Some of you may remember me posting part of this article last year. I wanted the opportunity to share again my ideas about practical gifts, and to link to the posts I wrote last year that offer ideas for giving practical gifts to everyone on your list. Plus, I thought some of you might enjoy reading about my grandma’s ear-plugs again.

Hello, my name is Laura and I’m a bundle of fun and a barrel of laughs. Being with me is a hoot. I’m one big party. I give the coolest gifts.

Just kidding. About all of it. Except that my name really is Laura.

I can be kinda fun and I like to host parties. I have barrels of wheat and bundles of brown rice, both of which I think are a hoot. Which leads me to the “coolest gift” statement. The fact that I think wheat and rice are so exciting may tell you something about the gifts I give. I will never win the “Coolest Gift Giver Prize”.

I’m not too much into giving junky or fru-fru gifts, and I don’t usually like to spend a lot – not because I’m stingy (hopefully), but just because I don’t see the importance of spending tons of money on gifts. Unless someone needs something.

I am a Practical Gift Giver.

Gifts for our boys usually include items of clothing they need, shoes, jammies and books. They get some toys too, but I’ve got to see the practicality in the toy before I’ll spend money or Swagbucks on it. (Like Legos. I can totally get into Legos.)

And games. I love games. Especially if they are games I can win.

Did I just say that out loud?

I think I come by my Practical Gift Giving honestly. One Christmas, my grandma gave all of the men in the family a pair of ear plugs.  All of them. My dad, my brother, my uncles, my boy cousins…all of them. We were a family of farmers (and preachers…hmmm..) so ear plugs were a very practical gift. But we all got tickled, because everyone started putting them in and wearing them around during our big get-together. Every single male in our family looked ridiculous, but that’s okay. They couldn’t hear all of us females laughing and making fun of them.

Ah the memories.

Below are a series of posts I’ve written which will give you some ideas for practical gift giving. If you’re looking for some gift ideas, or are interested in what I consider to be ideal gifts, click around on the following links. Ear plugs not included.

• Gifts for Women
• Gifts of Books
• Gifts of Games
• Toys for Little Ones
• Stocking Stuffers for Kids (Yes, these can actually be practical)
• Stocking Stuffers for Moms (Yes, because Moms really can have a stuffed stocking)
• Gifts for Men

Are you a practical gift giver, or are you a barrel of laughs?