Unique Gift Ideas from She’s SO Creative

Aug 092010
 

Pasta Bowl Apron. photo courtesy of She's SO Creative

Today I’d like to introduce you to She’s SO Creative - renowned creators of outrageously clever cards and more witty stuff. I met them at the San Francisco International Gift Fair, last week, and I thought their product was worth mentioning. I hope you do, too!

I particularly like their aprons which make a great birthday, Christmas or hostess gift:

“Pasta Bowl” Apron is packaged in a Parmesan Cheese Container! It literally features a bunch of pasta (Farfalle, Rigatoni, and Rotini) bowling. ($26.50)

French Chicks Apron. photo courtesy of She's SO Creative

“French Chicks” Apron is packaged in a real Egg Carton! It features beret-wearing yellow chicks hanging out, drinking wine and café lattes at Café Le Egg. ($26.50)

“Salad Dressing” Apron is packaged in a take-out Salad Box! It features a salad literally getting dressed: a carrot in pantyhose, a tomato in bra and panties, and lettuce in evening wear and heels. ($26.50)

They also have fun, matching shopping list/notepads ($6.50) and “Witty Wiper” napkins! ($5.50)

ECO-FRIENDLY: Apron packaging is all recycled. And their notepads and napkins are 100% recycled as well and printed with the greenest inks possible.

The products are available nationally via their website She’s SO Creative. Check them out!

How to Use Gifts to Help Loved Ones with Financial Problems

Jun 042010
 

Image courtesy of stuartpilbrow

The majority of Americans struggle with some kind of financial issue. According to statistics, nearly half of American families spend more than they make each year. The average household has about $8,000 in credit card debt and personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade. Since money can be a taboo topic for friends and family members, why not use gifts to help your loved ones with their financial problems? Here are some ideas.

Books

There are lots of great financial books available. If there is a money book that has inspired you, why not give your loved ones a copy, too? Jean Chatzky’s Money 911, Suze Orman’s Women & Money or Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” are all popular financial books that make great gifts.

Debt Diet DVD

Oprah recently launched the Great American Debt Diet. Not everyone can catch her talk show, but in The Oprah Store you can pick up the Debt Diet DVD series which features five episodes of the Debt Diet series. The DVDs show financial experts working with three typical American families as they climb their way out of debt. Your loved one may be inspired by this gift.

Financial Software

Help your loved ones get their finances in order with the gift of financial software. Crown Money Map Financial Software will get them on the road towards becoming debt free. They’ll be able to build a budget and get financial advice.

The Envelope System

Being organized can help ease money problems. Get your family members or friends off the credit card crutch. Give them The Envelope System, a unique and easy-to-use program that will help them stick to their budget by using cash– not credit.

Gift Cards

Giving your friend or family member cash may not be the best gift– especially if they’ve been known to spend it unwisely. Instead give them a gift card to a grocery store or drug store so you can be fairly sure the money is going to a practical and useful purpose.

Pre-Paid Energy Bills

If you know of a family that’s struggling to make ends meet, take some of the weight off their shoulders by pre-paying their electric or water bill for six months or a year. It’s a practical gift that will help lift some money burdens and hopefully get them on the path towards financial freedom.

How to Find Affordable Art to Give as Gifts

Oct 092009
 
Affordable Art Makes Great Gifts

Affordable Art Makes Great Gifts (Image courtesy of Marshall Astor)

Art is wonderful. It brightens our homes. Art broadens our world. And it gives us something lovely to look at. But often finding art that is affordable can be a big challenge. Many one-of-a-kind pieces cost hundreds– even thousands of dollars which doesn’t fit into gift budgets very well. But there are ways to find affordable art to give as gifts. Here are a few places to look.

Etsy

Etsy is a marketplace where artists can sell their work. Thousands of people have Etsy shops with unique items to sell and most is very affordable. Pick up signed digital prints for less than $10 like this one from artist Sarah Knight. Or for wearable art, check out this Paris Map necklace made from a scrabble tile and paper. It’s only $6.95.

