Right around the beginning of November, I asked my über organized, super-on-top-of-it-all-the-time friend if she had any Christmas shopping done, she said, 'I'm 8% done." Yep, 8%. Very specific. That 8% freaked me out because at the time I asked, I was 0% done, and I'm competitive by nature. This year is going to be brutal because Thanksgiving is so late. We'll finish eating Turkey, and it'll be December. It's going to then be a sneak attack Christmas/holiday season. I'm super excited for Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), and I'm hosting for 25 people this year so I've got a million things running around in my brain right now, BUT, I also know if I don't get some gift shopping done, my Christmas will be the opposite of lazy evenings by the fire wrapping presents and drinking something with a slow burn (which is my dream goal every year.)
So I've kicked into gear, and started making lists and yes, even checking a few names off. As a side note, I've changed my calendaring system over to the bullet model and it's revolutionary. I love it, and now EVERY day is one big long list which for some people is a reoccurring nightmare, but I find it oddly soothing to check stuff off. Nothing is too small to give it a bullet point. If it needs to happen, it gets a bullet. You can imagine how crowded the month of November and December are. Anyway....my lists-they-are-ah-goin' and ah-flowin'.
First, I will say that we have so many awesome gift items this year I can seriously knock out a ton of shopping at Melange. Yes, maybe a shameless plug, but still true. I'm in love with our new gift baskets because they have so many darling little things in them that are useful AND fun. Who doesn't love getting a basket full of
goodies right? I feel like they will even meet the critical teen approval. Candle and darling matches--that's something I'm ordering at least 10 of because I think it's the best thank you gift EVER. The Makana candles are packaged beautifully (they look much more expensive then they actually are), plus there is literally no bad scent (and that's hard to do.) The Made Market matches round it out, then you've got a super respectable gift without breaking the bank. Teachers, kids' piano instructor, the facialist you love, the party that you can't go to empty handed. They solve all those problems.
We've got a ton of great scarves too, my other favorite gift to give. You don't have to think about it too much because it fits anyone, and if you know someone who wears or loves scarves (personally I almost always have one on), then you can't go wrong. We've got a LOT of great options this year. Foxtail Goods has amazingly beautiful cashmere colors, Slate + Salt has ridiculously soft alpaca in perfect neutrals. Then there is Elizabeth Gillett and Banaris, where it's not hard to find something that you just "know will look great on them."
It's the time of year to be thoughtful, and to let people know how much you love and care about and how thankful you are for them. I enjoy buying gifts for the most part (a choice few obligatory gifts aside), and even if it's a really small gift, it feels good to give and it's ALWAYS fun to get!
Last note, remember that if you pick out gifts and you'd like them sent on specific dates, let us know in the comments box and we'll make it happen! We have a shelf dedicated to future ship dates during the holidays, which allows you to see something NOW for your aunt in Wisconsin, and so you don't have to think about it again, you can buy it NOW, put a note to mail it on 12/15 (or whatever date), and we'll wrap it, have it ready, and then ship it on that date. It allows you to skip being the middle man (us to you, you to them), and you can knock things off your list today without having someone receive a Christmas gift before Thanksgiving (which I agree, would be pretty darn awkward). When you are checking out, just choose "USPS-Pick My Ship Date" and then note the date you want it shipped in the comments box. We'll confirm that we have the noted date, AND we'll email you when the item leaves on that date!
It's 11/13 today, and I would say I'm about 32-36% done with shopping. My goal is to be half done by Thanksgiving. Ambitious I know, but can you imagine how awesome that would feel?
Signed, ME {lv}
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