Christmas Shopping Ideas and Shopping Online......

Here are some great offers I have found if you are hunting for last minute gifts...or like me you have not even started Christmas shopping!!!! 

Books...

Are great for almost anyone... and these are a really personal touch that anyone would appreciate. 
A beautiful gift idea is a rare or collectable book. If you know someone well enough you will easily be able to select a book that will appeal to them, or go for a classic! 

 

                                

What about a book signed by the author.

 Its an ideal and unique present for the holiday season.

   

                

         

              

                        

     Here is a great selection

     of poplular new books too!

For Kids...or for him

Here are 50 book ideas for 11 year olds!

Or maybe a signed copy of JK Rowlings Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.









The kids..... and dad... will love this...they can conduct lie detector tests with this kit.

Men love gadgets, and you just cant go past ThinkGeek.com they have a crazy collection of USB's including Star Wars characters.

Just for Him...

All men love the tv remove....but now it has reached an
entirely new level... THE VOICE ACTIVATED REMOTE..


        

These night Vision glasses from Kmart Online USA will put a smile on many a mans face! 

He can turn his holiday snaps into professional masterpieces with a TRIPOD and Zoom Lense for the iPhone!

Forget the old iPhone Dock...this is the iPhone Speaker Bar!!!!





For Her...

Mum, nana, sister or wife are easy to buy for...It just means actually getting what they would like. Most women fall into one of the following categories and if you know them well you will easily identify this..1. The cook 2. The gardener 3. The glamour girl 4. The home decorator 5. The book worm. Some will be a mix, so you can take your pick.

So when you go hunting keep this in mind and it will be much more fun.

The Cook...try a beautiful cookbook, some gourmet condiments, dinnerware, linen and just keep the style simple.

The Gardener...try Bunnings, Kmart
or Target for pots and plants and
 dont forget a collectable gardening book. Patio furniture and heaters are a real hit with the woman that loves her garden.

   

The Glamour Girl...try jewellery, here are some online stores with some beautiful affordable pieces. You may be surprised at the inexpensive things you can get with the Tiffany & Co brand add a small peice to something from the Body Shop or David Jones or Myer cosmetics counters, like a Chanel lipstick and gloss or YSL nail polish.

The Home Decorator..You will be amazed what you can find in Target, Big W and KMart. Like this bedding set.

The Book Worm...Try some of the book ideas at the start of this post.




 Australian viewers can find similar products here.


Night vision glasses
Lie detector test
Voice Activated TV Remote Control
iPod Speaker Bar



Stay tuned...Lots more ideas coming soon!!!!

Let the Christmas Decorating Begin......

Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit like decorating your home for Christmas. This season try something a little different. Pick a colour theme, example green and white or red and gold and go hunting through your linen, crockery, decorations and even the garden for anything that matches the theme.

This normally blue and white themed dining room is given the festive touch with a splash of green.  If you have a conifer, ivy or holly tree in your garden, go to town with the secateurs and make a garland or centre piece for the table.

This year I’m going very traditional and quite simple in my formal living room. The furniture is already quite heavy and the room can look too cluttered so I have gone for a really simple red and gold theme on the Christmas tree (placed high enough so a toddler can’t reach the baubles). If you have a chandelier or candelabra they can be given a Christmas feel my hanging a few ornaments.

Placing the wreath in the centre of the mirror creates a beautiful soft light in the room (this wreath is simply wire and fairy lights (from Ikea many years ago) which I have covered with a little gold tinsel and some red, green and gold Christmas ribbon, with one of my favourite Christmas ornaments in the centre, the peace dove.

Decorate with what you already have around the house...

 

These votive candle holders and an antique teapot were already on my mantle. I simply added a cute tin Father Christmas ornament and some holly from the garden and it makes a quirky little feature.

Use your favourite dinnerware and build your colour theme around it.

This minimalist back and white theme maintains the look the owners have created in the room while still having a traditional Christmas look.

This Christmas tree has a modern feel simply created with a non-traditional colour selection in the baubles and wrapping paper.

If you’re anything like me you have far too many Christmas decorations and not enough places to use them.....  So collected together all your favourite glass bowls or antique dishes and fill them with your ornaments. Stick to your colour theme and place them around the house to add a little festive spirit on the side table or even your bedside table.

In Australia our fireplaces don’t have a lot of use at Christmas time. However they create a great focal point for the room when decorating. Pop candles in your fireplace and light them at night and use some greenery around the hearth to add a Christmas feel.

If you have the self control you can decorate your tree with homemade cookies...but have an extra stash in the cookie jar so you can eat the ones on the tree each day...the kids will love this...your waist line may not!

Why not decorate the bedroom...

Again stick with a colour theme and just build on it.

This picture has inspired me to pull out a white doona cover with red embroidery that I have not used for years. All I need is some red throw cushions and maybe a wreath made from some garden clippings and I will have a festive bedroom. (I will post it here when it’s done).

Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple...

Making decorations can be really easy. These colourful pom pom garlands  could be made alongside your children. You can purchase pom pom balls from craft and discount stores and simply thread them on some strong cotton.

Use some of your left over baubles or bells or buy some cheap ones in bulk to make a bauble chandelier or a festive ribbon curtain.

Ornament chandelier from Real Simple – photos: Francesco Lagnese

This great idea inspired me to make one myself. I had a huge box of pink, silver and purple baubles sitting around for years from my ‘pink Christmas phase’ ... finally I had a use for them.

And my attempt!

Your kids will love cutting out hearts and stars and making these cardboard decorations.

Table Setting ideas......

 I like to decorate the formal dining table even if not in use. Often you will find you have candles and ribbon and left over ornaments to create a beautiful setting without having to buy a thing.  Don’t forget to use some greenery from the garden.



http://www.digsdigs.com/



Use items you already have around the house like glass vases for baubles, silver cake stands for candles and even a colander.

Pottery Barn is one of the US stores that sadly does not have an outlet here is Australia, however I’m sure you can purchase online. Go to Pottery Barns website for some Christmas inspiration.

 

Pottery Barn

You just can’t go past Martha Stewart for home decoration tips. Martha is the Queen of Christmas decorating so for lots of ideas go to Martha Stewart Christmas Decorations on google .

Here is a great selection of Martha Stewart Christmas Trees on google.

I hope this has inspired you to have fun with decorating this Christmas and that you will try to decorate with things you can make or already have a round the house. They don't call it the Silly Season for nothing! So be silly!  Happy Christmas to you and your family.

Share this article with your friends via email, click on M symbol or Facebook F symbol below. 

Online Only! EXTRA $10 off $100 on Christmas-themed Items12/4-12/10

Up to 50% off ALL Christmas Trees. Up to 33% off Christmas Themed Decor 12/4-12/10