Tag: christmas gifts

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #71

Hello All and Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great first, full of December. I am savoring every day of this Christmas season or at least trying to. I am slowly crossing things off of my Christmas Bucket List and am doing my best to slow down and really be present this season.

Christmas movies and cozy nights in

Today’s Friday Favorites are all Christmas themed-buckle up, you are in for a festive Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea .

Etsy Gifts– I have been having so much luck on Etsy when it comes to unique Christmas gifts. I love to support small businesses when I can, and I love it even more when I get a unique and meaningful gift out of it too! I checked several people off my Christmas list thanks to Etsy. One of my favorite things about using Etsy is you can just search a name, theme or idea with the word “gifts” and you get so many options. For example, if you are looking for a gift for a teacher, simply search “Teacher Gifts” and you will have so many items to browse from. The only downside to Etsy is that I find things that I want to buy and have to reign myself in. If you are looking for some different gifts, check out Etsy!

My go-to for Christmas gifts this season.

New Flannel– I’ve been doing my best to wear something festive whenever I can and that includes running errands. I picked up this red, festive flannel from Old Navy when I was doing a bit of a shopping spree a few weeks ago. It’s a thicker material so it’s great for layering. I love how it is Christmas-y, but it can be worn in the fall and winter too. You can pair it with jeans or leggings to dress up in a lounging around the house outfit or add it to a pair of jeans for a day of shopping. I know I will be getting a lot of use out of it this year.

Feeling festive this time of year.

Dashing Through the Snow- If you are looking for a new, cute, Christmas family movie this is it! Dashing Through the Snow is on Disney Plus and it’s all about a dad who doesn’t like Christmas until he meets a new friend, Nick, who needs some help on Christmas Eve. Ludacris stars in this family movie that has so many great one-liners and heartfelt moments. This was also a step-up from your classic Hallmark movie as there was more drama and had a heavier storyline. My mom and I watched it on a Friday night and agreed it would make for a perfect family movie night.

Holiday Get-Togethers– Something else I have been loving this time of year is holiday get together with friends. The season can get so busy and it’s so nice to catch up with friends and family around the holidays. Some of my close friends are in grad school so it’s been fun to catch up before they begin their Christmas breaks. I prefer a one-on-one meet up as opposed to a big party since you get to really catch up with the person you are visiting with. The holiday season goes by so fast, so I have found it’s best to set up a time in advance with friends whether it be for a gift exchange, activity or dinner and get it on the calendar, this way you aren’t stressing out about finding time between your Christmas to-do, daily to-do and other things that pop up to make time for friends.

Christmas Candle– I love a good candle to light when I am getting ready for the day or relaxing. With the Christmas season in full swing it was time to pull out a new candle. This was the perfect combination of fresh Christmas trees and fresh pine. I love lighting a candle to set a mood and between my tree in my room and the candle, I am in the cozy Christmas spirit.

That wraps up this festive, Friday Favorites! Tell me: how are you planning on spending the weekend? Doing something fun and Christmasy?!

Have a great weekend!

Categories
Let's Look

Let’s Look: Stocking Stuffers

Hello All! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far and enjoying a bit of calm before the crazy. I always enjoy the few weeks in November after Halloween and before Christmas. I take those weeks as time to gather myself after the sugar rush of Halloween, simplify fall decor and start prepping for Christmas whether it be by creating gift lists of who to buy for, making plans for the holidays or browsing the stores for ideas. I don’t go into full on Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving, but I do enjoy a little prep work. 

One thing that has been on my mind is stocking stuffers and little gifts for friends and family which ties in perfectly with today’s Let’s Look prompt as I link up with Erika and Shay. 

As always, here’s a recap of the prompts from this past year. 

Last month, in October we discussed our biggest fears, in September, we talked about evening routines, August, we talked about our worst habits, in July, we talked about new favorite summer finds, in June, we talked about best travel tips, in May, we talked about our morning routines, in April, we talked about pet peeves, in March, we talked about Amazon purchases, in February it was about our medicine cabinets.

I love little stocking stuffers on Christmas morning and an extra gift for friends and family when I am giving them out.

Growing up and to this day, we always enjoyed opening up our stockings on Christmas morning. It was the first thing we would open early in the morning. Our stocking stuffers changed as we got older, but they usually had some Christmas chocolate or candy, a gift card or two to favorite spot, a new tooth brush, some little toys, gadgets,or practical items and maybe some small gifts, like pens, stationary, a new charger etc. 

I always loved seeing what fun little items I would get in my stocking.

Whenever I am shopping for friends and family, I typically have my eyes open for a one main gift for people and then when it comes to friends, I may throw in some extra goodies or stocking stuffers in their bag or present.

A look at all the gifts going out to others.

