Last Minute Gift Ideas.

I'm so totally one of those people that hates getting asked 'what do you want for Christmas?' Since entering the working world in 2003, I have had my own money to buy the things that I need and want all year round. When the big gift giving day draws closer, I always find myself at a loss when my mother in law asks me what's on my list. The reason? I never have one.

This might sound like a gift givers nightmare, but I am really easy to buy for. I'd be happy if every single year someone bought me a massage or a facial from the spa. I have a Kindle, so it's hard to buy me books. I download all my music from iTunes directly to my iPhone, so it's tough to buy me music (also, there is a good chance if YOU have heard of the band, I already have it on my phone...I'm pretty in touch with the musical happenings thanks to all the hipster Tumblr accounts I follow). As a general rule of thumb, I don't like it when someone else buys me clothes, unless it's a simple thing like a hoodie or a coat. Tastes change and it's hard to buy for someone like me (tall, long legs, short torso).

Next year, I'm thinking my go to answer will be "make a donation in my name to the local food bank". Or, you know, by 2 chickens and a goat for that family in Africa as I did last year. Or, of course....a massage. You'll never see me say no to a massage. Or a foot rub. Or a facial.

If you're struggling to find last minute gifts this year for that hard to buy person on your list, I've got a few suggestions for you.

For the charitable minded - go to World Vision and give the gift of sustainability to a family in need. You can buy a goat and two chickens and feed a family for as long as those animals themselves live. Eggs, milk and cheese provide essential proteins. It just feels good. I did this for my family a few years ago (as well as some other fun personal items) and everyone was happy to know that chickens, pigs, and goats were going to feed some hungry mouths for months and months to come while we sat down to gorge ourselves on Christmas dinner.

If you're more into being regionally conscious, make a donation to your food bank in the form of money or shelf stable goods. There are plenty of hungry families in the CRD and not just at Christmas. If you don't want to make a gift of it, simply add $5, $10, $20 on to your bill at Thrifty Foods in their Food for Families program, and they will donate goods to local food banks on your behalf. It really couldn't be easier.

If you have a music love in your life, I am going to recommend the following albums. These are my favorite albums of 2011.

1. Gotye - Making Mirrors. You know when you listen to an album and you feel like it has kind of changed your life? This album has a profound effect on me whenever I listen to it. It crosses musical genres and it's truly a piece of art. It's happy and sad and uplifting and incredible. It's easily and hands down, my favorite album of the year. UNREAL. Some of my friends will be getting burnt copies of my purchase along with their Christmas gifts because I just want to SHARE this with the world. It makes me feel alive.

2. Coldplay  - Mylo Xyloto. Amazing album from my favorite band. I'll be seeing them for the 5th time in April, and I cannot wait to hear them sing 'Paradise' live. As is usually the case for me with Coldplay, their initial singles tend to be my least favorites on any given album, so if you weren't blown away by 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall', give the rest of the album a go. It's beautiful.

3. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. I downloaded this album about 5 months ago, before Victoria's Secret started blasting 'Midnight City' in their adverts. French, synth heavy, this album is like a dream. My favorite tracks are the aforementioned 'Midnight City', 'Reunion', and 'Steve McQueen'.

4. The Black Keys - El Camino. Wasn't really a huge Black Keys fan prior to this album, but was totally hooked once I saw the video for 'Lonely Boy'. Completely entranced by this album as a whole. It's a rock out good time.

5. The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You. My friend Liv introduced me to these peeps after she returned from an extended stay in New Zealand (is it just me, or is NZ producing some pretty awesome acts these days?). I was immediately drawn in by tracks like 'Punching in a Dream' and 'Young Blood'. It's dreamy and dancy and fun.

6. Foster the People - Torches. You'd have to be living under a rock not to have heard at least some variation of 'Pumped up Kicks', but that's the least of it. The album is spunky and poppy and fun. Your 53 year old boss will love it just as much as your 16 year old kid (if your boss is as awesome as my boss anyways).

7. Watch The Throne - The Throne. Jay Z and Kanye really lay it down on this album. To solidify my love for it, I was at the concert last Saturday at Rogers Arena and let me tell you, they killed it. These two are legit and anything the put out is going to be slick, heavy on the beats, and with sick rhymes. Hip hop at it's finest.

8. Awolnation - Megalithic Symphony. We saw these guys live at Rifflandia in September, and they were stellar. I found this album while cruising through Grooveshark last spring and immediately loved it so was thrilled at the chance to see them live. 'Sail' is the best known track off the album, and it's sultry and sexy. 'Knights of Shame', at over 14 minutes long, knocks down the walls between genres, and has a really Gorillaz vibe to it. Love.

9. The Midway State - Paris or India. I immediately fell in love with this band when I heard 'Atlantic', followed closely by 'Fire'. They remind me a bit of Coldplay, with just a slightly more electronic sound. Big lyrics about love just out of reach....it's catchy romance at it's best.

10. Theophilis London - I Want You. Technically released in 2010, but whatever, this is my blog. This is a great hip hop album from Brooklyn born rapper, Theophilis London. Check out the track 'Starry Eyed' for a dance vibe and 'A Strangers Heart' for an awesome base line. This album has a really 80's dance feel to it. It's incredibly fun and makes you want to kick your feet up.

Now that music is out of the way - a really easy gift by the way - either by going "old school" and picking up an actual CD or record, or a gift card to iTunes - it's hard to go wrong, let's talk about the myth of gift cards.

It seems that older people don't like to give gift cards or money. Ok, so money, while appreciated by the recipient, may cause the giver some unease. Gift cards to favorite stores, restaurants, or *ahem* spas, are ALWAYS appreciated. It's the thought that counts, and you have given this person the gift of doing something they love, paid for by you, whether that be shopping, eating out, or getting their massage on. It may seem uninspired, but I am here to tell you that I LOVE GIFT CARDS. It takes the guess work out of it and I get really excited when I open a gift card as opposed to a crocheted pair of earrings with matching collar that I have to pretend to like for a decent amount of time before donating them to the church rummage sale.

What are you buying your loved ones this year? Are you trying to shop local or going homemade?

Two more days my lovelies! Shop in peace!

xx H