Last Minute Christmas Gifts

You have exactly 9 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes and 17 seconds left until Christmas as I am writing this. That leaves you with some time to get those last minute gifts. If you’re anything like me, you are constantly being asked, “What would you like?” And before I can even say, I begin to think, Oh dear, they weren’t exactly on my list…Shoot! So then the list keeps growing and your wallet, well we won’t go there. The point is, there are some tricky customers, and then there are the people that you just don’t know all that well (and don’t want to). So, what to get them this year?

The first idea is to look around your house, start with your closet or your partner’s belongings. What goes unused? That reindeer sweater your mother got you last year that you never wore? Give it to the annoying girl at the office. How about that Tiger Woods golfing book you got your husband last year that now serves as a coaster? Perfect re-gift for the pop-culture fanatic, it’s practically a collectors item at this point. The point is, you need to find fabulous items with no value to anyone at home, and no possibility that the person receiving the gift is the one that bought it for you in the first place. Those are the golden rules of re-gifting. It is just an added benefit if they actually like it.

Bake, make, or decorate! Pick up Women’s Day, tune in to Martha Stewart, or just be creative all on your own. There are tons of recipes to choose from everywhere. When giving someone a packaged treat, it’s nice to include the recipe in a cute cutout (like an old cut up Christmas card) and lots of ribbons and bows. Make or embellish your own cards by simply adding glitter to a picture, stenciling on pretty designs, etc. And easily make some fun little crafts, like your own ornaments (paper ones are really easy to make with templates found online). Remember, you want it to be home-made, but not look it.

Lastly, do something different. Take all of the money or gifts you wold normally buy and donate it. Donate to a cause you really care about, like homelessness or domestic violence or animals. There are plenty of people and places that could use extra cash, clothing or other things. Donating simply your time is also a great gift. Although some people will say this is the cheap way out, I believe those people are truly misguided, and it is your job to show them why.

And please remember, you don’t get tickets to your favorite show or a brand new car when the last gift you gave was another tie. Gift as you’d like to be gifted. That is the Golden Rule.

Aunt Millie’s White Trash recipe

Melt 2 bags semi sweet choc morsels & 1 medium jar of peanut butter together - In a separate bowl combine together 1 large box of rice chex. Also, these things to the amount that you want - raisins, nuts of your choice & coconut to your taste. Take a clear white trash bag - empty chocolate and chex mixture into bag - then pour 1 box of confectioners sugar into bag & shake until confectioners sugar coats mixture. This is a great gift when put into Mason jars.

5 Must-Haves of The Season!

5. Kermit the Frog Dress

This dress may have debuted down the runway at fashion week (actually we have no idea) but it was made famous by non other than Lady Gaga. We’re not exactly sure where you can buy one of these, or if they are for sale at all, but we want you to know that no frogs were harmed in the making of this dress. And who wouldn’t want their beautiful dress to turn into their very own Prince Charming!

4. Cupcake Cars!

Neiman Marcus is famed for their holiday gift guide each year, and their outrageous price tags. Well, we finally found a reason worth spending the extra $25,000 you have laying around. Your kids will love you forever (or perhaps until their birthday rolls around). And don’t worry, they fit adults too!

3. Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery

Sit down with a good book this season. Similar in style to her first book The Elegance of The Hedgehog, this book is delectable. It reads like poetry, and you will find your stomach grumbling more than once reading the brilliant descriptions of the wonderful confections in this book.

2. Zhu Zhu Hamsters

Must have for the children this year is non other than the Zhu Zhu pets! They kiss and show affection to their owners, get along with each other, and never need to have their cage cleaned! Perfect way to teach your kids the responsibility of having a real pet, right? Oh, did I mention they drive CARS!! They can pick up your kids from their soccer games now. If you’re concerned about the “recall”, well, a little poison in your children’s toys never killed anyone…

1. A Nine Iron

This makes Carrie Underwood’s Louisville Slugger and 2007’s “Britney” Umbrella look like kiddie-stuff. This year, our hottest item has got to be the Nine Iron, made famous by the famous adulterer Tiger Woods wife, Elin. This one is good for the husband that you want to spend more time on the golf course instead of puttering around your house. But too much time outside the nest, and this gift doubles as the perfect revenge tool! Use wisely.