The present giving season is upon on us and it may be so arduous to determine what to get somebody. Don’t fear, we bought you coated. Plus, we’re doing our e book report on All Good Folks Right here by Ashley Flowers.
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Present Notes:
Present concepts for folks:
Present certificates for locally-owned eating places
Present basket
Framed previous images
Calendar
Present concepts for teenagers:
Heirloom toys
Something customized like a puzzle
Doll that appears like them
Books
Season passes
Present concepts for siblings:
A bizarre cheese
Bottle of wine
Candle
Cookbook
Exercise
Books you’ve got learn with a post-it saying what you considered it
Creation calendar
Present concepts for buddies:
Wine
Candles
Experiences
Decoration
Present concepts for co-workers:
Selfmade treats like: Pet Chow, Snowball Cookies, Peanut Brittle, and Oreo Truffles)
Present concepts for acquaintances like mailman, hair dresser, and so on.:
Ideas/Money
What to do should you forgot to get somebody a present:
Preserve present playing cards in your purse for whenever you see somebody
Preserve a present stash of stuff you bought that you just gained’t use
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Episode 208 Transcript:
Emma: You’re listening to the A Stunning Mess podcast, your cozy consolation hear. The present giving season is upon us, and it may be so arduous to determine what to get somebody. Don’t fear, we’ve got you coated. That is our present giving deep dive.
Elsie: I really like this topic. I’m so excited to do that episode! Searching for presents is one among my favourite issues to do.
Emma: Yeah, I’d say two out of the 2 of us you’re extra of an knowledgeable on it. You’re like a type of the place you’ll be shopping for them all year long and saving them within the closet, like that complete factor, which is so sensible. And I simply get form of frantic on the finish.
Elsie: It’s okay. Everybody does. Yeah. Okay. So earlier than we leap in, I simply wished to share a little bit bit about our highly effective. And the very beginnings of the vacation season are going up to now. Yeah. So this was so particular. We had a housewarming social gathering., I did it after which yeah, plenty of podcast listeners have been writing into me on Instagram as a result of they noticed that I bought our grandma to put on the matching Halloween costume.In order that was achieved. We did Halloween collectively. It was very chilly however superb. Oscar was so cute. The ladies have been each like, they like it! It’s like the right little Halloween neighborhood. So we had a lovely, fantastic time. After which the subsequent morning I wakened and at like 6:30 within the morning, began placing away the Halloween decorations and began getting out the Christmas decorations. So it’s the most fantastic time of the yr. Okay, so as a result of we’re lastly accomplished with our part, we don’t have contractors in our home day by day. We’re principally accomplished renovating. I really feel manner higher. I’m going to love, benefit from the full two months of Christmas decorations. So I believe we’re going to speak about it extra in an upcoming episode. However I believe there’s nothing incorrect with stretching it out so far as you humanly can if that’s what you need and for me, that’s what I would like. Prefer it brings me a lot pleasure. We began doing our snowflake home windows and protecting each single window with selfmade snowflakes takes many, many, many days of labor.
Emma: It takes a very long time. Yeah, making the snowflakes is definitely a reasonably labor intensive in a enjoyable manner, nevertheless it’s such as you don’t need to put the stress of, like, we’ve bought to fill all these home windows in in the future, as a result of I believe that might truly make it not enjoyable.
Elsie: Yeah, I believe that if I ever bought to the place I may put up all my Christmas decorations in in the future, you’d know that a part of my soul had died. Like, I wouldn’t be me if I may do this.
Emma: I’d assume you’re happening a visit and also you’re like, I’ll be gone for 3 weeks, so I have to put all of the decorations up in the present day or no matter.
Elsie: Perhaps if I had a crew of like ten folks to assist me.
Emma – Yeah, actual HGTV crew abruptly someway simply out for Christmas. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Good. That’d be good.
Elsie: It’s magical. And we’re so excited for Christmas. So we’re going to start out doing our Christmas episodes. I do know in a few weeks we’re doing the House Alone consolation rewatch. So that is your warning. If you wish to watch forward.
Emma: You’re getting warning this time. Normally we solely offer you like one week. heads up. It is a good warning. This is sort of a few weeks away. Yeah, we’re on our sport. Yeah, I have to say, your Halloween social gathering or housewarming social gathering, it felt like a Halloween social gathering.
Elsie: It was a Halloween social gathering, it simply wasn’t a dressing up social gathering.
Emma: Yeah, it wasn’t a dressing up social gathering, nevertheless it was epic. There was. We introduced Oscars, so we solely bought to remain for about an hour and a half. Nevertheless it was packed. Folks have been having a lot enjoyable. Youngsters have been wild. Like was upstairs with Oscar for a little bit bit in your third flooring. And the youngsters have been beginning this rumor of there’s this, like, darkish nook as a result of it was nighttime and there’s a closet door. And so they have been making up this rumor among the many children that, like, should you open that door, you’ll die, or there’s a monster within the door. I heard a form of, like, evolving among the many older children. And I didn’t appropriate them in any respect. I used to be like, I believe that’s true to me. I used to be like, yeah, I’ve heard that earlier than too, simply from the final child. Nevertheless it was superior. So I really feel like already there’s tales being advised about this home and yeah, it was epic. I additionally simply assume it was cool that you just did a housewarming social gathering as a result of it’s arduous to do stuff, squeeze it in across the holidays and renovating and dealing and children being at school and all of the issues. And so I simply assume, I believe folks beloved it. I believe folks love seeing your home.
Elsie: It felt like milestone.
Emma: It was very heat. It was very cool to ask everybody over. And Oscar beloved it. So he didn’t actually hear the rumors concerning the closet he didn’t perceive.
Elsie: Oscar is an ideal age. Yeah, he likes to chase you and get squeezed.
