I debated sharing a gift list on the blog this year. Everyone with a web address seems to share a list of their favorite present picks shortly after (or before) we finish our Thanksgiving turkey.
But I decided against it.
I wasn’t convinced I had anything new and different to share and I’m doubtful any of us really need more ideas. The least of my goals is to add more noise, more needs, more wants, to a world already clamoring with such.
But this past weekend I had a change of heart. Because it’s mid-December now. We’ve moved into the last couple weeks to wrap things up. Literally. And for me, last minute gift ideas is where it gets tough.
This is when I go through the list and check it twice. I make sure I didn’t forget a kid and try to make things somewhat even.
And it’s hard.
There is always one kid, or one friend, or one relative that stumps me each year. There is always one gift that I can’t quite nail down. That is exactly where I was sitting this past weekend weekend; nailing down the tough details.
Thankfully, I found a few things to fit the bill. In doing so, I also thought through a few {hopefully} unique and helpful ideas that have been a success in our home in the past.
I hope something on this list will give you the boost you need to finish your shopping and enjoy the rest of this lovely season!
But first, a few parameters.
- Small. When I’m struggling to find a few final gifts, I’m not typically looking for a lego set. Or a new hunting scope for my husband. I’m searching for odds and ends, stocking stuffers and smaller gifts to show appreciation to the friends and teachers and neighbors in my life. These are the gifts I had in mind here and all but one should fit in a stocking.
- Affordable. If you are anything like me you are ready to be done spending this Christmas. So I specifically chose last minute gifts that were affordable.
- Available. All of these items are still available for Christmas delivery, but you’ll need to order a few of the custom ones soon if you want them in time for gifting.
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For the Husband
Finding gifts for my husband isn’t always challenging, but it’s the stocking stuffers that get me. Here are a few things I have used in the past or am funneling into his stocking this year.
Seat Belt Cutter & Window Punch
Tools are often a safe bet for the men in our lives, but this is one even I love. An emergency seat belt cutter and window breaker. This one comes in a two pack, has excellent ratings (I can only imagine the brave stories behind the people who have actually had to use these things!) and will be showing up in the stocking of a few people I love.
Bacon Bar Soap and Bacon Breath Mints
Honestly, I’m not buying these. But aren’t they great? And the reviews are good. I don’t have people in my life that are that crazy about bacon, but if I did (or I was going to a white elephant exchange) I’d be ordering these.
Beard Balm
Am I the only one slow to knowing beard accoutrements are a thing? I just discovered this last year and put in it my husband’s stocking. On a side note, I found watching the variety of beards the most entertaining part of the World Series this year. There might be as many beard styles as there are hairstyles right now. Which, of course, means product lines for wayward whiskers as well. Who knew?
Gift cards, lottery scratch tickets and movie tickets also commonly pop up in the stockings of the men in my family.
For the kids
Fact: I work to limit the use of technology in my home, so I hunt hard for gifts that challenge my kids’ brains and bodies rather than ones that involve a screen. {Great reading on that over here.}
Plasma Car
We’ve had a trio of plasma cars for almost 4 years now. And they have been awesome. However, I have 4 kids. And four kids and 3 plasma cars has recently turned out to be not so awesome. So the littlest guy is getting his own car under the tree this year. (Why teach your kids to share when you can just buy another one, right? Yikes, not sure what I’m advocating here.) But the truth is we’ve had these for years and they still work perfectly. They are fun for a broad mix of ages and my kids’ parents have even been known to hop on them from time to time. 😉
Spangler Science
I told you about our love for Spangler science boxes in this post and we are still loving them. Each month a science kit arrives at my door with everything I need to do some fun hands on science with my kids. They’re never overly messy and there is always plenty of supplies for each of my four kids to try it again and again. (Grandmas this is a great gift for grandkids!) Beyond the monthly subscriptions, this site has all kinds of fun science-related gift ideas.
