Find Unique Holiday Gifts and Gift Baskets at Victoria's Craft Boutique

We are very excited to participate this year in the 25th annual Victoria's Holiday Boutique at the Norwood Park Historical Society.  The boutique is held at the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House at 5624 N. Newark Avenue in Chicago.  Built in 1833, this is the oldest standing home in the city of Chicago. 

This 4 day event has a different feel than other art and craft shows I've attended.  When I arrived this past weekend to set up my display, I felt an immediate sense of community in this historical old home- turned-holiday-gallery.  There is a genuine love for the historic charm that comes through in the many rooms of this two story residence.  Each crafter is given the privilege of displaying their art alongside notable antique furnishings. You will see, in my photos here, some of my gift baskets displayed atop an antique icebox.

 

 

With approximately 40 artists represented, you will find a variety of craftsmanship, and undoubtedly the most unique Christmas gifts.  Given this is my first showing at Victoria's, I was most impressed to hear other crafters mention that although the volume of artists is on the smaller side, the quality is of the highest.  That is a tribute to the historical society and the work they do to keep the Noble-Seymour-Crippen house noble indeed.

Hours for the boutique are:

Thursday, Nov. 29: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m

Friday, Nov. 30: 7 - 9:30 p.m., Girls Night PJ Shopping Party

Saturday, Dec. 1: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m

Sunday, Dec. 2: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

 

If you are in the area, please come out and tour this beautiful home and find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list!  And watch our Facebook page, where we'll post more photos throughout the weekend.

 

 

Have a happy day!

 

 

Holiday Hostess Gift Ideas

What's your idea of the perfect hostess gift?

Do you do a simple bottle of wine on the way to the party? Do you go the extra mile and buy something geared specifically to your host's interests?  Do you bring a homemade gift? Do you plan in advance or run out last minute?

Unfortunately, it's often easy to overlook the well thought-out hostess gift. Though well intentioned, the holiday season is a busy one, and we often end up at the last minute wildly searching for something unique, but winding up settling for something less. 

I am writing this as your reminder to think ahead and plan for a few hostess gifts to have on hand for those holiday parties.  Hostess gifts can come in many shapes and sizes, but rather than simply stopping by the market for a bottle of wine on your way to the party, purchase a few nice gifts in advance and be ready with something special.

These are some of our ideas for hostess gifts that work well for all types of parties.

 

More hostess gift ideas

 

 

Have a happy day and let us know what is your perfect hostess gift?

Pet Gift Baskets Are Here!

Last year I hosted a focus group to get feedback on a variety of gift basket designs.  I didn't have a pet gift basket included in the designs I presented, although it was on my list for a future design.  Of course, there were pet lovers in the group and they inquired as to if I would plan to have pet gifts.  Naturally!

From the feedback I received in the focus group, I went on a quest at gift trade shows to find just the right gifts for my new designs, including pet gifts.  They would need to equal the quality of all of the gifts I choose for my designs.  And as with all our gift products, I would only choose gifts that my own puppies would love! 

It's taken a bit of time, but I've finally put together my pet gift baskets with products I am proud to offer.  Our Puppy Love dog gift basket and Kitty Love cat gift basket feature top quality Ore gift products that every dog or cat owner needs!  And here they are along with some photos of my favorite friends who have given their own stamp of approval!  You can find more detail on each pet gift basket at our website.



Phoebe and Linus especially love the
Ore Pet sturdy mouse toy!
 

Cody and Bosco prefer tugging with the
 old canvas shoe!

 

 

 

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!



Happy Halloween from Thoughtful Presence!

Here it is, October 31, another day of tricks and treats!  I'm well-prepared, with my very large bowl of treats waiting by the door, and our slightly scary decorated house ready to welcome our
trick-or-treaters!

As a child, Halloween is all about candy and costumes and going door-to-door.  As an adult (at least for me) it's still about candy and costumes, but add in a few other fall favorites that this time of year brings.  Pumpkins, gourds, and squash, whether for cooking or decorating, signify the season and help to kick start the upcoming holidays.

It's a busy time for Thoughtful Presence, with upcoming holiday craft fairs and boutiques, new baby and pet gifts soon to be added to our collection, not to mention our winter holiday gift baskets.  But we'll take a break today to enjoy our ghosts and goblins, pass out our treats, and catch a scary movie at the end of the day.  We hope, wherever you are, you will do the same.

 

Have a happy day, and if you've taken time to read this, share with us your favorite Halloween trick or treat!

Fall and Holiday Gift Baskets, Candles Included

I'm a huge admirer of candle crafters.  It is such a beautiful craft, with its designs, colors, and fragrances.  I love candles for just about any occasion and although I don't put candles in all gift baskets, I certainly could!

My husband, manly man that he is, has one weakness - candles!  When I met him, I was amazed at his affinity for candles.  Although admittedly, I turned him into a candle snob, as I am super particular about candle quality.  He was more into the concept of candles when I met him, but not being the shopper type, he didn't realize the vast variety of candles that exist in the market.

Since starting our gift basket business, we are both enthralled by the many candles we view and sample for our gifts.  And, yes, we test them all!  A good candle not only must look and smell beautiful; it also must burn right.  It must burn evenly, down to an empty glass.  It must be long lasting.  It must not put out too much smoke, especially black smoke!

It's a fine balance when choosing candles for a gift basket.  Its fragrance cannot interfere with other items in the basket.  Size is important as it must fit the overall design.  Price is a factor as it is a contributor to the overall cost of the complete basket.  And of course it must fit the theme of the basket, either by design or fragrance or both. 

Although I am not a candle expert, I am a candle snob, and am grateful for the many options in the market and especially for those vendors we've partnered with so far who've made beautiful candles to enhance our gift baskets!

Have a happy 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?