Still looking for that perfect last-minute gift? Let me help.
For the adventurous soul: make it experiential:
A skydiving session. A balloon ride. A sailing lesson. A day of kayaking. Whalewatching. A surfing lesson. The sky’s the limit–literally!
For someone who needs to laugh their ass off:
My friend Vikki Claflin’s latest book, Who Left the Cork Out of My Lunch, is HILARIOUS. She sent me a .pdf and within the first 30 seconds I was laughing so hard I spit out my coffee. It won’t be out for a few more months, but you’re in luck. Her first book is still available. And also quite humorously irreerent. It’s called Shake, Rattle & Roll and can be found on Amazon.
Oh yes, get Vikki’s books for someone who needs a laugh.
Elaine Ambrose is also a very funny writer and her books are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Laughter’s the best survival tactic for middle age, and Elaine’s got a humorous handle on it that’s infectiously grin-inducing.
Find her book, Midlife Cabernet: Life, Love & Laughter after 50, at Amazon.
In fact, why not give a set of two from these writers to your favorite female who’s entering midlife. Or, like me, past it. Am I past it? I am.
For the practical soul of a certain age:
I’ve given or referred this book to a bunch of people and every single one praised it to the high heavens. It’s easy to understand and so practical. It’s called Being Brain Healthy by Ruth Curran and it’s available on Amazon. Actually, she’s got some fascinating advice in this story I did for Senior Planet. Check it out. In our house we put her advice to use just about every day.
For a woman with midlife night sweats/insomnia:
Cool garments for hot women can be found here at my friend, Haralee’s, shop. Some of the best pajamas for women who suffer from too much heat in bed. And no, I don’t mean the good kind of heat!
For the organized soul or the person who wants to be:
The very best planner I’ve seen. It’s called Choices. Check it out here, it’s a terrific gift.
For the pet-lover:
Do you know that you can find super deals online at Wayfair or Overstock? Dog beds, bowls and all kinds of pet gear at really great prices. Check it out!
And then, for a special kind of friend:
It’s an anthology with essays about women unfriending women. I have an essay in it. It’s calledl Dumped, it’s edited by Nina Gaby and you can read about it here. Find it on Amazon.
Other gift guides:
And, here are two other gift guides I’ve done here, in case you haven’t seen them: one on unique holiday gifts here and the other, on books to consider giving, here.
Your last minute gifts are no longer a problem, right?
I really love the idea of gifting an “experience”. There’s so much given with a gift like that. I think my SIL is getting a horseback trail ride (thanks to a great deal on Groupon). 🙂
Thanks Carol for the endorsement! I can picture some lucky women wearing one of our pajamas from our collection reading Vikki and Elaine’s books while putting some of Ruth’s ideas to use. You are too kind !!!
Books are one of the best gifts you can give during the holidays, especially to kids so they can appreciate reading. I would love to check out your recommendations, they all sound so interesting!
Thank you for a great gift guide and the lovely mention of the Choices Notebook! (Yours will be on their way tomorrow!!). I have Vikki’s new book for review and I can’t WAIT to get started — she’s SO funny!
Kimberly XO
I’ve found that experience based are always amazing (granted you have to know the type of experiences the person would want) it’s not just a material object they will eventually get rid of but it’s a memory they can hold on to.
A lot of interesting ideas here, and I love that! I do think experiences are sometimes the greatest gifts to give, especially to friends who might not purchase them for themselves. Lots of great ideas!
I really liked the Choices planner. I think my wife would like Being Brain Healthy. Thanks for the great gift options with Christmas right around the corner!
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
Thanks, Carol, for mentioning my book. When can we get together and laugh?
Soon, I hope!
What a great collection of ideas! Thanks for helping me out — I have been in a gift rut.
Hope you find something you like here.
I love these ideas. Except I’d probably buy almost all of them for myself. Whoops.
I love them, too!
What a great list. Good to have because sometimes I run out of gift ideas, everyone seems to have everything already! LOL!
I know, but probably not these! LOL
I really love the idea of gifting an “experience”. There’s so much given with a gift like that. I think my SIL is getting a horseback trail ride (thanks to a great deal on Groupon). 🙂
Thanks Carol for the endorsement! I can picture some lucky women wearing one of our pajamas from our collection reading Vikki and Elaine’s books while putting some of Ruth’s ideas to use. You are too kind !!!
Great gift ideas, Carol, and I’d love to laugh along with Vikki, Elaine and YOU!
Some great ideas here Carol – I’m so terrible when it comes to buying presents that I need all the inspiration I can get!
Thank you so much for sharing this. “Dumped” sounds like a fantastic read, especially in this day and age.
I love all of your ideas, and I’m glad to hear Vikki has a new book coming! That is wonderful!
These are all wonderful ideas. I’m always stumped for a gift – no longer, thanks to you!
i think knowing me i would either take the “hot” pajamas (I’m at that age) or the organizer…. 😀
Great list! I already ordered Choices and will check out these books now!
I always know where to go fro great gift ideas, Carol! Thank you! And thank you again for including my Snowman in your recommended books post! 🙂
And yes, I did mean to write fro instead of rfo. ofr. orf. FOR. Sigh.
Great ideas here for sure Carol. I bookmarked this for when I start shopping.
What a fun wonderful list, Carol. I’ve found a couple of my Christmas gifts here that are perfect for two of my friends. Thank you! xoxox, Brenda
Books are one of the best gifts you can give during the holidays, especially to kids so they can appreciate reading. I would love to check out your recommendations, they all sound so interesting!
Great book suggestions! I love all of them.
Thank you for a great gift guide and the lovely mention of the Choices Notebook! (Yours will be on their way tomorrow!!). I have Vikki’s new book for review and I can’t WAIT to get started — she’s SO funny!
Kimberly XO
I’ve found that experience based are always amazing (granted you have to know the type of experiences the person would want) it’s not just a material object they will eventually get rid of but it’s a memory they can hold on to.
A lot of interesting ideas here, and I love that! I do think experiences are sometimes the greatest gifts to give, especially to friends who might not purchase them for themselves. Lots of great ideas!
Yes!! I’m a kind of person who is panic buying for the last minute lol, this is very helpful.
Thank you for the suggestions – I have just a couple more gifts to buy and I have no idea what to get them!
I’m going to take a closer look at the planner you mentioned. It’s just about that time to get a new one in gear!
Thanks amazing lady for 1) sharing the great message of brain healthy living and 2) putting me in such great company!
Great suggestions! I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet, but when I do i will keep your post in mind!
I really liked the Choices planner. I think my wife would like Being Brain Healthy. Thanks for the great gift options with Christmas right around the corner!
Such a fun list! I want to read her new book when it comes out… I know a few people who that would be right up there alley!
These are all wonderful ideas. Books are one of the best gifts for kids during the holidays!!
I love the creative different list of present ideas. The labels made me laugh!