Consider these clutches. With one fun exception, they’re under $20 a bag, which makes it far more likely that you’ll have enough cash leftover to fund your evening. Excellent.

Happy New Year, Sweets! You look smashing.

Angie and Lola Clutch with Zippers

$34.99

Target Velvet Large Bow Clutch

$15

Moss Sup Co Black Port Hole Frame

$17

Merona Split Box Clutch

$13

Xhilaration Patent Hinge Clutch Black

$10

Leather Checkbook Clutch

$14

Target Cinched Clutch

$17

Ha!

Sure, ideally, you’re sitting pretty, sipping rum while enjoying the satisfaction of a perfectly organized and executed holiday. But, really, how many of us are there? I would wager that most of us are still wracking our brains over a last-minute gift or lamenting some other holiday detail we’ve overlooked. 

You know what? It’s okay. You have official “Christmas Wrapped” permission to let go of the stress and the worry that sneak into the season. No one will mind if the cookies come from the bakery. Or some if your presents are lovingly-worded IOUs. Or if your holiday party turns into a holiday potluck. Or if you send New Year’s (or Valentine’s or electronic) cards.

You do not have to sacrifice the next two days to the illusion of holiday perfection. Banish the Norman Rockwell (and Pottery Barn) images from your mind and remember that the holidays are about celebration, not presentation. You deserve to enjoy this time with your friends and family, or with your dog, or your Netflix, or whatever else fills you with joy and peace at this time of year.

I just had the wonderful and eye-opening experience of talking to a long-distance family member who I haven’t spoken to in a long time. Her family’s going through a rough patch right now, and, after we caught up on all that has happened in our lives, she told me that the best gift I could have given her was my phone call. So simple. I felt the same way.

So, if you’re considering spending the next couple days on a marathon shopping/cooking/wrapping/crafting/worrying session — unless that’s what you enjoy — try this instead: warm up a mug of egg nog, stoke the fire, grab and/or call your favorite person, and look around at all that you have to be grateful for.

This year, I wanted to be more proactive, better prepared and more price savvy in my shopping, but I’ve failed miserably. Instead of taking the time to get or make  somebody a really nice, throughtful gift, they are getting gift cards and awkwardly intimate hugs.

Jon gave me his list, but since it didn’t include this I’m just going to go ahead and throw one in as a surprise extra. Being pregnant means NO TOUCHING, so he’s going to need options, and our dog already sleeps on the couch.

Leta is not going to get anything related to or branded Hannah Montana. She’s just starting to notice, thanks to her evil older cousins. I’m fine to have another few princess-based holidays, although I’m pretty sure this may be one of the last ones where the over riding theme is PINK PINK PINK. Recently we took her to a toy store to get an idea of what she wants, and I’m not kidding, she panicked because she didn’t see “the pink aisle.” Someone please assure me that she will graduate to other colors, preferably one that is not neon.

None of this is because I’m a soot-covered grinch, it’s just that I don’t like to shop. And then when I do I always wait until the only things left are a few pine-scented candles in the dollar bin.

For my three-year-old, Thomas trains (the only thing he wants) are on order. My six-year-old asked for a computer (umm, no) and a magic potion to make him a super hero (hmm). My 17-month-old can’t really ask for anything but I’ve deduced he loves balls, dogs, and trains (naturally) best. But it’s becoming crunch time and, honestly, who wants to go shopping in this weather? Here is how I’m planning to get last-minute gifts (which are the only way I get ‘em) this year:

• Plan your route. I try to stay as close to home as possible while shopping, but some things are special-excursion-worthy. I need a toy that can only be purchased at Target, so I’m planning to use the credit union branch near that store next week instead of the downtown one I usually visit. That one-of-a-kind kitchen store is a few blocks away from my favorite yarn store, so I’ll head over there when I get the last few skeins I need for Christmas projects.
• Thrift-stravaganza. Thankfully my family members embrace their budget-savviness and gladly accept used merchandise as gifts. I’m planning to do a run through the Goodwill “bins” outlet to shop for whatever I haven’t already acquired by next Tuesday. Best of all: paying by the pound.
• Involve the kids. Last night we went through my photos looking for candidates for a collage for their teacher’s gifts (farmer’s market tokens along with a list of my favorite vendors). For another project we hand-felted yarn into pretty wool candy-canes. It’s more fun when you’re all working together (especially if you can get messy).
• When all else fails, get crafty. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get the toddler a ball that would be somehow special (we have a wicker basket filled with balls, after all). I had actually visualized myself shopping for basketballs, rubber balls, footballs … when I realized I could knit him some perfectly adorable, special balls, and it wouldn’t even take but a few hours.

