OMG, went to the shops last night with my mom and stood in line for (what seemed like) ages. NOT made better by having my eight year old tagging along. From now on, it’s gift cards all the way! But my mom finished her shopping, so I count it as a productive evening. I still have a few things to get, and I’m going to brave the Toronto snow storm at lunchtime today to see if I can finish up. I need a trip to Indigo for a couple of paper items, I still need to get a Wii game, and a couple of picture frames.
For today, teacher’s gift and babysitter’s gift, wrapped and delivered. Check.
If the snow stops in time, I’m going to try and do my grocery shopping tonight as well as continue my wrapping. I’m looking for some cipollini onions, and they’re proving a bit hard to find. But after last night I want to avoid the stores on Saturday. Who’s with me?
Level: Easy to medium (depending on how high the snow is!)
Time: 2 hours, tops!
|
by Suzanne Moutis
December 5th, 2008
1 Comment |
|
Great gift card ideas from the Style at Home Show
It’s a good thing I’m so ahead of myself or I might be in trouble. We’ve had a week of sickness in my house, and as almost all parents know, this is pretty typical of the season. It didn’t help matters that the office Christmas party was last night and I may have overdone it just a little bit!
So I’m taking advantage of a couple of days when I can sit back, knowing that I’m still on schedule. Tomorrow I’ll be full speed ahead again with the decorating, and my sisters and I have been e-mailing today about getting gift cards for the older kids in the family.
As a rule, I’m not a huge fan of the gift card; I think it’s lazy gift-giving, but sometimes it does make sense. If you’re going the gift card route, try to add some interest in the presentation. For anyone who saw my presentation with assistant editor Karina Leimanis at the Style at Home Show this fall, you know we had tons of great ideas to dress up a gift card. You can colour photocopy the cover of a favourite book, or add a fun playing card or a picture of yourself to a tag and attach the gift card to the other side. Genius! I’d love to know what other ideas you have for dressing up a gift card. Post a comment and let me know!
Creative ideas for dressing up gift cards
P.S. Today’s the day to start thinking about your menu, if you’re hosting, or dishes you’re going to bring if you’re dining somewhere else on Christmas Day. There are only 3 grocery shopping Saturdays left before the big day, and if you’re like me, you’ll have to shop at least twice to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything on your list.
Level: Easy
Time: <20 minutes
It’s December 1, Advent started yesterday, the pace is picking up and I’m starting to feel the stress. It’s going to be a busy week! Aside from report cards coming home, parent/teacher interviews, a P.A. Day from school, and my book club meeting, our office holiday party is on Thursday. My life has to run like a well-oiled machine this week.
I dropped by the One Of A Kind Show & Sale in Toronto on the weekend, and soaked in some atmosphere. I picked up some beet chutney from Beetroot Delights to serve with Christmas dinner, a couple of things from Woolly Fabulous and a pretty hostess gift from Jodi Wheeler Fine Arts. It’s so nice to see such beautiful things that are made by hand and not mass-produced.
So, today is the day to write Christmas cards for American and overseas addresses and pop them in the mail.
Level: Easy
Time: 30 minutes.
Plus, one more thing: it’s important to start deciding what to get the people on your list. Need some inspiration? Check out the Canadian Home & Country gift guide for great ideas.
Level: Easy to moderate (excluding those hard-to-buy-for people that require a bit more thought).
Time: 30 minutes.
Less than one month to go before the big day! Today’s the day to make a list of WHO you need to buy for, if you haven’t already. Don’t forget teachers, your concierge, a little something for your kids’ friends, maybe have a couple of hostess gifts on hand, just in case.
Level: Easy peasy!
Time: < 20 minutes
