Whether you’re headed to a casual dinner, spending the weekend at a friend’s vacation home or attending a cocktail party, it’s nice to bring along a gift that’s a bit more imaginative than a bottle of wine!  Here are some of the fabulous selections that I’ve found recently!

For the Chef

The Chef Set Page Flags

The Chef Set Page Flags – this clever set of post-it style page flags allows the cook to identify recipes to be prepared with a specialty label including:  vegetables, seafood, appetizers, meats and dessert!

Designer Dish Gloves

Designer Dish Gloves – turn a boring chore into a fashion event with these pink rubber dish gloves that are embellished with black and white striped cuffs, black organza bows and a “diamond” ring!

Eiffel Tower Cheese Graters

Eiffel Tower Cheese Graters – practical, attractive and of course, perfect for grating fromage, these graters shaped like the Eiffel Tower are unique hostess gift!

Adorable Bakeware

Adorable Bakeware - I just love every one of these baking pans!  Colorful stripes, polka dots and gingham checks make traditional baking pans a treat even before the food is added!  Pan styles include:  brioche, loaf, round and rectangular cakes pans and a tart pan!

Cookbooks

Cookbooks – cookbooks always make a welcome gift and here are a few that I would recommend:

• Mastering the Art of French Cooking – this classic has received renewed attention following the release of the movie Julie and Julia and will always be a classic!
• Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition -  I received this cookbook as a bridal shower gift in 1990 and it’s still one of my favorites!*
• I Like You – Hospitality Under the Influence – in this funny book, Amy Sedaris offers a witty, tongue in cheek approach to entertaining that will keep your hostess laughing and picking up some tips and recipes!

For the Entertainer

Tote Along Utensil Caddy

Tote Along Caddy Utensil Caddy – this gift is so useful and so cute!  The tin caddy features crisp white utensils against a bright green background!

Lacquered River Rocks

Lacquered River Rocks – these are actual river rocks that have been harvested from a valley in Vietnam.  Each rock is hand lacquered eight times for a lustrous finish in 17 beautiful colors!  Hosts can use these rocks as place cards, paper weights, party favors and can be written on to identify dishes on a buffet!

Monogrammed Glass Cutting Boards

Monogrammed Glass Cutting Boards – this personalized, glass cutting board has many uses including the expected cheese display, but also works well as a trivet or kitchen decoration!  The fact that you thought ahead to have this gift monogrammed will not be missed by your host!  Color combinations and monogram styles will make it hard to choose!

Monogrammed Lucite Tray

Monogrammed Lucite Tray – stylish and versatile describe this beautiful square tray!  Sized at 12” x 12”, this tray is perfect for cocktails and snacks, but also for a foyer table or bureau as a chic catch all!  And perhaps the best part about this tray is the array of fabulous choices that you have to personalize the tray’s liner!  Background patterns range from floral to nautical to textile to graphic to organic and once that’s chosen, you can then select a monogram style and background color for it.  I love this tray and may need it myself!

Entertaining Books – there’s no end to the beautiful books that will inspire future entertaining and look terrific on any one’s coffee table!

Essential Lilly:  A Guide to Entertaining

Essential Lilly:  A Guide to Colorful Entertaining! This gorgeous book is a perfect resource for Palm Beach style parties of all kinds!*

Styles, Occasions and Manners by Kate Spade

Styles, Occasions and Manners by Kate Spade – this set of three books draw upon Kate Spade’s stylish, modern and chic approach to life and make it accessible to all!*

Entertaining is Fun

Entertaining is Fun – How to be a Popular Hostess:  Authored by Dorothy Draper in 1941, this iconic book has been recently reprinted and is a timeless and classic on entertaining!  With a vivacious and inspiring approach, this book will amuse all!

In Style Parties

In Style Parties (The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining) – this richly photographed book promised to create A-list parties without an over abundance of time or money!  Entertaining at home will be fabulous, easy and fun!*

Any of these gifts will make you a stand out guest at your next soiree and a sought after guest in the future!  Enjoy!

*Books that I own and love!

There’s a noticeable trend in the fun Valentine’s Day gifts that I found this year!  Each one is “sweeter” than the last and sure to please women of all ages!

