DIY Gifts for the Hostess

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, I’m guessing you have BBQs, picnics, and parties planned to officially kick off the summer season. As an invitee, it’s always a good idea to bring a hostess gift to show your appreciation to the busy hostess. Those of us who choose to host do it for the enjoyment, but it’s not always easy. So bringing a small gift will bring them a big smile at the end of a busy day of hostessing.

For something unique and inexpensive, consider one of these DIY hostess gifts from some of my favorite blogs and websites.

Make this light and fresh Homemade Lemon Soap from A Pumpkin and A Princess. It’s the perfect summer gift!

Nothing screams summer more than s’mores!  Bring them these S’Mores in a Jar from The Frugal Girls.

Great for men or women, and especially those friends you play scrabble with, create these scrabble tile coasters. Choose your own words and themes and make it personal.

As shown on She’s Kinda Crafty, these are designed as teacher gifts, but you can easily modify them for the girly hostess!

Perfect for BBQs all summer long, make your own BBQ sauce and rub and package beautifully in a trendy mason jar. Find easy-to-make recipes on Bloggy Moms.

For fans of limoncello, try making this one homemade from The Happier Homemaker. Especially appropriate if they’ve recently been to Italy!

For the gourmet hostess, you can easily whip up this easy homemade pesto and package it in a jar from Inhabitat.

Have a happy day!

Top 5 Puzzle Gifts...Happy National Puzzle Day!

January 29th is National Puzzle Day, and we're highlighting our top 5 picks for puzzle gifts!

If you know our store, you know we love Scramble Squares and use them frequently in our gift baskets. Scramble Squares are 9 piece squares that fit together to create a collage around a theme. There are hundreds of themes available, so they work perfectly in many of our gift basket designs.  They are great for get well gifts, travel gifts, and many more as they don't take up much space and yet provide the perfect challenge for all ages, 4-104!

Love Melissa and Doug puzzles for kids! For kids of all ages, they have wooden puzzles, cardboard puzzles, touch and feel puzzles, sound puzzles, and more!  If you visit their website, you can also shop by age. As we begin to add more gifts and gift baskets for kids, Melissa and Doug toys will be coming our way!

For a unique gift idea, create a jigsaw puzzle from any of your own photos at puzzleyou.com. You can create your own personal photo puzzle with anywhere from 200 to 2000 pieces!

Choose your own level of challenge with a Ravensburger puzzle. You'll find 2D puzzles, 3D puzzles, adult puzzles, and kid puzzles. All shapes, sizes, and subjects!  They even have the world's largest puzzle at 32,000 pieces! I think retirement could be a great occasion for one of these Ravensburger puzzles!  

Liberty puzzles are finely crafted wooden puzzles, with many styles and subjects including the ability to customize. Each puzzle includes a unique set of whimsy pieces, which are intricately designed, recognizable objects that fit together in the overall puzzle. Made in Boulder, Colorado, these artistic wooden puzzles are made in the tradition of the original jigsaw puzzle!  Meant to impress!

Have a happy day!

Inspiring Gifts of Gratitude

This time of year brings many occasions to give thanks and show appreciation:

World Gratitude Day

World Teacher Day

Bosses Day

Sweetest Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving

 

With all of these inspiring occasions to say thanks to those who make life brighter, happier, and even a bit easier, we put together some favorite gift baskets that are a perfect way to show your gratitude.

Hope Springs

This colorful gift collection includes a large ceramic mug, daily planner, and mini wallet, all with inspiring, whimsical quotes for the modern woman!



 

 

Autumn Gift of Thanks

This taupe ceramic planter, which can also be used as decorative storage, contains our favorite shortbread cookies from Too Good Gourmet, Highland Select tea, and a trendy ceramic owl tea light holder in inspiring autumn colors.

 

 

 

Gift of Appreciation

I love this "Laugh" ceramic container, for home décor, with its collection of Highland Select tea, an elegant portfolio of useful stickable notes, crystal owl paperweight, and all natural liquid hand soap from European Soaps.  This gift is perfect for World Teacher Day or Bosses Day!

 

 

 

Abundant Thanksgiving

Perfect for the hostess or housewarming gift, this fall colored metal container includes "Home" wooden votive candle holder, bamboo wood salad servers, pumpkin chocolate malted milk balls, delectable potato soup mix from Country Home Creations, and Highland Select tea. 

