What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? For me, it’s easy. When I was nine, after months and months of begging my parents for a dog, writing Santa countless pleading letters, and creating long lists of dog name ideas in my journal, it was Christmas Day. Despite my parent’s resistance, I still ran down the stairs on Christmas morning (after the obligatory siblings-on-the-stairs photo, of course), hoping to hear a puppy whimper or bark. The only thing I heard, though, was the Christmas music streaming through our wall-mounted speakers and my younger brother and sister tearing through their gifts. I had known deep down that I wasn’t going to get a dog; my parents had been clear that it wasn’t the right time for our family. And because I’m a self-proclaimed “optimistic realist,” I simply moved on, happily opening up boxes of joy that were wrapped in all the same paper.
I was just about finished with opening my gifts when I noticed a little bag with a tag that read “Sorry I couldn’t get you the real thing…” Inside was an adorable stuffed puppy, an apricot color, with little black eyes–I named him Scooter, and he went everywhere with me. Seriously, I fell asleep holding scooter until I was 22 years old. He came with me to summer camp, to sleepovers, on trips, to college, when I studied abroad–everywhere. Truly he was, at the time, a better gift than a real dog because he could travel with me as I grew up and moved, and I could stuff him into dozens of suitcases and cart him with me across the globe. I don’t hold on to a lot of things, but I’ll always keep my Scooter. In fact, when I got my long-awaited real life puppy Charley two years ago, my heart burst when he would find Scooter in my bed and cuddle him, even though Scooter has become ragged, worn-out, and matted after so many years of love.
No matter that Scooter was very inexpensive, he’s easily the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received. The heart behind him was one of empathy and kindness, which made me love him all the more. I often think about Scooter when I’m shopping for the people I love around Christmastime. What can I get them that will speak to their hearts? How can I show that I care about them and know them through a gift? I love contemplating these questions because I greatly enjoy giving gifts. Really, is there a better feeling than watching someone you love open up a gift, full of gratitude and delight? I could shop for gifts every day of the year if my wallet would allow it! That’s why I’m partnering up with JCPenney this Christmas season to help you find gifts that the people you love will love (and they’re calling it gift toasting–how fun is that?!). It can be hard to find something for everyone, and it can also be time-consuming and expensive. But it doesn’t have to be! Today, I’ll share four sets of gift ideas for the people you’re buying for this holiday season–it doesn’t get easier than this!
Gifts For The Sweet Treat Baker
- KitchenAid® 5-Speed Hand Mixer
- KitchenAid® Artisan® 5-qt. Stand Mixer
- KitchenAid® 5-pc. Nonstick Bakeware Set
- OXO Good Grips® Cookie Press
- Wooden Soldier Cupcake Nutcracker
Gifts For The Fitness Fanatic
- Nike® Flex Trainer 5 Womens Training Shoes
- NutriBullet® Pro 900 Series Bullet Blender
- Nike® Funnel Club Hoodie
- Armitron® Pro-Sport Womens Watch
- iFit® Active® Band
Gifts For The Host With The Most
- Woodwick Candle Set
- Keurig Coffee Brewer
- Whiteware 3-Tiered Server
- Wine Enthusiast® Silent 12-Bottle Wine Refrigerator
- JCPenney Home™ Velvet Plush Throw
Gifts For The Little Ones
- Disney Collection Frozen Fever Nightgown
- Disney Collection Arlo Medium Plush
- Lego Star Wars Pajama Set
- Star Wars™ R2-D2 Beanie
- Disney Frozen Olaf Skating Ornament
For more ideas you can visit JCPenney on their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Youtube, and Google+!
There you have it–some great gift ideas for the people you love! Riley and I have been shopping little by little for the past few weeks, and every time we come home with that perfect gift, I am overjoyed! Because, in the end, it’s not about more-more-more but about the heart behind the gifts you wrap up (meaningful-meaningful-meaningful if you will!). Happy shopping this season and make sure you head over to JCPenney and check out their great holiday gift selection!
