This is the most wonderful time of the year! (I’m pretty sure I say that at every season change…) I just love everything about the holiday season (food, family, friends, gift giving, snow, bundling up by the fireplace with a book, hot cocoa…). You know how people say they are “like a kid on Christmas” when they are excited about something? I’m still that kid.
Gift giving is not necessarily the reason for the season and I hate how out of control it has become (Black Friday…yeeesh), but giving Christmas presents is a
swell way to show your gratitude to important people
in your life. After all, Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all. In the midst of all the holiday present shopping and hustle and bustle, don’t forget the real reason for our celebrations.
I love the idea of homemade gifts, but I just don’t have the time to sit down and get crafty. {If someone would give me the gift of 36 hour days, I’d be eternally grateful. I could work 8 hours a day, get my 8-9 hours of beauty sleep AND have time to do the arts, crafts, trying new recipes, taking pictures when there is daylight, etc. that I always wish I had more time for.} Alas, I must purchase my gifts along with those of us who are just barely capable of managing a job, a happy husband, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Gift giving this year is super easy for us — we live in Germany with products that you can’t buy anywhere else! I got all my shopping done last weekend. I’d show you a picture but, well, I haven’t sent them back to the states yet and I don’t want to ruin any surprises.
Here are a few cost-savvy gift ideas for those “hard to buy for” people on your list. The items may be seemingly simple, but that’s the point. I tried to round up the items that most people wouldn’t buy for themselves, but will appreciate them. The items are linked to the website to purchase for your loved ones. Most of them are small business sellers who make their own products (this is especially great if you live in a place where you don’t have the option to support a local small business) or from websites that are tried and true in my book.
1. The wino.
2. The blushing bride-to-be.
3. The newlyweds.
- Their last name spelled with pictures (alphabet art)
- Personalized thank you notes
- Their wedding invitation in a Christmas ornament
4. The strapping fellow who has everything.
- A simple, basic wrist watch.
- Leg Lamp
- Cozy slippers
- Key chain bottler opener
- Chiseled iPhone dock
- Old-fashioned swanky glasses
5. The lavish lady who has everything.
- Jewelry Tree
- Personalized Vinyl Calender
- Classy glass jar with lid
- Reisenthel carry bag
- Polka dot scarf
6. The photographer.
7. The chef.
- 10 piece glass nesting bowl set
- Digital Leave-in Thermometer
- Food scale
- Digital triple timer
- THIS cookbook
- or THIS cookbook
- or THIS cookbook
- Cook This notepad
8. The little men.
- Tooth Tunes (plays music through your teeth!)
- Guiness Book of World Records
9. The little women.
- Tooth Tunes (plays music through your teeth!)
- Melissa and Doug Suspend
- Cupcake book of stickers
- Weaving Loom
10. The newborn.
- ANYTHING from this website!
- Felt bunnies
- Baby Toms
- Wool slippers
11. The pilot.
- Challenge Coin Display
- I linked this one to the AF pilot wings, but this guy will do any branch wings or aircraft!
- Canvas photographs of aircraft
- Doormat
- Walkaround series books
12. The military pilot’s wife
13. The military service member.
- Engraved glassware (for every branch)
- A photo shoot with a local photographer (great idea for families facing an upcoming deployment!)
- License Plate Art
- I linked this one to the ARMY license plate art, but she does every branch
14. The tea/coffee lover.
15. For the gardener.
- Peppermint lip balm
- Eucalyptus shower bomb
- Orange (to shape the toe of the stocking!)
- Mittens
- Unusual/unique pasta – like this one!
- $5 Starbucks gift card
- Decorative cupcake liners
- Slipper socks
- “From the kitchen of…” labels
- Wildflower or herb seeds
- Trader Joe’s Chicken and Brown Rice sticks
- Squeakable animals
- My green sweater. It’s one of a kind so you can’t have it.
- My throne (but in blue)
- Mini squishy treats
- Live squirrels or cats