A perfect fall gift!

 

Have a happy and inspiring day!

To Market To Market - In Search of the Best Gifts

Tomorrow starts the Chicago Gift Market, where we traipse twice a year (winter and summer) scouring the Merchandise Mart for the best new gifts to add to our gift basket collection.  I do love July and January for this reason:  I get to shop, shop, shop!

Every show I have 3 objectives: Plan, Browse, and Buy. 

Before the show (Plan), I make a list of what I need to replace, what I need to reinforce, and what I need to revise. 

At the show (Browse), I get to see what's new and trendy, discover new themes, and taste, test, and try.

After the show (Buy), and this is the hardest part since I always find so many wonderful products, I narrow down the list from Plan and Browse and place my orders for all of your wonderful new gift basket options!

Year round seasonal products for all of our holiday gift baskets:

Two of our favorite candle makers, Gabriel John and Green Daffodil, are always a joy to see!

 



 



And there is so much more, so follow us on Facebook or subscribe here to our blog and see what's coming! 

Have a happy day!



Housewarming Gift Basket - St. Joseph's Day theme

Today is St. Joseph's Day, and I was thinking about what I would put into a gift basket for a St. Joseph's Day theme.  Now I'm quite certain no phones are ringing off the hook with customers looking for St. Joseph's Day gift baskets. But I consider myself an expert in creating custom gift baskets, so as I thought more about St. Joseph's Day and its symbols, I thought it could be quite crafty to make a housewarming gift basket with a St. Joseph's Day theme!

For the container, I would use either a rustic looking basket, considering the time St. Joseph lived, or a nice wooden tray to represent his carpentry.

 

I would then fill it with the following:

• A loaf of fresh Italian bread
• A decorative container filled with salt
• A bottle of Chianti

These first three items represent a traditional housewarming blessing that can be found in different variations.  My favorite comes from the movie, It's A Wonderful Life:
 

Bread - that this house may never know hunger.

 Salt - that life may always have flavor.

Wine - that joy and prosperity may reign forever.

I would inscribe this blessing on a nice card added inside the basket.

I would then add a dessert, Italian cookies or cream puffs, to complete the symbol of St. Joseph's table.

Lastly I would add a framed quote or picture with a family theme as St. Joseph is known as the Protector of Family.

The final presentation would be wrapped in cellophane and decorated with red and white ribbon/bow and a white lily.

What do you think of this idea?



5 Cool Gifts for Men

Men are so hard to buy gifts for, so they say.  It's true that there's more variety in products for women, like jewelry, handbags, cosmetics.  And women can always use another...pair of earrings... handbag...scarf, etc.  Not as easily true of men!

With that in mind, I give you 5 of my coolest gift ideas for men:

Good Fortune bath and body products - Many of the products are actually unisex, but I tend to put them in my men's gift baskets because they are so natural and earthy.  They work well for men who are typically into bath and body or even those who aren't!

NV Candles by Gabriel John - With their sophisticated black and white design and masculine themes like health and properity, they go beautifully in any men's gift!

Inspirational quotes from Kindred Hearts - These wood and metallic styled black picture frames are contemporary in design and will work well in any home or office. 

Travel toiletry bags by Jimeale - In stylish black or limited edition chocolate brown, these are essential whether he travels a lot or just once a year!

BBQ collection - The always popular griller's delight is our unique collection of accessories and food items for a summer full of BBQs.

Which will you consider for your next cool gift for men?

Custom Baby Gift Baskets for Mom, Dad, and Baby - Consider This

Baby on the way? Not sure whether to give a baby gift or a special gift for the new mom?  Here are some ideas to consider: 

New Baby Gift or New Parents' Gift - Which Should It Be

 

 

 

Have a happy day!

 

 



Finding Your Quiet Time

February 25, 2013 is Quiet Day.  How do you find your quiet time?

As a designer, business owner, and caregiver, my time is very much always occupied!  When I heard that today is Quiet Day, I thought:  Now there's something to consider!  Regardless of your occupation, family life, special interests, and hobbies, everyone needs to find their own quiet time to relax, unwind, reflect, and renew.

