Gift giving is part of the magic of the holiday season. Finding the right thing for that someone special can be so exciting (not to mention a big relief!). There is nothing better than the feeling of excitement as you present your gift clutching it with both hands.
Some of my favorites are:
Help the techies by gifting a ColcaSac with thick sherpa fleece to protect their laptop. http://colcasac.com
Make all your friend’s rainy days so much better! Give a membership to a local museum.
Consider a Design Lines favorite, the Nasher Museum in Durham
Worn short or long, these ridiculously soft Two in One gloves will help her weather the weather in style.
To buy: $49.50, delight.com. Use code REALSIMPLE.
Tickets to the Carolina Ballet
This season has been particularly spectacular. Consider a night out in Raleigh.
Jardins Du Monde soup tureen by Juliska
Think of this as a serving piece they’ll have for a lifetime, and who doesn’t love a hot soup during the winter months?
Home Made Infused Vodka (From Real Simple.com)
Makes: 2 gifts (1 liter in all)
Total time: 5 minutes (plus 1 week for infusing)
What You Need
- 1 liter vodka
- flavorings, such as 1½ cups fresh pineapple chunks, 4 vanilla beans, or 3 halved and seeded jalapeños
- glass bottles with tight seals
What to Do
- Divide the vodka and desired flavorings among the bottles.
- Refrigerate until the vodka reaches the desired level of infusion, at least 3 days and up to 1 week. Remove the flavorings after 1 week or instruct the recipient to do so. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 months.
How to Package Your Gift
- Divide the vodka among glass bottles with tight seals. Try the Twenty-Ounce Spice Bottles ($10 each), Fishs Eddy, 201-420-8828.
- Tie a ribbon around the neck of each and attach a gift tag.
Over the years though, I realize that many times it is not the material gift that means the most but rather the gift of time or of yourself. Create an experience that you and a friend or loved one can share. Those are the lasting gifts of love.
Let us know your favorite gifts to give and receive.