My Favorite Things

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I'm not a shopper, a fact for which my husband is grateful. I don't like the walking, the bag-carrying, the line-waiting; I don't even like thinking about it. If I never had to shop again I would be eternally grateful.

That makes Christmas a decidedly Grinchy time for me. At least it used to be. The more creative I get with my online shopping, however, the happier I am. Many people don't like to shop online because of shipping costs, but if I buy only what I need online (which I much more inclined to do online than in the store), I save those impulse purchase dollars, and for that I'll pay shipping. I also, due to my practical nature, tend to purchase the same gift for more than one person. I'm the kind of person, if I like a blouse, I buy it in three colors. I do the same thing with gifts, and the bonus is I get shipping for two or three gifts instead of one.

Anyway, girlfriends seem to always be asking each other for suggestions for this age or that and so, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite things -- ones I've bought in years past, as well as this year.


Monogrammed towels are one of my favorite gifts. For years I have given them to the college students on my list (they come in loads of colors to match every dorm room) and this year some of the littles on my list are getting their own. It's one thing that is likely to get used until it's worn out and I think they are fun (but, maybe I'm just weird that way).



Soap and Caramels from the Sisters. I love a gift that gives twice. When you buy from a religious order you get to support the order and you get to mark a gift off your list. This year I stocked up on soaps from the Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey. They filled my order and shipped it in one day, and I think their prices are good for handmade soaps (and their lip balm is divine -- no pun intended!).
I am also going to place an order with the Trappistine Nuns of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey for their yummy caramels. They are wonderful candies, great for a hostess or teacher gift, and my husband wouldn't know what to do at Christmas without them.



If you have anything to knit or crochet for Christmas, this is really lovely yarn. I'm crocheting a scarf for my Goddaughter, (who is a senior at Miami U) and it is soooo soft.

And if you have a knitter on your list, I promise you'll be loved for a gift of these needles.




Susan Boyle's new CD -- Doug read in the Wall Street Journal that her "market" is different from many singers and that her record company (Simon Cowell's record company) is selling it at CVS, so this one I'll probably buy in person. Also the new Priests CD looks good (in case you didn't catch the first -- it's here).


We have a couple of these toys around the house and they are so popular that I've picked up a few more for stocking stuffers. No one can resist.






Last year one of my favorite things was a Buckeye book (I bought three copies -- one for two nephews and my own son) autographed by the author. I contacted him about the book and he actually offered to sign them for each boy and mail them to me. He did it for the price Amazon was offering -- how cool is that? Something tells me that many authors would offer to sign books if asked and I think it makes the book so much more special. This suggestion is good for any age. Bill O'Reilly's Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity was a big hit on my list this year (and I think you can get a signed copy on his website), and this book has been a hit among every one I've passed it on to.


I usually forbid the purchase of gift cards, but lately I have a few exceptions to that rule. The problem with gift cards is that the recipient ends up spending his or her own money because the gift card doesn't cover the purchase, or they leave $5 or $10 dollars on the gift card. But if I buy a service I can spend exactly the right amount. For example -- I can buy a gift certificate to cover one session of open ice skating and the cost of renting skates at the rink, or two games of bowling and the cost of shoes at the bowling alley, or the exact amount to go to a movie and buy popcorn and soda. Another exception is a gift card from a sandwich shop like Panera. The recipient can buy lunch or diner for under $10 and if there is any money left over, he or she can get a cup of coffee for $2. What gymnastics instructor or piano teacher wouldn't appreciate a nice bowl of soup and bread for lunch during the holidays?


Not really a Christmas gift, but definitely one of my favorite Christmas things -- this year we purchased our Christmas cards from Cards for His Glory. Besides Christmas cards they have note cards, Sacrament cards, Mass cards, Easter cards and other assorted cards like sympathy cards, new baby cards, birthday, etc. This was a lovely company to work with and the cards are very nice.

These are just a few of my favorite things. If I think of anything else, I'll update. If you share your favorite things -- leave me a heads-up. Only 17 days left!

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