Christmas Free for All {Favorites, Gift Ideas and Inspiration}

It is that busy, busy time of year, and if you are like me your mind is like a browser with a bunch of tabs open–shopping, wrapping, baking, entertaining, traveling, celebrating–all the good things of the season! Today’s post is a bit of all those things as we head rapidly into the final countdown to Christmas.

I want to first share some resources too, with the thousands of posts in our archives things get lost, but we have these pretty “Thrill of Hope” free printable gift tags for you to use with your wrapping, they are available here.

I’ll share some last minute and favorite gift ideas because for many of us that is the most pressing need. I focused on things that can ship quickly at this point and hopefully will make things easy on you. Our collection of category specific gift guides are HERE if you missed any of our ideas. I have a few other “best gift ideas” that I didn’t share in this year’s posts {though some of them I have shared them in previous years} that are good especially for harder to buy people, here are a few below.

A Skylight Photo Frame is just thing for grandparents or out of town family, you can continually send new photos to it via email and they are displayed in the frame. A great way to keep everyone up to date and to actually enjoy the photos piling up on your phone!

I purchased this portable Car Vacuum even thought I am not sure who I will actually give it to (I might just keep it for myself!) but I thought this was a neat idea, my car gets dirty quickly and I am not great about cleaning it out regularly, this makes it so easy. Maybe the other drivers in my home will be inspired to use it? I think any car guy would love it!

If you order these ASAP they say these warm socks will still arrive before Christmas. These are my favorite warm socks and people are always happy to receive them!

Another favorite gift (one that is very nice for family members) is Storyworth, and since it initially arrives by email there is plenty of time. Storyworth will email the giftee one question about their life each week all year, which they answer online, then at the end of the year you can go in and create a book. My Dad has been diligently working on his book this entire year and I can’t wait to see it, I know we will treasure knowing that much more about him as will future generations to come.

If you are looking for ideas that are DIY (and inexpensive too!) here are some favorites, Lavender Bath Salts (these would be a nice gift for a daughter to make for her friends), Lemon Sugar Scrub and Homemade Vanilla (Perfect for the baker!) Note: these are from WAY BACK in the archives so overlook the poor photography, we’ve come a long way LOL!

Another favorite holiday post is an easy way to make your home smell like Christmas, you can find that simple simmering recipe here. {You can also cheat and just use my favorite Mulling Spices}

I spend more time that usual enjoying inspiration from around the internet at this time of year, and I wanted to share a few holiday inspiration pictures that stopped me in my tracks. How beautiful are these holiday products from Dunbar Road? {I know the prices will make you gasp, but they are inspiringly gorgeous none-the-less!}.

I shared this recipe again in our weekly newsletter but if you don’t get that, here’s one you may want to add to your cookie list this year. It’s always a hit and it is a fun thing to do as a family (even younger children can get in on the coating the cookies with sugar action), you can find the recipe here.

If you like to purchase holiday decor once it is on sale, I noticed that one of my favorite retailers, Ballard Designs has their decor reduced by 40%, you can see it all here. I am eying this velvet ribbon. I saved this picture from the site here below (I think this is the garland on sale) because I thought it was beautiful with the greenery and the mercury glass.

One final thing to share, while I love to celebrate all of the fun parts of the season, the most important part of Christmas is that it celebrates the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. Giving is the true heart of the season, and while there are plenty of worthy organizations this is one of my very favorites. A small gift/donation to them will truly go toward blessing a child who wouldn’t otherwise have a Christmas.