We are now smack dab in the middle of Hanukkah, and realistically, there are really only 48 more shopping hours before Christmas AT BEST, and those 48 hours are probably going to increasingly feel like you’re battling against time in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” my least favorite of the holiday movie genre.
My go-to for my parents/ in-laws who have downsized (birthdays and holidays) is goodie baskets and plants. I use Harry and David since I need it delivered and they start at $25 and go up. My dad loves ones with summer sausage, my FIL likes the cheese ones, I've gotten my mom some cute plants, my MIL likes the ones with fruit. For the most part it keeps down the clutter since they've all been purging and it's a special treat of fancy mustards, crackers, etc that comes with the main food they wouldn't normally buy for themselves.
Caissie, slightly off topic but I am interested in getting a gift for myself and I’m wondering which soft water converter showerhead you got, and would you recommend it?
Great ideas for last-minute gifts! As a last-minute Christmas gift to myself, I just booked a flight so my bestie and I can go to see your live show together in San Francisco in February. Hooray!
Thank you for the backup that bedding is a great gift for teens!!! Mine unfortunately did not agree and burst into tears when she opened. Let's just blame hormones. I'm betting she will love them next week...
Aw, I'm sorry she didn't love it at first. The tears are never really about the gift, I don't think. I hope she figures out what she wants and goes about getting it at some point.
Caissie - love your writing "voice". You know what my issue is? My husband is a total bird nerd and back in August I ran across a lovely birding book (to record which birds you see) to give him for Christmas AND NOW I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I PUT IT! Does this happen to anyone else? LOL.
I just thought of a plan. When you purchase a gift WAY ahead of time, go to that date (or the day before, wwfy) on your calendar app of choice and place a note about the gift and where it is, setting a reminder notification.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Kinda like asking my husband to help wrap this year. He said "sure!" and we did and he cut my time in half. Been married 15 years - never thought of it. Derp.
It makes me wish I still gave more gifts to people. We decided to stop years ago when we fell into the gift card trap for neices and nephews and 90% of them didn't even acknowledge receipt let alone gratitude. I'm full of regret over this.
I especially love your advice about giving a gift and letting it go. No harping on it's intent for years to come.
We do have adult friends that we buy joint experiences for. Last year it was axe throwing. This year a Charcuterie Class. Kind of vain to force them to spend more time with us. But they keep coming back for more so we might as well make new memories doing different stuff.
Caissie I so enjoy reading what you write. I’m one of those aholes who got her shopping done in November and had everything wrapped and mailed by early December. But I read every word of your Gift Guide and couldn’t help wondering, “in the amount of time it must have taken to research and write this, Caissie probably could have finished her shopping.” But there you are.
Thank you Caissie!! My favourite part was the reminder to give gifts without strings- as in DO NOT check in on the orchid that you bought me 2 months ago, because you know it’s dead!
Cassie, as always you write what I need to hear and make me laugh too!! My godson amdnhis best friend, who are seniors in high school dressed up as Frog and Toad for Halloween this year! Absolutely fantastic books. This year for friends, tonight actually, I invited them over for Pomegranate margaritas and gave everyone the recipe and the ingredients. You don't have to give the ingredients, sometimes just having friends over is the gift.
In the UK there are a few companies where you can buy bouquets of fresh flowers that arrive in bud and kind of flat packed in a box small enough to fit in your mailbox - they also sell subscriptions so the recipient can receive flowers once per month for however many months you choose, I think this could be a great idea for a loved one who deserves a beautiful treat that they probably wouldn’t buy for themselves!
Merry Christmas Caissie! Loved reading this. I thought it was really thoughtful and honestly, I’d be really happy with most of these gifts. When I was a teenager I’d have been thrilled with the mini fridge and I’m even tempted to ask for one for my birthday which is two weeks after Christmas. Surely we all need one for our boujie little drinks and skincare right?
Such great ideas! And your article made me laugh at least 3 times :) I haven’t seen them in awhile, but I always loved buying the soaps that have money in the middle of them. A surprise gift for all ages!
My go-to for my parents/ in-laws who have downsized (birthdays and holidays) is goodie baskets and plants. I use Harry and David since I need it delivered and they start at $25 and go up. My dad loves ones with summer sausage, my FIL likes the cheese ones, I've gotten my mom some cute plants, my MIL likes the ones with fruit. For the most part it keeps down the clutter since they've all been purging and it's a special treat of fancy mustards, crackers, etc that comes with the main food they wouldn't normally buy for themselves.