The photo in this post is from a ski trip we took to Minocqua, WI last winter.  Walking or skiing in the snow-filled woods is one of my favorite ways to find quiet time.  It brings such a sense of peace, that I truly do renew my spirit in those times.  This year, we are home bound, while caring for my mother-in-law so quiet time in the woods will be saved for some time in the future. 

As a business owner, much of my work tends to fall on all things non-design.  That is, marketing, bookkeeping, networking, etc.  As a designer, I find my greatest joy in creating.  So during this Quiet Day, I'll spend time in my studio, away from the books, and enjoy artistic freedom.  That will refresh and quiet my spirit.

How will you find your quiet time?

Have a happy day!
 

In Support of a Heart Healthy Month

We're excited to support the American Heart Association during the month of February!  This month we are donating $1 to the AHA for every new subscriber to our mailing list. New subscribers will also receive 10% off their next purchase!  If you haven't already joined, please go to our
custom gift basket home page and sign up for our newsletter!

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 killer in women.  Yet most women don't recognize the risk.  To learn more about causes and prevention of heart disease go to the AHA website.  There you'll also find some great tips on diet and exercise, and some wonderful recipes for delicious hearty healthy meals!

Have a happy and heart healthy day!

5 Reasons to Love January

On one hand, January can be considered a long, cold month.  It's winter extended; the glorious Christmas season comes to a close; and people begin to anticipate spring, albeit still far away. 

In my monthly newsletters, I like to highlight not just the big holidays and events, but the little unknowns as well.  In preparing for my current newsletter, I found a whole host of wonderful little celebrations available for the month of January, particularly in the latter half of the month. 

Choose any or all of these as reasons to celebrate this month:

• January 18 - Winnie the Pooh Day - My personal favorite classic character of all time.
• January 19 - Popcorn Day - Go to the movies or watch at home, and add your favorite seasoning and good old butter if you choose! 
• January 20 - Penguin Awareness Day - Who doesn't love these classy little creatures of the cold.  There are some great videos on the lives of penguins, or check out Jim Carrey's Mr. Poppers Penguins for a fun movie for all!
• January 24 - Compliment Day - Everyone needs a nice compliment as often as possible, so keep this in mind today.
• January 27 - Chocolate Cake Day - I always seem to highlight my own personal favorites!  Yours too?

These are just a few of the many reasons to celebrate January.  I hope you'll enjoy one of these or find a few of your own. 

Have a happy day!

Gifts for the Caregiver

Last month I wrote a post about caregivers as November was National Caregivers Month. I used a quote by Rosalynn Carter, who believed pretty much everyone at some point in their lives is touched by a caregiver:

"There are four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."

 

Although that was just a few weeks ago, at the time I had no idea I would soon be faced with becoming a caregiver.  Just days later, my mother-in-law took a bad fall, requiring hip surgery, and at 83 years old, it has taken quite a toll.  She will be coming to live with us at the end of this week. 

We had wonderful caregivers for my parents in past years, so it should also be said that caregivers can touch our lives at various times throughout.

With caregivers heavily on my mind, I wanted to encourage everyone to remember any caregivers currently in your life.  Christmas is a wonderful time to honor them, and give them the most treasured gift of time and care for themselves.

If you are thinking of a gift for a caregiver, consider something that encourages them to refresh, renew and take care of themselves, even if just for an hour of a day.

These are some of my special gifts available for caregivers:



Our Christmas Spa Gift Basket features Do Not Disturb bath and body products, packaged in elegant holiday silver and purple.

For the male caregiver, this all natural spa collection also gives back, and comes packaged in a stylish toiletry bag.

This Pamper Me gift collection is also made with all natural bath and body products from France.  Both of the candles in the men's and women's spa gift are handmade soy from Green Daffodil in Michigan.  This women's version also comes packaged in a stylish cosmetic bag.

 

This deluxe spa gift basket, which we call Indulge and Inspire, is a lovely collection of spa and home products, including bath and body from Homespun Naturals, a relaxing instrumental CD, and an inspiring framed quote from Kindred Hearts.  There are other spa delights in this basket as well.  Read the complete description.

Have a happy day!

 

Thank You Gift Baskets for Those Who Mean So Much

November is National Family Caregivers Month.   I was searching the web for just the right poem in honor of caregivers and came up empty.  Not that I didn't find beautiful poems, but I found so many poems and equally remarkable stories of people touched by caregivers, that I could not choose one that was better or more inspiring than the next.  Each story is unique and inspiring in its own right. 
I did find this quote by former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, that very well sums up the value of caregivers:

"There are four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."

