Countdown to Christmas: 10 more days! If you still need to find a few gifts, there’s still time to order Amazon prime and have your gifts delivered in time to wrap and give! Here are my top pretty, affordable gifts for the women in your life.
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Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the official shopping season, 2020 version! What’s better than giving everyone on your shopping list beautiful and thoughtful gifts? How about gifts that give back by helping individuals around the world earn a living producing products such as jewelry, housewares, accessories, and even toys? Your shopping budget can be a reason for someone else to give thanks!
Unbeknowst to most shoppers, many of the products we buy every day support forced labor. In contrast, products labeled “fair trade” support an honest wage for honest work. As I was researching including fair trade items on my shopping list this year, I realized there is an amazing variety of affordable products available now as consumers become more in tune with this issue. Some companies enable women to do skilled labor such as handcrafting to support their families. Others use funding to help support impoverished communities. Take a look at these amazing and unique gift ideas from around the world!
HANDMADE: We keep alive a beautiful tradition of handwoven belly baskets, passed down from generations of Artisans in Ghana. Made of 100% sustainable natural organic elephant grass with goat leather handle. Supports impoverished farmers in the Bogatanga region of Ghana, West Africa
ABSORBENT, QUICK DRY, LIGHTWEIGHT – Large 39 inch x 71 inch throw is perfect to dry off with after a shower or a swim. All of our premium towels are made from the finest eco-friendly organic turkish cotton, grown near the Aegean Sea in Turkey.
COZY & COMPASSIONATE: Made in Himalayan villages by local housewives, this generations-old handicraft allows mothers to stay home with their children and earn supplemental income.
Connecting with loved ones is the most important part of the holidays. Unfortunately, the global pandemic shows no signs of slowing before the Christmas season. The reality is setting in that many of us will not be spending the holidays with extended family. Certainly a lot of older relatives may be in situations where visitors may not be possible. And kids may very well be at home most of the time with a desperate need for meaningful, engaging activities.
I’m looking for ways to safely make the season special. Admittedly, it’s been rough. We won’t be getting together with extended family for Thanksgiving, although we are still seeing each other on the occasional warm day when we can get together outside. Like everyone else, we have also been connecting by video call.
This year, I’m also going to need to get creative with gift-giving. I plan to order a lot of my gifts on Amazon and have them delivered to loved ones I won’t be seeing. I’m also looking for gifts that will make the winter at home more comfortable.Some great ideas for pandemic gift giving are family games, activities, crafts, home entertainment, and special, personalized items.
Here are my top Amazon picks for pandemic gift-giving:
Family Games
Board games are a great way to spend time together as a family. Setting aside one evening a week as game night can help add structure and fun to time at home.
For people on your list who have to spend more time inside the four walls of home, help them make their home a haven by giving gifts that promote health, relaxation, and stress-relief.
For people on your list who you will not be able to see, remind them that you’re thinking about them over the Christmas season with thoughtful and creative gifts.
Shopping for kids is a huge part of the holiday season. Instead of going on a search for the latest toy fad of the year, consider giving some gifts that will encourage creativity and active learning in children. When I’m shopping for kids, I try to find gifts that will be engaging, appealing, and fun, but still help kids develop skills. My own children are well past the toys stage, but when they were younger, we got them each a couple of the traditional toy items, and the rest of their gifts leaned heavily toward activities, games, and items that would help them spend time productively. More than the toys, they appreciated the chance to try new things and feel a sense of accomplishment as well as spending time together as a family working on a project.
Time spent playing a board game, flying a kite, or learning a new art technique is valuable for children and provides a much-needed break from screen time.
Here are some of my top picks for fun and engaging toys available from Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate. Please see about page for full information. Thanks so much for supporting my blog! 🙂
Recycled Fabric: REPREVE traceable, recycled 4-way stretch polyester blend made from plastic bottles Insulation: WarmFlight x3 technology for extra warm and breathable insulation for Winter outside play
Hi there! I hope you’re hanging in there as 2020 inches closer and closer to an end. One thing I can truly, honestly look forward to no matter what the circumstances are the year-end holiday celebrations. We have tons of traditions that go along with the Christmas season, and cooking and decorating also add to the joy of the season.
