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Hi there!

Hope your December has been going well so far! It feels like one of those cartoon scenes where the pages on the calendar just go flip-flip-flip!

Here at Chez Moi it’s been an ongoing caravan of package deliveries since Thanksgiving. Between my design business and personal life, there's a pretty steady year-round stream of deliveries. But this time of year the usual shipments of sinks and faucets, pet supplies, and ever-ubiquitous Amazon packages ballooned to also include holiday gifts. And yes, if I'm honest, some self-gifting. Don't forget the shoes. Fortunately, my sweet UPS guy remains ever cheerful and diligent.

I'm almost done with my list, but still have a few stragglers to cross off - you know, those tricky, difficult people. But it’s getting down to crunch time so it's time to stop messing around and Get It Done. Hanukkah is literally coming in a blink, and Christmas will be here before you know it. So if you’re not quite there yet, I’m here to share some last minute picks - the key theme here is that they're all available with free 2-day shipping if 1) you're an Amazon Prime member or if 2) you have a ShopRunner account which is free if you have an American Express card (deets here).

1. For the Chic Hostess

A cheery 21st-century guide to proper etiquette, including tips on the art of throwing an amazing shin-dig. Equally lovely for a chic hostess or a recent college-grad in their first grown-up apartment.

PS - as of writing, get $5 off with promo code "BOOKGIFT17"

2. For the Foodie

Because for the true foodie, it's all about great food.

The same promo code mentioned above in #1 would work here too.

3. For The Boy Scout

Obviously well-suited for the outdoorsy or those handily inclined, this Leatherman Multitool is also great for anyone who subscribes to the famous motto of always being prepared. Whether it's camping or just everyday life, this badass multitool will undoubtedly come in handy. I keep one in my kitchen drawer and you'd probably be surprised how often it gets used.

4. For The Classically Inclined

Classic style never goes out of fashion and a pair of Ray-Bans Clubmaster sunglasses is always a good choice.

5. For Your Best Friend

The furry kind, that is. Because they deserve something chic too, even if they don't seem to know the difference between a bathmat and your 800-thread count sheets. How gorgeous is the cowhide print? Potentially problematic if you have a Dalmatian... but otherwise tres chic!

Cowhide-Print Pet Bed via Crate & Barrel

6. For The Gym Brat

Because it's all about the shoe game! Just kidding. Or am I?

Adidas Swift Run Sneakers via Bloomingdales

7. For the Design Devotee

If there ever were to be a designer-y water bottle, I pretty sure this would be it. The design reminds me so much of the Kelly Wearstler "Channels" pattern. Why not bring a little designer-flair to their hydration routine?

Kelly Wearstler "Channels" Wallpaper & Fabric available here;

S'well Bottle available at Neiman Marcus (free 2-day shipping if you have ShopRunner) 

8. For The Music Lover Who's Also into Virtual Assistants

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you'll know I picked up the new Sonos One over Thanksgiving weekend. The sound quality is pretty solid for the small footprint and the voice-control integration has been really convenient. The Sonos One currently ships with Amazon Alexa integration, with Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay2 due to come soon. I'm pretty into all 3 ecosystems so it'll be interesting to see if I can run all 3 simultaneously. In the meanwhile, I found a nifty software called AudioBridge that allows me to play all sorts of audio from all my Apple devices to the Sonos. You can read more about it here.

9. For Your UPS Driver (and other delivery personnel)

Cookies are a nice gesture whether they are store-bought or home-made. I recommend staying nut-free, and gluten-free doesn't hurt. If going store-bought, Tate's offers a good selection of nut-and-gluten-free options that they can snack on throughout the day. If you get a lot of deliveries, a nice touch would be to add on a gift card to a restaurant. Don't make your gift another package for them to schlep!

10. Give to Charity

It's easy to get carried away in the materialism of the holiday season and a charitable contribution is a fantastic option for that person who has everything or for someone who is trying to live more minimally.

There's so much going on in the world today, there's truly no shortage of need. Pick a cause that you know matters to the recipient, and while you're at it maybe contribute to a cause (or a few) that resonate with you too.

If you need suggestions, here's a couple that are near to my heart:

• St Hubert's Animal Welfare Center (97%+ on Charity Navigator)
• The Thomas Fire and other fires in Southern California - some suggestions here and here.

Happy holidays! Until next time!