The Ultimate “Snow Day Survival Kit” Gift Guide: Part 3

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s back, for the third year running…

The Gathered Home’s Ultimate “Snow Day Survival Kit” Gift Guide: Part 3!

Just what is a “Snow Day Survival Kit”?

Great question! I’m so glad you asked!

A “Snow Day Survival Kit” is the embodiment of my dream winter day: curling up somewhere warm with a good book and something yummy and enjoying a quiet break from hectic daily life. To me, there’s no better little vacation for one’s soul!

Here in Texas, snow days are few and far between, much longed-for and revered, and practically apocalyptic in nature. No one knows how to drive in the snow, the cities aren’t prepared to deal with road conditions… everything pretty much grinds to a slow, silent halt for a magical day or two.

A few years ago, we had a “big” (in Texas terms) unexpected snowstorm that knocked out power across the Dallas Fort Worth area for a day and a half and blanketed everything with a bed of crunchy white snow. Bryan and I bundled up at home, cuddled with our cats, and finally ventured out cautiously in search of somewhere we could find a hot meal. Our car was almost the only one on the three-lane highway that no longer had any lanes to be found and I’ll never forget just how still and quiet the world was around us! The next town over, we found a shopping center with restaurants that still had power and were open and enjoyed some heat and food before heading home for a quiet evening by candlelight. Although it was quite a cold 30 hours or so, I’ll always look back on it fondly!

Sometimes, a nonscheduled break is just what I need… and this gift guide is all about how to give someone else that experience of breaking away, enjoying the silence, and refueling the spirit.

The Ultimate “Snow Day Survival Kit” Gift Guide Part 3

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This is the third year in a row I’m sharing a few “recipes” for a perfect Snow Day (catch Part 1 and Part 2): something good to read + two themed accompaniments to pamper and treat oneself.

I’ve pulled together six little pairings for you to use as inspiration for the book lover in your life! Obviously, you can mix and match or just use the general idea to put together your own “Snow Day Survival Kit” gift. I like to choose a book I love and then brainstorm for something special to pair with it that enhances the mood of the book (or sometimes is pulled straight from the story)!

Let’s kick things off with one of my absolute favorite book purchases ever…

For the Decor Lover:

Mr. Ken Fulk’s Magical World // This book is not only quite possibly the most beautiful coffee table book in the entire world — it’s also full of absolutely jaw-dropping interiors inspiration from the incredible designer Ken Fulk. I bought it for myself with Christmas money last year and I’ve pored over these gorgeous enormous pages for hours! Highly recommended!

Prosecco Gummies // You definitely need something a little “extra” to pair with this extravaganza of awesome! Go with gummies like these Prosecco gummies from SugarSin or these champagne gummy bears from Project7 or even some cute champagne jelly beans!

 Voluspa Mini Candle Trio// A beautiful coffee table book calls for a beautiful candle to burn while reading — or three, like this mini gift set of Voluspa candles from Anthropologie!

Quirky and Whimsical:

The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel // I featured this book’s companion (The Wes Anderson Collection) in last Christmas’s gift guide and my sweet husband bought it for me. Wes Anderson is my very favorite film maker, so naturally, I have my eye on this beautiful sequel this year!

A Colorful Assortment of Truffles + A Blush Pink Gift Box // Nothing says ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ like a blush pink box full of delicious treats! You can pick this pretty gift box up at Target and then fill with the goodies of your choosing — I chose these colorful truffles because they felt very Wes Anderson to me. If you’re really feeling adventures, you can try your hand at your very own Courtesan au Chocolat patisserie from Mendl’s, demonstrated here in this adorable tutorial from Wes himself.

For the Bar Cart Connoisseur:

Craft Cocktails // We own the first lovely recipe book in this series from Brian van Flandern but I’d love to acquire the other books he’s created as well! The photography of each cocktail is out of this world and we’ve loved all the recipes we’ve tried. It’s as beautiful as it is useful.

Gold Whiskey Stones // You’re telling me I can put gorgeous gold gems inside my drink instead of ice cubes? Yes please!!! I am all about these gorgeous and practical whiskey stones that will also look gorgeous on a bar cart.

