State of the Blog: The Gift Guides

Nov 18, 2011

So last night, I wrote three posts.  Then Squarespace crashed and the posts disappeared.  [facepalm] + [headdesk], repeat.

While this was an unfortunate turn of events, it presents me with an opportunity.  Every year, CHS hosts several gift guides, what to buy for your parents, boyfriend, best friend, etc.  These gift guides usually run for two weeks. 

If you have a special request for the gift guides, leave it in the comments.  I’ll get to as many of them as possible. 

xoxo 

Belle

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  1. mala1 says:

    let's say you're joining your boyfriend (of about a year)'s family for christmas. There will be gift exchanging, and the parents will probably get me something. But I'll need to bring something for his parents, older brother, younger brother, AND future sister in law. So a minimum of 4 presentes plus whatever I get him.
    I'd be great if all 4 presents were under $20 each…

  2. TA says:

    I don't know what to get my fiance. He has almost everything. It's going to be tough shopping for him this year.

  3. SW says:

    I second a post about fiance gift giving. Mine is notoriously practical, and makes gift giving nigh impossible.

  4. Melissa says:

    How about in-laws / SO's family? Figuring out what's appropriate seems like such a weird line….

  5. H says:

    Definitely boyfriend gift-giving! It'd also be great to have suggestions that we could give to him to get (inexpensive and/or nicer) presents for us. For some reason thoughtful, cute, and stylish can be hard for dudes to pull together. Thanks, Belle!

  6. Sarah says:

    OK- shoes for my boyfriend. Per his request, they cannot be “fancy, shiny leather [any real leather, I clarify], white, and must be wearable with jeans and a pullover, which is my winter uniform.” Good luck to you, Belle. Point of reference: he loves Keens, which make me die a little inside, so this solution will bring SO much joy to my life!

  7. Dr. Jean Grey says:

    Every year my brother-in-law has a new girlfriend who is around at Christmas. Since I never know these girls, it's always hard to buy presents. I usually revert to some kind of small Sephora lip gloss kit. I hate to say it, but I don't like spending money on people I barely know. What are some inexpensive, but worthy gifts??

  8. K says:

    Office gifts – especially the ones that feel obligatory – such as “secret santa” kind of things, especially when you get someone you barely know…Thanks Belle!

  9. Nina says:

    Close friend who requires a meaningful gift of around $50, but who hates clutter/excess stuff and seems to have everything.

  10. Kara says:

    I second the office “secret-santa” required gifts for people you barely know!

  11. KC says:

    Gifts for people at the office! I struggle with what to get my secretary and always seem to revert to wine or chocolate which feels like a cop-out. She's older than me and has been at the firm longer than me, so I feel like it makes an odd gift-giving dynamic.

  12. CatG says:

    How about a one-year old godson and his style -conscious mom? They live in Texas so unfortunately won't be able to give them anything in person 🙁

  13. AttiredAttorney says:

    Office giving for sure, or even office Christmas/holiday behavior. If you invite one coworker to a party, do you invite them all. What to bring to the host of the company Christmas party if it's held in their home, etc.

  14. Emily says:

    I've been dating a guy for a little over a month, though we've been good friends for a few years. He has everything anyone could ever dream of having so it's not like he NEEDS anything. I'm almost afraid whatever I'd get him would just be fluff. What price range is appropriate at this stage? And what to get? I'm at a loss. Thanks so much Belle!

  15. Ellen says:

    Gifts for the boss! Last year I went with Bourbon which appeared to be a hit, but I would like to do something different this year for her.

  16. Dakota says:

    What should I get myself? More specifically, if my family is asking what to get me, what are some clasic pieces that would make great gifts but be incredibly useful/stylish for a while? Essential handbag, raincoat, shoes, jewelry…something along those lines.

  17. lisa says:

    i second the SO parent/in law request. why does my guy have no idea what to get his own family?

  18. R says:

    Mom/Dad ideas? My only idea for my very un-stylish dad is a nice pair of sunglasses as an alternative to the $5 pair from the gas station he usually wears. I love your quest for a bag for your mom too (although the Pippa bag won't suffice for my mom without shoulder straps). As a side note, I hope that your dad is doing ok this holiday season.

  19. s says:

    There must be comething in the water becasue I know a lot of expectant mothers. Any suggestions?

  20. Sally says:

    Bosses and coworkers, please!!

  21. jen says:

    All of the above, specifically Brother's random girlfriends, Boss, and Mother in Law. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one at a loss when it comes to those!

  22. L says:

    kids gift, nephews in particular. I know squat about gifts for anyone under the age of 10, but I would very much like to not be the lame aunt this year (again) and get them something besides a gift card… things that can be mailed would be even better.

  23. K says:

    Brothers/Fathers. They are always the hardest for me to shop for.

  24. Sarah says:

    I would love a guide on what to get the boss. I work for a Member of a Southern state legislature, and have no idea what to get him for Christmas! Thanks!

