Santa and I have one thing in common, and it is not the belly...
although with all the home-made treats and feasts around the holidays, I am one step closer to it.
It is actually my gift list, which grows longer each and every year.
Back when I was a kid, I only had to think of gifts for my parents, brother and maybe my grandparents (if they were in town).
Now, I have nieces, nephews, a sister in law, co-workers, and friends to think about.
And honestly, a drawing or a handcrafted Christmas card doesn't do the trick anymore.
Finding a gift for everybody on your list requires time and can be quite a challenge, especially if you don't want your gift to go unnoticed.
So after talking to friends and relatives, I put together a few of the gifts that top their lists.
Here is my 2012 ultimate gift guide.
1.
Holiday/Christmas CD - $14- $16 Christmas songs - You hear them on the radio, in stores, on the TV.
And admit it, you've caught yourself humming Christmas tunes more than once or twice.
Traditional holiday tunes trigger memories of Christmases past, so you can't go wrong with this gift.
Don't limit yourself with the Greatest Hits.
Nowadays every popular artist out there has a Christmas CD.
So if you need a gift for your young niece, Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" would be a better pick.
2.
Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker - $299.
99 If you have Latte Lovers on your list, this is the perfect Christmas gift for them.
This holiday gift is going to make someone or a whole family extremely eager to start their day.
You can be sure that besides the caffeine buzz, they will be buzzing about you and the best gift you gave them.
(available at Williams-Sonoma.
com) 3.
UGG Slippers - $90-$250 Most of your holiday gifts recipients might already have UGG boots in their closets, but did you know that UGG has a huge slipper collection for both men and women? Now they can have the same cozy comfort around the house too.
And when you add UGG's unique style and look, it's no wonder that these slippers are one of the top holiday gifts you can give...
and get.
If you are buying them as a gift for any of your younger, still growing family members, don't go by last year's shoe size - those feet for sure have grown since the last holiday season.
4.
Pasta Gift Basket - $119.
95 "Buon Natale" and "Bon Appetit!" This Pasta Gift Basket is unique gift for even the pickiest of eaters, because who doesn't like pasta? This basket is good for several courses.
And of course they all come garnished with fun conversations and laughter with family and friends.
HarryandDavid.
com have a few of these tasty goods available.
5.
Vynebar Wine Rack - $54.
99-$74.
99 These wine racks are sophisticated and stylish.
They make a wonderful holiday gift for any household.
They don't take a lot of space and can be installed in any room and you can order them in nearly any possible color.
If you want to go one step further you can engrave a special holiday wish or a family name on them for an even bigger impression.
(available at vynebar.
com ) 6.
Reading Pillow - $137.
99 Well, let's see, do you have anybody on your gift list that likes reading, watching TV, using their Kindle or iPad, or just relaxing in bed? Everybody! That's what I thought.
This is why the Bedlounge reading pillow makes the perfect gift for anybody on your list.
It is unique, practical and let's not forget extremely comfortable.
So this year, if you want to give the gift of comfort the BedLounge is the gift for you.
(available atwww.
bedlounge.
com/bedlounge ) 7.
Image Frames - $82 -$144 Do you want to bring smiles not just on Christmas, but every day this year? Then find and print that super cute family picture from your last trip together - you know the one that everybody thinks they look kind of okay in - and put it in one of these elegant frames.
You can monogram it for an extra personal touch.
This holiday gift will definitely bring joyful memories and smiles long after the holidays are over.
( available at graphicimage.
com) 8.
Christmas Ornaments - $70-$90 If you have pet owners on your gift list, Wagging Tails Portraits is the website to visit.
They offer a huge selection of gift ideas for pet lovers - from pet portrait ornaments to wine glasses with the image of a favorite pet.
All of the products are hand painted, making this gift even more unique and valuable.
All you need to do is find a good quality picture of the pet (I know sometimes these are hard to get) and send it to the artists at Wagging Tails Portraits.
Make sure you place your order soon.
These are custom items and they require a longer period to be delivered.
(available at waggingtailportraits.
com) 9.
Olympus Camera VR 310 - $180 This little pocket camera is a must-have for anybody.
The magic filters can add an artistic touch to any image and the Dual Image Stabilization makes sharp shots extremely easy in any situation.
So your chances to capture Santa shooting out of the chimney are much better.
Everybody will love to have a handy camera to capture all the sweet holiday parties' memories.
This Olympus is a holiday gift that is sure to guarantee "a panoramic" hug.
10.
Donate to a Cause $10-$5000 This holiday season if you want to go with a totally unconventional holiday gift, you can give a gift that will change the world.
Changing the Present.
org offers gifts that are a great alternative to the more traditional holiday gifts.
You can browse through causes to find gifts that make a difference, or search for your gift recipient's favorite nonprofit and make a donation under their name.
You can choose "Create a Card" from the shopping cart to send a personalized greeting card describing the cause to which you dedicated to your friend or family member.
Well, that's it from me...
I hope I was able to get some of the shopping stress off your shoulders.