Emma: He simply runs round after which will get distracted by the snack desk once more. That’s just about it. Are issues.
Elsie: Okay, so let’s leap into the present giving deep dive. So we’re going to undergo presents for folks, children, siblings, buddies, coworkers. I believe we also needs to do like vital others. After which like people who find themselves like an acquaintance, perhaps extra within the tip class, like you’ve got a favourite espresso store you go to day by day, your hairdresser, your mailman, the crossing guard, perhaps at your child’s college, issues like that.
Emma: Daycare academics?
Elsie: Sure. Lecturers for positive. After which we’re going to do our e book report of All Good Folks Right here by Ashley Flowers. Let’s begin off with presents for folks.
Emma: Okay. So I previous couple of years I used to be simply going to speak about some presents I did up to now as a result of I clearly don’t need to spoil something for this yr as a result of I do know our dad and mom hear. So anyway, I believed I’d speak about some issues previous. So currently I’ve been doing extra presents for them collectively the place it’s like not a present for dad and a present for mother. It’s a present for them as a pair, which I really feel like you could possibly go both manner, however our dad’s birthday in October, and I don’t know, I simply really feel like you possibly can form of unfold issues out. So one factor I did one yr was I bought them, I believe 3 or 4 completely different present certificates to regionally owned eating places. So it was form of like shopping for them lunch a bunch of various instances. And I attempted to select locations that I didn’t assume they’ve been earlier than. I don’t actually know. I believe one among them had been earlier than, however simply one thing the place it’s like, I do know my dad and mom wish to exit and get lunch. So simply one thing the place it’s form of encouraging them to attempt some completely different locations, and it’s cool to assist native eating places, clearly. In order that was a part of the attraction and I believe they actually favored it too.
Elsie: I’m an enormous fan for folks of doing just like the present basket. That was my different one. A few years in the past we did Nashville present baskets. It was similar to all issues made in Nashville. They’ve the biscuit. Love the biscuit combine. And I believe there’s some form of chocolate and candles and I can’t truthfully keep in mind, however sizzling sauce for positive. So yeah, I believe that these are each actually, actually good dad or mum presents. Yeah.
Emma: Final yr I did my like in my thoughts it was like fancy meals basket. However actually what I did was I went to love our nicer grocery retailer. It’s like our well being meals retailer is known as Mama Jean’s and I simply purchased, just like the fanciest olive oil and the fanciest honey, you recognize, simply stuff that such as you’ll use, however, like I don’t at all times purchase myself the fanciest model of no matter once I’m grocery procuring, you recognize? So it’s like a pleasant present, and you place all of it collectively in a basket and you can also make it cute.
Elsie: That’s an Superb present. I undoubtedly condone meals presents which might be fancy. I simply assume it’s so thrilling, like sweets. And I imply, clearly, you should examine and make it possible for the particular person doesn’t have meals allergy symptoms or something particular.However like, I believe it’s one of the best. I like presents that you should use which might be like, we’ll discuss extra about this, however like issues that you just don’t really feel like add muddle to your own home. So like candles and meals are like some. And I like it when folks deliver me wine, clearly flowers, issues like that, that you’re going to get pleasure from it, however you don’t really feel like it’s important to maintain it eternally. Like we don’t want a marriage registry stuffed with stuff coming into our home yearly after which feeling unhealthy about it and like I do donate presents and it’s best to too. However it’s form of unhappy. And also you do really feel a little bit unhealthy about it.
Emma: Yeah. So I like presents that you just use consumables.
Elsie: Okay. I’ve yet another factor for folks. So final yr I bought our mother this slicing board from Etsy. I’m going to hyperlink it within the present notes. You’ve in all probability seen these earlier than, however all it’s important to do is discover a image of an previous recipe. So I texted my dad and I requested him to discover a image from our nice grandma Lula of one among her recipes, after which he simply despatched me a cellphone image. After which I simply despatched it into the Etsy store. And so they have this type of etching, like burn it into the wooden machine. The recipe card is like etched onto the slicing board. It was so fairly. And it occurred to be like a yr that our dad and mom had renovated their kitchen. Iit was excellent. It was such little present. And I’ve additionally seen folks body previous recipes, like household recipes within the household’s handwriting. Framing these on the wall, I believe can be an excellent present.
Emma: Like a flowery body. I really like a recipe card that’s clearly a little bit bit stained. You recognize what I imply? Like they spilled one thing as they have been cooking like 20 years in the past, and you recognize what I imply? It’s simply so cute.
Elsie: Sure. After which the final one is previous household images. I believe you possibly can by no means have sufficient previous household images framed in lovely frames in your house. I simply assume that’s at all times a profitable present. And searching for dad and mom is difficult. It’s one of many tougher folks on most individuals’s record.
Emma: They’ve every thing.
Elsie: Yeah, and that’s high quality. And you are feeling like because you’ve bought them a present yearly, should you’re like, you recognize, an grownup, you recognize, I imply, it’s like I’ve been shopping for my dad and mom Christmas presents for greater than 20 years, proper? So it’s like this, greater than 20 concepts which were used. So yeah, I believe the previous household images, it’s similar to a success, it may be very sentimental if somebody in your loved ones has handed on or for some motive you have been telling a narrative or remembering somebody, that form of factor.
Emma: With the household images, these could possibly be older, newer ones or similar to grandkid photos, no matter. However I additionally assume a calendar is a superb vacation present since you’re so near the brand new yr anyway, nevertheless it may simply be like photos of the grandkids. Earlier than I had children, I made my mother like one which was like all photos of my canine and it was simply cute. It’s similar to one thing. It could possibly be very sentimental, however you could possibly additionally make it form of humorous and foolish, and it’s one thing they’ll simply placed on their fridge. Or our mother would maintain it down in her portray room. So calendars and issues like that, there’s tons of like should you go on any of these websites like Shutterfly or any of them, they’ve like choices of various issues you can also make with images, and you can even make them your self by hand, however you can even simply organize them off of there. Yeah, I really like these. These are nice present concepts.
