Christmas Gift Guide 2019

I thought it would be super fun to comprise a few gift ideas for those looking for some unique and thoughtful gifts this Christmas! These are just some lovely options I have come across while browsing this season. I hope you enjoy and become inspired!

for babies/small children

A Very Parisian Christmas

This Christmas was definitely one for the books. Josh and I have been talking about going to Europe together since we first started dating. I've been a few times but Josh never has. There is so much we would like to see and explore and experience together. We had decided awhile back that for Christmas this year we were going to gift experiences instead of a bunch of materialistic stuff. After all, experiences are what make memories. 

So this Christmas Josh gifted me with a trip to Paris and Amsterdam! Many friends have asked me if I was surprised. No, but I wasn't sure how he was going to present it. Josh loves to buy presents so of course he had to pick me up a few little things that make me smile. I didn't protest. :) Almost every little gift had a connection to our European adventure. A box of socks from Madewell that had French phrases on them, a book on Paris, a striped shirt and black beret, and a shiny gold Eiffel Tower ornament. He surprised me a beautiful, vintage map of Paris with the different streets and landmarks to frame and hang in our living room so that every time we see it we can dream of our upcoming adventure and one day remember the memories we made there. Of course, Josh had to include some kind of puzzle or mystery for me to solve in with my gifts. He slipped a sheet of paper in my stocking with a bunch of French words printed on it. I quickly googled it and discovered it was an allotted amount of money for me to buy clothes for our trip because "you have to buy some pretty new clothes for Paris!" Every little gift was perfectly me and well thought out.

I am so full of happiness and excitement for our adventures that await us this next year! We plan on spending a week in Paris and 3 or 4 days in Amsterdam. Residents, tourists, or once inhabitants - lend an ear! I would love to hear any advice you have or tips on must-see cafes, bookstores, parks, shops! 

Until next time, lovelies! 

Handmade Cheer

A couple of weeks ago I decided to join some friends and take a Christmas card art class. A friend from our church was teaching it and I thought I would be able to learn some pointers from her. I will be honest and say that the evening of the class I did not make one decent thing but I decided to go home and try my hand at it. Fortunately, I was able to take a couple cards home with me that my friend Chelsea, who was teaching the class, had made as examples to go by. I practiced and practiced and actually was surprised at myself for being able to create a few that weren't half bad! 

I love anything handmade. It adds a bit of character and personal touches to the gift. In a day where everything is mass produced it's more meaningful and special to know that someone took their time and created something with you in mind. So these will be my Christmas cards to friends this year! I hope they enjoy receiving a little holiday cheer in their mailbox this season. 

You should try it out! Take a class or get online and teach yourself! Pinterest also has loads of inspiration! It created a couple evenings of immense enjoyment for me and I am able to send a card to friends that I put myself into and that they won't receive from anywhere else. 

Merry Christmas!