9 Things Every Girl Who Grew Up With Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Will Relate To

It’s no secret that the things you love as a kid tend to stay with you as nostalgic favorites through your life. It’s true of Lisa Frank, it’s true of tons of your favorite beauty products and it’s definitely true of Netflix’s Fuller House series. Even though the Olsen twins weren’t, and likely never will be, part of the reboot, their role as Michelle Tanner in the original was our introduction to the twins, and they’d go on to be part of our lives for decades to come.

1. You were either a Mary-Kate or an Ashley. In their post-Full House lives, where they actually played separate people, Mary-Kate and Ashley fell into their roles as the tomboy and the girly-girl, respectively. While their differences cause their fair share of disagreements, it also taught us to embrace our true selves and accept others as they are. Plus, it totally made it easier for our younger, simpler brains to pick a favorite.

2. Having a twin sister seemed like the coolest thing in the world. Despite their differences, Mary-Kate and Ashley introduced us to the inexplicable ~magic~ of having a twin sister early on. A constant best friend, schemer, clothes-sharer — we wanted what we didn’t have or understand. (Photo via Giphy)

3. But having an annoying older brother was the WORST. The Olsens used their voice and platform for one of time’s worst plagues — the older brother who always picks on his little sisters. They immortalized their plan to sell their older brother Trent for .50 cents in the classic hit “Brother for Sale.” #neverforget

4. When you learned Mary-Kate and Ashley had other IRL siblings, you felt betrayed in a way. We can’t even explain this one, but RIGHT? Was it because of their Full House family? Or the fact that they should exist on a twin island without other family dynamics. It’s like when you run into your teacher at the mall. Something just feels weird about it! Of course, their sister Elizabeth also caught the acting bug and is super famous on her own. (Photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty)

5. You know every word to this song. Despite a number of musical classics, “I Am The Cute One” might arguably be their most popular. Weird, in hindsight, but huge tune.

6. Two words: Butterfly clips. (Photo via Getty)

7. Two more words: Tube tops. (Photo via Getty)

8. Somehow, against all sparkly, butterfly-clipped, tube-topped odds, they’ve minimalized and streamlined, becoming worldwide style moguls and icons. Their (more specifically, Mary-Kate’s) signature boho-chic look is still evolving after all these years, and we can count on the twins to wear looks we’re barely keeping up on. (Photo via Andrew H. Walker/Getty)

9 . But they’ll always be Michelle Tanner first and foremost. You got it, dude. (Photo via Giphy)

What’s your most memorable Mary-Kate and Ashley moment? Let us know over @BritandCo!

(Featured photo via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)

Foodies – you know 'em, and you love 'em. They're the ones that always bring food to the function, making sure everyone's well-fed. They're constantly breaking a sweat in the kitchen when they're whipping up those elaborate dinner recipes that you just can't stop craving. This season, return the favor of those curated dinner parties and lively happy hours by giving your favorite foodie one of these unique foodie gifts. From kitchen accessories to home goods, apparel to cookbooks, your food-loving pal is going to love these tasteful picks.

Our favorite foodie gift ideas for 2024:

Lisa Says Gah!

Lisa Says Gah! Holiday Nail Art Stickers

Winter nails will never be the same after they get a tasty treatment from these food-themed nail stickers. We're obsessing over the martini glasses!

Amazon

More Is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen: A Cookbook by Molly Baz

This bold book by cool cookin' girl, Molly Baz, encourages risk-taking in the kitchen and a pure "cooking for fun" mentality, which we could all use a heaping serving of, no?

Amazon

The Pasta Tarot: A 78-Card Deck for Delicious Divination

Your local astrology-loving foodie will instantly want to noodle with this super fun deck. The cards' themes are rooted in the authors' queer Italian American identities, offering an insightful and unique take on tarot.

Marianna Fierro

Marianna Fierro Olives Print

For the big brine fan, behold this bold olive art print. Bonus points for gifting this pick with a frame for them to hang in the kitchen!