We don’t go overboard in our family with enormous gifts, but I do love finding something really unique and special for everyone on my list. I have come to rely more and more on Amazon for my shopping because we have a high risk family member so we avoid covid exposure if at all possible. Home shopping has really been a great service for our family.
I recently also became an Amazon affiliate and this post contains affiliate links, but I am absolutely a real customer too. I very much appreciate you supporting me and my blog. Thank you! 🙂
Now, on to the gift guide for guys. Guys can be really tricky to buy for, but I think I have found some really great items for you today. I like finding the more original items and also putting in a few established brands and old favorites. I hope these ideas help and inspire you as you start shopping for this year’s celebrations!
This lightweight hammock is portable for all his great adventures! Accomodates 1-2 people. I love this bright tie dye, but the hammock is available in a multitude of color choices.
If you have someone on your list who appreciates food gifts, consider this great gift box. The company was selected as the 2018 U.S. Small Business of the Year for Washington State, this box is rated as “perfect” and “awesome” by Amazon reviewers.
Humboldt Hands is a luxury goat milk soap for working hands. The soap is made on the farm with fresh goats milk. It is tough on grease, grime, tree sap, barn muck and plant resins.
Gorgeous stainless water resistant watch from Citizen. Round watch with blue sunray dial featuring three subdials, placed indices, baton hands, and date window at four o’clock.
Mike the Mason Gift Set Includes: Hawk Safety Razor, Pure 100% Badger Hair Brush, Organic Honey Oatmeal Shave Bar, 5 Premium Mens Blades, and a Razor Stand
This Irish flat cap is made by one of Ireland’s oldest weavers in Co. Tipperary, using time-honored methods, passed down through generations at John Hanly & Co. The younger generation is making the newsboy cap trendy again, but a man of any age would love this classic.
This striking silver ring is also an intricate puzzle, and the mystery of how to take it apart and put it back together has to be solved. How cool is that?
Poblano, Habanero, & Black Pepper Chipotle. Great gift for the hot sauce lover in your life. Made weekly in small batches by Callahan himself in Seattle, WA.
This wood docking station can be personalized and is available in 8 wood finishes. The docking station is compatible with all cell phones including iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus, all kind of iPhones and all Android phones, and all kinds of tablets as well.
A part of the iconic SWISSGEAR ScanSmart series, this pack entails a TSA-friendly, lay-flat tech compartment equipped with a padded 15” laptop sleeve and tablet pocket to scan your devices without taking them out of the pack. Durable zipper closure adds an extra barrier of security for devices and essentials throughout your trip.
An integrated USB port allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet, and laptop wherever you are. Perfect travel backpack for a guy on the go.
Most guys need a good set of headphones. These feature Bluetooth wireless technology, Rapid Charge: 10 Minutes = 3 Hours; 40 Hours of Total Battery Life, Adjustable Sensory Bass, and Noise Isolating Fit.
I hope this Amazon gift guide gives you a little inspiration to get started on your holiday gift shopping list!
Now is a great time to begin to think about holiday shopping and get started on finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. When I’m shopping for myself, I look for a good quality item at a great price. But when it comes to gift giving, the focus shifts a little more to the quality side. After all, there are only a couple of gift-giving occasions throughout the year, and I want to give my loved ones a gift as special as they are. Don’t get me wrong, the budget isn’t thrown out the window with these Amazon finds, but I’m also looking for some other qualities. What is the star rating on Amazon? What reputation does the brand have? What kind of materials is the item made of? How unique and original is the gift? Is it special, for example artisan made or made in a country known for that product?
This gift guide is for the person on your list who appreciates the classics. Nothing super flashy, but beautiful, understated, high-quality gifts that are sure to be appreciated.
