So, I'm a little bit behind in my shopping this year. Any suggestions of places to go that I can find a little something for several different people? And, unique?

I'll hit up Marshall's or TJ Max for some FABULOUS stocking stuffers!! They have a little of everything from personalized stationary to adorable, inexpensive coffee mugs! I walk out of there feeling like I just won the lottery!

You can't go wrong at the General Store of Minnetonka. I also like small boutiques. A new shop recently opened in Long Lake called Yofi Boutique. Cute stuff for women and girls. I got my daughter some locker decor there.

Here's a meaningful gift that won't cost you a thing: give a Joy Jar. Fill a glass canning jar with paper strips that have comments about the recipient on them. My kids made a Joy Jar for Grandma and they wrote things like "I like it when you do my hair" and "You make the best root beer floats" on strips of green and red paper.

Goodthings at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes has a ton of great stocking stuffers for everyone on your list! I also love stopping by Williams-Sonoma. They have kitchen gadgets, towels, soaps, lotions and wonderful ingredients.

For the foodie on your list, buy an apron (Pier 1 has cute vintage-style aprons) and put a gift card to Let's Dish or Saga Hill Cooking School in the apron pocket. For my 9-year old who likes to bake, I put in a note that says she gets to prepare a family dinner of her choosing. (I get to do clean-up.)

This is just kind of a fun question: What's the worst gift you've ever gotten? And the best? My mother once gave me a book for Christmas—the same copy of one I'd given her for her birthday a few months before. Oops. She also gave me the best gift ever, a gym membership. And the gift of life, of course.

Worst: I'm one of those weird people that hates massages. But every year, my mother gives me a gift card for a massage at a local spa. I always give it to my husband.

Hope my mother-in-law does not see this, but a couple of years ago she gave me a zebra-print purse cookie jar. Yes, you did read that correctly.... It was regifted at my white elephant party and we got a great laugh from it. :-)

Melissa Hardin
4:29 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Best: a cleaning lady for the day!! There's nothing like coming home to a tidy home (especially when you have 2 wild boys like me)!!
Worst: a re-gifted Christmas decoration

Hi, I'm a mother to three beautiful kiddos, this year we are very strapped and only have a total of $100 to spend. My oldest is 10, the middle child is a 6 year old girl, and the youngest is my son who is 5. I have no idea what I can buy them that will "knock their socks off" with $30, any suggestions? Please help :)

Oops forgot to mention that my oldest is a girl.

My other favorite is selecting a family in your community (someone at your kid's school or church) & giving gifts to them for Christmas vs your own family. We all have so much & it helps teach your kids what Christmas is really about!! We personally did this a few years ago & it was my most memorable Christmas!

Plan a special date night based on their individual interests. Maybe your little ones love to bowl or enjoy rides at the MOA. You can get coupons online for 1/2 off!

If your oldest is into decorating her room, you could do an inexpensive makeover by getting unwanted paint at your nearest Sherwin Williams store for FREE. Wrap up a some swatches along w/ a paint roller. Select fabric samples at SR Haris for 50% off & the two of you can sew new throw pillows or make a simple window treatment to revamp her room!

I like the individual date night idea!! Thanks for the ideas :)

I like thrift shops, and have found inexpensive "pre-owned" toys, books and puzzles for the kids at Once Upon a Child in Minnetonka and Resale 101 in Plymouth (the proceeds at Resale 101 help Interfaith Outreach programs!)

I would suggest going to Color Me Mine-- it is a really fun experience for the kids. They have all sorts of fun things to paint and the kids can pick out whatever they would like. It is a great chance for the kids to spend time together and something that they can keep forever.
I also love books as gifts for kids-- you can get some great deals and it really opens up a whole new world for them!

I like to keep it local and support our local Stillwater businesses who typically struggle in the winter. I picked up some great flavored olives oils from Stillwater Olive Oil Company for gifts. You can add some great spices from Tradewinds or the new spice store two doors down from Stillwater Olive Oil Company. I also love giving Aveda holiday gift sets from A'Salonna in the Grand Garage or gifts from Cooks of Crocus Hill. And don't forget candy for the stockings from CandyLand. Please support the local businesses. Stillwater has some great ones:

http://discoverstillwater.com/shopping/listings.php?category=13

Our family was adopted by a large company through our childrens school, they gave us a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart... so I have to buy them something from there. I figured we would buy them a gift from "Santa" there and then plan an individual date night with mom and dad from us. I really like that idea :)