Christmas wishes

For the past few years, our families have attempted to focus less on spending money at Christmas and more on just spending time together. Since me and my sisters are all out of the house now, getting together with our parents and siblings for an extended amount of time isn't the norm anymore – it's a treat.

One way we have tried to simplify Christmas is by picking names rather than buying gifts for everyone. We use an online gift site, elfster.com, and keep the spending limit at $50. While the limit caps the amount we can spend, we are free to add extra goodies to the gift, be it a coupon for a back massage, home made truffles, or a promise to help with computer woes (that would be a prime gift for you, Mom).

Personally, I also strive to avoid Christmas box store mania by selecting -- as much as possible -- items for my wishlist that promote shopping local, shopping small business, and/or shopping handmade.

So what's on my list this year?

Stationery by LauraLaineIllustration, 
resident of Hamilton. 

Makeup from Cheeky Cosmetics,
temporarily located in Montréal.

Jewelry from 5andUnder 
in Toronto.

Baby sling by SnuggleBugSlings
on Etsy.

Gift certificate to White Rabbit Books,
downtown Georgetown.

So what are you wishing for this Christmas,  

and how do you keep Christmas gift-giving simple?