If you’re all focused and smart and prepared for what life brings, you’ve probably already completed your Christmas shopping. If you’re like me and my husband…you may not have started finished yet. And that’s OK! This might mean dealing with more than the usual amount of traffic and stress in the next few days, but WE CAN DO IT. Christmas is almost here!
Photo via BradsDeals.com
This weekend my husband asked me what I want for Christmas, and I had THE hardest time coming up with an answer. I have an Etsy favorite list and an Amazon wish list…but I still didn’t know exactly what I REALLY want. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s struggled with that lately. It seems that I’ve been hearing it from a lot of my friends, not just those who are bloggers. It’s either that we don’t know what we want, or we want something that’s totally out-of-the-realm-of-possibility expensive. I blame it on a few factors. When we shop for gifts, many of us also shop for ourselves — which then limits the possibility of gifts that our loved ones can buy for us. And also, in a consumerist society we all are so heavily encouraged to spend, spend, spend, more, more, more, buy, buy, buy…that when the time comes to actually sit and consider what we might actually NEED, the honest answer is nothing.
But regardless of all of that, Christmas is around the corner and people feel this need to put something under the tree, right? So when my husband asked me that loaded question, here’s what I told him. And I bet these gift ideas would be PERFECT for the busy on the go woman in your life, too:
— Monthly housekeeping.
I just told Posessionista.com that this is the #1 thing I want. Here’s why. When your day is spent typing at the speed of light and staying up until the wee hours, working; you may not have the time or the presence of mind to make the bed or do the laundry. Just a few months of housecleaning can go a long way to helping you feel like you’re on top of your game again. And there are ALL SORTS of Groupons and assorted other deals for housekeeping services! I’m personally partial to Sweep Home Chicago, but AccessMaids.com works great for anyone who could use an at-home helper once a month or so. I’m not asking for like, a year of housekeeping. Just a few months will do. And ps: most housecleaning places offer gift certificates!
— The PERFECT travel bag.
Lately I’ve been traveling with a big, wonderful tote bag — the Brahmin Anytime Tote which is luxe, bodacious and beautiful. BUT it’s an open tote. Convienient when you’re shopping. Less convenient when you’re traveling and need to shove your big, bodacious, beautiful purse under an airline seat. I need something that closes up completely and keeps my items in place. I’m currently torn between three beautiful bags, each of which can be described as “the perfect travel bag,” according to the women I know who own them.
OG doesn’t stand for Original Gangsta here — the Lo and Sons version stands for Overnight and Gym. This bag’s got it all for a girl on the go like myself — a side pocket for shoes, a laptop compartment, and a back sleeve to slide over your suitcase handles as you roll through the airport. This bag is beloved by one of the most hardcore travelers I know (that would be the fabulous Johnica Reed), from all reports the OG is the travel bag to have, sensibly outfitted with every pocket and feature you could need in the air. Love it in olive with the gold accents! Normally it’s $295, currently it’s on sale for $250.
When my blogging buddy Mae of Natural Chica came to Chicago for the truly awesome Eden Body Works event she co-hosted with The Mane Source, she had the CUTEST purse with her. Her laptop was neatly stowed inside, the bag looked luxe and beautiful and complimented her outfit. I fell in love! Mae was too happy to tell me about the Alesya bag — made in Charleston, South Carolina! Check out this awesome video that shows all the features:
Alesya Bags – Laptop Bag Demo from The Modern Connection on Vimeo.
It’s $265 and I LOVE it in purple the most!
— The Fashion Foie Gras purse by Coach.
This is being described as THE ultimate blogger bag – designed by blogger Emily Johnston for bloggers on the go. The interior multifunctional compartments come labeled “mobile,” “treads,” and “snaps.” There’s a false bottom where you can store a pair of shoes. It zips closed, and can either be a cross body or a tote. I LOVE this bag. Just wish it came in a greater variety of colors! It’s $558.
— The Best E-Reader.
Image via GoodEReader.com
Whatever that is. When you travel as much as I do, you start to feel like you NEED I hear back and forth reviews about the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Color. I don’t expect an iPad by any means (so expensive!) But now the regular Kindle is less than $100, it makes the whole e-reader phenomenon feel so much more immediate. At this point I just feel like I’m postponing the future. Plus, Afrobella is available on Kindle! Shouldn’t I know what it looks like?
— Spa Time.
Literally. There’s SpaWeek.com, where you can buy a gift card applicable to one’s spa of choice. And then there’s the way one of my favorite chain of spas does it — many ESPAs around the world offer a service simply called Time, where you come in for a portion of your day and do as many services as time allows. At the Peninsula here in Chicago, their ESPA offers half and full day journeys. A half day journey would do me so right!
— Gift cards.
Why are people so funny acting about gift cards? I LOVE a good gift card! A gift card to your favorite store is never a bad call. I will happily accept a good Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Homegoods gift card, a Target, Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond gift card…I am open to suggestions! I think the most important thing when giving a gift card is to keep in mind that the store should either be for a store that has a physical location near where the recipient lives, OR a great online selection. And please don’t forget gift cards that give back — Warby Parker and Toms come most immediately to mind, but there are tons more you can find via Shop With Meaning. (PS: an e-gift card is the best way to go. Less waste!)
That’s pretty much all I could come up with, and I’ll let you know what winds up under my tree!!
What do YOU want for Christmas? I hope you get it, whatever it is!
I would gladly accept any of these gifts (especially the housekeeping)
Great list. Glad taht you are on Kindle because I am getting a Kindle Fire for Christmas. How do I know,I am a 12 year old trapped in teh body of a 56 year old. lol . Merry Christmas
yep, definitely want everything on this list. The bags are so dang cute and practical!! seriously considering as a present to moi
I’ve been eyeing that Coach bag as well but I’m starting to think it may be too big. I wish the dimensions were a little bit smaller. That would make it perfect for every day use.
I am loving that Aleysa bag though. Very chic!
great ideas. I already have a Kindle 3G and have been wondering if the kindle fire would have educational apps to help my kids education. oooh ideas.
This is really a Nice sharing & collection.
I love all the bags!!! I want! I want!
the housekeeping is a MUST!!! My bedroom makes me want to cry 🙁
lucky you!!!!! Let me know what Afrobella on Kindle looks like! 😀 Merry Christmas!
All the bags are fab but there’s something about the Alesya bag that I especially LOVE! (it might be the color 🙂
Agreed completely! The Coach bag would be moreso for travel. The Alesya could be an everyday kind of bag. SO cute and so functional! Merry Christmas!
Afrobella for you housekeeping help and the handbag. I prefer to turn physical pages so no Kindle but congrats to being on it!
Season’s Greetings!
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