It's mid-October, and I'm about to say something that might sound crazy: it's time to start holiday shopping.
But wait—before you close this tab and pour yourself another coffee—I'm not talking about the big, thoughtful, "I-stayed-up-until-2am-wondering-if-this-is-perfect" gifts for your immediate family. Those can wait.
I'm talking about the other gifts. You know the ones.
The teacher gift you'll frantically grab at Target on December 20th. The hostess gift you'll panic-buy at the gas station on your way to that holiday party. The coworker presents you'll stress about because you drew names but don't really know what Sarah from Accounting likes.
These gifts? They're actually the perfect place to start. And here's why starting now will save your sanity (and probably some money too).
Why the "Small" Gifts Deserve Your Attention First
Here's what I've learned after years of December chaos: the gifts that cause the most last-minute stress aren't the big ones. It's the teachers, the neighbors who shovel your driveway, the coworkers, the party hosts, the mail carrier who never misses a day.
These are the people who show up for you all year long. They deserve more than a panicked afterthought.
But here's the thing—these gifts are actually easier to choose than you think. They don't need to be deeply personal. They just need to be:
- Genuinely useful
- Good quality
- Thoughtfully chosen
- Not another scented candle (unless it's a really good one)
Starting now means you can actually put thought into these choices without the December deadline looming. You can order online without paying for rush shipping. You can buy a few extra to have on hand for those surprise invitations that always come up.
What Makes a Great Teacher/Coworker/Hostess Gift?
After talking with hundreds of customers over the years, I've noticed the gifts people actually rave about have a few things in common:
They're personal care items people use daily but don't always buy for themselves. Think about it—when's the last time you bought yourself nice hand lotion? Probably not recently. But when someone gives it to you? That's a gift you'll use every single day and think of them.
They're high-quality enough to feel special. This isn't about expensive—it's about thoughtful. Handmade, small-batch, actually-works-well items feel generous even at lower price points.
They work for almost everyone. You don't need to know if your child's teacher prefers vanilla or lavender. A good unscented lotion bar? That works for everyone, including people with sensitivities (which is more common than you'd think).
They don't require guesswork. Nobody has to worry about sizes, colors, dietary restrictions, or whether it matches their décor.
My Favorite "Easy Gifts" That Actually Get Used
I'm obviously biased here, but I'm going to tell you what flies off our shelves in November and December—and what customers tell me they're buying for these exact situations:
Gifts For Teachers (and Teaching Assistants, and Bus Drivers...)
Budget sweet spot: $9-$15
Lotion bars are my top recommendation. Teachers wash their hands constantly. School air is dry. A concentrated lotion bar in a pocket-sized tin is something they'll actually keep at their desk and use throughout the day. At $10.99, you can afford to get one for the teacher, the aide, and the specialist teacher your kid sees twice a week.
Bath salt discovery tubes at $8.99 are also perfect—every teacher I know needs a good soak after a long week, and these come in a cute tube that doesn't feel too casual.
Pro tip: Buy 5-10 now. You always need more teacher gifts than you think you do.
For Coworkers
Budget sweet spot: $9-$20
Shower steamer sets ($14.99) are like bath bombs for people who don't have time for baths. Which is... most of us. These are especially great for Secret Santa or office exchanges because they feel more substantial than a single soap bar, but they're not so extravagant that they're awkward.
If you're looking for something a bit more unique, the Seaside Roast Foaming Sugar Scrub ($20) is perfect for that coworker who's always talking about their skincare routine. It's spa-quality, which makes it feel really generous.
For Party Hosts
Budget sweet spot: $15.99-$25
When someone invites you to their home, you want to bring something that says "thank you for hosting" without looking like you're trying too hard.
Our small gift sets starting at $15.99 are perfectly sized for this. They're beautifully packaged (because yes, presentation matters when you're handing it to someone at their front door), but they're not so elaborate that your host feels like they need to reciprocate.
The Real Reason to Start Now
Here's what I'm not saying: start now because you should be more organized, more prepared, more on top of things.
Here's what I am saying: start now because you deserve to enjoy the holidays instead of surviving them.
When you knock out these "easier" gifts in October, you create space for the rest of the season. Space to actually think about what your mom would love. Space to not feel resentful when another holiday party invitation arrives. Space to say yes to making cookies with your kids instead of racing to the store.
And honestly? When December hits and everyone else is fighting over picked-over gift wrap and depleted stock at every store, you'll have a stack of beautiful, thoughtful gifts already wrapped and ready. That feeling is priceless.
How to Actually Make This Happen
This week:
- Count how many teachers, coaches, and instructors are in your life
- Think about which coworkers you'll be buying for (if you don't know yet, estimate high)
- Check your calendar for any holiday parties already scheduled
Order now:
- Buy 2-3 extra beyond what you think you need (trust me on this)
- Consider getting a few items in different price points so you have options
- Take advantage of our free shipping over $50—this is when bulk ordering makes sense
Store them properly:
- Keep everything in one designated spot (not scattered around the house)
- Write on the outside of the bag/box: "Teacher gifts," "Coworker gifts," etc.
- You'll thank yourself in December
My Promise to You
I know the holidays can feel overwhelming. I know there's pressure to find the perfect gift for everyone. I know the mental load of gift-giving often falls on one person in the household (and if you're reading this, it's probably you).
But these gifts? They don't have to be perfect. They just have to be thoughtful, useful, and given with genuine appreciation.
Every product we make is created with sensitive skin in mind, with ingredients I can actually pronounce, and with packaging that won't make you cringe when you think about the environment. They're the gifts I'd want to receive—and the ones I actually do give to my neighbors, and my friends.
Shop our complete gift guide here and check off the "easy" gifts on your list before November even starts.
You've got this. And you're starting earlier than most people, which means you're already winning.
Ready to cross "teacher gifts" off your list? Check out our Self-Care Collection for options under $15, or browse our complete gift guide for pre-made sets that take the guesswork out entirely.
P.S. - If you're wondering what to get for the people who are harder to shop for, stay tuned. That's coming in our next post. For now, just get these easy ones handled and give yourself permission to feel accomplished.
