Friday, December 18, 2009

There's no place like home for the holidays

Tomorrow I drive down to San Diego for the first of three LA to San Diego round trips that I'll complete in two weeks. For those of you not from So Cal, depending on traffic one way can take two to three hours.

I guess that's what I get for moving away from all of my family in San Diego, buying a condo in Los Angeles, and "planting" myself here. A good decision? That's a topic for a whole different post....

This weekend I'm going to San Diego for my godparent's Christmas party on Saturday and the Charger game on Sunday. I'm very excited!

For the party, I was going to wear a grey sweater dress like this with boots and some fun red accessories.


But I was lamenting to my Mom that I didn't feel festive enough so she apparently bought me three dresses at Macys to potentially wear. So we'll soon find out if any of those work! I love Moms.

Is anyone else doing a lot of driving to see family this holiday season?

Also, I need some advice....

We're doing a legitimate White Elephant gift exchange between all the "kids" (and spouses) of my extended family (ages 20-35) on Christmas night. The gift has to be new and around $30. Any ideas? NOT a gift card, LOL!

20 comments:

Jessica said...

Cookbook + kitchen gadget? Or book + stationary?

The Undomestic Mom said...

I love that dress! Oh that makes the gift exchange hard since your dont know if it will be for a guy or girl! I have no idea! Hope you find something!

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

Buy something you'd love. That way if no one else is excited about it, you can steel it back. Ha!

PS - I left the work gift exchange with the present that I bought...and it's a good thing because I didn't like anything that my coworkers brought! Ha!

Chardonnay said...

I happen to think this is a fantastic white elephant gift: http://tinyurl.com/yeg33ol

It's sooo fun! :D

Ashley said...

That basket looks great!
MY extended family does the same thing! The cousins (and spouses). I have so much trouble finding ONE co-ed gift for $30, nevermind one for my husband AND one for me. Last year, I put together a movie night gift bag with 2 DVD's (One ramatnic comedy, one action) some nice pop corn and "movie theater" kinds of candy, and a fleece blanket. One year I gave a fondue pot/kit.
This year, I just got gift cards to restaurants that are in our area and EVERYONE loves them! My family likes to go out to eat, so it works for us (I Know you don't like gift cards) haha. My husband and I LOVE getting gift cards to our fave restaurants.
Good Luck!

sincerely jen said...

we did a white elephant gift exchange at my work and I did a bottle of wine, chocolate and a little gadget that perfectly cuts off the top of the foil that covers the cork. It was a big hit and was stolen a few times :)

Ams said...

I think I have said it before, but I love San Diego. I want to move there. I keep trying to convince S that THAT is where he wants to be after residency... I am not sure if he is convinced yet but I am going to keep on working on it!

I am terrible at gifts... so I am not going to add... seriously... TERRIBLE at gifts! lol haha
Happy Weekend!

Laura @ My Thoughts-Uninterrupted said...

Um, that basket looks faboulous if that's an option.

If not I'd go with some type of themed basket you put together yourself.

Bottle of champagne and glasses for the New Year maybe?

Mrs. Lukie said...

I like the bottle of champagne & glasses for the New Year idea! Fun :)

My hubby is working on Christmas Day this year at the fire station, so we'll be spending our holidays in San Diego :)

Lucky in Love said...

We're driving 5 hours one way on Wednesday to go back home for Christmas. Oh joy. Can you tell I'm excited? :)

We also have a $30 gift exchange at one of my sides of the family. Some of the most popular gifts have been kitchen appliances (I got a roaster one year!...still in the box!), Christmas decorations, lotteries (I know...my family is lame), electronics. This year I bought a rather large picture frame from Kohls that I wouldn't mind keeping for myself :) I think that's the key :)

Meagan said...

Good luck traveling! The first year we were married we traveled so much for holidays. Now we are staying put!!!

How about a bottle of wine? That is always a fun gift!

Karli said...

I recently found your blog and love it!! My family, too, does a White Elephant give exchange. Not sure if you have a Brookstone near you but my FI and I bought a six piece Rosewood Wine Gift Set for $25! Our limit is $25 but if you liked this idea you could always throw in a cheap bottle of wine to go with it? I'll include the link in case you're interested!

http://www.brookstone.com/barware-and-bar-tools_6-Piece-Rosewood-Wine-Set.html?bkiid=categoryLandingPage_Home_Wine_And_Bar|C4CategoryProdList1FDT|7316481

Hope that is helpful!

LWLH said...

Good look in your travels..I will have my bum parked on the couch on Xmas! :)

Erin Helgerson said...

Have fun!!!
I think they have fun gift-type items at Urban and Anthro! I've been to both lately and they just have some super cute stuff right now!!!

Jodie said...

That dress is super cute and I think the red will make it look very holiday-y! Luckily, if you don't like it, you have options--thank goodness for your awesome mom!

As for gifts... WINE! Who doesn't like that delicious beverage?

Oh and driving...ugh, don't get me started. 9 hours one way-- lovely! Have a great time this weekend. Happy Holidays!

Shoshanah said...

It could be worse, you could be like me and be living in Louisiana while your family lives in California. Although that pretty much means there's no way I'd go back and forth 3 times over 3 weeks!

CJ said...

I loved the dress! Its Hot these days. As for gifts how about box of chocolates?

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

A festive Christmas CD or a basket of those goodies you have pictured above! Be safe on the drive!

Brittany Ann said...

Have so much fun! Merry Christmas and happy traveling!

Jen @ homeinthecountry said...

Just found your blog - it's adorable! We do the same thing (twice), and here's what we're giving this year:

My gift #1: coffee, fancy hot cocoa, a set of stacking mugs, fancy cookies

Hubby's gift #1: Screwdriver where the bits can be stored in the handle + led light thingamabob that can hang and work as a workshop light or get you out of a bind if your electric goes out

My gift #2: comfy socks, candle, lotion, burt's bees lip balm, handsoap (mrs meyer's because i love it), chocolate, + DVD

Hubby's gift #2: dremel

I really wanted to wrap up $30 worth of toilet paper this year. I mean, who DOESN'T use toilet paper? It would be the ultimate in practical gifts, right?

Best wishes on gift selection + holiday travels... you'll have to let us know what you picked out!

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