This time of year is the time where family and friends migrate home and reunite with loved ones they don’t often get a chance to see.  If a family member or a friend of yours in pregnant this could be the only opportunity to throw a baby shower with everyone near. Penguins are not only gender-neutral but they fit well with the winter/cold weather ambiance of much of the country most recently. Plus, you can use your leftover orange and black materials left over from the Snowman Treats!

It’s the week of Christmas! All that’s left are the finishing touches. Here are some ideas for some last minute gift ideas, packaging & wrapping ideas, how to prepare a traditional holiday feast!

(above images via Martha Stewart)

To-Dos This Week

1. Buy nonperishables for the holiday meal early in the week.

2. Buy and wrap last-minute gifts.

3. Make centerpieces and arrangements.

4. Buy perishables such as greens, fresh bread, and seafood on Christmas Eve morning.

5. Leave cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

6. Stuff stockings.

For the full PDF list, see here.

Perhaps when you were younger he was a pain, but now you envy his ability to lead a carefree fun-filled life.  These presents are perfect for the brother or friend whose sense of humor is their best quality!

When planning your next party think of creating a theme that allows your guests to let loose and have fun! Most of these gifts below would be great party favors!

There’s been quite the mustache trend lately.  With this Mustache Coffee Mug your bro will fit right in!

You’re not the only one in the family with a sense of humor– this lump of coal soap is sure to get some laughs.

Work hard, play hard.  If that’s your brother’s motto I’m sure his boss won’t mind a little bit of office humor.

If your brother reminds you of Tim the Tool Man Taylow, he’ll LOVE this.

Your brother doesn’t have to be a bachelor living next door to Monica & Rachel to love Foosball! If you get him this I’m sure he’d finally forgive you for dressing him up when you were 6 in doll clothes and parading him around as your baby sister.

Aidan Gill for Men is a store in New Orleans that sells upscale luxuries for men.  You’re sure to find something for Dad that he wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to buy for himself.

This 7-in-1 Game Compendium is perfect for the Dad that loves chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes, cribbage, dice and playing cards.

A leather dopp kit is something every man should have.  Usually a man will only need one bag to carry his necessities unlike women whose average number hovers somewhere around 4.  Make it a nice one!

Uggs are probably one of the warmest slippers you can put on your feet.  If your Dad’s feet get cold easily this is the perfect gift!  The Ascot’s sheepskin lining  make this a comfortable house slipper while the molded rubber still allows Dad the luxury of walking out to get the paper.

If your Dad attends football games or loves to bird watch, he’ll love his own set of binoculars!

If you’re planning on having a dinner party between now and Friday, check to see if you have anyone Jewish on your list!  Hanukkah is probably the 2nd most recognized holiday around this time of year, but it’s not given nearly as much attention as it deserves. Oftentimes Jews are overlooked.  There are many ways to incorporate The Festival of Lights into your dinner or holiday party.

Dedicate the centerpiece to an 8-candle arrangement to signify the Menorah.

Use Hanukkah-themed place cards.

Give a Jewish specialty as a party favor.

It’s pretty hard to shop for the woman whose favorite answer to ‘What do you want for Christmas/your birthday‘ is:  “I don’t want things; I have you and that’s the best present I could ever have.”  Aw, “that’s so sweet”  you think,  “but that’s NO help whatsoever.” (For the host(ess) who is too busy planning the party to think about gifts, see below!)

These long fingerless gloves are made out of 100% cashmere and are perfect for the Mom that is always cold but never lets it slow her down.

Loving chocolate seems to be a prerequisite of becoming a mother. Just like with their children, Moms don’t discriminate between which chocolate they like best.

A brag book isn’t some silly term coined for nothing — it was created so proud Moms could shamelessly share every known picture they had of you and fit them all conveniently in their pocket for easy access.

Just what a Mom needs– an 8 Day Planner.

If you’re Mom’s a coaster Nazi she’ll love these classy additions!

Many Moms love elegance and simplicity.  These ornaments encompass both.

What’s great about this gift giving guide is that you can use it for holiday shopping or for your baby shower ideas!

Help kill those cravings and get pampered at the same time with Bath Ice Cream. Drop a flavorful and moisturizing scoop of luxury into the bathtub. (And yes, if you can believe it, the below is what these little bath fizzies really look like!)

To accompany the soothing bath she’ll be enjoying from the above Bath Ice Cream why not give the gift of knowledge.  Parents Magazine is chalked full of information and ideas for expecting parents.

The whole idea behind pregnant women craving pickles is just a euphemism for the fact that they crave things that are out of the ordinary and in odd combinations.    Bon Appetit raves about Rick’s Picks pickles and I’m sure you can see why.  The Pregnancy Pack comes in these 4 flavors … Kool Gherks, our crunchy whole dills; Bee N Beez, our bread-and-butter pickles for when she’s feeling sweet; Spears of Influence, our cumin-lime spears for when she needs a pick-me-up; and Slices of Life, our classic sliced dills, heretofore known as the Pickle of Pregnancy.

Maternity clothes have come a long way in recent years!  This adorable wool coat will make any pregnant woman feel beautiful and keep her and and her bundle of joy warm over the holidays!

You know someone out there who this gift is perfect for.  Without a sense of humor where would our world be today?