6×6 Gallery

Sometimes smaller is better. At 6x6gallery.com all of the art is made on six inch squares. That means you can pick up original art starting at just $35. If you happen to be in New York, check out the Six by Six Gallery on East 13th Street. Otherwise, order up your affordable art online.

Local Shops

Head to some local art shops and galleries. Many artists will have prints of their original works to sell that are far more affordable. You can either buy the print framed or unframed. For an even more affordable way to give art as gifts only purchase the print and head to a thrift store to look for a low-cost frame. It’s a great way to support local artists in your community without spending a whole lot of money.

Postcards and Note Cards

Some artists even choose to turn their works of art into postcards or note cards. Pick up a pack of these and find a small matted frame at a craft store. Better yet– buy several different note card designs from the same artist and frame three of them to create a nice grouping of framed art to give as a gift.

How to Get Rewarded for Buying Gifts

Oct 012009
 
Give Love and Receive Some, Too

Give Love and Receive Some, Too (Image Courtesy of Coco+Kelley)

Buying gifts isn’t about you– it’s about the person you’re giving the present to. But let’s be honest, it’s nice to get something in return when shopping for others. Here are a few ways to get rewarded for buying gifts.

Get Cash Back

There are several online sites that offer cash back when you make purchases. Check out Ebates.com and Cashbaq.com. When you buy gifts on partner websites you’ll get one, two, even ten percent cash back. And cash is always a nice reward for giving gifts.

Get a Free Gift with Purchase

Getting a free gift with a purchase is just an added bonus for buying a great gift. Cosmetics departments are probably best known for using the free gift with purchase offer. Check out  these deals from Neiman Marcus and Sephora for examples on how to score free make-up, perfume and more when you buy a gift.

Look for Buy-One-Get-One Deals

One for me, one for you! With buy one get one free deals you and your gift recipient will get a great present. Check out this buy one get one free Blu-ray movie deal from Best Buy. You’ll get a movie you like and so will your loved one.

Use Points Programs

Plenty of stores and websites have points programs. The more you buy from them, the more points you accrue. And when you gather up enough points you get rewards like free stuff and exclusive deals. Check out MyPoints.com for a points program that let’s you combine points from purchases at a variety of retailers so that you earn rewards like gift cards and electronics.

Buy More at One Time

Sometimes when you buy more the discount is bigger. Look for gifts where you can get rewarded by purchasing more than one like at Figis.com. They’ve got lots of great treats like Smokehouse Sticks, Creamy Country Spreads and Creamy Pecan Logs that get cheaper when you buy more.

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Don’t forget to check out our Coupons page!

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AllModern.com Review and Giveaway. Don’t Miss It! – NOW CLOSED

Jun 232009
 

Today I’d like to introduce a wonderful website. All Modern, part of CSN Stores, offers a wide variety of modern home furnishings from top brands like Knoll, Herman Miller, Dwell, Alessi and so many more!

haute teapot

At AllModern.com you can find innovative ideas to decorate your home and office. Many of their products would make wonderful gift ideas for newly-weds, new parents, chefs or just anyone who needs a little bit of style in their lives.

You can shop by Designer, living space, brand and item. You can even sign up for “deal alerts” ! Check them out! 

GIVEAWAY

stack02AllModern.com has generously donated a Mio Culture – Houndstooth Haute Surface to 2 of our readers.

This Giveaway is for US residents only.

Prize: Mio Culture – Houndstooth Haute Surface from AllModern.com. This set of 12 interlocking cork trivets will bring style to your table. The Haute Surface Houndstooth is recyclable and can be arranged into stunning table runners, table protective arrangements, placemats or even mouse pads. It’s all up to you!

Winners: 2

How to enter (required): visit AllModern.com and then come back and leave a comment with the name of your favorite product.

