Your Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Running a little behind this year?

Me too, friend. 🙋‍♀️ Me too.

Don't worry. I've got you.

I've compiled some of my favorite last-minute gift ideas, right here. This one is going to be short and sweet because time is a tickin', and those holiday wish lists aren't going to take care of themselves.

Become best friends with gift cards

At this point in the game, gift cards are going to be your best friend. There are three ways to go:

1. You can pick up physical gift cards either at the location or at one of those gift card centers in stores and pharmacies. 

2. You can get holiday e gift cards and have them emailed to you (to print and wrap).

3. You can have the e-gift cards emailed directly to the recipient, usually on a date that you specify.

I prefer the physical gift cards because they usually are very festive and come with cute little envelopes, and you don't have to fuss with a printer. That said, some of my favorite stores and products have lovely printable gift cards.

My favorite ideas for gift cards are below, and I've linked directly to the e-gift card page for each. (You're welcome.)  

• Balance Bound planners and stationery - Teachers LOVE this line of products from my lovely podcast co-host Brooke Forry and Curious & Co. 

• Color Guru - I just bought one of these for a friend! (Just click the "Buy for a friend" button.) Get 10% off with code INDIGO.

• Restaurant group gift cards - Instead of choosing one restaurant, pick a gift card that gives them access to many restaurants. In the Philly area, I love the Starr Group. 

• Starbucks or Panera Bread - These are great options for working parents or anyone who is always on the go.

• Sephora or Ulta - Perfect for that picky teen wants that that trendy lip gloss that you've never heard of.

• HomeGoods - Is there anyone who DOESN'T love Home Goods? I have not met that person yet.

• Who Gives a Crap toilet paper - What says "I love you" more than toilet paper? Well, a lot. But this toilet paper is fun, whimsical AND environmentally-friendly. 

If you're looking for extra creativity points, you could group a few together to create holiday or Christmas gift themes. For example, maybe you hang the restaurant gift card around a bottle of your favorite wine. Or make it a Gift of Beauty, with both a Sephora and Color Guru gift. Having a theme can help that gift card from feeling so lonely!

Lean into the cozy factor

A few years ago, I poo-pooed the scented candle as a holiday gift. (You must watch this SNL skit about scented candles as gifts.)

But, I gotta say, this year I am all about the cozy holiday gifts. I'm hoping to get some lovely candles, maybe a neutral cozy throw, and I wouldn't turn down some slippers.

These items are usually very easy to find in stores, so they're great last minute gifts. Just try to stick with neutral colors to up your chances of them actually being well-loved.

Keep wrapping easy

Your other best friend, when you're running late, is going to be holiday gift bags. Consider a large Santa Sack, or you could even buy a bunch of brown kraft paper bags that you can write on and/or have the kids decorate. 

Whether you're looking for gifts for empty nesters or working parents or just need a few new holiday ideas, I hope you'll find something for everyone on your list with the ideas above!

I'd love to hear from you. What would you add to this list? Maybe some favorite Target holiday gift sets? Other holiday must haves? Ideas for recruiting gift helpers? Holiday gift bag ideas? I'm all ears!

A Script for Letting Go of "That" Gift

Photo by Kristina Balić on Unsplash

When helping my clients to simplify their homes, we inevitably find a treasure trove of gifts that have been given to them that do NOT spark joy. You name it - candles, soaps, scarves, trinkets, souvenirs, the works. You can probably think of the ones in your home right now.

We feel an obligation to hold on to these items, even though we don't find them beautiful or useful, for fear of offending the giver. The thing is, they are weighing us down.

I help people let go not just of the item itself, but of the guilt that may come along with it.

Here's how the conversation typically goes:

Client: "Ugh, so this is a scarf that my daughter gave me a few years ago for Christmas."

Me: "Does it spark joy?"

Client: "Damn. I knew you were going to ask me that. I really don't like it, but I'm afraid she'll ask me about it if I let it go."

Me: "The act of giving sparks joy in the moment. It's the person's way of telling you that they care about you. Once the act of giving is over, if the gift doesn't spark joy, then you can feel free to let it go and let it spark joy for someone else."

Client: "But what if she asks me about it?"

Me: "You say: 'Hannah, you remember how I am doing this KonMari process to simplify my home and my life? You know, I'm identifying everything that sparks joy? Well, I just wanted to tell you something. You spark a ton of joy for me. I love you. That scarf you gave me last year for Christmas does not. I let it go. [Wait for laughter and possibly a spontaneous hug of forgiveness.] And I want you to know that if I ever give you anything that doesn't spark joy, you can let it go as well."

Client: "Ooooh, that sounds good. Will you write it down for me?"

Me: "I'll write a blog about it and send it to you." 

Remember, simplifying and de-cluttering your life means having a ruthless focus on what truly sparks joy, so that you have the time and space to focus on what really matters. It's the gift-GIVERS in your life that matter, not the gifts themselves.

Happy simplifying, friends.

PS - If you need a little laugh, check out this hilarious Saturday Night Live skit about the oh-so-frequent gift: the candle. :)