Last minute gift suggestions

Eye for Design
By Lorette Mawson

Well here we are drawing close to that magical day. But in today’s busy world, it seems increasingly harder to get prepared for this beautiful time of year. Here are a few suggestions for last minute gift ideas and decorating.

Personalized gift-giving
Let’s start with the gifts, especially for the hard to buy for whom we seem to leave until last. Perhaps the best answer is something homemade; everyone has a talent of some sort, and it is also rewarding to give a gift your personal touch.
Are you a baker? Present your treats on a Christmas plate or in a Christmas tin, or wrapped in cellophane with a bow and possibly an ornament. If flower arranging is more your talent, how about a centerpiece? You could use Christmas mugs or bowls; use your imagination! For knitters, your handiwork always makes an excellent gift.

Simple decorating
When it comes to decorating, one easy and inexpensive solution is the easy to find pinecone. Put a bunch of pinecones in a basket, with a ribbon tied on. Or put pinecones in Christmas mugs in a row of three or five on your mantle or table. You can also make a wreath out of pinecones, again topped with a beautiful bow. I also recommend filling glass containers with pinecones, ornaments, or Christmas candy or candy canes.
Really, you do not need to spend a lot of money. With some imagination, you can achieve beauty in your home for the holidays without breaking the budget. Remember that the time you spend together is what makes the season magical.