The Gift Corner

Welcome

Another birthday, wedding, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Teacher's Day - another gift!  It's enough to make the sanest person crazy.  Welcome to The Gift Corner.  We're here to help you find fabulous gifts.  We know gift giving can be fraught with peril - so we'll guide you along the way. You'll get tips and advice for great gifts for different occasions, and we'll spotlight some fabulous eco-chic, green gifts.  So if you find yourself channeling the spirit of Scrooge instead Tiny Tim, stick with us.  We'll do all we can to put the pleasure back into giving - to breathe new life into your gift giving spirit!

Gifts for the Cook - the Latest from Le Creuset

Anyone who's even remotely serious about cooking is familiar with the Le Creuset line of cast iron cookware.  It's been around forever, and Le Creuset is the cookware of choice for many.

Well, giving someone a Le Creuset baking dish would be a lovely gesture (they're not inexpensive) but somehow doesn't seem quite right unless we're talking about, say, a wedding gift, and they've directly requested the specific dish.

But now, Le Creuset has come out with a Mini Cocottes gift set - the perfect gift for a friend or family member who loves to cook.

Each set comes with four Flame colored mini cocottes, and a cookbook with 25 sweet and savory recipes to fix, using the 8 ounce dishes.

Think individual casseroles, side dishes, desserts - numerous options.  And the dishes can go from fridge to oven to table to dishwasher.  How versatile, and great, is that?

The Mini Cocottes Gift Set:

 

For all the details and to order, go to the Le Creuset website.

A Gift for the Gourmand

Last week the French celebrated their national holiday, Bastille Day.  Now, when I think of France, I think of many things: chief among them food and wine.

Oh yes, the food.  And how about delectable French cheeses?  How about delectable American cheeses, for that matter?

I don't know anyone who is really into food, who doesn't love wonderful cheese.  So, with that in mind, today I'm suggesting a gift for the food lover - the cheese lover:  a cheese board.

But not just any old cheese board; no, this one also appeals to our eco-friendly side - a natural slate cheese board.  Love it!

This board is backed with felt - so no scratching up your surfaces; and you don't have to add any card holders to your cheese display (you know, little signs telling everyone what kind of cheese they're cutting into) as you just take a piece of chalk and write directly on the board.  Love it!

We found a beauty at Artisinal Cheese, and priced at $35, it is a very affordable gift.

Now think about any bridal showers, housewarmings, birthday celebrations you might be attending this summer.  This slate cheese board will make a terrific gift.

 

Go to Artisanal Cheese for all the details and to place your order.

Garden Gifts Galore!

We're sad to report that one of our favorite sources for great gardening supplies, handsome outdoor accessories - and terrific gifts - is going out of business.

Yes, if you haven't heard, Smith & Hawken is closing their stores.

We've suggested several of their products as great gift items, including fabulous leather gloves and  beautiful wind chimes and wind sculptures.

But they're also a source for some nifty hostess gifts: think beautiful, showy orchards (a nice change from the usual bouquet,) and Italian ceramics inspired melamine dishes and serving pieces, plus polycarbonate glasses that look fantastic.

After all, when you entertain a lot outdoors (or just spend lots of time out yourself) you know that at some point, there will be breakages.  Unavoidable.  So, melamine platters and the great outdoors go together perfectly.  Same for the glasses.  The poly glasses look like glass, can be put in the dishwasher (and don't get cloudy) and come in several styles: champagne flutes, wine glasses, tumblers, rocks and pilsner glasses. 

And right now in the stores, everything is 20-30% off.  Every week they're restocking, so if you missed out on something you wanted on a first visit, be sure and ask about the scheduled future shipments.

Good deals to be had!  But oh, we hate to see them leave the scene.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Yes, you already guessed it, for today's gift suggestion we're highlighting an ice cream maker.

Now before you say,  "Arg, another gadget to gather dust in my friend's/sister's/mother's pantry,"  think a bit more.

Yes, it can certainly make a great wedding gift (especially now, with all the summer weddings taking place) and if you have a friend who loves cooking, it's a fabulous birthday present.

But we've got another idea in mind.  Are you one of those folks that has scads of nieces and nephews?  And we're talking multiple kids in one family, here.

Well, after awhile, it's impossible to keep up with a gift for each child (just try as they age to keep up with the latest and greatest toy) and money and/or gift cards gets a bit boring after a bit.

So, why not send a "kids gift."  That's right - one gift for all of them.  And what kid doesn't like ice cream?  So, at Christmas, instead of racking your brain to come up with clever gifts for each and everyone - send an ice cream maker - for all!

And yes, depending on the age of the kids, Mom or Dad might have to get involved; but they're going to enjoy it too.  So, fair is fair!

Williams-Sonoma carries a Cuisinart stainless steel ice cream maker, that makes up to two quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet in just 25 minutes.  Not bad!  And priced at $79.95, it won't break the bank.

Check it out:

Sale at Bella Figura USA

Yes, it finally happened.  We told you several weeks ago that we knew the stunning Shu Juan Lu wraps were going to be on sale.

Well, the boutique's Birthday Bash Sale starts today.  And - the sale includes the fab couture wraps, along with some pieces from the Barbara SilverStein Collection, the flirty straw bags from Bahay Bags, plus a number of other items.

Check it all out on the Bella Figura USA Birthday Bash Sale page.

Psst: those wraps are 30% off!  Big savings, as the Circle Wrap II is normally priced at $1550.  During the sale, you can pick up the beauty for $1085.  Now, that's a good deal!

The Picnic Basket: a Terrific Summer Gift

Summer's here and all sorts of "occasions" are happening around us: weddings, birthdays, anniversaries.  And what do all these occasions have in common?  Gifts.  That's right - gifts to be given, gifts to be received.

And we have a gift that would be appropriate for any of these celebrations: a picnic basket.

Now, this isn't any old little "cutesy" thing.  You know the kind - you can find them in a number of places but they are flimsy, with cheap plates, glasses, etc. inside.  They might look good - but they're not very usable.

We like the Highlander Rattan & Bamboo Basket from Picnic Supply World.  Priced at $134.99 (currently on sale) it holds a complete service for four: plates, wine glasses, utensils (stainless steel) even a handsome plaid picnic rug.  Check it out:

Go to Picnic Supply World for all the details, and get a terrific gift to give - unique and fun.