Holiday Gift Ideas!

The first step before buying a gift for someone is considering who you are shopping for. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to gifts are thought-less presents that are given "just because" a gift had to/wanted to be given. Like, what? No. Don't be that person.

Shopping for parents? This is always a great gesture because parents usually give so much to us, their kids. When it comes to Mom, I suggest thinking of things that she is into. If perhaps your Mom enjoys cleaning, like me, then its not a bad idea to give her a crazy-cool vacuum or steam mop (I recommend Shark products) that you know she would enjoy using. However, if your Mom is like the majority who HATES getting house hold items for gifts--then think of something more for her.

• Perfume
• Pajamas
• Movies that interest her (if she is into movies)
• An Album or CD or iTunes gift card
• Personalized calender or mug or shirt (Easily done at stores such as Walgreens)
• Picture frame with photo inside (very sweet)
• A combo of all of these in a basket for a "little bit of everything" feel 
• Candles (especially Yankee candles!)
• Jewelry 

When it comes to Dad, my best reactions have been when I give my dad:

• A nice sweater (useful, easy to find: Belk, Dillards, JC Penny etc)
• Cologne (that he loves, nothing new, ever)
• Gift card to car supply shops (since he is into cars/cleaning cars)
• Personalized mugs/calenders with family photos melts his heart :)

Siblings, many of us have them and usually more than one. Some great ideas include:

• Gift cards to Starbucks/Dunkin
• Gift sets of perfume/cologne 
• Puzzles, games, or DVDs (depending on if they like these things)
• Camera related equipment (If they're into photography an editing program, lens, case, or anything related always helps)
• Clothes (PJs, shirts)
• Wine or wine glasses 
• Wine cork collectors (Bed, bath & Beyond has great items like this)
• Personalized coasters (maybe photos of friends and family, or favorite sports team)
• Anything sports related for a person who loves a team very much (Blankets, towels, etc)
• Books or Journals if they're writers/readers

Co-Workers close or not close/Secret Santa:

• Hot cocoa with cute mug (gender neutral as well)
• Gift card to local place that would be useful (10-15$ usually)
• Calender or planner for following year (Gender neutral color)
• iTunes gift card
• Drink mixer (Ross and Wal-Mart have great varieties and some come with recipes on the glass)
• Small liquor collection of 5-6 different baby drinks (ABC liquor, etc)

Grandparents:

• Picture frames 
• Pillows/Sheets
• Anything like an iPad, Nook, Tablet
• Books (if they're into reading)

Other things that could really fall into any category are things like:

•  Conair's foot spa ($20.00 at Bed Bath & Beyond)
• Chair massager you can attach onto a recliner/chair
• New set of dishes for anyone who may have just moved into a new house/first time moving out
• Yard equipment (hedgesaw, rake, lawn mower, gasoline tank/gas)
• DIY (Do it Yourself) fire pit in a back yard for someone (look it up on Pinterest, cost about $120.00 to create for someone)
•  Gift cards to Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.
• Package of contact lens care package (contact solution, case, etc)
• Hookah/Shisha supplies for Hookah/Shisha lovers (coals, flavors, new hookah, pipes) 

And if you're one of those people who has no extra money right now, that's okay, here is another idea. The simplest way to show someone you love them is to decorate or draw on a paper folded in half, cut out a picture of the two of you, and then write down 10-30 things that you love about them. Try to be specific to who they are and not just "your hair" or physical things. It's sweet and caring and works when you have no money to spend. Plus, who would throw it away? People love hearing why others love them or what they love about them.

Hope this helps gives you guys some ideas if you needed! Happy Holidays! Stay within your budget, but make your gift thoughtful. Never just give someone something just to say you did it. That's so boringggg.

-ssr