Oh, and just to sweeten the holiday season, JCPenney is giving away a $100 gift card! To enter, comment below with the best gift you’ve ever received and one gift that you can’t wait to give to someone you love this year! All comments will automatically be entered to win! Happy heartfelt gift giving–’tis the season!
Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/10/2015 – 12/31/2015
Be sure to visit JCPenney’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Best gift I’ve ever received: my sweet puppy Scottie, when I was eight years old
What I’m most excited to give this year: beautiful hand-crafted planet lollipops or merlot-infused coffee for my wine-and-coffee-loving-dad
Blair, I just wanted to say how much your blog means to me. I’m 21, seriously dating and feel like I’m slowly moving towards the point you are in life and your blog is so encouraging for me to read! It’s been my favorite study break all this week at college during finals! Thank you so much for being a light for Christ for me and other girls!
The best Christmas gift I ever received was my blond, puppy-baby Brinkley. She makes me laugh and is the best welcome-homer every after a long time away at college! This year, I’m excited to give my boyfriend the wallet I had made for him. It’s got his initials engraved on it and wings ont he sides like the Van Halen symbol (his favorite band)!
The best gift was a vacation. I can’t wait to give an iPad to my son
tweet https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/675034827544989698
The best gift I ever received was my engagement ring that my husband gave me on Christmas Day and it was hung on the tree for me to find, and I am giving my sister a Keurig and k-cups for the Holidays.
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/675038519128162305
Best gift I ever received: a ferrett, that my
Mom surprised me with! She kept it a secret for three months, and if you know my mom, that’s pretty impressive.
A gift that I cannot wait to give are Bombas socks- who give one-for-one to people experiencing homelessness!
https://twitter.com/eawalt01/status/675065473659195392
Tweet!
The best gift I ever got was a positive pregnancy test after trying to conceive for a year and a half. I’m looking forward to giving my 3 older kids snow globes with pictures of their grandparents in them.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/675100377981808641
The best gift I ever received was a new car from my dad! I am SO excited to be giving my brother a personalized photo blanket of pictures of his dog for Christmas!
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/675112513256714240
I am #2 of 9 children. Growing up, Christmas was always about the little ones. But Christmas 2001 was one I will never forget….
It was my freshman of college and my mom was 31 weeks pregnant with #9! I came home for the weekend to play with the little ones and do some laundry. Sunday, 12/9, mama woke in labor. We always attended the births as it is viewed as a family event in our family. That morning, mama and papa left and we told them we would come up in a bit after they got settled and the 2 little ones were settled at the sitters. Little did we know life was about to change forever as my baby brother, John David, was not meant for this life… We had his funeral and buried his tiny 3 pound body just 3 days later.
That Christmas, a group of woman wanted to adopt our family for Christmas. Everything and anything we asked for, they purchased. That year, their kindness allowed all of us to put our broken hearts aside for a few hours and smile, real happy smiles. They allowed us to celebrate the day and have the biggest Christmas any of us had ever had…
This year, my kiddos, aged 10, 8, and 6, are adopting my brother mother-in-law for Christmas. She has early onset Alzheimer’s and is in the final stage. Even though we are 600 miles away from them, we are going to gather everything she loves, paint a few pictures, and send it to her. While she might not know who we are or why we are sending it, my kiddos know that they are doing something very special and very important.
I can’t wait to give my dad our entry into a scavenger hunt race for 2016! We’ve done one for the past 3 years, taking photos at different locations throughout the city. I’m so glad I found one again this year, we’ve had so much fun in the past. I’m also equally excited about mom’s gift. I’m making her a menu board with seven clips labeled Monday through Sunday so that she can easily plan for the week (:
Link to my tweet here:
https://twitter.com/Krstenwithay/status/675129822855757824
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
The best gift I have ever received was my Kitchenaid mixer and Im most excited to give my daughter a new tennis racket for Christmas.
The best gift I’ve ever received is a handmade dresser, one gift that I can’t wait to give the hard to find tea set to my mom this year!
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/675166119871848448
The best gift I ever received was my violin! My birthday is the 22nd so I always grumble at combined birthday and Christmas gifts. When I saw an, albeit large, package wrapped in half birthday half Christmas paper I knew I wasn’t getting a Christmas gift! But when I opened it, that was totally fine with me. 🙂
Merry Christmas!Thanks for sharing your authentic, honest, optimistic outlook on life with us.