Elsie: Okay, I believe we did actually good on the dad and mom part. Okay, so the subsequent one is present concepts for teenagers. So I’m assuming that is like for a child in your life, not your personal baby. Like your personal baby is the best particular person on the earth to buy. Yeah, it’s really easy. I store for my children. I already began it’s it’s prefer it’s extra of like what to not purchase them than what to purchase them. Prefer it’s such as you simply, you recognize them. So relating to different folks’s children, these are my suggestions for giving presents which might be good for the dad and mom. That gained’t simply be, like, instantly donated..
Emma: Or they find yourself with doubles of one thing and also you didn’t notice. Typically Goldie already has that tiara and I didn’t notice she already had that one.
Elsie: Yeah, effectively, whenever you solely have one part of your whole childhood, you do get plenty of repeat presents. And that’s true. Okay, so right here’s my suggestions for teenagers. You probably have a baby to purchase for and also you both don’t know them tremendous effectively or they’re actually little in order that they don’t have like a longtime factor but, proper? I at all times suggest asking the dad or mum, as a result of plenty of instances the dad and mom will let you recognize precisely what to purchase, and it’s simply really easy. So should you’re shopping for for a little bit child or child you don’t know, effectively, right here’s my concepts. The primary one is heirloom toys. So I like toys which might be like wooden toys., particular dolls, like the kind of a lovely doll you’d purchase on Etsy or from a small enterprise. I believe these are simply at all times nice. I at all times respect getting them plastic. Stunning plastic toys usually are not splendid. Nearly all of children will get manner too many plastic toys, and it’s best to in all probability simply purchase them those with the factor they’re into at that second. Not similar to a random plastic toy.
Emma: I truthfully additionally purchase plenty of, as a dad or mum, plastic toys from thrift shops as a result of they’re simple to scrub so you possibly can clear them off. And if it’s like the flavour of the month, motion determine or no matter, I don’t see any level in shopping for it model new. And it’s such as you purchase from the thrift retailer, you’re taking it again to the thrift retailer once they’re over it.
Elsie: Emma is such thrifter. After which the opposite factor that I believe is so candy for youthful children is customized stuff. So if in case you have an opportunity to get them, there’s these customized puzzles we are able to hyperlink with the identify. These are actually nice presents. Personalised blankets, dolls that appear to be the kid, issues like which might be actually, actually particular presents to obtain. And I believe form of similar to at all times a winner.
Emma: Yeah. The one two issues I’d add is clearly books is at all times an excellent present, once more examine with dad and mom, as a result of it’s very easy to purchase doubles. So you possibly can both say what books do they not have should you really feel just like the dad or mum has a operating record. In any other case I’d simply ship the dad or mum what you’re planning to purchase they usually can let you know in the event that they have already got it. I do know that makes it not as enjoyable, however I simply assume it’s tip as a result of when you find yourself with two of the identical e book, then it’s clearly going to go on the donation pile as a result of in all probability don’t want each, until one will get ruined or one thing. After which the opposite factor, and that is form of an even bigger ticket merchandise, nevertheless it additionally relies upon. You will get artistic and it’s undoubtedly a chat to the dad and mom state of affairs. However season passes to completely different locations. Like right here in Springfield, Missouri the place we reside, locations like Silver Greenback Metropolis, which is a extra inexpensive native amusement park. It’s not like Disneyland or Disney World, nevertheless it nonetheless price cash. So season tickets to a spot like that or Child Museum.
Elsie: It’s like, yeehaw Disneyland.
Emma: It’s. It’s actually cute they usually beautify for the seasons and it’s candy in order that there’s. Youngsters form of museum on the town known as the Discovery Middle. It’s a spot you possibly can take your children, particularly within the winter when you possibly can’t go to the parks outdoors. That’s similar to one thing to do on a Saturday so having season tickets there may be very nice. So one thing like that may be a pleasant factor to offer as a present, the place it’s form of extra an expertise. It’s not going to be a plastic toy that simply will get used one time and perhaps discarded. It’s going to be one thing dad and mom can take their children to time and again, particularly if it’s one thing that they’ll use in like harsher months when you possibly can’t go to free parks outdoors. That’s an enormous a part of our life in the summertime, and it’s over for some time now.
Elsie: Yeah, I agree, I believe that that’s a really, superb tip. Yeah. Go searching for native issues you are able to do all year long. I believe that’s so sensible.
Emma: Yeah. And a few might be actually costly. Like should you have been going to get like a Disney park should you lived close to there. However there’s a lot of native issues, museums, child pleasant little issues that may be truly actually inexpensive. Yeah, a lot of choices.
Elsie: Yeah. Truly, the mothers within the automotive line or the pickup line have been telling me that you would be able to get Discovery Middle passes for half off on Black Friday. So it’s additionally factor to sale store for.
Emma: Yeah. That’s good. I didn’t even know that.