Gilded Beetle Bottle Opener // Pretty bottle openers are my weakness! I spotted this gold beetle bottle opener in a little gift shop in Colorado and have regretted not impulse-buying it ever since. Luckily, I found the same one on Amazon! Wouldn’t it make the cutest gift?

For Word-Lovers Young and Old:

The Phantom Tollbooth // This is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. It’s one of those amazingly clever “children’s” classics that really can be enjoyed by anyone of any age with a love for the written word and a sense of humor. It’s my ultimate “feel good” book that I can pick up anytime, anywhere and enjoy. My copy from high school has all my favorite passages underlined. 🙂

A Fancy Chocolate Bar Assortment // I can’t remember exactly how this started, but my sister and I have always had a tradition of tucking a delicious full-size Hershey Symphony bar in with whatever other gift we gave each other (usually a favorite book or DVD) for Christmas or birthdays. I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a Symphony bar on any other occasion; it’s something that was always an extra-special treat. I thought these gourmet holiday chocolate bars from Theo were a fun grown-up take on our childhood tradition, but feel free to swap in whatever full size candy bar your recipient prefers!

A Classic Tartan Blanket // The Phantom Tollbooth is the kind of book best read curled up in a ball in a warm blanket, and this classic tartan throw is both a warm and extremely stylish accessory to facilitate that!

Something Rugged:

The Gunslinger by Stephen King // I recently began reading The Dark Tower series by Stephen King and I’ve really been enjoying the series. My interest in the series was peaked by the new movie that came out this past year, but after hearing not-so-fantastic reviews, I decided to stick with the books. In the last few weeks I’ve devoured the first three and a half, so I’d say that recommends them pretty well! The old-West-meets-middle-ages-and-also-crosses-over-to-New-York world building is fantastic!

A Rustic Leather Pint Sleeve // 1) I’m very into leather this year. 2) That can sound weird without context. 3) This rustic leather sleeve for a pint glass is AWESOME and a perfect fit for the rough-edged world of a gunslinger. 4) Definitely drink beer (a stout, preferably) while reading this series. 5) Just do it.

An Assortment of Epic Jerky // Again, this is practically an essential while enjoying this series. Feed your inner rugged warrior with this fun assortment of beef, turkey, venison and salmon jerky from Epic.

For Fans of Humorous Fantasy:

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman // Long-time readers might already know what a huge Terry Pratchett fan I am! I just love his humorous, whimsical stories — and this apocalyptic work created in tandem with the masterful Neil Gaiman is no exception. Blending a group of youngsters a la The Sandlot (one of whom may or may not be the Antichrist), the unlikely romance between a descendant of a famous witch and a famous witch-hunter, and the lovable friendship between Crowley of Hell and Aziraphale of Heaven who both enjoy living on Earth quite a bit… Such a good read and soon to be adapted into a show by Amazon!

Queen: Greatest Hits cd // This is one of those pairings drawn straight from the pages of the book. In Good Omens, any tape left in a car stereo long enough is highly likely to turn into a Best of Queen mix — so what better way to create ambience for a reading?

Admittedly he was listening to a Best of Queen tape, but no conclusions should be drawn from this because all tapes left in a car for more than about a fortnight metamorphose into Best of Queen albums.

— Good Omens, Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

A Luxurious Hot Cocoa Mix // Hot cocoa also makes several appearances in the book; in fact, it’s enjoyed by the angel Aziraphale while reading. This Godiva hot cocoa mix is delightfully indulgent and dare I say, heavenly? 😉

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So what do you think? Do you have any fun new ideas for gifts? These are always fun because they’re pretty easy to pull together, even at the last minute.

For more literary gift ideas, be sure to check out these other fantastic “Snow Day Survival Kit” gift guides:

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays! I’m going to sign off for a little while and enjoy a break from all the hurry and scurry… So this is my Christmas greeting for you all — LOVE YOU and I’m so thankful for you!

See – I even put on an ugly Christmas sweater and some fantastic present earrings (thrifted, of course!) for you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!