A 2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Women

The holidays are here… I cannot believe it! If you’re like me, I try and make my gift shopping list before Thanksgiving arrives , so I can shop for the best deals. If you are struggling for gift ideas this year for those special women in your life, check out the list of ideas I have shared with you.I have included a variety of ideas for many different ages and price ranges. The ideas came from gifts I have given and/or received over the past year. All of the opinions are my own and I was not compensated for the items or to write this blog. Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide for Women

Joy Susan Mini Crossbody/Wristlet Cluctch ($39, 67 colors available) https://www.joysusan.com

MantraBand Bangle ($25, various colors and messages)  https://www.mantraband.com

Charter Club Double Knit Robe ($39 http://www.macys.com)

Giani Bernini Sterling Silver with 18k Gold Platted 1 1/2 inch Hoops ($80, http://www.Macy’s.com)

Bath and Body 3-Wick Peppermint Candle ($24.50 http://www.bathandbody.com)

The Wisdom of Sundays by: Orpah Winfrey ($27.99, http://www.barnesandnoble.com)

Vera Bradley Fleece Throw  ($49.99, http://www.verabradley.com)

Vera Bradley Toilettrie Bag ($58, various designs available  at Vera Bradley Outlet Stores for discounted prices)

Bliss Body Butter ($12.99, http://www.bliss.com and various retailers including Nordstrom Rack and TJMaxx)

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($12 1oz., various scents, http://www.loccitane.com)

Hand Painted State to State Ornament ($12, http://www.etsy.com Sold by Kathy)

Charcuterie Board Acadia Wood Plank (approx. $10-30, various prices and sizes available at various home decor and kitchen retailers)

A Date Night Gift Basket (various gift card amounts for movie tickets, dinner at restaurant and Movie Sized Candy wrapped inside a popcorn container with yellow shredded paper that looks like popcorn). This was an anniversary gift from my kids to my husband and I this year!

Essential Oil Diffuser and Oil Set (approx. $20-40, available at various retailers)

For other gift ideas for the special women in your life, check out the Guide Guide List I shared during the 2016 Holiday Season. Visit Holiday Gift Guide: For Women

Get Organized 2015 : Christmas Organization

Black Friday has come and gone. Cyber Monday seems like weeks ago. There is still time to get organized before Christmas arrives! Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

1. Create a gift list. Add names and gift ideas to this list for every person you will be buying a gift for this Christmas. Don’t forget to include family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, instructors, service providers, etc. Keep this list with you at all times ( I keep it as a note on my phone), you never know when you will find that perfect something for someone on your list! Tip: Throughout the year, continue to keep a list of gift ideas for these people, so when next Christmas rolls around, you are already ahead of the shopping game, or use the idea for their birthday, etc.
2. Develop a shopping map. Rushing out to buy presents without a list can become very disorganized and stressful… very quickly. Then, you find yourself turning into the Grinch! Once you develop your gift and idea list, develop a map of where to shop that makes sense and saves the most time. Consider a mall or department store that allows you to cross off many different people from your list.
3. Consider shopping online. If you are someone that does not like to shop or does not have much free time (especially without kids in tow), consider shopping online. Most online retailers offer free shipping and now also offer gift receipts. A perfect way to check items off your list while your kids are sleeping, your sitting in your PJs, and you don’t have to deal with the crowds!
4. Organize the gifts. Once your online shopping packages start arriving or once you return back from a big shopping day. Set aside an area in a closet or in your basement where you can store and organize all of the gifts you purchased. Consider creating a box or bin for each person, if you buy them multiple gifts, so you can remember what you already purchased or  keep a written list with these purchased items.
5. Build a gift wrapping bin. Take inventory of what you will need to wrap all of your Christmas presents. Create a bin of tape, tissue paper, gift bags (various sizes), scissors, labels, markers,  ribbon,  and decorative boxes. Once you cross off a bunch of gift items from your  list, and are ready to start wrapping, pull out this box, turn on Christmas music  and start wrapping.
6. Keep mailing addresses in an Excel file. If you send out Christmas cards, create an Excel spreadsheet of mailing addresses and update it throughout the year as family and friends move or get married, etc. Use this list to create mailing labels instead of writing out each address.
7. Organize your Christmas décor. A must have organization tool for Christmastime are plenty of storage bins. This keeps all of your holiday décor in one place. My favorite storage bin is an ornament organizer. We have 3 large ones and it safely organizes all of our ornaments that we have collected over the last 39 years! Other organization tips : store and label Christmas lights together and pack your mantle décor in one bin. I posted a blog on Holiday Organization back in March 2015 https://homesweetmamamia.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/get-organized-in-2015-storage-solutions-holiday-decorations/ with some additional tips.
8. Plan your Holiday Dinner. It is never too early to begin planning your holiday dinner. Check out my holiday dinner tips which I posted on my blog at Thanksgiving https://homesweetmamamia.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/get-organized-in-2015-hosting-a-holiday-dinner/ for organizing tips.