gifts

Holiday Gift Guide for ... Teachers

I think it’s safe to say we have entered the holiday zone. The time has come for holiday shopping. My hope for you is you truly enjoy the season! Don’t stress out over gift giving or it will suck the joy right out of the whole thing. I love great ideas! I love to create holiday gift guides each year. Not long ago I put a poll on Instagram asking who you would like to see shopping guides for. One of the requests was for — teachers. So, first up, the shopping guide for teachers. I have created a short list of some great picks for gifts for the superhero teachers. In the guide below you can “click” thru to purchase the item. Just a note, if you do “click” thru to purchase it is an affiliate link and I wanted to let you know.

Some notes the Teachers Gift Guide:

  • As is the case with all my guides every year, I encourage you to shop local so I will provide a couple of sources following the guide for businesses local to me here in West Michigan. Be sure to source local businesses close to you as well. (Small Business Saturday is fast approaching - November 24, 2018)

  • Teachers are super heroes in my opinion! Choose a thoughtful for the teacher you are buying for. Though I love a gift card, (who am I kidding ? I hate giving gift cards) try to find something special for them first.

  • If the teacher gift is for your child’s teacher, involve them in the gift giving!

    The guide basically has 3 categories which will inspire you to choose your gift: self-care, treats, personal - unique- to-the-teacher, gifts. As is the case with any “guide” this is meant to inspire you to choose for your special person.

As mentioned above I wanted to encourage you to shop locally. I think this is especially true of the treats! If you looking to buy chocolate, look locally for a chocaltier. In the Grand Rapids Area, check out Mokaya - mokaygr.com

Bath bombs, hand cream, etc. take a look at Wanderlux - wanderluxgr.com -

For coffee, be sure they are a coffee drinker (obs) check out a local roaster first. In West Michigan we have super coffee roasters including: Herman’s Boy in Rockford. (hermansboy.com)

For candles here in West Michigan we have a candle store where you can create your own unique candle scent. This would be a great activity to involve your child as well. waxpoeticcandlebar.com

As we begin the craziness of the season, plan your gifts now so you can truly enjoy the season. Need help? Live in West Michigan? I would love to shop for you, help you plan your own gift lists contact me!

12 Days of Gift Ideas - Day 11 Gifts for the Fahionista

Can you believe it's almost Christmas???  I can't!  We are at day 12 of gift ideas and today's list is one of my favs.  Gifts for the fashionista.  It sounds easy right?  Just buy her clothes, right?  It's not that I don't think you will buy the right thing, but here are some great alternatives:

Starting with the first group on the top right and going clockwise:  

Jewelry is always a good option.  The fashionista knows how to put it all together and make it her style so giving her pieces that she can layer are best.  The necklace is one of my favs because you can have it engraved.  Choose what you want - a special date, the coordinates of a special place, her name, etc.  You may not notice your fashionista wearing a watch, but a watch that is also a fashion statement can't be a bad idea.  Olivia Burton watches are beautiful.  You can choose the one pictured here full of floral details or they do have simpler versions as well.  Last in this category is a beautiful pen from Tiffany.  Your fashionista should have a beautiful writing pen as an accessory she has with her all the time. \

Next up are a couple of fun gifts.  First, one of my personal favs - the Fab Fit Fun Box.  You can purchase gift cards towards this, purchase a subscription for her, or currently the editor's box is available so you could that as well.  As I have mentioned many times before, the box is filled with a variety of items, all of which, your fashionista will love. The fashion emergency kit is great for all people, not just fashionistas frankly.  It's like a first aid kit for dressing - who doesn't need that??

If you want more "utility" or usefulness to your gift then the last group is perfect for you.  the jewelry box is from Lori Grenier.  Her jewelry boxes are special because the inside is a "silver keeper" lining so sterling silver pieces don't tarnish.  The pieces come in a variety of styles and sizes including everything from travel cases to full length towers to the box pictured here.  Another storage option is the box pictured next which allows the fashionista to organize her watches and several pieces of her jewelry.  If she travels, especially by car, this box could go with her, which is a bonus.  Keeping with storage the last piece is a storage unit for all her cosmetics.  What fashionista doesn't want her beauty products to look great too?  

Though a couple of these items are sold online only,  a majority of these things can still be purchased in a store so you still have time to get them.  Take a deep breath and get out there!

