The winners of the necklaces (picked from random.org) are Jo, Sharon and Lyn. Congratulations! I will get those out to you this week! I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. And thank you to everyone who entered! I will have another giveaway coming up in December!

There are a ton of things on my wishlists, but it is the time of the year where it is about buying for others. That, coupled with the fact that I also have a few clothing related posts I will be publishing later in the week if all goes as planned (including a set of reviews going up tomorrow), means I don’t really feel much like talking about clothes today. Gasp! So, today let’s talk about gifts. Here are a few things I am excited about gifting this year. I cannot post a lot about gifts here, because my family reads this blog, but I will post a few things that they know they are getting or things I can recommend for a generic gift receiver:

I always get my son the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar. It is a fun way to countdown the time until Christmas. Yes, that is Darth Vader dressed as Santa Claus! I purchased mine at the beginning of November. I cannot believe it, but it is sold out online all ready. Amazon has it for a huge markup through a third party. I think that is ridiculous so I am not linking to it. I would recommend heading directly to your local Target or Walmart (our local Target was out of them as of yesterday) VERY soon to check their stock if you want one for your kiddos (definitely before Black Friday).

This year I was able to get my daughter Benefit’s Advent Calendar from Sephora during their 20% off promotion. It gets mixed reviews, but I think it looks perfect for a teenager. I also recognize that her gift cost double my son’s. I had to seriously question the purchase of this, but she is only living at home for a few more years. I want to spoil her while I can.

I cannot wait to watch both kids get their gifts and countdown the holiday!

I do not burn candles a lot. I cook way too much to do so. I like the smell of food baking and cooking much better than any candle. The candles I do purchase are, surprise!, food based. My newest favorite scent is the Oatmeal Cookie Candle from Anthropologie. I have been on a roasted chicken phase here (I still cook when I am sick. Moms cannot take a day off. I think it is about time we went on strike), so I have not burnt this yet. But it is sitting on my counter waiting for a day when we finally get take out.

I gift and get these duvet slippers every year. They are simply the best. Like pillowy clouds upon your feet. I highly recommend them. I have been purchasing them for years.

As a little girl, one of the best parts about the holidays were the Lindt Truffles my grandmother would leave out in candy dishes throughout her home. They were not as available back then as they are now. It was a big treat. I like to give these chocolates as gifts. Right now Costco has these giant bags filled with about fifty truffles for $6.99 (for a very limited time). I may or may not have purchased four and have two left. Don’t count on these as gifts, folks. Or buy more than I did. The peanut butter truffle?! I swoon. I need to go pick up more!

What is a generic gift that you always give out? I would love more ideas. I also like to buy colorful colanders on clearance at Marshall’s, etc. and fill it with a pretty kitchen towel, and goodies (perhaps some Lindt Truffles if you have more willpower than me). Tie it with a bow around the handles and you can punch a hole through a gift card and attach it to the bow. Phew! That was quite a visual. I will have to make one up and show you a finished colander soon.