tips for last minute christmas shopping

How many of you have wrapped up your Christmas shopping and have everything packaged and ready to go under the tree? I currently don’t fall into that category. We landed in Texas one week ago from S. Africa, and while I’ve gotten some shopping done, my focus has been to enjoy time with family and get over dreaded jet lag (4:30 AM wake up times are no bueno). With a mere ten days until Christmas, I think it’s high time I finish my shopping, don’t ya think?

As I take a moment to STOP, BREATHE, and RELAX, here are the phrases that are on repeat in my head.

1. Remember the joy of the season. I LOVE giving gifts to family and friends. However, I don’t like to be rushed. The added franticness crams my thinking space and tempts me to make purchases that simply fill the obligation of gift giving rather than the joy of it. This defeats the purpose of giving. Remembering joy helps me to take it down a notch and relax.

2. Lists are helpful. Some people are list makers. Some are not. I am. My husband is not. He’s quite content to just go and see what catches his eye. If this is you, kudos. For me, it’s helpful to make a list of ideas so that it’s easier for something to catch my eye. Being able to think about what someone wants also helps me not make an impulse buy but a significant buy (like the yarn tree kit and skateboard poster found here and here for my kiddos).

3. Online shopping can be my best friend. Nothing says relax more than curling up in a comfy chair, a cuppa of rooibos in hand, and a Christmas movie in the background, all while shopping for those perfect gifts. Of course, there’s lots of places to shop online from, but let me just tell you about a new shopping experience that you will want to visit this year.

Uncommon Goods has some great merch, but what draws me to them most is the way they support creativity and artists all while giving back.

“Along with sustainability, supporting creativity and the artist community is extremely important to us.”

They are proud to offer handmade products made from interesting and unusual recycled materials. They also have several charities they give to. In the past 15 years, they’ve made over $1,000,000 in donations! They also strive to take care of their employees, where new employees start at 50% above minimum wage. I respect companies that value people like Uncommon Goods does.

So, if online shopping is your best friend, then you’ll want to take a look at the awesome and unusual gifts Uncommon Goods has to offer. The personalized record doormat caught my eye for my musician husband (found here). Check out more music related and non-music related gifts for your husband here!

Being the savvy traveler that I am, I LOVE LOVE the scratch map (found here). I first spotted one earlier this year and fell in love. Uncommon Goods carries them! For more savvy traveler gift ideas as well as other unique gifts for the females in your life, click here and here!

Give Uncommon Goods a look see. You can still order by Thursday, December 17th and get your goods by Christmas (see the complete shipping calendar here)!  They are perfect for that shop at home experience while finding awesome, unique gifts for the loved ones in your life.

Photo Credit: Product images are from Uncommon Goods website.

Disclosure: I received merchandise from Uncommon Goods in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.