Elsie: Wonders of wildlife too okay. So the subsequent factor is present concepts for siblings. I’ve very sturdy emotions about this as a result of I’ve two little children which might be siblings now, they usually’re sufficiently old to offer one another presents. And right here’s my recommendation. Allow them to decide it doesn’t matter what they decide, regardless of how random. Don’t decide it for them such as you’re already selecting so many presents on your children. Allow them to select and let the magic occur and you may give them a little bit nudge or remind them when it’s time if you should get one thing. Setting a funds’s good. Okay, so you recognize, how have you ever seen have you ever gotten one among these Amazon catalogs within the mail? All of the dad and mom are speaking about the way it’s like, it’s essentially the most annoying factor that may ever occur to you as a result of it’s like an enormous catalog of simply toys. And the youngsters are going by means of circling each single toy of their pursuits, which is lots. Anyway, it was cute. Considered one of our daughters picked one thing from that for the opposite, and it was the sweetest. I suppose I can say what it’s. It’s like a little bit plush Ninja Turtle set of similar to the 4 Ninja Turtles, they usually’re all like the lovable little form of squatty, child wanting plushies. So it’s similar to, so candy. I believe that for teenagers, I additionally assume allow them to select for different folks. A few years in the past, I let Goldie select what we bought for Aunt Emma and inform them what she picked for you.
Emma: She bought me in my measurement of frozen Elsa costume and I wore it many instances. It was nice.
Elsie: Did it make you so blissful since you knew that she actually picked.
Emma: I knew she actually picked it. I knew you didn’t decide it. Yeah, and I bought to put on it and have a tea social gathering together with her. And he or she was like, oh, you’re carrying the Elsa costume. It was simply actually candy.
Elsie: Yeah, I believe, like, as many individuals as they need to decide issues for, I keep in mind as a little bit baby selecting like jewellery for my grandma and stuff and like perhaps she didn’t put on it lots, nevertheless it was in her jewellery once I checked out it, it was actually candy. So yeah, for positive, let the youngsters decide their presents in any respect prices, it doesn’t matter what it’s. Yeah, by no means prices like actually.
Emma: Yeah, at a funds, however allow them to decide one thing that’s perhaps wacky, nevertheless it’s high quality. It’s cute. After which I additionally thought we must always discuss a little bit bit about siblings. Like grownup siblings, like us after which our brother.
Elsie: Oh, is that what that is imagined to be?
Emma: Yeah, I believe it could possibly be both. I believe it’s each, however I’ve talked about that a little bit bit.
Elsie: In our household, either side, we do the factor the place we don’t get sibling presents as a result of we’re prioritizing like everybody simply spend your cash on the youngsters. Which I really like, I do assist that function and I truthfully do cheat and purchase Emma a presents anyway. I simply can’t give it to her at Christmas. No matter. It’s high quality.
Emma: I cheated some years too, however once more, didn’t give it at Christmas. Yeah, I really feel such as you deliver it at Thanksgiving. You’re like ekking it in there. It’s high quality. I believe it’s one thing to debate. And we used to offer presents like we’d purchase our brother a present. In some unspecified time in the future, particularly as soon as everybody began having children, we have been like, hey, let’s have a dialogue about this. What if we simply stopped? We all know we love one another, however we simply don’t purchase one another’s presents, and we simply give attention to the youngsters and mother and pop and that’s it, you recognize? And I believe it was transfer and it was a simple dialog. So and it relieved plenty of stress, not even monetarily. I believe it does financially do this. However even simply selecting stuff and feeling such as you need every thing to be particular, it’s form of good to be extra centered on that at birthdays, I believe.
Elsie: Yeah, I believe that should you don’t know what to get and you find yourself getting like a Starbucks present card or one thing, it does really feel prefer it’s simply form of like losing cash. It’s simply making your whole Christmas funds a lot larger. Nevertheless it’s probably not significant and to not I suppose perhaps, perhaps it’s for somebody, however for me, not respectable present playing cards. Once I get a present card to a restaurant like Starbucks, it’s not significant prefer it’s not the identical factor as if somebody picked out one thing bizarre for me, proper? So I believe I’d relatively simply get fewer presents which might be just like the bizarre, customized particular, you recognize what I imply? Yeah, and I believe plenty of the issues we mentioned about presents for folks form of apply. If you will do presents or siblings, issues that you just devour. So like a very bizarre cheese, an excellent bottle of wine, a candle, like these are issues,, that and one thing that speaks to flavors they like since they like issues that they like, one thing like, high quality, you are able to do like a cookbook or an exercise, a date evening. Okay, so final yr I went to inform the present I bought for you final yr. Okay, I wrapped up for Emma all of my favourite novels from the yr.
Emma: This was superior. It’s the greatest regifting ever.
Elsie: I didn’t purchase something, they have been all simply sitting on my cabinets already. After which I wrote a little bit post-it word within the entrance of every one about like kind of what temper this e book was for. And it was so enjoyable. I’ll in all probability do it once more. I believe for siblings, the absolute best technique is to do one thing weirdly private that reveals that you just like, actually know them and love them and form of doesn’t matter how a lot it price.
Emma: Yeah. And I’ll say of the instances we’ve cheated up to now and also you cheated it this yr already. One factor we did was advents. I believe shopping for somebody in introduction and giving it to them like at Thanksgiving or simply forward to allow them to get pleasure from it the entire month. And plenty of instances advents are like actually small issues or they’re consumables. They’re like little items of sweet or one thing that you just devour and I believe that’s a very enjoyable present. One yr I gave our brother he has canines like a canine introduction, so it’s like opening a little bit canine deal with day by day. It’s simply one thing like foolish. And I actually assume an enormous a part of it, it’s like enjoyable to open an introduction day by day. So it’s such as you simply are giving them a present the place day by day they really feel considered. And so I believe should you’re going to cheat otherwise you’re shopping for a present, I believe advents are form of enjoyable. However I’ll say it’s such as you give it to them forward of time. It’s not like one thing you open on Christmas Day.
Elsie: That’s true. The following one is present concepts for buddies. So I’ve already mentioned this like 5 instances already, however nothing that’s going to be muddle. Let’s give them helpful issues like wine, favourite candles, experiences and books, issues like that.
