UPDATE: Make Her Valentine’s Day.com is having a special sale. Enter the CODE20 at checkout and you’ll net 20% off.

Aren’t Valentine’s Day gifts a little messed up? You’re supposed to be letting your significant other know how special they are, and yet you have to show it by getting one of the same gifts that millions of other people get: flowers or chocolates.

Valentine’s should be all about that personal connection, and so should the gift. That’s why making a gorgeous, personalized photo canvas on Make Her Valentine’s Day.com is so great.
A canvas from MakeHerValentinesDay.com

The process is really simple: Find that special vacation photo or snapshot that came out great – you know, the one that you’ve had sitting on your hard drive for years – then upload it to the site. Select the size (11”x14”, 16”x20” or 20”x30”) and color scheme (full-color, black and white or sepia) and then check-out.

A black and white canvas from MakeHerValentinesDay.com

The high-quality canvases that Make Her Valentine’s Day.com are the same type that photographers use to display their work at art galleries around the world. Known professionally as gallery wraps, they’re created by printing your photo on cotton-base canvas with GICLEE digital printers, then stretching the canvas over a 1.5″ frame. By wrapping the image like this, the canvas creates a sophisticated floating effect without the need for a frame.

When you get a canvas for Valentine’s Day, you’re re-creating a special moment – one that no one else could have given her. It won’t go unnoticed.

 

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only time of the year when hearts are a flutter. When it comes time to give a gift that speaks from the heart, why not consider capitalizing off of the iconic shape? When roses and the typical box of chocolates just won’t do, try considering some of the heart-shaped gift ideas that allow you to think outside your normal routine.

Heart Pajamas

In shades of red and pink, hearts are a popular design for women’s pajamas. For example, the PajamaCity Red and White Hearts Print Pink Footie Pajamas for Women are made with soft polar fleece and a full body zipper. Two “kangaroo” pockets offer a place to store cell phones and TV remotes.

Heart Shaped Music Box

If you’d like to participate in making a gift from the heart, consider the Woodcraft Classic Plan series, which offers step-by-step instructions with detail photographs. Try your hand at making this heart shaped band saw box with two compartments and music box capability. This gift makes a delightful gesture for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and a wedding anniversary. Plans for the music box cost around $10.

Heart-Shaped Pendant

When it comes to heart-shaped jewelry, selecting a pendant that dangles from the neck is an elegant choice. From sparkling cubic zirconia to a splash of diamonds, there are plenty of options to browse when choosing a pendant. To enhance the personalization of the gift, seek out jewelry that incorporates your love’s birthstone, such as the pictured Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Heart Pendant or 14k White Gold Amethyst Heart Pendant.

Heart Lollipops

Does your sweetie have a sweet tooth? Gifting heart-shaped lollipops is certainly a fun way to say ‘I love you.’ From colorful rainbow pops to melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, there are many different ways to present this gift, including small gift baskets, holiday mugs, brilliant ribbons, and a cheerful stuffed animal. Want to put a little legwork into your gift? Purchase a candy mold and prepare your own.

Giant Chocolate Heart

If you can’t get chocolate out of your head as the perfect gift, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to choose a larger-than-life edible heart. It will certainly be a long-lasting memory when your love unwraps a 3lb Solid Dark Chocolate heart. However, the 1-pound Anatomically Correct Milk Chocolate Heart is perfect for doctors, med students, and those with a sense of humor.

 

Don't Like the Gift? Don't Show It. (Photo Courtesy of TomPagenet)

Gift giving is rampant. It’s no longer just reserved for spouses and close relatives. Chances are you’ll get gifts from your neighbors, second cousins and your Sunday school teacher. And we can bet not all of those gifts will hit the nail on the head as far as what you want and like. A recent Women’s Health poll showed that 63% of women have faked enthusiasm for a gift they hated. If you find yourself in that position, here are some tips for getting through it without hurting anyone’s feelings.

Use the Right Expression

What matters more than what you say is how you say it. Keep your eyes wide open. Examine the gift closely. Stay focused on it for a few minutes before allowing the attention to turn elsewhere.

Choose Words Carefully

The gift may be so bad it leaves you speechless, but don’t let the giver know that. Have a few words ready to go. Say things like “I’ve been wanting one of these”, “I just admired this in a store a few days ago”, and “How creative!” Explain how you plan to use it or where you’ll show it off.

Try It Out Right Away

If it’s an accessory that your niece made by hand or a sweater your colorblind aunt Sue knitted, slip it on. Run to a mirror and look at yourself in it. If it’s a pair of slippers, put them on and gush over how comfortable they are. If it’s a gift you can use right then and there– do.

