Showing posts with label gift guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift guide. Show all posts
12:00 PM

An Eco Friendly Gift Guide

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As time goes on and on, climate change gets worse. Let's face it, our planet is dying. So why not do something good this holiday season and give out some eco friendly gifts? Whether you're shopping for a family member who doesn't believe in climate change or a friend who is living their best green life, check out my guide of green gifts to give this holiday season.


Something everyone should have is a Reusable Water Bottle. Plastic bottles are so bad for the environment and for you. When you drink out of a plastic bottle, little particles of plastic leak into the water you're drinking. Gross right? Instead choose to give a reusable water bottle as a gift, literally everyone can use one.


For your candle lover, why not get a Soy or Beeswax Candle? What's wrong with regular candles? Turns out they're bad for the environment too. Candles are made with paraffin wax, which is full of hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon is essentially what fossil fuels are made up of. So if you want to get an eco friendly gift for a candle lover, choose an organic candle made from beeswax or soy. If you want to be even more eco conscious, choose an essential oil diffuser instead!


The war on plastic straws has been going on all year long. So if some of your friends and family haven't hopped on this bandwagon yet why not get them some Reusable Straws? Now you can find so many different types of reusable straws out there. Stainless steel, glass and even retractable keychains, there is literally a reusable straw for everyone.


For the person who can't start their day without a cup of coffee, give them a Coffee Traveler! The United States alone throws out around 108 billion disposable cups per year. So the perfect eco friendly gift for a coffee lover would be a reusable coffee cup. So many stores sell reusable cups for both hot and cold beverages. You really can't go wrong with any one of these!


One of the most eco friendly resources out there is bamboo. Bamboo can make literally anything, cutting boards, toothbrushes, sunglasses, bathtub trays, and so much more. You think it, they probably have it. Since bamboo is a natural resource, it can break down and decompose unlike products made out of plastic. So when in doubt choose Anything Made Out of Bamboo!


For the environmentally conscious tech obsessed, you can't go wrong with a Portable Solar Charger. Portable chargers are a handy thing to have no matter what, but what's really cool about the solar ones is that you don't need to constantly recharge them. If it can feel the suns rays, it will charge up. How cool is that?


A Tote Bag is just a fancy version of a reusable grocery bag. They tend to be big and roomy so they can hold loads of stuff. Plus they are durable so you don't have to worry about them ripping right away. A tote bag is versatile and can be used for anything, like as a purse, a beach bag, a shopping bag, and so much more. If you want to go the extra mile this holiday season, use a tote bag instead of wrapping paper or a gift bag. The planet will thank you.


Giving green gifts this holiday season is one way to help save the planet. Not only are you lowering your carbon footprint, you are encouraging others to do the same. By giving these eco friendly gifts, you're encouraging your friends and family members to get into greener habits. We only have one planet so let's take care of it so we can have many more years to celebrate the holidays! Until tomorrow.

3:00 PM

A Warm & Cozy Gift Guide

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Christmas is rapidly approaching, and time is running out to get all your shopping done. This time of the year can be stressful whether that's due to financial reasons or a lack of time or not planning ahead. Needless to say once the big day comes, there's nothing we want to do more than relax.


Think of all the people who work hard all year long and never take a moment for themselves to relax. If this sounds like someone you know, and you still need to buy them something for Christmas, this gift guide was made for you! Cozy gifts are great for everyone! Who doesn't want or need to relax and unwind?

Pajamas That Give You The Warm Fuzzies! Pajamas are a perfect gift for relaxing in the holidays. Who doesn't want to be warm and fuzzy while sipping cocoa or eggnog by an open fire? Store like Old Navy and Target currently have some epic sales going on for their pajamas. Who wouldn't love some warm and fuzzy holiday themed pajamas for the end of the year?


Clouds For Your Feet. A nice pair of slippers as soft as a cloud is a perfect cozy gift. Zappos is paradise for shoe shopping. They have every possible shoe style and every well known brand out there. They have over a thousand different slippers! Odds are you're bound to find at least one pair, that your giftee will like! If slippers aren't what you're thinking of, then go with fuzzy socks instead!


Nap Kit. What's more cozy then having the perfect napping accessories? Getting a fuzzy blanket, eye mask and a soft pillow should do the trick. If you want to make it super personal, Joanns sells kits where you can build your own fleece blanket. It may take some time, but the work you put into it will be appreciated.

