Hi all! I hope this re-post finds you well rested and ready for vacation…because I am in the middle of totally stressing out between work, shopping, Drs. appointments and packing for Wisconsin! This week has been beyond busy and isn’t over yet. Therefore, I thought I would repost last year’s gift giving guide in case you were at a loss for that last minute gift idea.
On the bright side…only one more day of work after today and then a sigh of relief, a Christmas party and time with the fam; whew! Have a good one!
Original Post: December 2011
When looking for gifts to give during the holiday season, I usually try to find something unique yet useful and that has a special meaning to the person of whom I am giving.
Here are some fun one of a kind ideas that I have found mainly on Pinterest.com (my new addiction) and my other favorite Etsy.com. These are great sites to browse gift ideas for others, or to find something special for yourself as well.
Other fun websites with original gift ideas are: perpetualkid.com and uncommongoods.com.
Personalized/Monogrammed:
Monogrammed Scarf/Pashmina - marleylilly.com
Monogrammed Door "Wreath" - Pinned on Pinterest.com, but similar one found here
LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag, always a winner – llbean.com
Fun Jewelry Ideas:
State Necklace – Etsy.com
Etsy.com
For the Sports lover:
Etsy.com
Game Day Pillows - Etsy.com
Vintage Collegiate Calendar - Click here for website
For the kitchen lover:
Funky Apron - Etsy.com
Matryoshkas inspired Measuring Cups By Fred and Friends found here
Handmade Coffee Scoop - Etsy.com
State Love:
State Prints - Etsy.com
State Pillow - uncommongoods.com
State hooks - Etsy.com
For the world traveler:
Passport Cover – Etsy.com
Prints from favorite destinations – Etsy.com
Leather Luggage Tags – Etsy.com
DIY Gift Ideas:
Design Your Own Mug - Tutorial here
Framed Scrabble Letter Art: great for messages or names – click here
Love Notes found here
Just plain cute:
“Our First Place” Key Ornament – inspiration found here
“Where We’re From” – folksy.com
Flavor Savor Mustache Clips, so funny! – perpetualkid.com
For Kids:
Vintage Shadow Puppet Poster - Etsy.com
Batter Finger by: Fred and Friends from here
Mrs. Food Face Plate – perpetualkid.com
GIFT GIVING TIPS:
Search for key words/interests of whom you are buying on shopping websites or even Google images to get ideas (usually the images will link directly to the website).
Searchable categories:
-hobbies
-occupations
-hometown, state
-special places (cities where people got married, graduated from college, retired, etc.)
- types of pets
- favorite sports teams
- special interests
Knowing where to look is half the battle. If you search for something and don’t like the selection on a website of that item, but like the style, search the website a little bit more. There are many hidden gems that I have found accidently just by exploring a website further. Don’t be afraid to use the search button on each website you visit as well.
For the crafty gift giver, DIY gifts are also a popular choice in my eyes, since it means so much more if you took the time to make a gift, rather than purchase premade. Time permitting of course!
Good Luck and Happy Shopping!
Happy Saturday everyone! I would say that I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it is much harder this year than in years past.
Our tree is up, lights are twinkling and presents are wrapped…but it’s just.plain.hot. With a high of around 80 degrees today, it feels more like the spring rather than Christmas.
I know I shouldn’t complain. Bright blue sky and warm temps probably sound pretty perfect to a northerner, but I am craving (for just a few days) cold, gray, raw wintery weather. Our air conditioner is pumping and Christmas music is playing. It just doesn’t seem right.
To help get into the Christmas spirit, I decided to post this Holiday Survey that I found on another blog to get the seasonal juices flowing. Enjoy!
25 Questions: Holiday Style
1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate for me (even better with peppermint flavoring),
Eggnog for Mike.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree?
