photo courtesy of redstamp.com

photo courtesy of redstamp.com

Feel the need to do something you’ve never done before? Want to bless a stranger or make someone’s day even though you’ve never met? A funny thing happens when you try to do something nice for others– you end up feeling better, too! Try some of these ideas for giving a gift to a complete stranger.

Pay For the Person Behind You

This works perfectly whether you’re in the drive-thru at McDonald’s or waiting to pay a toll on the Interstate. Simply tell the cashier you want to pay for the person behind you. They’ll get a surprise gift and you’ll feel good knowing you’ve done something to improve another person’s day.

Send an Anonymous Gift

Pull out your phone book, close your eyes, and point to a name. Wherever your finger lands is the recipient of your gift. Send them a card with some encouraging words, some cash or a gift card to a local restaurant.

Call the Utility Company

Call your local power or water company. Tell them you want to pay someone’s bill who is at risk of having their service cut for non-payment. Perhaps you’re helping a struggling single mom or a father that lost his job. You may never know how much this gift means to someone in need.

Help a Teacher

Find an under-served classroom in your area through AdoptaClassroom.com and help a teacher by purchasing needed supplies or books. Not only will you be giving the teacher a gift, but you’ll be helping the students as well.

Bake Some Treats

Bake brownies, cookies or pies and take them down to your local fire station. Chances are you don’t know any of the men and women there, but you’ll be giving them a great gift– the knowledge that someone appreciates their hard work.

Pick up the Tab

Next time you’re at a restaurant, gas station or coffee shop, offer to pick up the tab for a stranger. If they ask for a reason just tell them you wanted to make another person’s day. And chances are you will.

 
Add Spice to the Dull Dorm Room- Image courtesy of

Add Spice to the Dull Dorm Room- Image courtesy of bonimo

Going off to college is an adventure of many different kinds: socially, academically, and aesthetically. Dorm rooms can be just about the ugliest, most sterile places on the planet– excluding of course solitary confinement at the state penitentiary. Make sure the college freshman in your life doesn’t have to experience that kind of torture. Send them off to school with some great gifts that will spice up any dorm room.

Wall Decals

Help them add some sophistication to their dorm room with a Blik wall decal. Even if they don’t have room for a headboard, chandelier or floor lamp, they can have one that adds color and art to the room. The wall decals go on easily and come off easily, too.

Chalk Board

It may seem a little elementary for a college dorm room, but it’s way cuter than a white board. Pick up one of these chalkboard writing slates so they can leave their roommate notes or jot down homework reminders. Make sure you include some chalk.

Battery Operated Candle

Chances are open flames aren’t allowed in that dorm room. But that doesn’t mean candles are completely banned. Pick up a battery operated scented candle from BatteryOperatedCandles.net. They glow just like a candle and smell just like a candle without the risk of fire.

Throw Pillows

Cute pillows can make a room feel much more homey. This night owl throw pillow available on Etsy pays homage to the wise old owl since after all, your college student is there to learn. These fuzzy fur pillows from JC Penney will give them something to cuddle when they’re feeling homesick.

Curtains

Add curtains to a dorm room and the prison cell suddenly turns into a bed and breakfast. It’s amazing what a little fabric can do! These tuxedo ruffle curtains from Urban Outfitters will add a splash of color and femininity since gray cement block walls give off quite the opposite feeling.

Framed Photos

Nothing adds to a space like photos of your family and friends. Pick out a cute frame or two and some of your favorite photos featuring the newly enrolled college kid. They’ll appreciate the ever-present reminder of the family and friends that are just a phone call away.

PersonalizationMall.com

 

Do you know someone going off to college this year? Then gift them something they can sport around campus and feel ready to go off and show their new school colors!

Collegiate Checkbook Cover

Flaunt your team spirit with this leather checkbook cover to for your checks.  Its a fun and easy way to show your support.  Great as a gift or for Mom’s and Dad’s who want to support their kids school.

Note: Must go to larger view on company website to see all the colleges offered for this leather checkbook cover.