A Robe No-One Wants To Take Off. Nothing screams coziness like a fluffy robe. I'm not going to lie, I have a fluffy robe on my Christmas wishlist too. With the colder weather, we can't help but want to bundle up, even when we're not outside. Bed, Bath & Beyond has a great fluffy bath robe, but you can find nice robes anywhere like Target, Wal Mart, Kohls, Victoria's Secret, Nordstrom, Macys, and etc.


Relaxation Kit. When in doubt, make your own relaxation kit. You can get a box or basket and fill it up with little trinkets. Candles, bath bombs, face masks, bath products, essential oils, etc, etc, there is literally so much you can do. Plus you can find any of these items at basically any store in America. It's something easy and quick to put together.


A Good Book To Curl Up With. If someone's idea of relaxation is curling up with a good book, why not treat them to a new read? Barnes and Noble has some special offers going on at the moment, which includes 50% off select books. Picking out a book for someone else can be tricky, but if you know their general interests odds are you can find them a decent read! Let's keep our bookstores up and running!


The options are endless when it comes to picking out the perfect cozy gift. What's important to remember is to think about what would really make this person you're getting a gift for relax. Maybe they're the mani-pedi type, or maybe they're the Netflix and chill type. You know them best, so put yourself in their shoes. Good luck shopping!

Until tomorrow.

1:00 PM

Gift Guide: White Elephant/Yankee Swap

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Depending on what kind of gift exchange your work does (if they even do one) or if you attend a holiday party with a gift exchange, there are typically two kinds of gift exchanges: Secret Santa or a White Elephant. We all know what Secret Santa is, the name basically explains itself. Everyone draws a name and that's the person you have to get a gift for. Now, you're probably thinking what the hell is a White Elephant?


White Elephant is a gift exchange that is meant to entertain rather than actually give out good presents. It is also known as Yankee Swap, which is a more common name due the hilarious Christmas party episode of the Office. But sometimes, it even goes by Dirty Santa but that's not as common.

Shoutout to Giphy for this epic GIF!


White Elephant is basically all one big joke. Everyone provides one generic gift, usually there's a limit set (typically around $25) but it's not a present you really should go out and buy. A true white elephant gift is defined as an extravagant but burdensome gift that cannot be easily disposed. Basically it's something you hated and could not find a way or to regift it.


When you get to the gift exchange here is how it works. All the gifts are wrapped up, all in disguise so you have no idea what gift is what. Everyone gets a number and that will be the order of the picking. The first person picks a gift, and then opens it up. Then when the second person goes, they can steal that gift or pick a new gift. If a gift gets stolen, then the person who originally had it gets to pick a new gift. A gift can only be stolen three times. This will go on and on until everyone has taken their turn. Then once the last person picks their gift, the first person can decide if they want to steal anything or keep what they have. Sounds fun right?


But most of the time, people don't always have a random joke gift in the back of their closet ready to go. So here are some ideas for some fun and even useful gift ideas for a White Elephant gift exchange:


Silly Tech Items. A White Elephant gift exchange is the perfect time to get those funny tech items that were once trending topics like selfie sticks, fidget spinners, silly cell phone cases, character USB drives and etc. These make perfect gag gifts and are bound to get a couple laughs. Maybe throw in something useful like a pop socket, portable charger or a speaker to be on the nicer side.


Fun Mugs. You can never go wrong with a mug that has a fun quote or something snarky on it. Some places have some funny shaped mugs like toilets or even the poop emoji. You can always pair it up with some nice coffee or hot chocolate and make it a real treat.


Cozy Items. Getting items that will help people relax is always a real treat. Getting some fuzzy socks with some bath bombs, face masks, candles, essential oils and any other type of soothing items will be a big hit. Who doesn't want to relax? If you want to add a joke element to it get a funny pillow like a Pillow Pet or a funny blanket like a Snuggie or mermaid blanket to get some laughs.


Adult Coloring Books. These used to be a big thing, maybe not so much any more but they still would make a great gift. Who doesn't like to color? They also make some fun coloring books filled with profanities and curse words. Pair it with come crayons, colored pencils or markers and you're good to go.


