Christmas 411

My blogger friend Amy is doing something really fun on her blog!! If you haven't ever been to Amy's blog, you should go visit. She is really funny and absolutely adorable to boot! (I mean that in the most heterosexual way...I like the boys). She is hosting "Christmas 411", and asking us all to list some fun, inexpensive gift ideas on our blogs and link to her site, so we can all see each others ideas and therefor get some great suggestions from some super cool people =-).
So here are some of my fun Christmas gift ideas...
First off, I love socks. Love 'em. My feet are always freezing. I sleep with socks on every night, even throughout the hot summer nights. During the winter I especially love fuzzy socks, like these:

Now I realize those by themselves aren't much, but my mom has sold Mary Kay all my life, and one thing I have learned from her is packaging/presentation. I love to throw some yummy smelling rosemary/mint foot scrub, a pumice stone, lotion and a cute polish in the socks, and then tie it off with a big bow. Simple and cute!!

I think these Coasters are cute too, and affordable!


As far as something personal for someone, I love, love, love These:Aren't those cute?!? I live in Oregon, where it rains 320 of the 365 days in a year. I kid. But seriously it rains a ton, and how fun to have a monogrammed umbrella to stay dry under=-).

I think THIS is pretty great too.


And speaking of monogrammed things, I - like Lianna - have to give a shout out to my girl Faith. She has an online store http://www.adesignoffaith.com/ and even though I have yet to purchase anything, that doesn't mean I haven't seriously lusted after some things!! Like how cute are these:

Ok that picture looks funny for some reason, but go to her site and check them out for yourself. Monogrammed totes. So cute!! AND practical!!

This is a little more spendy, but I can't imagine a home it wouldn't look good in =-)

Now this next one may seem a little odd. It is something less cute and more sensible. It can be found at REI ... you see I love water. I seriously drink like 60 oz a day on average. But before you are too impressed I should note that it is like the only healthy thing I do. Anyways, a few months back I learned about some studies that are investigating the effects of BPA plastics, commonly used in plastic waterbottles (amongst other products). The Journal of American Medicine has even jumped in on this. Lots of serious medical issues have been linked to BPA plastics, including some fertility issues, ladies (!!). That very day I went and bought a stainless steal water bottle. I carry it everywhere. Not only is it safe, but it also keeps my water cool no matter what the conditions. Like when I run into Target just for toilet paper, and return to my car 4 1/2 hours later, the water that has been on my passenger seat that whole time is still cold!
These are some cute water bottles...

L to the O-V-E that last one!! In fact, which ever sister of mine that draws my name this Christmas, I would like an REI gift card so I can get that. Thanks =-)

A great gift idea we used last year is the CookieMix in a jar:These are so cute and I think they are something great for the people in your life that you want to do a little somethin' for. Like a coworker or a neighbor or something. I used red and green M&M's instead of chocolate chips to make it a little more festive. And I just used a little holiday fabric to top off each jar, and printed up some cute tags to attach with the instructions and our holiday wishes on them. Easy to make and easy on the checkbook as well =-).

So now it's your turn...what are some great, inexpensive gift ideas you have?