Cue the demo dust! After 5+ years of living in this house, we’re embarking on a renovation! Of course over the holidays (because we are nothing if not consistent). We’ve tackled some sizable projects over the last five years here, like adding a pool in 2021, gutting & rebuilding our kitchen in 2022, and replacing all of our windows & doors with hurricane grade ones two years ago… but this is the first time since we moved in that we’re removing walls and changing rooms.
The chaos you see above is from early 2020, but actually some of those walls being open is a preview of the new view we’ll gain from our kitchen and living area downstairs! We are VERY EXCITED.
So I’m just going to share a little reno overview here, since a lot of this is already on Instagram (I’ve been sharing in IG Stories – so you can see my Reno 2025 highlight for that).
Why This Reno? And Why Now?
The best way to describe the impetus for this reno is that when we moved in, we expected to add a second bathroom because we thought we couldn’t live without one. Now it has been five years (the first of which we were all at home almost all the time due to at-home-learning in Covid) and somehow we all have been just fine with one bathroom.
Over the last five years of living here, two OTHER things have nagged at us far more than having just one bathroom (remember we also have an outdoor shower, which definitely takes the pressure off just one bathroom inside).
The first thing we have always had in mind to update at some point is that we know our son will need a bigger room as he grows (his used to be a laundry room. It’s very cute but very small). He and multiple friends can hang out in here for hours, but it’s a tight fit, and he won’t be 11-years-old forever! So ever since we made this his bedroom (he was 6 when we moved here) we knew we’d eventually want to figure out a way to give him more space in his tween/teen years.
The other thing that has nagged at us is that the pool feels very detached from the house. You go down a long hallway access it, but can’t see it from any of our living spaces at all. It’s just such a beautiful view, and we wish we could look out at it from the kitchen or sitting area and not feel so disconnected from it.
We knew there had to be a smart reno move that would come to us over time that might make those two “that would be so nice” ideas come together. And let me tell you, it took MANY YEARS of marinating.
Then one afternoon John was like “I have THE idea.” And within about three hours of sketching it out on graph paper and taping things out on the floor, we knew it would work. So we called a contractor that one of our friends has loved working with, and he came over and worked up a quote for us.
We don’t share floor plans of our house anymore, but essentially all it takes to accomplish 1) a larger room for our son and 2) a more open living space on the first floor that feels connected to the pool is…
(drumroll please)
… finishing the covered section of our front porch. Many other houses near us have done that to gain extra interior space, and as much as we like our covered front porch, we also have a covered side porch, a giant upper deck, and the uncovered area of this front porch that will remain. So we’re not lacking in outdoor space (we also have our side yard with the hammock and of course our pool area with a firepit area and deck with a dining table). And converting that covered porch into an interior room will essentially take the house from this…
… to this (yes, I colored that on Instagram Stories with the marker tool):
It actually feels nice and balanced for the front porch to be sort of tucked into two finished areas (instead of having one side that’s a finished bedroom and one side that’s an open porch). Also I know that gap to the left of the second floor railing looks weird. This is an old photo and I now have a giant fiddle leaf fig in there and all is right with the world.
But back to converting the covered porch into an interior room. What that’ll get us is a larger bedroom for our son, a big L shaped kitchen and lounge area instead of the i-shaped one that we have that’s not overlooking the pool in any way… and it’s actually going to gain us an ensuite bathroom, because we figure while we’re making our house more open and functional for our fam, it would be nice to have a bathroom attached to our bedroom, just because… less walking in the middle of the night when I have to pee.
Plus let’s be real, I get to pick some pretty bathroom tile now. And I found the coolest sink vanity! I’m even into the toilet. It’s a whole exciting thing for us.
How Exactly Will You Gain A Bigger Living Area?
This was how the big idea came to us… John literally said “if we enclose the covered porch and move our daughter’s room there (it’ll be slightly bigger than her room now, but otherwise almost exactly the same), we could knock down the wall with the laundry closet that backs up to her existing room and make it one big L-shaped kitchen and family room setup.” Literally we’d just move her existing windows to her freshly built bedroom and only have to buy a big glass door leading to the pool for the new lounge space.
Shifting her room over to the front porch area (and turning her old room into a family room/lounge that overlooks the pool and connects to our current kitchen) means the sitting area that’s in the corner of the kitchen now will be able to shift into that new lounge area by the pool that we’re creating. So overall this one move will gain us so much! Like:
more space to share as a family on the first floor overall
a ton more light streaming into the kitchen from the left side of the room
more room for kitchen cabinetry (since the kitchen will no longer have a sitting area)
more chairs around a floating dining table with a proper chandelier overhead
maybe even a little work island
sight lines to the pool from the kitchen
You can see below how removing that whole wall will REALLY open things up! The wall can literally be opened to the corner where you see that man walking below. It’s about a 10 foot expanse of wall that will come down, and all that light and the view of the pool will suddenly be visible from the kitchen and even from the moment you step in the front door.
Please enjoy that badly drawn glass sliding door (which I realize will be much bigger). That will overlook the pool. And that hammer on the floor in the photo above is where you stand when you step in the front door, so you’ll literally be able to look straight and see a big dining area and kitchen, and look left and see a vaulted light-filled lounge area.
The kids are highly into this reno, and both would like to have a TV in the new lounge area that we’re gaining (we currently just have one upstairs) so we think one side of the room will likely have a media cabinet with a TV hanging over it on the wall – and the opposite wall will have a sofa or a sectional for hanging out. It actually won’t be too dissimilar to the layout of this living room from our first house – just picture a big glass french door overlooking a pool where the fireplace is. And the ceiling will be vaulted!
It’s hard to show you just how open and great the new L shaped room is going to be as a common area for all of us to hang out in, but the photo below sort of helps you imagine how nice it would be to have a whole room to the left of the space (behind that wall of frames and laundry closet).
How Does Your Son’s Room Get Bigger?
It’s extremely hard to show without a floor plan, but once things get framed and moved, it’ll be easier to understand everything. Essentially his room gets to absorb this hallway to the pool (and the ceiling gets vaulted to match his room), and that door to the pool becomes a big window. There is also space behind this photo (where the person taking the photo was standing) that becomes his room – and some of a hidden closet that you can’t see from this angle or photo. His room will get about 30% bigger – and will almost be the same size as his sister’s room. It’ll be a really nice upgrade!