Here’s some of my favorite stocking stuffers or extra gift ideas for Christmas:

  • Gift Cards (I always love to support local, so maybe buy a gift certificate to a favorite local coffee shop, book store, restaurant or apparel store)
  • Holiday snack mixes or candies (There’s nothing better than enjoying a sweet treat around the holidays- stock up on festive chocolate, holiday bark or any other treat and distribute it amongst all your gifts- this can be as easy as getting holiday chocolate kisses and putting them in every gift bag or you can go complex with a local chocolate).
You can never go wrong with a holiday mix
  • Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows (Another little gift you can buy in bulk and distribute amongst your gifts. Buy a big pack of lots of smaller packets of hot chocolate, buy candy candy canes and marshmallows and add them to each gift so people can enjoy a warm drink around the holidays).
A warm and cozy gift!
  • Homemade cookies (I am a big baker especially around the holidays. If you have a lot of extra cookies, consider making up a small plate or bag and adding them to each gift. It’s a thoughtful, homemade gift and you are sharing your talents with others.)
I love giving out homemade cookies to friends!
  • A favorite thing you enjoy (If you have a favorite item that you can’t live without, consider buying it in bulk and sharing it with your girlfriends for them to try it out. Do you love a new hand cream? Or can’t live without a specific charger or hair accessory, if it’s not too expensive, consider buying it for your close friends and have them try it out too. )
You can never go wrong with gifting a favorite item!
  • Travel size body care items- (This can be a fun extra gift to get for your girlfriends. Stock up on holiday or winter scented mini versions of body lotion, spray, chapstick, or facemasks and treat your friends to a mini spa night. It’s an affordable way to treat your friends.)
Travel size beauty products are always a hit!

These are just some suggestions when it comes to extra fun gifts or stocking stuffers. I typically don’t spend too much on stocking stuffers since I’m buying bigger gifts, but these are just some fun suggestions for some extra Christmas and holiday cheer. 

Gifts from last year wrapped and ready to go out!

Tell me, how do you handle stocking stuffers and extra gifts? Do you go all out or keep it small?

Let me know in the comments below!

I hope this gives you some inspiration as you start your holiday shopping. 

See you on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!

Categories
Currently

Currently #36

Hi everyone! I can’t believe we are nearing the end of December. I decided to move up Currently a week earlier and do my end of the year recap next week. I am in full holiday spirit over here. From baking, to Christmas music and movies and starting gift exchanges. It has been a festive time. Here’s a look into life the past month.

What I’ve Been Up To: I’ve been doing all things Christmas the past few weeks. from watching Christmas movies, like the classics (White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone), to new movies and shows, like The Santa Clause Series on Disney Plus and Spirited. I’ve also been doing lots of Christmas activities, like decorating a gingerbread house, ice skating, and Christmas activities like seeing holiday lights.

Scrooged-a classic Christmas movie.
Spirited- such a cute new movie, great for families.
A new holiday favorite series.

What I’m Wearing: Since the holiday season only lasts so long, I try to wear my Christmas gear as much as I can, from graphic t-shirts to pajamas, and socks, the choices are endless. I also have been wearing lots of layers to bundle up for the colder weather. This time of year, I always believe warmth is more important than style. 

All the layers for Christmas shopping.
I’ve also been layering up for winter walks.
The best coat for the Christmas season.

What I’m Reading: I’ve been reading lots of books over the past few weeks. I’ve been reading lots of Christmas books. Here’s a few books I’ve been loving and maybe you will to:

Some of my Christmas reads so far!

Christmas Shopaholic– This story follows a young mother in England who is charge of organizing Christmas for her family. It’s very relatable to anyone who has had to host a holiday. There’s friendship, love, family drama, lots of shopping and Christmas cheer.

A Nantucket Christmas and An Island Christmas. Both stories take place in Nantucket over Christmas time and have themes of family drama, cozy Christmas vibes and happy endings. I really appreciated the attention to detail about the island of Nantucket.

What I’m Watching: Besides lots of Christmas movies and shows. I watched the new season of Firefly Lane which I really enjoyed. I can’t wait to watch the new season of Emily in Paris. Lastly, like many others, I watched the Harry and Megahn documentary-series. I have been sharing my thoughts on it on my past few Friday Favorite posts. I was really pleased with, learned a lot and enjoyed seeing another side of Harry and Meghan!

It was so good to get caught up on this series.
Such a good documentary series.

What I’m Loving: I may sound like a broken record, but I have been enjoying all things festive for the holidays. This time of year brings me so much joy. From shopping, to present wrapping, exchanging gifts, baking, and seeing family and friends. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 

Trees all dressed up for the season.
Tis the season for holiday fun!

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by all the acts of kindness this time of year in addition to all the Christmas tradition. It’s been so wonderful to see so much generosity for others in need. I’ve also been inspired by unique gift ideas too. It’s always wonderful to see how creative people get with their gifts this time of year. 

Presents all wrapped and ready to be given out.

What I Accomplished: I’ve been really enjoying crossing things off my Christmas bucket list. From solo activities to things with loved ones, family and friends.

Skating has been a favorite of mine this past month.
A trip to the city to enjoy the Christmas season.

Goals from Last Month: I got all of my shopping done fairly early this month which made life a lot calmer towards the end of the month. It also helped with various gift exchanges happening throughout the month. All the prep work certainly paid off. 

Some of my gifts under the tree for others.
Enjoying hot cocoa leading up to Christmas.

Goals for this Month: I’m looking forward to coming up with my New Year’s Resolutions. I have a few ideas so far, but I’m looking forward to firming them up and working towards them in 2023.

That’s a look into life recently. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I’ll be back next week for my 2022 Recap! See you then!