These are my favorite low (and I mean low) tech gifts:
Arts and Letters: For all ages: Books, Art Supplies (really nice pencils and a pad of nice drawing paper or a pretty pen and a journal), wooden toys (blocks, building kits), a great local shop is The Green Planet
(a good internet site is HearthSong), these oh-so cool Scrabble and A-Z pillows on Etsy from dirsta (I found them through Cool Mom Picks – see my sidebar).
Back to Basics: Homemade treats, prettily packaged, with recipe attached, maybe some clove fruit from Pragmatic Mom, little handmade lavender sachets (you can buy lavender in bulk and fill fabric squares with it, so nice), special keepsake ornaments (we give my mom one every year). Hanukah is already over or I would be talking about special Hanukah gifts, too. Next year I will get this guide out earlier!
Cozy Comforts: Cashmere socks, scarves or sweater, mittens, a favorite (college or professional ) team sweatshirt or baseball cap, yoga or fitness gear, fleece from Northface for that particular teen, a Snuggie – I swear this has been on my children’s wishlist for two years running – they are wearing me down! C is for Chocolate – always! Get some sweet Lindt truffles and put them in a pretty container – Martha Stewart has a template on her site for turning plain chocolate bars into snowman and Santa bars.
The 12 Days of Shopping
I will be posting The 12 Days of Shopping jointly with Pragmatic Mom. Each day, please visit her blog to see the other half of each post. Thanks!
Friday, Dec 10: Make Your Own Gifts GRANOLA, Amazing Granola from Nigella Lawson versus Amazing Granola Bars from The Barefoot Contessa
Sat, Dec 11: Kids Make Gifts CRAFT (ModPodge versus Clove Fruit)
Sun, Dec 12: Personalized Gifts: Fancy Return Address Stampers and Personalized Stationery from Pixie Chicago
Mon, Dec 13: Father-in-Law/Dad and Mother-in-Law/Mom
Wed, Dec 15: High Tech/Low Tech
Thu, Dec 16: Hostess/Doing Good and Getting Something
Fri, Dec 17: Sanitation Engineers, Mail Carriers, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning People, Dog Walker/Dog Trainer
Sat, Dec 18: Husband, Me (Our Own Wacko List)
Sun, Dec 19: Dog/Cat
Mon, Dec 20: Quick Gifts from Whole Foods versus Gourmet Food Store
Tue, Dec 21: ’Cause I Am So Together, Last Minute Home Made Gifts
You can’t go wrong with nice paper and pens or chocolate (or even both!)! and I love your A-B-C approach!
Fine article. Great information.