Caissie, slightly off topic but I am interested in getting a gift for myself and I’m wondering which soft water converter showerhead you got, and would you recommend it?
We installed this one & I like it so far & think it is working well. https://www.amazon.com/AquaBliss-Universal-Replaceable-Multi-Stage-Cartridge/dp/B01G7AZB96/ref=asc_df_B01G7AZB96/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193145800477&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1231413389262777905&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031202&hvtargid=pla-306125177904&psc=1
Thank you! 💛
Great ideas for last-minute gifts! As a last-minute Christmas gift to myself, I just booked a flight so my bestie and I can go to see your live show together in San Francisco in February. Hooray!
Thank you for the backup that bedding is a great gift for teens!!! Mine unfortunately did not agree and burst into tears when she opened. Let's just blame hormones. I'm betting she will love them next week...
Aw, I'm sorry she didn't love it at first. The tears are never really about the gift, I don't think. I hope she figures out what she wants and goes about getting it at some point.
Caissie you just saved Christmas! I totally forgot my niece and nephew. Mini-fridges to the rescue!
Caissie - love your writing "voice". You know what my issue is? My husband is a total bird nerd and back in August I ran across a lovely birding book (to record which birds you see) to give him for Christmas AND NOW I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I PUT IT! Does this happen to anyone else? LOL.
Yes, every year. 💜
I just thought of a plan. When you purchase a gift WAY ahead of time, go to that date (or the day before, wwfy) on your calendar app of choice and place a note about the gift and where it is, setting a reminder notification.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Kinda like asking my husband to help wrap this year. He said "sure!" and we did and he cut my time in half. Been married 15 years - never thought of it. Derp.
What an amazing article--so well thought-out and really useful. In the sea of articles on this same topic, yours really shines. Thank you so much!!!
I loved this guide. Truly awesome ideas.
It makes me wish I still gave more gifts to people. We decided to stop years ago when we fell into the gift card trap for neices and nephews and 90% of them didn't even acknowledge receipt let alone gratitude. I'm full of regret over this.
I especially love your advice about giving a gift and letting it go. No harping on it's intent for years to come.
We do have adult friends that we buy joint experiences for. Last year it was axe throwing. This year a Charcuterie Class. Kind of vain to force them to spend more time with us. But they keep coming back for more so we might as well make new memories doing different stuff.
Charcuterie class sounds delightful!!!
Caissie I so enjoy reading what you write. I’m one of those aholes who got her shopping done in November and had everything wrapped and mailed by early December. But I read every word of your Gift Guide and couldn’t help wondering, “in the amount of time it must have taken to research and write this, Caissie probably could have finished her shopping.” But there you are.
HA! You’re probably correct. 💜
These are all great ideas! I especially like the ones where you suggest spending time with people instead of giving a physical gift.
Thank you Caissie!! My favourite part was the reminder to give gifts without strings- as in DO NOT check in on the orchid that you bought me 2 months ago, because you know it’s dead!
LOL, always remember to not ask about the orchid.
Cassie, as always you write what I need to hear and make me laugh too!! My godson amdnhis best friend, who are seniors in high school dressed up as Frog and Toad for Halloween this year! Absolutely fantastic books. This year for friends, tonight actually, I invited them over for Pomegranate margaritas and gave everyone the recipe and the ingredients. You don't have to give the ingredients, sometimes just having friends over is the gift.
Margot, that sounds amazing.
In the UK there are a few companies where you can buy bouquets of fresh flowers that arrive in bud and kind of flat packed in a box small enough to fit in your mailbox - they also sell subscriptions so the recipient can receive flowers once per month for however many months you choose, I think this could be a great idea for a loved one who deserves a beautiful treat that they probably wouldn’t buy for themselves!
That is a great idea!
Merry Christmas Caissie! Loved reading this. I thought it was really thoughtful and honestly, I’d be really happy with most of these gifts. When I was a teenager I’d have been thrilled with the mini fridge and I’m even tempted to ask for one for my birthday which is two weeks after Christmas. Surely we all need one for our boujie little drinks and skincare right?
Happy early birthday to you!
Such great ideas! And your article made me laugh at least 3 times :) I haven’t seen them in awhile, but I always loved buying the soaps that have money in the middle of them. A surprise gift for all ages!
Love this! I want all of these things. Well, except for the whiskey stones.