Favorite Things {Gift Guide and Giveaway}

I don’t believe that Christmas is all about money and presents and commercial hype… but I do believe that the JOY we feel at Christmas can overflow into some wonderful gift giving to those we love. And guess what? I love YOU. Yep, you – my amazing readers – so I want to give you a chance to win over $500 worth of prizes today…

Holiday Gift Guide- Maison de Pax And also in the spirit of giving, I’m excited to team up with 10 other bloggers to bring you a holiday gift guide!

Holiday Gift Guide- Maison de Pax

If you’re visiting from one of the other 10 blogs in this gift guide extravaganza, welcome. 🙂  Be sure to read all the way to the bottom and enter to win.

Every year, I try to think of things that are both beautiful and practical – I want to my loved ones to enjoy and be able to use the gifts I give them.

So without further ado… [insert Julie Andrews’ spectacular voice]

“These are a few of my favorite things!” 

Holiday Gift Guide- Maison de Pax

Remember my faux planked table? I couldn’t have done it without my Rockwell VersaCut Mini Circular Saw. Buy just the saw or the whole kit and caboodle – it’s awesome, and it’s perfect for guys or very cool power-tool-wielding gals in your life!

Rockwell Versa Cut - Maison de Pax

VersaCut (Amazon) | VersaCut (Home Depot)

Rockwell Versa Cut Set- Maison de Pax

VersaCut System Kit (Amazon)

And you saw my daughter’s nursery? Front and center – hanging on her crib –  is one of our favorite things (all my kids have one): a Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket. Soft, durable, gorgeous, perfect.

Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket - Maison de Pax

Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket, multiple colors available (Nordstrom)
Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket, multiple colors available (Amazon)

My eclectic office wouldn’t be the same without the stunning cowhide rug Mr. Pax gave me last year. Overstock has some gorgeous and reasonably priced ones right now!

Cowhides- Maison de Pax

Hacienda 5’x7′ | Beige 6’2″x8′ | Ivory 6’2″x8′

Do you know someone who likes to cook? Or eat? Or read? These two cookbooks are inspired, truly. They read almost like novels (the first one, especially), whet your appetite with scrumptious photography (the second one, in particular), and (in my experience), never fail to impress. For this Francophile, it doesn’t get much better than David Lebovitz and all his humor about life as an American in Paris.

The Sweet Life Book - Maison de Pax

The Sweet Life in Paris (Amazon)

My Paris Kitchen - Maison de Pax

My Paris Kitchen (Amazon)

How about organization? Who couldn’t use more beautiful, durable, classy storage bins? We LOVE these and use them for all our kids’ toys, but you could use them for anything: books, crafts, games, movies, towels… endless possibilities. Just a word of warning: they read a little more gray and less brown in real life than the image (but, with my obsession for gray, it only makes me like them more!)

Charcoal Jute Storage Bin - Maison de Pax

Jute Storage Bin (The Container Store)

Speaking of gray, I love this cable knit throw. I have one in brown (which I use all the time), but this charcoal one really looks inviting right now.

Cable Knit Throws - Maison de PaxCable Knit Throw (Overstock)

But what about that person that’s really hard to shop for? I have three brothers, and I love them, but trust me… I’ve had experience with the “hard to shop for.” I gave them these Hydro Flask water bottles a couple of years ago, though, and they still use them daily. Best random gift I’ve found.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle - Maison de Pax

Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottles (Amazon)

On the subject of things that get regular use, I love these wine glasses. 😉  I’ve had them for several years, and they’re not only fun for a regular night in, but the variety in patterns makes them the perfect glasses for a dinner party. It’s so much easier to keep track of your glass if it doesn’t look like everyone else’s!

Mikasa Cheers Glasses - Maison de Pax

Mikasa Cheers Balloon Wine Glasses, Set of 4 (Amazon)

A “favorite things” gift guide wouldn’t be complete without my favorite recent gift, and I must say that my sewing machine from my parents for my last birthday is definitely claiming that spot right now. I just used it to turn thrift store sweaters into Christmas stockings (get the tutorial here), and it worked like a dream!

Singer Sewing Machine- Maison de Pax

SINGER Heavy Duty Sewing Machine (Amazon)

I could go on, but I bet you’re ready to enter that giveaway… As promised, I am giving to you a few of my favorite things. There will be FOUR winners drawn (one for each of the following prizes):

  • $100 gift card for Country Chic Paint
  • 1 Cathedral Wall Mirror by Kenroy Home
  • 1 $50 gift card for WallQuotes.com
  • 1 $50 gift card for WallQuotes.com

You know as a member of the Country Chic Paint Blogger Squad that I have used Country Chic Paint to transform numerous pieces of furniture and home decor. The Cathedral Wall Mirror by Kenroy Home is my new favorite piece (you can read more about it here). I actually painted mine (using Country Chic Paint!), and I absolutely love it. And finally, one of my favorite touches in my daughter’s nursery is her quote from Shakespeare: “And though I be but little, I am fierce.” I ordered it from WallQuotes.com, and I couldn’t be more pleased. They have a HUGE variety and selection of vinyl for wall decor.