Areaware

Little Puzzle Thing Rainbow Jelly Puzzle

Though you could snag this 12x12-inch puzzle in French fry form, we just can't get enough of this vintage-esque rainbow jelly!

Amazon

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

Salt, fat, acid, and heat are the four main building blocks of creating an excellent dish. If your foodie friend is seeking more guidance, Samin Nosrat lays out the process simply and deliciously.

Dusen Dusen

Dusen Dusen Oven Mitt

Bet they've never had a standout oven mitt like this one! It's 100% cotton and 100% eye-catching. When kitchen gear gifts can double as decor like this, you've nailed gift-giving.

Boy Smells

Boy Smells Banana Pudding Candle

This dessert-inspired home scent is so good, you may just wanna eat it. Seriously – it smells like something's baking, even though all you did was strike a match.

Amazon

Jellycat Amuseable Happy Boiled Egg

We owe a lot to eggs – omelets, deviled eggs, cakes, cookies – the list goes on and on. This soft, palm-sized plush is an adorable tribute to the great egg!

Amazon

Brainstream Al Dente Singing Floating Pasta Timer

This pasta timer (AKA Mr. Al Dente) sings whenever your pot of pasta's done cooking. It may be a more gimmicky foodie gift, but it can really spare you from throwing noodles at the wall.

Anastasia Inciardi

Anastasia Inciardi Prints Sticker Sheet

These snacky stickers are the ultimate water bottle or laptop decoration for the famed foodie in your life.

Amazon

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

Maldon salt has unknowingly become the top salt choice for the Cool Kids™️ in the kitchen. The chunky flakes are perfectly balanced in flavor. Sprinkle some on a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and you'll never go back. ​

Amazon

What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People: A Baking Book by Claire Saffitz

Take it from baking queen Claire Saffitz for tips on creating a sweet little treat.

Hedley & Bennett

Hedley & Bennett Smock

If they practically live in the kitchen, an apron or smock is a must for eliminating stains and messes. This one comes in a ton of different colors to suit any chef in your life!

Pon the Store

Pon the Store Cocktail Napkins

For the foodie who can't resist a good cocktail, these printed napkins make for the perfect complement to a drink – plus, they set the tone for a night full of sippin'.

Material Kitchen

Material Kitchen The Salt Sphere

This super sleek sphere serves to store salt and other essential seasonings.

Williams Sonoma

Staub Ceramic Stoneware Petite Tomato Cocotte

Tomato confit will get even tastier once it's made inside this tomato-y piece of cookware.

Match South

Match South Waffle House Candle

This double-wicked candle emits the smells of warm spices and syrup, eliciting nothing other than the sweet nostalgia of going to Waffle House. Burns well with freshly-cooked waffles, of course!

Uncommon Goods

Taiyaki Maker

With this iron mold, they can bring the iconic Japanese street food, taiyaki, to brunches and breakfasts.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione may be the iconic trio of the Harry Potter series on screen, but in real life, it’s Hermione and Draco whose friendship has stood the test of time. Emma Watson and Tom Felton have the kind of relationship songwriters could get inspo from forever. Over the years, they’ve been childhood friends, co-stars, each other’s unrequited crushes, and self-proclaimed soulmates.

Emma and Tom met while filming the first Harry Pottermovie and have remained super close since. They see each other frequently IRL and often treat fans to pictures of them hanging out outside of Hogwarts. Here’s a timeline of Dramione’s — err, I mean, Emma and Tom’s — cutest friendship moments.

Emma Watson

Warner Bros.

2000 — Emma Watson & Tom Felton meet while filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Emma Watson is the youngest member of the main HP cast. When Sorcerer’s Stone began filming, the actress was nine years old and madly in love with Tom. You can only imagine why the 12-year-old actor didn’t feel the same. “For the first two movies, I had a huge crush on Tom Felton. He was my first crush,” Emma revealed to Seventeen. “He totally knows. We talked about it — we still laugh about it. We are really good friends now, and that’s cool.”

