Christmas Shopping!

I know that the birth of Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas- the very best gift ever given & received!- but I still get as giddy as a five-year-old all Christmas Eve night and into the morning! I love the anticipation of it all, the stillness in the early hours when I'm the only one awake, tiptoeing (I don't know why, it just feels like I should be!) near the tree, slowly lighting candle after candle until the room is all sparkly-glowy...

Then the house-shaking stomp gentle shuffling of ginormous little feet down the stairs, raspy voiced, uncontainable excitement, more candles lit- only these ones are birthday candles sticking out of coffeecake- and we celebrate His wonderful birthday, probably waking the neighbors with our heartfelt kitchen chorus. I cherish those squeals of joy, the heartfelt Thank you's and shared smiles.

But...today I'm talking shopping!

There is a great Holiday Gift Guide on the lovely Casey's blog, We Took the Road Less Traveled, and she has dedicated each day of the week to a specific theme (today's theme is Gifts for the Littles, wink wink). I know I'm trying harder to stay out of the chain stores and instead support local shops and businesses. Go USA! Here are the specific links if you want to take a look:

Gifts for Her

Gifts for Home

Gifts for Travelers

Gifts for Children

There are so many talented and creative people all around us, and I've really enjoyed discovering their shops through this Holiday Gift Guide!

Here are a few photos of some new things you'll find in my shop, Rose & Ruffle:

I've got a few marathon sewing shifts ahead of me to get some orders finished, but I'll be back in a few days with a round-up of my favorite Christmas cookies and goodies that I've posted on the blog over the years- they all travel well, are relatively simple & easy, and they make lovely gifts!

I think it's close enough to Friday now to say...

Happy Friday!