Holiday Gift Guides: Co-Workers

I’m always at a loss for what to get my co-workers. I mean, you usually see these people more than you see your own family, so you want them to know you care, but you don’t want to break the bank. I mean, even if you don’t like your co-workers you might consider a little something…hey…a little Holiday sucking up never hurt anyone!

  1. PersonalCreations.com, Executive Nickel Plated Card Holder
  2. Bath & Body Works, Bamboo Candle
  3. Starbucks Gift Card
  4. Etsy, Red Swirly Slash Wallet
  5. Etsy, 2011 Desktop Calendar
  6. Etsy, Personalized Note Pads

Holiday Gift Guides: Under $50

Most of us are on a strict holiday budget, with a LOT of people to buy for, but being on a budget doesn’t mean skimping on great gifts! Here are a few things I’ve found that people in my life may or may not be receiving:

  1. Sundance, Garnet Showcase Earrings
  2. Amazon, Collegiate Deluxe Chair
  3. Anthropologie, Tortoise Necker
  4. Pottery Barn, Quilted Velvet Cosmetic Bags
  5. Bombat Washer Co., Collegiate Washer Set
  6. Restoration Hardware, Luxury Plush Throw
  7. Pottery Barn, McKenna Travel Folio
  8. Etsy, Double Ruffle Scarf in Jersey Fabric

Holiday Gift Guides: Outdoorsy

All of the men in my life are outdoorsy, which actually makes it VERY hard to buy for them. (A little knows fact, most outdoorsy men are EXTREMELY picky when it comes to their belongings.) Here are some ideas for the outdoorsman in your life:

  1. Cabela’s GORE-TEX® Trailhead Jacket
  2. NRA Silhouette AR500 Steel Targets
  3. Case Yellow-handled knife
  4. Cabela’s ATV/UTV Hitch Haul™
  5. Carhartt Duck Bib Overall
  6. LED Maglite 3D Handheld Flashlight
  7. Craftsman 17600 19.2-volt C3 Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Pie Birds

For all you bakers out there, I ran across these super-adorable pie birds here lately and had to pass them along…wouldn’t these be great “popping up” in your holiday pies!?!?!?!

  1. White and Black Pie Birds, set of 2
  2. Norpro Silicone Pie Bird
  3. Seal, Sea Lion, Pie Bird
  4. Hand Painted Pie Bird

Guest Services

The holidays is also a time for travel. While reading a Better Homes and Gardens magazine recently, I got some great tips on making your overnight guests feel at home.

  • Place fresh flowers on the bedside table in the guest room.
  • Have travel bathroom necessities out and ready for your guests to use.
  • Hang a fresh, clean, robe in the guest room for your guests.

Ancient Cookie Cutters

I stumbled across these Hebrew alphabet cookie cutters while trying to find my (always hard to shop for has everything) Aunt, something for Christmas. Although we’re not Jewish, my Aunt likes everyday things that are a little off the beaten path, and the Hebrew language is rooted in so many facets of our culture…so if anyone of your list is a) hard to buy for and b) remotely spiritual, these could be the perfect gift!

Digging up Memories

My Mom has been going through all of my old baby stuff here lately and has dug up some really neat stuff. I have vintage baby clothes, homemade burp clothes, and adorable baby shoes already stocking my baby’s closet!

These are two of my favorite finds. One is a post card my Grandma sent me when I was 4 years old in celebration of her tiny Kansas hometown’s centennial celebration. The other is a pair of cowboy boots that were my Dad’s (they’re 50+ years old and look how great of shape they’re in)…I can’t WAIT to put these on my little one for his or her newborn pictures!

The point of this post? To inspire you to dig through your old stuff to see what treasures you can find…make sure and let me know what’s out there!

Cook Bookin’ It

I’ll be the first to admit, I own a lot of cookbooks and I RARELY use any of them to cook! However, that doesn’t mean I don’t love getting them and dreaming of all the items I COULD be making.

My latest Bon Appetit magazine had a list of the top cookbooks of the year and here are a few that I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection!

  1. Time for Dinner: Strategies, Inspiration, and Recipes for Family Meals Every Night of the Week
  2. Forgotten Skills of Cooking
  3. Bon Appetit Desserts: The Cookbook for all things Sweet and Wonderful
  4. The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual

Hump Day Happy Hour: Autumn Eve Martini

For this turkey day, I went in search for a fabulous drink to accompany our meal and ran across this….OMG sounds so good…someone, PLEASE make this and let us knocked up ladies of the world know how it tastes!

  • .5 oz Amaretto
  • .5 oz Raspberry Liqueur
  • .25 oz Sour Mix
  • .5 oz Southern Comfort
  • 1 oz Raspberry Vodka
  • Mix and serve chilled

Keepin’ Toasty

My hubby and I are outdoorsy-type people, and you can almost always find us outside in the evenings. (We used to be outside enjoying an adult beverage, or 4, but now I just get to watch him and enjoy my water, but that’s neither here nor there.) When the temperatures start to drop here in Texas, it makes our favorite past time a bit harder to enjoy, but here are some items to make sure we’re always toasty outside:

  1. Gardensun Stand Patio Heater: My FAVE investment ever…tons of warmth and 0 smoke!
  2. 40 in. Copper Fire Pit
  3. Augusta Outdoor Fireplace
  4. 35 in. Iron’s Gate Fire Pit

Black Friday nuts shoppers be on the lookout because you’ll be able to snag the majority of these for up to 50% off!!!! (We got the stand patio heater last year for $50.)