Where Will The Second Bathroom Go?
Our bedroom is a pretty large L shaped room, so we’re essentially stealing a corner of it, which will turn our room into a still-sizeable rectangle. And the corner that made it an L will become the bathroom. To plan the layout, we worked carefully with our contractor to not only sketch everything out digitally in CAD (to ensure we meet codes) but also to tape off a floor plan of the space too.
I won’t go into the nitty gritty of it now (please hold any questions about the specific floor plan and what each taped off object is). We’ll definitely share more about this down the line. The main point I’m trying to make is that this taping step was SO HELPFUL. It was like our own bootleg (but free!) version of Walk Your Plans.
It helped us make a couple of critical adjustments that will make the room feel bigger than it is. Don’t get me wrong, it’ll still be cozy, but taping things out unlocked a better plan that earned us a bigger wall-to-wall shower and we didn’t have to lose any of our closet space (one has to move over for the door to the bedroom to shift). See, it’s so confusing to try to describe in words! But I promise you’ll totally get it as we go. My main point here is: when in doubt… tape stuff out and walk around it.
Where Will The Laundry Go? (Or: I Have A Question About X!)
As we learned when sharing some of these details on IG stories, you will definitely be left with some questions about the floor plan, where the laundry room is going, etc, etc. Over the years we’ve learned that some things are much more easily shown and answered once a project is underway. So I promise, all shall be revealed. And also I promise we aren’t renovating without remembering that we need to have a spot to do laundry.
How Will The Exterior Change By The Pool?
We like to overplan whenever we can, and we try to think of literally everything from every angle. For example, when planning the window for our son’s expanded room, I wanted to make sure it would look good from the pool, so I badly photoshopped this, just to see how it might look from outside after our reno:
We intentionally chose a window proportion that ties into the window on the second floor, which we think is going to look really nice. And those badly photoshopped glass doors on the right will lead into the lounge/hangout space that’s open to the kitchen and dining area. Can’t wait!!
Why This Plan And Not X, Y, Z?
We’ve considered dozens of possibilities over the last 5 years, from adding rooms above our kids rooms & redoing the entire roofline, to finishing the upper deck as enclosed rooms, and nothing came close to feeling like it made as much sense for our family and the way we live in this house.
This is why I shared those two “things that nagged at us” – in the hopes that it helps you when you’re debating possible renovation options. There are an infinite amount of ways you can renovate a house, so you have to keep in mind what YOU want it to do for YOUR FAMILY. Nothing else we considered felt even remotely worth the trouble or like it would get us what we really wanted from a reno.
So we waited and didn’t settle. Just saving up and considering more and more options until we landed on the one that felt right. This update is going to be so nice, feels relatively simple (especially compared to other things we debated) and ticks three boxes. The house will work better for our family, and the quote came in lower than we expected – which never happens!
What If It Takes Longer, Is More Expensive, & Stuff Goes Wrong?
We’ve been doing this long enough to know that it won’t all be sunshine and roses – but we’re hopeful that the uncomfy middle will be worth the finished result. Will we all get tired of this reno, especially if it takes longer and costs more with some unexpected (but really we expect them) curveballs? I’d bet $100 that we will.
Timeline issues, budgets being blown, and unexpected reno roadblocks are always potentially in the mix, so we just plan to do our best to handle everything as it comes. One tip for cutting down stress about the budget is that we like to save 20-30% more than we think we need before starting something like this, just in case. It really makes it less stressful to assume it could happen and be prepared for it. And it doesn’t hurt that it took us years to come up with this plan… so we had a while to save while we waited for “The Idea” to strike.
Do All Big Projects Feel Scary At The Beginning?
That is totally normal. Especially if you are newer to renovating. It’s a lot of money and time and it’s your actual home you’re taking apart! So it’s really understanable to have any range of emotions (and probably more than one at the same time). Right now, we’re full of giddy enthusiasm and excitement. I think the beginning of a project is so much fun because you’re living in the “possibility” stage – and it’s really just exciting and full of happy anticipation. But renovations are a marathon and and not a sprint.
We definitely were ready to be done after adding the pool, gutting & rebuilding our kitchen, and again after we replaced all of our doors and windows 2 years ago. So we’re absolutely expecting for the excitement honeymoon to end. But then when you’re done, there’s the “we’re finished” elation. So we’re comforted knowing that’s ahead of us too. And thank goodness we have a finished kitchen and a finished bathroom that we can use throughout this entire process. That’Il make this much easier than some other renovations of yore.
How Long Will It Take?
Our contractor has estimated 3-4 months (there will also be some breaks for the holidays, etc) but a lot of the work will be finishing the front porch, which can be done complely from outside until they join it to our existing house. We definitely think if it’s done (or even mostly done) by my birthday (March 19th) that would be a huge win. But we think it’ll likely be more like the end of April after you factor in the holiday break, various curveballs we expect will pop up, etc.
How Will Your Home’s Square Footage Change?
Our house is currently around 1,400 square feet and it’ll be around 1,500 square feet when we convert the covered porch to livable interior square footage.
For reference, our last house was 3150 square feet, but living in the pink beach house for the summer (which was 1,900 square feet, shown below) taught us that we didn’t need anything nearly as big – especially if there’s functional outdoor space, nice weather for most of the year, and walkability.
When we saw this house at 1,400 square feet, we knew it was even smaller than anything we initially imagined getting… but the location is PERFECT for us. So we went for it. And for the last five years it has been great.
Adding just a little more space feels like it’ll still be easy to clean and care for, while gaining more function for our kids as they grow and for us to all enjoy these shared spaces togehter. A house that’s 1,500 square feet still feels like a giant downsize from the 3,150 square foot house we used to have! But I am going to have to get used to cleaning two toilets (only cleaning one has been nothing short of amazing).
When Does It Start?
We should be getting our permit any day now, and are told that it’ll hopefully start the week after Thanksgiving. Here’s hoping! You know we’ll keep you posted. The best spot to see updates is definitely Instagram Stories, and then things will eventually make it to the blog in a more thorough and easily digestible format. Thanks for coming along on this adventure with us.
