by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
When it comes to friends, gift-giving can be tricky and stressful, which is exactly what your friends wouldn’t want. I’m willing to guess that I’m the worst person to shop for and I’m the worst at just buying a gift. My first priority would be to make someone something personal, but that is simply not feasible during the holidays. Currently, my tentative plan is to make infused tequila for my redistricting text chain, customized Guess Who for my family bf’s and then like, no idea for everyone else. My second choice in gifting is time spent. I would 100% rather agree to have a fun lady date as a present to ourselves.
These are my favorite girls’ time spent holiday time presents:
- Iyashi Healing Hands/Jinya Ramen Bar/Beard Papa’s Cream Puffs all in Sandy Springs
- Pitch in for a style night and have a stylist like Glam Kam or Ashley Cohron
- Craft night either hosted or someplace like PWAT or Red Seal Craft Studio
- Cookie/ornament exchange
But really, just a nice lunch or pedicure to catch up and take a break from holiday craziness is the best gift. Because there are some of you out there (I’m looking at you.. Amanda Hene) who always have the perfect gift, I’m listing some things that make great girlfriend gifts.
Bopsidoodle is a local business that makes adorable door decor for all year round celebrations. I’m not sure about all their retail locations, but know they are at Carolee’s in Norcross. I so love these ornaments, but check out their Facebook page for all the lovely holiday fare.
A lot of us have travel planned in the next few months. This weighted eye mask is perfect just to relax, but since those opportunities don’t present themselves during the holidays, it is also great to pack during travel. Especially if you have a husband that drives like a maniac and you’d rather not look.
I love Under the Pecan Tree. I could get lost in all the little nooks and crannies. One of my favorite things are the puzzles, but I’m dropping these festival Christmas earrings here. They have all kinds of hand-beaded themed earrings and they are delightful.
I love nice jammies. Just like I will never buy myself super nice socks, it’s pretty rare that I’ll seek out super cute jammies for myself. Treat a friend to some adorable, comfy jams to wrap gifts in.
Another local jewelry artisan, Anna B Designs, has all the necklaces I love. If you are shopping for multiple friends she does have these timeless polished horn bangles that are great alone or with other bracelets.
I’m pretty sure we all have plenty of scarves, but can you ever have too many? No. Check out these beautiful cape-scarves that I would wear in every color from J. Crew Factory. Great for dressing up or down and is great for all sizes.
If you do have fun family games, they make great gifts too. Believe it not, I really do like spending time with my husband and kids, probably more than most people. I love when everyone plops on the floor and we play a game or do a puzzle. Don’t underestimate what a gift that can be. (Under the Pecan Tree also has amazing puzzles)
My mother-in-law figured out years ago that the best gifts she can give me are homemade beef jerky, Mary Kay satin hands scrub soap and whatever wine she finds the empties for in our recycling. God Bless her. That being said, if your friend loves wine as much as I do, consider quirky wine glasses. I love that these could be used for wine or liquor and that they are unique.
In a perfect world, I make time to write everyday. Write for Aha. Write for mental health. Write to document life. Write to thank God. The reality is that none of those happen regularly. I love this one line a day journal is low pressure that is great to look back on; funny things my kids say or great things my husband did or small victories at work.
As I mentioned, I love a personalized gift. This does require some planning as most artists get pretty busy this time of year. We actually collect hand-drawn family portraits from different artists we’ve met in our lives and it is one of my greatest joys. I’ve used Marin Design for our own portrait but also as gifts for friends and the reaction is always perfect.
