It's that time of the year: big red 'holiday sales' signs displayed in every shop, Mariah Carey's prevalent "All I want for Christmas" tune on the radio and the annual wallet-purge on Christmas gifts. A tradition of society, this is the month to prepare for the biggest holiday celebrations - however...

...if you're like me (often unprepared, disorganized, a bit lazy and broke) and you have nothing fancy wrapped in Christmassy embellished paper topped with a duo-chrome ribbon then fear not, for I have a solution to this quite common dilemma. This doesn't need the skills of a wrapping god nor the money of a millionaire, so relax and read on.

(Not a real set, it is just an example)

This is pretty much similar to the Christmas post from last year, only it targets those who are artsy fartsy and people who are interested in beauty. Known as the "Goody Gift", it is a set of things from art supplies to beauty products snugged inside a little box or a bag.

For example, the image above displays a set with a glue stick, a bottle of pink glitter (may be used for crafting), an essential oil roll-on remedy, Benefit's POREfessional primer, Windsor & Newton ink in Scarlet and Freedom highlighter.


The next image consists of Pro Markers, Nature Republic Bamboo charcoal mask, a bottle of red glitter, a Windsor & Newton ink bottle in Indian Black and a home-crafted zine.

The great thing about this idea is that it's very customizable - if your friend, for instance, is a fashionista, you can take a shoe box and put in it a mini skirt with fashion glasses and some socks - and the person receiving the gift can get more than one surprise!

Rather than spending a majority of your budget on one expensive thing, you can make it more special by handpicking items based on their interests and passion without going over your shopping threshold. Place them in a bag or a box and finish it off with cute little string. No need to pain yourself with the clumsy wrapping and waste any paper. Easy, cheap, economic and much more meaningful to your friends and families!

Have a great Christmas and let's hope for a better new year!

Have you ever asked your friend or that special someone what they want for Christmas and they said "I don't mind"? Because same. Every year actually. And, sometimes, the annoying thing is that they either don't like it, don't make use of the present I got them or complain because it's not something they liked or wanted. It's the same every single Christmas, especially with my younger sister whom I find a little bit ungrateful at times.