Clay Co’s 2025 Winter Gift Guide!
We’ve all seen them (and, if we’re honest, felt overwhelmed by them). Maybe you’ve even felt a little “less than” or “behind” because of them. Gift guides are a staple of our capitalist winter-holiday rituals, and yes, they can also be inspiring and fun to scroll through!
In the spirit of the season, we thought it might be helpful (and a little cheeky) to create a gift guide from a therapist’s perspective - one designed to make the annual gift-guide hoopla feel a bit more grounded, bearable, and maybe even supportive.
Miriam’s Picks
If spending money on yourself isn’t in the cards, here are some alternative ideas:
Make a “no” list for this holiday season. Choose 3-5 things you will not engage in and give yourself permission to just say NO. I’m saying no to weekday events. Making it a rule instead of having to decide for each individual event feels freeing.
Take a trip to the library and check out some of these books. Not self-help I promise!
Psalm for the Wild-Built by, Becky Chambers
The Book of Delights by, Ross Gay
The House in the Cerulean Sea by, TJ Klune
Write an end of year update for 2026. Write all the things you have done in the coming year in the style of one of those holiday newsletters. Have fun with it. Maybe in 2026 we begin our superhero origin story?
Try out one of my favorite therapeutic art activities: Take your piles of junk mail, catalogs and scrap paper and make a collage of all the stresses you feel this time of year. You can also use paper that you scribble your emotions on. With any tool (my favorite is crayons for this), with your eyes closed draw lines that reflect how you feel. The piece is done when you say it is. Then cut it all into strips and make a garland. Kiddos love this one as well.
Under $50
Subscribe to something for the year that will be just for you and brighten your days after the hectic holiday season is over. My go to recommendation is the Good Newspaper.
A solo date. There are many holiday offerings that don’t work for the whole family or the friend group, but YOU would enjoy. Treat yourself to the experience alone. You can enjoy it just for you. For me this might be a holiday movie that no one else cares to see or seeking out a special seasonal treat from a bakery.
I love a structured art prompt book. A little more open ended than coloring but still unintimidating and structured. I have been working on this one, 365 Day of Art by Lorna Scobie for well over 365 days but there are many like it. Find one that sings to you.
A sensory kit: Start by choosing an emotion as the theme. The theme is the gift you are giving yourself. Think generally like joy, peace, Fun. Then create a basket or box that has an item that takes each of your senses in that direction. If my theme was Fun:
Sight: nostalgic 90s american girl doll catalog
Touch: Bubble Wrap
Sound: Spotify playlist of some of my favorite comedians (Maria Bamford and TIg Nataro)
Taste: Gushers or some equally delicious/revolting 90s treat
Smell: LipSmackers. Watermelon was my favorite!
Sammy’s Picks
Under $50:
As an avid reader, books are something I am always gifting (and hoping to receive). Here are a few of my favorites from the last year:
For the fantasy fan-girls: If you loved ACOTAR, you will love Quicksilver and its sequel, Brimstone, by Callie Hart. Numbers 1 and 2 of a three-book series, with the third book scheduled to be released in November 2026.
For something deep, dark, and emotional: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. I kept thinking about this one long after I finished it.
For something heartwarming and easy to read: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison. Such a cozy, easy love story. I hid from my kids in the bathroom so that I could sneak in chapters of this one - I didn’t want to put it down!
A little something that feels like a splurge without actually spending a fortune: maybe a pair of socks from Le Bon Shoppe, a candle in your favorite scent, or a bandana in a unique print.
Shop local! For my fellow Sacramento-based folks, pick up a bag of coffee beans from Camellia Roasters, a fun pantry item from Superette, a $5 gift card to Gunther’s Ice Cream or a book (see above) from East Village Bookshop, Avid Reader, or Wild Sisters Book Co.
For the kids:
Art supplies (refills are always needed, get the washable versions of markers, paints, etc.) or simple art projects that don’t require heavy parent supervision or make a huge mess - like these sticker books and magic water paint books from Usborne, some good ol’ fashioned Play-Doh, or building materials like Magnatiles, Legos (Duplos for the younger kiddos), or blocks.
Our favorite games are cooperative and get everyone in the family working together. Some of our go-tos are Gnomes at Night, Space Escape: Molerats in Space and Outfoxed or check out many other great options at Big Brother Comics, a wonderful local game and comic shop.
BOOKS! I love these Indestructible books for babies, interactive books for toddlers (like Melissa & Doug’s Poke-A-Dot books), and books with a message for our older little kids - We’re Different and It’s Totally Cool or What Should Danny Do are a couple favorites.
Mudpuppy floor puzzles - great for the 2-5 age range! The pouch mini versions are great for travel or a stocking stuffer too.
Shop local for the kids! Again for my fellow Sacramento-based folks, Mother Goose, Moppet Shoppe, and Puddles Shoppe all have great collections of kids clothes, toys, and gear. Also be sure to check out the new second-hand children’s store mini mart in Oak Park for a great selection of clothes, along with Jam Baby down the street!
Happy holidays, friends!
💛 Sammy & Miriam