Price:$19.99

Champion Collegiate Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish Hoodie

Count on this unisex hoodie to go the distance and then some. After all, it’s crafted for keeps with famous Champion quality. Plush cotton-blend fleece provides season-spanning warmth. Thick two-layer hood adjusts with drawcord for custom comfort. Jumbo kangaroo pocket warms hands, holds small essentials. Roomy athletic fit allows for easy layering. Stretchy ribbed cuffs and hem keep their shape wash after wash.
Rugged two-needle stitching reinforces all stress points. 9-oz. cotton/polyester fleece with cotton/spandex rib trim.

Champion offers more collegiate apparel, including men’s and women’s t-shirts ($15.99-$19.99), and a variety of sweatshirts.

Price: $36.99

Collegiate and NFL Mouse Pads

Inject some team spirit into your daily routine with our NFL and collegiate mouse pads! Items can be personalize with any name up to 9 characters!

Mouse pads measure 8″Lx9″W and feature rubber bottom and polyester fiber fabric top.

Price: $12.95

College Teams Doormat

Be ready for the start of every season with your favorite collegiate team’s logo on our doormats. Mats are made of superior quality yarn and are printed in vibrant true team colors that any sports fan would want to own.

Door mats measure 20″H x 30″W. The mats feature non-skid latex backing with sewn edge. Machine washable.

Price: $29.95

Duke University Blue Devils Bedrest Pillow

Root for your favorite college sports team in total comfort! This plush bedrest pillow features official team colors and screen printed logo. Looks and feels just like a real team jersey.

100% polyester. Spot Clean. Blown fill. 31″ wide. 21″ high.

Check out other teams offered as bedrest pillows.

Price: $49.91

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Louisana State University by Noteworthy Collection
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For all the Louisiana State University alumnus, students and fans, this box of twenty note cards is the perfect gift!

The white box features “Louisiana State University” in the bottom right corner on the front and back. The tiger logo lies on one side, and the “LSU” on the other. Upon removing the lid, you will find a neatly stacked collection of twenty top-fold note cards and white envelopes. The cards feature the “LSU” logo atop a purple, yellow and white stripped background, which matches the stripe on the lid. Below each of the logos is a white band, providing a space for your personalization. Card Size: 3.5″ x 5″ (H x W).

Price: $50 box of 20 personalize cards

To see other colleges and univesities offer, check out Fine Stationery’s Collgiate Pageicon.

 
Send Them Off With the Perfect Gift

Send Them Off With the Perfect Gift. photo courtesy of The Shane H.

They rarely sit still. They love jetting off to new locations. They’d rather be traveling than doing just about anything else. Looking for the perfect gift for the travel buffs in your life? Here are some great options.

Passport Cover

Help them protect their most valuable possession– their passport. Neiman Marcus has great leather passport covers in a rainbow of colors. And their on sale for just $21.90. Pick up a coordinating luggage tag for just $19.90.

Travel Book

Not only does the travel buff love to experience adventure, they like to read about other people’s adventures too. Pick them up a book or two that will keep them traveling even when they’re at home. Author Bill Bryson has some great travel books including The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America or Notes from a Small Island.

Travel Pillow

Help your loved one find rest wherever they end up with the NAP Wedge Travel Pillow from Brookstone. At just $25 it’s a great going away gift for a friend or family member. It’s perfect whether they’re hitting the road on a bus or taking to the skies on a flight.

GPS

This isn’t just any GPS unit. The Sony GPS-CS1KASP helps you organize, search and share photos with this portable GPS unit. It will record the time, date and location of your travels and let people track your moves through Google Maps. It’s an especially great gift for friends who travel by bike or motorcycle.

Travel Game

Help your friends and family members stay entertained during long trips with a fun travel game. Barnes and Noble has a great selection of travel games for players of all ages. Popular games include Boggle, Family Feud or Loaded Questions.

Journal

Encourage the avid traveler in your life to write down the stories of their adventures in a travel journal. Select one that reflects their personal style or the locations they love the most. Make sure it’s lightweight enough so they can take it with them wherever they go.