Caregivers are universal.  If there is a caregiver in your life, take time to honor and thank them for their invaluable service and loyalty.  This list from the National Parkinson Foundation has some nice ideas for thanking a caregiver: http://www.parkinson.org/Caregivers/Caring-for-the-Caregiver/Ideas-to-Celebrate-Caregivers.

If you would like to give a special gift to a caregiver, we have a selection of appropriate thank you gift baskets for all ages and budgets.  We can customize to meet your individual needs whether by product or design.  Just give us a call and we'll make your caregiver's gift as unique and special as they are.

 

 

 

Have a happy and peaceful day!



Sweets For Your Sweetest

October 20th is Sweetest Day, often thought of as the secondary Valentine's Day.  Although I like to think of Sweetest Day more as a day to share some good quality time with someone you love, be it a spouse, companion, friend or family member.  And if that quality time can include a sweet treat, then there you have it - Sweetest Day!

Here are my recommendations for your something sweet to be shared:

1. Go to a movie and have your favorite movie theater candy.  My fave is red licorice.
2. Go to your favorite coffee shop and have a pumpkin spice latte and a chocolate cupcake.  At least, that would be my pick!
3. Spend your quality time at home and bake cookies - pumpkin or chocolate chip anyone?
4. If it is not too cold where you are, go out for ice cream.  Get three scoops of your favorite flavor.  (Okay, I've never really ordered 3 scoops!)
5. Enjoy a nice relaxing dinner and save room for dessert - of course!

What's your pick for your sweet treat?

Autumn is a Time to be Thankful

It's not just Thanksgiving that makes Autumn a time to think about gratitude.  Think of these other upcoming days of recognition to remember those who make a difference in your life:

October 5 - World Teacher Day
October 16 - Boss's Day

October 20 - Sweetest Day

 

 

Pet Gift Baskets for Our Four-legged Friends

September is a big month for pets!  All month it is Happy Cat Month and this week is National Dog Week.  We just received some great inventory for our new cat gift baskets and dog gift baskets that we'll be showing here and in our store later this week.

Until then, here are some fun facts about our lovable furry friends:

• A cat can travel at a top speed of approximately 31 mph over a short distance.
• A cat can jump up to five times its own height in a single bound.
• Cats can make over 100 vocal sounds, while dogs can only make 10.
• When cats are happy or pleased, they squeeze their eyes shut.
• 21% of dogs and 7% of cats snore.
• The largest breed of dog is the Irish Wolfhound.  The world's smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua.
• The St. Bernard is the heaviest dog breed.
• There are over 700 breeds of purebred dogs.
• President Lyndon Johnson had two Beagles named Him and Her.
• Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic - a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese.
• Boxers were named after their habit of playing.  At the beginning of play with another dog, a Boxer will stand on his hind legs and "box" at his opponent.

I can testify to that last one with our Cody and Bosco!

Have a happy day!

(fun facts courtesy of dailyrandomfacts.com and weirdfacts.com)

5 Ways to Celebrate World Gratitude Day

Okay, so it's not a major, well-known holiday, like Christmas or Fourth of July.  But perhaps equally important is the concept of taking a day to be grateful and let others know of your gratitude.  Friday is World Gratitude Day and it's a great feel-good for you and those around you.

You don't need to go far out of your way or spend a lot of money to show your gratitude.  Simply pick one or more people in your life and give thanks.  Here are 5 simple ways to show gratitude that anyone can do (even at the last minute):

• Bring treats to work - For those you work with who provide endless support and an ear when you need it, bring in some cupcakes, cookies, or other office favorite treats and let everyone know you appreciate them.
• Dial up a friend - In this day of texting and social media posting, pick up the phone and call a friend or family to let them know you are thinking of them.
• A single rose - No, it doesn't have to be a rose - a big, gerber daisy, a gladiola, or any other favorite flower given to a friend or relative always makes a nice surprise thank you.
• Send an e-card - Free e-cards are easy to find online.  Send a "thank you" or "thinking of you" card to soemone in your life.
• Be spontaneous - Invite a friend or loved one out for lunch or dinner last minute and insist on buying.  Let them know you just want to say thanks for being you!

Post your own ideas here and have a happy day!