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;
- one additional entry if you join us on Facebook;
- one additional entry if you follow us on Twitter;
- one additional entry if you send a tweet about this giveaway, please post the link (once a day only);
- 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 AllModern.com
- one additional entry if you follow 1HappyCorner.com via email.

The giveaway ends on July 14, 2009. 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 winners will be announced on this page & via e-mail and have 2 days to get back to us or other names will be chosen.
*Incomplete entries will be disqualified & deleted.

UPDATE: And the winners are:

Here are your random numbers:

41
29

Timestamp: 2009-07-15 15:47:51 UTC

Congratulations, Amanda D. and Megan B. ! Please contact us within the next 2 days or other names will be chosen!

2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – VoiceQuilt.com

Feb 122009
 

We mentioned VoiceQuilt.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

Sometimes words are not strong enough to express the emotion and joy VoiceQuilt will bring. That’s why I posted the video above. 

VoiceQuilt is the perfect gift for Valentine’s, Christmas, birthday, anniversary and any special day! It is a unique product that strings (or quilts) personalized audio messages from family/loved ones that are set into a variety of beautiful keepsake boxes.  During these tough times, the best love and support a lot of people need come from the heart of many.

Available at VoiceQuilt.com. Check them out today!

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If you have tried VoiceQuilt, please leave a message and share the love!

2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – Speaking Roses

Feb 112009
 

We mentioned Speaking Roses in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

trio-sm

photo courtesy of Speaking Roses

What’s the most popular gift men give to women on the day of love? Roses of course!

Well, Speaking Roses takes “flower giving” to a whole new level! They have taken fresh roses and greeting cards, combined them and formed a new medium called Speaking Roses that will help you get your message across in a very stylish way!

Using their fantastic technology, Speaking Roses will gently print personalized messages right on the rose petal without damaging the flower. And this is just the beginning! They can also print company logos and photographs!

The roses are usually shipped the same or next day; if you’d like your message on a different flower, like tulips or lillies for example, they can do that, too!

Speaking Roses are famous for the fresh, personalized and gorgeous floral arrangements they offer and have been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, Access Hollywood, just to mention a few!

Give these flowers a try, gentlemen! Let them speak for you!

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Have you ever sent Speaking Roses? Share the love! Leave us a message describing your experience.

2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – Things Remembered

Feb 112009
 

We mentioned Things Remembered in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – Part 2.

Things Remembered is one of my all time favorites. Most of their products (if not all) can be personalized and the website is very easy to navigate.

Here are some products they offer for this Valentine’s Day:

Crystal Heart Album by Things Remembered

Say I love you with these shiny, personalized albums and frames that feature shimmering crystals and heart accents, along with a large canvas to engrave your special message. Fill them with photos that capture all your favorite moments together.

Price: $25.00 Today ON SALE for 19.99

Crystal Heart USB by Things Remembered
Help them stay organized and stylish on the go with a personalized flash drive they’re sure to use daily. Offered in a timeless silver-plated version for the guys and a crystal-encrusted version with a heart-shaped top for the girls. Save favorite pictures, a poem or a declaration of love to the drive before gifting it, and don’t forget to personalize it with a name and phone number in case it ever gets lost.

Price: $30.00 Today ON SALE for $19.99.
Photo Cuff Links by Things Remembered Whether he’s working long hours at the office or away on business, it’s important he still keeps loved ones close. Each of these silver cuff links opens to reveal a spot to store two pictures.

Engrave his initials on the face to make the gift even more inspired.

Price: $25.00

Key to My Heart Water Globe by Things Remembered

Tell her you love her in an inspired new way this Valentine’s Day! Choose from one of two timeless, love-themed water globes from Things Remembered. The Key to My Heart Water Globe will remind her that not only does she have your heart, she also has the key.

Or capture the most sincere Valentine’s Day sentiment with the I Love You Water Globe that features declarations of love around the base. Each can be engraved with your own personalized message of love as well.