Warner Bros.

2003 to 2011 — Tom helps Emma navigate fame as they film Harry Potter

The older and therefore wiser (at least, that’s what they say) Tom Felton took Emma Watson under his wing while filming the Harry Potter movies. According to producer David Heyman, around the time they were filming Prisoner of Azkaban and becoming some of the most recognizable kids in the world, Emma struggled to come to terms with her celebrity status. Cue Tom Felton.

“We were filming Hagrid’s lesson with the Hippogriff. Tom and Emma were really friendly, and Tom really encouraged Emma to engage with the fans in the way that she hadn’t. It was like she needed someone, a friend, to go on that [journey] with her. They were all looking out for each other,” David said.

Tom and Emma's friendship got stronger with each Potter flick they filmed. “I became very protective over her,” Tom said during the Harry Potter reunion special. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her, and that continues to the day.”

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

2017 — Tom Felton supports Emma Watson at the Beauty and the Beast premiere.

Hermione isn’t the only brunette bookworm Watson’s played; she also starred as Belle in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Unlike his fellow Harry Potter alum Matthew Lewis, Felton didn’t walk the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, but he was photographed at the event.

Emma Watson/Instagram

2018 — Emma Watson & Tom Felton hang out in LA

Tom and Emma truthers know exactly where they were the day Emma casually dropped this now-iconic post of her and Tom together on the California coast on Instagram. Tom moved to LA in 2012 after wrapping the Potter series, but it would take more than an ocean to keep him away from Emma. In the post, you can watch the pair tease each other as they share a skateboard.

Max

January 2022 — Tom and Emma speak candidly about their friendship during the Harry Potter reunion special.

Tom Felton and Emma Watson reunited once again for HBO Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special. Watson went into detail about her childhood crush on Felton, saying that she “fell in love” with him when he drew God as a girl with a backward cap on a skateboard. She also confirmed that nothing romantic has ever happened between them. “We just love each other,” she said.

Amazon

October 2022 — Emma writes the foreword to Tom’s book.

Tom Felton's memoir, Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, is chock full of Harry Potter references that’ll make even the meanest Muggles smile, but the best Harry Potter Easter egg is on the first page. Emma Watson wrote a super sweet foreword for the book (an apt choice given that she studied English lit in college). In it, she gushes over Tom’s kindness and even says they’re "soulmates." Read the whole thing for yourself here!

“I love Emma so much,” Felton tells Elle Australia. “And I think, I know she loves me. She was the first person to read the earliest drafts of the book, and she was very kind to volunteer and write the forward for it, which I’m forever grateful for.”

Obsessed with celeb friendships? Then you have to check out Jennifer Lawrence & Dakota Johnson's Cozy BFF Date.

Brand-new gift sets, foodie gifts, beauty gifts, and the like are sure to bring joy this year, but if you're planning to give something with a personal twist, handmade gifts are *the* way to go. The possibilities are truly endless when you employ your creativity and craft items that your gift recipients have maybe seen (or received) before – hats, cards, coasters, picture holders, and more await.

Check out these entirely homemade gifts that will spark your next holiday idea! Some components of these handmade gifts can even be thrifted, saving you some cash along the way.

Anete Lusina / PEXELS

1. Start simple and make them a personalized card.

Nothing communicates your love, time, and effort behind a gift more than personalized cards. Even if you can’t DIY the gift itself, having a handmade card (with a thoughtful message inside) as a prelude to the unwrapping ritual will touch everyone’s heart. Make sure to craft yours on some hardy cardstock so they feel *extra* special. Peep some of these stellar holiday card ideas for inspiration!

@miascozycorner i inadvertently seem to have to fallen into a purple theme?? #christmascrafts#diychristmasdecor#diychristmasornaments#claycreations#tiktokdiy#christmas♬ original sound - mia 🍒

2. Sculpt some cutie gift toppers.

Handmade gift wrapping elements will also step up your holiday game. These darling little gift toppers that @miascozycorner made out of polymer clay are sure to inspire your own designs! Decorate the shapes you make with paint pens and coat them in Liquitex for durability, then attach them to your gift box or bag using some cute ribbon or yarn.

