Do you remember when Christmas changed for you? As a child, I remember feeling like Christmas Eve was the hardest night of the year to endure. I was so excited to find out what I was getting the next morning that I could barely close my eyes. Morning would come and I would be awake long before I was allowed to leave my room. When the time came, I would run downstairs and marvel at how my stockings overflowed and how the gifts below the tree had magically multiplied. My anticipation grew until the very last present had been opened. I felt all the love and the joy that my parents intended as they chose gifts for me. Things changed while I was a teenager. For a few years during that time, Christmas was just kind of a let down. I had all of that anticipation left over from my childhood but I had grown out of simple material satisfaction. I was hoping for that rush I felt when I received gifts as a child, but I just couldn’t get to that place anymore. As I matured, Christmas began to transform. Christmas stopped being about 8am – 12pm December 25th and started being about the moments that lead up to that day. I found Christmas in the preparation and in the family togetherness and in the solemn religious rituals. And I found Christmas in the gift giving. I still think about the gifts under the tree. I still sit and stare at them in anticipation for Christmas morning. But my excitement radiates not from the parcels addressed to me, but from the ones given by me instead. My heart races as loved ones decide what gift to open. I try to maintain composure when all I really want to do is thrust my chosen present into their eager hands. Christmas is still all about the gifts for me – the gift giving. I can’t help but want to give the best gifts. I want my gifts to stand out. I want my gifts to scream: THIS IS AWESOME! LOOK HOW MUCH LAURA LOVES YOU!!!!! It can be hard to find something that is memorable and unique and full of character. If you are like me, you probably have people in your life that you want to wow with a gift. And it can just be so darn hard to find the perfect one. For these people, I would like to suggest NOVICA. NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. In collaboration with National Geographic, it uses the Internet to allow you to shop local, globally. They empower global artisans and give shoppers access to unique, hard-to-find items at great value. I have been all over the site, and I am impressed by the variety of items to purchase and price ranges. I have found many items which appeal to my tastes and I am certainly coveting a few items. I will be gifting a unique, artisan crafted piece from NOVICA this holiday season, but forgive me for not revealing what it is. If you still need help shopping, I highly recommend NOVICA. They sell home decor, jewelry, apparel, and so much more. If you’re stuck without a gift for someone still, you can browse their Gifts by Personality page, or find Romantic Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, and Spiritual Gifts. They also have a great guide to tell you what items can be delivered before Christmas (this page seems to be created based on how long it would take to ship to America. It is not a reliable tool if you’re looking to ship to Canada). NOVICA is being added to the 2012 Holiday Gift Guide because you will be able to find a beautiful, handcrafted, unique gift that will help global artisans while impressing friends and family. Because I think this is such a worthy venture, I am giving away a $50 gift certificate to NOVICA. (Please note that by the time the giveaway is finished, there will not be enough time to use the gift certificate for Christmas gifts.) Use the rafflecopter app below to enter. You only need to do the “Leave a Comment” entry option, but there are other entry options if you would like to increase your chances. Giveaway open worldwide (or at least wherever NOVICA ships). a Rafflecopter giveaway The small print: Novica sent me gift card to use and I decided to share some of that gift card with you. As always, my opinions are never bought. ...