Tag: christmas

  • Last Minute Present Ideas for the Holidays 

    Last Minute Present Ideas for the Holidays 

    Ever been scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, and you see a friend’s post with the geotag, “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY.” 

    Yikes. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a birthday. We get wrapped up in our busy lives, so we tend to forget birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or any other promising event. We’ve all been there. Hell, maybe some of us are there right now. With Christmas right around the corner, it’s challenging to find some time to scour for presents. 

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    Worry not, for even last-minute presents can hold sentimental meaning. Here’s a list of gifts that you can always grab last minute that is a surefire way to delight your family and friends.

    Fleece Blankets 

    Extremely Soft. Cuddly. Fluffy. Plus, it’s the winter season, so why wouldn’t this be the perfect gift? Here’s why this particular gift is number one on the list: it keeps you warm, it feels like an angel is embracing you, you can take it anywhere, people LOVE blankets, and most importantly, it can be found anywhere and won’t break the bank! 

     Homemade Cookies

    What says, “I’m always thinking of you” more than homemade sweets? Many people might have mixed emotions about someone offering anything handmade, but if someone went out of their way to bake you something, be appreciative. It’s attentive and shows that you’re willing to give something rather than show up empty-handed. 

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    This option is also great for people who can’t afford to provide presents this year. Here’s a list of easy homemade cookies that’ll win their hearts. 

    Pajama Set

    Add this to your fleece blanket, and you’ve got the best gift any human adult could ask for, trust me. Well, and socks. Sad, I know, but if you were ever a broke college student, then you get it. 

    Pajama sets don’t have to be extravagant. Really, the simpler, the better. But also, silkier, the better. The best thing about pajamas is that it isn’t a one-time thing. It stays with that person for years, and they’ll think of you every time they wear it!

    Candles

    Raise your hands if September starts and your candle obsessions awaken along with the crisp, bitter air. Let me tell you the story of my crazy candle craze. Once upon a time, Yankee Candle had a massive sale on their candles. I’m obsessed with their Christmas Cookie scent. 

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    I bought 12. I’m not proud, but I surprisingly have no regrets. Candles are the most underrated gifts ever. Even in the movies, they show them to be worthless gifts, but they’re not. They make your home smell like vanilla and cedar and eucalyptus and freakin’ Christmas Cookie!

    Gift Cards

    Lots of mixed emotions about this, as well. But why

    Even if you feel like that person didn’t put enough thought into bringing you something, you can now buy something you want on your own. It’s a hell of a lot better than them bringing you something you didn’t want in the first place. Plus, they have Visa gift cards, so if you’re not sure what their favorite retailer is, then give them the gift of everything

    Godiva Hot Chocolate and Coffee Set 

    Coffee lovers, unite! 

    I guess chocolate lovers can come, too. I would love it if someone recognized my coffee addiction and turned it into a present. This godsent set includes “a white and gold ceramic mug, a 2-ounce package of truffle coffee, a 1.4-ounce package of dark chocolate cocoa and a 1.1-ounce package of milk chocolate cocoa.” 

     

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    People, c’mon, hot beverages, and Belgium chocolate on a wintry day. It’s an ideal and genuinely kind gift. 

    Board Games/Puzzles

    Holiday time is about family time, right? I see a few of you cringing, I see you

    Even if we can’t be around the family during the holidays, there’s always a chance at family fun night, where we play Monopoly until someone flips over the board game out of pure frustration. 

    It’s good stuff. Board games (NOT Monopoly) are great activities to get the family together and bring out your competitive side. Unless that’s your only side, then you can’t sit with us. Puzzles are a one group thing, and since everyone will be eager to finish, it’s an excellent idea for any night of the week. 

    Thrift Shopping

    You heard me. You can bring an empty cardboard box with you to a thrift shop, fill it up with clothes, records, books, accessories, and will only leave with $10 out of your wallet. 

     

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    It does not mean you opted for the cheapest option but instead decided that why get one thing per person, when you can get them a year’s supply of novels and if you’re lucky like me, a Duke Ellington record. 