Happy Shopping !

 

12 Days of Gift Ideas - Day 3 Gifts for the Beauty Lover

Beginning in the center and moving clockwise:

No matter the extent of the beauty lover's inventory - she can always use new bags for her stuff!  Whether you choose the standard make-up bag, perhaps a lipstick bag (smaller), a travel bag (larger) or an entire set, you can't go wrong.  The collection pictured is the Orla Kiely collection from Target.

Want to try your luck at buying actual make-up?  An eyeshadow palette like the Two Faced Peach Palette would be a great idea.  The quality of the palette is great and the color variety is beautiful - something for almost everyone.

Probably my favorite gift --- a better take on a gift card (in my opinion) is the gift of a spa service or treatment from a spa or salon in the beauty lovers area.  The spa shown here is my favorite here in West Michigan, Wanderlux Beauty and Wellness Company.  Wanderlux offers facials and other treatments as well as all levels of eyebrow services and eyelashes.  A gift that includes pampering can never be a bad idea.  

Up next is the practical gift in this menagerie of gifts.  It's a make-up brush drying stand.  Every beauty lover should have at least one of these.  I actually have this one and I love it.  Best part?  When you're done using it just take it apart for easy storage. 

Beauty starts on the inside and I love Bobbi Brown's new book that encompasses all that is beauty.  A great twist on a beauty gift for the beauty lover, don't you think?

Last on the list are two different ideas from one company.  If you've followed my blogs or my youtube channel, you already know, I love subscription services as gifts.  Birchbox is the ultimate service for the beauty lover.  Birchbox curates boxes that have better than sample, sizes of all kinds of beauty products.  The recipient completes a profile to better make the box for them which is awesome.  You could choose a one time holiday box from the holiday collection or choose a 3-month subscription box for a little more fun.  In addition, there is also birchbox for men!  Either way, you can't go wrong with this!

Gifting for the beauty lover doesn't have to be difficult and you don't have to resort to the obvious gift card.  Look no further than one of these awesome gift ideas for the one who loves beauty. 

 

Happy Shopping

12 Days of Gift Ideas - Day 2 - The Book Lover

Today's gift ideas are all about the book lover or I guess you could also say the "one who loves to read".  I love giving gifts and what I love more than the giving is choosing something that the person quite possibly wouldn't buy for themselves.  I also love to do the unexpected when I can.  For the book lover it would be so easy to either buy them books or buy them a gift card for books but not today.  Here are some great ideas that go beyond the book ...

Starting from the top right and going clockwise - 

Personal Library Kit - it includes everything the book lover needs for their own library. Included in the kit are adhesive pockets for the front of each book along with "check out " cards and a date stamp.   Many lovers of books like to share their collection with fellow readers but don't always get the item returned to them.  This helps to ensure the book will come back to its owner.  

Next up is a reading journal.  Much like the foodie journal from yesterday's list, this is a journal for a reader to track all the different books they read.  It's a great way not only to document what they've read but a better way for them to share the love of the books as well.  

The third item may be slightly controversial - it's an e-reader. In this case, the Kindle.  I know I know, some true book lovers think the e-reader is just plain wrong.  Others would argue the e-reader is easier for travel, reading at night, and for preserving the condition of the book lover's collection.  Either way - here it is.

Speaking of reading in bed, next is the book light.  If you are going to read in bed, on a train, in a car, anywhere in the dark, really, you will need a book light.  A true book light like the one pictured will focus on the book and not be annoying or distracting to others, hopefully. 

Want to gift something different for the book lover?  How about the next couple of ideas?  First, hand crafted coasters for the book lover direct from Etsy.  Again, something different but still shows the person you know they love books. 

Along with the coasters, is a candle.  This one said to have the scent of old books.  What true book lover wouldn't love that.  I might suggest the candle with the Kindle - similar to burning a spruce scented candle while admiring your artificial tree I say!  

Lastly is a book tote.  Whether your book lover travels to the library or travels in general, with books a tote is always a good idea.  Bonus on this tote? - It's a collab with Sarah Jessica Parker so if your book lover is also a fashionista - well you've struck gold!

All these ideas are easy to purchase, available in a variety of price ranges and go beyond the ordinary for gifting to the book lover.  Have fun choosing what's just right!  

