Last-minute gift guide

So… per usual I’ve procrastinated myself into a corner and just this morning while lamenting that I had to reside in the world of work and not under my duvet, I panicked that I had yet to transfer money to my parents to buy gift cards for my nieces and nephew for their Christmas gifts on my behalf.

Why gift cards you say? That sounds very cold and inhumane you say? Unfortunately, my not so little people are too old to enjoy the magic of unwrapping things and prefer a loaded gift card. Not wanting to be a frump of a spinster aunt, I have complied with their Christmas wishes.

I myself, enjoy picking out a well thought through gift. I like giving a gift that has some meaning or memory or is something that my loved one has mentioned wanting or needing in previous casual conversation. When you give in this way, it shows the gift recipient that you cared enough to listen and remember what their needs and wants are. It can be something a small as a nail color that they have admired on you or a bottle of luxury hand lotion that they’ve been eyeing but will never actually purchase for themselves.

Thoughtfulness is the key to gift giving but if you’re desperate and need some fast solutions as Christmas is upon us read on.

Family Members

Parents

What do you buy for the people have everything? Literally. Your parents have been gifted every ugly tie, ugly tee-shirt, ugly sweater, ugly piece of pottery (do you sense a theme here) that your once tiny hands could procure. Now that you’re older don’t just give them crap. Nor should you throw up your hands in despair. For crying out loud, you’ve given them at the minimum 13 years of cheap, ugly and unusable. To underscore this point. If your parents are anything like mine, they smiled at your blue and green clothes pin handicraft pencil holder and thanked you profusely for the crooked glue work while you strolled off with h.e.a.v.y swag from the American Girl store.

The point is - You have a lot of making up to do.

For dad

Who never wants anything and therefore feels impossible to shop for. Try tickets to a sporting event or something that will invoke nostalgia from his childhood. My dad was never more delighted than when my brother gave him a book on baseball trivia. Christmas Breakfast was delayed while the book was poured through and various children were dared to ask him questions about his encyclopedic baseball knowledge and held hostage to fact check father by this newly gifted book.

Splash: Opening day tickets to see the New York Yankees in New York! Plane tickets, hotel booking and actual tickets to the stadium should make up for that ugly tie your father trotted out several times a year not to hurt your feelings.

Save: Give the gift of knowledge (which may similarly delay your Christmas breakfast) with an Encyclopedia of Baseball.

For mom

Who has so much stuff she should be prominently featured in the Divine Comedy, consider something pampering that takes the load off her mind and body with a treatment or two. My mother is a nurse and trust me when I say she is always grateful for a backrub and often interrupts a hug to get one from any family member she is currently embracing.

Splash: Cowshed Shoreditch House: 1 Ebor Street London, Greater London E1 6AW United Kingdom for the 60 minute Cowshed Relaxing Moody Massage

Save: Assemble a thoughtful gift basket of spa treats. Consider including some lavender sachets, a favorite chamomile tea blend, moisturizing socks and a bottle of a luxy hand cream .

For Siblings

Ah siblings. Those ungrateful wretches who made your live more complicated, fun and significantly more dangerous growing up. If they haven’t pissed you off this year (to the point of a handwritten coupon that guarantees they can have audience with you for 15 minutes in the New Year), then by all means gift them something:

Sisters

This cable knit crew neck sweater from The Gap is positively yummy and can be dressed up or down and comes in an assortment of colors. Just make sure you don’t steal it back from your sister.

Brothers

For brothers always go with the basics. The rage in men’s office dressing (although I’m not a huge fan) is the vest. As featured recently in Esquire Magazine, the office vest seems to be what all the “business bros” are wearing. Don’t believe me? Follow this trend on Insta @midtownuniform. If your bro has one, get him another (of course he needs one if every color), if he doesn’t own this vest, buy him this one and he’ll be trending with all the other bro’s.