 

Sarah Gilbert writes for Being Savvy Portland.

This is the time of year I always get completely blindsided by a person or twenty in my life who is deserving of some sort of holiday gift but I’ve forgotten completely about.

Of course I don’t want them to know I’ve forgotten completely about them.

“Oh your gift! I totally left it at home, darn…I can’t believe it, I mean it was just sitting on the front table and I walked right out the door without it.”

(I know, I know. I’ve just outed myself, haven’t I.)

One year it was my beloved dry cleaner, a jubilant little rolly-polly Korean lady who used to look with mock disapproval at my miniskirts and declare, “This skirt? Too short. I make longer.” One year it was a tree-trimming party guest who thought he’d show up with three friends. Just, you know, for fun. (And, presumably free food.)

Often it’s a local shop owner or a forgotten staff member in my building or the girl who washes my hair at the salon. But generally it’s a collection of neighbors and acquaintances who have, entirely unexpectedly, gotten me a gift.

Which is why now, I always keep a bunch of extra goodies on hand around the holidays, wrapped and ready to go.

The basic rules of thumb for emergency gifts: 1. Not too expensive 2. Not too personal 3. Something you can use yourself should it go unused.

 

My favorites:

-Boxes of gourmet teas with a nice tea ball (adding a little something extra always makes the gift seem more thoughtfully considered)

-A set of coasters wrapped in festive ribbon. Seriously, the ribbon makes all the difference.

-A big christmas cookie cutter tied with ribbon and attached to your favorite cookie recipe

-Pretty ornaments – Buy a multi-pack and then individually wrap them in nice tissue and place in a small gift bag. This is definitely one you can use yourself or in subsequent years if they don’t go used this time around.

-An oversized mug with a packet of gourmet hot chocolate tucked inside

-A pack of scented guest soaps or nicely packaged hand lotion – make sure they’re not too cheap; cheap ones tend to be stinky. And get a few more manly scents like eucalyptus so that you’re not stuck giving your cousin Joe some lavender thingie.

-Little pads with a small box of crayons or glitter pens for kids

-A single homemade gingerbread man or big Christmas star – especially nice if you can add the initial of the recipient in frosting

-Jugs o’ hooch (Never underestimate the happiness of a recipient upon receiving a bottle of wine or aperitif)

Are these gifts fairly generic? Of course. That’s what makes them emergency gifts. Which is why wrapping, ribbons, and cards matter; keep a bunch of teeny gift cards around and a nice calligraphy pen and consider yourself ready for nearly any gift-giving emergency. 

And if you’re worried that a gift card isn’t personal enough, have no fear. There are plenty of ways to add a personal touch to any gift card. Check out what Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching did to add her special touch to this Target gift card:

Use Your Imagination – Imaginations are a terrible thing to waste, especially for young minds.  From dress up to play kitchens and baby dolls to magic wands, toys that allow kids to live in a world of their own creation.   The best part is that you can find toys of all price ranges and for all interests.  Some of my personal favorites are small sized kitchen utensils, capes (for super heroes or princesses), and hats.  

No Batteries Required – Not only will you save on the cost of battery replacement, but you may also save some of your sanity.  Puzzles, blocks, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys and Lego’s are some of my favorites.  They all foster imagination, promote fine motor skills and a number of important preschooler skills.  They are also all fun to play with for both kids and parents.  

Favorite Things – Every toddler has an obsession of the day.  My daughter has an Elmo obsession, and a thing for cows, monkeys and fish.  Finding something special that relates to what they love most is a great way to find the perfect gift.  Even better if it relates in an unexpected way like a toy banana to go with the monkey or a trip to see their favorite thing in person.  

