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How to Find Free Printables for the Holidays

Christmas Gifts, How To Comments Off

Dec 092010

Why buy party invitations, gift tags and even wrapping paper when you can find it for free online? There are plenty of extra expenses during the holidays, but we discovered there are also lots of freebies! Here are some free holiday printables that will make your packages prettier and your parties even more festive.

Make Your Packages Look Extra Pretty (Photo Courtesy of Spin Spin)

Wine Bottle Labels: It doesn’t matter if you bought that bottle of wine at the discount super store because it will still look fancy with this free printable wine bottle label from Martha Stewart.

West Elm Party Packs: West Elm has a bunch of great printable freebies that include everything from menu cards to gift tags. There are four different designs for entertaining and four designs for gifting.

Printable Wrapping Paper: This may not be practical for big gifts, but for tiny packages you can definitely use this free printable wrapping paper from designer Mae. It comes in six colors and designs. There are also two sets of free printable wrapping paper with coordinating tags from designer Kellie Medevitz.

Holiday Party Invitations and Matching Address Labels: Here’s a fabulous freebie from designer Emmy Lu. Rather than buy fancy invitations here are some great ones you can print for free. The designs also come with coordinating address labels that can be printed on a full sheet label and cut out. There’s no doubt that your invites will appear far more fancy and festive with the help of this great designer.

Custom Gift Tags: These free gift tags from Life As Mom come in two designs: snowflake or Christmas holly. They are especially great because you can type in the name of the gift recipient and the name of the giver. No need to ruin a pretty package with messy handwriting.

Simple Free Gift Tags: Here’s another style of free printable gift tags from TipJunkie.com. So no matter what color your wrapping is you should be able to find a free coordinating gift tag.

Martha Stewart Monogrammed Gift Tags: Here’s another great freebie straight from one of the world’s most creative people. Print out these cute monogrammed gift tags at MarthaStewart.com. Cut out the letters you need for each of your holiday packages.

How to Find the Perfect Gift for Bike Lovers

Gifts For Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts For Kids, Gifts for those who have everything, How To Comments Off

Nov 112010

Lovely Gifts for Bike-Lovers (Image courtesy of.Kara.)

Recently cyclists from all over the world descended on my town for a professional bike race. The community of cyclists is definitely a passionate one. If you’ve got cyclists in your life, finding a fun gift that they’ll love can be very easy– especially with our help. We’ve found some great gifts for bike lovers.

Bike Accessories

No matter where you live, cycling can be a great way to get around. It’s affordable and earth-friendly. But unlike a car, there’s no trunk space. So why not pick up your bike-loving friend the Nantucket Wicker Bicycle Basket from The Bicycle Muse. It’s just $25 and would be perfect for holding purchases from the farmers’ market. And to help pedestrians move out of the way there’s the Public Federico Red Brass Bell for $12. Pee-Wee Herman had one so it must be cool.

Bike Clothing

Europeans love crocheted bike gloves and now you can pick up a women’s version for $15 or a men’s version for just $7.50 at PublicBikes.com. These Smooth Rider Socks from Anthropologie would make a great accessory for the cyclist in your life.

Bike Safety Gear

It may not look like safety gear, but the reflective bird pin is also functional. It sells for $18 at PublicBikes.com and comes in lime, silver or orange. Similarly, the Yakkay Tokyo Blue Stripe helmet may look like a fashionable bucket hat, but it’s actually a must-have piece of safety equipment.

Kids’ Bike Stuff

As a kid, there’s nothing better than the freedom of a bike. Encourage the little riders in your life with a gift that makes their bicycle even cooler. This Ladybug Bell from AdelineAdeline.com will do just that.

Bike Art

The bicycle is an iconic image which makes it a great focal point for art. This vintage bike photo taken in Holland is simple, yet beautiful. For a truly custom gift, enlist Kara Ginther to create a one-of-a-kind bike saddle that turns the seat of any bike into artwork. And if you’re buying this as a thank you gift for the bike-lover in your life, pick up this colorful bicycle greeting card at Luxe Paperie to complete the theme.

How to Help Someone De-Stress with a Gift

By Recipient, Gifts for Him, Gifts for those who have everything, How To, Today's Cool Gift Idea Comments Off

Oct 282010

Gifts Can Ease Stress. photo courtesy of stuartpilbrow

We all know people who are frazzled, strained, worried and tense. With the holidays approaching chances are you’ll encounter this even more. Want to help your loved ones de-stress and calm down? Here are some gift ideas that can spread a little relaxation to your over-worked friends and family members.

