Mtn lol your unex post made me choke on my coffee lol. I am in the salon’s “quiet room” and everyone looked up at me lol. (I think about unexing — but it seems like a ridiculous process with great risk)

What a great gift for your son!! I also want to check out the Bose speakers.

Funky, my parents got divorced when I was around 30. A few years later they began dating each other. They’ve been happily remarried (to each other) for years now.

Just sayin’

jo

This may sound odd, but I have two SIL who both are into gardening...I ordered them both "toad houses" from Etsy. They're handmade pottery and really cute! Here is one.

While I'm on a ceramic house kick...I have 3 friends who I exchange small gifts with, and I got them each a different variation on this little house.

For a friend who is intrigued by felting, I picked up an adorable hedgehog felting kit when I was in the Berkshires last month.

For my two BFFs who both like yoga, I got cute yoga tops, which will be part of a "yoga/chillax" collection of gifts (currently TBD). They were on sale at Old Navy plus I had a coupon. :-) Here's one of them:

I ordered some cool workout leggings from this site. I have the sugar skulls and the cats. These are way more than what I like to pay for workout gear, but they are super cool. I really wanted them. They do have a discount for new customers.

https://gearbunch.com/

Funky, I would get your niece the shearling lined Bean boots, they are totally waterproof, but the unlined ones aren't very warm. The lined ones are so plush and warm, just the thing for a New England winter. I agree with jojoco that they run large, I'm a 10 or 10.5 and my lined ones are a 9, my unlined ones are men's, got lucky at my local thrift shop. I started wearing them in junior high, and have had them right through, my daughter used to mercilessly mock me out for them. Now she owns two pairs as well, and she got the bug for them in college. Great gift idea.

Someone here, about a yr and half ago, told me my DD would want them when she went away to school. She said no. I bought them anyway. About 6 weeks into the semester, she said "hey, can you get me those boots?" I said, oops, sorry they are sold out on line. Then I pulled the box out I had hidden away!

She was like "how'd ya' know?"

Gardenweb.

PS mY DH has always worn them, and is endlessly amused now when teen girls tell them they like his boots!

I don't garden, but I want a toad house. Great idea sueb.

Gsiencechick. Very cool leggings. Are they of good quality fir a workout or just for fashion.

Love toad houses.. I think that's a very cool gift, Sue! I also do variations on the chillax theme. Who doesn't need a little help chillaxing?

Gscience.. those are very cool!

Thanks for the recommendation Lake. I was leaning that direction too-- but didn't know that they run so big!

Mtn.. my niece went through exactly the same transition-- but without one of us squirreling them away for her.

Jojoco, you have such magical romantic stories and experiences. You made me smile. Still, it's a big leap to go back.. I guess that's the key. You don't go back. You go forward. I am not sure we're there yet but I will say I am going through some pretty major stuff (maybe a post for another day).. and he's been right there with me. I don't take that for granted.

Funky,

You're exactly right, you don't go backwards. My parents were products of their generation and my mother always aspired towards a more active, artistic and enlightened life. It took a divorce for my father to not only "get it", but to thoroughly embrace my mother's desire to be her own person, not just a mother and a wife. I have to say, my father is the most evolved man on the planet.

Never say never (except in my case, lol)

Jo

They are at least good quality thickness for the price. I just wear them with a t-shirt for Zumba and they are not thin at all. They do not have a lined crotch. Just wish there was that. Seem to run true to size. Not sure if I ordered L or XL but they are good.

They also have these with "a cup of coffee" or "a beer"

For a friend who loves to read/loves libraries. The mug is banned book titles; you can read the full title when the mug is filled with hot liquid.

I love these..(especially the retro library stamped tee!)

I sent a book-themed package to one of the nieces along with a few books from her wish list and one i'd selected for her. I included slippers, a tee that said, "peace, love and books" and these tea bags with literary quotes (amazon):

Funky, i was going to post those!

