Tiffany's Totally Teriffic Online Holiday Gift Guide

Normally I would be writing a Thankful Thursday post, but today I've decided to do something a little different. Instead I've created this super awesome gift guide to help those who still need to do their Christmas shopping, but don't necessarily want to tackle the crowds in order to do so. I'm one of those people who doesn't particularly enjoy shopping. I can handle a little bit of clothes shopping if I'm having one of those energy-filled-I-feel-super-skinny-and-I'm-loving-all-these-clothes days, but for the most part I would rather just buy from the comfort of my own living room, especially when it comes to Christmas shopping. I love giving gifts and I love putting a lot of thought into them, and I find that the Internet gives me tons more options than your average chain store, plus I can find completely unique ideas. One of my favorite things about Christmas is being able to give gifts that people would never break down and buy for themselves, not necessarily because they're expensive, but rather because they're deemed unnecessary or impractical. So without further adieu, here's some really fun Christmas gift ideas that maybe you'll be able to splurge on someone else for, just to show your thankfulness for them (See, I'm still sticking with the Thankful Thursday theme!) and express how much they mean to you.

1. T-shirts

These are one of my favorite gifts to give, just because they're so customizeable. For example, is your b.f.f. a huge Muppets fan? Then get her this t-shirt from Busted Tees.

Does your boyfriend love cats AND lasers? Then give him the best of both worlds with this t-shirt from Threadless that's guaranteed to make him appear both nerdy and cool at the SAME time! Who knew it was even possible!? (P.S. I couldn't pass this one up even for myself...)

2. Silly Toys

My favorite latest web discoveries are these silly action figures from Accoutrements. They're the perfect gift for fellow spinsters, librarians, musicians, historians, psychologists, and the like! Action figure options include: crazy cat lady, lunch lady, waitress, librarian, Alexander the Great, Anne Bonny, Annie Oakley, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, Benjamin Franklin, Blackbeard, Casanova, Marie Antoinette (now includes a head!), Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, Sherlock Holmes, Jesus, Moses, Houdini, J.P. Patches, Seth Godin Marketing Guru, and Sigmund Freud.

3. Practical Peteys
Sometimes the best kind of gift is the one that people will actually use, but if you're going to give something practical you might as well spice it up a little, right?

For example, these uni-corn holders from Gama-Go or these super cute Matryoshka measuring cups from Fred are a great option for those trying to add a little fun to their dinner.

Or for the guy in your life, one of these tear-resistant, water-resistant, expandable, recyclable, and best of all affordable wallets from Dynomighty. My brother absolutely loves these things, and the designs are so fun. Yes, there are even a couple Star Trek designs. You know you've got a winner when Star Trek is an option. :-)

4. Books

No one is ever too old or too young to love a good book. Books are always a great gift idea for the avid readers in your life. Even for those who aren't avid readers, something like a unique coffee table book, comic book, or craft book can still light up their eyes instead of shroud them in disappointment if you choose the right one. Check out these great book titles for a starting point on what the perfect book could be.

5. The Gift That Keeps On Giving

If you just want to give a gift that's, well, AWESOME, then sign someone up for the Stunner of the Month Club. You can give 3 month, 6 month, or 12 month subscriptions, and each month they'll receive a crazy new pair of sunglasses that is sure to stun. And for people like me who pretty much lose a pair of sunglasses on a monthly basis, it's perfection.

6. Handmade Handicrafts

Nothing is more unique than a handmade gift. If you're a crafter, make someone a special scrapbook, knit or crochet something like a hat and matching scarf, or build someone a book shelf. Whatever your trade is, Christmas is the perfect opportunity to put some extra thought and effort into a gift for that special someone, and of course a great opportunity to show off your sweet skills. ;-) If you're not a crafter, then check out Etsy. You may not have made it yourself, but everything is still handmade and totally unique. Here are some of my Etsy faves: (Bearded hat from BreannaGunderson, necklace from Nest Pretty Things, owl hat from The Fuzzy Noggin, stationery sets from Draw! Pilgrim, bookends and bookshelf from Graphic Spaces, and scarflet from Francine Toukou.)

And there ya have it, my top picks for gift giving this year. I should pretty much be getting paid for this. I'm pretty sure this whole post was just one giant advertisement, but I really do LOVE all of these websites and would recommend browsing them for even more gift ideas. They seriously won't disappoint. :-) And finally, I have to give two very important tips before you go off on your Internet shopping spree. First, ALWAYS check Amazon or E-bay to see if you can get the item for less, especially if you're shopping for books or novelty gifts. Second, don't forget to search for coupon codes! Either google it or search the company you're ordering from at Retail Me Not. Believe me, a little savings can go a long way! And that's all I've got for you, so good luck, my friends. May God go with you. :-)