Riley Williams

3. Use air-dry clay to make picture holders.

Clay is your BFF for making handmade gifts. This idea from @rileyrosestudio lets your giftee display pictures, memories, cards, or even recipe cards in the form of their favorite food! Go for a trendier take by sculpting an olive or tomato out of air-dry clay, or opt to craft something as intricate as a burger or pizza slice – no matter what shape it is, they’re sure to love it. Riley usesgesso to prime her air-dry clay pieces, then an acrylic sealant to make sure those lovely designs stay put.

Meredith Holser

4. Make an orange garland for them.

A dried orange garland takes an entire day (and sometimes more) to make, so your recipient should definitely feel special knowing you put hours of love into this handmade gift. Though they look intricate, you only need to follow a few steps (and have few materials: orange slices, twine, and a thick yarn needle) to achieve the cozy garland. Luckily, there are tons of citrus garland tutorials on social media to assist in your creation. B+C Creative Assistant, Meredith, tied cutie little pink ribbon bows on her homemade garland.

Krissy Derrick

5. Craft a candle holder using clay.

You could use a pottery kitlike these convenient ones to make anything, really, but this wavy candelabra from @modeletto.store will make one of the most unique handmade gifts! Don’t forget to *also* gift somecandlesticks alongside it.

Mariam Antadze / PEXELS

6. Make coasters out of air-dry clay and gift them alongside thrifted glassware.

To make some handmade coasters, roll out some air-dry clay, let it dry, and coat it with gesso before you get to painting! The canvas is yours with this gift idea, but here are a few concepts to get the creative juices flowing: smiley faces, rainbows, spirals, initials, and fruits or vegetables. Ensure that your hard work stays in place with a sealant that’ll repel moisture. Some thrifted glassware pieces to give alongside your handmade coasters would be the absolute cherry on top!

Meredith Holser

7. Create a collage out of old magazines.

Magazines are really not hard to come by, and if you're looking for a sustainable gift, you can find some especially unique ones at re-sell bookstores or thrift stores to make your own collage. Some of the best ones to start with are Vogue and National Geographic. There are a lot of different techniques and themes you could run with, so we recommend doing some visual research on Pinterest beforehand to nail down your collage's concept. Maybe it's full of imagery that reminds you of your relationship, or a jumble of words that form a sweet poem – it's really up to you! Just have glue, an X-Acto knife, and a cutting board on-hand for the process. Complete this artsy handmade gift by signing your work and framing the collage in a nifty frame.

Meredith Holser

8. Thread a handmade necklace using thrifted or secondhand beads.

Got a necklace you don’t love? Deconstruct that baby using small wire cutters or scissors so that you can use the leftover beads and charms to make something entirely new! If you don’t have them on-hand already, you will need some beading cord, bead clamps, jump rings, clasps, and pliers.

Brit + Co

9. DIY your very own body care line.

Making your own body scrubs or balt salts is *a lot* easier than you’d think. Some recipes only call for ingredients you’d find in your kitchen! Make a range of self-care products at home, then package them up in thrifted jars with ribbon and a handmade tag to really impress.

Ron Lach / PEXELS

10. Repurpose cans and tins by pouring candles into them.

Fish tin candles are in, but you can really use any vessel to pour your own candles in. All you need is some candle wax, wicks, and a scent of your choice to create something super unique! Try your first handmade candle with an empty, clean tinned fish tin, then get adventurous with soda cans or crushed tomato cans to bring out that Tomato Girl energy for your gift recipient.

Karolina Grabowska / PEXELS

11. Make a batch of jam.

If foodie gifts are their thing, then there’s no better item to give than, well, food! We have an amazingly tasty fig jamrecipe, but you can take the reins on what fruity flavor you’ll whip up. This is a convenient handmade gift, too, because the result won’t go bad or spoil before the big day.

