Great Gift Ideas for DAD No comments yet

	We’ve got what dad wants. Check out “Ideas for Dad.” It’s our list of dad approved hand-picked ideas. And it’s the best of the best for dad. He’s your dad and we’ve got the gift he really wants.

Cinco de Mayo Margarita Glasses No comments yet

 

Cinco de Mayo or the 5th of May is a day to celebrate Mexican culture. It commemorates the day 2000 Mexican peasants defeated 6000 of Napoleon’s French soldiers. It is a day of dancing, drinking and sombrero wearing! And so bring out the Margarita glasses! Especially these- I have an obsession with Blue and these beautiful blue margarita glass are a twist on the traditional sombrero margarita glass. I found them at Crate and Barrel. So why not? Grab your margarita glass, sombrero, and dancing shoes and celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style!

gift girl

the perfect mother’s day bouquet No comments yet

I don’t like this idea I love it! On behalf of all the mother’s out there who will undoubtedly get a bouquet of flower’s for mother’s day- may I suggest this bouquet of flowers instead. It doesn’t need watering and it is guaranteed to last a lifetime.

gift girl

Arbor Day- Plant a Tree day No comments yet

Sunday April 27th is a day where you celebrate and care for trees. I love trees. I grew up in the suburbs and was fortunate enough to be surrounded by trees. I can remember the giant weeping willow in my backyard. I was in awe of its sheer size.

Arbor day Foundation is a site where you buy trees and all things tree online. Help celebrate the beauty and magic of trees and add a tree to your wishlist. Participate in Arbor day and give a little back to the planet.

gift girl

The gift of a cooking book - for foodies or beginners No comments yet

Cooking books make really good gifts.  They are useful, creative, personal and not too expensive.  In other words..almost as good as it gets for a gift!

Now, having said that, what’re good cook books to give? 

Of course you can give one from any of top chefs from the food network:  Racheal Ray, Mario Batali, Barefoot Contessa , Emiril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentiis, just to name a few.  These are somewhat easy bets, especially if you know that the gift recipient likes their shows.  My favorite in this mix is Mario’s "The Babbo Cookbook".   It’s also important to highlight that as previously reported Racheal Ray’s "365 No Repeats" is the #1 book wished for on Wishpot!

Now, you could go more upscale and uber-gourmet and get either the one by Adrian Ferre "El Bulli 1998-2002" or the one from multi three-Michelin-stars Alain Ducasse.   I personally have the El Bulli one in my personal wishlist.  I mean, it’s impossible to get a reservation to Ferre’s restaurant and at least I want a chance to try a recipe (assuming I can find the ingredients!).

There are some good alternatives in the dessert area (or should I say "course").  I have read high praises for the "Sweet Life" by Kate Zuckerman.  The pix look amazing and the Lemon Tart is supposed to be the best ever.

One last idea could be to give a book about the fundamentals of cooking and food.  Two books that come highly recommended in this subcategory:  Cookwise and "On Food and Cooking".

I included the recommendations above plus a few others on a new list "Cooking Books Wishlist" on the Wishpot’s GiftGuru page.

O’s Favorite Products No comments yet

With the holidays just around the corner the most popular woman in television (the one whose name starts with "O") released her list of favorite products. So, yesterday we watched her show and now we’d like to share the list with you!

30 Frugal Personalized Gift Ideas to Show You Appreciate Someone 1 comment

Our friends at zenhabits have compiled a list of 30 gift ideas to show your appreciation.  What’s behind the list?

In their own words:

"Let’s first identify what’s essential: that we show the person who has done something nice for us how much we appreciate them. It’s not essential that the gift be big, or expensive, or anything like that. It’s a token of our appreciation … and let me tell you, no matter how small, the person will likely appreciate the gesture.

The gift should also be appropriate to the person — if it’s personal, it’s likely to mean more. So while wine is always a nice gift, if the person is into other types of drinks (such as coffee), that would make a better gift. So take a moment to consider the person, what they like, and the times you’ve spent together."

We wanted to make this even easier by searching where you can get these items.  We’ve also created a gift ideas list in our giftguru account (it makes it easier to add to your list).   If you have any comments or suggestion…feel free to contact our giftguru.