Home videos shouldn’t start once the baby is born.  Allow her to get a head start and document the pregnancy with this lightweight and convenient pocket video recorder.

It’s no secret that whatever we put on our skin is absorbed and ultimately passes through our kidneys.  When you’re pregnant it’s even more important to be cognizant of what we put in our bodies which is why this 100% pure certified organic belly butter is perfect for a Mom’s growing tummy.

Even though the baby hasn’t yet arrived nothing is more comforting to an expecting mother than the feeling of having it all together.  A diaper bag is a must have. (left- Eddie Bauer via Target ; right- Reeseli)

For something that is a must, sleep, it sure can be kind of tricky when pregnant.  This Serenity Star Pillow will help support back, stomach and Mom-to-Be.

Tis the season for giving!  What a perfect time for a Gift Giving Guide.   Also, what’s also perfect is the below ideas double as parting gift ideas for you host and hostesses!  A parting gift comes from the Greek concept of hospitality; it was to show the host’s honor at receiving the guest. Enjoy these gift ideas… however you choose to use them!

It’s common knowledge that all foodies love bacon.  What the heck is bacon jam?  Per Foodzie it’s a big bunch of really, really good bacon and render it down…add a bunch of spices, onions, etc…and let it simmer for about 4 hours…give it a quick puree, and blast chill it…and you have bacon jam…

Part of a foodie’s obsession is the packaging, figuratively and literally speaking.  The Cowgirl Creamery has packed this creamy concoction in a branded wooden box hand-made in Texas, and comes with a bright red Cowgirl bandana.

Give a gift that keeps on giving! Reschutti‘s Decadence Club sends something spectacular each month!

Zoku’s Quick Pop Maker gives your foodie friend full reign to create whatever popsicle  they want.

This Wine Gift Tower includes 2 bottles of South African wine, an assortment of sweet and savory delicacies, cheeses, chocolates, salmon, sausages, dips, and snacks.  17 items in all!

Texture. Very important to the gastronomic glutton.  With this The Edge brownie pan you’re guaranteed to get a piece of the edge.

Feasting on Asphalt chronicled Alton Brown (chef/genius) on his journey cross country to find “the best food finds and dining gems in the country.”

Secret Stash Sea Salts are hand-harvested Fleur de Sel from the Re Island of France, where only the top layer of fine, light crystals are collected from the surface of salt beds.  Try rimming your dirty martini with the nicoise olive salt!

This sampler speaks for itself: Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel, Black Truffle + Aged White Cheddar, Madras Coconut Curry + Cashew & Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt.

After they finish marveling at the packaging they may be tempted to showcase these chocolates instead of eating them.  Who are we kidding– these truffles look as good as they taste!

In case you weren’t aware, there is now a term coined for kids who have a special interest in more complex foods.  They’re called Koodies!  Here are some ideas for the budding foodie.

Simple and straightforward recipes  The Silver Spoon for Children.

Kids Alphabet Fun Cookie Tray Kit includes: Includes: sugar cookie mix, mixing spoon, sprinkles, 26 alphabet cookie cutters, rhyming recipe & instructions.

Kid’s Pizza Making Set, Wobblies Frog Kitchen Timer, French Cooking Set, The Little Cook Kit

The holidays are always a time to remember.  Many do-it-yourself projects are so versatile that they can be implemented into most any area of your social or personal life.  These paper evergreens can be given out as hostess gifts, used as a project for you and your friends to work on  (think centerpiece!), something you and your kids can create together (a memory and a keepsake to last forever) … or just for your own pleasure!

Tools & Materials

• Adjustable circle cutter
• Green card stock, from paperpresentation.com
• Bone Folder
• Scissors
• Wooden skewers
• Hot-glue gun
• 1 1/8-inch (for small trees) and 1 15/16-inch (for large trees) wooden spools, by Woodworks, from craftparts.com
• Gold beads, from tohoshoji-ny.com

Steps 1-3

Steps 4-5

1- This Philippi Churchill Cigar & Cognac Set has multiple uses; in addition to the stainless steel cigar tube, liquor flask and cigar cutter it also has a space for credit cards and business cards and a compartment for cash.

2- If your Groomsmen like to play poker, there’s nothing better than a clay poker chip set.  This gift can get a bit pricey so it may be best suited for the Best Man!

3- This lucky horseshoe vintage money clip I want. Ooo!  Us ladies could use it as a business card holder!

4-  You never realize just how handy a flask is until you own one yourself.  If there is ever a way to combine class and carrying liquor in your pocket, this flask is it!

5- This golf club bottle opener could be kept in a Groomsman’s golf bag or right on the bar at the 19th hole!

6- For the Groomsman who enjoys lighting up a fine cigar on occasion this elegant cigar case is a perfect! If the elegant box isn’t your style Gurka has a pleathora of other cigar boxes from the rustic Ancient Warrior to the sleek Status Maduro

7- A monogrammable leather watch case is not only useful but decorative (because that’s a man’s #1 priority, right?).

8-  Many Brides offer their bridesmaid’s a piece of jewelry as a gift that they can use on the day of the wedding.  Earrings in a man’s world translates to cuff links.  Today you can find a cuff link that will fit any groomsman’s personality.

9- Just tell your groomsmen that these personalized golf balls will help their handicap.