Last Minute Gift Guide

Four days to go until Christmas. With the hustle and bustle of the season, gift-giving gets pushed aside until the very end by many. This guide along with others posted at Chief 187(TM)Chatter this year and last can do much to cross off name after name on your list and still afford you a reasonable Christmas bill. Though there may be some repeats occasionally, those ideas are so good they keep reappearing! Keep it simple, keep it heartfelt, keep it reasonable, and keep it full of love.

Last Minute Gift Guide

A plate of assorted Christmas cookies - homemade or store-bought or a combination of the two is always welcomed, especially if you've been invited over to someone's home. A pretty plate or platter holding the cookies acts as the gift long after the cookies are gone.

A box of gourmet candy - a luxury most do not splurge, this gift says "You're worth it, enjoy!"

Bottle of wine or champagne – if you know the person drinks, this is always a welcomed gift!

Christmas Amaryllis – a plant that begins blooming when the sparkle of the holiday is stored in the attic.

Poinsettia - the Christmas plant that adds color and beauty to any room. If well cared for these plants can last and bloom for years on end!

Christmas ornaments – mark a milestone, fill a collection, and/or celebrate a friendship at any price range.

Board game – a gift for the entire family to enjoy during Christmas vacation, get one appropriate for all age groups that is fun!

Tickets to a local game/play/concert – take advantage of local culture and support the local teams/actors/musicians. Experiences are fantastic gifts!

New Year’s Eve party ware – hats, tiaras, noisemakers, plastic Champagne glasses, banners, streamers, et al make great gifts and/or stocking stuffers.

Favorite team gear – from football to NASCAR, hockey to baseball, and every sport in between there are jerseys, jackets, hats, and banners to show support; it you know his/her team, this is always a good place to shop.

Christmas album – Bing, Perry, Nat or Michael Buble’ are all solid choices to add to a friend’s collection.

Lessons to a class – learn to cook, bake exquisite cakes, work on a car, use the digital camera, or set up websites, whatever their need or desire, set them up with paid classes at the Adult School to learn!.

Write a list of reasons why you love the gift recipient – you don’t need to be a professional writer to put down on paper what’s in your heart. Some gifts can’t be found in stores. Priceless.

Calendar – a real gift when you add important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions!

Homemade coupon book of favors – kids do this with “washing the car”, “go to bed without a fuss”, but an adult can do some for other favors… use your imagination. Great stocking stuffer!

Sexy items - in addition to the above suggestion, adults can also think sexy for gifts like lingerie, literature, films, or whatever else he/she might be interested…

Photo book – no one wants to see your 1500 pictures from your trip to the Grand Canyon, but the best 40 in a photo book is a grand gift! Grandparents/parents love these with the kids’ pictures!

Journal - Write a Christmas Simple Joys list or journal for the recipient or give them the materials to do their own.

Gift Journal – those of you who shop year round for gifts and read Chief 187™Chatter are well versed in the Gift Journal.

Gift Basket – Make your own pizza is a personal favorite. Boboli pizza crust, jarred tomato sauce, package of pepperoni, good mozzarella cheese, veggies, and whatever other clever ingredients you’d like to add. Other baskets could be Make your own Sundaes, S’mores, or lobster boil!

Here’s hoping these suggestions are helpful for your needs and you get your gift list wrapped up in good order so you can enjoy the holidays with friends and family and not wander aimlessly around the mall on December 24th. Whenever you shop, take these ideas with you and you should be successful!

Wishing you and yours a most happy and healthy Holiday!

Please join me tomorrow for 3 appetizers on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.