The Baer Minimalist's Cozy at Home Gift Guide
I absolutely LOVE finding the perfect gift for each person who graces my gift list. In a “quote normal year,” I create a budget, have a Pinterest board that I fill throughout the year with gifts ideas for each of my family members, and do a pretty good job of not overbuying. But this year is….shall we say, different.
This year, I find myself getting sucked into every Instagram ad, clicking “add to cart” way more than normal, and then feeling this crazy sense of overwhelm when I look in “Santa’s workshop” (aka, the guest bedroom), and see the growing pile of stuff. I may have to book a session with myself after the holidays just to get the house back in order.
So as I think through the final gifts on my list and try to come up with a list of my own, I’m going back to the basics. Gifts that can be consumed, or provide a new skill or fun night in. Enter the 2020 Gift List Full of Things You Can Do Safely from the Comfort of Your Home. ;)
Straight No Chaser Concert - One of my all-time favorite holiday traditions has been seeing Straight No Chaser in concert at IU. This year, they are live-streaming 10 concerts (December 10 - 20) and you can not only purchase a family streaming ticket, but also a fan cut-out to be in their audience. Can you imagine the look of shock on your mother’s face when she sees her mug sitting in the audience at MGM National Harbor this holiday season?
A throwback to simpler times…Straight No Chaser in Concert at IU
Gallery Pastry Shop At-Home Dessert Flight - Each year, we enjoy a meal with my husband’s team from work. This year, we had to get creative. We are ordering a flight of desserts from Gallery Pastry Shop, tossing in a bottle of champagne, dropping on each person’s porch and then hopping on Zoom to do a tasting together. A quarantine-friendly way to celebrate managing through this year.
Hoopla Letters Digital Class - I was lucky enough to take a class with Kim while she lived in Indianapolis, but can also attest to the fact that she is an incredibly talented digital instructor. Hop on and learn a new skill at your convenience! I highly recommend her mail art courses. So cute!!
Image Courtesy of Hoopla Letters
Conquering the Kitchen with Tanorria Membership - Imagine cooking up a feast with a former Master Chef contestant (and Indianapolis local), Tanorria Askew. With new classes each month, and a website filled with delicious recipes, this is the ultimate way to support local. It also gives you a chance to support a smaller grocer in your neighborhood!
Bohall Design + Fabrication Charcuterie Board - A bright spot of this year was taking a morning for myself and joining my friend, Loran Bohall, in his studio downtown to learn how to make my very own charcuterie board. Loran and his team craft gorgeous furniture, but have a number of smaller gifts available this holiday season. Order a board, stop at Goose The Market for the necessities (or order to your door through Mercato) and have the most magical date night in.
Bin Scrub Subscription - One of the best things that we did in 2020 was have our trash cans cleaned. Slim competition, I tell ya. Bin Scrub will come to you monthly, quarterly or on a one-off basis and make your trash/recycling cans sparkle like new. It’s the best service you never knew you needed.
Brightly Art Studio Craft + Art Supplies - Brightly Art Studio in Brownsburg is the cutest little art studio for your budding Picasso. Like so many small businesses, they’ve changed up their offerings during 2020 to appeal to the stay at home masses (while continuing to offer in-studio socially-distant classes). Grab a bundle of art supplies and get crafty during the winter months.
Fantastic Friends Happy Pack sold via Brightly Art Studio
There are so many creative ways that businesses have pivoted this year to stay connected with their audience. Remember that as easy as Amazon is for quick delivery, there are local businesses that need our support now more than ever.
A few other past posts that are still oh so relevant during this year’s holiday season:
The Baer Minimalist’s (Simplified) Holiday Gift Guide - in collaboration with the Indiana Design Center
Hacking Your Way to a Chic + Organized Holiday Part 1 + Part 2 - These tips stemmed from a collaboration with Drapery Street and the Indiana Design Center.
The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. Her Christmas wish list consists of a drill so that she can WOW her clients and a magic set so that she can WOW her kids.
To keep up to date with all of the tips, tricks and inspiration doled out, subscribe to our newsletter, The Minimal-List, here.