Since the holiday shopping season has officially begun I thought I would share some of my favorite ideas for gift-giving. These are my old stand-bys that I go back to again and again when I’m desperate.
Personalized Is Always Best
I love doing photo books for family – especially grandparents. In the end, this is what they really want, pictures of their grandchildren. There are so many web sites that do this for you but I use Shutterfly. Another variation on this is a personalized cookbook or even a family heritage book. A heritage book is great for parents where you can scan and include old pictures of family that usually get shoved into a shoe box somewhere. The best part about this is that you can create one photo book and then order as many copies as you want to give as gifts.
Subscriptions
I love reading magazines but I hate buying them and I find most people feel the same way. There is a magazine that fits everybody’s interests. The best part about this idea is that it is the gift that keeps on giving and it is easy to wrap. This is also a great last minute gift suggestion since you can always run down to the grocery store and buy a magazine on your way to your Christmas celebration and then mail the subscription card later.
Feed The Soul
I find as my parents get older that there just isn’t anything they NEED and since they are trying to lighten their possessions I hate buying them things at Christmas. BUT, everybody needs to eat. Here are some of my favorite places to order from:
Dale & Thomas Popcorn
These guys take popcorn to a new level. I’m pretty confident that I’ve featured them here before, but you really need to try these guys. They are awesome!
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
They will send a 6 pack of pints shipped in dry ice to anywhere in the country. For a little extra they will include an ice cream scoop. This is such a fun gift to give and receive.
See’s Candy
I grew up with my grandmother mailing us See’s Candy from California every holiday and I still consider it a Christmas treat. I love their chocolate. You can go to Godiva, but See’s is just classic and delicious. I recommend the molasses chips.
If you are a family member you will probably be receiving one or all of these over the holiday season. So pretend you didn’t read this. Happy Holidays y’all!!
Great ideas! I love the photo gifts — some years I've made calendars (like 10+ bucks at Costco) with photos for the grandparents.
For popcorn — have you tried the Harry & David Moose Munch? That stuff is like crack (and avail. at Costco too).
Oh, and Sees — gift certificates to there are also avail. at Costco (do I sound like a commercial yet, or what) — but I got one for my MIL for mother's day, and then someone kindly informed me that they don't have See's in Florida. Bummer.