I wish you joyful holidays and a prosperous New Year!
although with all the home-made treats and feasts around the holidays, I am one step closer to it.
It is actually my gift list, which grows longer each and every year.
Back when I was a kid, I only had to think of gifts for my parents, brother and maybe my grandparents (if they were in town).
Now, I have nieces, nephews, a sister in law, co-workers, and friends to think about.
And honestly, a drawing or a handcrafted Christmas card doesn't do the trick anymore.
Finding a gift for everybody on your list requires time and can be quite a challenge, especially if you don't want your gift to go unnoticed.
So after talking to friends and relatives, I put together a few of the gifts that top their lists.
Here is my 2012 ultimate gift guide.
1.
Holiday/Christmas CD - $14- $16 Christmas songs - You hear them on the radio, in stores, on the TV.
And admit it, you've caught yourself humming Christmas tunes more than once or twice.
Traditional holiday tunes trigger memories of Christmases past, so you can't go wrong with this gift.
Don't limit yourself with the Greatest Hits.
Nowadays every popular artist out there has a Christmas CD.
So if you need a gift for your young niece, Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" would be a better pick.
2.
Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker - $299.
99 If you have Latte Lovers on your list, this is the perfect Christmas gift for them.
This holiday gift is going to make someone or a whole family extremely eager to start their day.
You can be sure that besides the caffeine buzz, they will be buzzing about you and the best gift you gave them.
(available at Williams-Sonoma.
com) 3.
UGG Slippers - $90-$250 Most of your holiday gifts recipients might already have UGG boots in their closets, but did you know that UGG has a huge slipper collection for both men and women? Now they can have the same cozy comfort around the house too.
And when you add UGG's unique style and look, it's no wonder that these slippers are one of the top holiday gifts you can give...
and get.
If you are buying them as a gift for any of your younger, still growing family members, don't go by last year's shoe size - those feet for sure have grown since the last holiday season.
4.
Pasta Gift Basket - $119.
95 "Buon Natale" and "Bon Appetit!" This Pasta Gift Basket is unique gift for even the pickiest of eaters, because who doesn't like pasta? This basket is good for several courses.
And of course they all come garnished with fun conversations and laughter with family and friends.
HarryandDavid.
com have a few of these tasty goods available.
5.
Vynebar Wine Rack - $54.
99-$74.
99 These wine racks are sophisticated and stylish.
They make a wonderful holiday gift for any household.
They don't take a lot of space and can be installed in any room and you can order them in nearly any possible color.
If you want to go one step further you can engrave a special holiday wish or a family name on them for an even bigger impression.
(available at vynebar.
com ) 6.
Reading Pillow - $137.
99 Well, let's see, do you have anybody on your gift list that likes reading, watching TV, using their Kindle or iPad, or just relaxing in bed? Everybody! That's what I thought.
This is why the Bedlounge reading pillow makes the perfect gift for anybody on your list.
It is unique, practical and let's not forget extremely comfortable.
So this year, if you want to give the gift of comfort the BedLounge is the gift for you.
(available atwww.
bedlounge.
com/bedlounge ) 7.
Image Frames - $82 -$144 Do you want to bring smiles not just on Christmas, but every day this year? Then find and print that super cute family picture from your last trip together - you know the one that everybody thinks they look kind of okay in - and put it in one of these elegant frames.
You can monogram it for an extra personal touch.
This holiday gift will definitely bring joyful memories and smiles long after the holidays are over.
( available at graphicimage.
com) 8.
Christmas Ornaments - $70-$90 If you have pet owners on your gift list, Wagging Tails Portraits is the website to visit.
They offer a huge selection of gift ideas for pet lovers - from pet portrait ornaments to wine glasses with the image of a favorite pet.
All of the products are hand painted, making this gift even more unique and valuable.
All you need to do is find a good quality picture of the pet (I know sometimes these are hard to get) and send it to the artists at Wagging Tails Portraits.
Make sure you place your order soon.
These are custom items and they require a longer period to be delivered.
(available at waggingtailportraits.
com) 9.
Olympus Camera VR 310 - $180 This little pocket camera is a must-have for anybody.
The magic filters can add an artistic touch to any image and the Dual Image Stabilization makes sharp shots extremely easy in any situation.
So your chances to capture Santa shooting out of the chimney are much better.
Everybody will love to have a handy camera to capture all the sweet holiday parties' memories.
This Olympus is a holiday gift that is sure to guarantee "a panoramic" hug.
10.
Donate to a Cause $10-$5000 This holiday season if you want to go with a totally unconventional holiday gift, you can give a gift that will change the world.
Changing the Present.
org offers gifts that are a great alternative to the more traditional holiday gifts.
You can browse through causes to find gifts that make a difference, or search for your gift recipient's favorite nonprofit and make a donation under their name.
You can choose "Create a Card" from the shopping cart to send a personalized greeting card describing the cause to which you dedicated to your friend or family member.
Well, that's it from me...
I hope I was able to get some of the shopping stress off your shoulders.
I wish you joyful holidays and a prosperous New Year!