    Champagne / Mulled Wine

    Mulled wine, or spiced wine, is a necessity for our home during the holidays. I’m the only one who drinks it, but it keeps my hands warm, and isn’t that what the holidays are all about?? Staying warm and getting drunk on hot booze? 

     

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    If mulled wine is not your thing, no worries, the options are endless. 

    hanukkahDough (The Green Kind)

    Now we’re talking last minute-last minute here. If all else fails, just hand them a crisp 50 or 100 dollar bill. It’s possible the best thing you can do, especially if you have picky loved ones. It doesn’t require much thought, and they can buy something they’ve had their eye on with it. 

     

  • Holiday Activities That are a Must

    Holiday Activities That are a Must

    Holidays are expensive. Therefore, they can absolutely suck sometimes.

    Hey, I’m one of the broke and humble ones. I still got holiday shopping to do; I’m hosting this year’s Christmas dinner, I haven’t gotten a tree or decorations, and my list goes on and on…and on. While the hectic atmosphere that comes with the holidays makes you wonder why we have them in the first place, there are some things that you know are just meant for this time of year.

    Best part? Most of these activities won’t cost you a dime.

    Worst Part? Your kids or loved ones might get on your last nerve and cause that annual holiday nervous breakdown.

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    Here are some activities that are family friendly and hopefully won’t break the bank!

    Gingerbread Houses

    Do you know the muffin man? The one who lives on Drury lane?

    Fun fact: I did not know gingerbread houses were edible till my junior year of high school.

    Growing up, my family wasn’t big on sweets during the holidays. We ate our dinner, drank tea with cardamom infused biscuits, and moved on with life.

    Yeah, yeah, I know, it was traumatizing.

     

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    I had my first gingerbread house when I was working at a daycare center in college. I’ve learned that making it from scratch may be a process, but oh, was it worth it. Everyone has a role when it comes to building a gingerbread house, and I do mean everyone. We’ve got frosting and candies and milk and of course the main man, the gingerbread man.

    Kids love it as everything is hands-on and hey, they’re building a mini house for Gingy. What’s more Christmas-y than that? Just don’t forget the gumdrop buttons.

    Homemade Ornaments

    Want to make these holiday memories last forever? Build your own ornaments. There are several ideas for decorations. They may require to pull out your arts and crafts drawer, but I guarantee you, that is the best part. At the end of the day, you’ll have them hanging on that tree, and you could not be more proud of your creation.

    Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!

    Pick a cookie, folks, any cookie. We’ve got iced sugar cookies, snickerdoodle, chocolate chip blondies, mudslide cookies, gingerbread cookies, and over a hundred more.

    I make chocolate chip cookies with salted pecans in my house weekly. It’s a favorite among the hubby and my one-year-old. Holiday cookies are a whole other story, though. Even though we have a drawer full of cookie cutters, I always need more. Before you judge me, check yourself because I know I’m not alone in this.

     

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    They are my weakness. My Achilles heel, if you will.

    But ’tis the season, amirite? If by the end of December, I have more than one hundred dollars in my bank account, then was it truly Christmas??

    Snow Angels Turn to Snow Fights

    Damn you, California. Your beautiful sandy, sunny beaches have made me intolerable to the cold. Growing up in Southern California, I witnessed snow about…zero times per year. If we wanted to see snow, we’d turn on the Discovery channel and hope they were doing some documentary about the polar expedition.

    When my folks took us to Big Bear Lake for the first time, we thought it’d be fun to have a snow fight.

    Worst. Idea. Ever.

    Spoiler alert: snow is not soft like in the movies. It is solid. And tough. And hurts.  One thing’s for sure though, being surrounded by mountains of snow during the holidays sure makes it feel a lot like Christmas.

    Some More S’mores

    S’mores are not only a campfire favorite, but a holiday must as well! Gather up your friends, family, and all your loved ones. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can always use your stove to make s’mores. Here are a few recipes that will have your family begging for more.

     

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    The list of must-do activities for the holidays is endless. There’s Christmas tree shopping, decorating the house, carolling, holiday lights tour, and even movie nights that capture the true meaning of the holidays. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you don’t get caught up in the hectic atmosphere and always remember what the holidays are all about: being surrounded by family and friends and being grateful for all you have.