I found these on a vacation trip a couple of years ago and gave away a couple pair to DD and a DGD. They really liked them and I do too. There are short and long styles and many colors, plus they also have kids and men’s.

http://jackandmarydesigns.com/collections/womens-fingerless-short

https://www.zkano.com/collections/womens-crew-socks/products/harper-reverse-stripes-crew-socks-cobalt

I agree with Mtn about the Bose soundlink Bluetooth speakers. I bought one for DD last year and she is going to get one for her daughter this year for taking to college next year. And I agree about the PB robes. I ordered the houndstooth robe for DH and it arrived a couple of days ago. Very nice.

For any Snoopy fans, PB Teen has tons of Snoopy stuff this year.

I was JUST looking at the bose Bluetooth speaker. It looks great!

I don't have the PB robe but I have their slippers. I picked up the white with gray fur at a very low price at the end of last season. I figured they wouldn't last but at that price.. no big deal. I can't say they're high quality but darn it, they've held up well (and I don't keep slippers when they get ratty).

I am going to order some of the fingerless gloves for myself... my first choice was sold out so I may hold out to see if they restock.. I even wear them indoors.

My son also requested LL Bean boots while he was in college (unlined) for rainy days. Lots of walking on college campuses and he didn't like wet feet.

Oh hahah.. Good call on the F Scott Fitzgerald tote lol. I have had the Hot Guys Reading Calendar in my cart since this time LAST year.

For totally irreverent, I like Erin Smith Art.. there are calendars, mugs, cocktail napkins and many other trinkets. Be warned, I choose some tame pieces.. in her own words, she "swears like a sailor with his foot on fire".

Funky, I don’t know that I would wait for a re-stock on the mittens. I don’t think they necessarily make the same styles/colors from year to year. The colors I bought aren’t in their current line. And yes, I wore mine at work too! I could still use the keyboard when it got cold.

These Lo & Sons bags are a huge hit with the college-age and twenty-something crowd that I know. I bought one (Catalina) for my daughter a year or two ago, and it's fabulous. Lo & Sons

I start looking in August..not celebrating Christmas, but Hanukah and/or New Year's eve..and some, I send abroad..so long prep time(c) lol

between my most successful gifts for girls and women ever were Tory Burch flip flops and Uggs slippers..)) With these, you're able to satisfy the most discerning tastes..)) but obviously not cheap so I'm talking about family and close friends here

candles for those who appreciate candles. should be good candles. not everybody loves candles. either people love them or hate them. so..important to know which category a person falls in

obviously socks!! gloves-for cold climates! nice scarves. my daugher loves pajama pants..in petite..))

nice soaps, hand creams, lip gloss/balm that is bullet proof good..

like this:

if somebody uses make up-I like eyeshadows..I usually give the ones that I love myself..like Urban Decay Naked(the first one in collection)..or something smaller yet very cool like this (they have choice of colors..obviously you need to know a person quite well)

I madly love dish towels and such and most people will find them useful and they're easy and light..I usually pick very cute ones so while some use them as dishtowels others hang on a wall or use like a runner for the coffee table. Then I feel like I missed the target)

teas usually make great presents. there are universal favorites that I figured out with years.

this year, that's what I'm ready with by now:

my daughter -getting Uggs slippers per her own request(hope they fit)..maybe chip in just a bit for a plane ticket she really wants but not covering it fully, sorry ..and a surprize (clothes) that I couldn't resist since it has her favorite animal on it. You won't guess what is it and I won't make you:)

Mother-in-law-art. I really hope she loves it. I had to get it for her when I saw it.. it's her favorite material..stone. And if they didn't lie-it's antique..like almost as antique as can get..

A friend-a nice set of soap and lip balm. So cutely packaged I just couldn't.

Hard- to- choose- gifts for-sister in law-lightweight but cozy blanket. She'll stay indifferent to design; but who in the house won't benefit from something soft and warm to snuggle. Also it's from Finland; and she loves Finland, they often spend summer vacations there.

My little niece-clothes of course! She loves clothes. Usually I buy dresses; this time decided to get jeans and blouse. Will see.

My dear Mom..well a book is usually mandatory)) Haven't chose one yet. So pair of socks, really warm ones..and maybe a top if I manage to find something I love..and a book. by the way..any recommendations? My Mom prefers to read in English for many years already(never lived here. or in any English speaking country. self-taught, loves the language. lol) so whatever you read and stayed impressed.

wow sorry, that was a long post. But hopefully somebody finds it helpful..

