Holiday Gift Guide- If You Waited Until the Very Last Minute

Gift Cards  These are the best gifts to get if you've waited until the very last minute to do your shopping or if an unexpected relative or guest shows up at your door on Christmas Eve.  Like magazine subscriptions, you can usually print out a gift certificate or send an e-card to the recipient.  Here are a few places that I would certainly be happy getting a gift card to...

1. Barnes and Noble
This may be my favorite store.  With books, magazines, e-readers, cookbooks, board games, music and more, it's pretty much a gaurantee that anyone on your list can find something at Barnes and Noble.

2. Origins
All Origins products are formulated with natural and certified organic ingredients so you can't make a bad choice here.  Origins carries skincare products for men and women as well as makeup and bath & body products.

3. Target
 Do I really need to say anything about this one?  Target has apparel, toys, health & beauty products, electronics, bedding and more.  Truly something for everyone here.

4. Three Potato Four
Three Potato Four offers a smartly curated and insanely cool collection of goodies (both new and old) for your home.  You can visit their website to purchase a gift certificate for your loved ones but I bet you'll end up buying something for yourself as well. 
PS- If you live in Philly, you can visit their new (and only) brick and mortar store at 376 Shurs Lane, Bldg A.

5. Emersonmade
Emersonmade is for the discerning fashionista on your list.  The husband and wife team behind the label split time between their farm (and corporate headquarters) in Portsmouth, NH and New York City where all of their clothing is made (Love that!).  In addition to apparel, they recently introduced belts, jewelry, bedding and table linens and all of it can be purchased using an Emersonmade gift certificate!

6. Amercian Express or Visa
An American Express or Visa gift card is always appreciated because it can be used anywhere. You can buy these online but you can also pick them up at your local grocery or drug store. It's great to have a few of these on hand because they make an appropriate last minute gift for just about anyone. Also, if someone on your list is asking for something that is over your budget (say a Breville Juicer or a Vitamix), you can always give them a gift card in an amount you are comfortable with and let them know that it is to be used towards that big ticket item.

Happy Shopping!

May your Holiday, and every day, be filled with Friends, Family, Love, Laughter, Health and Happiness.
xx

Holiday Gift Guide- For the Health Nut

Magazines  A magazine subscription, unlike the Jelly of the Month Club, really is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.  And for those of you that waited until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping, you can usually create and pay for your gift subscription online and print out a gift announcement or email a card to the recipient. Here are 3 of my favorite health magazines.

Natural Health

Natural Health $19.97 for a 1 year subscription (8 issues)

Experience L!fe

Experience L!fe $17.95 for a 1 year subscription (10 issues)

Whole Living

Whole Living $10 for a 1 year subscription (10 issues)

Holiday Gift Guide- Hydrating Facial Spray

Hydrating Facial Spray This is a great gift for any female on your list.  I keep a hydrating facial spray in my bag at all times.  They are ideal for using when I get stressed at work, when I'm having trouble sleeping and especially when I'm traveling.  A light mist of either of these floral sprays is refreshing and relaxing.

   

Spend More  A blend of rose, orange blossom and lavender flower nectars makes this spray both hydrating and moisturizing.  Tata Harper uses all natural ingredients and what makes it even better is that she produces all of her products in the USA (Vermont to be exact).




Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence $65

Spend Less This Rose Water Spray from Camille Cosmeceuticals has only 2 ingredients: distilled water and rose essential oils from organic Egyptian roses. Although the scent is not as complex as the Tata Harper version, it smells great and is equally refreshing.

Camille Cosmeceuticals Rose Water $30



Holiday Gift Guide- For the eco-friendly Host & Hostess

Serving Trays  In my opinion, no one can have too many serving trays.  Both of these options are eco-friendly and equally stylish. 

Spend More  These petrified wood trays come in 3 sizes and are millions (yes, millions!) of years old.  Since these are made of natural wood, each tray varies slightly in shape and size making each one unique.  These trays are polished for a smooth serving surface and should be hand washed.  


Petrified Wood Trays $65-$148

 Spend Less  How great are these colorful wooden trays from Wisteria.com?  Made from reclaimed wood, each is restored, painted and ready to use at your next holiday party or gathering.  Choose from 6 different colors.



Colorful Wooden Trays $49



Holiday Gift Guide- Spice Up Someone's Life

Herbs and Spices  For the seasoned cook (heehee) or for someone who is just starting out, herbs and spices make the perfect gift. 

Spend More  Select 12 herbs, spices, sea salts or rubs from over 100 different options to make the perfect customized gift.  Your selections will be shipped in a metal tin with a custom label from Craig's Market. 
*As Dec 25th quickly approaches, please make sure to work directly with Craig's Market to ensure delivery in time for the Holidays!


