Most of our family lives in Oklahoma and Minnesota and getting together every year is nearly impossible. Since we moved to Los Angeles we have cultivated a way to give everyone fun, useful gifts that lets them know we’re thinking of them even though we can’t be there.
I thought I’d write them down in case anyone else is struggling with ideas. Tell me what you send to your family when you can’t be there for Christmas? I’ll add it to the list!
The Kringle Gift Box set from O & H Bakery
5 Quick and Easy Gift Ideas For Out-of-State Family
The O & H Danish Bakery has been a long distance gift giving tradition in our family for almost a decade. Someone brought one to Chris’s work years ago and he brought some home, and we were hooked. The Kringle is a light, flakey, delicious Danish pastry that you have to try to believe how good it is. It comes in lots of flavors but pecan and raspberry are our favs. They also have super fast delivery so it gets to your loved ones right away. They can enjoy it with coffee after the big Christmas dinner. Soooo gooooooodd. Great. Now I want one.
ProFlowers Christmas Centerpiece
Dinner Table Flowers or Centerpiece
I really hate not being able to be with my family during the holidays. But sometimes the cost of airfare is so high that it’s just impossible to travel. I like to send a flower centerpiece from ProFlowers.com so they know I’m there with them in spirit. They seem to have the cheapest deals and I’ve never had a bad experience with them.
Buy movie night gift certificates on Fandango.com
I love going to the movies. In fact it’s one of my favorite gifts to get from my Aunt Debbie. She always sends me a gift card for a night out at the movies and it gets used right away. Especially during Christmas when there are so many kick-ass movies out. (Star Wars and Sisters I’m looking at you!) Fandango.com is usually a pretty sure bet since it covers most theaters. Super fast and easy gift idea.
Hometown Favs
No matter where your family lives it’s almost impossible nowadays to find a place that doesn’t sell gift cards. Find their favorite local restaurant, store or activity and call to see if you can order a gift card. One of my mom’s favorite places to eat is a place called The Delta Cafe. They serve yummy, Southern comfort food and because she loves it I get her a gift card to treat herself since we can’t be there in person. What’s something in your family’s hometown they might enjoy doing together? Give the business a call and see if they can mail a gift card or email a link to your family so they can use it during the holidays.
Channing’s handprint with a poemHandmade gift from the kids
Handmade gifts from the kids
This one is especially good for the grandparents. They love getting handmade items from their granddaughter. And it’s easy on mom and the budget if you know what I mean. Last year we traced her hand on red paper, then wrote a little poem inside it for the grandma’s and grandpa. They loved it! It was probably their favorite gift. So don’t tell them, but they will probably be getting the same thing this year!
That’s just 5 Quick and Easy Gift Ideas I have for out-of-state family. Of course nothing beats being there in person but we work with what we’ve got, right?
