Or minimalist-hopefuls. Or friends of minimalists. Everyone’s invited.
We’re just at the tippy tippy top of November. But the snowflake lights are strung up on the streets near our apartment, the hardware store shelves have been stuffed full to brimming with boxes of string lights, and I’ve already started to get the urge to fill the apartment with berries and twigs and other things merry and bright.
So this year I’m starting in a bit early and celebrating the very unofficial start of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year with a new mini-series on holiday gift giving.
Each week for the remaining weeks in the year, I’ll share a few thoughts on gift giving, a few ideas for specific gifts that might complete your list, and a story or two about holidays gone by.
Speaking of: I need to get my hands on some pinecones.
35 Comments
Man, it's early, but I'm so ready for this. Bring on the merry and bright!
I know! Today is so warm in New York and the sun is glinting off all of the holiday lights already strung up!
YES. I can't wait to see what you have to say on all this. I'm trying to take the "quality over quantity" approach this year, and it's really hard coming from a overzealous-gift-giving family. I'm just tired of all the STUFF. I will definitely be following along to read your tips!
So glad!
LOVE this!!! So excited to see what you have planned 🙂
I'm feeling excited already – can't wait for these posts to start! 🙂
Yes! Looking forward to your ideas and appreciate the practicality of buying gifts early 🙂
Your blog is becoming a favorite with your current direction.
Thanks so much!
SO excited! Can't wait to read your posts 🙂
Rae
Mindful Rambles
Right there with you! My crafting buddy and I created our Google doc this weekend to track our holiday craft plans. I tend to not buy much but I like to have a few homemade projects on track that won't clutter up our friends' houses (infused tequila, etc).
Yes! I love the fact that you have a holiday craft Google doc. Of course you do! (I'm determined to invite myself over to your place for infused tequila cocktails one of these days!)
Indeed, we have also started collecting pinecones of different sizes and shapes and set them on the windowsill. What better transition from fall to winter can there be?
Totally cannot wait for those series! Love it. xoxo
Glad to hear it!
Oh heck yes! Normally I try to keep all things Christmas at bay at LEAST until you guys get a chance to celebrate your Thanksgiving, but this year I'm already totally on board. Can't wait to see what you come up with! I really want to focus on thoughtful/meaningful gifts myself this year.
Going for the slow and steady wins the race approach this year!
This sounds great. I would love any advice on how to tell family members that you don't need more stuff. My family is big into gifts – they really enjoy giving and getting them. Any ideas on how to tell people you want less not more without sounding ungrateful?
No easy task, but I'm on it!
I've already started a batch of homemade Kahlua for Holiday gifting. 🙂
Yum!
I love this idea, and I'm looking forward to reading more about it in the coming weeks!
I can't wait! Great idea.
I really love the idea of this series. I announced to my family that I didn't want to receive or give gifts this year. Which was met with some rather misunderstanding comments such as "why are you so grumpy?" "why don't you like christmas?" "why are you such a grinch!". Im not. I like christmas, I love decorating the house, looking at christmas lights, eating food and getting together with my family. I just don't believe that there should be so much emphasis on the gifts. Now I feel completely obliged to join in on the gift giving process. *sigh*
Genius idea! I'm so excited to follow along. My 9 year old daughter and I plan to make bath scrubs for friends and family this year. She's totally into concocting "spa" treatments- and I like to smell essential oils. It was a total no-brainer. 😉
Yay! Very excited for this mini series to come!
So looking forward to this! My sister and I create wish lists every year and ask our family members to stick to that, but our Dad can never resist the knick knacks and stocking stuffers. For the gifts I do buy I am trying to stick with local/handmade gifts. If you have any tips on gifts that can travel long distances that would be great since many of my closest friends are scattered across the country and fragility/shipping costs are always a concern. Thanks for another great series, Erin!
I am all about meaningful gifts and experiences over objects, so I really can't wait to hear your thoughts 🙂 Your blog just keeps getting better and better.
I'm very much looking forward to this! I've been working on Christmas since last Christmas because I try to have all the gift stuff out of the way by Thanksgiving. It just means I'm less crazy during my favorite time of the year. I LOVE the decorations and the food and the family and friends. I love the giving. But HATE the crazy.
What a great idea! Thank you for all your amazing thoughts and inspiration
So lovely, can't wait to hear and read your thoughts!
http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com
very excited to read this series! as a family who moves a lot and is about to welcome a new baby, we feel the importance of not collecting more stuff for the sake of stuff.
And with one post you've made me excited about Christmas! Yours is a gift guide series I'd be interested in, can't wait to see what you come up with!
Hi, could you tell me where you have this lables from?
Thanks
Claudia
I don’t remember where I found these specifically, but if you look for “luggage tags” you can find them in lots of places!
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