Table Top Games. This year it seems like table top games are a popular ticket item, which is fun and different! Getting a travel size beer pong or flip cup game set would be a hot item to steal. Also this year, nostalgia board games are very popular. 90s kids would be happy to hear that Oregon Trail, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, and other games from their childhood have board game versions and are actually priced decently.


Alcohol Related Items. Fun giant wine glasses, Moscow mule glasses, beer steins, shot glasses, and any kind of fun alcohol glasses always make great gifts that you know someone will want to steal. Or even something funny like a beer funnel or the Chambong, a classy version of a beer funnel will get some laughs. Even a little bartending set would make a great gift. When in doubt, you can even just get a bottle of booze and you'll be good.


Gift Cards or Lottery Tickets. When in doubt, gift cards or lottery tickets always work great. You can pair it up with any item you want to get rid of or some kind of gag gift. Or you can make up a a cool way to wrap it, like putting them in a picture frame or even a mason jar. You can even add some candy to it to make it a little more fun!


White Elephant and Yankee Swap gift exchanges are meant to be silly and fun, not a serious or stressful event. If you're going to participate in one of these kinds of gift exchanges this year, it honestly should be the easiest gift you buy or don't buy this year.

Until tomorrow!

4:30 PM

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Guru Edition

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Shopping for the beauty lover in your life is easier said than done. Every single department store or beauty retailer has an endless amount of options. And for someone who is clueless about the beauty world, it can be overwhelming to attempt to find the perfect gift. But today we're going to break down all the different types of potential gifts and which is the best to get based on what your beauty expert will love most.

For the one with the Popping Highlight there are several go to brands that are known for their glow. Right now, the Anastasia Beverly Hills glow kits are a hot ticket item. Also if you can find Rihanna's Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter in stock at Sephora, your beauty lover will love you forever for being able to snag it. For something a little more basic and classic, you can't go wrong with the Becca Après Ski Glow Face Palette. If you have no idea what brand your beauty guru loves best, then the Sephora Glow For It gift set is your best bet and a pretty affordable option. For $40 you get a sampler set of the best selling and most popular highlighters.

For the one who is Palette Obsessed, picking the right one can be difficult because of all the options. The Naked Palette by Urban Decay is the perfect starter eyeshadow palette. If your beauty guru is obsessed with beauty influencers then the Morphe Jaclyn Hill Eyeshadow Palette collaboration is a good go to. If your beauty expert isn't easily swayed by influencers then any of Morphe's palettes will get the job done. Right now, everyone is obsessed with the Huda Beauty palettes from Sephora, so snag one if you can. But honestly, there really isn't a bad palette out there. Brands like Tarte, Too Faced, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and other A List beauty brands all make killer palettes.

For the one who is the Lipstick Queen, you can go one of two ways. 1. Get the lip gift set with every color in the crayon box or 2. Stick to one shade and get a gift set that has a variation of the same shade. If your beauty expert has one go to shade she adores, stick with that. Sephora currently has gift sets that will focus on one standard shade type, like nude or bold. Each of those gift sets have several different lipsticks from different brands all in a similar shade. However, if your beauty guru wants something new, NYX offers several different gift sets featuring almost every single color of the rainbow at an affordable price. My personal favorite is the Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar, it's a festive and fun treat for the holiday season.

For the one who needs to Relax and Unwind, you can't go wrong with bath bombs, face masks, or any kind of bath product. Bath & Body Shop gift sets have always been popular, but even more now Lush has taken over the game. They have great gift sets already wrapped and ready to go! If you're looking for face masks, Sephora also carries a gift set filled with their most popular masks that work for all skin types. If you want something more high end, Glam Glow also has a great skincare gift set.

For the one who creates Nail Masterpieces, almost every department store and beauty retailer has nail polish gift sets. The most popular gift set at the moment is the Love OPI XOXO miniature gift set from Ulta and it has a variety of colors and it is a limited edition set specifically made with the holidays in mind. But another great nail polish brand is Ciate London, they currently have a winter gift set as well. It contains festive and sparkly nail polish!


No matter what you decide to do for your beauty enthusiast, as long as you put some thought and effort into it they will appreciate you no matter what. Plus if you're still having some trouble just ask for assistance at your local beauty retailer. They're there to help make your shopping experience easier and help you pick out the perfect gift.