  25. K says:

    Fathers! Also 17-year-old younger brother…

  26. KC says:

    Younger 16 year old sister

  27. Katelyn says:

    I completely agree with the one about gifts for people in your office. If you could include things at different price ranges, that would be great. I'm an intern, so I want to be able to give something to my boss and coworkers without spending a ton of money. I also think avoiding baked goods would be great- I give those a lot and they are popular but I feel they aren't as appropriate for work as they are for friends.

  28. Margaret says:

    I need help with office ones as well… I work in a corporate firm (about 25) and I have several “bosses” that I work with and I have an assistant. This is my first year working in a business setting as anything other than a summer intern and I'm at a loss as for what is expected with holiday giving. How much should I spend and on who? Could I just bake for all of them instead?

  29. ES says:

    -Dad who has everything. He does not need anymore clothes…!
    -Boyfriend who likes “events” and “doing things” rather than tangible clothing items…. I'm at a loss of what to do with this one besides a show/concert

    Thanks, Belle!

  30. B says:

    This might be an odd request, but what about your boss's kids? It's not a gift everyone (or even most people) will give, but I work at a state legislature and have become almost a part of my boss's family. I want to give the kids something small but meaningful, but haven't run across anything that really grabbed my attention yet.

  31. Dr. Jean Grey says:

    Gotta say, I'm baffled by all these requests for what gifts to buy bosses…I've never thought to do this! It seems sort of inappropriate in my world..

  32. RMR says:

    Belle, please suggest a pair of casual and stylish shoes for my 29 year-old husband to wear on date-nights or casual evening events. He needs a pair of shoes that can fill the gap between work-shoes and sneakers. Thanks!

  33. LT says:

    Office gifts — when you're managing others (assistant, analyst, director-level).

  34. Laura says:

    office gifts
    hostess gifts for holiday parties
    parents of significant other gifts

  35. E says:

    I'd also like to see an office Secret Santa gift guide!

  36. AHH says:

    How about boyfriend's sisters. We've been dating for some time & he has a younger and older sister – 1 in her early 20s one in her late 20s. Both are stylish (and picky!) and have their own distinct styles, so buying clothes/accessories is tough, and I'm on a budget. But I hate to cop out and only buy generic apartment goods, etc.

  37. Valerie says:

    I second all the posts for Dad gifts. I have an impossible-to-shop-for dad, and we always just resorted to buying him a new tie (usually from Vineyard Vines or Brooks Brothers). Want to get him something other than a tie this season 😉

    Also to respond to @AHH- this may sound a bit Southern/WASPy of me, but what about some beautiful letterpress cards for the bf's sisters? You can often get them custom-made with patterns and colors, and from what you know about them (or ask the bf about them) it would be easily personalized with their initials.

  38. HH says:

    -Father in law and/or SO's parents (mine always ask for practical gifts, too!)
    -I second RMR's request for shoes for her SO
    -colleague/office gifts, including one for your boss/manager

    Looks like we all have the same problem people. 🙂

  39. Sharon says:

    I concur on boyfriend's family (particualrly given minor chance of being at their house for xmas, been dating SO for 2 years, never met the family b/c they live across the country!)

  40. Lee says:

    New boyfriend. Will be 3 months by Christmas. He travels alot for work, so had been thinking along those lines? Always feel like this is a tough point in a relationship for gift giving

  41. Jen says:

    For men's shoes: My boyfriend swears by Ecco. He wears something similar to these for his 1 mile commute.

  42. ellen says:

    gifts for employees! i have 10 employees on my senior executive staff in a government office and i like to get them something nice without breaking the bank.

  43. Amy says:

    Office! As a recent grad that just started working in a political office I feel clueless and kind of dreading the holiday gift giving in the office

  44. Nancy says:

    Yes, please do a post on what to get your partner's parents or family. I see I am not the only one confused as to what to get.

    Also, this is on an unrelated note but you could one day do a post on apartment hunting in D.C? If there are any skills of the trade that you can share-from your experience or others. That will be fantastic!

  45. Kathleen says:

    A high quality shoe repair place in/around DC. My mother has a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choos she has worn to death and needs to have the heel caps replaced but she doesn't trust any of our usual shoe guys to do it. I would love to have them fixed for her for the holidays. Suggestions? Thank you!!

  46. Lizzie says:

    I agree with the in-laws comment, but what should one get for the rest of the family — ie: two teenager sisters? Would some jewelery from Forever21 look too cheap! Help!

  47. Sam says:

    How about a gift for my boyfriend's 21 year old sister? Or his parents? (If it makes a difference, we've been together for a few years, but this is the first Christmas I'm spending with his family) Thanks in advance, Belle!

  48. Crystal says:

    What about my sister's husband – (I seem the have the opposite problem from all with brothers). He is thirty (older than I am) and very athletic and not super style conscious when he is off the field (and I am pretty sure uninterested in changing that). Something fun and maybe a bit unusual to mix things up.

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