Holiday Gift Shopping Assistance...part 1

A day later than promised, but here we go with my tips for simple holiday gift shopping! I will provide you ideas for thoughtful and affordable presents, links to some local vendors I recommend purchasing from, and encouragement to start shopping now, and have it all "wrapped up" by early December so you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxing couple of weeks around Christmas.

 

My first tip is this...keep it simple and heartfelt! Give some thought to the person you are picking a gift out for, and choose something that:

• you know they will love, but would not purchase for themself
• you see, and it makes you think of them
• is something that represents who they are to you
• they can add to a collection
• would be an indulgence they would not typically get to have

As much as everyone enjoys receiving a gift, opening it, seeing what they've received, we all can think of instances where the joy really lasted only as long as the opening of the present. So often, it's a trinket, a token gift that we aren't really sure how to use/where to use/if we'll use. Don't get me wrong, all gifts should be appreciated, but when it feels like we've only been gifted because it was the "expected thing", we lose some of the enjoyment, and it takes away from what could be an opportunity to really show someone that you care for them. Take the opportunity of Christmas and gift giving to show those you care how you feel by picking out a heartfelt, thoughtful gift that they are certain to know how/where/when to use, and will truly appreciate and enjoy receiving it!

 

That said, if you have a difficult time coming up with gift ideas, stress no more, I am here to help! I strongly encourage you to visit your local bazaars, which offer up a huge variety of handcrafted items, small vendors with direct-sales businesses that have fantastic gift options, and tasty snacks and treats. You can get ideas for putting together your own gift baskets, making your own baked goodies, or you can purchase ready-made presents and wrap up your shopping, while supporting these local business people and crafters! It's such a win-win! If you don't have time to spend browsing bazaars, or you prefer to do your shopping from the comfort of your living room, or you're just not sure where to start, please keep your eyes on my blog as I highlight some great ideas, and link you directly to the retailers you can purchase from!

 

Today I offer you 3 of my top gift ideas for the gals on your list...

 

A truly unique, one-of-a-kind, customized, wearable gift is easy to put together by making an Origami Owl locket. You choose the locket, charms that tell the story of the person you're gifting, and so many other options! I get so many compliments when I wear my locket! There are several locket choices, chain options, adorable dangles, and new products that I haven't had a chance to explore yet! Visit one of my O2 ladies on their websites, and get started in creating a gift that will be appreciated by any woman who receives it!! You can purchase online for direct home delivery, or can host a living lockets party in your home and receive credit towards your purchases while sharing the O2 fun with your friends!

In Oregon/Washington, visit Jamie at www.jamieb.origamiowl.com,

In California, visit Mary at www.marythomas.origamiowl.com.

I have purchased from both these lovely gals, and recommend them highly!!
 

 

If you have a little girl on your gift list, consider a handmade and truly adorable skirt! My friend has perfected a simple but beautifully detailed skirt pattern, and offers a fun assortment of patterns and a variety of sizes. All her skirts have an elastic waist, making them easily resized for a perfect fit! She also makes cute hair clips/bows, and coffee cup cozies. Email her today! chiapetdiz@yahoo.com

Every girl likes to be warm on cold winter days! You have so many options for handmade scarves, hats, gloves and such when you hit up a bazaar, so if you're looking for knit and crochet items, I encourage you to try to get to a bazaar or two! If you aren't able to though, then check out this gal's beautiful crochet items! She will customize to your liking, and has many varieties of scarves, as well as gorgeous hats, boot warmers, and more! I purchased a warm and pretty cowl from her recently, and it's so nice on chilly fall mornings! Super cozy and beautifully made, definitely a quality product! You can find Valerie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aims.ftw?fref=ts&ref=br_tf#!/Simplycrochetwithluv



It's About Time, Not Things

So, last posted on Monday...today is Saturday...guess I'm failing at posting every day in November!  In my defense, though, let me just say that the reason is after being at work all day, I've been careful in the evenings to stay off the computer and spend time with my kids and husband instead. I think that's a fair enough reason to not follow through on my goal of posting something thoughtful and/or witty each day!

 

Today I want to give you some thoughts on shopping early for the holidays. I get all the hype around Black Friday deals, going to the mall to see the Christmas decorations, sales left and right at every store you go into. That's all well and good, but it really truly takes away from what the holiday seasons should be about...family; thankfulness for the blessings you have; helping those who aren't as fortunate as you; spending time with your loved ones, not just bestowing gifts, 'things' upon them. We celebrate Christmas to reflect upon the gift God gave us when he blessed the virgin Mary with His son Jesus. We give gifts to our loved ones as reminders of how much they mean to us, much like God gifting us with the baby Jesus to show His love for us. Christmas is not about all the 'things', the gimme-gimme mentality that the retail world has our children believing is okay, or even the festive and pretty decorations we put in our homes. Some level of all that is great, I for one think a Christmas tree, lights and some holiday decor in the living room brings a peaceful tone to our home. Picking out thoughtful, tasteful gifts for our family and friends is a nice part of Christmas too, and honestly, who doesn't enjoy opening a present and seeing what was picked out as a person thought of us? Unfortunately, much of the retail-happy, deals-saturated, busy-as-can-be culture we live in these days leads people to lose that thoughtful aspect of the gift picking out and giving process. Instead we feel pressured to buy the latest and greatest gadgets and toys, to one-up what we gave in previous years, even to give just for the sake of it being Christmas, rather than for the sake of wanting to show appreciation to somebody. Gifts, 'things', are truly not what Christmas is about...and I challenge you to really think about that this holiday season. Spend some time thinking about the person you are getting a gift for, and choose something that reflects your love and appreciation of them; something they wouldn't get for themselves; something you see that makes you think of them. Don't just buy stuff, wrap it up, and give presents to people because you think you have to. Ditch that which has become the societal norm, and create a truly magical, special and blessed Christmas for your family and friends by spending quality time with them, maybe gifting them with a little something you find that you know they will appreciate.

