Gifts for Uncles

This year, I gave all the men in my family different products from The Art of Shaving. This company does a great job of elevating an every day activity to something luxurious... I love the lavender scent but picked a neutral scent for others!

Gifts for the Ladies

It's great when I'm able to give gifts that I've personally used and loved. This year, for the ladies in my family, I've filled their gift baskets with:

- A cute holiday paper pad to jot down their shopping lists. Everyone can always use a list pad, Expressionery has great ones that are good for any occasion!



- Too Faced shadow insurance from Sephora, it's an amazing shadow primer that makes your eye shadow stay put and stay crease-free ALL day! I can't live without it now.



- And a skinny patent leather belt from J.Crew. I have a few of them and you can dress them up or down and wear them with just about anything! It can work for any aged lady in my family!

Xmas Gifts for Girlfriends

This year's gifts: a cute colorful pashmina, matching lace undies from Victoria's Secret and a fruity lipgloss!

BF's Parents' Gift + stocking stuffer

My friends recently introduced me to a really great game called Settlers of Catan and I knew that would be a hit with my bf's parents because we love to play board games when we're together!
I got it off Amazon and also got them the expansion pack which is well worth it, because the game works the best with 4 players. As a stocking stuffer, I got them the #1 Pet ornament from Pottery barn with a picture of their family dog, Archie!

BF stocking stuffer

Another great stocking stuffer from the Personalization Mall! As this was the first set of holidays my bf and I split between our two families, it was the first Christmas we'd spent together. I wanted to commemorate the occasion by getting an engraved ornament that said the date and the #1. I hope to give him a new number each Christmas so that we can travel round the tree to count the years!

BF's X-mas Gift + Stocking stuffer + Groomsmen gifts

As mentioned in a previous post, my BF currently goes to school in Michigan and it can get quite chilly there. It's unfortunate that my X-mas gift was backordered and didn't arrive until March, but they're so deliciously warm and good-looking that I'll forgive LL Bean for their gaffe! Did I mention they have these in women's sizes as well? Also, check out the multi-functional titanium collar stays (sweet stocking stuffer!) from Bonobos that are also bottle-openers! Can't get more festive than that. Update: husband bought these for his groomsmen and had a short inside joke engraved on one and their initials on the other.

College Besties

I generally get my roommates from college the same thing, sometimes with a little bit of customization! This year's presents:

- Copy of the "Bridesmaid Guide" by Kate Chynoweth. Such a cute and useful book as we'll all be each other's bridesmaids coming up!
- Minimergency kit (perfect for my teacher roommates): Hairspray, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Emery Board, Lip Balm, Earring Backs, Clear Elastics, Sewing Kit, Double-Sided Tape, Stain Remover, Deodorant Towelette, Pain Reliever, Tampon, Breath Freshener, Dental Floss, and Adhesive Bandages
- Lilly Pulitzer stationary (perky stationary for my perky teacher friends)

Yankee Swap Ideas

The holiday season means merriment, parties, and gift exchanges! This often sends people into a dizzying tizzy about what to present that's gender neutral, funny, or thoughtful (and let's be honest, you kind of want your gift to be "stolen" at least once).

FOR CLOSE FRIENDS: So since I just witnessed one of the best yankee swap gift exchanges with close friends (it was filled with laughs, "oohs," "ahhs," and stealing), I thought I'd share the notable mentions. (It was a $20 maximum for twenty something year olds)

• Fish, with requisite fish bowl and food!
• 20 single $1 bills (labeled for a bachelor or bachelorette party)
• whiskey stones (amazing to cool down your drink without watering it down)
• $20 gift certificate to a local lunch spot
• Mine: "holiday party for two" gift basket... Two mini bottles of champagne, cheese and crackers, milano cookies, whipped cream. Nothing says holidays like romantic gestures!

WORK COLLEAGUES: Work or non close friend swaps are completely different story, ie stay clear of fish bowls, $1 dollar bills, etc. Best ones are stocking stuffer type items, cool but inexpensive tech gifts like mini speakers or water proof music ear buds. 

Stocking Stuffers!

Tartan holiday cards... plus jingle bell bobby pins from Kate Spade

Baby Gifts!

Coolest gift of the season for the little ones! Critter Slippers at Garnet Hill ! My favorites; sheep and shark.

Also, these are perfect to stock up on to stash in your gift box. Know your nephew/niece/daughter/son will be bigger next year? Buy a size or two up in another critter! These will always be a hit.

Birthday Gifts for GF's

Recently, two of my gf's had their birthdays and I got them photo gifts. Generally, I'm not a huge fan but I got these notepads from Snapfish that were so easy and super cute! I customized them with a photo in the corner (on every page) and their name on top. I threw in some additional photos in picture frames and a little Kate Spade stationary and was good to go!

Stocking Stuffer!

Such a good stocking stuffer for all your friends (who like to drink)! Get them early 'cause these sell out every year (from Restoration Hardware)!