Other Posts You Might Enjoy
If you want to read more about our journey with this house, check out some of these posts below:
Every year, people ask us for theme ideas from my family’s annual Christmas gift exchange. We first mentioned this tradition on a podcast episode in 2016 and now, nearly a decade later, we’re putting the full, updated list in an easy-to-reference blog post. So if you or your family are feeling stuck or overwhelmed by your holiday shopping list, see why introducing a theme might do the trick!
How Our Gift Exchange Works
For as long as I can remember, my extended family has organized a gift exchange to lighten our collective holiday shopping load. Instead of buying gifts for EVERY SINGLE cousin, aunt, & uncle (there were 22 of us growing up!) we would draw a JUST ONE name at random from a hat.
The only rules are:
It can’t be the same person you had last year
It can’t be an immediate family member (sibling, parent)
We built traditions around this exchange. On Christmas morning, we’d take a special moment to go around the room and watch each person unwrap their “exchange gift.” After Christmas dinner, we’d fold up little strips of paper and draw names for the next year. I’d describe it as a huge part of my core Christmas memories.
We’ve adapted the exchange over the years too. As more cousins got married and had kids, we condensed the list from individuals to family groups (ex: me + Sherry + our kids = 1 unit). And as my immediate family grew, we instituted secondary exchanges between my siblings & our spouses and another between our kids & their cousins. All of these gift exchanges help reduce the stress & cost of holiday shopping, and allow people to focus on fewer, more meaningful and specialized gifts.
Why Holiday Gift Themes Help
At some point, we added a theme to our Christmas gift exchange. I don’t remember why or who suggested it, but it’s been another fun and helpful part of our tradition. Plus, it has lead to some interesting and creative gifts over the years too!
They started off simple (ex: Food & Drink) but have gotten quirkier over time (ex: What’s That Smell?) since we try not to repeat a theme. Whatever you choose, I’d argue a theme makes gifting more fun for both the giver and recipient – especially in exchanges where you might not know the person super well (think workplaces, neighborhoods, that cousin you don’t see very often, etc).
Gift themes are like a writing prompt. They can narrow your focus, spark an idea, or point you in a more specific shopping direction than “find something Great Aunt Barb might like.”
Sure, everyone still wants to give and get things that are well-liked. But we find that with a theme, we care less about getting stuff that matches our personal interests, and mostly enjoy things that are a clever, thoughtful, or interesting interpretation of the theme. So our whole family finds that it makes gift shopping easier, less stressful, and more fun… which is why we haven’t done a single year without a theme ever since!
20 Holiday Gift Exchange Theme Ideas
Here are two decades worth of Christmas gift themes that my family has used – including some examples of how the idea was interpreted. Some of the trickier ones ended up being the most fun (#19 for example). Feel free to use or adapt any of them that you think would be a hit with your family.
Say Cheese: Photo or cheese-related gifts were the main focus – we got a state-shaped cheese board for our cousins who live in Wisconsin. Many other things like frames, polaroid cameras – and even mouth related stuff like novelty gum (saying cheese = smiling) was in the mix.
Travel Junk: Items or souvenirs that people picked up while on trips or vacations that year was the subject of this theme – so many people got fun mugs, ornaments, or other keepsakes (a box full of postcards from every state, etc).
The Year of Granny: To honor my great grandmother’s 90th birthday, we chose gifts that reminded us of her, like an the automatic card shuffler that she owned. Lots of her favorite snack, or items in her favorite colors were exchanged.
Hey Hot Stuff: Hot or spicy foods, fire-related items (candles, firepit supplies), or things to keep your warm (socks, blankets, etc). This was fun because it had a wide interpretation.
The Great Outdoors: Activities or games to use outside or items related to spending time in nature (trail mix for hiking, National Parks books, and headlamps for the kids – who got a giant kick out of them).
Back In The Day: Old school items like a retro-style board game or a nod to family history & traditions were items that ended up being exchanged this year. This was a fun one.
On The Road: Gifts that were good for road trips or travel, like car activity books for kids, favorite car snacks, a cool atlas or book of trail hikes someone could road trip to, etc.
Out of This World: Space, alien, or sky-related gifts (we sent a sampling of freeze-dried candy and other “astronaut food” to our cousins).
Be A Good Sport: Sports-related gifts like memorabilia from a favorite team or actual games to play together, tickets to a local event, etc.
Feeling Green: Eco-related gifts, or things that were literally the color green. This was a surprisingly wide category that we all enjoyed.
Peace & Quiet: Gifts around relaxation & calm (candles, books, sleep masks, spa gift cards) or even things to keep kids busy to give parents a spare moment or two.
Across State Lines: Local gifts from the town of the gifter. This was fun because you could send something your area was known for, or some local treat or item.
Outside The Box: Things that are unusual, any item that you take out of a box to complete (like puzzles, board games, etc), and items that are too big to fit in a box at all – like “adopting” a wild animal.
Book It: Literal books, reading related items, or things related to “booking” a ticket, trip, etc.
What’s That Smell? Gifts with distinctive scents (candles, soaps, foods, scented markers, etc) or gag gifts like a fart machine.
Small Business Finds: Items or gift cards that support a small business in your town, the town of the recipient, or a favorite small business online.
Trivial Pursuit: Anything falling under the traditional categories in Trivia Pursuit (Geography, Entertainment, History, etc.)
G.O.A.T.: Things you think are the “greatest of all time” in their category, or that can be explained by other interpretations of the G.O.A.T. acronynm (like: Go Out And Travel). There were also some gifts featuring the actual animal, like the hilarious “screaming goat” we included in ours.
Safe & Sound: Items related to safety (we got this light up collar for my cousin with a new dog) or that make noise (someone rounded out their gift with some Pop Rocks candy). Someone gifted us a Worst Cast Scenario survival book, which was pretty entertaining to read on our next road trip.
How We Pick Our Gift Themes
There’s no art or science to picking our themes – someone just pitches one in person or via email – and then we vote or casually agree on a favorite as a family. These days we usually just go with the first idea because by now we all know what makes a good theme for our group, and can think in a wide way to make a lot of things fit into any category we land on.
