my etsy christmas

I had the BEST luck with Christmas gifts this year. AND, I got done way earlier than any other year. I think I was 90% done by the first week in December! One of the big reasons I did so well this year was my new best friend: etsy.

For those who are unaware of etsy, it's a website where you can buy or sell personalized, handmade and/or vintage items. There are thousands of little "shops" that have some of the most amazing things!!!! I love that everything is so unique, and not necessarily found anywhere else, which makes it really fun to shop and buy for those special people on your list. I swear, I sounded like an etsy spokesperson this season because I was telling everyone about it!!!

I was actually SO EXCITED for my family and friends to open their gifts this year. (Usually my gifts are prefaced with a disclaimer like: "If you don't like it, there's a gift receipt so you can return it and get something you really want." haha) Here are some of the gifts I got for people...in case you're looking for ideas!

I got my mom this Customized City State Heart - Wood Block Art Print. I personalized it with her home town of White Deer, Texas, and I loved the idea that even a teenie tiny town could get some love! I think Mom really liked it.

This year was the year of monogrammed scarves. I got one for my mom, mother in law, aunt and Steve's daughter. These were super soft and the monograms were such a lovely touch! Everyone loved them.

My Dad and Dawn are super hard to shop for because they always say they don't want anything, but I want to get them SOMETHING! This year, I was so excited to give them this gift. I got them these Custom Mini Pet Portraits for all 4 of their dogs. It was such a personal gift that they wouldn't buy themselves, and I think they loved them!

My brother is now living in Madison, Wisconsin and working as a designer at Trek Bicycles. So I thought it would be fun to get him something to remember his first real job out of college and his first place he lived as a real adult. So I got him this Bike Art with a map of Madison, Wisconsin behind it! (The owner is on vacation but here is her shop.)

For my friend Jen who lives in North Carolina, I got her (and myself) a coffee cozy so that we could have our "Jen Dates" over coffee on the phone! I think these are so sweet.

Since Ryan got me a new Kindle for Christmas, of course I wanted a cute new cover to go with it! (Gotta accessorize, right?!) So I found this Personalized Kindle Cover (among thousands) and fell in love. It comes in today--can't wait!

Since Molly is so obsessed with our kitchen magnets, I decided she needed some alphabet ones so we can start practicing her name when the time comes. After searching "alphabet magnets" on etsy, there were 1,500 options to choose from!!!! I was crazy and looked at every single one before finalizing my choice. I knew I wanted soft, large and colorful, but these had the magnets sewn INSIDE the fabric so that kids can't choke on them, so I was SOLD. I looooove them.

Those were just my FAVORITES this season. I got a couple adorable pieces of jewelry for other people, too, in addition to MOST of Molly's first birthday decorations. I'm telling y'all---etsy has EVERYTHING!!!! Haha, can I get paid for this promotion or something? Hope this was helpful if you struggle with gift giving like I do!