I received an email from the significant other of someone who reads this blog. He asked me to ask what would you like to receive for Christmas. I told him that it would be REAL RANDOM if I just asked someone from the blog out the blue...so yeah...I'm just going to ask everyone.
What would YOU like Santa to bring you for Christmas and maybe...just MAYBE...your Santa is reading. :)
HO-HO-HOOOOOOOOOOO!
Any good suggestions for gifts for men?
Every year I start my search here: http://www.officeplayground.com/Top-Sellers-C4.aspx
Looking for a gift for a difficult person to buy for? Check to see if they have an Amazon Wish List!
AWESOME.SAUCE!
Do YOU have an Amazon Wish List?
Some of these are PERFECT gifts!!! Are your kids crafty? What's the last thing they made?
If someone was looking for a gift for a runner, of that products that are available, which of them do you REALLY use?
I bought a bunch of Alstroemeria Sunday before last to put in a vase. I didn't want to spend a lot on flowers because I knew we'd be leaving even though I wanted flowers that day. I paid $3.99 for a bunch at Trader Joe's.
When we got home last night I was blown away at how they'd opened up and how such a cheapo pack of flowers looked so beautiful.
I changed the water today and here is how they look tonight...8 days later:
How is that even possible? I think this is going to be a standing flower for our home. Cheap, lovely and super long lasting. GO ALSTOEMERIA!
Hostess gifts make me smile because they truly are usually the most USABLE of all the gifts you receive. Folks don't understand how hard it is to find gifts that people will actually use but hostess gifts pretty much keep you covered.
And they are normally VERY inexpensive!
Someone asked me recently if I considered a bottle of wine a hostess gift or a contribution to the dinner. Um...huh? You said wine. Wine is a GOOD gift at 13700 and thank you very much in advance of all advances.
MOVING ON!
I thought about that some and thought about how some of the Usual Suspects generally bring a bottle of wine and something extra a lot so I guess maybe some people agree that wine is lagniappe.
Plants make excellent hostess gifts. I think I did one around here somewhere...lemme check...hold on...I'll be back. Here it is. Used a grocery store plant and made it nice: Simple Hostess Gift
Spreaders make great hostess gifts: Classic Spreaders, Set of 4
The trick with spreaders is to keep it simple. Don't get the colorful, jeweled bead ones because the hostess will get more use out of ones they can use with many different tablescapes. And really...some of those jeweled ones are simply just...no. You can't wash them in the dishwasher. The beads can fall out. (Totally speaking from experience here okay!)
Bookends are always a hit. I mean...who doesn't have books right? And...certain styles of bookends can be used as decor on a end table, window sill, etc. Cast Iron Fleur de Lis Bookends
Bottle stoppers: Here are some cheap ones: Set of Bottle Stoppers
Pottery Barn has some super cute ones! Pottery Barn Bottle Stoppers
Plain white kitchen towels: All-Purpose Kitchen Towels, Set of 4
Guest soaps - I always find the best prices at TJMaxx or Marshall's. If you're lucky you'll find some initial ones!
Kitchen hand soap/lotion combination: Caldrea 3 Piece Green Tea Verbena Kitchen Set
I have so many that I love giving to include bath products, cutting boards, cheese trays, etc. What are some of YOUR favorite hostess gifts to give?
Years ago I sent my sister a floral arrangement ahead of my arrival using 1-800-FLOWERS. When I got there and saw the flowers...I was STUNNED at how horrible the arrangement was. STUNNED!
I acted a donkey's behind of course and ever since...I have been TOTALLY anti-1-800-FLOWERS and go out of my way to find a LOCAL store front flower shop in areas I'm sending flowers.
See...1-800-FLOWERS is not a florist. They are a website. They spend a lot of money to advertise and get their name out there and then they take orders for flowers. Then...they get local florists to make the arrangements. They take a cut of the money from the arrangement and the local florist only has a portion of the amount paid to actually MAKE the arrangement.
So the arrangements generally suck.