Happy Shopping!

 

12 Days of Gift Ideas - Day 1 - The Foodie

It is December 13th and whether you are shopping for Christmas gifts or another holiday you are celebrating, I have some great ideas coming your way.  Today is all about the foodie in your life.  You know, that person who is all about the food.  The food you cook, where to eat, where to order out, etc. 

The usual gift cards don't have to be your only option for the foodie.  How about something special like a subscription to a favorite food of theirs, like say bacon?  Here is my short list:

From the top clockwise, here is a short description of each item.  (As you can see above, you can click directly on the description below the picture and be directed to the site of each gift. )

The first gift is from mouth.com.  You can choose either a preselected gift box similar to the box shown here, or you have the option of creating your own box.  There are some really unusual options on this site that you won't find everywhere, that's why this is one of my favs.  

Next - you create a gift basket.  This particular basket is from Cost Plus World Market.  I think it's fun to go to a store such as Cost Plus, grab what you want to use for the "basket" and fill it with unique items that you know your foodie will love.  When you create a basket like this you determine exactly what goes in the basket and how much it's going to cost.  The biggest difference I see between you doing it yourself and having someone like Mouth do it is the shipping.  If you order the basket you can ship directly to your foodie, no trips to the UPS or Post Office outlet for you!

I LOVE subscription services!  I think they are such a thoughtful gift.  Whether you do a year or a one-time gift, when it arrives your foodie will be reminded of how thoughtful you are.  This subscription is for the chocolate lover you know.  It's from chococurb.  You have many options for purchasing, I love options!!

Next up, another subscription...this one...bacon!!  Zingerman's (zingermans.com) is one of my favorite go to mail order companies for anything food.  I chose the bacon club for the foodie here, but there are many many options on the Zingerman's site you can choose from with many different pricing levels.  Zingerman's is based in Ann Arbor and I must say, their customer service is AWESOME!  

Last on the list are two boxes for perhaps the male foodie because they are from mancrate.com!  Shown here is the Morning Glory Crate and the Bacon Crate.  What I love about each of these crates is first - they are unique.  Second - they are so creatively packaged, and third you again have so many choices here.  

I think for the foodie you know it's so easy to "gift card out" because you aren't sure if you can meet their foodie standards but don't fall so quick!  Take a look at the fun options here and choose one just right for the foodie in your life!  Now, check them off your list and on to the next...

Happy Shopping !!

Hostess Gift Time

The holiday season is upon us.  Hopefully that includes some fun parties for you to attend.  Before you get too caught up in the "busy" of the season take some time to prepare by having hostess gifts at the ready 

There are the typical hostess gifts always at the ready such as a bottle of wine, a regular candle or perhaps a bouquet of flowers from the grocery you flew in to get on the way to the party.  With just a little preparation you can have some more unique (or at least less thought of) gifts at the ready to take along.  You might even think ahead and have the gift bags too!!  

Here are just a few things I think would be lovely to give and receive. 

I have included the links for where to purchase all these goodies, either online or if you have the store listed locally.  Speaking of local - I am all about shopping local so perhaps these ideas will merely be an inspiration for you to go locally and find something similar.  I happen to have both a West Elm and Anthropologie close to me and I have received awesome service at both! 

Some thoughts on my picks.  I love the idea of tying the party to the gift.  If it's a dinner party, or any party involving food for that matter, I love the gift of an apron, pretty potholders, or unique dishtowels ....patterns and material the hostess may never purchase for herself.  For any other party I love the idea of adding a scent to the home either with candles or a diffuser.  I think again, we all buy candles but the candles, diffuser and candle holders I have included feel a little more "special" to me to give.  I love the personal touch of a pretty plate with a treat on the plate.  Choose a local bakery or market to get the treat special for your hostess.  I added a couple of special bouquets of flowers as well.  I think it is so special to receive fresh flowers no matter the occasion.  I love the idea of either sending "ahead" of you or maybe the next day with a special note of thanks.

Don't discount the importance of the hostess gift.  Whether you have a small budget or you have more to spend, you can spend accordingly with this easy guide.  This is one thing you don't have to stress about as you make your way through the season.  If you need advice or help shopping for the perfect gift, contact me directly I would love to help you.