A guide to gift-giving

It's the most wonderful time of the year, fashionistas!

...Unless you are struggling to find that perfect gift for the last person on your list.

Let's be real for a second: gift giving can be TOUGH STUFF! Especially if you can't come up with a good idea.

Personally, I LOVE gift giving. But every Christmas, I have one person on my list that I'm completely stumped on. It happens to the best of us.


Sure, that one present holding you back from being free from holiday shopping for another year is frustrating, but I love giving gifts so much that I try not to let it get me down. Easier said than done, I know! But I stick to a few gift giving (and shopping!) guidelines that make the process a little bit easier, and I'm sharing them with you today!

1 | Make it personal

The best gifts I've ever given have been something special that relates to who I am giving it to. Last year, I framed a handmade poster of my mom's favorite movie I found on Etsy. Whoever you are shopping for, think about some of their favorite things. Movies, TV shows and books open up a whole world of gift ideas. A signed, first-edition copy of their favorite book or a bracelet personalized with their favorite movie quote are a couple options. I also like to make gifts personal by using photos. A nice framed photo of a recent memory or even a photo collage are two special presents with a personal touch.



2 | Browse, even in unexpected places!

Who says holiday shopping is only allowed at the mall? You never know what you may find at other stores. Check out a local antique shop for unique gifts the collector in your life will love! Boutiques and thrift stores are also gold mines for ideas. Go to these places thinking about the person you are shopping for and something completely unexpected may end up speaking to you.


3 | Think inside the box

I always think a box is the start of something great. If you're struggling picking out one big gift, my favorite thing to do is find lots of fun little gifts and put them together in a box. When I was little, my grandpa would give us a huge gift bag every Christmas filled to the top with different little surprises. It was always so much fun to go through, so I love doing a similar concept like this for my friends and family. I love stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Home Goods for this gifting secret because you can find really awesome items at deep discounts that you can't find anywhere else. Candles, beauty products, mugs, cute office supplies... the possibilities are literally endless! Also, you can usually find a cute gift box there too, so you can get all the shopping for this present done in one place. BOO-YA!


4 | Unique is A-OK!

Unique presents are EVERYTHING! I love finding that gift for someone that I know nobody else could get. It's not something you can find at the mall or at Target, or any other common stores. It's one-of-a-kind! Sometimes this can be something vintage or collectible. It can also be something that is handmade. Who doesn't love a good DIY project during the holidays?! Getting crafty with your gifts is a sure-fire way that it will be unique. Don't have the craft gene? Search on Etsy for a unique idea that someone else is making. I think the most unique gifts are the ones that show you really put some thoughtfulness into it.


5 | Do your best

This is the BIG one. When shopping for gifts, DO YOUR BEST. You don't have to go to the ends of the Earth and make yourself crazy figuring out presents for your loved ones. Put your heart into something simple and I promise the gift will be cherished.

I keep these five tricks in my back pocket not only this time of year, but in every gift-giving scenario. By keeping them in mind, my hope is that you find more peace and less crazy as the shopping season wraps up. The holidays fly by too fast- don't spend it being stressed out!

You'll thank me later,