What makes a theme good? Something that has multiple potential interpretations – including unexpected ones! This is why we try to use a clever name or phrase, not just a descriptive category – like choosing “Feeling Green” over a theme like “Eco-Friendly.” This small spin encourages, but doesn’t require, people to be creative when shopping. “Feeling Green” still covers eco-friendly gifts, but also things that are green in color or even things that will have your stomach churning (like those gross out Beanboozled jelly beans).
So if you’re coming up with a new theme, I’d suggest thinking of simple category – colorful things, food & drink, things related to history – and then giving it a fun title. For example, give your colorful things theme a name like “Over The Rainbow.” This opens the door to ideas related to The Wizard of Oz/Wicked, things found in the sky or space, or maybe even things at the end of a rainbow (gold-colored gifts, “lucky” charm bracelets, etc).
Here are some more examples:
“Food & drink” could lead you to “What’s Cookin’ Good Lookin’?”
“History-related” could lead you to “Time Travel”
“Music” could lead you to “Loud & Clear”
“Travel” could lead you to “Pack Your Bags!”
“Toys & Games” could lead you to “Press Play”
More Holiday Gift Ideas
We’ve definitely been guilty of shoehorning a great gift idea into a theme some years! So if you need a few general gift ideas to get you started, be sure to check all of our holiday gift guides:
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
This Japanese Marbling Craft Kit is something both of our kids would love… and that John and I would also have so much fun using! So it really works for both lists. If you know anyone who is crafty and likes to make things, this would be such a hit. You might even get a marbled thank you card from them 😉
This “bucket list” water bottle comes with a sticker for every state, so the traveler on your list can track their journies. They also sell versions for National Parks, NFL stadiums, and MLB ballparks. John and I each have relatives in mind who would love this. Can’t say any more, because we don’t want to ruin the surprise.
I feel like the smell of bread baking in your house is up there as one of the most amazing scents – which is why this rosemary foccacia bread candle literally made my mouth water. Like, I want this candle for myself, and know that two of my besties would also be addicted. It comes in two sizes and as wax melts too. Such a good idea for that person who already has everything.
Gift Ideas For Kids & Teens
Ok, here we are at a board we love making every year, because it includes things we’re actually getting for our kids (and some items they already own and love). There are such cool things for kids and teeens these days, so let’s dive right in.
To save you from having to scroll up a ton, let’s zoom in on each thing on the list:
This intricate felt meat, cheese, and fruit platter is such a fun kids gift… and also I want one?! Like for real, let me play with this for an hour and I’ll be thoroughly entertained. Kitchens and play food for kids have just gotten amazing lately. Shh, don’t tell her but our niece is getting one of these.
This magnetic fidget toy had me at “like putty without the mess.” It comes in tons of surprisngly stylish colors, meaning it’s a great fidget for kids, teens, and even adults! Yes I’m adding the obligatory magnet warning here (def not for smaller kids or pets who might want to eat these!) – but for a tween’s desk… especially our 11 year old who loves to interact with things and create shapes – he’d love it!
Did I feel 1,000 years old when our daughter came home raving about the “vintage digital camera” she’d just bought? Yes, yes I did. But she and her friends are obsessed with these “old school cameras” – the grainy quality, the bad flash, and even the corded upload process! She has this exact one and it has held up really well, getting toted on trips, to the movies, to school on half days, etc. She really loves it.
This pop-up barn owl is such a cool gift for any smaller kids on your list… and also, who am I kidding… some adults would love this for their bedroom or office. Our smaller niece would watch this rocking from her crib with delight. And that price!! Actually I’d love to see a kids’ room with a bunch of these hung at diferent heights. Send me pics.
This vintage-style party raccoon shirt comes in 4 colors and sizes for kids and adults and let’s face it, we all know someone who loves a grilled cheese more than anyone else in the room. I have literally two different relatives who’d love this and wear it like a badge of honor.
Beat your teens at their own game with this “6-7” themed candle that is sure to make their eyes roll AND their rooms smell fresher. And yes, it’s intentional that it’s #6 on the list.
Our 15-year-old wears a charm necklace almost daily and this one has tons of fun charms to choose from – letters, animals, birthstones, sports, foods, and more. This is such a special gift to give or receive, and you can get more charms over time, which is a core childhood memory of mine.
We have lots of Wobaba outdoor toys (this is one of our faves) so we were excited to see their take on Bocce. The sand-filled balls are kid-friendly and great for yards, beaches, or sidewalks. These are definitely going to end up under our tree so we can try them out on the sand soon!
Warmies are heatable stuffed animals that are soothing for kids and adults alike. They come in tons of shapes and animals, but there’s something so charming about this plush grilled cheese sandwich. Yes, grilled cheese is becoming a theme of this year’s gift guide – but really, how comforting is a warm grilled cheese?
This clever makeup gift set comes in a little “sewing tin” complete with button shaped eye shadows and even a pin-cushion shaped blender! I love the idea of my teen opening this and thinking it’s biscuits or crackers and then realizing it’s full of makeup and just disguised as a kitchen item!
Here’s another fun gift set for teens (especially those who proudly wear their pimple patches in public – I wish that was trending when I was a kid!). This Starface gift set comes with 60+ patches, a lip balm, and a fuzzy makeup case.
Every family has at least one voracious ramen fan. At least, that’s true in ours. So here’s a fun way for your noodle-lover to sample authentic ramen flavors from different regions. You can choose from 5 or 10 item boxes, as well as spicy, non-spicy, or a mix. I actually think both of our kids would love the “choose your own Ramen adventure” aspect of a box full of different options to work their way through!
Our kids are both into journaling these days, so these Extraodinary Things To Cut & Collage books have been well-loved (and well-cut-apart). They’re packed with stuff both of our kids like, and use! Literally they get BEAT UP from use, which I love. Gift one with a journal, some scissors, and glue sticks to a creative kid that you know and love. You can even get both books as set!
For the teen who loves a spa day, this cooling gel face mask is a fun idea. And also, I, a full grown adult would love one too. Calming, cool, and sure to scare whoever walks in on you wearing it. Ha!
This colorful rope light is great for gamers or any other kid who wants to add some customizable color to their room – it can even be syned to music! Works great as a hidden accent light (think around a frame or under a desk). It also comes with wall clips to create a bendable piece of art.
