Xmas Gift for my Mother

My holiday gift for my mother had many pieces to it, but her bigger gift was a coffee-table photography book of the Beatles (her favorite). Barnes and Nobles has great bargains on coffee-table books during the holidays so be sure to check them out! This gift can readily apply to anyone with a favorite band, topic, or hobby and it's also gender neutral. This can also apply to a couple who has a shared interest!

Xmas for Uncles

It's always difficult for me when I know I have to give a group of men a gift, knowing that they'll be opening them in front of one another. Being the gift-giver that I am, I'd love to personalize the gifts but alas, I don't want to offend anyone in thinking that some gifts are better than others.

This year, I went with some very handsome scarves. The prints were varying and the colors were different as well, and I took note to which uncles wear what colors the most. Water color blues for my pastel-color loving uncle, and masculine navy/grey stripes for my black wearing uncle, etc.

Banana Republic always has good ones during the winter that fit well within the budget of any savvy shopper!

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.

Aunts and Uncles

Alas, like the other kids who hail from the half of the population whose marriages didn't quite make it, I will be spending Christmas with my mother's side this year. To let my family from my father's side know that I will miss them dearly and that I wish them all the merriment in the world, I've sent a delightful Harry and David All Occasion Tower of Treats. Not only does Harry and David have excellent delivery service, but their Royal Riviera pears are so delicious!!

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!

Bonobos

A great pair of pants for men (very comfortable/affordable/cute on the behind).. and super cute pocket linings that peep out. Incentive: pants are made in limited quantities with each lining, so they're all limited edition at Bonobos!

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)!

Boyfriend's birthday

Some back to school essentials for the new student... Croakies so as not to lose sunglasses frequently and Land's End ever stylish yet classic driving moccasins. Only thing I regret is not getting one of the new collegiate UMich croakies instead...

Aunt's Birthday

As I've said before, sometimes it's nice to get a bunch of little gifts rather than one big one!

My aunt is an avid gardner, so I went with a floral themed birthday gift. I got beautiful floral mugs, floral stationary in a cute box, a travel Votivo candle, and gummy vitamin bears (calcium to keep her bones strong)!

Birthday Gift for Uncle

I know I said I wasn't too crazy on photo gifts, but sometimes sentiment rules.

Got a super cute photo of my uncle and myself and put it on a photo mug from snapfish, and it turned out great!

Father's Birthday Gift

It's hard to shop for my father because he doesn't need much and what he does need, he gets. We'll be meeting in CA soon, so I thought I'd get him a nice framed art print that'll remind him of summer. I got him this beautiful print of a sailboat that has these architectural lines that he'll appreciate. It's from an etsy shop called delaflamant, this artist makes great modern prints!

Birthday Gift for my Mother

So I normally steer clear of buying my mother clothes or anything related because she's a stylist and I get nervous on the likely chance she finds it heinous, BUT- I found this leather jacket at CUSP which I thought she'd love. One, it's so soft and incredibly thin which is perfect for a california night as a quick layer, also, it's in a beautiful chocolate brown which she'll love... hopefully! You can also get it at Nordstrom, Neimans, or Barneys.

A Gift for... me

You have to get a nice gift for yourself every once in a while! Got a perfect cocktail dress from Alice and Olivia for the wedding circuit. RULE: I always think it's best to get cute dresses when you see them because when you're scrambling for one the weekend before an event, you always buy one you don't necessarily love.

Birthday Gift for my Grandmother

Sometimes it's good to go in on a gift with someone else. My Grandmother LOVES scarves, so my dearest cousin picked out a really cute Missoni one!