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2012 Holiday Gift Guide: For The Ladies

Aw, yeah. Momma made a mood board… for mommas (or any other ladies out there). So without further ado, here’s what I’m loving – both as gift ideas for fellow gals in my life… or even for finding under the tree myself. Oh and in the interest of thriftiness, there are a bunch of under-$15 things, a few $30-or-less finds, and a couple spendier items peppered in there (but nothing over 65 beans).

1. This fun watch watch from Anthropologie is pretty cute. I could see going in on it with a sister in law (since most of our family gifts are in the $30 range, this $58 gift is perfect for two folks to share).

2.This $48 brightly colored clutch is my jam. I’d totally use it inside of my big ol’ purse (to restore order to my cavernous bag) and then pull it out on any occasion when I want to travel lighter.

3. I actually already have one of these leather keychain tassels – and it probably saves me at least ten minutes a day because it’s so easy to find my keys in my aforementioned cavernous bag now that they’re all tassel-y. And you guys know I’m a fool for grellow.

4. This pom-pom hat from Target is under $23 and would look cute on pretty much anyone.

Momma Mood Board

5. Words can’t express how much I love this $30 leopard bracelet. I think it would make any girl feel fancy.

6. How pretty would one (or even three) of these guys be, all glowy and charming on a mantel or windowsill? And they’re all on sale right now. I would totally grab one of the small $19 ones and make some cookies and give them to a good friend together (to me coziness = a votive candle flickering in the windows while I suck down cookies). Update: they sold out of the smaller $19 guys – bummers!

7. I’ve dropped some heavy hints to Santa that I’d swoon over these guys in this rich emerald color (John sweetly got me a different set of Kendra Scott earrings last year and I’ve worn them about a million times since).

8. We all know that I love big earrings, but I’m not a snob about ’em. In other words, many of mine are under $8 – like this pretty pair from Tar-jay.

9. This is my very favorite nail polish ever (it’s eco and stays on forever) and these three colors feel pretty festive for the holidays (found here, here, and here).

10. John and I have a collection of capiz frames for each year that we’ve been married with a picture of us taken on our anniversary inside. So although we have another six months until our 6 year anniversary rolls around, I’m always on the lookout for pretty capiz frames, and round ones like this are my favorite (tip: I usually hold out until they hit the clearance bin at Anthro for under ten bucks).

Woop, there it is. Momma’s list o’ holiday goodies for ladies.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

*This post contains affiliate links*

Comments

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha that sounds like fun to me too! And as for Zoya, isn’t it the best? I worried it would flake and peel right off (some other eco brands do) but it holds on for dear life! Haha.

      xo
      s

    • Jen says

      Sherry, do you buy Zoya polishes at a salon? The website has a “salon locator” but doesn’t mention if drugstores or Target carry the products. Thanks :)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I found a local salon that had them (I think I called a few to find one that did) so I didn’t have to blindly order them without looking at them. But now I have so much faith in them that I blindly order all the time! Haha.

      xo
      s

  4. Rebecca @This Nest is Best says

    Nice choice on the emerald earrings – that’s been named the 2013 color of the year by Pantone!

    I’ll be working on gift baskets this weekend – doing a bunch of homemade items (hot chocolate mix, caramel corn, marshmallows) with an activity gift (movie, book, or board game) for a “cozy winter night” theme. Apparently I need to add cookies and candles!

    Reply

  6. J+H @ Beyond The Stoop says

    fishs eddy in manhattan near ABC carpet and union square has GREAT gifts for foodies, especially women, with their new cute tableware lines from todd oldham and others.. but i’d take anything on that awesome list!! good job kids. the color of that watch is beautiful!

    Reply

  8. Claire says

    I’m asking for tickets to the opera! I want something we can do and experience together, and that is totally out of my comfort zone! Who doesn’t like an excuse to dress up and hear some fantastic music?

    Reply

  10. Meg says

    Hoping to find your book under the tree! I also put a cardboard deer head on my list & everyone in my family thinks I’m crazy. Oh well, guess they don’t know true style ;)

    Reply

  12. Samantha says

    I know this is way breaking the bank but it is SO worth it.
    You should look into an Alesya Bag. It’s technically a laptop bag but she thought of everything in the design, including “One shallow top pocket to avoid the ‘black hole’ syndrome. Perfect for anything you need to grab and go. Keys, parking stubs, etc.” Check out the bags: http://www.alesyabags.com/

    (Not a paid endorsement of any sort, I’m just obsessed with mine and thought “how perfect for a blogger like Sherry!”)