Are there any beauty products you're dying for this holiday season? Personally, I could use some new bath bombs. Comment below!

Until tomorrow.

1:35 PM

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas

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If you have no idea what to get someone or really do not want to buy anything huge, stocking stuffers will be your best friend this holiday season.

You can buy a stocking and even decorate it, especially if you feel like being really creative. Then add some little gifts and trinkets inside. And voila there's your gift! Here are some ideas for some great items to give as a stocking stuffer:

Travel Size Bath/Beauty Products: No one can really object to travel or miniature size bath or beauty products, they'll never go to waste. Shower gels, face washes, lip balms, Poo-Pouri, hair products, the options are literally endless. Travel size bath and beauty products are good for any person you're shopping for!

Tech Accessories: Little things like chargers, flash drives, screen protectors, battery packs, phone cases, and tech wipes are great gifts that are truly appreciated. They're things that you will need eventually at some point in time. Plus nowadays they make all kinds of little accessories for our smart devices.

Miniature Bottles of Liquor: Alcohol is always a great gift, especially if the person you're shopping for loves to enjoy an adult beverage or two. Plus the miniature liquor bottles are really cute and fit well in a stocking.

Socks: Nothing is better than a fun pair of socks or warm pair of slipper socks. They're so cozy and most of the time inexpensive. You can always find a fun pair of socks at almost every store especially during the holiday season. Plus it's a practical gift, who does not like or wear socks?

Candles: Candles are very popular to give during the holidays, and it's easy to see why. Many stores have holiday scented candles or you can go with something a little more basic. Candles are perfect for relaxing and they are always appreciated.

Fun Stationery: Stuff like crazy looking pens, funny tape dispensers, clever list pads, or even an adult coloring book are great little gifts, especially for the office supply lover. Plus it is extremely practical and it's more likely to get used at some point.

Sweet Treats: Most stores sell gift baskets full of sweet treats like candy, coffee, tea and etc. Plus there are plenty of holiday themed and limited edition treats out there. So why not put a few in a stocking, who would not like that?

Gift Card/Cash: When you're absolutely stuck on a gift and you waited until the absolute last minute, a gift card will be your best bet. Get them something practical, like a store they constantly shop at or their favorite restaurant. If none of that works, go for cash rather than one of those Visa or Amex gift cards, they charge an additional fee to activate them.

The best thing about stocking stuffers is that any kind of little item could work. Lots of stores sell fun little trinkets and gag gifts that you could use to fill up a stocking. Best part of giving a stocking full of little gifts? You don't really need to wrap it. Put the items in and some tissue paper and you're good to go! What are some of your go to gifts for stocking stuffers?

Until tomorrow.

4:40 PM

Gift Ideas That Any Woman Would Like

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When it comes to Christmas shopping, sometimes it can hard to find the right gift. Yesterday I made up a little gift guide for him. So today, I thought I'd do the same, except this time we'll be focusing on what the ladies want for Christmas this year. So for all you guys and girls out there who are stuck on what to buy your mother, sister, girlfriend, or even a friend, this guide is for you!

Makeup. For the beauty lover in your life, you can't go wrong with one of the hottest makeup palettes this year. The Urban Decay Naked palette has been a popular palette for the past couple of years. However this year other brands are trying to give Urban Decay a run for their money. Too Faced has their Chocolate Bar palette, Anastasia Beverly Hills has their Modern Renaissance palette, and Tarte has their own Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow palette. Even Sephora came out with their Disney inspired Minnie Mouse palette. There are so many different palettes, odds are your beauty guru does not have all of them. But if she does have all the latest palettes try a beauty subscription service! Even beauty subscription services like Birchbox offer a gift option!

Jewelry. Jewelry is always an easy gift. Bracelets, necklaces, rings or earrings, the options are endless! If you're looking for something sentimental Alex and Ani is your best bet. They offer a variety of bangles and each one of their bracelets has a meaning and symbol behind it. Also you don't always have to a big name jewelry store to get a a great gift. Brands like Kate Spade and Betsey Johnson have a great jewelry selection!

Tumbler or Travel Mug. If your girl is always on the go, odds are she functions daily because of coffee. Tumblers and travel mugs are always great to have. She can make her coffee before she goes out for the day and use her travel mug daily. Or, if she prefers to stop on the way and buy her coffee she can take the mug in to her favorite coffee shop. Sometimes those coffee stores will offer a discount if you bring in your own cup. Plus they're always cute to have!

