Guest Post: Array of Anthro

Hi ladies and Happy Holidays!! I'm Kim from Array of Anthro and am so entirely excited that Kristina has invited me to be a guest here!  Miss Kristina J., your style and your words are so effortless and such a constant inspiration to so many... me included!

Today I’ll be sharing some of my favorite gift ideas for those wonderful women in your life.  Though we all love this time of year so much, Christmas gifting can always seem a bit overwhelming and stressful.  There seem to be so many people we'd like to show our love and appreciation for, but can't always find the right gift.  Finding it at the right price is even more difficult! Here’s my top 10 favored gifts of the season, used to spread the "merry”, especially for those last-minute gifts!

1. Apron 

Giving an apron is always one of my favorite gifts, as there are just so many different options.  You could give a holiday apron or personalize it a bit more based on the favored lady's style.  A pretty apron always makes cooking more enjoyable!

Holly Botanical Apron- Williams Sonoma

Fluttered Chambray Apron--Anthropologie

 2.  Delivered Pastries

Breakfast pastries have to be my absolute favorite.  Delivered to my door?  Even better!  Williams Sonoma offers so many different varieties of pastries sure to please.  Have them delivered to that special friend’s home, and she’ll be thinking of you every time she pops the treats in the oven.  Delicious gift.

 Chocolate Croissant--Williams Sonoma

3.      Books

You can never go wrong with a lovely book for your loved ones.  Whether a cook book, home design book, or novel, giving a book specific to your girlfriend’s taste and style is such a great way to show your affection.  Add a note on the inside cover to leave some love she’ll be able to look back on forever! Some favorites listed below:

Homemade: Irresistible Recipes for Every Occasion--Anthropologie

Domino: The Book of Decorating--Amazon

Pride and Prejudice--Amazon

4.      Urban Decay Naked Eye Pallate

I can’t even tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten since splurging on this item for myself.  The eye color combinations are endless, and completely worthy of the investment.  You’ll have your girlfriend “Oooh-ing and Aaah-ing” over this wonderful gift.

 

Palette--Urban Decay

5.      Keeping Warm Gifts

Depending on where you live, your friends are presumably starting to feel the chill of winter.  Gloves, beanies, and scarves are wonderful ways to shower those you love with the gift of warmth over the holidays.  Stores are having amazing last minute deals, so you’re sure to find a bargain!

SideRuffle Infinity Scarf--Express

StripedSlouch Beanie--Banana Republic

6.      Holiday Art

When time is running out, there are beautiful options just a click away.  This Christmas Poster from Marta Dansie Designs (of the blog MartaWrites.com) is my absolute favorite thing I’ve come across this year.  $7 for an instant .pdf download that you can have printed at your local print shop.  Such elegance and character to this beautiful poster filled with lines from our favorite holiday songs.  Add a frame, or give on its own!  This gift will decorate the halls for many, many years to come!

Christmas Poster--Marta Dansie Designs

 7.  Calendar

Calendars have often been a popular and easy gift to give.   Why not put at beautiful artistic spin on it this year?  Online craft shops like Etsy have made it so fun to search for fun and unique handmade gifts.  This beautiful Mini Letterpress Calligraphy Calendar from the Etsy shop KisForCalligraphy is so fantastic and at just the right price!  What a wonderful way to jazz up a classic gift.

2012 Calendar--Etsy 

8.  DIY Wreath or Ornament

If you haven’t yet joined the world of Pinterest, you’re missing out on the most wonderful tool for finding fun and cheap gift ideas!  Simply typing in ‘DIY Wreath’ or ‘DIY Ornament’ will supply you with more pictures, ideas, and links to inspire creativity with your gifts!

My personal favorites:

 Christmas Bulb Wreath--Pinterest

Star Ornament--Pinterest

9.  Homemade Holiday CD

Have you completely overspent this year?   Well, I’m of the belief that a gift made with thought and care is just as wonderful as one that’s worth lots of money.  Does anyone love Holiday CD’s/ playslists as much as I do?  Decorate the cd case with your own personal message, and it is sure to be a wonderful gift.  Need some inspiration?  These are on constant repeat for me this season:

      -     She & Him:  "The Christmas Waltz"

-          Michael Buble & Shania Twain: “White Christmas”

-          Jason Mraz: “Winter Wonderland”

-          James Taylor: “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

-          Maroon 5: “Happy Christmas  (War Is Over)”

-          Gabe Dixon & Leigh Nash : “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

-          Elton John: “Step Into Christmas”

-          Diana Krall: “Count Your Blessings”

-          Kenny Chesney: “Christmas in Dixie”

-          Hem: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

-          Matt Wertz: “Snow Globe”

-          Jimmy Buffet: “Mele Kalikimaka”

-          Amy Grant: “ Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

-          Dave Barnes: “Very Merry Christmas”

-          Bethany Dillon: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”

-          Carrie Underwood: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

-          Michael Buble: “Feliz Navidad/ Mis Deseos”

-          Kelly Clarkson: “My Grown Up Christmas List”

-          Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”

-          Lee Greenwood: “Tender Tennessee Christmas”

-          Jack Johnson: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

-          Katharine McPhee: “What Are You Doing New Years Eve”

-          James Taylor: “Auld Lang Syne

10.  Treats Jar

Baking seems to take up so much of our holiday season.  A pre-made treats jar to deliver is such a wonderful and creative way to get those special treats to your friends and family… so affordable too!  I made these Toffee Blondie Jars (found at Baked Bree blog) for all of my coworkers and neighbors, and they were such a huge hit!  Found the mason jars at my local craft store for about $1 a piece and got to work!

 

Toffee Blondie Brownies

(Recipe card download for free at link above!)

Here’s hoping this inspires those last minute gift ideas for the special women in your life.  Thanks again to the lovely Miss Kristina J. for having me!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday.