christmas shopping...done!

What a great feeling to be finished with Christmas shopping!  I absolutely hate hate hate going out during the holiday season.  Most of my shopping is done right here, at my computer, with a big ol' glass of wine.  No traffic, no annoying shoppers, and no horrible Christmas music playing the same songs over and over again.  Awesome!

My husband however, is a last minute shopper.  It is easy for him to buy gifts for his dad and brother online because they are usually things that he'd been scoping out for himself also.  He is forced to buy the online gifts early since they require time for delivery by the 25th (unless, as he told me this morning, you have Amazon's Super Saver Shipping which can deliver in 2 days).  However, every year without fail, he struggles with buying any female family member's presents and typically ends up buying these things last minute on Christmas Eve.  Since I have known him, I make every attempt to help him with this problem, but I think at this point, it is a tradition that may not be broken.  So, for my husband (if he reads this) and other last minute shoppers, here are some ideas for your lady friend, wife (psst...Jon), sister, mother, etc.

Ideas for the creative person:

• Sketchbook:

personally, I prefer a smaller sketchbook (8-1/2"x 11" or smaller) so it fits in my pocket or bag.  You can find them at any art supply store.  $8+

or make your own by recycling a classic novel, favorite children's book, or cookbook into a sketchbook. You could also just buy one of these vintage books that someone else has already recycled.  $20

• Portfolio Case:

An alternative to making your own or buying the typical zipper black portfolio case, these are kinda cool (especially for the artist/architect who is looking for work right now).  $27

• Painting Supplies:

If you know a painter, they probably already own brushes and paints, but you always run out of paint.  You could get a giftcard or just buy a set of paints.  Generally, you always want to have blue, red, yellow, white, and black.  Most starter kits will include these if you are skeptical about which color blue/red/yellow to buy.  $35

For the chef (or food lover):

• Cookbooks:

On my sister's wishlist this year is Jamie Oliver's new book called, 'jamie's dinners'.  It's a good book for the cook who likes cooking with fresh, healthy foods, but doesn't enjoy spending hours in the kitchen to enjoy it.  $35

• Apron:

In the winter, your hands are dry enough.  You don't want to make them worse by having to keep washing them while cooking, so why not ask for an apron to wipe those flour covered hands on? $18

• Gadgets:

Who wouldn't want an Ice Cream maker? Well, maybe a lot of people, but if you know someone into making things in the kitchen, this is easy to use (or so I've heard).  It's on my own list of things to get for the kitchen!  $46

Other gadgets are also fun to use:  immersion blender, mandoline slicer, pasta maker, etc.

For the gardener type:

• Planters/Pots

Since winter is here (if you live in a colder climate with snow and what not) you can't plant much outside these days. These little concrete planters are cute for growing herbs or other small plants in your window sill.

Other cool things I've seen around/found on Etsy:

Pendants (and other cool ceramics) by Circa Ceramics

Unique, Handmade jewelry, like this stained glass necklace by Color Shoppe Studio at Etsy. 

Screenprinted wallets, messenger bags, etc.  Like this one by joom.

I could go on forever with this list, but I have to stop or I'll end up buying stuff for myself.  If you are looking for something affordable and unique chances are good that you can find it online, through sales in stores (if you have the guts to go), or through awesome websites like Etsy.  If you find out what your friends and family's hobbies are (if you don't know them already), you should be able to do a little research and find them a gift you know they will enjoy. Now I just have to work on helping out my husband with his purchases.  Have a great holiday!

Thanks for reading!