Stress Relief Tea

This warm relaxing tea will wash away tension. It’s one of the best sellers on LocalHarvest.org. Pick up 12 bags for $10.50 or six for $5.51.

Stress Relief Games

Games can be a great way to chill out. Give your loved one the Puzzle-a-Day Sudoku so they can have a few minutes of stress-free enjoyment each day. The book is $9.35 at BarnesandNoble.com.

Stress Relief Yoga DVD

Exercise is one of the top ways to reduce stress. Not only is it healthy for your body, but it’s good for clearing your mind, too. Encourage others to relieve stress with a healthy habit like yoga. The Stress Relief Yoga for Beginners sells for $11.86 at Walmart.com. Or try Yoga for Stress Relief on Overstock.com if you need a more advanced option.

Stress Relief Massage

For the super stressed, pamper them with a trip to the masseuse. Massage is a great stress-reliever and provides a way to ease tense muscles and quiet busy minds.

Anti-Stress Neck Pillow

The microwavable Anti-Stress Neck Pillow from HealthSuperstore.com is made of super soft material and filled with herb-infused flax seeds. The aromas of lavender, chamomile and citrus will help ease worries and prompt relaxation.

Custom Stress-Reliever

Think about what’s causing your friend or family member’s plate to overflow. Do they need help with household chores? Childcare? Or perhaps they could use a meal away from the kitchen? Give them a thoughtful gift that you know will take something off their to-do list and lighten their load.

How to Get Organized for Holiday Gift Giving

Christmas Gifts, Halloween Gifts, How To Comments Off

Oct 242010

The Gift List Book from Organize.com May Help. photo courtesy of Organize.com

The holidays will be here before we know it. Do you really want another year of rushing and stressing out? Start preparing now and getting yourself organized for holiday gift giving with these simple tips.

Get Help from Your Phone

Have an iPhone? Get some cheap help organizing your gift giving with the Holiday Gift List app from Mobile Simplified. For just $1.99 you’ll be able to categorize your gift list into four groups: family, friends, work and other. Set a gift budget for each person and make a list of gift ideas. The app will automatically keep a running tally of how much you’ve spent so you can make sure you don’t break the bank.

Try Elfster.com

Will you be the one to head up the office Secret Santa gift exchange? Or perhaps you do one with extended family? Take some of the hassle out of this fun holiday tradition with the help of a free website. Check out Elfster.com for a way to organize this quickly and easily.

Print a Free Planner

Perhaps you’re more comfortable with a pen and paper. There are plenty of free resources that will help you get your gift giving ideas in line way before the rush of the season sets in. Check out this free printable Holiday Gift-Giving Planner. Or check out this free printable Master Gift List from Organized Christmas.

Create an Online Checklist

Sometimes it’s best to keep important documents like this online. That way you know they won’t be lost or fall into the wrong hands. If you plan to share your gift buying tasks with someone, the Lifehacker Holiday Gift Planner can be incredibly useful. It’s based in Google Docs which means you can give access to others, or you can keep it password protected for your eyes only.

Track Ideas

We’ve all been there– we come across the perfect gift for someone. But when it comes time to actually buy them a gift, we’ve long forgotten about that perfect present. Make Christmas shopping easier on yourself by picking up a copy of the Gift List Book from Organize.com. It’s $24.99 and will be useful long past this holiday season.

How to Give a Gift to Someone You Don’t Know Well

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Sep 132010

Not Sure Which Gift to Choose? (Photo Courtesy of epSos.de)

Maybe you can relate– I got invited to a birthday party of someone I had hung out with a few times, but didn’t know well. When there’s not a gift registry to fall back on, and you don’t know the person enough to pick out a great gift you know they’ll love– what do you do? Here are some tips for how to give a gift to someone you don’t know well.

Try to Chip in With Others

Do you know anyone else that you can go in on a group gift with? Perhaps you have a friend that’s closer to the person or knows them better. You may be passing the buck, but at least there’s a better chance they’ll end up with a gift they really like or can use.

Do a Registry Search

Even if the event is not for a baby shower or wedding event, there’s a chance this person has registered for something in the past few years. Most stores keep records of registries at least two years after the event. Search for a registry that might provide clues into the person’s taste. For instance WeddingChannel.com lets you search the registries of more than a dozen stores at once.

Find More Clues

Are you friends with the person on Facebook? Do you follow them on Twitter? Do a little digging into their social networks to find out what they like and don’t like. Plenty of people offer up lots of details about their lives online these days.

Go with a Standard

There’s a chance that shirt won’t fit or that vase won’t go with their decor. So why not go with a standard gift? Pick out a gift card to a local restaurant, book store or to the movie theater. Pretty much everybody likes going out to eat, reading a good book or taking in a movie now and then. And even if they don’t, they could always give it to someone else.

