Holiday Gift Guide | 2023
CFG’S FAVORITE THINGS
Tis the season for gifts and giving. We’ve rounded up a few of the gifts we’re giving- or would love to get!
cindy froid
what is your gift giving philosophy?
I love to give gifts of experiences and travel, probably because I love to receive gifts of experience and travel. A local sporting event is always a bit hit with sports enthusiasts (we are taking our family to the Vikings/Packers game on NYE, my mom’s first Vikings game!).
An especially memorable gift that you received is...
One of the best gifts I have ever received was my first kayak, given by my husband nearly twenty years ago. It was the start of my passion for paddling, and I have spent every summer and fall kayaking since then. Five kayaks later, paddling has shown me some of the most beautiful water imaginable, and I am always so grateful to be on the water any chance I can get.
what is on your gift wishlist this year?
I’ve always wanted to try winter camping, and I keep dropping hints about the dogsledding and winter camping trips offered by Wintergreen in Ely, MN. I would love to experience this!
For a little self-care indulgence for your North Shore enthusiast (highly recommend the sauna experience at Sisu and Loylii in Grand Marais https://www.sisuandloyly.com/, followed by lunch at Fisherman’s Daughter https://thefishermansdaughtergm.com/ , and a long hike on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Concert or theater tickets are always a fun surprise for someone (like the Indigo Girls at Orchestra Hall https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/tickets/calendar/live/indigo-girls/
Give the gift of language with lessons! Check out Cozette, my favorite little French school for French lessons of all ability levels. https://www.cozettefrenchclasses.com/
ryan pertile
what is your gift giving philosophy?
My gift-giving philosophy is centered around thoughtfulness, relevance, and personalization.
What kind of gifts do you like to give?
I like to have more gift experiences than physical gifts. Lisa and I love to travel and bring the boys with us for our travels so they can experience the world around them at an early age. Something I was not exposed to until much later in life. So we prefer experiences as a family whether they are large or small. As long as the family is together, I am happy! :)
ryan’s recommendations:
Customized artwork or portrait, like the building paints from Mike Welton
Smart home devices that can help make every day life easier. Go big with a Ring video doorbell or small with the EcoSmart voice controlled lightbulbs.
Experienced based gift - this could be tickets to a hot concert, or a play like A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie, pottery workshop for adults or for kids, or a guided outdoor tour as part of a trip, like the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour in Arizona.
sarah mckee
What's your gift giving philosophy?
I'm most excited to give gifts that reflect the unique interests of the person I'm gifting to. Everyone wants to feel seen and gift giving is a great opportunity to show that you really know them and pay attention to what's happening in their life. I also like gifting items or experiences that I've loved and know they'd also appreciate.
My favorite childhood gift was...
a barbie dream house. I woke up at some ungodly hour Christmas morning to a rectangle covered with a sheet in the family room and knew immediately! I was over the top excited.
Your favorite type of gifts to give are...
A favorite place to find gifts for loved ones is... while traveling. You find very specialized items that are not available locally and it shows the person that you were thinking of them, potentially months ago. I tend to go for consumables like tinned fish from a trip to Portugal or exceptional olive oil from a visit to Greece. Walker Art Center membership and tickets to a screening of the British Arrow Awards. Attending the British Arrows each year is one of my favorite holiday season traditions!
For a home chef, a 3lb tub of Maldon's Flake Salt. I finish just about everything I cook with Maldons and the oversized presentation feels fun and gift-worthy.
A bottle of Gamle Ode Holiday Aquavit makes a great host gift. It's locally made and has a festive design and unique flavor. Add a bit of grapefruit juice and it's one of my favorite winter cocktails.
For someone who loves to entertain a gurgling fish pitcher is both whimsical and practical. It's a fish shaped ceramic beverage pitcher that makes an amusing gurgling sound while you pour from it - it's always a little surprise and delight moment at a dinner party.
A Minnesota State Park Pass is the perfect gift for an outdoor lover. A $35 year-round vehicle permit provides unlimited visits to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year.
sarah maus
What's your gift giving philosophy?
