I have literally done NOTHING for the last ten days except hang out on social media, read blogs, do a little bit of work and watch Christmas shows on Netflix. Normally, at this time of year, I’d be poking through the stores and picking up the perfect gifts for the people I love but instead…I’m curled under a blanket and healing from shingles…brought on by a year that’s been fairly stressful.
I’ve shut everything down. Christmas will happen…the tree and decor are up and I might get a little baking done this week. If there’s a big change in my health by the end of the week, I may even get out to two holiday parties on Friday and Saturday night that I’m hoping to attend but I’m putting ZERO pressure on myself. If I make it…I make it…and it might be just for an hour but I’m trying to be chill and relaxed around here. (Though I really do want to get to the parties!)
For the past several years, I’ve wanted to create a “Colleen’s Favourite Things” post ala Oprah…showcasing all of the fabulous brands and products I get to work with along with a number of things that tickle my fancy. However, once again, the holidays are upon us and I haven’t done the work to curate an Oprah list!
However, my East Coast Blogger friends have!
I’ve gone through them…and the following post is jam-packed with blue links that will take you to gift guides for everyone on your list including ME! In fact, to make things super easy for you, I’ve gone through their lists and in each case, I’ve chosen my favourite item so anyone wishing to get me a present will have no difficult getting just the perfect thing!
The following are a number of my blogger friends…each of them part of the ECM Media community and doing some pretty awesome things. Check out their blogs and Gift Guides, and if you see a blogger that you feel a connection with, make sure to follow them on social media!
East Coast Mermaid Holiday Gift Guide:
Crystal is as genuine as it gets! Her East Coast Mermaid Holiday Guide is filled with all of the brands that represent her so well. She’s a genuine mermaid (aka beach bum) with a heart of gold! Along with her blog, she has a fabulous PR Agency and is also the owner of Sandy Toes Shop (check it out on the bottom of her gift guide.) She’s truly living her best Mermaid life and is a fabulous support to me in my journey as a blogger!
Make friends with Crystal on Instagram! but fair warning…you might get a little jealous of some of her beach travels!
Like me…Crystal is Fearless! I quite like these bangles from the In Pursuit Mobile Boutique (also, they sell some pretty great clothing in all sizes…I’ve purchased a few pieces and have been super pleased.)
12 Days of Local Gifting:
Jenna runs a great blog, Pickle Planet Moncton, and did a rather unique gift guide this year. She asked 12 parents what their favourite local shops were…and gave links to the products and shops. This guide is JAM PACKED with tons of ideas for everyone on your list and really worth your time to click on the links and explore.
Matt, one of my favourite blogger friends from Moncton, chose a New Brunswick Tartan Scarf from Home Apparel as one of his favourite items, and I totally get where he’s coming from as I’d love a Newfoundland blanket scarf from that shop as well!
Check out Jenna’s 12 Days of Local Gifting gift guide to discover some fabulous local brands (as well as 12 amazing people!)
Photo Credit: Home Apparel website.
2018 Support Local NB Holiday Gift Guide!
Another fabulous New Brunswick blogger, Ruth Ann from Everything Unscripted, put together a list of some of her favourite local products.
One of Ruth’s favourite items is a favourite of mine as well…the Eclair Lips Natural Lip Balm. Sylvie, the owner of Eclair Lips is an absolute joy and her lip balms are pretty fantastic including this year’s holiday line of fabulous flavours!
Check out Ruth’s 2018 Support Local NB Holiday Gift Guide and make sure to follow Ruth Ann on social media as she’s lighting things up in New Brunswick one blog post at a time!
View this post on Instagram
25 Gift Ideas for Mom To Be:
Jenna from There’s a Shoe for That, put together 25 Gift Ideas for Mom To Be…because guess what…JENNA’S HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!
It’s been YEARS since there’s been a baby around my house for the holidays and I have to say…it really is a special time for parents and grandparents of little ones…they really do make the holidays so much sweeter and I look forward to the day that there’s little ones around my house again!!!
However, while I’m long past that new mom stage myself (phew), I did rather like a Stella and Dot necklace that Jenna did a giveaway with last week on Instagram that she also has on her guide.
View this post on Instagram
Experience Gift Guide for Kids:
But wait…Jenna didn’t stop there. This busy expectant mom went out of her way to do a little research and come up with a number of adventures that you can do with your child. Rather than a toy…how about signing your little one up for a swim or art class! Kids want TIME with the people they love…truly one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Check out Jenna’s Experience Gift Guide for Kids in various locations including Charlottetown, Saint John, Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton and Bathurst.
2018 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide:
Like others, my amazing friend Suzi from Confessions of a Fitness Instructor has put together a list of Local Gifts in her 2018 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide.
I love the Go Holy Shirts…fabulous t-shirts with Christian sayings allowing you to worship in style!
I’m kind of smitten with the Jesus is the Reason for the Season shirt…because, well, Jesus is the reason for the season. There’s also a Jesus and coffee fuel me shirt…which I’d totally get if they had one for TEA…and a Living on a Prayer shirt that I might have to get as well…’cause, well, around here these days, I’m pretty much living on prayers! Oh…and the Faith > Fear shirt…yeah, I’m kind of taken by that one too…mostly, because it truly difficult to fear…when faith steps in!
View this post on Instagram
Holiday Gift Guides from Country Parent:
Regina from Country Parent went all out with Holiday Gift Guides this year and if you take a peek through her blog, you’ll find the Gifts Under $20, Gifts Under $50, Stocking Stuffers, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Children, Gifts for the Whole Family and gifts from the Antigonish Farmer’s Market.