Children in the family

Children in the family aren’t necessarily hard to buy for. Toys right? When purchasing for a child you should really keep their parents in mind. Some parents are attempting to dig their way out of annoying, blinking, lighted, sing song toys, visions of which do not dance like sugar plums through their heads. I’ve found that quiet educational toys and practical necessities are usually always welcome.

Splash: Encourage the burgeoning architect to explore with The Lego Architecture Hogwarts Castle is a challenge to construct for the whole family with over 6000 pieces. As I love a good crossover toy, I think this is ideal for a child who may not be a reader but is a doer. Who knows, perhaps the whimsy of building this castle may inspire the child to pick up reading the series. Not only is this gift family inclusive but the completed castles can be beautifully displayed in a child’s bedroom.

Save: Leap Frog Learning has a variety of toys and tools to help a child progress in their constant journey of learning. From letters, to numbers, science, reading and math Leap Frog educational toys offer creatively presented colorful and animated learning tools for children.

Friends

Much like family friends can be tough to shop for. If you’re like me you’ve carefully curated your friends, holiday gifting shouldn’t been super hard or expensive. Unless you wrap yourself up, put a bow on your head and lay under their Christmas tree (which could be off-putting) even your splash and save gifts on friends should be moderate. Quite frankly a true friend should understand it’s half-past broke ‘o clock and you’re exhausted buying stuff for everyone else!

Splash: Because a true friend (the only people that you should be buying for) should look like a boss even when doing their mundane office tasks, this beautiful Cartier Pen will do to take notes, sign a contract or gesticulate wildly as they demand a raise.

Save: I will never forget the times spent with my best friend

no kids;

no partners;

people watching in full effect; and

dressed to incite riots

at Hallandale Beach, Florida’s Yard House Restaurant. Let cackle time commence! For a dear friend, the gift of quality time with you.

Colleagues

This can be a slippery slope. Even if you work in a creative office of 5, if you gift everyone individually once, you start to set an expectation. You don’t want to set a trend and then have to scale it back over the years as you grow to despise Matt or Kate because they stole your project idea. Instead (if you must) do present a couple dozen sweet treats for all to share.

Splash: Purchase a large assortment of holiday goodies from my favorite holiday food hamper retailer Harry & David.

Save: I recommend you whip up a couple of batches of Vicky’s Chocolate Chip Cookies or easy to transport Banana Bread.

Lovers

(aside) because I’m older now and only date men and I think the term lovers is v. French and ever so grown lady like) – This is truly an intimate gifting process. You may share, (I hope you share) inside jokes which will inspire super fun and thoughtful gifts. For the latest and greatest love in your life, get personal, think hard, but remember if you have been dating for less than 8 months NOTHING ENGRAVED! NOTHING MONAGRAMED! Been there done that. I implore you please learn from my mistakes!!!

Splash: A special date adventure is always welcome.

A brilliant gift for him

Two tickets to the Metallica World Tour* (send him with his friend if you’re not a 90’s metal fan).

*LW tip - present the tickets wearing nothing but the world tour shirt (his size) and a smile ;-)

A brilliant gift for her

All women really want is time and a bit of effort spent. A weekend away in a fabulous 4 star bed and breakfast will earn you serious points. Sleigh ride arrangements will get you in like FLINT for the rest of the year. A personal dream of mine is to journey to Nestlenook Farm in the White Mountains of Jackson, New Hampshire. Loud throat clearing.

*LW tip - Don’t you dare do this if you’ve been dating your woman for more than two years and she’s expecting a ring. A world of hurt awaits you if there is not an engagement at the end of this weekend.

Save: Share your love of food even if you can’t figure out how to turn on a crockpot by going to Sur La Table Delicious Date Nights. Followed by something fun, cheesy and competitive like bowling at your local lanes.

Save: Why not frame a photo of you and your lover from a past date night memory. Most pictures stay on our phones, you’d be surprised at the effect a framed photograph has. Try the Nambe Bubble Frame.