The Official Guide to Gift Giving

2006-09-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

What gift to give: On vacation...

We're heading out for a looong overdue vacation, just me and my husband. Everyone together..."ahhhhhhhh...."
I can almost imagine just how nice it will be to sleep in, eat at a normal pace without getting up a million times, and just talk. We may even enjoy an adult beverage or two!

I'll be back in a week. Until then, feel free to check out milobaby.
You'll find an array of honestly funny infant tee's!
$20+free shipping!!

Until then...

2006-09-08T08:21:00.000-05:00

UDON Noodle Bowl.
OK, so I'm not much of a cook. I'd LIKE to be, but with small children that A: eat only chicken nuggets and B: barely give me enough time to use the bathroom during the day, I rarely have time to really cook. I love ordering Chinese takeout though. These lovely bowls would make me FEEL as though I slaved over the stove...maybe?
A blend of a mug and a bowl, the handmade piece is contoured to fit snugly in the palm of your hand. Perfect for those nights where dinner is relaxed in the living room. The chopsticks are even included.
$26 each at Uncommon Goods.

2006-09-06T13:55:00.000-05:00

Across the nation, moms are jumping up and down. School is FINALLY back in session. No more whining, begging to watch MORE TV, constant boredom. Time to shuffle those little ones back into the arms of their teachers.

Thank GOD for good teachers.

I know I've got a little one who I know is a handful at school. Most people think of giving a teacher a gift during the holidays or end of the year.
Why not send in your little rug rat with a nice lanyard. What's a lanyard? Most teachers these days have to wear a photo ID around their neck at all times. A Lanyard is the cord that you wear that holds the ID. This beauty would enable the teacher to get rid of the boring one that looks like it is made out of a shoe string!
Nothing wrong with starting the year on the right foot. It might give your child a little leverage next time he gets caught making a paper airplane during history class!

Quite the deal starting at $12.00 at www.TeacherGifts.com

2006-09-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

For my wedding I received an 8 piece set of beautiful crystal wine glasses. I felt like an real adult the first time I had company over. The first time I washed them, I broke 3 of them. Who knew that you had to wash crystal at a certain temperature or else they would snap in two? Not me! Unfortunately, I have a shelf full of mismatched glasses today. Perhaps people think I'm eclectic?? Perhaps not.

These stainless steel wine glasses would have been a much better gift option for me. I know that this is in the running for my sister's bridal shower coming up. She'll be able to keep them forever. Unbreakable-easy to take care of. Perfect!

$19.99 for a set of 2 at After 5

2006-09-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

Amoebas anyone?
According to Wikipedia: Amoeba itself is found in freshwater, typically on decaying vegetation from streams, but is not especially common in nature.

Check these out. They might not be the real thing, but they might be even better!! At The Starving Artist Bazzar you can have your pick of amoeba pendants, earrings, or even mini necklaces. They are truly unique. One of those things that you see someone wearing and HAVE to know where it came from! Each pendant is hung on a 16 inch leather cord.

I'm all for the extremely reasonable price as well! $20 = a gift your friend will be proud to wear and show off!! Make sure you pick one up for yourself as well because you'll have a hard time parting with this one!

2006-09-02T12:52:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't have a blog these days? I have a couple actually. Almost everyone I know has a blog. I've actually MET people in real life that have become great friends by stumbling upon their blog or them stumbling upon mine.

Blogs are everywhere! I have one friend in particular that blogs everything. Everything she does winds up being a hilarious story on her blog. It doesn't matter what it's about, it's never boring.

Do you have a friend who blogs everything? Does he/she make a normal outing and turn it into a story worth publishing?
This shirt is for them. "Everything you do can and will be used as blog material."

I know I'll be getting this for my friend for her birthday. At $17.99 at cafepress, you can't go wrong!

2006-08-31T08:38:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, wedding gifts have become Target gift cards. It seems like EVERYONE is registered at Target, and half the things on the registry you would never buy for a wedding gift. Seriously, who really thinks you're going to give a huge garage garbage can? Really.
Again, if you're like me, you've sort of missed the fun of finding something unique to give. I know that I look back at some of my gifts and remember who gave them to me. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe not.

I've found that gift for you. The gift where in 10 years they will look back and say, "Oh, so and so gave this to me."
Check out this personalized pottery. Here's a closer view.
This is totally personalized. You get to pick the shape of pottery, color, lettering, band design and optional center design. On the back you can choose to put a personalized message.
It comes with a personalized card and a wire to hang the plate.

