Holiday Spirit

Raise your hand if you are like The Boyfriend and you just started your Christmas shopping today.  I see there are a fair number of you out there.  This is a judgment-free zone, friends.

I stress way too much this time of year because I obsess over buying everyone the right present (because that’s the TRUE spirit of Christmas…) so I thought it would be nice to put together a Notes On A Holiday gift guide for all those people you have yet to shop for.

For the kids: Treat Jars from Our Best Bites

These jars are so cute and you can fill them with anything: cookie mix, candy, little toys. Or they’d make a great keep-the-kids-busy craft at a holiday party.

For the classy girl in your life: Lip Salve from Sephora

I’m a cheapo when it comes to beauty products, but I adore this lip balm.  It smells and tastes great without being sticky and over the top. It does a nice job of moisturizing your lips.  Trust me on this one — after a lifetime spent in upstate NY, I know dry skin.  The minted rose is my favorite.

For the person in your life who is obsessed with bubble wrap (and who isn’t?): Bubble Calendar

The question is, can you make it through January without popping away all of 2010?

For your favorite foodie: Go local

Nothing is cooler than finding locals treasures, especially when you can eat them.  I’m willing to put down a couple extra bucks for anything from Saratoga Peanut Butter Company. Someone special on my list got NY Maple Peanut Butter for Christmas.  (It was The Boyfriend and he already opened it, so no surprise there.  I just want him to remember that Christmas is a time of sharing.)

For your stylish friend with a big heart: Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirt from Lemondrop.com

The best part about these tees: 100% of profits go to cancer research.  Order at Save the Ta-tas.com where you can find a whole slew of gear that lets you wear your support on your sleeve.

For your neighbor: Holiday Bark

Find cute and cheap tins, baskets, and boxes at the dollar store.

For the dog: A Luxury Abode

These are insane in all the right ways.  But you could also just bake Fido some homemade dog treats, too.  I’m pretty sure his excitement level will be the same either way.

For the person who has everything: Family photos

Framed photos are my thing this year! Nearly everyone on my list is getting a photo and it has been tons of fun selecting pictures and frames.  I scoured thrift shops for inexpensive, gently-used frames.  The Boyfriend already opened his gifts from me, so I’m not ruining anything here:

For the whole fam: A Flock for Your Flock

If you don’t know Heifer International, you should.  The organization donates gifts of livestock to needy families across the globe, providing a source of food, stable income, and hope for the future.  Check out their whole gift catalog.

Still looking? Check out Forbes’ last-minute deals.