FWIW, my teen daughter recently got LL Bean slippers to replace her old Ugg slippers, and says she likes the LLB ones better. (Shocking, because she is all about the Ugg "label"). Anyway, LLB has 25% off everything at the moment, so this could be a timely tip for someone!

I recently bought myself a fleece Trail Model vest from LLB and when she saw it, DD said she'd like one (really? you want something that your old mom wears?). So I ordered one for her. I think it was around $30 with the discount.

My SIL loves everything LL Bean..but then she picks whatever they need herself there gives our address here..then we ship it to them/bring with us if visiting

I have Ugg slippers myself..for years already..so tried and true

(DD has their boots. Also for years already. I don't need their boots for sure. Slippers, do appreciate)

if I ever try LL Bean might become my new tried and true..but as I have footwear for a very long time..they'll have to wait:) I mean my favorite girls and women:)

I did get couple times very cute and more reasonably priced slippers by other companies and whoever got these liked them. But. These were for sure not universal. One pair had flowers..other had cats..risky business..:)

FYI-LL Bean is having a 25% sale off your entire through Tuesday 11/14.

LL Bean 25% Off

Wow some great ideas! My daughter has already asked for a Jaxx lunch kit.

If you have someone who knits or crochets, Etsy has some really pretty yarn bowls.

I

Women of NASA Lego set

April, I recently discovered this dish towels from Amazon and I ordered two sets. I'm extremely picky about dish towels, these are thick, ultra soft (absorbant) and long, and don't shrink in the dryer. They come in all colors.

Thank you Oakley!

one site I wanted to recommend for everything gifts..especially find it useful for older kids-young teens(I mean boys..girls are easy)), but they have a big selection there..every age, every budget..a bit funky, a bit cool, a bit useful a bit just so..check them out

https://www.uncommongoods.com/

Oakley, I love those tea towels. My mother used to always complain about how the W-S ones would curl up at the edges. I didn't know any better until I got these- they lay perfectly flat- imagine that.

April- that is an awesome website- especially for the mother of four boys!

I just got Escher mirror puzzle..for my twin nephews..they'll 11..we'll see))

(there is also glowing jumping putty..and these planet lollipops that I sent when they were younger..but planet lollipops didn't go quite well as per my brother's story they boys got too agitated and were punished for their bad behaviour -parents took the rest of the lollipops.

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/planet-lollipops

Bestyears, thanks for that link for the travel bags! My daughter is a college freshman who has to fly back/forth to college. That bag is the perfect size for when she comes home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have not heard of the brand before and showed it to a friend today with a kid in college. She hadn't heard of it either. What area of the country do you live in? And just curious, which size did you get of the Catalina? Do you know if it is the right dimensions to meet "carryon" guidelines?

My sister planned a pre-Christmas evening out for a small group of us.. a wine and wheel (pottery) party. She'll bring wine and snacks.. and is paying for the event.

I think it's a super idea-- a great break from the rush and bustle of the holidays.. and well, there's wine!

We talked about doing this a year or two ago but it never materialized and I forgot about it. I am glad she resurrected it!

4kids, we are in Texas, and I think it might be a TX company... I'm so sorry, I don't remember specifically which one I bought her -I just looked and see they have quite a Catalina line now. It *may* have been the original -I'm just not sure. I would carefully compare the measurements to the airline guides to be certain.

I have a stocking stuffer idea. It's a candle.

Now don't groan. Let me tell you why I love this candle.

First, the smell is fab. It is citrusy but subtle. I love it and so does DH (though in fairness Pavlov may have something to do w DH's fondness). But seriously, it is lovely.

Here are the reasons this $12 mini one is particularly nice. First, the scent. Trust me. (Here is how anthro describes the scent; excuse the bad prose. Volcano: tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons and limes, redolent with lightly exotic mountain greens) Second, the lovely opaline glass jar. It is so pretty and it radiates the light too. Third, the copper lid. I hate the odor of an extinguished candle. With this, you just put the top on and--done. The smoke is trapped. Fourth, the size. It is about the size of a jar of "cold cream" (if that were still a thing). So it is easy enough to keep on a nightstand, or throw in your luggage if you are going away for a weekend. I'm a big fan of candlelight (as decor people, we know lighting is the most important element of ambiance, no?).