Here are some of my favorite Amazon picks, delivered straight to you!
First on my list is the mulberry silk sleep pillow. Silk pillows have become a top gift item this year because of the gentle treatment they provide for your hair and skin as you sleep, and because of the emphasis on the comforts of home. I love the deep steel gray color of this pure silk pillow.
The traditional tartan plaid scarf is made of a high quality cashmere wool from Scotland. These neutral tones will complement any look, from a blazer to a denim jacket.
Vera Bradley is an immensely popular brand for all kinds of beautiful bags. I love this soft and sophisticated Vera Tote in teddy fleece. Unlike the colorful prints, this bag is incredibly versatile and goes with a multitude of looks.
You can’t go wrong with a leather messenger bag. Anyone on your list will appreciate this classic and beautiful handcrafted bag in a warm brown leather.
The artisan Aleppo soap is made in Syria from an ancient recipe that is known to help alleviate skin problems. I think its distinctive look and packaging will make it a great addition to a holiday gift.
These attractive Turkish cotton hand towels are perfect anywhere in your home, equally useful in the kitchen, bath, or even gym bag. Made in Turkey from 100% fine cotton.
The sterling silver ring is just stunning, featuring multicolored genuine quartz stones channel set in the band and a large central gemstone.
Wristlets are a great little bag to add to the recipient’s collection, perfect for holding a cell phone and cards. This one is from Sakroots, one of my favorite brands.
Noise isolating blue tooth headphones from Skull Candy are a great gift for someone who spends a lot of time on a computer. This is especially true with so many of us trying to optimize all our online time neccessitated by 2020.
These gorgeous earrings are the real deal: 14 karat gold fittings and Tahitian Black South Sea pearls. This is truly a special gift sure to be treasured.
Scented candles are always a nice gift idea, and this set is pretty and versatile in neutral tones. The candles are hand-poured soy with an embossed design.
This s’well water bottle keeps drinks cold for an incredibly long time. I love the teak finish on this little beauty.
Finally, these custom made bracelets can be ordered in your choice of metal, stamping, and with an engraved message. They are so pretty and thoughtful. What a wonderful gift!
Thanks for checking out my shopping guide today! This post does contain affiliate links, and I really appreciate you supporting my blog! 🙂
Have you ever received a fully coordinated gift basket that was thoughtfully picked for you? Contrast that to being handed something from the store check-out line, still in the plastic bag, and you see what a big differnce gift packaging can make! When you give someone a gift, it’s important to put in the time and effort to select something personalized for the recipient. Making the gift wrap look just as special as the gift also is so thoughtful and really makes the gift extra special.
I love to find new and creative ways to wrap or package gifts. It’s pretty easy to make cute tags using scrapbook paper, or turn a plain paper gift bag into an artistic original with a few stamps or other creative embellishments.
Today, I made some pretty little gift boxes using really common supplies and in less than an hour. The boxes look like they are vintage porcelain treasures, but really, they were quickly put together with simple supplies you may already have. These elegant boxes would also make a wonderful DIY favor for a wedding or shower. Each guest could receive a small gift packaged in a tiny faux porcelain box. You can make these in any color you want as well!
Okay, so here’s what you need:
Small cardboard gift boxes. I used small silver jewelry sized boxes. With metallic boxes, another nice way to make them is to sand off a little paint around the edges when the paint is dry for a weathered metal look box.
Matte paint or chalk paint in your desired colors.
Paint the boxes with chalk paint. I used a light celery green.
Paint the silk flowers with chalk paint. Thoroughly coat all the surfaces. You could also just dip them into a dish of paint if you are going to be making a lot at one time.
When the flower pieces are dry, glue them onto the box in the arrangement you would like.
If you want a complete monochromatic look which many porcelain boxes have, you’re done!
If you want to try some shading to suit a a color scheme or decor, thats easy enough to do. Just wait for you first coat to dry and add touches of your second color to the silk flowers with a small paint brush. I did this with some of mine, and it was super easy-no special art skills required!
