You know what magazine editors love (aside from Chanel, of course)? Fresh flowers or a great gift basket. No time to shop for the best items? Don’t know how to put one together? There’s an app for that. Read on for 5 finds that will make the season of giving easier.
Last Christmas was a complete disaster for me. I don’t want to sound rude but when I unwrapped the over-sized t-shirt and jeans my girlfriend had picked out for me, let’s say I was less than enthused. To make matters worse, she had full expectations that I would wear my new wardrobe as we paid our Christmas visits to friends and family. It was clear I had other intentions for her gift. When she saw the unenthused look on my face, she snapped, “This is what I could get within my budget. It’s a pity you don’t understand fashion”. Needless to say, that relationship didn’t last.
Don’t take me for a total jerk quite yet. I understood that she wanted to be sweet and buy something for me. I also knew that she was also under a lot of pressure not to spend too much as she had other cost concerns. I myself had some bills that needed to be tended to before I dished out dollars for presents. The thing is, I would have rather her saved her money than spend it on a gift I truly disliked. It was a lose / lose situation for us both.
So my advice for all of you girls is that you’re better off buying nothing than buying bad gifts for your guy. You’re probably wondering then what makes for a good gift. After all, it’s not always possible to know what men really like. (We have weird minds I know : ) To give you a hand, I’ve come up with a list of budget-friendly gifts under $50 that your guy will truly appreciate. Some of these may not seem obvious but trust me, he’ll appreciate them!
I can hardly believe how quickly Christmas is approaching. Just this Monday, I celebrated my birthday, which for me, officially signals the start of the holiday season. Naturally, this also set me in motion to create my yearly wishlist. Though we all know the season is about giving, there’s no need to exclude yourself from the mix.
To make shopping season even better, Allisa Jacobs is gifting one of her super adorable clutches to one lucky Single Diaries reader. All you have to do is follow us on Twitter and Allisa on Pinterest.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for yourself or for a girlfriend, I think you’ll find something you love on my wishlist.
It’s raining, it’s pouring… I didn’t realize until a couple weeks ago when the first rain of the season hit San Francisco just how much I love rainstorms. With cold air and longer nights, it’s the perfect weather for curling up with a good book. This season’s picks are a little deeper, a bit more emotional but, like my fall picks, will probably strike a chord. Brew your hot beverage of choice (I go with hot cocoa or apple cider), switch on your holiday lights, snuggle with your most-loved blanket, and get ready to revel in some reading.
Since I left for college many moons ago, I have grown to appreciate the holiday season more deeply. It’s the time of year when all of my childhood friends and family are gathered in one place. You wind down from another year and remember what’s really important. The chaos of life matters a little less. Spending time doing nothing with people you love means even more. When “holiday break” in my hometown went from a month in college to a week and a half in the work world (and I know even that is a luxury!), I learned how to savor Christmas in less time. One of my favorite parts of moving back officially is that I get to see a full-size Christmas tree when I come home every day. I started to make a conscious effort years ago not to look forward to anything too early. I felt that it made time move too quickly, and I for one want to extend every happy memory for as long as possible. With that, here are my twelve ways to spread holiday cheer in small ways and celebrate your holiday last throughout the month.