This would be perfect for a wedding, anniversary or even a new house gift.
$95

2006-08-29T13:29:00.000-05:00

I fell in love with this.

As a mom myself, I know that most baby items you purchase or receive as gifts are either plastic, or really only good for one child. There is not much out there that is something that you'd save for your grandchildren.

Check out this beautiful sterling silver baby rattle. This truly can be passed on from generation to generation. It rattles a beautiful chime. Can't you almost hear it by looking at it? It's back to the basics time. Sure, plastic keys are fun, but this is just beautiful. It measures just under 3 inches and comes gift wrapped for you! Perfect for that special new baby or shower you have to attend. Better yet, surprise the parents at the christening with this beautiful rattle.

$63.99 at Simply Lovely Gifts.

2006-08-28T12:09:00.000-05:00

Have you been invited to a kids birthday party and just don't know what to buy?
Let me suggest the Melissa and Doug Sushi Wooden Play Set.
The parents will totally think that this gift rocks, and it will totally give the child a new aura of 'coolness'.
Three types of sushi rice (nigiri, oshi, and maki) pieces come with shrimp, tuna, salmon roe, and egg pieces. Ginger, wasabi, and a dish of shoyu (soy sauce) are included, along with chopsticks, a play cleaver, and a menu.
Even more fun than the sushi itself is the noise you get while slicing the sushi. It makes a realistic chopping sound.
Get those kids past mac n cheese and pbj's and headed down the sushi path!

Price= $19.95 at OlieBollen.com

2006-08-25T12:51:00.000-05:00

Looking for something a little more impressive?
Check out this amazing digital frame.

It takes pictures straight off your camera's memory stick. That's MY kind of frame.
My frames usually have outdated pictures simply because I have a problem taking pictures OFF of my camera and printing them.

This would be a perfect gift when you go visit Grandma and Grandpa. Let them take pictures of you and your kids while you're visiting. All they need to do then is plug in the memory stick and they'll have picture after picture to remind them of the memories they made.

Also a great gift for a new bride and groom. They will be able to remember their honeymoon for a long time...or until they need their memory stick again!

$249.95 at The Sharper Image

2006-08-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

Is your fridge like mine?
I seem to collect BAD magnets.
I know I have one from Pizza Hut and from the plumber who came to fix my garbage disposal. I'd like to have cute magnets, but where do you find them?

I've found the place. Fridge Door is the one stop shop for all things magnet.

Check out this cool set by iPop. These tiny magnets are so small, yet so strong. They boast that they go 'click' on your fridge. Hm, not like the pizza hut that doesn't hold my grocery list? Not into the Zen images? Trust me, you'll find something that fits you. Another one of my favorites: Monkey Clicks.

Prices start at $9.50
Perfect for a small gift or add on gift when you're shopping for the person who just bought a new home or apartment!

2006-08-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

Gift of the month clubs are becoming quite popular.
You can get anything you could possibly imagine from wine, cheese, candles, even ice cream if you can believe it!

Lilie at A Planet 4 Creation has made your life a bit easier if you are shopping for someone who would appreciate a little sparkle.
The Charmer Clip of the Month Club includes 6 of her beautiful charmer clips which can be clipped on zippers on backpacks, jackets, purses or make up bags. This really is a great gift because you are able to totally customize the charmers to fit the likes of your gift receiver.
Check out all the crystals and charms you get to choose from.
And if you can't wait and want all 6 charmers right away, that's no problem! Lilie will ship them all together if you ask.

Charmer Clip of the Month Club: $75 for 6 months or $140 for 12 months. Did we tell you they have free gift wrapping?

2006-08-22T14:29:00.000-05:00

Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans from all over the world making sure they get fair wage.

A quote from their website:
We market quality products from diverse cultures around the world made by people that we know and care enough about to do business in a manner that together we consider fair.

What started out as a small idea has turned into more than 160 retail stores across North America.

While I had a hard time picking one thing, this embroidered Vine and Flower Tablecloth must be thee most beautiful tablecloth I have ever seen. This is made by women from St. Mary's Mahila Shikshan Kendra. Check out other items made by this group, or purchase from another group you'll find on the site. No matter what you find, you will feel good about this purchase.

