Posted by
Aubrey in
cheapie,
crafty,
featured,
locally,
pretty on
December 12, 2011 |
5 responses Science has proven that times moves extra-fast this time of year. (Okay, so science hasn’t actually proven that, but it sounds right.) I don’t know how it happens, but the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s moves at the speed of light, and is inconveniently sprinkled with a slew of gift-giving festivities- so not only do you have to prep for travel, parties and the rest of life’s craziness, but you also have to not show up empty-handed. I won’t argue with you that slogging through the mall and racking up a credit card bill sucks, but there is joy in finding a the perfect present for somebody you love. So to help keep you sane and not overdrawn in your checking account, here are some easy, affordable gift ideas that we’re totally loving right now:
Avoid this. Image courtesy of flickr user FBellon.
- This $24 Mortar and Pestle from West Elm is a must for any cook (and a total deal). Find more West Elm picks here, and then go enter Kristin Pot Pie’s West Elm giveaway here!
- Show up to your next holiday party with a freezer pack of Pampeana Empanadas, made by a local mother and daughter team here in Seattle. We’re big fans of the broccoli cheddar and the apple dulce de leche (and their gift certificates)!
- These Winter Harvest Recipe Notecards, made by Seattle-based recipe developer and food writer Jess Thomson and artist Hannah Viano, are a beautiful and indispensable tool for any host or hostess (available at Fremont’s new Book Larder, Phinney’sPicnic, and online at Viano’s Etsy shop).
- Give the gift of good coffee and your loved ones will thank you every morning. I love Victrola and Neptune, personally.
- And then supplement it with the gift of donuts. Top Pot just released a new cookbook that any breakfast-o-phile needs: Top Pot Hand-Forged Donuts: Secrets and Recipes for the Home Baker. Every morning can be a Top Pot morning, even if you aren’t lucky enough to live in Seattle. (Tip: make the Pershings, immediately.)
- I get a ton of compliments on my ThinkNow earrings. Buy somebody you really love (or yourself!) some of their handmade, eco-friendly jewelry.
- Give your family gifts that make your trips home easier to cope with, like the Hammered Acrylic Wine Glasses from West Elm (they’re huge and cheap!).
- Or just get a shrine to tipsy tendencies with a Light-Up Bottle. It’s a bottle of booze, filled with lights- perfect for families who drink together or any relatives still in a fraternity. (Yay-Today readers even get a 30% discount if they enter “yaytoday” at checkout before 1/1/12!)
- Then make your family seem more normal by leafing through the Awkward Family Photos Calendar together. (Or maybe you’ll find inspiration for next year’s Holiday Card.)
- Not sure what to buy your hipper-than-though niece or nephew? Try $29 Pop Phone. It’s like, so retro.
- Everybody who doesn’t get offended easily will get a kick out of shower art from Ugly Baby. These hilarious acrylic pieces are made right here in Seattle!
- We’ve preached about the merits of the saucy goodness over at J and R Foods. Now they are making homemade siracha! At $4 a bottle, it’s the perfect gift for any pho-lover on your list!
- Make any home prettier with etched glass from AnnieTwoBraids or pottery from Heidi’s Pottery (at the Fremont Market).
- Help make the girly-girls in your life stay even more femme with skin smoothies from Seattle Rainwater Soap, bath salts and handmade soap from Beautanical, and glittery accessories from Macys.
- Geeks and boozehounds will both love n’ICE Cubes- stainless steel ice cubes that keep your drink cold for hours without watering it down.
- I want somebody to get ME this big, colorful ring from MisFitGirl on Etsy. Please? It’s only $7.50.
- Dishcrawl Seattle still has a few tickets left to this month’s event- Winter Bounty at Local 360 (Monday, December 19). I can’t imagine anything better (or more time-efficient) during this super-hectic time of year than treating a friend to a delicious 3-course tasting menu with the Dishcrawl crowd. Grab your tickets ($30 each) before they sell out!
- New! Did somebody say candy? Gourmet lollipops from This Charming Candy make the perfect stocking stuffer and come in flavors you love (Salted Caramel, Root Beer Float and Birthday Cake) and some you’ve never even heard of (Pistachio-Marshmallow, Black Pepper Melon, Tangerine Clove). If you like to shop in person, head to their top-secret (not really) lollipop-making facility in Lake City (The Wandering Cafe – 7533 Lake City Way NE) on Monday afternoons between 4-7 to pick up your order.
- New! Whether you are just physically unable to wrap a present neatly (guilty) or just lazy (also guilty), there’s nothing wrong with letting Belltown’s Home Office Supply Company do the dirty work for you. In addition to handling all of your shipping needs, they’ll wrap any package. Prices start at $4.00 for small packages.
Have other gift recommendations that the world should know about? Tell us on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments section below!
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I happen to know Misfit Girl. She’s pretty awesome. Thanks for the love!
Our pleasure! We love sharing pretty things!
Thank you so much! We’re thrilled people are bringing our empanadas to holiday meals and potlucks! We also offer gift certificates. Shared this post on our FB page: http://on.fb.me/uYfhCw
Wishing the Yay Today team and all your readers a very merry holiday season!
Great selections – particularly Shower Art! I have three of their pieces in my own shower
This Charming Candy’s locally-made gourmet lollipops make great gifts and can be picked up in the Maple Leaf neighborhood today or next Monday to save on shipping costs…
http://www.thischarmingcandy.com/2011/12/december-candy-pickup-dates.html
Just added This Charming Candy to our gift list! Don’t be surprised if I stop by next Monday