Custom Herbs and Spice Kit $29.95

Spend Less  Grow your own!  Choose from organic Oregano, organic Parsley or organic Basil.  This herb kit comes with an eco-friendly handmade bamboo pot, organic seeds, soil and instructions for how to cultivate your herbs at home.

Bamboo Herb Garden $20

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Holiday Gift Guide- for the Cook

Aprons With all the food and cooking that comes along with the holidays, who couldn't use a new apron?

Spend More With this apron from Garnet Hill there's no excuse not to look stylish while you're baking christmas cookies or cooking a big christmas dinner.  Not only is this apron cute but it's also pure cotton, machine washable and made in the USA.  It comes in 2 prints, both of which reverse to a black apron with white polka dots.  To top it all off,  your apron comes with a red wood-bead necklace that flips to either side or can be taken off completely. 

Garnet Hill Reversible Apron $68

Spend Less  The sports fanatics on your list will be more than happy to help in the kitchen once they see this apron.  Made of durable cotton twill, this apron also has a double front pocket, is machine washable and comes with the logo of your favorite NFL or MLB team.  You can also further peronalize your apron
with a name or monogram for an extra $7.  Available in both adult and kids sizes.  You'll definitely score points with this one!  (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Williams-Sonoma NFL or MLB apron $24.95-$29.95





Holiday Gift Guide- For Her

Self Tanner  In the dead of winter, we can all use a hint of sun.  These paraben and phthalate free self-tanners can help you (and those on your shopping list of course) get just that.

Spend More  Josie Maran produces her self-tanning cream using argan oil grown organically in Morocco and packages her products in recyclable and biodegradable boxes.  Argan Oil naturally helps to prevent skin dehydration and inflammation so not only does this give you subtle healthy looking color but it also acts as a natural moisturizer.



Josie Maran Argan Self Tanning Cream $32


Spend Less  All of Origins' products are formulated with natural and certified organic ingredients.  This tinted self-tanner allows for easy application and the refreshing peppermint scent is an added bonus.

Origins Faux Glow $19.50





Holiday Gift Guide- For Everyone

Throws  Help those on your shopping list keep warm this winter.  These throws would be a perfect Secret Santa gift or a nice thank you for the neighbor who is house-sitting for you while you're away skiing over the Holidays. 

Spend More  Available in super soft merino wool, this 54"x 64" throw from Pendleton comes in classic tartans and plaids as well as solid white.  Many of the products produced by the Oregon based family-owned Pendleton company are made in the USA, including this throw.

Pendleton Merino Throw $108



Spend Less  Lands' End normally offers this 50"x 73" wool/cashmere blend throw for $99.50 but you can get it on sale now for $69.99. 

Lands' End Plaid Throw $69.99

Holiday Gift Guide- For Her

Gloves Tired of having to take your gloves off in the cold winter weather to answer your phone?  I bet the friends and family on your shopping list are too.  The gloves below have built in technology that allows you to use your iPod, iPhone or iPad while still keeping your hands warm.

Spend More  These leather gloves are handcrafted in Europe with cashmere lining.  The nice thing about this pair is that they look just like regular leather gloves since they don't have any visible pads on the fingers or thumbs.

iTouch Leather Gloves with Extended Cashmere Lining $125

Spend Less  At only $32, these wool/nylon gloves are a bargain.  They come in 10 colors and with a bow that adds a distinctly feminine touch. 

Side Bow Echo Touch Glove $32

Holiday Gift Guide- For a Soldier

Support a Soldier  Give back to those that serve and protect our country.  Support an American soldier who can't be home with his/her family for the Holidays.

Spend More  HeroBox.org is a nonprofit organization that supports deployed U.S. troops by connecting the American people with their heroes.  When you register, HeroBox.org will instantly connect you with a service member online and you are committing to sending your Hero 1 Hero Box a month for a minimum of 3 months.  The cost to send a Hero Box is between $25-$40 a box.  If you think a simple care package doesn't make a difference, take a moment to read some of the responses from troops that have received Hero Boxes. 

www.HeroBox.org $25-$40/month

Spend Less  The Red Cross has created a thoughtful and inexpensive way to show your appreciation. They are collecting and distributing holiday cards for our troops in the United States and around the world. If you don't have your holiday cards or stamps on hand yet but still want to participate, they have created 4 online cards that you can personalize with a message. The Red Cross will print out your card and mail it for you for only $1. 

Holiday Mail for Heroes $1.00-$5.00