Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Since Thanksgiving is in a couple of days, I thought it fitting to add the host and hostess pages next. I will be back on Monday to update with more pages. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Get your own - Open publication

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

pages 2 and 3

Get your own - Open publication

Tomorrow....gifts for the host and hostess

*Update: Please go to the most current post to see the latest edition of the guide.

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

The holiday season brings with it a sense of anticipation. In keeping with that spirit, our gift guide will be released a little bit at a time. Each day additional pages will be posted until we get to the end. My goal is to inspire you and slow things down just a little. Inside are all kinds of gifts and all kinds of price points. Some ideas will be just what you need. Other ideas will be just that...ideas that get you thinking outside the box. Believing in the magic of the holidays is about understanding the true meaning of the season. Let the inspiration begin with the cover. Original artwork by Carolyn Hofstad (the sea in sea and jae).

Get your own - Open publication

*Update: Please go to the most current post to view the latest edition of the guide.

Skipping Stones

This photo inspired a wedding gift for a friend's daughter's piano and vocal teacher. (That was a long description) In a recent book her daughter read, happiness was measured by stones. The little girl would put all her stones in her container if she was completely happy. I remembered this amazing photo. So here's the gift. Collect a bucket full of stones and put words and phrases on them that are relevant like harmonious, beautiful music together, or in tune. Write a note about how happiness is measured in stones. When you are truly happy, your bucket is full. Tell them when they are newly "happily" married to go skipping stones. Relevant.....check. Creative and fun (since it is a gift from a child)......check. The right price.......check. Okay.....good to go.

photo via Once Wed via Gabriel Li

Teaser.....

The early bird catches the worm, so I'm off to work on the upcoming Holiday Gift Guide . You could also say that I'm killing two birds with one stone with this little teaser. Have a productive and creative day.

original artwork by the sea in sea and jae

Take Me Away

I thought it was time to do a photo that inspires a gift. The clean simple design was all that was needed to pull me in, but the large jar of bath salts put it right over the top. It just promises take me away moments. Large glass jars can be found almost anywhere. Just get one that is really big to create the same feeling. Fill it with bath salts, and add a scoop (found at any kitchen store). If you want, include a few sponges. Making the salts yourself would be an extra nice touch. When I googled for recipes, I was pleasantly surprised to find one here. This one would be hard to wrap, so I would suggest sneaking it into the recipient's house and putting it right next to the tub for them to find.

Put on the tag......"Balancing stress and rest." photo via desire to inspire via Caren Alpert

Gift of Gab

Lottery tickets aren't really thought of as gifts, but there is an excitement to them and a "what if" factor. Mix them up by doing some quick picks or numbers that are significant along with some scratch offs. Throw them in an interesting bowl or container and they are still left with something if there isn't a winner in the bunch. (If there is a winner, you might want to clarify the halfsies concept.) Today's quote made me think of our economy. Just put the quote on the gift tag and add....."I'm not counting on making my money in the stock market anymore...it's the lottery for me."

Scratch off tickets also make great party favors. You could have everyone grab one out of a bowl as they are leaving or you could have one at each place setting for a fun activity and conversation starter. Don't forget to have pennies handy.