Give Them a Hug

Most people don’t give bad gifts on purpose. Give the gift giver a big hug, make eye contact and say thank you. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Follow Up with a Thank You

Sending a thank you to someone who gave you a gift is common courtesy. Write a nice note and let them know you appreciated their generosity. Because even though you may  not have loved their gift, you can still appreciate their kindness.

 

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.

 

Use Nature to Throw a Woodland Theme Baby Shower

Lots of baby shower themes seem more suited for spring and summer dates. Struggling to find a theme that works during cooler weather? Why not try a woodland theme baby shower? It works whether you’re celebrating the arrival of a girl or boy. So if your bundle of joy is on its way, use these tips to try this unique theme.

Use Nature

A lot of your decorations can come from Mother Nature. Find a log that’s about three inches in diameter and saw it into different lengths. You’ll be able to use it to hold candles at various levels and perhaps even some food plates. Find stems of leaves or pine needles to use with fresh flowers in arrangements. And of course you’ll need lots of pine cones. These can either be painted or left natural. Stack them in large vases or use them as place holders for food names so your guests will know what you’re serving up.

Stick with Theme Food

Think about food that fits in with the theme. Try dipping marshmallows in melted chocolate and serving them up on a stick. Set out a bowl of homemade trail mix or serve up a cheese ball covered in pecans. The more you can stick with the theme the more memorable it will be.

Marshmallows on a Stick Fit the Theme

Party Favors

There are lots of options for party favors for a woodland theme baby shower. An easy one is to make up your own batch of homemade trail mix. Include a variety of nuts, chocolate chips and even some raisins. Put a scoop into a small plastic bag. You can decorate the plastic bag or put it inside a paper lunch sack embellished with stamps or ribbon.

Have a Hoot

Owl ornaments are very popular right now. You can use these to help decorate for your woodland baby shower. Hang them from the mantel or give them to guests as party favors along with a note that the party was a hoot. There’s no chance they’ll forget such a creative baby shower.

Photo courtesy of Alison Storm

 

Make Your Gifts Memorable (Photo Courtesy of craftapalooza)

You spend lots of time picking out the perfect present. You toil over whether to buy the crimson shirt or the maroon one. You stress about the decision of whether your grandma would like gloves or mittens better. But often when it comes to wrapping those lovely presents we just shove them in an old gift bag or pull out last year’s wrapping paper and hope there’s enough left on the roll to make it around the box. This year, resolve to put a little more thought into what’s on the outside. Here are some tips for adding flare to your holiday packages.

Stick with a Color Theme

Rather than adding a hodgepodge of wrapped gifts under the tree, pick a color scheme. It doesn’t have to be the traditional red and green, either. By sticking with your color theme you’ll create a cohesive look with your gifts and make more of a style statement.

Always Include Ribbon

A Christmas package without ribbon just seems incomplete. Stock up at your local craft store. Buy ribbons that work well together and on their own. Try stacking a thicker ribbon under something thin and sparkly. And don’t be afraid to recycle the ribbon once you’re done with it.

Head to the Office Supply Store

Gift tags are like earrings for a package. Don’t overlook this important accessory. You can even get creative with them. Simply head to an office supply store and purchase some jewelry tags. Embellish them with stamps, glitter, or even by stitching on some ribbon. Get as creative as possible.

Use “Green” Tissue

Instead of buying tissue paper, try something more creative, cheaper and more green. Put old, discarded wrapping paper through the paper shredder. You’ll end up with a colorful and earth-friendly alternative to tissue paper.

Put a Gift on the Gift

Use your ribbon to tie a small gift onto your package. Include a Christmas ornament, small picture frame or even a gift card holder onto the top of the box. By making the outside so appealing, you’ll build even more excitement for what’s on the inside.

 

Ready, Set, Shop! (Photo Courtesy of Chris 22090)

Not everyone loves to shop on Black Friday. The crowds, the early morning, and the long lines aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re really into Black Friday it can be a fun experience to share with your loved ones. Don’t want to brave the crowds alone? Here are some tips for getting your significant other excited about shopping on Black Friday.

Pitch it as an Experience

Black Friday is an American institution. It’s a unique experience that only comes around once a year. Explain to your significant other that it’s about more than just scoring great deals. It’s about being part of a tradition that kicks off the holiday season.

Make a Plan

The more you plan out your Black Friday shopping strategy the more successful you’ll be. Take some time to review ads and list out the deals you want to score. Write down the times each store opens and create a schedule. When you have a strategy you’re likely to waste less time in lines which is usually a major turn off for Black Friday skeptics.

Find a Deal They’re Excited About

If your spouse likes clothes and the only deals you go after on Black Friday are for tools, they may not be that excited about taking part in the festivities. Make a point to fill them in on deals they may be interested in and make sure they snag something for themselves.