Emma: For those who’re doing like an even bigger group, like a e book membership or all your mates who you recognize, you get collectively periodically or no matter, I love to do a flowery DIY factor. Like should you do like a physique scrub or a sugar scrub on your lips, or like cleaning soap, one thing the place it’s such as you’re form of giving all of them the identical factor, and also you perhaps had an evening the place you made them abruptly, however you possibly can bundle them actually cute, and you are able to do enjoyable sense, like you could possibly do a pumpkin factor or no matter you assume your mates are going to love. And it’s similar to, once more, one thing that can get use so it’s not going to be one thing they need to maintain eternally. However I additionally assume it’s form of private to offer some form of fancy toiletry principally is what it’s and it’s enjoyable.
Elsie: I really like that, that’s so cute.
Emma: We have now a ton of these on the weblog too, so we’ll hyperlink a few of these within the present notes. For those who’re like, how do I make a sugar scrubs simple? It’s tremendous simple and it’s actually enjoyable. You’ll be able to put them in cute little jars and it’s simply enjoyable. It’s like a enjoyable little present.
Elsie: Sure. Considered one of my favourite presents that individuals at all times give me is ornaments. Folks at all times give me like ornaments that match my themed bushes. And I believe should you like, know your good friend effectively, there’s so many cute character ornaments lately. Like you could find an decoration for something, form of something. So I believe that that’s a very enjoyable present. And it’s one thing that you just’ll immediately use, lovable. Yeah. So presents for co-workers, I discover this very powerful. So I’m going to defer it to Emma as a result of she at all times has the best job giving presents. And plenty of instances she has accomplished it for each of us and I put my identify on it.
Emma: These are extra like should you’re a boss giving presents. Sure, as a result of we used to have larger staffs in each our firms. And so yeah, I’d do like a little bit present bag. However I believe in these eventualities, if in case you have some funds, this can be a actually nice alternative to assist handmade artist, however it’s important to plan forward. So I’ll often like the principle present and the present basket for our employees, our staff was often a home made mug, and I’d get all of them from one artist and I’d attempt to organize them manner forward as a result of generally handmade artist want plenty of heads up should you’re ordering like 20. Simply additionally heads up should you’re ordering something breakable, at all times order just a few additional as a result of handmade artists are unimaginable folks, however issues break within the mail and it’s not their fault. So like, simply order greater than you want and you may at all times maintain them in the event that they don’t break. However often I’ve one thing break when it’s issues like that. However I’ve a lot of buddies in our former staff who, like, nonetheless have the mugs that I’ve picked from through the years. And like individuals who labored for us for a very long time, they’ve form of a set of mugs I’ve been picked out. Yearly I do know which handmade artists I supported. And it was actually enjoyable they usually make such lovely mugs. So I believe that’s actually enjoyable. But in addition so far as like coworkers and I believe this works for different folks too. We’re about to speak about your hairdresser and different folks like that in your life. I love to do selfmade treats as a result of I really feel like coworkers, it’s a state of affairs the place it feels completely regular and protected to offer somebody like an enormous bag of pet chow or selfmade, like peppermint bark, or your greatest selfmade fudge or no matter. Like if in case you have some form of specialty. My sister in regulation at all times makes selfmade candies like buckeyes, they usually’re scrumptious. So like giving somebody just a bit handmade deal with that they’ll eat, or they’ll share with their children or share with their household. I believe it’s an excellent present and simply festive, nevertheless it doesn’t actually price that a lot. And you can also make a large batch of pet chow one evening and take a look at your greatest to not eat all of it your self earlier than you give it away to your mates or your coworkers. I believe that’s an excellent little present, and you may embrace a word of a way they helped you that yr on the workplace or no matter, simply it’s simply considerate. Nevertheless it’s additionally like they’re going to eat it and that’s it. No large deal.
Elsie: Let’s put within the present notes, the pet chow recipe, after which a pair different like she has like actually good snowball cookies and put a few plenty of like selfmade treats, Christmas cookies.
Emma: Peanut brittle.
Elsie: Oh yeah. We have now a very good peanut brittle. The Oreo truffles.
Emma: Oh yeah. The Oreo truffles. Yeah. Oh, man. Make me Oreo Truffles, anybody? For those who’re listening, make me Oreo Truffles.
Elsie: I believe that they’re like the last word Christmasy factor to make.
Emma: They’re so enjoyable. It’s so festive. And you’ll share it should you don’t need to eat all of them. And it’s simply enjoyable.
Elsie: Yeah. So presents for acquaintances just like the mailman, hairdresser, college academics. So let’s speak about that. So I shared final yr we’ve got an enormous tipping custom that we do at Christmas time the place we simply have a funds and we’ve got money and we give large tricks to like all the locations that we go all yr spherical, like we go to the identical espresso store in our neighborhood. And so we’ll undoubtedly do one there after which your favourite eating places and locations like that. After which a few of them might be random, generally you possibly can similar to look forward to a second that feels proper or, there’s the folks with the bells in entrance of the mall and all completely different alternatives to offer through the vacation season. However I believe that’s a very good custom. You probably have funds and also you simply need to do one thing, it’s instance for kids. It’s actually particular for our youngsters to study tipping and like, I like it, like when somebody’s taking part in reside music, occurred extra in Nashville, I’m not going to lie. However folks don’t play reside music in eating places right here as a lot. Nevertheless it’s like, so enjoyable to let your children go give them a tip of their jar. Okay, so so far as academics, hair folks like all of this. So on Childhood Magic, I wrote a publish about presents for academics, and I did like an enormous ballot and heard from it felt like 100 completely different academics and everybody mentioned principally the identical factor. So I need to simply give the memo loud and clear. Let’s cross on the reality. Their record of what they don’t need is unfortunately form of like every thing that academics usually get. Issues like mugs, meals, presents and instructor themed objects. The factor that they need is money. The factor that they need is just about simply money. And should you don’t need to do this, then the subsequent neatest thing is present card playing cards. And one of the best form of present playing cards are the open ended ones, not the hyper particular ones. So I truthfully assume money is a superb factor to offer to folks this time of yr. You’ll be able to nonetheless put it in a cute envelope. Yeah, you possibly can nonetheless have your child or preschooler assist make a card. Yeah, you possibly can write one thing particular, write one thing in it, and you then put the money. Yeah, I believe that it’s the factor to do.So yeah, I believe that’s factor to recollect should you get hair, eyelashes, nails, no matter particular person in your life you see usually. I do assume it’s very nice should you can keep in mind, like if in case you have a cleansing particular person in your home, should you can keep in mind to offer them an excellent large tip for the tip of the yr. I simply assume it’s such a loving, form factor to do.