The Theme – Most parent wants to get their kids everything they desire.  Sometimes though you need a little help.  The theme gift is a fun way to get a big effect without doing it all yourself.  I will admit that I stole this idea from my sister-in-law.  My niece got a wonderful toy kitchen from her parents and the rest of us filled it with all of the supplies.  From dishes to pots and pans and in my case a couple of aprons, we helped make it the full package.  I liked the idea so much we’re doing the same thing this year.  

The best gifts are always the ones that are given with love.  No matter how much they cost, or where they come from.  Having been a kid during the last recession, I can safely say that I never noticed that money was tight.  I was just happy that someone thought of me and for the time I had with the people who loved me.  

Amelia McClain is the City Editor of Being Savvy Minneapolis and writes about life as a full time working parent of a toddler at her blogAmelia Sprout.

I’ve been collecting some great, inexpensive and easy centerpiece ideas and thought I’d share them with you. They’re inexpensive because everyone around here is trying to keep as much money as they can in a coffee can under their beds and easy because I have many skills but elaborate centerpieces are not among them.

At Craftershock, Wendy Chung has a great Paper Flower Tutorial. She attaches the flowers to twigs and puts them in vases on the table. I’m especially drawn to the square bowls of pears on the table. With a red runner on your table, classic Christmas colors. Instead of paper flowers, you could attach very small glass bulbs to the branches and make it even easier on yourself.

I love these wooden quilting hoops and simple wooden balls on the table from the Real Simple Holiday Decorating Ideas From The Craft Store feature.

Ribbon, just like I used last year to add a little color to my table. But I love how Better Homes and Garden uses a wider layer of red fabric and then ribbon. The glass bowls with ribbon flowers are also a cheap way to avoid fresh flowers. You can find the directions for those right here.

Party Perfect shares the work of stylist Molly Fitzsimmons in this post. A pile of oranges on a lovely tray, it doesn’t get much cheap or easy than that. Unless you’re talking about…oh, never mind.

The easiest part of creating holiday centerpieces is the fact that if you throw some red, white or green out there, you’re pretty much good to go. This candy cane covered vase is perfect. The best part for me is I can you my small round vases from last year to complete this project for next to nothing.

With all these great ideas, maybe no one will know how I threw this party together in about one day.

For inspiration, check out these amazing gingerbread houses. From a modern gingerbread dollhouse, complete with tiny designer furnishings, to a gingerbread skyscraper ~ if you can imagine it someone has probably rendered it in gingerbread form. Click on each image to find out more.

Of course, most of us aren’t advanced gingerbread architects. However, all it takes to get started is stocking up on some supplies like special bake sets, molds, decorating tools and cookie cutters in addition to the oh-so-important candy toppings and gingerbread.

If your gingerbread house doesn’t turn out quite the way you want it, you can always have a little fun with it before eating it.

I prefer things that will look good with a simple bow, so I don’t have to worry about wrapping while I’m frantically throwing my outfit together. I often buy food — favorites include Stonehouse Lisbon Lemon Olive Oil, Poco Dolce chocolate tiles, lavender salt, or Mighty Leaf teas, but I also like to have a few more shelf-stable items on hand.

Aqua Scoop Ice Cream Scoop

$12

Pop by a convenience store on your way over, and pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Then tie a big bow around the scoop and the ice cream in the car. Voila!

Perfect-Cube Ice Trays

$15

My friend Melissa told me about these trays, and now I’m telling everyone I know. They make perfectly square cubes that are so easy to pop out of the trays, even once the tequila kicks in.

Soy Candle

$7

If you’re living your life well, you can never have enough candles. Classic, useful, and these are even on sale. The trifecta!

Vellum Lampshades Set of 3

$13

Speaking of candles, these little vellum lampshades turn any wine glass into an insta-votive.

Danesco Porcelain Salt Pig with Spoon

$14

Salt pigs are so useful, and almost no one has them in The States. You keep them next to your stove, so you can throw in a pinch of salt or two while you’re cooking. This one comes with a spoon, which I’d probably chuck. If you don’t have a salt pig, order one for yourself too, you’ll use it constantly.

Pretty good for the price of a bottle of wine, no? Order a few to keep in your closet, and you’ll be surprised how often they come in handy. You, my dear, are crazy thoughtful.