If you are like me, you just realized that Christmas Day is in three days! Ay yi yi! I have friends who have been posting Christmas Day countdowns since Election Day, but I choose to ignore those warnings because I was not ready to deal with the idea of shopping. My procrastination has kicked in the creative part of my brain, so I present some ideas for last minute shoppers:
- The Gift of Speed. Verizon Fios has been so good to my family. The Mister can play his video games while virtually smack talking 12-year-olds as The Boy saves humanity from an impending invasion all while I FaceTime my sister as I peruse a recipe. When my daughter drops by incessantly texting or Snapchatting or sharing memes we don’t experience any delay with the internet. Use my referral link so we both earn points for being Verizon Fios customers.
- Make your own ornament. I spotted a really cute table decoration at my office holiday luncheon. This decoration can serve for both the holiday and a table decoration for a graduation party. To make, take an oversized holiday ornament glue to a plastic candle holder. Waa Laa! A quick yet beautiful gift!
- Amazon is always my go to. My favorite Christmas Day memory is curling up with a candy cane, eggnog, and a new book. Gift a Kindle for the bookworm in your family.
- The Kimmel Center offers gift certificates to purchase single tickets and subscriptions for events (ahem to The Mister. Wicked is coming in July…). If you can’t wait until July, get tickets to the Salute to Vienna concert on Dec 30 at the Kimmel Center. Using code STV2FOR1 save 50%* on Tier 2 and 3 tickets with code. *Seating restrictions apply: this is a limited time offer, while supply lasts. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.
- Give the Gift of Food! Hashtag Team Chunk is always open to food. Home Chef has been a life saver this last year with their easy to prepare meals. I love the convenience of the ingredients doled out in just the right portions. Use this link to get a $30 credit when you try the service.
- Get crafty. My sister has been whipping up these little headbands and say they take less than an hour. If you can knit or crochet, consider giving the gift of handmade.
- Meals in a jar. Canadian Lentils were never on the menu until I attended BlogHer Food. If I want to whip up a quick meal and I have depleted my Home Chef supply, I can always grab a jar of pre-measured/pre-seasoned lentils, throw in some vegetables and meat, and have a meal in under an hour.
- The Never Go Wrong: Gift Cards! Fandango for movie tickets, Groupon for almost all ideas from travel to services.
- Spirits. I never found a bottle of wine, whiskey, wine, or vodka I said no to. Did I mention the wine?
- Yourself. The holidays are not about gifts. It is about time spent with friends, family, and loved ones. This year, give the gift of yourself. A Facebook friend wrote this as his status:
This Christmas give the gift back, forgive someone or ask for forgiveness. That’s where peace on earth begins.
This last one doesn’t cost a thing but time.
Keep the conversation going. Comments welcomed!