Boyfriend/Fiance Valentines Day Gift Ideas

Cute Tattoo Tshirt-Where his heart on his sleeve!
from Red Envelope


or how about a book to hold all his concert ticket stubs (I am definitely getting this for my DH).
found at uncommongoods.com or less expensive at Deepdiscount.com

What about a personal massager - a gift for both of you!


from brookstone


You can't go wrong with chocolates and a bottle of liquor!

and I definitely love a picture of you in a nice frame for his desk at work!
from potterybarn.com

Beautiful Bridesmaids Gifts

Look at this beautiful necklace from Jcrew - its a locket so enclose a pic of you
and your BM for a more personal touch!



Very Cute monogrammed mirror
from Anthropologie comes with the cute little bag!
Everyone needs beautiful stationary - how about this from Carlson Craft.



Beautiful monogrammed ring - get one for yourself with your new monogram! Available at Swoozies (which I am becoming addicted to)



And have you seen Vera Bradley's new line - Check out SWAK - perfect for your BM to carry on the wedding day with a compact, lipstick and blotting papers. Bows are so in this year!


What are you buying your bridesmaids?

Wedding Gift Know How

Gift: a present.

Is a wedding gift expected? Yes - everyone that receives an invitation should send a gift. (exceptions could be business associates or people you haven't seen in years)

How much should guests spend on gifts? Although giving a gift is a social obligation, the choice of the gift is based on the giver's affection and relationship to the couple as well as the financial capabilities. Family members usually spend a little more on the couple. You DON'T have to spend the equivalent of the per person amount the host spent for you at the reception.

When are gifts sent? Traditionally they are sent as soon as the invitation arrives. They should be delivered as close to the wedding as possible. There is a myth that says you have up to a year - the sooner the better but remember its never too late. Gifts should be sent to the couples home
(don't bring a gift to the wedding, the couple already has enough to deal with that day.) Envelopes of cash or checks can be brought that day but should be placed on a table set up for this, preferably in a box with someone looking after it.

Is record-keeping really necessary? Yes - absolutely. Keeping a record helps you associate specific gifts with the givers so you can send the appropriate thank you and mention it next time you see that person. It is also a good idea to keep a record in case you need to reference it when one of your guests marries.

What happens if the wedding is canceled? The gifts must be returned, all of them. If it is too difficult to return in person they can be mailed. You don't have to return monogrammed items.


adapted from Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette

Out of Town Welcome Bags

I have 50 of these Brown/Bronze Gift Bags -perfect for Out of Towners bags or for Bridal Party Gifts. I will sell in increments of 8. They are aprox 8x11 with jute handle. 4 for $1 + shipping

Please comment or email if you are interested. Thanks

More Jewelry

Another New dad Father's Day gift idea from Julian and Company
Aren't these just precious??? I really wish my hubby wore french cuffs!!!

Stamped Jewelry

I am searching for a Father's Day gift. Its my husbands first and I want a good gift.
I came across TJandCo.com
They have these neat cuff links - Put your wedding date and names of them for your wedding day or your baby's stats on them for Father's Day.
They also have something for the bride:
Remember someone special on your wedding day by tying this charm onto your bridal bouquet.

Use a photo of your grandparents on their wedding day on one side and your wedding date on the other side - be creative, this is YOUR day!!!

Adorable Gift Bags

Check out these adorable little bags AND they are earth friendly!
Wouldn't they be perfect to give with bridesmaids gifts or just fill with goodies for your out of towners (also in blue and green).
They are called the traveling bag because you note who had it before you.

These are found at Celery Street.

Tell your story

Have you heard of Story People?
So many great options for bridal party gifts, wedding presents, welcome new baby or new home!
Some fun ones:

'Therapy' Candle Contest & Giveaway!

CONTEST!
Aromatherapy Interventions sent me this awesome soy candle to try out. It's called Wedded Bliss. They have an entire line of 'therapy' candles.

Aromatherapy Interventions is a line of pure burning soy blend candles. Yet, it’s not just another candle line. Nor is it just one more floral aromatherapy brand. It’s true aromacology, the science of scent, applied to the modern mind. Inspired by all types, moods and occasions, Aromatherapy Interventions Soy Candles are a very smart gift; a personal expression of friendship that’s entertaining, insightful and unique.

After burning it, I fell in love and want to share it with YOU - by doing a contest.

So check out Aromatherapy Interventions website - look over the different candle options/scents and let me know via a comment here or email what scent or therapy you like and who you might give it to. Are there any ideas you want me to share with the company? I will pick a random comment # Friday Feb 12 and that person will receive a Wedded Bliss Candle and the comment with the most creative answer will get a candle of their choice. FREE

I am sure there is one for everyone.
Therapy is good isn't it?

Meaningful Gift Ideas

With all the commercialization of Christmas/Hanukkah people tend to forget the true meaning and spirit of the Holiday. Giving a gift is not about making sure you receive one back. Its not about spending the most money.

I love to shop and love to give people things for Christmas, a little something to show them how much they mean to me.

I came across some great meaningful and different gift ideas in Real Simple.

-do you have lots of old tshirts from college or sports - have them made into a quilt. Check out www.uncommongoods.com for a do it yourself or www.campusquilt.com for some help.

-send a reminder of a special vacation together - a pineapple in the dead of winter or a box of saltwater taffy. If you are sending a gift card attach it to a postcard from your favorite spot.