Just Because I love You Giveaway2 - Maison de Pax

Seriously, friends, I am SO excited to offer some of my favorite things to you… So enter below, and good luck!

A special thanks to Country Chic Paint, Kenroy Home, and Belvedere Designs for providing these prizes!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to visit all the other gift guides and giveaways going on right now!

meet the bloggers holiday gift guide - Maison de Pax

Rain On A Tin Roof/The Happy Housie

The Wood Grain Cottage/Migonis Home/House By Hoff

So Much Better With Age/Making Home Base/Just A Girl And Her Blog

Life On Virginia Street/Everyday Enchanting/Maison de Pax

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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95 Comments

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  3. Recently subscribed to your blog and love your ideas! I also recently discovered Country Chic paint and am in the process of using it for the first time on a gorgeous $25 yard sale dresser 🙂 Sooo easy to use! Have a fun weekend!

    1. I’m SO glad to hear that, Catherine! Thanks so much for your sweet comment, and good luck with that dresser! 🙂

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  7. I love the thrift store sweater stockings! Cute! And thank you for the opportunity to win a few of your favorite things!

  8. Thank you Rachel for the opportunity and so many different choices. I’m torn between the Country Chic paint and the Cathedral wall mirror……sigh…..

  9. I love those hydroflasks! I bought one a month ago – and I use it every single day! It seriously keeps my water so cold! Also love David Lebovitz – I want to add those books to my wish list!

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  11. My favorite item is the VersaCut System Kit. As an avid DIY-er, I could certainly make good use of this vital tool.

    Thank you for this opportunity to win!

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  13. I love West Elms Hamam hand towels. They are adorable and dry fast. I buy them on sale. They are cute rolled up on a tray in bathroom.

  14. Love the Giraffe blanket and the cable throws! Looks like I’ll be making a trip over to Overstock.com, too!! Love your blog Rachel-very cool gift guide, thanks. Happy Holidays!!

  15. One of my favorite things would have to be my husbands socks! lol Why do they seem so much warmer and cozier than mine? haha

  16. One of my favorite things are automatic candles. Love them all over the house and feel much safer with them on with kids and dogs in the house. On your list…the floor steamer. Oh how lovely that would be to finally get these old floors sparkling.

  17. I love the sewing machine, all mine are broken so I would love a new one. And I love the paint, my bedroom is in need of a paint job!

  18. So many beautiful things…however since my sewing machine has been broken for years, the Singer machine would be a good thing!…Have a great weekend…and great giveaway!…

  19. I am looking forward to some cozy Sundays curled up with a book on my couch. I have the cozy robe and the cozy throw, and I am looking forward to getting some great new books for Christmas!

  20. I love the throw blanket (and baby blanket) on your list, Rachel. As someone who is *always* cold, blankets are definitely some of my favorite things! 😉 Thanks for the great giveaway!

  21. Just this week I convinced the hubby to flip the dining room and the den, now I need a large mirror for above my buffet. Which means I would love to win the Cathedral wall mirror.

  22. a few years ago i gave all the ladies in my life trader joe’s salted caramel dark chocolate bar with sea salt. o.m.g.
    thanks!
    b

  23. Such awesome products! Lately one of my favorite things has been a heated blanket hands down. Like, I don’t even need to say more. It is a beautiful product! 🙂

  24. I am checking out your blog for the first time and I LOVE it!! The give always are so great, but I could never choose just one!! Thank you for your lovely blog and the giveaway!!

  25. Oh, I could think of several on my gift giving list that would love any of these gifts! Me, too! Thank you for the opportunity!

  26. One of my personal favorite things is my faux sheepskin throw that sits on my chair and I cover up in it at night when it is cold, and I love your charcoal cable throws, would be great this winter.

  27. I am a diy’er and would absolutely love the VersaCut System Kit , it would sure help me in my garage 🙂

  28. I’d love to win a gift card and I’d use it to purchase Overstock’s faux animal hides. Been wishing for one for a long time!

  29. Love YOU and your blog!!! You simply are amazing and so unbelievably talented!! Your rug is fabulous (go Mr Paxton) as is your Christmas tree 🙂

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