Lauren Conrad attends Caruso’s Palisades Village Opening Gala at Palisades Village on September 20, 2018.
With just two weeks (!) to go until Christmas, holiday gift shopping is in full swing. And if your quest to find the perfect something for everyone on your list has you feeling like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, we caught up with reality star-turned-lifestyle guru Lauren Conrad to get her tips on how to shop smart and stay calm while picking out all those presents.
From her LC by Lauren Conrad collection for Kohl’s, which includes clothing, accessories, home decor and more, to her LaurenConrad.com blog, which runs the gamut with fashion and beauty tips, entertaining advice and mommy real talk, the blonde beauty has built quite an empire since her days on Laguna Beach and The Hills.
When it comes to checking everyone off her holiday shopping list, Conrad admits to being a down-to-the-wire shopper, but she keeps things super organized to avoid stress.
“I always wait until the last minute! December is the time when I really begin,” she tells Us. “I put together a spreadsheet with a giant list of categories for potential gifts and when I buy them, I cross them off. And I always buy extra gifts every year because I accidentally forget someone!”
The designer doesn’t believe in gifting purely for the sake of it, which is why she takes care to ensure her presents are either “helpful” or something the person “would really enjoy that they don’t think to buy for themselves.”
That means bringing a bottle of wine or champagne, plus a little tray of sweet treats and super cute linens (like the adorable Cheers & Yum napkins from there Kohl’s collection!) as a hostess gift and considering personalized kits and sets for everyone else.
With her one-year-old son Liam requiring the bulk of her attention these days, Conrad loves to put together unique gift boxes from companies like The Little Market. The best part? They essentially come pre-wrapped.
“I have a lot less time, so I’m doing more gift boxes this year,” she says. “I especially love the box format because I’m always scrambling for a box, but with these you just pop a bow on and it’s ready to go!”
With all her friends and family checked off her list, we couldn’t help but wonder what the new mom is lusting for. She tells Us that she and hubby William Tell do exchange gifts, but they help each other out with not-so-subtle hints.
“We tell each other what we want. And if I really want something, I might even put it on hold for him,” she says. “But everyone wants a little bit of surprise on Christmas, so we mix in a few secret gifts we think the other may like.”
So what is she hoping for this year?
“Last year, my mom got me a subscription to Imperfect Produce and I loved that, so I will ask for it again,” Conrad tells Us, before adding: “I just want a smooth, nice holiday with my family.”
Cheers to that!