Tie the boxes up with ribbon or jute if you like.
That’s it! You’re done!
Have a beautiful day, and try something creative!
Post contains affiilate links in the supply links. Thanks so much for supporting my blog! 🙂
Are you a Millennial? Do you know a Millennial? Millennials are that much-maligned generation of people who are approximately in their twenties and thirties now. While I myself am not in that age range, I have worked with a ton of people who fit this description, and some of my adult kids could be described as Millennials.
From my experience, Millennials actually get a really bad rap. In fact, there are many things to love about this generation. They tend to be very idealistic and care a lot about their chosen causes. They are often resourceful and creative, and they are responsible for a resurgence of handcrafting among younger people. They are often diligent workers, doing difficult work and juggling family responsibilities. They often love the outdoors and are environmentally-conscious. I also find this generation to be very straightforward and authentic.
So, show the Millennials in your life a little love over the holidays or other gift-giving occasions with something special! I’m sharing some on-trend gifts here that are all available on Amazon.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting my blog! 🙂
Caboodles was the must-have item for tween girls of the 90s. This nostalgic brand has small organizer cases, such as this one, and larger train cases as well. A caboodle case would make a great presentation for other small gift items and is cute, nostalgic, and useful on its own.
Nineties kids grew up with a loveable and sometimes bizarre cast of characters on Nickelodeon. This nostalgic hoodie is sure to bring a smile to the face of any twenty-something.
Many Millennials are vinyl record enthusiasts, which is great that those old records are still getting some use. Find some old records that are still in good enough shape to be played, and give your Millennial the gift of a high quality turntable.
If you’re not a Millennial, you may not be aware that most of them spent many happy hours in public schools playing a low-tech educational video game entitled The Oregon Trail which had the kids doing things like dying of dysentery. This nostalgic game set includes three separate games and is sure to be a hit.
This great little journal would be perfect for writing travel notes or making a sketch of the surroundings. The leafy details on the journal add to its appeal.
For the artist or crafter on your list, this portable craft caddy is a great gift. It’s understated design doesn’t scream “great-grandma’s knitting basket” so it’s perfect for a younger generation of artisans.
If there’s one thing Millennials love, it’s their specialty coffees. They may be the generation responsible for the ubiquitous coffee shop. It’s great having a really special coffee brew at home, and this definitely fits the bill! These are coffee pods designed to work with that type of machine.
Millennials are known for their love of houseplants. Many are also cooking at home and increasing their repertoire of at-home gourmet options. That’s why this hydroponic indoor heirloom herb garden is the perfect gift, especially for a small space or urban gardener.
Let’s face it, TJ’s does have some of the best food and grocery items out there. Millennials in search of tasty and healthy dinner options are sure to appreciate this cookbook.
Millenials seem to love hiking around in the great outdoors and spending their weekends finding a new adventure. A picnic set in a backpack is a clever and unique gift. I have given a couple of these myself at bridal showers. to rave reviews.
Everything you need to create a beautiful knitted shawl, including high-quality yarn and instructions. This is for an experienced knitter. Knitters love top-quality yarn. Check out the other amazing items from their store while you’re looking!
Millenials love to travel, and given the pandemic, many are doing short, responsible car trips rather than jet-setting it around the country. This guide is sure to have some great, do-able ideas for anywhere in the US.
For your apple fan, airpods with a charger are the perfect gift. It’s probably wise to try to figure out whether they already have a pair, but otherwise anyone with an iphone will love these!
Prime Day is still going on! YAY! If you’re not yet a Prime Member, now is definitely the time to join! Score some great deals for yourself and get a head start on your holiday shopping!
If you have an artistic person in your life, they will appreciate being treated to some gifts meant to spark the creative juices. High quality supplies are always appreciated, and I’ve also found some other fun items that show you appreciate their originality and spirit.
Take a look at these great Amazon finds!
Post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting my blog! 🙂
Blue Willow Lane 