How to Know How Much to Spend on a Gift

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Jul 082010

How Much Should You Spend on Gifts? (Photo courtesy of Mrskyce)

Gift giving can be challenging. Besides picking the perfect gift, it’s important to know how much to spend on the gift. Many factors go into determining a good amount for your gift giving budget. Here are some guidelines to help you know how much to spend on a gift.

Determine the Average

Depending on where you live, the social norm for gift spending can vary greatly. In bigger cities the average wedding gift can cost around $100, while it may be perfectly acceptable in smaller cities to spend around $50. Knowing what the typical gift in your area costs will help you know how much to spend.

Follow the Pros’ Advice

When it comes to weddings, The Knot is an expert source. The wedding website suggests coming up with a gift budget for the entire wedding including the engagement, shower and ceremony. Then divide your entire budget for each event, spending 20% on the engagement, 20% on the shower and 60% on the wedding gift. If you’re not invited to one of these events then reallocate your gift budget.

Think About the Relationship

You’re likely to spend more on your spouse than on your boss this Christmas. It’s important to consider your relationship with the person you are buying a gift for when determining what to spend. You may want to spend more on those that are closer to you.

Remember the Past

Is this a person you have bought a gift for in the past? Think about what you’ve spent on gifts before. This is a good indication of what you should continue to spend on similar gifts.

Consider Your Budget

Above all, it’s important to consider your budget. No matter what the event, occasion or relationship, your budget is the most important factor. Determine what amount would be comfortable for you on top of your regular expenses. Stretching yourself too much just to afford a fancy gift will simply add stress to what should be a happy situation.

How to Make Sure No One Knows What You Spent on a Gift

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Jul 012010

Keep Prices To Yourself (Photo courtesy of Sylvar)

Sometimes you find a great gift on sale. And sometimes you spend way more on one parent than you do on the other. Whatever your reason, you don’t always want people to know what you spent on a gift. Here are five ways to keep your gift’s price hidden.

Make Sure the Price Tag is Removed

This may sound obvious, but we’ve all received gifts with price tags still attached. This tacky faux-pas is a quick way to make sure people know exactly how much your gift cost. Even if you’re getting the gift professionally wrapped, ask if the tag was removed. And if you got the gift on sale, make sure any sticker residue left behind by a sale tag is also wiped clean.

Alert Companies that It’s a Gift

If you’re buying a gift online, make sure there is an option for giving your purchase as a gift. This will remove any mention of price from packing slips and should mean that a receipt is not included in the box. If the company you’re buying from doesn’t have this option there’s a good chance that, along with your gift, your loved one will get your receipt, too.

Buy From Obscure Sources

Your circle of friends may eat at the same restaurants and shop in the same stores. That means if you buy a gift from the places you all visit there’s a strong possibility they’ll know what you paid. Try shopping in stores that are off your beaten path. And when you find great places for purchasing gifts, keep that little secret to yourself.

Don’t Include a Gift Receipt

Gift receipts can be handy if people want to exchange or return your gift. But they can still figure out what you paid. So if you really don’t want to let anyone know what you paid, avoid including a gift receipt.

Avoid Registries

Obviously when people register for cake plates and crib sheets they know how much the items cost. So if you want to keep your gift contribution on the down-low, don’t buy something off the registry. You’ll keep your expenditures under wraps while still hopefully getting them a great gift.

How to Support Causes with Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts, How To Comments Off

Nov 252009

Give More Love This Christmas. photo courtesy of mysza831

As you tackle your Christmas gift list, try to think about how your dollar can do good. Not only will you be getting great gifts for your loved ones, but you’ll be supporting worthy causes at the same time. Here are some ideas that will make your dollar do more this Christmas season.

Flowers

Check out OrganicBouquet.com’s Flowers for Good section. Not only do these flowers smell good, but they do good, too. There are fifteen gorgeous bouquets to choose from, each one supporting a great cause like the American Lung Association, Nature Conservancy and Humane Society. Five percent of every purchase will support these charities.

T-Shirt

Everyone needs a funny t-shirt. Even though you can find these wardrobe staples in about three-fourths of the stores at the mall, why not pick one up at BringtheHope.com where 25% of profits go to charitable causes? That will make an ordinary t-shirt seem way more special.

Art

The beautiful photography found at AllieArt4Children’s Etsy shop supports Reach Out Children’s Fund, an organization committed to improving the lives of those living in the remote Andes mountains of Peru. Not only will you be purchasing an original work of art, but you’ll be supporting a great non-profit. And most of the art in the shop is under $20.

