The Gift Corner

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:

A Gift of Flowers that Benefits our Animal Friends

Is there anyone out there who doesn't like flowers?  We don't know of a single person that is not delighted by a beautiful bouquet.

And, of course, flowers are an appropriate (if not unique) gift for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you's, not to mention Mother's Days and Father's Days (yes, most Dads we know enjoy receiving fab arrangements just as much as the Moms.)

But we've found a gift of flowers that we're really excited about: buy a gorgeous, fresh bouquet (a dozen yellow roses) from Organic Bouquet, and 10% of the purchase price automatically goes to The Humane Society.

Your giftee gets some great flowers, and you make a contribution a wonderful, very worthy, organization.

Go to the Organic Bouquet  page for all the details and to order.

On a Budget? Try a Homemade Gift

Now before you yell, "NO... I don't do anything crafty, I can't sew - or paint - or"... whatever, relax.

If you are a crafter, boy, are you lucky.  You can whip out scrapbooks, photo projects, hand painted glass and pottery etc. - as lovely as anything you can buy in the stores.

And if you do sew, or knit (which is HUGE these days) you can do fun and whimsical accessories that will delight your friends and family.

But today, we're talking to those who don't do any of the above.  So what now?

How about a basket of fresh baked bread, cookies or a cake?  And don't tell us you can't cook.  These days, you can use a mix (just don't tell and throw in a few extra nuts, chocolate chips, etc.) and place the baked goodies in a lovely basket or lined box, wrap with a big bow, and VOILA! a great gift that anyone would appreciate.  (And if you have kids, this is a great gift project for them to help and have fun with.  Everyone can use sous chefs, right?)

More the technology type?  Make your recipient a video.  It can be about whatever they're interested in: family, travel, music, pets.  Repeat our mantra: Know your audience; and go forth and dazzle your friend with a video they'll treasure forever!

And if you don't feel like you're ready to make your directing debut: burn some CDs of music you know they love.  Wrap them up - tie 'em with a bow - you're set!

Are you blessed with a green thumb?  Give a selection of cuttings from your garden (and let them know you'll help with the planting if they're gardening challenged) a bouquet of beautiful, fresh flowers or bunches of fresh herbs.

The bottom line is: you don't have to spend a ton of money to give a gift that will be appreciated, even cherished.  Think about your skills, and think about your recipient. 

Don't make it complicated.  Relax - and just do it!

A Valentine's Day Gift

No, we're not going to tell you to go out and buy a massive bouquet of flowers, or splurge on an outrageously expensive box of designer chocolates, or even go for the gold and purchase jewels.

No, we're simply going to share a quote.  One that we thought was especially opportune for a time that many feel like is just a trumped-up, guilt you into buying kind of day.

The greatest gift you can give others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.

 

Happy Valentine's Day

The Perfect Gift - Know Your Audience!

Here's a post that appeared last Christmas on the Travels With Bella Figura USA blog.  It's a great post for The Gift Corner, because it illustrates our mantra: Know Your Audience.  This gift might not have worked for folks who were not familiar with the movie - or possessed with limited senses of humor!  Enjoy...

"Our Favorite Gift"

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful..."     

              (Sammy Cahn)

Here we are on a very gray, rainy day after Christmas, slowly getting back into the work routine.  But our minds are still on yesterday, and the friends and family we visited with, the wonderful food we ate (way too much of), the champagne we thoroughly enjoyed, and the many lovely gifts we received.

Gifts - the very word evokes a barrage of images in the brain.  So many things that can be given.  If I was pressed to name my favorite gift this Christmas - well, that I would have to ponder for awhile (and I'm definitely in too much of a holiday haze to ponder anything at the moment.)  BUT, I can tell you right off what was the funniest, most fun and definitely the most commented on, gift that HOBF and I received. 

                                                      TA DA !      

Yes,  it is the "classic" lamp from "The Christmas Story."   Well, we just doubled over with laughter when we opened the boxes and discovered our major award I mean our gift.  And yes, the box was stamped "Fragile."   (That's one of my favorite scenes in the movie: fra-gee-lay!  How can you not love it?)  Anyway, this treasure came with compliments from my brother and sister in law.  (My bro has now proclaimed himself the "king of gift givers" - yeah, he does love hyperbole.)  But the gift was a HUGE hit.  Everyone who came into our house the last few days has made a beeline for it - talk about an ice breaker!

So, thank you John and Kimberly.  Your gift was magnificent.  And yes John, at least for a few hours (make that minutes) I'll bow to you - the "King."

And a gentle reminder from The Gift Corner: when you Know Your Audience - know their sense of humor, know their taste, know their house (do they have room for the accessory?)  you can't go wrong!  And you'll get as big a kick out of giving them the gift - as they will in receiving it.