This miniature microphone plugs right into the USB-C port on a phone or computer for kids to record videos, and both of our kids would absolutely LOVE it. They both enjoy making and editing videos, and I actually think they might both find one of these in their stockings.
We love a good twist on classic UNO (this one has been our fave so far). And this new Liar’s UNO incorporates poker-style bluffing that may force you or your opponents to draw cards if anyone gets caught! We love a small game like this that’s easy to bring on trips, and toss into the car if there’s going to be a lot of waiting around. And the price is great too.
This glow-in-the-dark shirt lets kids “draw” with light using a flashlight or the included torch light (it even comes clipped on a rope for convenience). I know at least three kids in our family who would flip for this, and would redesign their shirt at every family event. So fun!
These 500-piece Galison puzzles are our favorites to do with our kids, and we can’t wait to do this hilarious kitty one. It’s such a fun family activity over a holiday break. Just put a puzzle out on a table (preferably by a fireplace or in a cozy corner) and watch people mosey up and work on it over time.
This Etsy seller turns kids’ drawings into custom crocheted stuffies. I mean, talk about a memorable keepsake gift! Especially if one of your favorite little ones has made an iconic drawing. There’s a very old sketch of a UFO with a rainbow coming out of the bottom that my kids made that I’d love to get as a stuffed creation!
Our son loves these Mini Brand balls, especially the create kind. They’re literally interactive little kits that come with a few small parts and you combine them with some good old fashioned easy-DIY. For example, his blind bag had a beautiful tiny blue & white china bowl with dumplings and you add the dumplings to the bowl with a tiny spoon and then pour “resin” into the bowl, which hardens into “broth” in the sun. So cute!
As a gift, cash never fails. And snagging one of these sacarstic cash holders to spice up your monetary gift (cash not included, obviously) is a fun way to make them laugh. I love this idea for older teens who just want money towards thrifting or gas or new sneakers that they’re saving up for. It’s a fun delivery method for a tried and true gift (good ol’ cashola).
Gift Ideas $15 And Under!
You all know this is my FAVORITE board to make each year, because I love finding deals and figuring out ways to break out gifts across a group (for neighbors, friends, teachers, etc) that makes them super affordable per item. So some of these gifts have a higher ticket price than $15, but would actually create many gifts that can be dispersed to many people – always resulting in an under $15 total per gift.
Let’s look a little closer at everything in the board above:
Give the gift of a festive-smelling house with one of these ready-to-simmer stovetop potpourri packs. I would LOVE to receive this! Or buy this simmer pot supply kit that makes 10 baggies for less than $6 each! They’d make a great teacher, neighbor, or coworker gift! Literally the price is SO GOOD too!
I wear these fish earrings a lot, which come in gold and silver (mine are gold) and even with 6 piercings, they look great (I usually do small hoops in the other holes and the fish are the stars). They’re a good gold color, and not too heavy. Just delightful – especially since sardines and little fish seem to be trending right now.
This vintage pedestal mug says it all, amiright? I love this for a coworker stuffed with candy or Hershey’s Kisses. Or you could give it to a friend full of hot cocoa mix or fancy tea bags.
This cute cherry keychain has a secret superpower: it can conceal an AirTag too (not included). So it’s a fashionable & functional gift someone can put on their keys or purse. I love this idea for keeping track of things that sometimes go missing (like luggage!) or just adding cuteness to a bag or backpack.
So technically this is a set of shot glasses, but I think they’d work amazingly as cute little vases. I’d split the up and give a friend, teacher, or coworker one with a small flower or propagation cutting in them! This couldn’t be easier to execute (literally cut a few stems off your current pothos and put them into water in each little boot). Total cost: just $8 each!
This 5-pack of holiday syrups are a great treat for coffee, cocktails, or hot cocoa. It includes Macadamia Nut, Peppermint, Dark Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow and Gingerbread. John would love something like this (he’s a novelty “try everything” person, so he would get such a kick out of customizing his coffee). Actually anyone you know who buys all the flavors of Oreos instead of sticking with the classics would likely love these (that’s also John).
For all of those Owala lovers, this tiny water bottle keychain acts as storage for Chapstick, cash, or other small items. Our daughter literally wants one (they’re SO CUTE!) and they come in tons of colors (check the seller’s shop for more). They’ve also got Stanleys, Yetis, and even KitchenAid mixers.
This fun sock shop seems to have every snack, drink, and candy under the sun… in sock form. And at this price, you can gift somone a whole “pantry-worth” or pair a set of socks with the same food item. I’d love Cheez-It socks with a box of Extra Toasty Cheez-its (they’re so good if you haven’t tried them!).
Everyone knows someone who loves to read – and this slim reading light is recharage, dimmable, and comes in a bunch of colors. It’s a great small item to pair with a book, cute bookmark, or gift card to a local bookstore.
Another great gift for readers is this stylish book tracker, which includes all sorts of fun ways to record the titles you’ve read (and want to read). You can also compile reviews, daily reading goals, and more. This would be a big hit for anyone who loves charts and visual ways to quantify things (like John!). Comes in a bunch of colors too!
This monogram necklace is sweet and pop-art-ish. It’s made for kids, but I think cool grown ups can definitely rock it too. It doesn’t take itself too seriously (each letter resembles a solid gold balloon letter) and at that price you can even get two or three with each kid’s initial and wear them all layered together.
This clever enamel pin turns whatever you’re wearing into an (unofficial) Pantone Color of the Day. So you know that we (your resident paint nerds) love that. I think on a backpack or even a blazer, it’s a great conversation starter. Just don’t tell me the color of the year is “hot dog.”
These natural car air fresheners come in a 3-pack with scents like amber, teak, pine, and “cabana.” They’re a cool alternative to those dangle-from-your-mirror trees, they’re made of sustainable wood with chemical-free natural scents, and they have great reviews.
This pack of NES catridge coasters features eight classic games from Donkey Kong, Zelda, and Duck Hunt. How fun are these for a coffee table to get the conversation going and reminisce about the 90s? My favorite game was Mario Kart by the way, thanks for asking.
This bamboo speaker acts as both a phone stand and a sound amplifier for a cool analog alternative to bluetooth speakers. You can also pay extra to get it engraved with a name or message. This is so cool for a workshop or office space – anywhere someone would want to listen to some tunes on something a little less expected than a high-tech device.