Bring Supplies

Try to troubleshoot any possible hangups that you might run into. Does your loved one get chilled easily? Since Black Friday can require standing outside waiting for stores to open, bring pocket warmers or an extra scarf. Do you think they’ll get hungry? Pack some snacks and maybe a bottle of water. The more fun you can make the Black Friday shopping experience the more likely they are to love it.

 

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.

Oct 162010
 

Did you know October is National Dessert Month? Maybe it’s designated the sweetest month because of the quest for candy so many trick-or-treaters embark on, but there’s no need to wait for October 31 to celebrate. Just about everybody enjoys a sweet treat now and then, so why not give the gift of indulgence with a gourmet dessert? Here are some tips for finding and shipping the best gourmet desserts safely.
icon
iconReview Shipping Policies

Shipping policies are very important to consider when ordering gourmet desserts that could be perishable. For instance, at CheesecakeFantasy.com, shipping prices are calculated into the cost of the product. But there are many circumstances where your dessert will not be covered if it doesn’t arrive on time, including weather delays or if the recipient wasn’t home to accept the delivery.

Look for Proper Packaging

If you’re considering buying perishable dessert items, do some research into how the company packages them. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, items should be packed in foam or heavy corrugated cardboard and shipped with a cold source.

Spring for Overnight Shipping

Overnight shipping can be expensive but it is usually the way to go when buying gourmet desserts online. This way there is less chance for the gift to sit on a hot truck or airplane waiting to be delivered.

Alert the Recipient

Although it’s nice for gifts to be a surprise, let the recipient know to expect a gift. Tell them the expected arrival date so they can make sure someone is there to receive the package. That way they’ll know that the box needs to be opened right away, and possibly refrigerated.

Check the Temperature

If you receive a perishable dessert in the mail, check the temperature. According to officials it should be below 40 degrees when measured with a food thermometer. If it shows up warm, alert the company and don’t eat it. But if the temperature seems good, go ahead and dig in.

 

Scrapbooking has taken the preservation of memories to an all-time high with creatively elaborate collections of photos, artwork, stamped letters, and eye-catching embellishments. Nowadays, scrapbookers use a variety of tools, materials, and even digital technology to create their masterpieces. When you’re looking for gift ideas to celebrate a special occasion for the scrapbooker in your life, consider the following suggestions:

Electronic Cutting Machine

Life is so much easier when you have heavy-duty equipment to save time and energy. Many scrapbookers pine over the Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter, which cuts letters, shapes, and phrases for scrap albums. The machine works with vellum, paper, cardstock and vinyl.

Accessories included are a Quick Start guide, user manual, blade assembly, 6-by-12-inch cutting mat, power adapter, and a George and Basic Shapes cartridge binder (with cartridge, keypad overlay, and handbook).

Cricut Tool Kit

If your loved one already has the illustrious Cricut personal cutter, perhaps the Cricut Tool Kit can bring added convenience. Designed for use with Cricut machines, this gift offers a bone folder, a hook, a knife, a ruler, scissors, a scoop, and scrapers. The tool kit also comes with a carrying case for easy transport and storage.

Scrapbooking Gift Basket

Gift basket ideas for scrapbookers include a rainbow of solid-colored cardstock and patterned papers for matting and backgrounds. Adhesives, such as glue stick, glue dots, tape runner, and liquid glue, are needed to hold photos and other accents to pages. Fade-proof and waterproof pens are used to mark dates, names and write descriptions. Other scrapbook gift basket ideas include scissors, trimmers, and embellishments, such as ribbons, borders, tags, flowers, buttons, felt, rub-ons, stamps, stickers, brads, and eyelets. Don’t have time to create a gift basket? Consider gifting the Snap ‘n Stack Ribbon Dispenser Craft Organizer (shown above) and fill with a variety of ribbon.

Scrapbook Theme Kits

From animals to food-related subjects, theme kits help scrapbookers concentrate on a main theme for their albums. Kits come in a variety of subjects, styles, colors, and materials. For example, the Creative Imaginations Navy Scrapbooking Kit allows loved ones to commemorate veterans and soldiers. The kit includes 6 papers, 1 cardstock sticker and 1 epoxy with stickers, embellishments and other details.

A Scrapbook

One of the best gifts for a scrapbooker is the idea that’s right in front of your face – a scrapbook of their own. Siblings can create one out of heartfelt childhood memories and acknowledgement of adult support. Best friends and college buddies can reminisce about the wild and crazy days of school. Bridesmaids can create a display of memories for a friend to remember her bachelorette days. Spouses can express their appreciation, favorite moments, and love through a scrapbook. The possibilities are endless.

If you know a scrapbooker or crafter looking to run their own business or expand their horizons, direct them to our new site  Craftsyble – your one-stop shop for learning and exploring the world of crafting.

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