Soap

Magic Senses, the designer soap company, created a “Believe in You” Butterfly soap to support “Count Me In” in their efforts to promote economic independence and the growth of women owned businesses. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to this cause.

Purse

At Clutch for Cures, $10 from every purchase goes to a charity. When you make your purchase you’ll be asked to choose from a selection of non-profits and that’s the charity that will receive your $10. The unique clutches are designed by a mother of six in St. Louis. Choose from dozens of colors and designs to find one that someone on your gift list will love.

Food

Who doesn’t love good food? It’s a great gift idea for just about anyone on your list. And when you buy the food from AmericanFeast.com you can feel good about supporting family-owned sustainable farms in your area. Search for meat, cheese, and sweets that are made by farmers– not huge corporations.

How to Wrap a Gift Without Using Wrapping Paper

DIY Cool Gift Ideas, How To, Today's Cool Gift Idea 1 Response »

Jul 022009

No Wrapping Paper? No Worries! photo courtesy of grabadonut

You’ve got a gift. You’ve got a box. Heck, you even have some tape, but you are fresh out of wrapping paper. Now is the time when your creativity can really be put to the test. Inspired by the “Nice Package” Flickr group, here are several ways to wrap a gift without using an inch of wrapping paper. But it will look so good no one will know the real reason your package turned out so unique.

Use wax paper. Head to your kitchen and grab a couple of sheets of wax paper. Using two layers will help keep the gift’s contents under wrap. Use some pretty ribbon or twine to complete the look.

Print some off the web. There are several cool designers offering printable wrapping paper. Even Martha Stewart has five different styles of wrapping paper designs available for free. Scrapbooks Etc. also offers up a bunch of brightly colored printable wrapping papers. Just download the file, click print and you’re good to go.

Head to your sewing stash and use leftover fabric. A lighter weave will make it easier to wrap. Coordinate the look with some thick ribbon to help hold it all together and a button in the center.

Pull newspaper out of the recycle bin. Give your gift an eco-friendly look by using newspaper or magazines.

Use paper, not plastic. If you’ve got grocery bags or shopping bags stashed in your pantry, creatively cut one up to make some heavy duty and eco-friendly wrapping paper.

Decorate the box. Skip the paper all together and find a way to decorate the box. Use stamps, stickers or your own drawing skills. It’ll be so pretty the recipient will forget about the lack of wrapping paper.

How to Make Gift Giving a Memorable Experience

How To 1 Response »

Apr 232009

Make this Moment a Memory. photo courtesy of nutmeg

You buy a present, wrap it up, and hand it over to your loved one. They open it, thank you for the gift and the experience is over. Why not infuse some creativity, spunk and excitement into the gift-giving process so that it becomes just as memorable (if not more!) than the gift itself? Here are some suggestions:

1. Create a Scavenger Hunt: My husband’s birthday fell on Easter this year. I decided to create an Easter egg scavenger hunt. Each egg contained a small gift (like iTunes gift cards), the clue for finding the next egg, and a puzzle piece. At the end of the trail of eggs he assembled all of the puzzle pieces and discovered his big gift– a weekend getaway. Your scavenger hunt could just include clues that lead to the hidden present at the end. Either way, it makes getting the gift fun and challenging.

2. Wrap the Gift Ten Times: Maybe you’ve seen this before. You start with a small gift and wrap it. Then you put that in a box and wrap it. Then you put that in a box and wrap it. I’ve seen some gifts where layers of wrapping were funny lingerie from a thrift store. It made the opening process very entertaining (and extended) and the final gift even more appreciated.

3. Have Someone Else Deliver It: Enlist a singing telegram service or a person dressed in a funny costume to deliver your gift. Not only will the person enjoy the present, but they’ll enjoy the presentation of it as well!

4. Buy a Decoy Gift: Pull a little prank and buy a gag gift for your loved one, but present it as a “real” gift. (It could either be something really practical like laundry detergent or really bizarre like a Richard Simmons workout tape.) Once you’ve made the recipient believe this is for real, pull out the “good” gift and have a laugh.

Older Entries

How to Find Free Printables for the Holidays

How to Find the Perfect Gift for Bike Lovers

How to Help Someone De-Stress with a Gift

How to Get Organized for Holiday Gift Giving

How to Give a Gift to Someone You Don’t Know Well

How to Know How Much to Spend on a Gift

How to Make Sure No One Knows What You Spent on a Gift

How to Support Causes with Christmas Gifts

How to Wrap a Gift Without Using Wrapping Paper

How to Make Gift Giving a Memorable Experience

Today’s Featured Gift Idea

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