This pocket-sized dream decoding book is something I’d love to receive (it has a section on “dreams where you’re naked” that I need to consult asap). I definitely think tweens, teens, and many adults would be entertained to read the categories of dreams, and what they might mean. Anyone else ever had the teeth-falling-out one?
This kit that helps you grow six salsa ingredients is a great gift for any chef, teen with an interest in gardening or cooking, or tortilla chip enthusiast (hi, it’s me). I love the clever recycled packaging, the price is great, and it’s a unique and fun interactive gift that someone can open and actually have an experience with (and then eat). Love it.
Looing at that picture you probably thought these were real glazed donuts… well the big reveal is that they’re actually soap! It’s such a cute gift to get for neighbors and friends. And an entire dozen of these glazed donut soaps are just $12! Amazing.
I own and love these gold earrings and have had them a while without any issues. They don’t irritate my sensitive ears, they’re a nice gold color, and they look very cool indeed with that crisscross design. I love that half of them is that smooth solid gold color while the other half has tiny diamond-esque sparkles. I always get asked where they’re from when I wear them, and people are shocked at the price.
This 1000 piece puzzle is so much fun for any pasta enthusiast (hi, it’s also me). I love the color palette and this would be so much fun to do as a family becsause it’s challenging but also a really fun subject. And this is such a great price (many other places have it listed at over $26!).
Come on, you know someone who loves birds, their birdfeeder, birding, maybe they even have a pet bird. So… for that bird friend… I give you: these stunning bird playing cards. There is beautiful art on each one by reknowned artist Erikas Chesonis, along with the name of each creature (ex: mallard, osprey, blue jay, roadrunner). They’re great for everything from a game of solitaire to a rousing round of poker or 21 – but truly they’re art in their own right!
This adorable mini game of mini golf is so much fun for any age (ok, not babies, we don’t want them to eat it). But literally any teen or adult would take a few swings if that were on a desk or a counter. And that price makes it such a fun and inexpensive stocking stuffer. They also have bowling, football, and even pickeball versions!
A beautiful scent is the perfect greeting for your home. A homemade air freshener is the best option if you want your home to smell great without the added toxic ingredients. Many store-bought air fresheners contain synthetic chemicals and artificial fragrances, but if you’d prefer a safer, more natural option, homemade air fresheners are the perfect solution.
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Creating your own air freshener gives you complete control over the scent and saves money in the process.
No more settling for store-bought fragrances you don’t love — when you make it yourself, you can switch scents anytime and experiment with new blends.
The best part?
You’ll be able to find most of the ingredients right in your kitchen pantry.
Why DIY Air Fresheners Are Worth It
There are several health and environmental benefits to making your own air freshener. While going the do-it-yourself route isn’t for everyone, it’s great for those who want a break from store-bought options.
Natural Ingredients: Skip the harsh chemicals found in common air fresheners and try herbs, spices, citrus, and essential oils.
Cost-Effective: Most recipes use inexpensive items you already own, so take inventory of your pantry or cupboards before buying ingredients.
Customizable Scents: You can create blends that match your mood, the season, or even special occasions (without worrying if it’ll be sold out or out of season).
Eco-Friendly: Reduce plastic waste and avoid the use of aerosol sprays.
Health Benefits: Many commercial products contain irritants that can trigger allergies or headaches.
If the idea of DIY feels intimidating, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with simple, step-by-step recipes and creative ideas.
DIY Homemade Air Freshener Ideas
Citrus Air Freshener
Citrus is the perfect “fresh” scent that screams clean and inviting. Lemons, limes, and oranges bring a bright, uplifting aroma that energizes any space.
Here are some quick tricks that will make your home smell like sunshine:
Vacuum Freshener: Squeeze a bit of fresh lime or lemon juice into your vacuum bag before sweeping carpet, and allow the natural fragrance of citrus to spread as you clean.
Simmer Pot: Boil slices of lemon, lime, and orange in a small pot with water. Add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme for an herbal twist, or a few cinnamon sticks to warm up the senses. Let it simmer on the stove and soon fill your kitchen with a clean, uplifting aroma.
Baking extracts aren’t just for your favorite desserts – they’re the perfect ingredients for natural air freshening.
Vanilla, almond, and peppermint create cozy, comforting aromas.
Simple Spray: Mix 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Mist lightly around shelves, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a cool, invigorating scent.
Baking Soda Spray
Baking soda is a multi-use kitchen staple that can be used for everything from baking cookies to cleaning.
You can also use baking soda to deodorize – as a natural deodorizer, it neutralizes unpleasant smells, creating a clean slate for your favorite scents.
Spray Ingredients: Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (we recommend lemon or lavendar).
Shake and spray on fabrics, carpets, or anywhere you’re looking for instant odor control.
Essential Oils Room Spray
Essential oils are the magic behind a good DIY air freshener.
Their concentrated aromas are strong enough that a little goes a long way, helping to transform any space from calming lavender for bedrooms to awakening citrus for work areas.
Room Spray: Mix ½ cup distilled water, ½ cup witch hazel, and 15–20 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle.
Consider these blends:
Relaxing:Lavender + eucalyptus
Fresh: Lemon + rosemary
Spicy: Cinnamon + clove
Potpourri Jar
Potpourri has been a classic scent blend used to not only leave a space smelling lovely but also add a decorative touch.
Here’s a way to add a little modern twist to this timeless classic:
DIY Potpourri: Fill a jar or bowl with flowers, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg. Add bay leaves, dried basil, or oregano for a herbal note.
Refresh with a few drops of essential oil every couple of weeks.
Scented Pinecones
Pinecones bring the ultimate cozy element to your home. When mixed with cinnamon or vanilla, the smell works great for colder months.
Plus, the natural accents double as décor for mantels or holiday centerpieces.
Pinecone Display: Bake pinecones at low heat to remove moisture, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Next, sprinkle with ground cinnamon, and add a few drops of vanilla extract.
Seal for 24 hours, then display in a bowl, or throughout your home for a cozy, spiced aroma.
Coffee Grounds
Warm, aromatic, and grounding. Coffee grounds naturally awaken the senses, but they also absorb odors.
They are great for small pantries and kitchens, or any area you want to keep fresh.