Karolina Grabowska / PEXELS

12. Make a batch of spice mix.

In the same vein of shelf-stable foodie-snacky gifts, spice mixes are always a good idea, and really easy to make at home. Mix together some cajun seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, ranch, or everything bagel seasoning in no time before packing it up in small thrifted jars to gift!

Roman Odinstov / PEXELS

13. Make a batch of chili oil.

Chili oil is very buzzy at the moment, but instead of dropping a bag on a single jar, make your own at home to yield a few! Our recipe uses neutral oil, star anise, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, Sichuan peppercorns, salt, chili flakes, garlic and soy sauce.It only takes a moment to make, but you’ll want the mixture to sit for a week or so, that way the nuanced flavors can all sink in. You could even gift a few recipe cards (like these delectable feta fried eggs) alongside a jar, since chili oil is exceptionally yummy on a ton of dishes.

Anete Lusina / PEXELS

14. Knit or crochet a hat, scarf, or another garment you know they’d like.

Having knitting and/or crochet skills is invaluable when it comes to gifting season. You can easily find patterns online for creating beanies, blankets, scarves, leg warmers, balaclavas, mittens, and more, so your giftee can stay stylishly warm beyond the holidays in a bespoke garment that *you* made!

Damir / PEXELS

15. Make magnets out of air-dry clay for their fridge.

Again, air-dry clay rules the world of handmade gifts. For a smaller project, make some fridge decorations by painting on air-dry clay shapes. You can make hearts, stars, foods, faces, animals, and more! To make your designs magnetized, super glue some small magnet tabs on the back of them.

小龙 魏 / PEXELS

16. Paint a glass bottle with your own design to gift a plant cutting.

You can easily thrift a glass vessel (or use one you already have), paint a unique design on it using glass paint, then fill it with a little bit of water to gift a small plant cutting! This way, you’re giving them a stylish home decor piece along with a heirloom piece of nature that they’ll admire every day as it grows.

Brit + Co

17. DIY an ornament (or a few) for them.

Tree ornaments are 100% on-theme for the holidays, so if you feel a little lost on what to gift, try DIY-ing some ornaments of varying styles! We have some DIYs for punnyones and minimalistones, but there are also a ton of other tutorials on social media that can guide you in the direction you want to take.

Mati Mango / PEXELS

18. Burn a CD full of tracks they’d like.

It may seem a little old-school now, but the gift idea of burning a CD will appeal to every gift recipient that’s old enough to remember portable CD players. They can play it in their car or through their at-home speaker system to jam out. Just grab a pack of blank CDs that come with covers, and let the nostalgic process take you away.

In addition to making your own playlist to gift, you should definitely consider designing an album cover and tracklist for that personalized touch – platforms like Canva are a great option for doing this. The music-lover in your life will surely appreciate the time you took to craft each and every detail of the CD – and maybe they’ll even discover some new tunes along the way!

Brit + Co

19. Bake them a big batch of cookies.

You just can’t go wrong with sweets during the holidays! Whatever form they come in – vegan, gluten-free, paleo – cookies are sure to satisfy your giftee. We have a ton of recipes you could check out (I highly recommend the Taylor Swift chai cookies), but if you already have a method to your madness, whip up whatever dessert recipe you have in mind. Just make sure they’re fairly fresh when you hand them over.

If you don’t have a neat cookie tin on-hand, run to your nearest thrift store. It’s guaranteed that you’ll find a cute one to house your cookies!

Brit + Co

20. Decorate a plant pot with pops of color.

If your gift recipient has a green thumb, it’s not a bad idea to gift them a few plant-related things. Luckily, handmade gifts have a stake in this – just grab a terracotta pot (you can easily thrift one or find one for cheap at the dollar store) and some chalk pens, then decorate the exterior however you like.

To get some ideas flowing, you could include illustrated motifs of your relationship with this person, write their name out in bubble letters, or just doodle random designs. Matching their interior design aesthetic is definitely recommended.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.