For Babies

Cupcake Onesies

Practical onesies look adorable when packaged in cupcake papers, trimmed with a decorative fruit or flower and sold in a bakery box! (Cupcake Onesies, starting at $19.80)

For Little Ones

Hide n’ Peek Chocolates

Shapes and colors are just waiting to be matched inside this sweetheart box of chocolate truffles!  The twelve chocolates can be used to enhance fine motor skills or play a memory game.  (Hide ‘n Peek Chocolates, $16.99, ages 2+)

Sweet Heart Sayings

Oversized, plastic conversation hearts with cute messages can be strung together to make simple sentences!  Twenty eight hearts are packaged in a candy jar with three laces and candy scoop! (Sweet Heart Sayings, $18.99, ages 2+)

Twinkle Hearts Felt Cake

This is a deliciously fun three layer cake crafted from wool felt in either “chocolate” or “vanilla.”  The cake arrives in a white cake box, tied with bakery twine and includes a variety of Valentine themed cut outs for decorating, again and again.  Additional decoration packs are available for other special occasions! (Twinkle Hearts Felt Cake, $59)

Sweetheart Prissy Poof

A white tulle tutu, embellished with pink and red hearts will be a fabulous surprise for any little girl!  A matching tulle bag is also included! (Sweetheart Poof, $49.95)

For Teens and Women

Cupcake Flannel PJ’s

Sweet and cozy, these chocolate brown pajamas with colorful cupcakes are 100% cotton flannel and available for women and girls! (Flannel PJ’s, $49 for women, $50 for kids)

Wish Cupcake Necklace

This too cute necklace features a gold tone cupcake with faceted glass pave and a pink glass cherry detail!! (Wish Cupcake Necklace, $48)

Chocolate Jewelry Box

This copper colored jewelry box is designed to look like a box of chocolates!  When you open it, there’s a removable tray holding four little cups, shaped like brown paper chocolate wrappers!  Underneath the tray is a divided compartment for additional storage.  (Chocolate Jewelry Box, $59.99)

Cupcake Towels

Enjoy this set of sugar free cherry and strawberry cupcakes!  The “strawberry” version features a fluffy vanilla washcloth rolled up to look like a cupcake with a strawberry magnet on top.  The “cherry” version features a chocolate washcloth with a pair of cherry magnets on top.  Each is wrapped with decorative bakery paper!  (Cupcake Towels, $9.95)

For Pets

Chocolate Cake Dog Toy

All dogs will love receiving their own Valentine treat:  a soft, plush “chocolate cake” toy!  From Two Poodles and Me, this toy, along with many other cute versions, retails for $8.00! (Two Poodles and Me)

Donut Dog Bed

Who could resist this adorable dog bed!  Shaped just like a cupcake, with a pink “cake” bottom,  chocolate “icing,” and colorful sprinkles, this is as cute as it gets for your best friend! (Cupcake Dog Bed, $70)

Catnip Candy Stix

Colorful, candy shaped sticks are filled with farm fresh catnip and hand tied at each end, to resemble its real candy equivalent! (Catnip Candy Stix, $5)

I just love every delightful gift on this list and hope that you’ll add some sweetness to someone special’s Valentine’s Day!

You may also enjoy:

• The Sweetest Valentine’s Gifts for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Tips and Ideas
• Valentine’s Treats for School
• Host a Valentine’s Day Coffee
• Have Fun With A High School Musical Valentine’s Day Party
• Cute and Easy Valentine’s Craft for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party Plan
  

Halloween Gifts for Kids!

I know that the buckets of candy our kids gather on Halloween may seem like more than enough of a prize, but Halloween as a holiday keeps growing and growing, and as a result, there are so many fun new Halloween gifts in the marketplace that I just couldn’t pass them by!