I've modified the usual kid gift-giving mantra to: "Something they want, something they need, something to wear, some kind of game, something to read". (Kids don't actually like getting clothes as gifts.) I've found some fun preschooler/kindergartener approved board games so that everyone can participate in family game nights.
Your favorite type of gifts to give are...
New experiences that keep on giving, or an experience they can use along with a loved one. Like a new board game that you can learn together, or a telescope for a dad with young kids who like to look at the moon, or tickets for two to their favorite band or comedy show.
what is on your gift wish list this year?
On my list this year is a new coffee grinder, to make those oat milk lattes extra fresh.
sarah’s recommendations:
Preschooler & Kindergartner-approved games that are actually fun for the whole family:
Fuzzies is a Jenga-like game but much quieter!
Who knew yetis liked spaghetti!? This game is sure to get the giggles going, Yeti in my Spaghetti.
Sorry! is a classic that can easily be modified for younger kids and is fun for all ages!
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a simple party game Race against each other to SLAP a match between a card and spoken word But - watch out! - your mind will play tricks on you.
Kids Against Maturity combines the tried and tested fill-in-the- blank game-play, a perfect enjoyable hilarious way to bring your family together.
allyson batis
What's your gift giving philosophy?
I love giving useful gifts. Something like a book that's right up a family member's alley, a set of vintage glassware for a friend who loves hosting, a nice set of sheets for an anniversary. If it gets used over and over again then that's a win in my book.
An especially memorable gift that I received was...
Last year some friends gave my husband and I a coffee subscription after I gave birth to our daughter. Having a steady supply of good coffee during those early, bleary months was a lifesaver.
Something I am always delighted to receive is...
I was raised by euchre sharks and I always travel with a deck of cards. Now I collect unique decks of playing cards. I've been lucky enough to receive some very cool, unique decks as gifts.
Allyson's recommendations:
Some of my favorite decks of cards are Foragers, The Fredericks and Mae Rainbow Deck, and the Woman Cards. I also would love to give (or receive) these Eames cards and the Cabinetarium Playing Cards. Of course the cards would ideally be used immediately to play a game.
It's such a thrill to find and give old glassware from second hand stores as host gifts. When I want to give something a little more contemporary the Viski Nick and Nora Glasses are an absolute favorite. They can be found locally at MartinPatrick3. They're especially nice paired with a bottle of something interesting. Ancho Reyes Chili Liquor is wonderful for the person who always knows what's cool, and as a Manhattan drinker I love Koval Four Grains whiskey.
Self-care gifts feel so luxurious, especially when giving something that someone will appreciate, but perhaps not buy for themselves. Something like a luxurious set of Japanese bath salts, some beeswax candles, or a gorgeous journal with a favorite everyday pen.
Don’t know beans about beans? The Holiday Gift Box from chef and foodie favorite bean producer Rancho Gordo (whose Bean Club allegedly has a waiting list of 8,000 people) includes heirloom beans, posole, popcorn, and recipes to help you explore the wide, beautiful world of legumes.
nikki klocker
what’s your gift giving philosophy?
Gifts should be thoughtful and personal. Unless you were inspired or saw something that reminded you of the receiver, just don’t even bother. Forced gifts are never fun and they end up being a waste of money for the gift-er and a waste of space for the gift-ee.
Your favorite type of gifts to give are...
I love to draw personalized cards. I have been doing this for my daughter for years, they are always inspired by her current obsession. Everything from Edward Scissorhands to Timothee Chalamet. I gift my partner a Farside inspired card for every Christmas and Birthday. I personalize it by replacing the characters with our pups and sometimes I’ll throw him in their too. There may have been a Nicholas Cage one in the mix too…
Something you are always delighted to receive is...
Flowers. I love to have fresh flowers in my home. They make my heart warm.
Have a motorcycle enthusiast in your life? I am currently obsessed with this YSL Star Pattern Heden Motorcycle Helmet. If I win the lottery I am buying a matching set.
I love a vintage globe! They make an excellent gift for those that love to travel. Bonus points if you find one made in their birth year (or decade). Etsy is an excellent place to begin your search.
Speaking of travel…my daughter turns 18 in February so we are taking her to Mexico. Which makes Christmas shopping that much easier because it is all vacay themed items. Sunglasses, swimsuits and beach dresses!