Emma: I’ll additionally say, I believe it completely works any time after Thanksgiving, as a result of then they’ll use it throughout their vacation season, which could be a very costly time of yr.. So simply, you recognize, in my view, I believe it’s completely high quality to offer somebody a vacation present, a Christmas present the day after Thanksgiving, if that’s like whenever you’re blissful to see them, that’s high quality. Simply give it to them early, even should you’re going to see them a bunch extra, as a result of then they’ll use it throughout their season. As a result of it may be a irritating season for lots of people. So yeah, and the one different factor I’d say is I do assume it’s form of good to maintain additional present playing cards like Starbucks, Amazon or no matter in your purse as a result of inevitably, no less than me, there’s somebody I form of forgot, however I’m like, oh yeah, I do see this particular person lots. They do truly assist me. They supply some service and I do know them, however I form of forgot to place them on the record. So simply having one thing in your purse and you may simply write on it and yeah, it’s not going to be essentially the most particular factor, like making a selfmade card for the instructor was, however no less than you possibly can really feel like you’ve got a pair additional issues in your purse for a second like that. If, in case you overlook one thing, I often do present playing cards for our mail characters additionally as a result of I don’t often get to satisfy them nose to nose, so I really feel a little bit uncomfortable leaving money out. So I often do present playing cards there simply because then I can depart the present playing cards out. And if one thing did occur, it’s like, effectively, effectively, it was a present card, no matter, you recognize? They often get it although. Yeah, I do know, as a result of generally they’ll inform me later and it’s very nice.
Elsie: Okay. So what to do should you forgot to offer somebody a present. Okay. So I’ve a present stash.
Emma: So this is sort of a actual particular person, not similar to the stash of present playing cards in your purse state of affairs.
Elsie: Oh, yeah. I believe that the stash in your purse is sweet as a result of then it’s at all times there should you’re already out someplace.
Emma: If it’s like your barista that you just see on a regular basis and also you simply form of forgot, don’t give them a Starbucks card.
Elsie: What I’m pondering is that usually at Christmas there shall be somebody current that you just weren’t anticipating. And you discover out on the final minute often. And there’s nothing worse than having one particular person at a Christmas when everybody’s opening presents. One one who doesn’t get any presents is so unhappy. So I believe any form of present is so significantly better than nothing. So, okay, what I’ve is a little bit present stash and I’ve had this for years. It’s 100% advisable. Everybody wants to do that. So it’s similar to within the prime shelf in my basement. It’s like nothing particular, nothing fancy. However what I maintain there may be additional stuff I don’t want. Like if I get a cute PR bundle or like, no matter, a present that I have already got replicas of presents for our youngsters, issues like that. Then I’d throw them up there. It’s like you should use it for regifting. And I don’t assume regifting is unhealthy so long as it’s like one thing that you’d nonetheless need. I don’t assume it’s unhealthy in any respect. It’s such as you get a espresso mug, nevertheless it’s simply not the colour for you. Regift it to another person. There’s nothing incorrect with it. And the opposite factor I sustain there may be additional children toys as a result of children birthday events are so frequent proper now due to our youngsters’ ages they usually form of all like the identical issues. So simply purchase additional like coloring books and just like the sorts of issues that you just put within the presents and simply maintain a bunch of them up there, and you then don’t need to go to the shop only for these issues, which is so significantly better than having to run to the shop simply to get a child’s party present or no matter. So the stash and the opposite factor that I’ve given folks as a final minute present fairly usually is wine, as a result of I at all times have wine. Wine is an effective present. At my housewarming social gathering of the evening, we’ve bought so many bottles of wine and I believed it was like, so enjoyable afterward to undergo them and see what they have been. And yeah, it’s present. I imply, clearly so long as you don’t give it to a sober particular person. So issues like that. I believe are actually candy. Do you’ve got any tips?
Emma: No I believe your closet’s actually superb and sensible, so no I don’t actually have something additional.
Elsie: It’s actually useful as a result of like, I don’t know, I believe that whenever you run to the shop final minute through the holidays, like for me there’s nothing worse than final minute procuring. I actually don’t prefer it. And I do know some folks like get pleasure from it and it’s like a sport to them to put it aside until the final minute. And I similar to fully don’t relate with that. I would like every thing wrapped underneath our tree on November 1st. Truly, yesterday was November 1st so let’s say December 1st. Okay, I used to be getting a little bit forward of myself.
Emma: December 1st is extra life like.
Elsie: Extra life like. Yeah, yeah.
Emma: Oh, inform them concerning the children advents.