Coffee Deodorizer: Place dry coffee grounds in a small jar or bowl to store in the refrigerator, pantry, or bathroom.
Homemade Reed Diffusers
Easy, affordable, and elegant, reed diffusers will elevate your home decor while delivering a steady stream of fragrance (free of flames or sprays).
Place them on your desk, credenza, or anywhere you want a continuous scent.
DIY Reed Diffuser: Fill a small glass container with ¼ cup carrier oil (like almond or safflower) and 15 drops of essential oil. Insert reed sticks or bamboo skewers (be sure to flip the sticks every few days).
Cinnamon Stick Room Spray
Cinnamon is comforting and nostalgic. When you place cinnamon sticks in your home as a centerpiece or mantel decor accent, it makes the atmosphere feel like the holidays.
Here’s how to create a room spray that you can use whenever you want the smell of cinnamon in the air.
Room Spray: Boil cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and slices of ginger in water. Let it cool, strain, and pour into a spray bottle.
Mason Jar Air Freshener
Your average home mason jar has so many uses, including as an air freshener.
All you need to do is fill it with some of your favorite natural herbs and fruits, some water, and you have an affordable natural fragrance to last all day long.
DIY Fresherener in a Jar: Add a sprig of basil, 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns, and a few slices of lemon or orange in your mason jar. Fill it to the top with water (no need for a lid).
Pro Tips for Long-Lasting Freshness
When you create your own home fragrance, you’re giving yourself a beautiful gift—one that fills your space with a scent that’s uniquely yours.
To make this gift to yourself (and your home) even more special and long-lasting, try these simple tips:
Use dark glass bottles as they help preserve essential oils.
Shake before use to combine natural ingredients and promote even distribution.
Rotate scents seasonally, like citrus in summer to cinnamon in winter.
Test before spraying fabrics, as essential oils can stain (we recommend a patch test).
Store in cool, dry places to avoid heat and sunlight, reducing scent and shelf life.
A Fresh Approach to Home Fragrance
Homemade air fresheners are a healthier, eco-friendly way to help your home smell amazing. You get complete control of ingredients, letting you avoid the harmful stuff and create scents that reflect your personality. From citrus to cinnamon, these DIY scents will make your home feel fresh and inviting every day.
I also included a few more interesting pieces in my suitcase – like a red tank top and a blue sleeveless top, along with a floral shirt, and a bolder leopard skirt and jacket. They added a little something extra to the other more neutral items I packed. From afar the collage of all my outfits might look somewhat drab, but up close a lot of items had more interest – like my plaid blazer that has brown, black, and bright blue streaks in it. Plus maroon! Literally every color of everything I packed basically.
While I went for some more interesting accent pieces, I aimed for “basic” when it came to my bags (like this oneand this one) and shoes (these are my exact black boots and my exact brown ones). Choosing something classic and not too wild for those two categories made them all interchangeable for the most part – which just made things super easy for me.
Oh and for a dose of the unexpected (in a very low stakes way, which also took up like zero packing room), I added in some green sunglasses (these are similar). They were a neutral enough tone that they worked with everything I had – and sometimes it’s nice to choose one accessory that doesn’t match anything else for a little bit of whimsy or surprise. (*She whispered “live a little” as she tucked her green glasses into her purse*).
If you want to test if your one little unexpected item works with everything else, just lay that item on the bed when you’re packing and you can pretty quickly see if it works or absolutely does not. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my green glasses looked good in the mix, so into my bag they went.
I also packed two different sets of gold earrings (the smaller chunky gold hoops that you see above and the larger gold hoops that you see below) just to give myself a few more options along the way.
Those earrings were both in my toiletry bag in a little pouch (I love using theseto stay organized). Otherwise, I had my default everyday earrings in my ears (for travel days and some days of the trip where I didn’t opt for my bigger gold earrings). This blurry cropped photo below shows you what my normal earring situation is when I don’t swap out the first hole for something that makes more of a statement:
Sherry loves a hot cup of pour over coffee, but I usually choose an iced *something* for my daily coffee. And most days it’s a cold brew that I make at home. For over 2 years now, I’ve relied on this cold brew maker to keep a delicious batch at the ready in my fridge. So I’ll quickly walk you through exactly how I make homemade cold brew, and why it’s my method of choice.
As we noted in our pour over coffee guide, Sherry and I aren’t expert baristas or even persnickety coffee connoisseurs – but we value a delicious and fresh tasting coffee that we can make at home. We both prioritize simple & straightforward brewing methods that can be successful without treating coffee like an intricate science. No shade if you have the time & energy to take coffee making to an olympic level, but this guide is for the average home coffee drinker who wants some good, reliable cold brew without stressing over the details.
Our Cold Brew Coffee Supplies
One of the best parts about making cold brew is it require very few supplies. In fact, apart from coffee grounds & water, this picture shows everything we use. And the cold brew maker itself is less than $25. We even got it on sale for $16 – and at the time of writing this, it’s marked down to under $14!
The cold brew maker itself includes everything you need, including a reusable filter. So it’s also a very sustainable system that creates no waste, apart from your used coffee grounds.
Cold Brew Coffee – Video Guide
This step-by-step video guide details how Sherry and I each make our preferred coffee. The cold brew maker tutorial starts at the 2:30 mark if you want to skip ahead!
Cold brew is a coffee-making method that is sometimes called cold water extraction or cold pressing. Like the names suggest, the main difference from other techniques is the water temperature. Instead of rapidly filtering hot water through ground coffee, cold brew involves steeping those grounds in cold or cool water for an extended time period – usually 12 to 24 hours. And obviouslly, the end result is best enjoyed cold or with ice!
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
Cold brew is often confused with iced coffee, but the two are different process that produce different results. Iced coffee is brewed like regular coffee (using hot water) then chilled – either through refrigeration or pouring over ice. This achieves a faster result than cold brewing, but the melted ice can lead to a watery consistency or diluted flavor if you’re not careful.
Cold brew also tends to result in more caffeine and bolder, sweeter flavors. The prolonged brew time cuts down on some of the bitter or more acidic tastes in regular coffee, resulting in what many describe as a smoother and tastier result. And because larger portions of grounds are typically used for cold brew, the caffeine concentration is usually higher. That’s why some people will dilute cold brew with water before drinking, so you get more for your efforts.
