Category "Host"

Macarons Gift Boxes & Bouquets

Is it macarons or macaroons?

macarons-gift-box-edible-cookieI found out recently there IS a difference between the two besides the spelling. A macaroon is coconut based.

For this gift idea, I’m referring to macarons, which are meringue based and come in a wide range of colors and flavors.

There are SO many colors and flavors to choose from which makes it fun to give someone a variety!

If you’ve never had a macaron, it’s a delicate cookie with two thin crusts and a filling made of either ganache, buttercream or fruit jam.

It’s also full of contrasts. A macaron packs huge flavor into a tiny baked goodie, and it’s somehow both rich and light at the same time.

They come in delicious flavors such as mint chocolate, cookies and cream, mojito, honey lavender, lemon tart, and piña colada. Is your mouth watering yet? Because I’m just scratching the surface on the different types of macaron flavors out there.

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“You Are a Gem” Air Plant Gift

We all know people who are gems because they brighten our lives like a sparkling diamond.

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Have you let them know lately how much they mean to you?

This Air Plant Gift tells them “You Are a Gem” with words and a gift.

Air plants get the majority of their nutrients from the air. That means they are extremely low-maintenance and easy to keep alive! They will last for years.

Air plants are also attractive and come in interesting shapes and textures.

A Gift That Makes a Statement

For my mother’s birthday, I gave her a beautiful Amethyst Crystal Air Plant Gift. It came with a gift box and a card that reads “You Are a Gem.”

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TableTopics Conversation Starters

Great conversations bring people closer together.

tabletopics-conversation-starters-holiday-giftWe might learn what makes someone happy, places they want to visit, funny stories from their past, or what makes them tick. When we get to know someone better, our relationship deepens.

Many great conversations begin with great questions. TableTopics make it easy to start fun and memorable conversations with family and friends.

TableTopics is one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” and is the #1 best-selling conversations starters.

With the holidays coming up, we suggest bringing TableTopics to your next family gathering or dinner party.

It’s the perfect host or hostess gift and it’s calorie-free!

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Reinvent the Box of Chocolates

Maggie Louise Confections has reinvented the box of chocolates with color, personality and unique customization.

maggielouiseconfections-reinvent-box-of-chocolates-lipstick-thoughtful-gift-ideaEach box has fun bite-size chocolates to celebrate everyday indulgence.

The gourmet chocolate gift boxes and luxury confections are chocolate look-a-like creations of lipsticks, lips, jewels, precious stones, coffee cups, snowmen, mittens and the list goes on and on.

Before attending a conference, I researched “things to do” in Austin and discovered Maggie Louise Confections, an Austin-based company. Continue Reading

Wooden Beer & Soda Caddy

If you know someone who likes to drink bottled beer, craft beers, root beers, or sodas, then this gift is for them!

wooden-beer-soda-caddy-groomsmen-giftGive someone six 12-ounce bottles of their favorite beverage in a Wooden Beer & Soda Caddy.

The wood has a rustic, handcrafted look, and it’s the perfect accessory for transporting drinks to picnics, BBQs and parties.

It also comes with a handy bottle opener attached to the side!

It’s so cute you won’t even need to wrap the gift. Simply attach a bow on top and you have a thoughtful gift ready to go. Easy peasy!

Personalized Wooden Caddy

For a thoughtful twist, give a personalized or monogrammed Wooden Beer & Soda Caddy with someone’s name or initials.You could also add a date, a custom logo, or a custom message.

They make really cool groomsmen gifts, but they can also be given as presents for Father’s Day, birthdays, graduations, housewarmings, and other occasions.

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Artisanal Ice Cream in Fun Flavors

Really good ice cream in fun flavors. That’s what I want. Any time of year.

jenis-artisanal-ice-cream-giftOne of my favorite flavors is goat cheese ice cream. Hey. Don’t knock it until you try it. Trust me.

One time a friend bought me a pint of Jeni’s Goat Cheese with Red Cherries. Absolute heaven!

Have you heard of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams? It’s an artisan ice cream company, which means real people use real (vs. synthetic) ingredients to make the highest quality ice cream.

The company is known for always coming out with fun, inventive flavors!

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A Candy Bouquet for Any Occasion

Flowers bouquets are considered a perfect gift for any occasion. Although, realistically, women tend to appreciate the gift of flowers more than men. Not so with candy bouquets. Men, women and children love them equally!

candy-bouquet-edible-giftA candy bouquet is like a flower arrangement except it uses candy instead of flowers.

Think about it. Not everyone has a favorite flower, but everyone has their favorite candy (or candies).

If you’re like me, you have more than one favorite candy. My perfect candy bouquet would contain Twix, Sour Patch Kids, Sweet Tart Gummies, Hershey’s Hugs, and Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses.

Candy bouquets are a beautiful sight! They look expensive, but they can be created simply and inexpensively.

You can purchase pre-made candy bouquets, but by creating your own you can customize it to contain the gift recipient’s favorite flavors.

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Ceramic Woven Bread Basket | Keeps Bread Warm

Have you ever heard of a ceramic woven bread basket that keeps bread warm? My sister-in-law received one for Christmas and now, I want one!

ceramic-woven-bread-bowl-warmer-thoughtful-gift-ideaWhat I’ve always done to keep my bread warm is to wrap them up in a tea towel (just like my grandmother, mother and mother-in-law used to do) and place them in a wicker basket. Of course, they never stayed warm very long.

Keeps Homebaked Goods Warmer Longer

A heated Williams Sonoma ceramic woven bread basket will keep bread warm during your entire meal. Bread lovers can eat their second and third dinner rolls still warm!

It works by placing the ceramic bread basket in a 350°F oven for approximately 15 minutes. Afterwards, remove from the oven and line the basket with a cloth napkin before adding your bread, muffins or biscuits. Continue Reading

Custom Engraved Wooden Spoon

A wooden spoon is really a must-have in anyone’s kitchen. So make a wooden spoon special by getting it custom engraved and turning it into the perfect present!

custom-engraved-wooden-spoon-gift

A custom engraved wooden spooncan be displayed on someone’s kitchen counter, adding a personalized and decorative touch to their home.

They’re a classic gift that can be given for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or Christmas. They’re also great as hostess or housewarming gifts.

They can even be used as party favors. Think bridal showers or chili cook-offs.

Not all wooden spoons are created equally. I suggest purchasing a high-quality spoon made of dense wood so it lasts for years and years.

Ideas for what to engrave:

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Wine Bottle With Custom Label

We’ve all been guilty of buying wine at the store because of how pretty the bottle and label looked, especially if it’s going to be a gift.

What if I told you that you could create your own custom label and attach it to any wine bottle of your choosing?

Not only will the bottle look amazing but it can also display a personalized message.

wine-bottle-custom-label-personalized

I received the coolest wine bottle from my boss. She purchased a bottle of Riesling wine (my favorite!) and attached a custom label that read “THUNDER UP” and “Happy Birthday Diana.”

The label also featured a picture of me in a blue wig and wearing an Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team shirt and sunglasses. (She knows I’m a big OKC Thunder fan and that I wear that blue wig to every game I attend.)

I really loved my personalized wine bottle so much that I almost didn’t want to drink it. Almost. (Riesling doesn’t have a long shelf life in my house.)

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