Felt Halloween House

This is the perfect sugar-free treat!  This handmade, felt cottage from Twinkle-Kids looks like something from a fairy tale and comes with over 100 spooky felt decorations that can be used over and over to create adorable Halloween scenes. (Halloween Felt Cottage, $59, pictured above)

A Little Box of Horrors

From Chasing Fireflies, this fun treat box is filled with props, toys and two Halloween themed books!  Extras include fangs, blood capsules, slime and a glow in the dark skeleton!  (Little Box of Horrors, $17)

Haunted Ghoulie Mansion

A mini mansion is sweetly haunted by 10 posable little ghoulies dressed in colorful costumes.  Makes a fun decoration, party favor or Halloween activity!  (Ghoulie Mansion, $27.98)

Light Up Witch’s Hat Kit

This cute kit includes all the ingredients for a cackling-good centerpiece to craft for your Halloween table or window. Put together the printed cardstock, acetate, and vellum hat-house; add the bone-chilling bone barricade and the fiendishly flickering battery-operated tea lights, and your Halloween will be off to a satisfyingly spooky start. (Light Up Witch’s Hat Kit, on sale for $7.99*)

Halloween PJ’s

CWD Kids has adorable pj’s for boys and girls, featuring  smiling jack o’lanterns on a lime green background! (Pumpkin Print Pajamas, $39)

A Halloween Webkinz

Although it’s quite likely that one or more Webkinz already reside at your home, this adorable Halloween version will be a must have!  He’s a fluffy black bat with a happy fang trimmed face!  (Webkinz Halloween Bat, $15.98)

Traditional Games with a Halloween Twist

Frightening fun is available in two old favorites:  Monopoly reinvented as Boo-opoly and Yahtzee in the Halloween edition! (Boo-opoly, $18.49; Yahtzee, $19.99)

Top Notch Trick or Treating Bags

These bags are about as cute as they could be!  Crafted from heavyweight felt, the bags are embellished with haunted  houses with sparkling sequins and shimmering fabrics in three dimensional designs.  The finishing touch is a set of tiny lights that twinkle in the windows! (Trick or Treating Bags from Personalized Presents, $29.95, personalization free or at a minimum cost)

I hope this Halloween round up will bring you some happy shopping for your ghouls and boys!

You may also enjoy:

• Halloween Stockings for Kids
• This Halloween Try “Booing!”
• A Halloween “Booing” Poem
• Let’s Talk About Halloween – Clever Halloween Costumes for Kid
• Hot Halloween Treats for School
• Alternative Halloween Treats for School
• Host a Halloween Cocktail Party
• Halloween Night Buffet
• Halloween Gifts for Grownups
• Halloween Candy for Grownups
• Why We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween

*It’s serendipity when the products we love are from the sponsors we love!

Tags: halloween gifts for kids, halloween, kids, gifts, presents, costumes, ideas, fun, unique, clever, celebrating

Halloween Gifts for Grownups!

The hype around Halloween is so focused on the kids – with candy, costumes and even gifts like those I’ve recommended on Busy Bee (Halloween Gifts for Kids)! But just so the Halloween “staff” doesn’t feel left out, take a look at the fabulous, hand painted glasses offered at Wrapables!  No matter what you’re favorite “poison,” there’s a glass for you!

Choose a Fabulous Halloween Glass

• First is “Witches Stew Martini Glass”, complete with a cackling witch cooking a stew!
• If your beverage of choice is wine, “That Witch is Back” Wine Glass is for you!  This wine glass appears to be held by a witch’s hand and is trimmed with fanciful, black tulle.
• A pilsner glass for beer is embellished with mummy wrappings, (Mummy Pilsner Glass), and a mug for coffee or tea features dancing skeletons (Crazy Bones Beverage Mug)! 
• Each style also features a unique drink recipe on the bottom of the glass!

Treat yourself or a friend to one of these specialty glasses, perfect for whatever “poison” you prefer and perhaps the perfect reward for a hard night’s work!

You may also enjoy:

• Halloween Gifts for Kids
• Halloween Stockings for Kids
• This Halloween Try “Booing!”
• A Halloween “Booing” Poem
• Let’s Talk About Halloween – Clever Halloween Costumes for Kid
• Hot Halloween Treats for School
• Alternative Halloween Treats for School
• Host a Halloween Cocktail Party
• Halloween Night Buffet
• Halloween Candy for Grownups
• Why We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween

Although the First Day of School may not be a traditional gift giving occasion, there are some really cute and fun gifts that will send your kids out the door or onto the bus with a smile!

