Embracing the gift guide

Holiday shopping always starts out fun and optimistically. I manage to find that first perfect gift back in October and return home thinking this will be the year I get all my shopping done by December first, leaving me the rest of the month to focus on the other aspects of the holiday season.

Fast forward to thirteen days until Christmas and I still have too many blank spots on my list, and not a thing wrapped.

Of course I still don't know what to get anyone, and the thought of spending my Saturday in a crowded mall could not be less appealing. The lines, the parking, being told there are no more gift boxes, or even better, being laughed at when I ask for a gift box...

There is a better way. It wasn't until these past few years that I started embracing online shopping as my number one way to get Christmas done. One of my favorite things about reading other blogs is the sense of instant gratification. Something catches my eye and I can literally be at the site completing my order in a matter of minutes. Every year hundreds of gift guides are published, featuring the latest and greatest personalized gift round ups for every type of person I need to shop for.

This year I've been enjoying the gift guides Yahoo! Style has been rolling out. One guide each day, catering to every gift giving need I have. I need to get something for my Dad, so I'm consulting their "Food Gifts for the Hardest to Please" guide. Yep, that would be my father. Perhaps the collection of specialty spices?

Short on stocking stuffers? The "Under $5" guide is essential. I love a cute coffee mug, and I still think that an ornament is the perfect gift for anyone.

Books. Books make amazing gifts. They have a way of making both myself, and the recipient look smarter. There is literally a book out there for everyone. I think when in doubt, books will always work out. I happen to love "What if? Absurd Answers to Hypothetical Questions" included on the "Book Nerd" guide. After dinner conversation is guaranteed to be a hoot if it starts getting passed around the room.

I have a habit of spoiling my dog Chloe, and there is a cashmere, monogrammed dog sweater featured on Yahoo! Style's "For the Dogs" guide. Okay, maybe I don't spoil her that much, but it's still a really cute idea.

With so many fun, unique gifts and most online retailers promising delivery by Christmas if orders are placed by the 20th, there is no reason to not get the rest of my shopping done from the comfort of my couch, and hopefully I will actually have enough time this weekend to get some baking done. Meanwhile, I'll be putting the pretty gold Frends headphones from "Joe Zee's Top Holiday Picks" on my own list. Happy shopping!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.