My favoured pick from all of them would have to be the Steinhart Gin from Steinhart Distillery in Antigonish because GIN AND TONICS!!! Check out their website to read about their story and the wonderful products they make…and check out Regina’s suggestions for holiday gifts for everyone on your list!
Photo Credit: Steinhard Distillery website.
Simple Local Life 2018 Holiday Gift Guide:
Jen is making waves on the South Shore with her blog, Simple Local Life, and her ability to casually chit-chat with folks on her Facebook Lives! Make sure to follow her on Facebook as there’s always something exciting going on in the South Shore!
Jen’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide is a compilation of local companies she’s had the opportunity to work with throughout the year. I’m quite a fan of the annual Amos Pewter ornament and look forward to seeing the work every year. In fact, I’ve purchased many for friends and family…but oddly don’t have any myself! (I might have to fix that soon!!!)
View this post on Instagram
East Coast Mommy 2018 DIY Gifts and Gift Guides… OVER 100 gift ideas included:
If you follow Gina from East Coast Mommy, you’ll know that Gina crafts up a storm on a regular basis.
Gina has an extensive gift guide of DIY Gifts as well as links to additional gift guide and it’s worth having a good peek around for some fantastic ideas!
I’m rather smitten with felt ornaments and have quite a few on my tree. Gina provides step-by-step instructions for quite a few different ones including this adorable elf boot!
Christmas Gift Ideas for Cruise Lovers:
Do we have a cruise lover among us? Janine and Jordan of See by Sea have put together their Christmas Gift Ideas for Cruise Lovers guide, showcasing a few essentials you need when hitting the open seas!
I’m a fan of the Beats Pill Waterproof Speaker as I quite enjoy the one we have…taking it out on the deck quite often during the beautiful summer evenings. But now…I’m thinking I might have to take it on a cruise!!!
Check out Janine and Jordan’s suggestions and make sure to follow their travel adventures on the blog!
Inglis Jewellers Gift Guide:
Sarah and Brent from Dashboard living visited Inglis Jewellers last week to look at all the pretty things and recommend some items for their gift guide.
I’ve been following this Truro jeweller on social media for quite some time and am quite taken by a number of beautiful products they carry in their store. At some point, I figure I’ll go all nuts and buy myself a fancy ring…the shinier the better!!!
View this post on Instagram
Follow Dashboard Living and check out their Inglis Guide as well as a My Home Apparel gift guide, Favourite Things and the Ultimate Travel Gift Guide.
Holiday Gift Guides:
Katrina Rose has put together a number of different gift guides including Gift Guide for Him, Gift Guide for Her – Under $100, Gift Guide for Her – Under $50, Gifting Guide – The Every Girl, and Small Shop Holiday Gifting.
As Katrina says in her Gifting Guide for the Every Girl, “There is nothing better than having your space smelling like aromatherapy. It is relaxing, inspiring and therapeutic.”
Unfortunately, the “relaxing, inspiring and therapeutic” didn’t really happen a few weeks ago when my pup chased a ball and got caught in the wires of my fabulous diffuser that hit the ground…smashing to a million pieces. I’m in the market for a new one…but might want to avoid glass this time despite how gorgeous it looks!
I’m smitten with this one that Katrina mentions in her guide (it comes in a few different colours)…I had the silver one…before the pup wrecked my fun!
View this post on Instagram
Holiday Gift Guide for Minimalists:
If you met Carmen from Tiny Adventures, you’d realize quickly that this sweet girls is jam-packed with personality. Carmen has a dream of living in a Tiny Home and is working towards making that dream a reality some day…chronicling all of her thoughts on her blog.
And…since tiny homes require a minimalist lifestyle, Carmen put together her Holiday Gift Guide for Minimalists with my favourite item on her list being the Koffee Organics Bath Bomb that adds a touch of relaxation to your bath…then totally disappears!
Atlantic Canada Local Gift Guide:
And last but far from least, check out the variety of gift guides from Kayla at Short Presents including the Atlantic Canada Local Gift Guide, Gift Guide for the Person who has Everything and Gift Ideas for the Men in Your Life.
While I’m pouring over gift ideas and gift guides…I’m quite sure I know Kayla well enough by now that if I asked her what the most important gift to give someone…she would say KINDNESS! Kayla truly walks the walk and talks the talk!
Don’t miss Kayla’s 12 Days of Giveaways happening RIGHT NOW on Instagram for a chance to win some fabulous items!!!
As far as choosing a favourite from her lists…there were quite a few things I liked but I’m rather taken by these Salt Wreck Prints…however, I’m torn between the Puffin, the Moose or a print of the Bascillica! I might have to get all three!
Photo Credit: Salt Wreck website.
And there you have it!!! My round up of fabulous gift guides from a number of Bloggers around the East Coast who have worked with these amazing brands. We’re all too happy to spread the word about products that suit our lifestyles.
Click on the links…check out the guides…and let me know your favourite product! And, if you know of another East Coast Gift Guide I should know about…make sure to add it in the comments below!
LOVE so many of these picks (and the guides!), including the Puffin and the treats from Koffee – both would make me happy under the tree this year! (I already have a stock pile of Eclair Lips, indulging my desire for Candy Cane Ice Cream without assaulting my waistline daily!) Thank you for sharing & hope those parties are awesome!!
Amazing round-up! So many options and all from local bloggers ?
This is the BEST gift guide round up out there! Thanks so much for including me and for putting this resource together.
You’re very welcome and what a lovely thing to say!!! It was fun to look at all of the guides. Some beautiful stores you’re all representing.