For more gift ideas for the travel buffs in your life, please visit Vera Bradley, Travelers Choice Collection from Luggage Online, PersonalizationMall or Things Rememberedicon.

 

Here are some great gifts for those heading off to school and to the dorms this fall.  These gift ideas can also be used for those who like gizmos and gadgets.

Digital WiFi Detector

Signal sniffer-outer.

Why bother booting up your laptop to find Wi-Fi hotspots when you can seek them out with this nifty handheld gizmo? Simply hit the scan button in a highly Jack Bauer fashion and the detector will sniff out a signal and display specific info, including signal strength, network ID, encryption status and channel.

Operated by just 2xAAA batteries the Digital WiFi Detector is destined to become an essential traveling companion for all you roving surfers who don’t want to boot up and scan every time you suspect there’s a signal nearby.

Price: $69.95

The Bevy

Great gizmo, small package.

Have you got an iPod Shuffle? Do you drink beer? Do you use keys? If the answer is yes to all three, then you need the Bevy. This ingenious sliver of sturdy plastic and bottle top-biting metal functions as an iPod Shuffle case, a bottle opener and a keyring. Talk about multi-tasking!

iPod and earphones not included.

Price: $14.95

MP3 Alarm Clock (White 128MB)

Beethoven or Britney – you decide!

Swearing at your alarm clock will soon become history because this ultra-sleek LCD cube will rouse you with any sound, song or playlist you fancy. Simply upload your MP3s via USB 2.0 cable(provided) and this travel-friendly, battery-operated cube sounds so fantastic, you can even use it as a stand-in sound system in your bedroom – or wherever else you fall asleep.

128MB Mp3 Alarm Clock features snooze function, 10 hours continuous play back, and portable travel size! Approximately 6cm(W) x 7cm(H) x 6cm(D).

Not Mac compatible. Requires 4x AA batteries (not included).

Price: $59.95

AeroPress Coffee Maker

Mmm… Coffee!

Who says you need gurgling coffee machines, drip-drop percolators and clumsy baristas to get your daily bean fix. Not us, because this ingenious manual coffee maker produces the richest, smoothest brew in under 30 seconds.

Using the AeroPress is a snap: simply put your coffee in the transparent chamber, pour in hot water, stir for 10 seconds and then depress the plunger. Gentle air pressure forces the mix through a special micro-filter and into the cup below. Easy, right? The total brewing time of only 30 seconds reduces acidity in the grounds and results in an exceptionally smooth taste. And the total immersion of the grounds causes rapid yet robust extraction of flavor. We could go on with the scientific blurb but the bottom line is the AeroPress makes the most delicious cup of coffee (including espresso) we’ve ever tasted.

The amazing AeroPress comes complete with everything you need to get started, including a year’s supply of micro filters, so unless you’re a chronic bean fiend the only thing you need to buy is the coffee, and of course your own coffee mug!

Price: $29.95

CD Wall Tiles

From CD to musical mosaic.

Show off your favorite CD artwork without resorting to glue with these clever little frames that allow you to wall-mount CDs without ruining the wall.

The art of noise? Absolutely.

Each kit comes with 9 CD Wall Tile.  Each CD Wall Tile can hold either single or double CDs in their cases. It’s quick to install and simple to change.

CD Wall Tiles leaves no damage to your walls. Perfect gift for those who have restriction on what can be put on the walls of their dorm room.

Price: $39.95

For more gift ideas, check out Firebox.com.

Firebox.com

 
Say Thank You to Your Wedding Party

Say Thank You to Your Wedding Party: Image courtesy of Corey Ann

They spend big bucks on dresses they’ll only wear once. They travel to far off places. They wear uncomfortable shoes just for you. There’s no denying that committing to be in a bridal party takes a lot of of time and money. So how can you possibly say thank you to your friends for agreeing to be a part of your big day? Easy! Give them a great gift! Here are a few ideas.

Scrapbook

If you’re full of gratitude but short on cash, try making members of your bridal party a personal scrapbook. Pick up small blank books at a craft store and fill them with colorful paper and photos of the two of you. Include a heart-felt letter of appreciation and you’ll have them gushing.

