As the More is More Mom®, I’m all about……more Christmas shopping around town with the ladies! I made my list and checked it twice (some of the items were even gifts for people other than myself), and I am well aware of who was naughty and nice! To make the gift giving experience more festive and fun, my girlfriends and I headed to downtown Glen Ellyn for Ladies Night Out, on our quest for thoughtful and unique gifts for the holidays.
Sure, anyone can wrap up a gift card or a bottle of wine, but that’s just so ba-hum-bug boring. Good gift giving is an art form. Good gift giving reduces the potential of re-gifting. Good gift giving makes the recipient feel special and warm and happy and satisfied. Good gift giving requires hours of in-the-trenches-research. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it…….
Everybody appreciates a thoughtful and personal gift. It doesn’t take much effort to pay attention to the desires and dislikes of your family and friends. The most important element of the gift giving process is the consideration and the spirit in which a gift is chosen.
Ladies, little’s and teens are pretty easy to shop for. We love baubles that sparkle and shine; be they jewelry, handbags, accessories or tasteful items for our homes.
- apothecary jars filled with ornaments
- floral arrangement
glass, handblown ornaments
snowman figurines and lanterns
P.S. Flowers on Hillside has some of the most lovely home décor items around town. I was so inspired by the gorgeous floral arrangements! Keep in mind that you don’t need an enormous statement piece to add important detail. What makes a house a home is the layers and layers of beautiful and personal touches. A spray of greenery embellished with gorgeous ribbon finds a home on a lantern, a picture frame, a banister or anywhere else you can possibly envision. Candles, a simple bowl full of ornaments, picture frames, urns filled with natural elements, and petite apothecary jars with pretty little baubles that define the season are only a few elegant touches that would make lovely gifts for the important people in your lives.
serving pieces
decorative serving pieces
The AliKat Boutique has some of the most luscious personal items! Unless you know someone extremely well (or are willing to invest in diamonds), jewelry can be a bit intimate, but there are so many other possibilities. Whether we’re throwing a party, or simply serving our own little families, why not consider whimsical and festive serving pieces? These are items we should be using everyday to make our home lives a little bit more special.
- infusers
candles
doggie treats
Heavenly scented candles and infusers are a lovely gift. They can be incorporated in an Entryway, a Family Room, a Kitchen, a Powder Room. Anywhere! Of course there are a variety of soaps and lotions for use in the Kitchen, the Powder Room or to pamper yourself. Every girl likes a pretty hand bag, make up bag or jewelry roll. We don’t need just one; we need one for every occasion!
ornaments
I love Christmas and cherish every ornament I lovingly hang from my many trees. One the best parts of Christmas is carefully unwrapping each ornament or decorative piece and reflecting upon the memory behind it. Are you gagging or weeping yet? Anyway, speaking of sentimental, if you have a dog lover on your list, there isn’t an owner in the world that wouldn’t appreciate a gift for their best pooch!
- Vera Bradley
- Mud Pie
Snowman
Paisley on Main may be small, but they are mighty! It’s the place to go for the Vera Bradley lover in your life. Plus, Vera now carries skull caps! If you keep your head warm, the body will follow….. Paisley carries the cutest little line, Mud Pie, for all of your hostess gift needs; platters, chip and dip sets, appetizers plates, and cocktail napkins. Everything you might need to throw a fantastic soiree for you favorite friends over the holidays! Now, the best appointed homes are filled with thoughtful details that evoke a feeling. I was absolutely taken with the snow people and of course, Baby New Year!
- women’s apparel
- handmade knitwear
jewlery
Now my most favorite stop in Glen Ellyn is always to see my friend Kim at M and Em’s. While she specializes in exquisite children’s clothing and accessories, she carries a number of amazing lines for women, specifically clothing, jewelry and accessories. You’ll find unique and stunning specialty apparel with high style, sparkles and ruffles. I absolutely love her lines of handmade knitwear; scarves, hats, gloves and mittens. However, nothing rivals M and Em’s selection of women’s costume jewelry. In a word; amazing. She features baubles, sparkles, statement pieces and a huge variety of groovy and stylish pieces.
- aprons
- figurines
- Christmas ornaments
Pillows
Holiday home décor would not be complete without a visit to Wheaton’s Paper House. There is something to be said for good old fashioned Christmas classics. I’m a total sucker for fun pillows that can be tossed anywhere to infuse a little cheer; Just Be Clause, Ho, Ho, Ho and Jingle. I adore their sassy aprons, dish and guest towels, which make charming gifts. We all appreciate delightful figurines that can be tucked into nooks and crannies, and of course personal ornaments that inspire reminiscing about our family and friends.
More thoughtfulness, more generosity, more giving, more celebrating important relationships…..
More is More Mom 