This weekend is the annual Christmas shopping weekend for Gulley and me. For those who may not know, Gulley and I have a tradition that is now over twenty years old. We turn the first or second weekend of each December into a girls’ weekend that is solely devoted to getting all our Christmas shopping finished.
It also includes a two night sleepover, lots of chips and queso and possibly wine.
We shop all day Friday and Saturday and then Saturday night we stay up until all our presents are wrapped and ready to go under the tree. I have to tell you, it’s a highly civilized way to make the most of the Christmas season.
So I’ve been making lists of where I need to go and what I need to get done. Which has made me think about Christmas gifts. And that made me think it might be fun to make a little holiday gift guide of things that might be fun to give or receive.
Next week I think I’ll see if I can get P to make us a gift guide for the men in our lives. I’m not making any promises that it will actually happen though. Especially since he has no idea I’m even thinking about this until he just read this sentence.
But, for now, here are a few things that the girls in your life might enjoy.
This lotion. I can’t even explain. It is a staple in our house, especially during winter months when your skin can get so dry. It’s made with an aloe base and scented with natural lavender oil which smells so much better than the synthetic lavender smell that most products use.
And just this year they came out with a new one that is my other new favorite. It’s the Julia hand cream and is a blend of patchouli, rosemary and green tea. At first I thought I still liked the lavender the best, but now I just don’t know.
Truth be told, I use the Julia during the day and the lavender at night. I have a split lotion personality.
But I promise that you can’t go wrong. All other lotions and body washes are inferior. It probably helps that it’s made in the Texas Hill Country.
2. Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Palette
I have never actually owned this palette, but I’ve always wanted to have one. People go crazy for it and vow that putting on their eyeshadow has never been so much fun.
3. North Face glacier quarter zip fleece pullover
I bought myself one of these fleeces in October and have worn it almost every day since. Except when it’s 80 degrees outside because that would be weird. It’s the softest fleece ever and so warm even though it feels lightweight.
4. capri blue mercury glass candle
These are the best candles ever. The container is gorgeous and the smell is even better. This would make a great hostess gift for any holiday parties.
5. polaroid z2300 instant digital camera kit
This is a little random, but I couldn’t resist. And you might have a person in your life who would go crazy for it.
Remember the old Polaroid cameras that instantly printed out a picture that you had to fan for five minutes to get an image to appear? And they made that schmusshaakglk sound as it spit out the picture?
This is like that, but an updated version. You can still instantly print out pictures from the camera and/or you can save them on your computer just like a normal digital camera. How fun is that?
Maybe you think you aren’t interested in socks. But you should be interested in these because they will keep the feet of someone you love toasty warm. And they are only $4 at Target. They’re my favorites.
If I were Oprah I would yell really loudly right now “AND YOU’RE ALL GETTING SOCKS!!!” Except I’m not Oprah. And, sadly, I’m not getting you all socks. Although I wish I could.
I think pajama pants are an underrated gift. Who doesn’t like a new pair of pj pants?
8. john wind initial necklace with pearl
I love these initial necklaces and they’re only $42.95. Which I think is a great deal for a piece that will become a wardrobe staple.
I realize you’re probably not going to buy someone else a piece of art since art is totally subjective and a personal decision. But I had to show you this anyway because I think it’s darling. I am such a fan of Janet Hill and her holiday prints are adorable.
10. Handmade Holidays from Ruth at Living Well, Spending Less
Last but not least, my friend Ruth has a great series going on her blog right now with all sorts of ideas and instructions for handmade gifts. It’s such a great resource if you’re looking to spend less money and make gifts as opposed to buying them.
I think we all know that after yesterday’s post, I’d like to give everyone a pom pom wreath made out of yarn and obnoxiously announce that I made it myself from yarn I bought at Michael’s. Clearly some people aren’t cut out to make gifts with their own two hands for fear of alienating everyone in their life with all the bragging about it and need for praise.
Hopefully all of you are bigger people than I am.
So there’s a little gift guide in case you needed ideas. And I’ll start working on P now to see if I can get him to help us out next week.