1. Frame a picture of you with them
2. Lotions or bath oils.
3. Journal. A nice journal can be beautiful. It’s one of my favorite gifts.
4. Gourmet coffee with a personalized mug.
5. A nice pen.
6. Photo album or scrapbook, with memories already included.
7. Homemade cookies you bake yourself.
8. Or brownies
9. Spice gift basket. Get some small jars and fill them with exotic spices.
10. Gift certificate for the person’s favorite hobby store.
11. A burned CD with all the person’s favorite songs.
12. A letter, hand-written on nice paper, from you. Make it heart-felt, with all the reasons you appreciate the person.
13. A small plant.
14. A movie pass and a small container of gourmet popcorn kernels.
15. Soup mixes or cookie mixes in nice clear jars.
16. Personalized T-shirt.
17. Stationery and stamps.
18. IOU booklets, with whatever services you are willing to perform. Obviously only good for someone you know really well.
19. Knit or crochet something for someone (I can’t do this, but I know people who can).
20. An “I appreciate you because” jar. Fill a nice jar with slips of different colored paper, each with a reason you appreciate (or love) someone.
21. Jams and jellies.
22. Good bread (home-made works great).
23. Books (my favorite).
24. A blank recipe book … write some of your favorite recipes on the first few pages.
25. A keepsake DVD with a video of special moments, edited (and captioned) by you. A slideshow presentation with music burned on a DVD works too.
26. Create your own art (and put it on nice stationery or in a frame). By “art”, I mean a sketch, painting, poem, short story, whatever.
27. Scented candles.
28. Make-up set
29. Shaving kit.
30. Box of good tea and a teacup.

Read more »

Top 10 Frugal Customized Ideas No comments yet

Our friends at foostuff have just compiled an interesting list of small personalized gift ideas with videos on how to do it.

Here’s the list:

#1: Ribbon Quilt Placemat
#2: Bookmark Craft
#3: Bible Bookmark
#4: Lapel Pin
#5: Recycled Jeans Tote Bag
#6: Napkin ring and placeholder set
#7: Instant Abstract Art
#8: Kids art using stamps
#9: Magazine Page Gift box
#10: Make an inexpensive gift priceless

Top 5 Worst Valentines Gifts (for her) No comments yet

1. Cheezy Lingerie

 

Who do you think you are fooling? Lingerie is more a gift for YOU than for her. And if your special someone is less than 110% completely self-confident you may end up making her uncomfortable – not a great way to show how much you care. 

Good alternative? Sexy pajamas

A tasteful choice, but still sexy and fun.

Red camisole top and Pants with Lace Trim

 

 

2. Cheap Candy

A box of stale candy from the drugstore does not say "I love you". It says "I am cheap, lazy and unoriginal."

Good alternative? Gourmet chocolates

The antithesis of cheap candy is truly exceptional artisan chocolate. Show of your great taste with this exquisite gift box from Frans Chocolates.

Fran’s Red Satin Heart Gift Box

3. Supermarket Flowers

 

Ok. We’ll admit that some supermarkets have ok flowers and their prices are generally good, but the problem is the message it sends. It says  to your loved one "I forgot it was Valentine’s Day until I was driving home from work."

 

Good alternative? Majestic Sunset Roses

Two Dozen Majestic Sunset Roses

Roses are red? Sure, but they can also be pink, yellow, white or in this case "sunset". These are great flowers and a terrific change of pace from red roses, which we think are a bit overdone.

4. Heart-shaped jewelry

We love the sentiment, but heart-shaped jewelry always ends up looking cheesy.

Good alternative? Pink and white pearl necklace

Pink cultured pearl with white gold chain

We like the classic feel of pearls and the updated contemporary look.

 

5. Household appliances

 

 

No gift sucks more than a vacuum cleaner. Toaster ovens, blenders, etc. also fit into this category. Valentines Day is NOT the time to give something practical. It is a time for something impractical. However, if you feel compelled to give something useful at least make it something fun.

 

Good alternative? Espresso machine

 

Briel Artemis ES-42SF Espresso Machine

 

For many of us, coffee is both necessary and a luxury. Why not treat your special someone to a quality espresso machine for a long, lazy breakfast at home?

 

Ok. Now it is YOUR turn. Tell us what YOU think are the worst and best Valentines Day presents.

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