Happy Holidays, and welcome back to the blog!
QUOTE
āChristmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.āā Eric Sevareid?
Hello, friends, and happy winter! I hope youāre soaking in the seasonāprepping for a stress-free holiday, enjoying cozy drinks, breathing in that fresh pine scent, and feeling that collective shift into the season of giving.āļøāØ
Today Iām rolling Days 2 -4 of the 12 Days of Christmas series into one and sharing a few no-wait gift ideas. These gifts might still require a store visit, but with a little strategy, they can be just as easy (and faster) than ordering online.
With crowded post offices and slow shipping this time of year, sometimes going in-store is the smartest move. Iām not a fan of long lines either, but Iāve learned that timing is everything. A Monday or Tuesday visitāright when the store opens or before 11 a.m.āusually means Iām in and out without the chaos.
(Three) No Wait Gift š Ideas
šļø WORLD MARKET
World Market truly is a one-stop shop for home goods, specialty food items, clothing, and beauty finds. Last year, I put together a small gift basket for a close friend and intentionally sent it after Christmasābut once you start browsing those tucked-away sections, the basket ideas are endless.
Spa Basket
Fill it with indulgent soaps, bath balms, oils, and lotions. Add a face mask, lip balm, and cozy slippers to create a full at-home spa experience.
Cozy Winter Afternoon Basket
Think assorted teas, cakes, and biscuits. To elevate it even more, tuck in a soft throw blanketāand maybe a bottle of Pinotāfor the perfect winter unwind moment.
š THE GROCERY STORE
Yesāthe grocery store. And I know what youāre thinking. But boutique-style grocers like Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or Momās Market are perfect for creating one-of-a-kind gift baskets.
Snack Basket
Fill it with wine, cheese, meats, and crackers. To make it extra special, tuck in a gift card for a free movie night and turn it into a full experience.
Sweets Basket
Candies, pastries, chocolates, and dessert wines make for an indulgent and crowd-pleasing option.
Regional Wine Basket
Curate a selection of regional wines š·āone from each areaāor keep it classic with a red, white, and rosĆ© trio. Either way, itās a thoughtful and elevated gift idea.
šTHE BOOKSTORE
I can easily get lost wandering the stacks of a bookstoreāand not just for the books. Itās the accessories, the games, the music, and all those little unexpected finds that make it such a great place to shop. For your readers (or anyone looking to start a new habit), a one-of-a-kind book basket makes a thoughtful and cozy gift.
Book Basket
Start with their favorite bookāor, if itās part of a series, gift the first two to really pull them in. Add a few bookmarks, book-inspired pins or stickers, and then elevate the experience with a hot cocoa packet, chocolate, a face mask, and a hair tie or clip for peak reading comfort.
These are just a few simple ideas for friends or family when you want to give something thoughtful without the stress. We all know the holidays are more about time spent together than gifts, but for me, thereās something special about giving someone a surpriseāexpecting nothing in return except their happiness.
š OTHER SUGGESTIONS
- Three months of Audible
- Three months of Spotify or Tidal
- One month of meals on Home Chef (or five meals via Factor, Healthy Fresh Meals)
- A gift card to their favorite store or…
- A flower CSA (where flowers are delivered weekly for a month). This was gifted to me when my Dad passed away. I can tell you that it was so lovely getting a fresh bouquet every week. It really made my day.)
Well, friends, that’s it for today, and I hope I’ve given you some great last-minute gift ideas.Ā I’ll be back with more holiday fun in this 12 Days of Christmas series. — Peace and Happy Christmas š
Don’t forget to download my Gift List printable to help you keep track. For other freebies, check out my winter holiday downloads.Ā