My girl Victoria over at My Fab Fico is guest posting today! She is giving us her “grown up” Christmas list which takes into account her buying power. Very nice. Very grown.

This Holiday Season, I’ve made a commitment to use my buying power to support small businesses.

Purchasing Christmas gifts can be challenging, even when you have tons of stores to choose from. This season, I will have to be more thoughtful and plan ahead, ending my annual tradition of splurging on Christmas Eve. Every Christmas Eve you could find me running laps in Target, malls and mid-town leaving myself no choice but to break my budget and fill it with sorry excuses. (There will always be a strong correlation between lack of planning and overspending). I did it for the rush and while parts of me will honestly miss it, I’m looking forward to using my dollar to directly affect my community and purchasing gifts that reflect my thoughtfulness.

I am going to share my Grown Up Christmas List.

I consider it a grown up list because it is not a list of what I want, but more so what I want to gift to others. It is a collection of some of my favorite small business and DIY ideas. Check them out and tell me what you think. Please add some of your favorites as well! Happy Holidays! <3

The very first item on my list is a DIY gift shared by Marsha Barnes of Financial Empowerment – http://www.financialliteracy-coach.com

I absolutely love  the idea of a personalized savings bank. I currently have my change accumulating in a beat up spaghetti sauce jar. This fun and custom savings goes the extra step and teaches the discipline of separating spending, giving and saving. Definitely a favorite for the little ones.

Ever been immensely proud of someone you didn’t know personally? That’s how I feel about Michelle Obama and Eunique Jones. The “Because of Them, We Can” movement is inspiring, thought provoking and game changing. For gifts for all ages  visithttp://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/collections/all

Are you completely over Bath and Body Works yet?  In a day when we are getting back to what has always worked (a jar of Coconut Oil can work wonders) less is more. Less additives, less packaging, less price and great product. If you have been whipping up your own concoctions, perhaps take the next step and gift them.

For those less crafty, like myself, allow me to introduce Whipped Goods. I have been using Whipped products since February and can speak to the authenticity of their all-natural, hand-made & locally produced bath, body & home goods. With the current holiday sale at http://whippedgoods.com/ you can’t go wrong.
I have become the Auntie who gives out books and I love it. I am looking forward to reading my God son Valerie Lenon Reed’sConquering Christian. It is a story of a young boy named Christian learning about God and how to live a christian life.
It’s currently available on Amazon.

If you are looking for options for adults, my two favorite reads this year have been Tiffany the Budgetnista Jone’s One week Budget   and Dominique Brown’s How to Fix your Credit.Both contain priceless information but are on amazon for less than $10.

The BU clothing line is vibrant and well made. I love these statement pieces created by owner Sherifa Gayle. In all this gift giving I am tempted not to buy something for myself. If you are stumped on gifts for guys here are my favorites.http://www.buclothing.bigcartel.com/products

If he is the suit and tie type JandHP.com   has great suiting accessories and necessities. This shop based in Nashville has a New York flare and I am loving their collection of fun lapel flowers.

My two favorite ddesigners for women’s wear are ladies whose craftwomanship is phenomenal. Kerry-Ann Donaldson of Rebirth at Rebirthbykd.com  has designed garments for me this year. Who said custom designs can’t be affordable? I love her structure and attention to detail. We will be working together to make some fun custom tutu’s for my nieces, because every little girl needs a tutu!

(Kerry in a custom rebirth design)

Belkis Whyte of Dreams of Fash has designed many great pieces for Tonya, anddoes custom designs as well as pre-made pieces available athttp://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamsOfFashVintage  amongst many great pieces, her wraps priced at $30.00 make a perfect gift for a friend this holiday.Ahem, her Diamonds forever wrap makes a perfect gift for a friend this holiday. ->

Check Tonya out in her custom Tutu!

That’s It for my Grown Up Christmas List!! I really hope it is helpful to you, great gifts are ones that are thought out and come from the heart, leave those last-minute clearance items to those who don’t know better.

Later Luvs! <3 V

If you’re waiting for a sign that it’s time to make a change, consider this it. Money Therapy may be just what you need to break through your financial blocks and release your money guilt and shame.