Gift Guide: Friend & Neigbor Gifts

One of my favorite things to do, each & every holiday season, is delivering gifts to our friends & neighbors. They are never fancy, nor are they expensive, but just a little something to say, "We're thinking of you." Still need your something special for some friends, a neighbor, or maybe the gardener? Check out this list of fairly quick, fairly easy, & fairly inexpensive gift ideas...A cute box or jar filled with yummy Snickers Surprise cookies.
How about a 6-pack of Root beer Reindeer?
A plate of Nutter Butter Santa Cookies.
A handful of masonry nails, tied with a big red bow, with THIS poem attached.
Candy bar reindeer
Gather all the ornaments in THIS story, & deliver them with a small Christmas tree and the POEM.
A cute jar or bag filled M&Ms, with THIS poem attached.
Reindeer Dust

For another big 'ole list of quick & easy ideas check out HERE.

xoxo, K

Gift Guide: Last Minute Gifts

• If you are really running our of time try email delivered gift certificates from Amazon.com, Itunes, Netflix, Southwest Airlines, or a CalActive gift certificates (for everything from a romantic gondola ride in Newport to a helicopter tour).

• Pavilions has a great selection of gift cards and you can make it more personal by packaging up the gift card in creative ways. For example, get a Starbucks gift card and put in a Monogrammed mug or get a Barnes and Noble gift card and find a book by the recipients favorite author.

• Donate to their favorite charity. Charity Navigator can help you identify the perfect cause to donate to for that special someone this holiday season or you can just buy them a good card.

• Zappos has a great selection of clothing and shoes and they are offering free overnight shipping if you pay with Paypal.

xoxo, C

Gift Guide: Local Shopping, by K

Christmas is just over a week away! Are you ready? Do you have all the decorations hung? The gifts purchased? The presents wrapped? If you still need to do a little shopping, maybe something on our local shopping guide will inspire you...

Local Orange County Companies:
* Swanky Paper: Personalized stationary, note cards & thank yous. THESE cards are a personal favorite, every time I pull one out to write a note, they make me smile.
* Little Boogies: Unique animal inspired t-shirts & onesies for infants & toddlers
* This is Me Journal: A Kid's First Keepsake Journal
* Pooka Clothing: Organic children's clothing. My little guys would love THIS skull tee.
* Encore Toffee: My mom received some one year as a gift & we've been placing orders ever since!
* Too Faced Cosmetics: Be sure to check out their holiday collection... my pick? The new Design your own Palette.
* Harvey's: The original seatbelt bag. Don't miss their Holiday Gift Guide, they have several things for under $100. What's on my list? The newish Carriage Clutch.

Local Orange County Events & Attractions:
* Annual Day Use Pass: Perfect for anyone who frequents the California State Parks. (If you've got a surfer on your list, they will LOVE this.) For more information regarding annual parking passes for some of our local resources, be sure to check out Michele's great post HERE.
* Tickets to a Broadway Play: At the top of my wishlist? Legally Blonde.
* Disneyland Tickets or Season Passes
* Honda Center Tickets: Ducks games, concerts & tons of other events. I know my guy would be happily surprised with tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters.
* Angels Tickets

* Lift Tickets: For the skier or snowboarder in your life.

Local Orange County-ians on Etsy:
* TieOneOn: Ties, Scraps, Wraps & Shawls
* Stones & Starling: Handmade Jewelry. THESE pearly hoops are so perfect.
* Posh Wash Soap Shop: Handcrafted Soap
* Spitting Image: Silk screened t-shirts for the young & old
* Fizzy Habit: Handmade Bath Bombs
* Quiet Doing: Hand & HeartMade Tees, Totes & Wallets for ladies & gentlemen. I think anyone would love THIS record inspired iPod case.
* Blarney Yarn: Hand painted yarns, hand spun yarns, hand painted rovings & hand turned niddy noddies.
* Voz Clothing: Hand painted vintage purses, clutches, shoes & totes
* LovMely Accessories: Handmade headbands, clips & jewelry. THIS peacock feather headband is beautiful.
* Cuore Accessories & More: Handcrafted bags, pillows, plushies & more. My sister would adore THIS vintage inspired owl pillow.
* Westergard: Handcrafted necklaces, rings, earring, brooches & cuff links

xoxo, K

Gift Guide: For Him

From Juggling Balls to a Survival Kit in a sardine can Restoration Hardware has a collection of unique stocking stuffers fitting for any man.

The Roku is a digital player that allows you to watch Netflix movies and TV episodes via the Internet. Its been voted one of the top gifts of the year by Wired Magazine. If you don't want to get the whole digital player a Netflix subscription is another great idea for that special guy in your life.

Here are some other great gift guides for guys:

Design Sponge

Daily Candy

xoxo, C

Gift Guide: Local Shopping Spots, by C

Orange County is a great place to find local stores that have original gifts and great customer service.

Toy Boat has a great selection of unique toys in their toy stores. They also have knowledgeable staff to help you identify a fun holiday gift for any child.

Hush baby is an upscale baby boutique franchise, but they are individually owned, so each location has unique offerings and great customer service. They have a stylish selection of gifts for baby, toddlers, and moms.

The lab is an alternative shopping experience for those looking for more "green" gifts or gifts that are a little bit funky for that special individual in your life.

Rogers Gardens is a holiday paradise and the perfect place to find a beautiful arrangement or a charming holiday decoration to give away or even just keep for yourself.

What are your local favorites?

xoxo, C

Gift Guide: Handmade Holiday

I don't know about you, but money is a little tight this year. So, I'm trying my hand at a "handmade holiday". Thinking about handcrafting some gifts of your own? Need some ideas of what to make? Check out a few of these...

Personalized Etched Glass Pans
Felted Flower Brooch
Embellished Dr. Scholl's Sandals
I Spy Bag
Felted Teacup Pincushions
Bitty Baby Booties
Nursing Cover
Diaper & Wipe Case
Freezer Paper Stenciled T-Shirts
Handmade Slippers
Chunky Crayons
Quick & Easy Fleece Blanket
Family Alphabet Books
Pretty Little Bag
Bath Salts
Art Case
Mod Podged Bangle Bracelet
Scrabble Tile Pendant
Superhero Cape
Monogrammed Tie
T-Shirt Newborn Gown

xoxo, K
image via buyhandmade.org

Gift Guide: Great Lists

Instyle has a great list of gifts to help you find a clever treat for anyone in your life.

Etsy has a homemade gift guide that allows you to pick gifts according to category and price range.

Parent's choice put a list together of great games for families that can be given as gifts to integrate fun and learning in the home.

xoxo, C

Gift Guide: Monogrammed

Monogrammed gifts are not only personal, but reflect style. Here are some of my favorites for this holiday season:

Candlepots from Pottery Barn





Necklaces from Anthropologie

Hable Stockings from Garnet Hill


Monogrammed M&Ms

xoxo, C