Here’s why I make regular cold brew for my daily coffee:
I prefer iced coffee drinks vs hot ones
It’s easy to make (aka: hard to mess up)
It can be made in batches
It’s sweeter & stronger than iced coffee
Steps To Make Cold Brew At Home
Making homemade cold brew is crazy simple, especially because I use this pitcher that can make one big 52 ounce batch at a time. Just be sure to start your brew 12 to 24 hours before you plan to drink it (like the night before).
Assemble the cold brew maker
Add coffee grounds to the filter
Pour water over the grounds
Steep for 12 – 24 hours
Serve over ice
Add creamer to taste
Now let’s take a closer look at those steps.
1. Assemble the Cold Brew Maker
This cold brew maker has 4 pieces which easily fit together (and come apart for cleaning):
Handled Glass Pitcher
Reusable Mesh Filter
Lid
Twist-On Cap
To begin, place the fine mesh filter through the opening in the lid and snap it into place.
All pieces are dishwasher safe, so it’s also easy to dissamble and clean between batches.
2. Add coffee grounds
Now, pour ground coffee beans into the filter. Course ground coffee is typically recommended for cold brewing. However, I usually use pre-ground coffee from the grocery store, which typically comes medium ground. Just avoid fine gounds, which may lead to overextraction and increase bitterness. Fine grinds may also seep through the mesh filter, ending up in your brew.
I don’t measure out my grounds. I just fill the filter about 75% full. You can add more or less, depending on how strong you like your coffee. We’ll talk about coffee-to-water ratios more below.
3. Pour water over the grounds
Next, carefully pour water into the filter, full saturating the grounds. I use cold filtered water from my fridge dispenser, but room temperature water from your tap is fine too. I like to pour from my water bottle for better control (slower speed, less splashing, etc). You may need to pause occassionally to let the water filter through before continuing. Fill until the carafe is full or the grounds are fully submerged.
What’s the best coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew?
Most cold brew is made at a ratio between 1:4 and 1:8. This means 1 part coffee grounds to 4 to 8 parts water. This is best measured by weight (grams) but going by volume (cups, tbsps, etc) works well enough too. The lower the second number, the stronger your brew will be.
But again, I don’t measure anything. Partly because I’m not that picky and partly because this cold brew maker does the work for you. The filter holds 1 cup of grounds. The carafe holds 6 cups of liquid. So filling both creates a roughly 1:6 ratio, right in the middle of the recommended ratio range.
I suggest starting with this 1:6 ratio (everything full) and adjusting as desired with future batches. I’ve learned I’m happy only filling the filter 75% full. The cold brew is still plenty strong and I don’t have to buy coffee as often.
4. Steep for 12 – 24 Hours
Now, steep your brew for 12 to 24 hours, either at room temperature or in your refrigerator. I like to put mine in the fridge for convenience (it’s out of the way & ready to drink cold). Leaving it out at room temperature will speed up extraction, making it ready closer to that 12 hour mark.
Steeping too long can increase bitterness, so remember – it’s best to remove the grounds after 24 hours. To do this, just lift out the mesh filter and dispose of the grounds. When I finish drinking a batch, I usually start a new one right away so it will be ready the next morning at my usual time. Each batch I make, lasts about five days and then I make another batch (just remember to take the grounds out at the 12-24 hour mark so you’re not brewing it for 5 days – that would not taste good).
5. Serve Over Ice
Cold brew is considered a concentrate, so many people choose to dilute it before drinking. This can be done with water, ice, milk, cream, or a combination of those. Some even dilute it as much as 1:1 (one part cold brew, one part water). This is really just personal preference. I personally choose to just pour it over a glass filled halfway with ice, leaving room for cream.
You may want to give the cold brew a quick mix with a spoon before pouring, since the more concentrated liquid tends to sink the bottom.
6. Add creamer to taste
I like to add a couple of splashes of flavored creamer to my cold brew. Since syrups and sugars don’t dissolve well in cold liquids, I find this is the best way to add flavor & sweetness to cold brew. I usually buy Chobani Creamer, and this is my favorite flavor.
More Cold Brew FAQs
How many glasses of cold brew does it make?
I typically get about 5 servings out of one batch. You may get more or less depending on your drinking glass & how much you dilute the concentrate. The pitcher holds about 52 fluid ounces of cold brew. Remember: you don’t BREW it for 5 days, you just leave the coffee filter in for the first 12-24 hours, at which point the cold brew is ready to drink. So you’ll want to remove the coffee filter from the cold brew maker, and you’ll then have about 5 days of cold brew that’s ready to drink in the fridge.
How do you clean the cold brew maker?
All of the pieces are dishwasher safe, including the mesh filter. However, I typically hand wash everything as soon as I finish a batch. That way I can start a new brew right away without waiting to run the dishwasher.
What is nitro cold brew?
The term “nitro” refers to an extra step where cold brew is infused with nitrogen gas. The same cold brewing method is used, but the addition of tiny bubbles give nitro cold brew a smoother and creamier finish. Many compare it to the feel of a draft beer like Guinness (it even has a foamy top layer). That’s why you typically see it dispensed from a tap at a coffee shop. Nitro cold brew can be made at home, but it requires a special dispenser and nitrogren canisters – which can be costly and complicated.
What is cold foam?
Cold foam is a fluffy aerated milk layer added to the top of cold beverages like cold brew. It’s an alternate way of adding flavor, sweetness, and creamy texture to your drink. I heard someone joke that cold foam is just “rebranded” whipped cream and there’s some truth there – it tastes like a sweet marshamallow topping to me.
I make cold foam at home with this $9 milk frother. I just use my Chobani creamer, but you can also mix 3 tbsps of heavy cream, 2 tbsps of milk, and 1 tbsp of flavored syrup. Then froth it in a separate cup and pour atop your cold foam. We have also frothed vanilla oat milk and both Sherry and I think it’s delicious.
Want Hot Coffee Instead?
If you’re more of a hot coffee person, you can check out our guide to making pour over coffeeat home. Pour over can sound intimidating, but it’s super easy and experts agree that it produces a better tasting cup. We certainly love that it’s less bitter and more fresh tasting than any other homemade hot coffee we have tried.
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