We are 4 days away from Christmas and some of us already have gifts prepared (aka some, not all). Some people, for reasons that escape my understanding, have yet to purchase their gifts. In these last days before the much awaited return of Noel, entering a department store is the equivalent of walking all day with shoes that are far too small, it’s painful! In my personal opinion, it's always easier to find gifts for the little ones; the task is a lot harder with adults. Worry not, I am here to help you.
I will be honest that I tend to buy things at least one to two months ahead, ergo in September or October, and sometimes even before that. Why do I do it this way? Because it's more likely that I will find a better variety of things and sometimes at better prices. This, of course, depends on the person you are gifting too. But unfortunately, and much to my dismay, gifts that have to be bought at the last minute always occur. A new person was added to the reunion or holiday party and now, what do I gift them? This happens even during times when we decide not to travel and celebrate the Holiday season at home.
This year, I had four last minute gifts I had to prepare, or as I like to call them, “pop up gifts.” I resolved three and one of them is still haunting me like too-tight shoes, with aching feet and a headache. There’s more articles out there about gift giving than I could possibly count, but I find that it’s always nicer to gift something that is special to the person and different. This is what I based my list on, and for obvious reasons, I will promote buying second hand.
We all know buying second hand is good for the planet so I won’t hound you on it. The following list is based on things I have received and gifted to others.
Trinket dishes
Salad or dessert plates
Art
Makeup bags
Figures
Vintage books
The famous trinket dishes are a very cute gift, and there are plenty of options if you are going to visit an antique store and can also be found online. I’ve found some beautiful ones and use them daily around my house to hold jewelry or keys. Another gift that can rarely go wrong, salad or dessert plates. A dapper terrier plate or a funky, colorful set of plates, is always a good idea no matter the gender.
Third, art. Yes, it can be more complicated to find good art pieces at a good price and without taking into account personal taste. But if you have a close relationship with someone, it can be a very unique, beautiful gift as there are different mediums (oil, watercolor, pastel, prints). Do I even need to mention small bags? The multipurposeness of them is indescribable. Makeup, pencils, bits and bobs, keys, money. And usually, you can find them in different fabrics, colors, and sizes. It works as a great gift for any minimalist that only wants a few things to the maximalist that carries way too much.
Figurines are another personal touch. If the person celebrates a particular holiday or collects certain items (hello to my dear dog figurine collection) you can find something to gift them that fits their tastes. In general, figurines have a lot of flexibility. Last but never least, vintage books. If a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has you tired, worry not, there are multitudes of books available: fashion, history, art, non-fiction, fiction. My daughter and I have a favorite small business where we find a lot of vintage books. And if there’s no shop specifically dedicated to vintage books near you, then the entire internet is at your disposal.
I hope that my list, albeit short, can shed a positive light on your lives and resolve those last minute gifts that always pop up. It goes without saying that I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
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