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Tis’ the Season… to give presents!

12/26/12 | Christmas, photography, presents

I am a big girly-girl and usually steer clear of sports analogies but I have one that works perfectly in this instance – in buying or making presents for my family this year I batted 1,000.  My presents this year were a big hit with my mom, dad, and brother.  I usually go a bit overboard with them but I rationalize that it is worth it as these are the three most important people in my life and they deserve the best.  These are the presents I got for the three most important people in my life: 


For my brother, Kevin: 
I made my brother a 26 page photo book of the four months he spent this fall studying abroad in Europe.  Almost every weekend he took a trip to different city or country and made a ton of great friends on the way.  Through pictures on Facebook and Skype chats I got a pretty good sense of his favorite moments of the past four months and put them together in a book so he will always be able to have it.   Through some amazing deals on Black Friday, I also purchased two argyle sweaters for him which he loved!

For my mom:
A few months ago my mom mentioned that when she goes out to a casual lunch or to the movies she wanted a “little something” to hold her phone and lipstick.  After searching high and low I found this adorable Cynthia Rowley writstlet which is just perfect!  She is big fan of black and white outfits so I thought this pop of red would be a nice accent.  Last year on a whim I made my mother a desk calender from Snapfish.  She tells me all of the time how much she loves it and how she looks at the photo every day to check the date.  I love when people actually use/wear/enjoy presents that I have given them so for 2013 I made my mom a newcalender.   

For my dad: 

For being extremely tech savvy, the one thing my dad does not like doing is downloading music.  Because of this both of my gifts for my father revolve around music.  He recently purchased an amazing waterproof MP3 player for swimming laps, Fitness Technologies 4GB UwaterG4 Waterproof MP3 Player & Earphones, but did not know what music to put on it.  Having known my dad for 22 years now I am in charge of putting on motivational swimming music that he can rock out to in the water (but none of that “rap stuff”).  This is a very economical present on my part, aka free, but still contains a lot of move.  I also made him two CD’s, old school, I know, for the Holiday’s and for the cocktail parties they throw.  

Did you get your family anything they loved for Christmas this year?

PS.  A post about the best presents I received will be coming soon!

PPS.  Do not forget to enter my 500 Followers giveaway here!

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Comments

  1. Lenetta Carnes says

    December 30, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Hi. I found you on Sunday Confessions.Please stop by and say hi when you get a minute. Happy New Year.

  2. Hannah Rosette says

    December 29, 2012 at 1:26 am

    What thoughtful gifts! I’m terrible at giving gifts. Sounds like you are not at all!
    TheRosettePortrait

  3. Jennifer says

    December 27, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    I love the thought you put into your gifts. I do the same. I hate when people just get random things at the store for me and my family. It’s like really???!!

  4. Monica says

    December 27, 2012 at 6:03 am

    That’s really sweet of you to incorporate such thought into your presents! I might look into that mp3 player that you got your dad, I think it’s the first time I’ve heard of one that’s waterproof.

    -Monica @ Lemonpetit

  5. V says

    December 27, 2012 at 2:34 am

    wow these gifts are great! The photo book for your brother is so thoughtful!

    -V
    http://stylishlyme.com/

  6. Ashley says

    December 26, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    I got my MIL a picture calendar and she loved it!!

  7. zhanna says

    December 26, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    I love photo books they make such wonderful gifts!! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
    XO,
    Zhanna
    http://www.lifeandbows.com

  8. Marina H says

    December 26, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    Great gift ideas…

    <3 Marina
    Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

  9. VOGUECITA says

    December 26, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    great photos, you amaze me every day with more wonderful post in the blog!
    Thanks
    VOGUECITA
    http://voguecita.blogspot.com

  10. La borsa di Mary Poppins says

    December 26, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    beautiful pictures!
    http://www.borsadimarypoppins.com/

  11. Head to Toe Chic says

    December 26, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    l love that wristlet! such a gorgeous color! Hope you had a great Christmas!

    xo,
    Angela
    headtotoechic.blogspot.com

  12. Michelle says

    December 26, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Kelly, I’m so glad to hear your presents went so well!! I think your ideas were great, especially the photo book for your brother! How thoughtful! ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad you had a wonderful Christmas! ๐Ÿ™‚

    xo Michelle

    Fierce & Fashionable

  13. Provocative Manners says

    December 26, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Love that Cynthia Rowley Clutch! So adorable!

  14. Lucie Srbovรก says

    December 26, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Gorgeous presents!!!

    Kisses, Lucy:)

  15. style guide.L A M says

    December 26, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    such creative gifts ๐Ÿ™‚

    xoxo, Tiffany
    http://lamstyleguide.blogspot.com

  16. Shopaholic says

    December 26, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Great post!
    I like your blog <3

  17. Ellie says

    December 26, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Great gifts! I love giving personalized photo gifts… they always make people so happy!

    xx Ellie
    http://www.ellalogy.com 

  18. Go For The Glam says

    December 26, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Gifts that a lot of thought go into are always the best ๐Ÿ™‚ Looks like your family had a great Christmas morning!

    xo Olivia
    go for the glam

  19. Susie says

    December 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Love it when presents are a hit ๐Ÿ™‚ Such a cute wristlet for your mom!

    Sea and Swank

  20. Sarah Kil says

    December 26, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    I love the wristlet! ๐Ÿ˜€ Your presents were so well thought out!

  21. Lauren says

    December 26, 2012 at 11:47 am

    These are great gifts! Glad you had a good Christmas!

    Fizz and Frosting

  22. Real College Student of Atlanta says

    December 26, 2012 at 10:19 am

    what great gifts, love these ideas!!

  23. TheTinyHeart says

    December 26, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Your presents were so thoughtful! That Cynthia Rowley wristlet is gorgeous!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

  24. aree1997 says

    December 26, 2012 at 8:37 am

    So generous ๐Ÿ™‚ Merry Christmas ๐Ÿ™‚

    Aree With Umbrella

  25. Mica says

    December 26, 2012 at 7:32 am

    Lovely gifts! Hope you had a very merry Christmas ๐Ÿ™‚

    AwayFromTheBlue.blogspot.com.au

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.ย  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles!ย 

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