Greetings! Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday! I spent a lot of this weekend writing Christmas cards, listening to Christmas tunes and helping friends and family decorate their homes, which definitely put me in the holiday spirit.
While many courageous shoppers ventured out to the stores on Black Friday, I stayed far, far away! That said, I haven't tackled anyone on my gift-giving list yet. I'm always on the lookout for unique gifts that perfectly fit the recipient, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites from previous years and some new ones, too.
Personalized Notecards from Ustationery.com www.ustationery.com
In a high-tech world of text messages and e-mails, handwritten notes are appreciated more than ever! That's why I order stylish personalized notecards for my girlfriends from Ustationery.com. My friend, Sacha Krasney, is the talented designer of this unique line of stationery. Choose from a variety of designs (like this trendy glitter polka-dot style!), then follow the easy instructions to personalize the notecards with the recipient's name. It's that easy! Better yet, notecards arrive ready to give packaged in a cellophane bag and tied with a lovely coordinating satin bow.
Magazine Subscriptions
Don't you love it when your favorite magazine arrives in the mailbox? With our busy lives, it's so nice to take a break and peruse magazines that inspire us. That's why I like to give the gift that keeps on giving all year long with a magazine subscription. Most publishers are savvy with their gift-giving promotions during the holidays, so be on the lookout for special offers. I just renewed my subscription to
House Beautiful and got a free gift subscription for my mom. Now she'll be able to enjoy this glorious magazine every month (and I can keep my own issues)!
Homemade Treats
This year, my roomate and I are making Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (recipe courtesy of Sacha Krasney). It's totally amazing, especially with Ghirardelli's Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. I'm planning to find small baskets and tea towels to package the homemade bread loaves with a pretty satin bow and gift tag. For that special touch, I love the Holiday Greetings Stamp Set from Gina K. Designs (
http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/product.sc?productId=692&categoryId=118).
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Grease a 9"x5"x3" loaf pan (or something close to that size). Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
INGREDIENTS
Granulated sugar, 1 c
Butter, 4 oz
Mashed bananas (make sure they are ripe; usually 3 or 4 will do the trick), 1-1/2 c
Large eggs, two
Vanilla extract, 2 tsp
All-purpose flour, 2 c
Baking soda, 1-1/2 tsp
Salt, 1/2 tsp
Semisweet chocolate chips, 1 c
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix sugar and butter; beat in mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and then stir into mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips until well incorporated. Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Cover loosely with a tent of aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Test with toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Enjoy!
Etsy.com
I've discovered that online shopping in my pajamas pretty much rules. What's even better is finding something handcrafted by an Etsy artisan. From jewelry to pottery, the gift-giving possibilities on Etsy.com are endless. It's a great feeling to know I'm supporting these talented designers while giving a special, handcrafted gift that fits my budget.
Gourmet Gifts in a Jar http://recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html
Give a gift they'll truly appreciate after the busy holiday season. Find a variety of easy-to-prepare layered soup, cookie and other gourmet gifts at recipegoldmine.com. I especially love the idea of giving comforting soup mixes to friends and family who are enduring the long Chicago winter. A favorite is the Farmhouse Soup Mix in Jar (
http://recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftsoup/farmhouse-soup-mix.html).
I hope these ideas are helpful. Be sure to share your gift-giving ideas as well. I'd love to hear them!
Happy Holidays!
IMAGE CREDITS: Ustationery.com; House Beautiful
