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| REALTOR® PRINCIPAL
what’s your gift giving philosophy?
I love to give gifts of experiences and travel, probably because I love to receive gifts of experiences 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...
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 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!
Cindy’s recommendations:
Self care indulgence for your North Shore enthusiast (highly recommend the sauna experience at Sisu and Loyly, in Grand Marais, followed by lunch at Fisherman's Daughter, and a long hike on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Concert or theater tickets are always a fun surprise for someone, like Indigo Girls at Orchestra Hall.
Give the gift of language with lessons! Check out Cozette, my favorite little French school for French lessons of all ability levels.
ryan pertile | REALTOR®
what’s 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 portraits, like the Minneapolis building paintings 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, 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 | REALTOR®
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.
a favorite place to find gifts for a loved one…
While traveling you can 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.
sarah’s recommendations:
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 | DIRECTOR OF SALES AND
NEW DEVELOPMENT
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 wishlist this year?
On my list this year is a new coffee grinder, to make those oat milk lattes extra fresh.
sarah’s recommendations:
These are all 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?!? Yeti in my Spaghetti is a silly, easy-to-play game for 2 or more players ages 4 and up; no batteries required.
Sorry! is a classic that can easily be modified for younger kids.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is as unique as its name. It's a power packed quick and simple party game. Race against each other to SLAP a match between a card and spoken word.
allyson batis | DIRECTOR OF CLIENT EXPERIENCES
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.
nikki klocker | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
what’s your gift giving philosophy?
Unless you are inspired or see something that reminds you of the receiver, do not gift. A gift with no thought is not only a waste of money for the gifter it is a waste of space for the giftee. Plus it can feel off-putting. I think we can all recall a time when we have received something that was clearly just a check off someone’s list. Gifts should feel good!
what is a gift that you like to give…
I love to draw personalized cards for the ones I love. I have been doing this for my daughter and I base it on what she is currently obsessed with. A tradition I have with my partner is I draw him a personalized, Farside inspired, card for every birthday and Christmas. I swap out the characters for our puppies and I have snuck him in a few of them too! They always bring a laugh and they are created with love. Oh, and I may have drawn a Nicholas Cage card at some point…If you have a National Treasure in your life I highly recommend this route.
Something I am always delighted to receive is...
Flowers. I love to have my home filled with fresh flowers! They make my heart feel warm.
nikki’s recommendations:
Do you have a motorcycle enthusiast in your life? I do and I have been obsessed with this YSL Star Hedon Motorcycle Helmet. If I win the lottery I am buying a his & hers set.
I love vintage globes! If you know someone that loves to travel this would make an excellent gift, bonus points if you find one from the year (or decade) they were born. Etsy is an excellent place to begin your search.
Speaking of traveling…we are taking my daughter to Mexico in February, for her 18th birthday. So her Christmas theme is all vacay needs. Sunglasses, swimsuits and beach dresses!