Puzzle Books
True story. When I was a kid, I would buy two identical word find books and my mom and I would have competitions finding the words. It was my favorite. I’ve recently started this with my older two kids as well. And Mad Libs – let’s have fun and work on a little grammar at the same – yes, please!
Note: You can often pick up puzzle books at dollar stores as well which is even more economical. However, sometimes the themes and words are a bit over my kids’ heads and it’s harder to keep them engaged. Just a thought.
Sisters & Friends
Goats Milk Soap
I already admitted my love for fancy shower supplies, but this one tops the list. Hand crafted in one of the cutest towns in Washington state Grace is my very favorite bar of soap to give and receive (and buy for myself). I love that it’s white and doesn’t leave any colored residue in my shower. Once I bought an oatmeal soap and I decided very quickly that I do not like the look of oatmeal on my shower walls. It’s a personal preference. This bar however, is perfectly scented, light and lovely. And the thought of washing myself with grace each morning just seems so. very. needed. Plus, it slips into a stocking perfectly.
Jewelry
These, friends, are my absolute favorite earrings. They are leather, which makes them light and durable and easy to ship as a Christmas gift. Giddy Chicks is owned by a decades long friend of mine (I feel super old saying that), Michelle. She is pretty much genius at mixing colors and patterns, however, she also takes custom orders so if there is a mix you are looking for or a specific length you had in mind, she can work with you. All of her pieces are reasonably priced and you can see lots more over here.
If you hurry, you can also order a dainty little state necklace like the one I ordered below from As You Wish Designs. Yes, that is Washington, and, yes, that heart is my home, but they have all kinds of other fun options as well. Their deadline for Christmas delivery is tomorrow so shop quickly!
Dayspring
Dayspring has become one of those safe places for me to shop; a place I can always find a lovely gift a decent price. Below are just just a few items I found while perusing Dayspring recently and right now they have $20 off any $60 purchase with the code SHINEHISLIGHT. Start your shopping here.
And for my very favorite gift to give for two years running…
Last year I listened to this podcast by Christy Nockels and fell in love with the amaryllis. I went out and bought one immediately. And it died. For real. And then I went out and bought six more. For real. I might have a crazy streak that shows up occasionally.
But the next six were this Smith & Hawken brand. I gave 5 away as gifts that year, but the one I kept lived and grew and was stunning. So I bought several more again this year and there is one thriving on my dining room table this very moment.
There is something about a brilliant red flower in winter, hope in hard and frozen places, that makes just the perfect gift in my opinion. You can find them here.
Tip: I wanted to ship one of these across the country last week and could not find the right sized box. Plus, I knew it was going to cost me a small fortune in shipping. Finally it occurred to me to have Target ship it for me. Target has free shipping on all orders right now so save yourself some money and let them ship it for you directly.
Books
This one probably goes without saying, but gifts almost always make great gifts for friends. The ones above are a few of my more recent favorites that I would highly recommend, but you can find more picks here and here.
For the Family
Puzzles
Confession: I don’t like jigsaw puzzles. I was not born with enough patience for distinguishing clouds from sand from that white horse from who knows what else. I’m frustrated just thinking about it. However, last week we had a break through. My mother-in-law bought us a 300 piece puzzle and it was…doable. I’d almost say fun. We worked on it as a family one evening for a bit and finished it up in the morning. So my new theory is the number of pieces matters. A lot. 300 pieces is about perfect for my family (read: my temperament) and may make a great gift for your family as well.
Feel free to laugh if you are a 2,000 piece puzzle master. I clearly have some work to do on that fruit of the Spirit.
Audiobooks
I love the shared experience of audiobooks in the car and on long afternoons during Christmas break. LampLighter and Jonathan Park are great places to shop for excellent audio dramas.
There you go! I hope something here sparks a unique idea to help you finish up your last minute shopping so you can enjoy a slower pace and less pressure as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!