Price: $35.00 Today ON SALE for $24.99

Crystal Heart Keepsake Box by Things Remembered

These heart-shaped keepsake boxes are encrusted in silver or pink crystals and open to reveal a heart charm where you can engrave your special Valentine’s Day message for her.

Price: $25.00

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To see the current selection of their beautiful personalized gifts, please visit their website: Things Remembered

2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – AbellaGalleries.com

Jan 272009
 
blue-meadow-oval-long-wrapped-grey-tanktop

long Blue Meadow Oval Necklace. photo courtesy of AbellaGalleries.com

We mentioned AbellaGalleries.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift guide.

Why? Well, the vibrant, eye-catching turquoise beaded necklaces featured at Abella Galleries online make excellent Valentine’s Day gifts for women of all ages. Simple, yet bold, the gorgeous beads add a distinctive finishing touch to almost any outfit.

The products: The necklaces are composed of real stones, sterling silver fittings, and stainless steel nylon-coated wire. The beads are either howlite turquoise or white stone. There are four different styles of turquoise necklaces: Aegean Barrel, Blue Meadow Oval, Deep Sea Oval, and Retro Round. The first three styles come in either long or short lengths. Retro Round only comes in short length. The white stone necklaces come in Classic White Oval style, short length.

Some of the most popular necklaces are the Deep Sea Oval (because of its rich deep green color) and the Blue Meadow Oval (because of its simplicity).

Prices vary depending on the product.

deep-sea-oval-dramatic

Green Deep Sea Oval Necklace. photo courtesy of AbellaGalleries.com

Abella Galleries provides free gift wrap and a customized gift note when requested in the Notes box on the Abella Galleries checkout page. They also offer free shipping on orders of $100 or more.

DISCOUNT COUPON

AbellaGalleries.com offers a 15% discount for 1HappyCorner.com readers; simply type HAPPY in the special coupon box on the Shopping Cart page after an item is selected for purchase.

GIVEAWAY

Special Valentine’s giveaway: AbellaGalleries.com offers one gorgeous beaded necklace as a giveaway to one of our readers. All you have to do is visit their website at www.AbellaGalleries.com and then leave a comment on this page about which necklace you like best and why; on Feb. 11th, we’ll pick a winner from the comments.

This is a “must-have”! Check them out today!

2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide – Giftybox.com

Jan 152009
 
classes4web_open_big

Classes Box. photo courtesy of Giftybox.com

We mentioned Giftybox.com in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide. 

I was rather intrigued the first time I read about this idea. But I have to say: I love it!

What’s all about? Well, in a nutshell, Giftybox.com allows you to give the ultimate “gift of experience”. You, the gift giver, choose the theme (i.e. “Spa & Well Being, “Adventure”, “Winery Tours”, “Classes” ,etc), while your gift recipient gets to choose the activity (i.e. massage, facials, cooking class, dance lessons, kayaking, skiing, hiking etc).

This is how it works:  As the gift giver, you pick the theme you want to give based on whatever suits the personality of your gift recipient: winery tour/tasting, spa experience, adventure (i.e. scuba diving, scenic flights, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, etc.), classes (dance, martial arts, cooking, etc.)

Once you pick a theme, your gift recipient receives a guidebook of all the options in the theme (beautifully packaged; this is far more than a gift certificate) so that he/she can choose the specific activity (based on preferences and location).

adventure-giftybox-4-web

Adventure Box. photo courtesy of Giftybox.com

My favorite packages are “Classes” ($49) and “Adventure” ($89).

Why is this the perfect Valentine’s Gift? Giving an experience is extremely personal, not to mention, if you are looking for a gift for “the person who has it all”, giving an adventure or a class or a winery tour might just be the best way to go -or better yet, join your gift recipient so the two of you can share the experience together!

Read more at Giftybox.com! And don’t forget about the discount coupon code below!!

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DISCOUNT COUPON CODE:

Valentine’s promocode for $10 off any Giftybox product or product combination (except the Spa Package for Two that is already discounted to $129):  MYVALENTINE2009

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