Is it that time again! I feel like I just bought everyone a gift! And, I am still a little embarrassed about that gift I got my sister last year. I mean, what was I thinking? So. Lame. I know, I’m right there with you guys. I start stressing about what the heck I’m going to get everyone before I even finish Thanksgiving dinner. Let’s see, there’s mom, dad, sister, brother, little sister, mother in-law, father in-law, sister in-law, husband, bestie, that special aunt, a coworker, ugh, the list goes on. And, I can only image how busy all my fellow nurses are. Who has time for this?

The purpose of this post is to provide you, the busy nurses of the world, with some holiday gift giving ideas. I’ve already made my personal wish list, but now it’s about everyone else. I feel like I’ve already spent too much time thinking about this, so I figured I’d share. Please comment below if you have other ideas. The more the merrier. 

Before we start, don’t forget about the wrapping paper! Be unique. Let your presents stand out! Here are some clever wrapping ideas. Click the pictures for how-tos. 

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The Mother & Mother In-law

No one can deny how important this gift is. You must impress while demonstrating your care and love. With how little time we have, this can be tough. An easy idea might be a gift card to a spa near her home. Or, buy her a handmade spa kit ($25) from Etsy. If she is as busy as you are (or hates shopping), maybe a gift card for the personal shopper company Stitch Fix. If she is an avid reader, you might consider an ereader like the Barnes & Nobel Nook Glowlight ($100) or Kindle Paperwhite ($120). If she already has a Kindle, consider a Kindle Unlimited subscription($10/month), which gives her access to hundreds of thousands of ebooks for free. Maybe she needs accessories for her ereader like a case or reading light. Does she like hot or iced tea? Consider this fun Teavana Perfectea Maker ($12), Perfectea Glass Mug ($9), and some fun holiday tea. Is she in to politics? Maybe she would like Hard Choices by Hilary Clinton. Charleston Rice Beads necklaces are a classic. Other ideas include a handmade anything: scarfpottery, or jewelry

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The Barnes & Nobel Nook Glowlight ereader

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Handmade bath salts by LittleFlowerSoapCo on Etsy

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Teavana Perfectea Maker


The Father or Father In-law

Handmade wooden coasters shaped like his home state? Planet Earth DVD? Is he a handy man? What about a hands free work light? Does he travel a lot? External battery charger. Likes non-fiction books? How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson or The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson. Is physical fitness his game? Maybe the Nike Fuel Band?  If he is a jokester he might like Jim Gaffigan’s Food: A Love Story or Dad is FatThe never fail gift: socks. Consider Smart Wool. 

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Flexible LED hands-free flashlight

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Handmade solid wood drink coasters by 3rdShiftDesigner

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Nike Fuelband fitness tracker


The Big Sister, Sister In-law, or Bestie

While I am not trendy, I have both a sister and sister in-law who happen to be just that. They always seem to know exactly what girls their age are in to. This year its “feather” or “arrow” rings, The Fault in Our Stars book and movie,  succulent flower gardens (who’d a thought?!), drop necklacesfinger-less gloves (I tried but failed to make this cool in high school), handmade mugsdrinking out of mason jars,  things with mustaches on them, and all things Mindy KalingTina Fey, or Amy Poehler. She might also like the TV series New Girl on DVD or an Anthropologieor Urban Outfitters giftcard. What about a selfie remote

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Handmade succulent flower garden by TheSucculence

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Poehler’s new book Yes Please

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Handmade fingerless gloves by MarryGKnitCrochet on Etsy


The Little Sister or Sister In-law

I have a 12-year-old sister and her entire holiday wish list is One Direction this or One Direction that. Try a One Direction braceletcalendarblanket, t-shirthoodie, or smartphone case. These girls might also like a fun young adult dystopia trilogy like the Matched series (loved it!) or the Selection series (double loved it!). They also seem to like these “infinity” bracelets.  Might be cute to get a sweet “big sis & lil sis” necklace. If she’s young enough, she might like the Nerf Rebelle Bow. Also, does she have a Wii? Consider Just Dance 2015. Another idea: digital cordless jump rope.

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One Direction hoodie

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Big Sister Lil Sister necklaces by EverythingPrettyShop

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The Selection 4-book box set by Kiera Cass


The Big Brother, Hubby, or Boyfriend

I am always at a loss for brother gifts, so don’t judge me. I also phoned my 17-year-old brother for help. So, here we go.  Is he a gamer? Consider Astro A40 Headset (Gen 1 Edition), CronusMAX keyboard and mouse adapter,  SteelSeries QcK gaming mouse pad, or Xbox carrying case. As for video games, consider Dragon Age InquisitionFar Cry 4Forza Horizon 2, or Lords of the Fallen. Maybe a  MacBook Pro with Retina Display Vertical Dock or a mini basketball hoop. What about a flexible grilling skewer or HydraCoach intelligent water bottle? Who doesn’t need an external hard drive?  The board game Wits & Wagers or Cards Against Humanity. He might also like some stand-up comedy by Aziz AnsariLouie C. K, or Bill Maher or a season of the TV show Curb Your Enthusiasm

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MacBook Pro with Retina Display Vertical Dock

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Mini basketball hoop

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Cards Against Humanity game


The Little Brother or Brother In-law

For starters, there is adorable big brother/little brother apparel on Etsy! If he is older, maybe this interesting looking Combat Creature or a digital microscopeMakey Makey is a fun, innovative kit suitable to kids and adults. Watch the TED talk about it! If he isn’t old enough for Makey Makey, try this snap circuits kit. He might like a personalized wallet or journal?  If he likes to read consider The Maze Runner book series. Scrabble Slam and Uno Roboto games are fun. How about the Lego Movie and a cute t-shirt to go with it? 

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The Lego Movie t-shirt

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Makey Makey innovation kit

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The Maze Runner series


Any other ideas? Comment below. Until next time!