-have your old VHS tapes converted to DVD. There are machines that you can buy from Brookstone for $400 or just send them to www.scandigital.com - only $20 a tape.

Happy Giving!

Happy Holiday

Hello December and Hello to Holiday Spirit.

I hope you enjoy the shopping craziness and spreading joy this season. Stay tuned for decorating tips, recipes and gift ideas.

Wrap it Up

As you know I love everything that can be personalized. Well have you seen NameMaker?
You can personalize wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbon, clothing tags, stickers etc.

How about nice wrapping paper for your bridal party gifts?
or your holiday presents?
or nice gift bags to wrap up homemade goodies?
I just don't know which one to order for my holiday gifts.
What is your favorite product?

Don't forget the Groom

A lot of brides really want to include their groom in the wedding plans and sometimes they just don't care about colors, dresses or food. They just want it to be nice and they want you to be happy. A good way to get them involved is to have them pick some things they want for the registry or maybe make a Man Registry.

You should pass this on to your hubby to be. There is the registry options which encourages adding things like tools sets, camping equipment and cameras but there are also articles and how to guides for them.

From the brains behind the site: "Men are afraid to ask a lot of times about what they need to know, like they may not know what a cuff link is or how to put one on," Easter says. "There aren't a lot of avenues out there for that information, let alone a chance for men to supplement their wedding registry."

I particularly like the articles on bachelor parties and wedding toasts.

Cards with Legs

I am sure you have heard this before but please remember to provide something at your reception to hold all your cards - most likely they have money in them. We wouldn't want a guest just walking by and taking one or all of them.

Good options are a covered box - see above or something simple like a hinged basket. You want to make sure that hands can't reach in and grab something out.

You can make this part of your decor by using a bird cage if you have an outdoor wedding or a red canvas box for an Asian wedding.

Your wedding planner can watch over the items and make sure they go in the appropriate car at the end of the night. If you are at a hotel please have someone go with the bellman to your room with the gifts. I have heard of them taking gifts to the wrong bridal suite.

Just remember to secure your gifts and gift cards so no one but you gets to enjoy them.

A Touch of Ivy

I recently came across these fabulous sachets from A Touch of Ivy. "They are jewelry for your home in sumptuous fabrics and whimsical shapes, all in the Lily fragrance."


They have everything from a closet hanger, shoe stuffer, mini boxed charm sachets to a Scottie dog. There are lots of patterns(8) and shapes to pick from - to complement your style.

I think these would be wonderful gifts for your mom or grandmother this coming Mothers Day or even as little bridesmaids gifts.

Too Many Gift Card?

Did your receive too many gift cards either from the holidays or a recent shower?
Just found these great websites that let you swap your gift cards. You can trade with others or even get cash.
www.giftcardbuyback.com
www.cardavenue.com

At www.swapagift.com you can use the $ on the card to pay some bills electronically.

Read through all the sites before you decide, some charge a % others a flat fee.

Loving This

Thanks to my friend/colleague LaKendra Kennedy with Affairs with Elegance for showing this to me.
My new favorite thing and works as double duty. A vase and frame!

As you may have guessed I love monogrammed things or items you can put your name on. Makes it soo much more personal.

Glass Photo Vase from Beau-Coup

Picture this as centerpieces - add a picture of you and your fiance or use it to put table names. How about you two hold a sign that says '2' for table 2, insert that picture in the vase. Maybe use it as a candy jar and put a sign that says Love is Sweet!

This is also a great gift idea for your wedding party or parents - a little token of thanks! Cool Classic Gifts also have a lot of other very cute items to put your personal stamp on!

My Favorite Thing

So Oprah has her favorite things and now thanks to my KD sorority sister I do to! ~SIGG Water bottles~

Have you heard about how you shouldn't reuse your plastic water bottles because of bacteria and toxins? I have been doing this for years - just filling up the bottle with my filtered refrigerator water. Well now I use SIGG Water bottles (20 or 33 oz).

www.mysigg.com


They are made of aluminum, hardy, doesn't hold the flavor, cleans up nicely, fun to carry and easy to use!

What a great stocking stuffer!

Joy of Giving

I was thinking that there are so many similarities to wedding ideas/favors and Christmas presents!
Last year when I was at The Special Event Conference in LA I met the people at Dale and Thomas Popcorn. I would love to do a popcorn station at an event (a twist on candy and sundae stations). But popcorn is also a great Christmas gift to send to someone that you won't see for the holidays.

Samplers from $28-72 and a tin of popcorn for about $45.
Flavors are so yummy! how about Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Drizzle corn or Cinnamon Creme Drizzle corn.

For the holidays they are wrapping every tin in a canvas duck bag - holiday themed of course.
Its also one of Oprah's favorite things!

If you are interested in doing this for your wedding or next big part let me know!

Open House/Party Gift Ideas

Are you going to lots of Holiday Parties this year?

Do you need a few simple gift ideas to take to the Hostess?

I put together some of my favorites:
Obviously wine is a good option - Crate and Barrel has these cute Bell or CHEERS! charms to add to the bottle.

Pepermint Bark from Williams Sonoma

Ornaments from Restoration Hardware


If you are a baker - how about making some chocolate bread and use Pampered Chef's mini loaf pan. That's an easy way to get 4 gifts.


Another great option - If you have a HomeGoods near you - pop in and get some nice Holiday hand towels or a cute Santa figure.

Happy Partying!