Stationery. An easy go to gift for a girl who always loves to be organized is stationery. A nice journal, planner, or even a pen set can be a great gift. A nice notebook or journal is always needed no matter what age you are. Plus with the New Year coming up, it could be a great and useful gift!

Mermaid Blanket. These blankets are all the rage right now. The mermaid blanket is a blanket that is shaped like a mermaid tail. What girl would not like this gift? Plus if your special lady loves to get all cozy and cuddle by the TV and watch Netflix this may be the perfect gift.

Bath Products. I don't know any woman who would turn down any kind of bath gift set. Bath bombs, lotions, perfumes, shower gel, any kind of product like that is an easy gift to give. Stores like LUSH or Bath and Body Works already have gift sets made up, all you have to do is pick the fragrance.

Recipe Book/Baking Supplies. We all know that one girl who is obsessed with searching new recipes on Pinterest. There are so many different kinds of books filled with all kinds of recipes. If she doesn't like books and would rather stick to Pinterest get her some supplies! Cookie cutters, frosting kits, or even one of those really pretty and fancy mixing bowls would make your aspiring chef/baker happy.

And voila! Those are some of the few gift ideas that pretty much any woman would like or at least appreciate. Hopefully these gift ideas inspired you and now you know what to get that special lady in your life. What are some of your go to gift ideas for women?

Until tomorrow.

11:59 PM

Gift Ideas For The Men In Your Life

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Shopping for men can be very tricky, especially for the important men in your life. I know when I need to buy a gift for my brother, my dad, or my boyfriend, I'm always stumped for ideas. So this year I thought I'd get a head start and create a little gift guide to help ease the process.

Wallet. Something every man needs is a nice wallet, and it is easy to find a nice wallet for a decent price. Stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack sell designer wallets for a reasonable price.

Comfy Socks, Slippers or Loungewear. It's safe to say that men like to be comfortable, especially after a long day. So why not treat your special guy to a fun pair of socks or some comfortable loungewear. Odds are he will appreciate it and get a lot of use out of it.

Alcohol. If the man you are shopping for is of the legal drinking age, alcohol is always a safe bet. Beer, wine, or liquor, you really can't go wrong with that. A lot of stores will have gift sets for wine or liquor, and some stores will have special variety packs of beer. But if you're not sure what type of alcohol to buy, a flask or any kind of alcohol accessory should work nicely.

Watch. Just like every women should have a nice professional purse, a man needs a nice professional watch. Which is why watches are a very popular gift during the holiday season. The only problem is that they can be pretty pricey, especially the really nice ones. But thanks to outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack or Saks Off 5th, you can actually find a decent deal for a really nice watch.

Tech Accessories. We have that one guy in our life who is obsessed with technology and wants/has all the latest gadgets. Just because they have everything from a MacBook to an iPhone, that does not mean they all have all the accessories to go along with it. Speakers, headphones, cases, sleeves and etc, there are plenty of options for the tech obsessed guy in your life!

French Press/Espresso Maker. For the coffee lover you can't go wrong with a french press or espresso maker, especially if they love strong coffee. You don't need to go out and buy them a really fancy coffee maker. In fact, stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods have really nice french presses and espresso makers for a decent price. Plus you can always pick up a nice bag of coffee there to go with it.

Backpack or Duffle Bag. For the traveler or student in your life, a nice backpack or duffle bag is a great gift. Especially if they are always on the go whether it be on a vacation or constantly running around because of a busy schedule.

Cologne. Cologne is always an easy go to gift for a man, especially if you know what scent they like. Cologne is expensive but most stores like Sephora or Macy's will have sales on fragrances or offer some kind of deal. Sometimes they even offer a sample pack of different colognes.

Sports Merchandise or Tickets. For any sports lover, an easy go to gift is any kind of merchandise that reps their favorite team. If you want to go all out, surprise them with tickets to a game. That's an experience you can share and spend some time with your favorite guy.

And there you have it, just a few little gift ideas for the men in your life. These gift ideas can give you some inspiration if you're stuck on a gift for your father, brother, boyfriend or even your best friend. Now you tell me, what is your go to gift for some of the men in your life?

Until tomorrow.

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