At $74, it really is a bargain!

www.tenthousandvillages.com

2006-08-22T08:43:00.000-05:00

Isn't this beautiful?
Jewelry by Jessica is an indie store that specializes in creating jewelry using heavy duty shrink plastic. She cuts, draws, bakes, paints and varnishes it all herself.
Jessica is a artist, writer, illustrator and jewelry maker in Portland, Oregon. (Well rounded artist, wouldn't you say?)
I think her jewelry is just beautiful.
Don't see anything you like? She does custom work, just ask!
Find all her designs at www.jewerlybyjessica.com
Prices range from $20 to $27

2006-08-19T19:49:00.000-05:00

The first thing that came across my mind when I saw this was LOST. I think this is great.

Created by designer Michael Daniel, this clock flips with every passing minute. The rubber feet keep it in it's place.

You shopping for someone who loves LOST, this might be a great choice.

$39.99 on sale at Red Envelope (A GREAT place to find some not so common gifts).

2006-08-19T19:30:00.000-05:00

If you're a mom, you've been in this situation before. You are at Target and your child throws her binky in the middle of a tantrum.
Do you:
A. Stick it in your purse and try to distract her with something else
B. Stick it in YOUR mouth to rinse of the germs. (We've all been there)
C. Eh, who cares? You give it back to her?

Well, if you have the Keep it Kleen pacifier by RazBaby, you won't have to worry about that! This handy dandy pacifier has a shield that closes when the pacifier falls. No germs, no worry! How cool is that? And at only $3.99 you can pick up a couple for that baby gift you are giving. This will be one of those gifts that truly is used.

You can find this at many local stores or support an indie gal at Mommy2Reese.

2006-08-16T13:04:00.000-05:00

As much as we don't want to admit it, fall is knocking at our door.
One of my favorite things to do in the fall is sit outside with a cup of tea and enjoy the crisp air.
Are you looking for someone who enjoys the finer things in life?
Check out www.adagio.com where you can but a starter kit for only $24! This includes an awesome teapot and 4 samples. Trust us, it's much better than the kind you buy at the grocery store, and if you don't think so, they'll gladly refund your money. Can't beat that!

2006-08-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

Are you shopping for someone who is always on the go?
Perhaps they take the subway to and from work.
Perhaps this bag by Gerbera Designs would be the perfect gift.
From the website:
Easily control your iPod or any other MP3 player through the vinyl pocket, safely stored under the flap. Inside pocket large enough to hold phone and keys. Extra long strap can be adjusted to fit right under your arm or hung across you messenger-style.

Who doesn't have an ipod these days?
I think this is the perfect bag that anyone would be happy to get it as a gift!
$60 at www.gerberadesigns.com

2006-08-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

Do you ever wish there was a perfect card for the occasion you were looking for.
Cards are not only for birthday's and anniversary's anymore.
Would you ever think you'd find a card for your girlfriend who just got breast implants?
What about a feel better card for your sister who just found a grey hair?
Best yet, what about a 'congrats you're NOT pregnant' card?

You can find most anything you could imagine at j treacy designs.

congrats on your new nose!

2006-08-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

Summer is winding down, and it's time for your kid to say 'so long' to summer day care and 'hello' to school again!
It's always nice to remember your summer care provider when it comes time to pack up and head out.
Target is always an easy place to find something nice and in your budget.
Here are a couple ideas that are sure to make a good final impression.

Sterling Silver 2-Tone Knot Bangle
A fun twist on the traditional bangle bracelet, this 2-tone version features a sweet heart-shape knot in the middle

Block Journal - Spring Stripes
The handmade construction consists of paper pulp, card stock and 100% cotton fabric. This journal features hand-sewn pages of cream-color, acid-free, archival-quality pages.

What should I give as a gift?

2006-08-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

It's something you've asked yourself a million times.

Your sister is going to have a baby.
Your cousin is getting married.
Your best friends little boy is turning 3.
Your coworker is retiring.

AAAHHHH! What should I give as a gift?!?!

Life is about celebrating moments. You shouldn't have to stress over what to give.
That's what we're here for. We'll help you figure out what the best gift is to buy so you can concentrate on more important things, like what fabulous outfit you're going to wear to wedding.

Check back regularly. We'll be posting at least once a day!

Got a gift giving occasion coming up and need some advice?
Did you ever give that perfect gift and now you want to share it with everyone?
Do you make/sell something that anyone would love to get?

Drop us an email at help_me_shop (at) yahoo dot com.