling with laughter from the moment we start playing Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza. Perfect to play anywhere, with a group or just a couple of people, I keep mine in the car for those random meetups with friends.

PELOTON

When Pelotons first came out, I was intrigued but not specifically looking for an indoor trainer. When one of my good friends got her Peloton and raved about how much fun she was having during her workouts, I decided that it would be the perfect option for the winter months to keep in shape. Now I love it, and the Britney Spears workouts are definitely some of my favorites!

MY FAVORITE HEADBAND

A list of my favorite things wouldn't be complete without a headband, of course. But which one? Look, I don't just care about non-slip and buttery soft - I also want it to be cute and go with the rest of my closet. My favorite that is always an easy "yes" is the Malmo on Ivory!

STICKER

I don't know why, but when I see a super cute sticker from my favorite brands, I'm instantly drawn to it. I wanted my awesome customers to be able to have the same! Our brand new stickers are super adorable, and mine goes perfectly on my Owala water bottle.

ESPRESSO MACHINE

Remember those catalogs you used to get in the mail at Christmas, and the big "dream" gifts were always at the end? Well, coffee is the fuel that Lilac Market runs on, and an espresso machine has been one of the best investments I've made. If you're trying to lessen the Starbucks habit, you can save yourself some money and time while also getting the perfect-for-you drink every time.

And now, for the BIG surprise... Today only, YOU could win a gift box of some of my favorite things in time for Christmas! Go to our Instagram now to participate in our 12 Days of Giveaways, where you could win an assortment of the things mentioned in this blog post by entering today! Hurry, entry closes tonight, December 6th, for this specialty gift box!