T-Shirts:  the sayings on these shirts will have you laughing – not cringing!

From Chasing Fireflies

“My School (or Preschool or Kindergarten) is Cool, Chasing-fireflies.com” $30

“First Grade (or Second, Third or Fourth) is Cool,” $30

From Silly Wagon

“Kindergarten (or First Grade) Rocks!,” $48.95

From Script and Scribble

“First Day” shirts feature mod school buses and your child’s name!

(Applique Shirt For Girls,  Applique Shirt For Boys)

Just for Fun

Personalized First Day of School Cones

Hailing back to a sweet German custom, these adorable cones from Chasing Fireflies arrive personalized and filled with all sorts of fun toys and games!  (Filled Girls Cone, Filled Boys Cone)  And if you’re feeling creative, purchase an empty cone from Magic Cabin and fill it with your own gift selections!  (Empty Traditional German School Cone, $7.98)*

And for more information about this charming tradition, take a look at Start a New Tradition for the First Day of School!

Monogrammed Water Bottles

Garnet Hill helps the planet with personalized water bottles!  These aluminum bottles are durable and lightweight, sporting either a name or initial and include two different screw tops and a carabiner. (Personalized Aluminum Water Bottle, $29)

Pocket Caddies

This is a terrific organizational tool for kids from Garnet Hill!  This tote, in four bright patterns, features six outside pockets, a removable four-compartment divider and nylon handles is just perfect for corralling pencils, crayons, tape, staplers and so much more!  Personalization will make this gift even more special!  (Pocket Caddy, $38)

Animal Alarm Clock

Start their mornings off on a good foot with these alarm clocks in either pink pig or white dog, feature posable limbs and a friendly face! (Animal Alarm Clock, $14.95)*

Wacky Birds Colored Pencils

This set of 13 colored pencils from Barnes and Noble is unique due to the square shape of the pencils, along with the fun scene that appears when the pencils are stored side by side! (Set of 13 Colored Pencils, $6.95)

String Dolls Back Pack Charms

No back pack is complete without an assortment of key chains and baubles hanging from the zipper!  Pick up a funky and funny addition from Kamibashi – these string dolls depict famous historical figures and impart their inspiration to your kids!  There’s Vincent (VanGogh) for creative genius, Marie Antoinette (so they can have their cake and eat it too!), Shakespeare (to help kids find their voice) and so many more! (String Dolls, $10 Each)

Lap Desks

Room It Up has a terrific assortment of lap desks for boys and girls with colorful, easy to clean plastic tops and cotton bottoms.  With this gift, you can encourage homework wherever your kids find themselves! (Lap Desk, $28*)

Desk Raft

I love this cute item modeled after a pirate ship! Haba’s clever raft will add organization and fun to your son’s desk! (Haba Corsario Desk Raft, Oompa Toys, $32.99)*

Robot Pencil Sharpener

Make a dull task something for the kids to fight over!  This funny robot winds up when you sharpen a pencil and then walks across the table!  Pencil shavings collect in his head! (Robot Pencil Sharpener, The Organized Parent, $7.95)*

Back to School Movies

My kids love adding to their DVD collection and a school themed movie might be just the thing for an older child!  Remember some of these “vintage” releases?

• Dead Poets Society (PG)
• Freaky Friday 2003 Edition, (PG)
• Mr. Holland’s Opus (PG)
• Never Been Kissed (PG-13)
• Akeelah and the Bee (PG)
• Sky High (Widescreen Edition – PG)
• Legally Blonde (PG-13)

Consider wrapping up one of these gifts and placing it next to your child’s breakfast plate on the first day of school! Lucky you when your child greets the new school year with a grin instead of a groan!

You may also enjoy:

• Clever Ideas for the First Day of School
• Host a School Year’s Eve Party
• Preparing for the First Day of School
• Pack a “Green” Lunch
• Have a Fabulous First Day of School
• Back to School with Vera Bradley
• Back to School Supplies for Moms
• Pretty and Preppy School Supplies from Lilly Pulitzer

It’s serendipity when the products we love are from the sponsors we love!

Please Share Our Gift Guide!

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