The best give I ever received was my Keurig coffee machine. I use it every day. I am looking forward to giving my daughter the Pokemon set she was asking for.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/675444841975820288
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
Tough one. I’d have to say the best gift I ever received was some beautiful jewelry from my hubby. I’m looking forward to giving our child a Wii U this year.
maddiembrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/675820266518392832
maddiembrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
my favorite gift was when my dad gave me my first camera when i was in high school. i can’t wait to give my son the new disney infinity. he’s been asking for it all year.
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/675855704868167680
The best gift I ever received was the beautiful ring my husband had made for me with my boys input!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/676089157920407553
the best gift ever received was a necklace with my son’s birthstone in it. the best gift that I am giving is my husband some new shoes.
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/676854062512521217
I can’t think of a best gift for myself, but I am very excited to give my son a wooden train set this year.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)dom
An American Girl doll that I had prayed for when I was six years old (long story, but it really was a miracle that I got one!) and a dollhouse for my little girl
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/677701302097469441
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
The best gift ever! My two children. The best gift I’ve given: concert tickets!
Oh the best I received, was a grandmothers bracelet. I treasure it dearly!!! This year…I am most excited to give my grandson a garbage truck…that I took to our local garbage company and they put stickers on and added his name to the door. So excited!
landfjacobson @ charter. net
I shared on twitter
https://twitter.com/ilovemybeagle22/status/678310965717282816
landfjacobson @ charter . net
I received a handmade photo album from hubby, best gift ever and I can’t wait to give my hubby a gopro this year!
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/678772039298215936
The best gift I’ve ever received was a digital picture frame from my in-laws years ago when they first came out. Love seeing the baby pictures of my kids. I can’t wait to give my MIL some skin care products to pamper her this year.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/679379224482873344
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I like to pamper my mom – what a great gift idea. truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)com
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/679827395768012800
best gift I received was a macbook from my husband, and the best gift I gave was a bass guitar to him that he loves to play.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/680041149227233280
I’d have to say the best gift I ever received was a beautiful necklace from my hubby.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/680138337600983040
I can’t wait to give mom the ultra soft zip up robe that I know she will flip over! Beat gift I ever got – a bucket of fried shrimp. Long story 🙂
A favorite gift I received was a necklace my husband gave me. Looking forward to giving my daughter a kindle!
The best gift I have received was some cookies i received yesterday
https://twitter.com/msim1994/status/680788251167330307
The best gift I ever got was a big TV and I can’t wait to give my mom the coat I got her.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/680998961071681536
The gifts I enjoy are the ones my children make at church. They are beautiful and personal. This year I enjoyed giving my daughter her musical keyboard she so much wanted and talked about daily.
https://twitter.com/mijames82/status/681070616011796480
The best gift I received was framed professional photos of my kids together. I am looking forward to giving my son an icoffee machine.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
The best gift I received was framed professional pictures of all my kids. I am looking forward to giving my son an icoffee machine.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
The best received was a gift certificate for a massage, best given was a oven for my mother
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/681218629577371648
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
One year, after the Christmas gift exchange was over my husband pointed out another wrapped package under the tree. It was a gorgeous diamond bracelet.
The best gift I received was a most fantastic picture of the grand kids.
I treasure it!
And I will be giving a BluRay DVD player to a special family.
I’m really excited about that.
thank you
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/681321563661045760
My memorable gift was the bike I got for Christmas when I was seven. I gave my nieces a doll house this Christmas and they loved it.
The best gift I’ve ever received is a Kitchenaid mixer. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! I’m excited to give my son a soccer jersey from his favorite team this year. He loves sports!
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/681567726272442368
I am excited to give my Mother a pair of earrings I bought her and the best gift I ever received was a pearl necklace.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/681570219681312768
Best gift I ever got was my beautiful daughter that was born this year. And we bought my hubby a canvas picture of our family and I can’t wait to give it to him.