    Reply

  14. Steph says

    Those earrings. I can’t even. I’m obsessed.

    I am desperately trying to decide what to get my mom for Christmas. She knows that I’m tight on money so she will KILL me if I spend too much but I want to get/make her something.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw, I’d love to hear what you end up doing! Moms love homemade gifts so much. Even just a store bought picture frame with a picture of Clara and a tub of cookies = the key to my mom’s heart ;)

      xo
      s

    • Steph says

      I don’t have any kids or a husband/boyfriend and there’s only so many pictures of me she can have in the house. (Only child. There’s LOTS of pics! lol)

      I’m making my grandfather homemade ice cream in his favorite flavor. I am considering making my dad some kind of candy. But my mom is a tough one. We are very close and I usually get her really good gifts but this is the first time I’m doing it on a budget.

      I was going to get her an articipe print but I waited too long to order. So now she must wait til mother’s day. Unless I can figure out how to DIY one.

  15. Mary @ Ms Redo says

    Just to be on the safe side, I’ve already done all my shopping … for myself :) I may let Mr. Redo wrap my items … if he’s nice. You’re rocking on your mood board, girlfriend! Hugs ~ Mary

    Reply

  17. Jennifer says

    Well shoot, the leopard bracelet is already gone (doesn’t ship until Feb). I guess a girl (me) can wait for something so cute! :)

    Reply

  18. Jana says

    LOVE the green earrings! I’ve noticed yours in several of your posts, they are so pretty. Can I ask, how would you rate them on the ‘heavy’ scale? I don’t do we’ll with heavy earrings. Thank ya!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      They’re not light but I wouldn’t call them super heavy. I usually just wear them for a certain event (not all day, but to dinner or a gathering with the family, etc) and they don’t hurt at all! But maybe 12 hours of them might be a little much, ya know?

      xo
      s

  23. Brenda says

    Earrings are my favorite. I wear them practically every day to work, you don’t have to worry about sizing, they’re easy to pack if you travel for Christmas, and I love regular, inexpensive ones because you have a great excuse to buy new ones once they get a bit worn out.

    Reply

  24. Erin says

    Great finds! I’ve been eyeing that tassel key chain in your “we’re digging” panel for weeks now.

    How do you an John do gifts? Since we’re Jewish and don’t often have our act together by/for 8 days of Hanukkah, we end up being a bit lazy about buying gifts for one another. (My guy usually buys himself whatever extravagant tech toy he wants anyway)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I just ordered a few things for John last night, so I’m usually a last minute nelly. He always has mine done (he smiled a few weeks back and said “Santa’s done with momma”). As long as mine come by Dec 24th it’s all good though, since I wrap them and toss them under the tree just in time to be opened on the 25th. We usually have an under-$75 limit or so, just because we’re cheap. Hah!

      xo
      s

    • Erin says

      Super impressed with John’s Santa skills.

      Any great gift ideas for moms (as in Clara’s grandmas)? I find it harder and harder to buy for mine as they get older, have pretty much everything they need, and want very little. I’ve been going the route of a day of pampering – massage, mani/pedi, etc., but I’m feeling pretty unoriginal this year.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I don’t want to ruin any surprises for them since they read, but in past years we have gotten them pretty frames with Clara in them and a nice candle along with a gift card to their favorite dinner or a nice big and cozy throw blanket for the couch. Hmm, what else have we done? We’d given them other experiences, like tickets to a show/play they like or their favorite brunch place, etc. I also love picking up small but personal things for them, like a pretty ornament I know John’s mom will love or a tiny print of a dogwood tree that I know my mom will love. Maybe try etsy for a print or small ornament that might have meaning to them?

      xo
      s

  26. keisha says

    I adore those little houses!

    Well, I know I’m getting the YHL book, so hurrah for that, but I’m also looking forward to maybe getting a replacement chain for my The Vintage Pearl charms! It’s been too long since I’ve worn them.