 

Along these lines, I also encourage you to do your holiday gift shopping early, get it done before the hustle-bustle of December hits, before you cannot go to any store without being bombarded by sales and deals that you don't really need to take part in. Spend some time right now making your gift list, those people that you wish to appreciate at Christmas, those you wish to give a token of thanks to, those you love and care about and want to show that to through a thoughtful present or two. Once you have those names down, start shopping, allowing yourself time to really think about what they would like or need. Then take a look at those around you that are local business owners, or have a direct-sales home business, or are crafters with unique and special one-of-a-kind items. Hit up the bazaars in your area, check out Facebook for your friends that have these types of businesses and are offering great gift ideas, talk to those around you to see if they know people that are selling items that may be on your list. It's a beautiful thing when you can find a perfect gift for somebody, and at the same time buy from a local crafter or home-based businessperson, supporting them in their venture and allowing them to be successful away from corporate America and big-box stores who are selling 'things' made in other countries, inexpensively, without quality and safety being important aspects of the finished product.

 

Check back tomorrow for my list of great gift ideas! I hosted a bazaar last weekend that offered a fabulous array of retailers, and I will share some of those, as well as some ideas on how you can give thoughtful, tasteful (and affordable!) gifts to everybody on your list. Set yourself a goal of having all your presents purchased before December, so you can enjoy the month of holiday festivities, parties, gatherings and gift exchanges without any of the stress and anxiety of last-minute gift shopping! It's very freeing, and I for one am looking forward to actually accomplishing it this year...I've said I will for a couple of years now, but haven't quite gotten there...this year, I want December to be about calm, peace, and enjoying quality time with my family and friends.

Thankful For Freedom

Today is Veteran's Day, a day we pause and reflect on the freedom we experience living in the USA; a day for honoring those who fight for that very freedom. We all have someone in our life who has put their very life on the line to protect the freedoms we so often take for granted. Be sure you thank a veteran today, and it sure wouldn't hurt to thank one every other day of the year also! We have this one particular day on the calendar that is set aside to honor them, but they are out there fighting for us - physically, mentally, emotionally- and protecting our freedom every day.

Thank you to all those brave men and women who serve our country in the miltary.

 



Live With Grace

My Day 10 post brought to you on Day 11 is another short one. Are you perfect? In every way, in everything you do? Never making a mistake? No. Nobody is, and we aren't supposed to be! Yet we seem to expect others to be just that, perfect, never making mistakes, always doing what we think they should. And we get aggravated when they do something "wrong" (wrong by our definition anyway!) or not the way we would have done it. I am so guilty of this, of getting easily irritated at the inadequacies (again, only by my own definition!) of those around me. However, if I believe in the grace that God allows me to be imperfect, to make mistakes, to make wrong decisions, then why do I not extend that same grace to those around me, who also are imperfect, make mistakes, and make wrong decisions? Who am I to think I'm better than them, my way is better than theirs, my outcome is right and theirs wrong?

 

Who I am is a child of God, created perfectly imperfect in His image, born with free will to make my own choices, right or wrong, and taught that forgiveness is always within reach, grace is always there if I ask for it, and I need to be treating everyone else the same way I wish to be treated; with forgiveness and grace. Not easy to do, but possible. For everything is possible with God. Everything. Every. Thing. 

Live With Love

Much to say, little time to spend writing. My Day 9 post on Day 11 is simply this...hug your loved ones daily. Do not let a day pass in silence, tell your loved ones how you feel about them. Cherish the time you have with them. Spend that time in harmony and enjoying each other. Do not waste that time in disaccord or anger. You truly do not know when the day you are living will be your last, so treat each day as if it is just that. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. Live today wisely, fully, and with love.

TGIF

When I was working only part-time, and Doug was working weekends, and we did not yet have children in school, I had no appreciation for the sentiment of 'TGIF - Thank Goodness It's Friday'. Our "weekend" was typically Wednesday-Thursday, because those were the days Doug (usually) had off. But of course, if Doug was off, then I was working, at least on one of the days. So we maybe had Thursdays as a family day. Sometimes. But Friday rolled around, and Doug worked an all-day shift, and I often was home with the kids. And it often felt more like a Monday to us, especially to Doug.

 

Since I began working full-time, and Doug is not working so he's home on "real" weekends, and we have a child in school, Friday takes on a whole new meaning!! I really do feel that 'TGIF' feeling, and now I understand why so many people have a regular Friday-night-out, be it pizza night, or drinks with co-workers night, family night, or date night. I remember as a child Friday meant an evening of ABC family shows. There is something so peaceful about knowing that the work and school week is over, and the family gets two days "off", to relax, to catch up on house stuff, to have a family outing, or run errands. To simply not have to wake up to an alarm clock, head out the door early in the morning, and be at a desk all day is a blissful feeling! Monday will always be just a couple days away, and the routine will begin again, but those two days of no work (or school) really are nice.

 

 

 

 

Advice from Snoopy

Today's post brings you some wise words to live by, courtesy of Snoopy. A short and sweet post for you!

 

Philosophy of Snoopy

• Learn From Yesterday.
• Live For Today.
• Look To Tomorrow.
• Rest This Afternoon.