I would have to say the best gift I recivied on Christmas was the birth of my son.
https://twitter.com/leighanne000/status/681644037040934912 laborders2000@yahoo.com
A Beautiful Ring from my Husband.
Best gift I ever got was my engagement ring and I couldn’t wait to give my husband a great watch this year
The best gift I’ve ever received was a Vitamix and one gift that I couldn’t wait to give to someone this year was clothing.
https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/681667054047371264
Best gift, a food processor, I can’t wait to give my husband the compact drill he has been wanting forever.
my tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/681798312131866624
The best gift I received was seeing my nice who liked 2000 miles away, for the fireplace time in almost a year.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/681938255537913857
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/681963772332883968
Here is my tweet entry, I don’t see the original tweet post.
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/681966157218238465
cshell090869 at aol dot com
One year had been particularly devastating for me financially. I had a storage locker that I lost due to lack of funds to pay for it. I didn’t know but my son bought the contents before it went to auction and sold the things he knew I really didn’t need but surprised me with the things that had the most value both financially and sentimentally.
I was most excited to give my great granddaughter a cradle for her baby doll.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/681982042637123584
Best gift I ever received was the birth of my daughter before Christmas
My best gift was a ring! Can’t wait for my kids to open their Wii U!
The best gift I received was tickets to a musical that I really wanted to see.
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/682013350704758784
The best gift I ever received was a vacation to Maui for 2 weeks and I was excited to give my mom a Fitbit Charge for Christmas.
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/682017731064016896
The best gift I have ever received is a diamond engagement ring and I gave a Kindle Fire to my granddaughter for Christmas who loved the gift.
Tweeted-https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/682092198301544449
My favorite gift I think was the year my parents got my brother and I a trampoline — we couldn’t believe our luck! This year, I couldn’t wait for my mom to open up 2 new pairs of warm pajamas… she has been hinting at how she really wanted to replace her old ones, and she was super happy with the new pjs!
pixelberrypie at yahoo dot com
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/682261035919609856
https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/682272600991612928
The best gift I ever received was my lost cat; my neighbor showed up on Christmas morning with my cat in his arms. That was over 10 years ago and my cat is still with me.
The gift I’m most looking forward to giving is skin care to my friend who loves the stuff.
Best gift- Ring from my honey
To give – Microscope for my grandkids
The best gift I’ve received was an engagement ring on Christmas Eve 1981. My favorite gift i gave this year was a woven blanket to my daughter-in-law with my granddaughter’s picture on it.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/682336631643230209
The best gift I’ve ever received was a stretch guy when I was about 8 years old, I loved that thing! I’m looking forward to giving my mom a stand mixer this year, she’s just getting to weak to use the hand mixer to make her famous cookies!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/682377881675264000.
Giving my son a coffee maker.
my best gift ever was my engagement ring and im excited to give jewelry to my daughter
charm bracelet and giving my nephew what is really on his wish list
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/682467602476732416
Best gift ever: my partner surprised me by re-sizing my engagement ring behind my back. I had not been able to wear it for years!
Best gift I gave this year: commercial grade string lights to my partner. He was SO surprised and his jaw literally dropped open! hahaha it was GREAT!
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/682593064007917568
The best gift I have ever received are my two dogs: penny and percival!!
I sent out a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/682639615870791680
i think my best gift i’ve received would be my ipad air and the best i’ve given was a grill to my daughter and her fiance
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/682691947383816194
#SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/682697019689943040
Kathryn C
kacor7@hotmail.com
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
the best present I ever rec’d was when my parents bought me my first car- I like to give homemade gift baskets of treats to friends and family and I usually toss in a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant
Kathryn C
kacor7@hotmail.com
THE BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED? MY ENGAGEMENT RING ON XMAS DAY. THE BEST GIFT I PLAN TO GIVE THIS YEAR? I PICTURE OF MY AND THE HUBBY BLOW UP ON OUR WEDDING DAY WRAPPED IN GIFT WRAP AND TOPPED WITH A BOW!
2nd entry tweet! https://twitter.com/faithjacklynswe/status/682795764620328960
https://mobile.twitter.com/Esham4life/status/682873659762061312