Santa wraps them and usually signs them with all of his different notorious names: Kris Cringle, St. Nick, Santa, Mr. Clause, Nicholas.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights inside and out.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but that needs to be on the list for next year
5. When do you put up your decorations?
Thanksgiving weekend. I always loved having Christmas up before my birthday (December 3).
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Hmmm. I always used to love my Nana’s homemade Cheese Danish on Christmas morning. It was delish, but laborious. Now we have a much easier and (almost) just as tasty family recipe.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I think for me it was the whole process of Christmas Day.
I loved waking up early at my house and having Christmas with my mom and dad. Then my mom would make her famous egg casserole while my dad loaded the other gifts into the car.
We would all get ready and then head to my Nana’s or Aunt Janie’s house (my mom’s side) about an hour away for Christmas breakfast. After opening gifts there, we would visit my Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Steve (my dad’s side) and eat again.
Then, we always finished up back at my Aunt Janie’s house for Lima Bean Soup and Shrimp Salad for dinner. It was always a crazy day of traveling, but I loved every minute of it. The best part was finally getting back home late Christmas night when I could go through my gifts and finally have time to play with them!
8. What is on your Christmas wish list?
Mike and I have decided to buy ourselves a new bed. I guess that is a good thing if ours is worn out (wink, wink). I would however, really love a new pillow to go with it!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
I didn’t as a child, but when we are in Wisconsin, all of Mike’s family parties are on Christmas Eve, so there are now many presents opened the night before.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lots of glittery ornaments – I love glitter! We also have some special, meaningful ornaments that are mixed throughout.
11. Snow? Love it or dread it?
Love it – while visiting. Growing up in Florida, I had never experienced a white Christmas. The first time we were in Wisconsin this was my view Christmas morning – it was beautiful!
Mike misses the white stuff so much and can’t wait to go sledding and do snow angels whenever we visit. The boy absolutely loves it.
12. Real tree or artificial?
I grew up with real trees, but when my mom moved out of her house she gave us her artificial tree. Now I love it; it’s up, lit and ready to decorate in about 5 minutes.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember being so excited to receive my first “stereo system” for my room. I could record songs onto cassette tapes and I thought I was hot stuff.
14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Spending time with family, either here or in Wisconsin.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
I’m not a huge dessert person, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be Pumpkin Cheesecake.
16. What is your favorite tradition?
Santa Mouse. Ever since I was teeny weeny, my mom always put a small present wrapped with a gold bow on one of the branches of the Christmas tree from Santa Mouse. I would have to look “in” the tree to find it and it’s one of my fondest memories of Christmas morning. I think I always loved to find it because I knew it was going to be something small, like jewelry.
This tradition was taken from the book, Santa Mouse, Where Are You? by Michael Brown. I read it to my students now and still, to this day, can’t wait to see what Santa Mouse brings me on Christmas morning.
17. What tops your tree?
A red with white polka dotted vintage glass tree topper.
18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?
I love giving gifts! The only problem is, I have such a hard time keeping the gift a secret. Once I buy a gift, I want to give it right away! I think that’s why I’m not great at buying gifts throughout the year. I have to do it last minute.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I love them all, but one of my all time favorites would have to be All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey.
20. Candy canes, yuck or yum?
I enjoy them once in a while, but they are not my favorite. Mike loves the sweet, fruity varieties. We just bought the Starburst version to have on hand.
21. Favorite Christmas movie?
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
22. What do you leave for Santa?
When I was little I left Santa a note and cookies. I always left carrots for the Reindeer, too.
23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?
It depends where we are, Florida or Wisco (we alternate every year). Usually, though, we open stockings first and then gifts while sipping on hot coffee and listening to Christmas music.
24. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?
Both! I love buying big ticket items online when I can find discounts and free shipping. However, I do like the hustle and bustle of last minute mall shopping during Christmas when I don’t have that much to buy.
This year we have definitely done the majority online!
25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?
Mike and I send Christmas postcards, no envelope to seal and cheaper postage!
