Have A Little Faith in We

One of my favorite things about being a blog follower is how the experience goes from just following along to eventually feeling like you are taking advice from a friend. As a result of my love for blogs, I have purchased clothes, tried hair styles, decorated mantles, read books, organized my office, discovered health tricks, and become inspired in countless ways! Reading about a solution that an everyday person, just like me, finds enriching to their lives has been really helpful – so here on HALF I thought I would get in on the info sharing action and include a weekly favorites post! Each week I will share one of my favorites things! The topic areas will range from favorite clothes to organizing solutions to health tricks. Really anything that I feel we just can’t live without – or would really not want to – at the Bessette home and maybe you can find something you love too!

Hey friends! Hope you all had a glorious Thanksgiving with good company, tasty treats, and a chance to relax. Now on to Black Friday and the Christmas season kicking off. We aren’t really Black Friday shoppers (although Loverly Grey and Lauren McBride have gotten me shopping a little online today) – but with Thanksgiving wrapping up and December 1 just days away, I am ready to start talking Christmas. So today’s Favorite Thing is a little different, I am sharing some of my favorite Christmas gift ideas. Ones I like to give, ones I have been given, and I invite you to share some of your moments of brilliance for the season of gifting in the comments.

First up is a gift I go to for all occasions – Alex and Ani Bracelets. The first set of these I ever received were from my mom and sisters for a birthday and they each picked out something that either made them think of me or something they thought represented them. From that gift on I was in love with these! I wear them just about everyday and appreciate that you can dress them up or down. Plus the fact they all have a different meaning, really makes them special – for instance last Christmas I got for my mom, mother in law, and myself the “breath of life” bracelet to commemorate all we had been through and they did while Danny recovered. These area a lovely gift with an ideal price point that also provide the opportunity to really personalize it for the receipt. And as someone who is really hard on all her jewelry they hold up well, but if something happens the store is great about repairs. Be sure and check them out!

Next is a gift I have both received and given: personalized Starbuck’s mugs! Yes these cuties from the Etsy shop Sweet Tea and Grace are always a big hit when I gift them and not just because they are so funny – but folks love to drink out of them! There are several versions of them in Etsy – but I have ordered about 5 times from this shop and always have a great experience. Throw in a $5 gift card for that first cup of coffee and you are all set!

Sometimes the best gift isn’t a gift at all but an experience. When my youngest sister Brig was little and for some little cousins on Danny’s side, we have gifted some sort of outing and it has been a blast. One year we wrapped up earmuffs and then took Dan’s little cousin ice skating on a later date. Then for my sister Brig who loved to learn and go on adventures, I made her a DC book of things were were going to go see and do. One of them being tickets to the baby panda at the zoo (which were free, you just had to reserve them so folks could view at scheduled times without the normal crowds). This is a fun gift to plan and execute and I think they are a little more representative of what this season is supposed to be about: time together.

What about some practical gifts that might not be glamorous, but really do improve your daily life? The next two items I am thinking of are the Clarisonic Mia and the Philips Sonic Electric Toothbrush. Both on the higher end of price, they are the sort of thing folks will use every day and really love, but often don’t want to or can’t part with the money to buy them. But as someone who has both sensitive skin and gums, these gifts were things I am not sure how I went without for so long, yet I was so grateful someone else paid the price tag for them. Worth consideration if you are drawing a blank!

Now that we have jumped price points a bit…. what about a few luxury items? Just a quick list of fun things that I absolutely love and why:

Uggs – when my feet have to be on the go (or even enjoying cozy time at home) encasing them in a fluffy pillow feels like heaven. I have both the traditional and the knit and LOVE them both.

The Bobeau Wrap – This is one of my all time favorite winter wardrobe items (and Cassie from Hi Sugarplum! always gives them a rave review)! It can be worn open or closed and to the office or with your PJ pants. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and know it would make a great gift.

Pottery Barn Bedding – we did our wedding registry at Pottery Barn 7 years ago and I really do love all of our items gifted from there, but I can’t begin tell you how happy my bedding makes me. It is always so crisp and bright looking, and throw on a monogram pillow – I am in heaven! And if you don’t want to give the whole set, consider just some monogram pillows- they really are a nice touch to any bedroom!

And finally to round out this post with some Christmas inspiration some of my favorite family gifts to give. You know for those neighbors or aunts, uncles and cousins that a personalized gift for each person would be hard and you want a group gift that they can all enjoy together, here are a few of my go to gifts: Christmas Morning Coffee basket (get a few mugs, cute basket, couple of season flavors, hot chocolate, marshmallows and a few snacks), Movie Night at home (candy, popcorn, a few fun cups or mugs, a gift card for ordering movies, and a cute bowl to hold it all together), and a New Year’s Eve Party Box (some fun hats, sparkling cider or champagne, a few noise makers, confetti, a cute note pad for goals, some snacks, and a cute box to hold it all).

Gift giving is such a mix of both stressful and fun, so I hope a few of these ideas will make it a little easier. Wishing you all a great start to the Christmas fun!

Thank you so much for reading and remember to make it a great day!
Jackie