Last Minute Gift Ideas

Hubs and I have spent the last week getting the gifts wrapped, under the tree, and shipping son's parcel off to the island.

I went stamping crazy with my letter stamp and holiday stamps ; )

Gift wrapping is a combined affair at our house. We turn on a Christmas movie of some kind, this year it was White Christmas, a true classic. I grab a cup of tea or a glass of gluhwien ( a German mulled wine), while hubs goes for a glass of eggnog. We bring forth the supplies, and get down to business.

It used to only take us one sitting to do them up but as the family grows with our kid's spouses, little grandies, siblings and niblings... well, now it takes us several sessions to get them all done. Time for another movie, more eggnog, more wine!

We really enjoy doing this task together. Unlike many families, hubby that is the big Christmas lover at our home, while I am a bit more reserved (humbuggy, grinchy, hahaha), about it all. I like very simple, he likes to go big. He enjoys shopping, I do not. Yet it all works out just fine, a happy balance is reached each year.

I may have gone a bit crazy with my letter stamping kit and holiday stamps this year. I absolutely love this set! These holiday sprig stamp set with holly and pinecones would be great for adding your own special touch.

Disclaimer - As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase an item(s) from one of the Amazon links in the post, I get a wee small amount of money to help support my blog. It does not cost you any more to purchase through my link than if you went to that link on your own ~ happy shopping!

The Final Count Down!

Here we are in the final stretch, the week before Christmas. Not to worry! There is still time for everything to come together! Time for that last minute gift to arrive, time to make and bake. And you know what? It will be perfect no matter what gets done, or what does not.

No time to wrap? Shove it in a paper bag! No time to bake, hit up the local coffee shop or grocery store bakery. No time to hit the shops? Mason jars of jams or homemade Chex mix, a plate of your favourite cookies with a recipe card attached.

Idea from Craftberry Bush.

Check out this lovely gift basket idea from the Craftberry Bush. I would love to get a basket like this!

We have a bunch of lovely wee shops here in my small town, no need to go far to find a great gift idea! The Dollarama (we have 2) is fantastic, has everything you can imagine. Jars, tins, wrapping ideas, kitchen teatowels, pretty soaps, everything you need to make up a wonderful kitchen, spa, or homemade/baked gift basket. The Co-op and No Frills grocery stores have specialty foods and treats from all over the world. The pharmacies and small hardware stores have gift ideas galore. We also have the most fantastic boutique store, the Gift Loft, with gift ideas for everyone on your list. Oh, and don't forget to check out your local thrift/antique shops for that something special, too.

Oh, and I forgot to say... if you are on the island, near Nanaimo, check out Island-ish for those handmade, unique, wonderful gift ideas. One of my most favourite places to go! I am sure (most) every town has one of these unique gift boutiques, worth checking out.

If you are homebound this week, for whatever reason (the flu is making it's rounds), on-line shopping is the way to go. Here are some last minute ideas that you can still get in before the big day arrives.

I saw the most gorgeous vintage cofffee/cocoa cup in an Insta photo last week. We readers were all drooling over them but the author could not remember where she got it from. I never in a million years thought I could find one similar, but after a bit of poking around... here they are! Whether for a hostess gift, a house warming, or a special gift for your besties, your recipient will love these!

This set of two I really like because of the pretty colouring. They are calling it Amber. The link will also take you to green ones, which are super pretty, but cost (way) more than these ones do. They come with bamboo lids and spoons, if you want to use them for overnight oats, or fruits, yoghurt, etc...

Here is a set of 2 mugs with lids and spoons. I love these so much! You can also get this 4 pack in Amber.

Or, maybe you prefer this look with the ribs instead of the dot design? Is also available as a 4 pack of ribbed cups.

These Amazing Lounge Wear Sets!

This super comfy loungewear set comes in many colours. I love this green one, but the blue one and the khaki are also on my wish list. They get rave reviews!

This bamboo lounge set would be so comfy around the house, or travelling! Comes in other colours, too, I just thought this one was nice and neutral, less apt to show the dog hair ; )

We bought this radio last year around this time, to play our Christmas tunes. Being of a certain era, well, all of our Christmas music is on tapes, cd's, or even records. This radio player plays them all. We get so many compliments on it!

It looks kinda vintage, fits in with my decor, but best of all, was not super pricey either. My gf bought one exactly the same and loves it, too. The audio is really good. Here is the link for this one, and it is currently on sale! Order now and you will have it in just a day or two.

Prefer one that is Bluetooth compatible? This one looks almost exactly the same but is a darker brown, has all the same features plus Bluetooth. So does this player in a lovely washed driftwood colour. This link here will take you to one that has Bluetooth but comes in graphite or oatmeal, in case you prefer a more modern colour scheme.

One last idea. I know, you may think it is out there, weird and crazy even, but everyone I know loves a pretty kettle! No matter the age group. My son is 35, he loves my blue kettle with a wooden handle and wants one just like it. Everyone that enters our kitchen, regardless of age or gender, remarks on the kettle. While I could not find the exact one we have, I've pulled up a few others that are super nice looking. These first ones range from $50 to $99.

This one comes in green or cream, has such a lovely shape, and I love the wood look handle.

This one in cream and chrome is also super nice looking.

OR, this one comes in putty, green, or slate grey. Very nice shape, I like it.

Maybe you love butter yellow? This one comes in green, chrome, and yellow!

These two kettles are over the $100 mark but both worth a mention.

This lovely dark green kettle is amazing, love the wood handle, the base. Also comes in slate black. And the last one... this gorgeous flat black with copper trim! So pretty. It also comes in other colours.

My lovely hot chocolate bomb.

We had our monthly ladies coffee & chat the other day, with gift exchange. I came home with a bagful of chocolates, cookies (with a list of the varieties - great idea), homemade cranberry strawberry jam, and this amazing looking hot chocolate bomb.

She even bought little containers for them and put a chocolate candy on top. Here is a recipe to make some yourself. I have never tried but this recipe has 5 stars, so this is where I would probably start. They would be lovely to gift in those pretty cups up top!

If you are still on the fence about what to give, here is my favourites gift list from a few weeks ago, plus my gardener's idea gift list, too.

These quick links at the bottom are not gift ideas but rather for those of us who absolutely need a desk calendar in time for the new year to start!

I use my desk calendar for note taking while I am on the phone, dates to remember, pay bills reminders, pick up times/dates, new blogs to check out ... anything that does not need to be saved, the page that can be tossed at the end of the month.

I also have a calendar on the wall for appointments and things to remember (*tip - my brother says remember to stash them rather than tossing them, in case you need to go back and check for dates of things - surgeries, legal stuff, etc). I get a free one from the bank, lol.

This desk calendar is nice. I like the colour and the flowers along the edges...

This calendar comes with all sorts of stickers, if you a sticker kinda person, and a note taking spot on the side. I like that idea... a lot. (I bought this one!)

And just one more that I like and is at a reasonable price... This is an 18 month calendar! You can put it on the wall or keep it on your desk... also has the note area on the side. So handy!

My dining room with the Christmas star all alight.

Happy Holidays, Friends!