Gift Card

Alternatively, if you’re full of gratitude, but short on time, do yourself a favor and pick up a gift card. Choose stores that you know your wedding party members shop at frequently. Include a thoughtful note or card and you’re good to go. Your bridal party will look forward to having some money to spend after shelling out big bucks for your wedding.

Localized Gift Pack

Are your bridesmaids and groomsmen coming in from out of town? Give them a collection of local goodies from where the wedding is happening. Examples would be local food, a beach towel, books or souvenirs.

Tickets

Give your wedding party tickets to something great. Is there a show they’ve been wanting to see? Perhaps they’re big sports fans? Either way, a ticket to an event is a great way to say thanks. They’ll have another fun activity to look forward to besides your wedding.

Picture Frame

You know that after your wedding they’ll have lots of great frameable photos so give them a frame. That way they’ll be ready to display all the cute shots from your wedding. Wedding Frames are universal gifts that just about everyone can appreciate.

Wedding Gifts

 

cecile-wearing-scarlet-blossomFlirty Aprons is home of the modern apron.  Instead of a boring and plain old apron, Flirty Aprons has made the apron fun and flirty,  making it so that any women would want to wear it. Unfortunately, aprons are a necessary evil in domestic life; to cook, clean or garden.  These aprons add a little flare in the day, by giving the person who wears them a little pizzazz! Makes a great gift for Moms, Grandmothers, and even stay-at-home Dad’s (Flirty Aprons offers men’s aprons as well!).

Below is more information about the Full Original Aprons offered by Flirty Aprons.

Soft & Durable

The Full Original Apron is make of 100% soft cotton.  The apron is made with 2-ply construction,  strong stitching throughout provides sturdiness to the construction, and the full length cut is an ideal match for all of your needs. The Full Original Apron is functional as well, offering two pockets in the front, for easy access. All fabrics are uniquely designed so everyone can find their style. Aprons come in 12 unique designs.

High Quality

Flirty Aprons is committed to having the highest quality aprons out there, with its 100% soft cotton. Despite it being soft, the fabric is still strong & durable, the stitching is precise, and colors on the fabric won’t fade. You won’t be disappointed.

One Size Fits All

Flirty Aprons have been uniquely designed to fit all body types. Long ties fit every women’s waist, from 20” up to 75”. Adjustable neck ties, scooped sides, and a ruffled curved base flatter everyone’s body type and add a little style.

Price: $29.95

To learn more about the products offered, check out FlirtyAprons.com

GIVEAWAY

 This Giveaway is for US residents only.

Winners: one lucky reader will receive the apron pictured above.

How to enter (required): Leave a comment telling us which is your favorite apron from flirtyaprons.com

For additional entries (leave a new comment for each additional entry):
- one additional entry if you grab one of our buttons and post it on your blog, please post the link;
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- one additional entry if you follow us on Twitter;
- one additional entry if you send a tweet about this giveaway; make sure to include @1happyblogger. You may use the following to tweet: @1happyblogger Win a flirty apron! Go to http://www.1happycorner.com/flirty-aprons-gift-idea-giveaway
- one additional entry if you fave us in Technorati;
- one additional entry if you blog about this Giveaway with a link back to 1HappyCorner.com and FlirtyAprons.com;
- one additional entry if you follow 1HappyCorner.com via email.

The giveaway ends on Friday - August 24, 2009, at the end of day. Good luck!

*Please make sure you leave a comment for each additional entry so you get credited.
*Also, please make sure you typed in the correct email address.
*The winner will be announced on this page & via e-mail and has 2 days to get back to us or other name will be chosen.
*Incomplete entries will be disqualified & deleted.

 ##########

Thank you all for participating! It’s been fun reading your answers! And the winner is….

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

28

Timestamp: 2009-08-28 07:38:30 UTC

Congratulations, Chris Swan! Please get back to us within 2 days or other name will be chosen.  Thank you all again for participating!!

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