    Reply

  28. Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    I have never heard of that brand of nail polish but when you whisper the words “stays on forever” I’m a total much. Mostly because I’m so lazy and once nail polish gets on my fingernails, I get really lazy about taking it off, even when it’s all chipped up.

    Reply

  30. Ethne @ Wom-Mom says

    I’m crocheting scarves (the infinity kind) for lady gifts for fam this Christmas. I wish I wore more dangling earrings like you, Sherry, but I have the teeny-tinyest earlobes ever, so I’m afraid they’ll rip my holes right out, or stretch them out all nasty like this professor I had in college. I’ll live through you. Ethne

    Reply

  31. Theresa A says

    that watch has been on my wishlist forever! i sent it to my mom so hoping it will be under the tree, i’m a sucker for pretty much anything mint-aqua-teal…i love zoya polish too! great ideas. :)

    Reply

  33. Allison says

    Speaking of gift-giving, I am looking for something you previously posted about and I can’t find it for the life of me! My parents are moving from my childhood home in the New Year (last Christmas there, *sniff), and I believe you once had a post about an artist that creates a house in miniature. They always use a black cat in a window as their signature? Did you post this or have I lost my mind this crazy Christmas season? Love your tree by the way! Very creative!

    Reply

  35. Emily says

    My husband and I are not exchanging gifts this year because we are having some professional landscapers move a bunch of trees and plantings around on our property (heavy machinery involved; too much to do ourselves). But, once it’s done, our deck will be 1000x more useable. Am I the only one who wants a sand and water table so my one-year-old can have a ball out there? I’ve seen some DIY versions…have you and John considered that as a project/gift for Clara? I’d love to see you all tackle something like that!

    Reply

  38. Sharnese Coney says

    Cool, now where is the holiday gift ideas for men. Its not hard to buy gifts for kids and female relatives and friends, but have no idea what to get my boyfriend or male relatives. But I do know that I will baking my guys favorite cookies and putting them in mason jars with a ribbon on top. Anyways like I was saying… its so hard to get stuff for guys. I always get my dad a Home Depot or Lowes gift card. What would be a good gift idea for boyfriends, dads and male friends and relatives this year?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      At our school they told us parents usually give one $5 item per teacher per kid (so if you have one kid with three teachers, giving them each $5 items like Starbucks cards or cookies works). Some parents go in on things together, like a gift card to their favorite restaurant (if ten people give $5 per teacher it’s a $50 gift card for each teacher for a nice meal out).

      xo
      s

  41. Kelly says

    Sherry – I don’t know if there’s a Charming Charlie in Richmond (or if you’ve heard of the store) but it’s pretty much my candy store. Jewelry (and clothing and accessories) organized by color and great prices.. pretty much the best thing ever!

    Reply

  42. Eileen says

    I ordered the J. Crew bracelet – doesn’t ship until FEb (but it is just for me so it will be like a little mid-winter surprise gift!) and they are doing a promo 30% off and free shipping if you enter WISHLIST – I thought that was cute and fitting! Oh, I also bought a sweater, for me, while I was there…so much for shopping for anyone else!

    Reply

  43. Kaylie says

    Love you guys! I have a girlfriend that’s a buyer for Anthro and she has that watch – super cute in person! If you ever want to make a no-fail wish list for John to shop for some oh-so-fab jewelry you can at stelladot.com/kaylie. We have tons of great bling under $50 and some really fun emerald earrings – Pantone’s color of the year for 2012! I’ll be in Richmond with my in-laws this year, hope to run into you!

    Reply

  44. Jessi says

    I have those Kendra Scott earrings in a pearly white and I’m obsessed with them! So cute. And they aren’t quite as heavy as the turquoise ones, (which I have too,) so they are more practical for all day wear. Great list!

    Reply

  46. Rachel says

    They have a pretty frame like that at World Market that I snatched up a few months ago – it’s one of my favorites. And seriously – I love J. Crew and Anthropologie, and Banana Republic and the like, but unless the item I’m looking at is in their clearance section, it’s going to be a while before I get it, haha :)

    Reply

  50. Cassondra says

    Loving the watch and the cozy little houses :). I’ve been trying to accumulate more Christmas/Winter decorations so those would work perfectly. Maybe next year!

    Reply

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