Elsie: Okay. Final yr I seen when our youngsters have been having Christmas morning and opening all of their little presents that there have been so many, like smaller toys that form of bought glazed overed and the larger toys that like the large ones which might be like those you run to, just like the bicycle or like for one among our daughters, it’s just like the princess attire, like sure issues. The factor that they have been asking for that’s the factor on Christmas morning that they’re going to be obsessive about. And plenty of smaller issues can simply get overshadowed. So I had bought like a bunch of lovable little bathtub toys and issues that match their themes of what they like however they only may care much less about all that stuff. And a few of it ended up staying in a field within the pink home for a very very long time, till we lately discovered it. So this yr I made a decision for small toys to do a small toy introduction, and it’s just about spending the identical amount of cash and the identical effort however simply distributing it in another way. So I did it for Nova and Marigold and likewise Oscar, and perhaps subsequent yr I’ll do it for our new niece, when she’s a little bit bit larger. However yeah, just like the youngsters I didn’t do it for perhaps. Perhaps I ought to take into consideration including the youngsters and teenage.
Emma: Youngsters can get costly as a result of they need skincare.
Elsie: That’s true. Okay. Anyway, so we’re speaking about little children proper now. So what the presents are is small toys. And what I did was I purchased for every child like 3 or 4 units of small toys. And that can final for the 24 days of December for an introduction. So every one is individually wrapped and numbered. So day by day they’ll get a little bit toy. So for our princess daughter, it’s all like, you recognize, the little folks, princesses and Disney stuff. And for our superhero child, it’s all identical factor, however superheroes. And for Oscar, it’s a mixture of Paw Patrol and automobiles.. And it feels like costly and form of extreme to offer a toy day by day. However in actuality, it was in all probability round $100 or so for all three children. Like, it actually isn’t that a lot cash, and I believe the enjoyment that they’ll get out of it will likely be lots larger than giving all of them these presents without delay.
Emma: Yeah, I don’t say should you really feel prefer it’s, you recognize, I don’t know, like generally you purchase a type of units and it may be like $30 and you are feeling like all I bought was like these 5 to eight little figures, you recognize? And it’s form of foolish. I truly assume it’s an excellent concept to offer like, one a day for a complete week, otherwise you’re doing the entire introduction as a result of then it simply will get unfold out since you do spend like no matter amount of cash, you recognize, $30 no matter on the set. And generally, you recognize, there’s going to be favorites from the set. After which there’s the opposite ones, just like the villain or the no matter. And so it’s form of good to offer them their one a day as a result of they get overshadowed instantly by Chase, as a result of he’s on the case. Yeah. You bought to offer humdinger some day. So all of the non Paw Patrol dad and mom are like what are you speaking about. Like don’t even fear about it. You don’t need to know.
Elsie: Yeah. Don’t fear about it. Yeah okay. Properly should you use any of the following pointers we’d love to listen to from you. And we’d love to listen to your greatest suggestions. We’re undoubtedly at all times studying. And I really feel like present giving is a talent, and it’s one thing that I need to get a little bit bit higher at yearly as a result of I really feel like doing it effectively. It’s pleasant and magical, and doing it in a crunch is form of prefer it’s miserable how irritating it might probably get, like rapidly. Give your self the present should you can, of spreading it out and having fun with it this season as a result of it’s so a lot. And yeah, we all know it may be actually overwhelming. Okay. So subsequent up we’re going to do a e book report of all good folks right here by Ashley Flowers. I simply completed this e book so I really feel very ready this time.
Emma: I learn it a little bit bit in the past now, perhaps a month or two in the past. I can’t keep in mind extra into the spooky season. And I really like Ashley Flowers. For those who don’t know, she’s one of many hosts of the Crime Junkie podcast they usually have like a complete community of reveals. So I believe she has form of different reveals that she does as effectively. However should you like true crime, you in all probability have heard of Ashley Flowers. I do know I’ve, I’m against the law junkie. So anyway, this e book got here out a pair years in the past.
Elsie: I’d say that every one good folks here’s a JonBenet Ramsey adjoining thriller. It appears very in step with that true crime story.
Emma: Suppose it’s form of her idea of what occurred with JonBenet, in my view. I don’t know if that’s true, similar to that’s my idea.
Elsie: Yeah. Like at first a part of the e book, I used to be like, fixated on, like how intently it resembled it. After which later within the e book, I really feel prefer it takes its personal twists and turns.
Emma: Yeah, it has issues. However she’s accomplished her personal fictional world.
Elsie: Yeah. It’s fixing a thriller in a small city with the same factor like that. After which it finally ends up being extra of a serial killer state of affairs with a lot of little ladies. So yeah,it’s a tousled e book. I believed it was enjoyable. I believed it was a web page turner. Yeah. And I loved it. And it was, I don’t know, for me, it was like fairly good. Yeah, that’s my synopsis.
Emma: Yeah I’d agree too. I actually favored all of the characters. It felt like very actual life. The principle protagonist, who’s kind of fixing the thriller, is sort of a form of struggling journalist. She’s gotten laid off and she or he’s making an attempt to get kind of reinstated kind of factor. Or I suppose you could possibly say she’s freelancing now, I suppose, and she or he’s additionally dwelling with an uncle who I can’t keep in mind if he has dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Elsie: I believe dementia, they maintain saying analysis, so perhaps they by no means explicitly.