All that said, anthro has a lot of interesting offerings in the candle category that are worth looking at if you this one doesn't send you.

Anthro always has the best candles!

I've just wasted half the morning there; Anthro has 12 pages of holiday gifts for women. https://www.anthropologie.com/holiday-gifts-for-her?cm_sp=LANDING--GIFT-GUIDE--HOLIDAY-GIFTS-FOR-HER&page=1

My son's fiance asked my husband to take some engagement photos of them this summer. We had this whole photo shoot and when we looked at the photos she was outraged to see that she had forgotten to take her hair tie off her wrist. Easily photo shopped out but her reaction was hilarious. In her stocking is going to be this hair tie bracelet for future use...possibly at the wedding since she wants to wear her hair down but it will drive her crazy!

https://www.thegrommet.com/hair-tie-bracelet-artisan-design

I don’t know how much this will really appeal to anyone, but my SIL bought my daughter a “seatbelt” bag and she loves it. I thought it was a clever way to repurpose something. Quirky and cute. The site has lots of styles and colors, this is just the one he bought her.

Seatbelt bags

I recommend this gift every year because it's such a hit and easy peasy to grow. Potted Amaryllis Bulb

The website is one of the best with great prices for pre-planted bulbs in either decorative or plastic pots.

Teen girls would probably like one for their room.

Love that hair tie bracelet! Genius.

My DD, age 16, just gave me her list last night. First item: honey roasted peanuts. She is so weird.

Others include, in case anyone wonders what a (really fairly normal) 16 yo girl likes: gift cards to DSW, Sephora, American Eagle, Lululemon, Whole Foods (ok maybe she is different...LOL...she likes to stop at WF on her way to gymnastics for a snack). Rings and earrings from Pandora. A single-pearl necklace. A Mantra Band bracelet. A fleece pullover. Vera Bradley throw blanket. And face wash, face masks (she loves the sheet masks), hand lotion, and fuzzy socks.

I just bought two pairs of cashmere socks from Garnet Hill. They are for myself, but would make a nice gift. Garnet Hill is having 25% off and free shipping.

Garnet Hill Cashmere Socks

JMCK, that is hilarious! I always have a hair tie on my wrist. Maybe I should suggest that bracelet as a Christmas gift one of my girls can give me.

50% off many of the bags at Lo & Sons!

It's a challenge to get gift ideas our of our daughters, but every year 2 of them ask for cashmere sweaters. Lord and Taylor Cashmere are now half off. Also scored on Ann Taylor cashmere when it was half off on Cyber Monday.

Just bought the wine socks (shown above) online for one DD. So cute, I've seen them in stores. Those were a suggestion from one DD.

Another DD just sent me a link to this, which is a video on Face Book:

DH always gives the girls a nice hand-picked selection of wines--6 each.

This year 2 DD's who live together are adopting a Sphynx cat next month and we are all very happy to have a new feline member of the family. We are scurrying to buy her the things she will need. Such fun!

My son's girlfriend loves scented candles and I wanted to get her something other than Yankee Candle which she likes.

I found this on Amazon, La Jolie Muse Tin which has a 5 star rating. It's so pretty!

I have 4 young women on my gift list ranging from 17-26 YO (nieces, daughter/DIL) and Urban Decay is having some great Cyber Week deals. I've ordered lipsticks that are 50% off regular price (Vice for the UD aficionado) and today they are offering eye shadow palettes 50% discounted. I may or may not also put in some cute compact mirrors to make a nice combo gift, but I figure popular makeup will always be useful and appreciated.

My Daughter gave me the Warrior Little Box of Rocks last Christmas and it was one of my favorite gifts ever. I sent some to my cousins who are struggling with a seriously ill infant. I think I'm also going to get them for some of my employees for getting me through the past year after my sister's death.

Little Box of Rocks

I got these “Operation” pajamas for my DS’s girlfriend, who is a nursing student...