Someone sent me an arrangement today from 1-800-FLOWERS. There wasn't a name on it so I didn't know who to thank so I called them to find out. They couldn't tell me who without the person's permission so they asked would I hold while they called and asked. While on hold...I tipped on over to the website to see what the arrangement was SUPPOSED to look like:
Isn't that lovely? Happy and cheerful. Simply DEEEEEELIGHTFUL! Looks like something I'd put on my nightstand and wake up smiling to all cherub-facey.
Mmmmhmmmmm...
This is what I received:
Check out the funky bonus on a leaf:
Awesome they are NOT!
I called the friend who wanted to send me a lovely surprise and thanked them profusely. I then told them they need to call and get their money back because 1-800-FLOWERS didn't send me what they paid them to send me. NOT.AT.ALL! I sent them these pictures and they are MAD.ABOUT.IT! My friend asked what florist I use in my area and I told them Kentlands Flowers and Bows as I've never have a bad experience with them and their arrangements are fresh, lovely and down right magical with the longevity of their flowers.
I then told them there was no need to re-send me flowers as the thought was more than enough because that's how we roll. I'm not about to let someone I adore be taken advantage of by 1-800-FLOWERS. They get away with this crap because people hardly ever see the arrangement sent. Oh...and when they send a dozen roses in a box? UGH! GIFTS OF FLOWERS SHOULDN'T COME IN BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My rant is over for the day. It's been pretty perfect so far even with this blip. I shall continue on my merry, fancy way.
Have YOU ever checked up on a floral delivery from 1-800-FLOWERS or FTD.com? Were you aware of this?
I met the most fascinating man yesterday in the simplest way possible. See...I have a neighbor who is really into her landscaping and I was checking out her new perennials. I asked her where she purchased them and she told me that someone told her about this super cute little nursery that a man owns behind his house. I was looking for some different shade perennials so I figured I'd give it a try.
It was only about 12 miles away from my home and it was a stunningly beautiful and yet cool day so a drive was just the thing. I put the country ribs I had marinating the fridge in the oven on 225 degrees and set the oven timer for 3 hours leaving The Robinator with instructions to simply take them out when the timer went off.
I listened to music as Kadijah (the GPS lady) directed me to the address and oohed and aaahed over the simple, country style homes with porches and big, fenced in yards that I see in my future.
I found the house and followed the gravel around to the back as the signage directed me to do and I was presented with this:
Cool Holiday Tip from 13700!
Keep a basket of holiday treats near the front door so when packages are being delivered you can give the different UPS, FedEx and USPS delivery people a holiday treat if you're home!
You can find holiday themed packaged candy almost anywhere and you can always use peppermint candy canes. Russell Stover usually has individually wrapped turtles, etc. and the movie candy boxes are only $1 each.
I simply hold out the basket and let them pick what they want and they are always grinned up just like kids at Halloween! LOL! Add a friendly Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday with a wave and they get the Christmas feel good!
Trust me...your delivery people will LURVE IT! Little things like this go a long, long way with the spirit of giving!
THIS IS SO HOT!!!!! Black Art in America
I absolutely ADORE my Pinterest pins! They are seriously ME, ME, ME!
SIP: In reference to the above comment...there shall be NO squeezing of me. Ever. Ye who tries shall draw back a nub or limp away after being knee'd in the nether regions.
THAT.IS.ALL.
NEWSFLASH! If anyone bought me this Harry & David Bear Creek Banquet box for Christmas I'd be their new best friend and call them every 5 minutes!
Do YOU get Harry & David treats for the holidays?
Can yall tell I'm flipping through all of the catalogs I got in the mail this weekend? ROFL! Enter this LOVERLY setup! See...if I was going to send Ted and his bride a Christmas gift...this is what I'd send them. Granite Cheese Board and Cheese Tools for soft cheeses. *sigh*
OR...
I'd SAY I was buying them for Ted so Robby didn't fuss at me for buying yet ANOTHER cheese board and then I'd conveniently FORGET to send it to them! :) GENIUS I KNOW! GENIUS! GO ME!
Do YOU have a nice cheese board and cheese knives? If not...why not?
Robby: Duh.
N.E.WAY!
This is the kind of stuff I LURVE and would use! I bet you would too! Go check it out at Sephora!
Not to worry if you don't like Clean. They have lots of other rollerballs!
Would YOU enjoy getting one of these?
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