Emma: Perhaps it’s unclear, however he’s clearly having episodes the place he’s not in his proper thoughts and she or he’s making an attempt to assist him at this stage of his life as a result of his spouse has handed away. And so he’s simply on his personal. And there’s moments the place he will get misplaced and she or he appears like she must be dwelling extra. And all of that was like, actually good and fascinating. I believed, very actual life. You actually really feel for her. You are feeling for her uncle. You need her to succeed. However she form of has plenty of challenges with retaining a job and likewise keeping track of her uncle and caring for life, you recognize? So yeah. After which, yeah, I felt prefer it was a really, like one idea on what may have occurred to JonBenet, however a fictionalized model of it. And I believed that was enjoyable. I believe that’s a very well-known case that most individuals learn about. Even should you don’t like true crime, you’ve in all probability heard of it. So I believed it was form of fascinating to place it right into a e book. Like, I form of like the concept of a real crime podcaster who’s similar to, I’m going to take a bunch of well-known issues and like, do fictionalized variations of them. Like, that’s truly an fascinating, like, writing train in my thoughts. Yeah, that sounds form of enjoyable. And I’d be fascinated with studying just about any of these, so I believed this was very pleasant. So I’ll say a few issues that may be spoilers. So should you haven’t learn the e book, cease right here for positive, as a result of there’s some particular issues that you just don’t need to know until you’re going to learn it as a result of you don’t need to damage it. I believed there was too many twists on the finish, although, in my view, as a result of it’s similar to you form of have the twist the place it’s not the brother and you discover out it’s the serial killer, after which you’ve got yet another twist the place it’s truly the dad. And to me, it was one to many the place I used to be like, I like that you just stored us guessing until the tip. That’s fascinating as a result of it’s extra enjoyable than if you recognize what’s going to occur. I suppose it simply felt too coincidental that the serial killer was about to get her, however then her dad by chance kills her, you recognize, as a result of it was an accident. So I simply felt prefer it was one too many twists for me. However I nonetheless beloved the experience.
Elsie: Thriller books are at all times one too many twists for me. Like, at all times.. I believe it’s like, simply not my favourite studying area.
Emma: I believe I don’t worth shock as a lot as different folks. Like I don’t care should you get me, you recognize what I imply? Like, I’m like, I’m in it for the experience.
Elsie: I believe it’s like, arduous for me to droop perception that any of it could possibly be actual once I understand it’s like a plotted novel. It simply makes the thriller much less mysterious to me.
Emma: Yeah, as a result of, you recognize, they know the ending they usually’re placing in foreshadowing, however they’re additionally placing in pink herrings to get you, you recognize. Yeah. That’s true. I did assume it was actually enjoyable, although. I favored plenty of the scenes. Like she had interviewed the serial killer years earlier than, simply form of randomly. I believed that was very fascinating. I favored them form of determining his complete deal and breaking into his storage unit. I believed that was fascinating. Yeah, I additionally felt prefer it’s not set in Missouri, however it’s form of set within the Midwest, the overall Midwest, and it felt very actual to me. And truthfully, I used to be picturing the place our grandma used to reside, Buffalo, Missouri. I used to be picturing that plenty of the time she was within the small city as a result of I don’t know why. That’s similar to form of my quintessential small city.. So it felt very acquainted and salt of the earth down dwelling, no matter you need to say. Like, it felt very actual to me. So I favored that too. However yeah, one too many twists. However I really like the experience.
Elsie: Yeah, I’d give it 4. I did give it 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. Yeah, I believed it was good.
Emma: I like seeing your Goodreads stars. You’re fairly into it.
Elsie: My Goodreads critiques are form of bullsh*t. I believe I’ve an excessive amount of compassion and love for authors. And like, I simply additionally similar to, don’t like being imply. So if I ever give one thing a 3, it truly means I hated it. And generally I don’t even just like the fours.
Emma: I don’t speak about books if I didn’t get pleasure from it as a result of I’m like, why would I speak about it? What am I, a critic like? Not likely.
Elsie: I believe that that’s in all probability what I have to do sooner or later. However I don’t know, I like Goodreads. It’s e book. So I’m not saying it’s not good. For those who’re very into mysteries, you then’ll get pleasure from like it.
Emma: I believed it was actually pleasant, regardless that I didn’t love the ending. To me, that isn’t an enormous deal. Like, I really feel like that’s one a part of the entire thing to me, the ending. So I don’t know. I nonetheless assume it’s a very enjoyable experience. It was enjoyable too, as a result of my husband had learn it earlier than me. He’d truly purchased this e book for me for Christmas final yr. That is what number of books I’ve on my to be studying shelf is manner too many and I simply maintain shopping for increasingly. I don’t know what’s incorrect with me, however I similar to shopping for books. What can I say? So I’ve manner too many. I’ll by no means get to all of them, however in my thoughts that form of offers me all this hope for the longer term. I’m like, have a look at all these books. Even when my life falls aside. Look what number of books I’ve to learn, I don’t know. It’s my security web. Anyway, he purchased this for me virtually a complete yr in the past, and sooner or later this yr he learn it. In order you noticed me studying it, like at evening in mattress, he’d be like, what half are you at? And we’d simply, like, discuss. About a little bit bit as a result of he knew what the ending was going to be, and he was form of like seeing not if I used to be figuring it out essentially, however similar to what was my learn on sure folks or no matter. And it was enjoyable to speak about. So I’ll say, studying it with another person is form of pleasant. I may see it being a very enjoyable e book membership learn. So long as you don’t have one one who, like, insists on studying every thing forward of everybody as a result of then they need to be quiet the remainder of the time as a result of it’s fairly the ending. However yeah.
Elsie: Yay! Okay, so we’ll go now to a joke or a truth with Nova. Hey Nova, what do you’ve got for us this week?
Nova: I’ve a joke and a truth.
Elsie: A joke and a truth? Okay.
Nova: What’s the egg’s worst day?
Elsie: What’s the egg’s worst day? I don’t know.
Nova: Fry -day!
Elsie: Oh, that’s one.
Nova: And right here’s my truth. Do you know feminine lions often are those who hunt for meals?
Elsie: Good! I didn’t know that. That’s fairly cool. Alright, have week, everybody!
Nova: Bye!
Elsie: Thanks a lot for listening. We’ll be again subsequent week and we’re answering your questions all concerning the holidays. It’s a vacation Q and A.
