Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Going to a Valentine’s Day party? Hosting one? Need a sweet gift for a special someone? Try some of these on for size…
Chocolate and salt are such a beautifully delicious combination. Add some caramel and walnuts and you have one amazing “turtle” chocolate.
Caramel clusters from John Kelly Chocolates
Remember pop rocks? The fizzy candy you used to eat as a kid? Introducing a very grown up version from Francois Payard: pop rock truffles.
Pop rock truffles from Francois Payard
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. That’s all I can say about these cinnamon marshmallows from Whimsy & Spice.
heart-shaped cinnamon marshmallows
My personal favorite? Chocolate-covered strawberries – a classic that never goes out of style! Add a glass of champagne and …. YUM!
As I stare at the mountain of gift wrap in the wake of opening our Christmas presents, I cringe at the thought of throwing all of that pretty paper away. The ribbons I always keep, but the paper? I know I will never re-use it to wrap another gift (it would be so clear that was what I did!) so what else can I do with it?
Before throwing out all that decorative paper, check out these ideas on how to “recycle” the wrap:
Create Liners
Use the paper to line drawers (just test first to make sure the ink does not rub off on anything) or a serving tray (great idea from Martha!).
Tray Liners idea from Martha Stewart Living
Cut into Squares
Use the squares for origami or set a stack by the phone for notes. Keep some on hand for craft projects with children.
Cover Books or Journals
I’ve been really into covering books lately (which totally takes me back to high school when I covered all my books with paper bags and drew all over them!). Wrapping paper is the perfect decorative cover for your reading material.
Frame it
If it is particularly high quality and aesthetically grabbing, make it into a wall hanging by framing it. An inexpensive way to add a splash of color to your wall.
Make Cards or Embellish Gifts
Save the paper in your gift wrap stash. Use cut outs of the paper to embellish homemade cards or use a strip of the paper to add a layer of wrap to a gift.
Embellish a Box
Paper-Source is a great go-to resource for all-things-paper. I am digging their clever idea of using wrapping paper to embellish the top of a gift box. Click on the photo to be directed to the “how-to.”
It’s funny — I love receiving gift certificates (what’s not to love about free money to spend at a store or place I love?) but I always feel like such a gift-giving failure if I give a gift certificate.
If you’ve been as reluctant to give a gift-certificate like I am, these DC-area services may change your mind. Unique, tailored to the individual, and thoughtful, I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t be jumping for joy if they unwrapped one of these this holiday season.
Interior Design — Owner Malena Kaplan of One Pretty House Interiors offers gift certificates for interior decorating, interior redesign, and personal shopping services. What a great gift for a newlywed, someone who just moved into a new home, or a friend who is struggling to decorate their home!
Image Consulting — Give the gift of style with a gift certificate for personal image and fashion consulting. Styleateur offers a variety of services that help clients project their best image.
Art Classes — Is there an art lover or artist on your list? Help them hone their craft at The Corcoran Gallery of Art. The Gallery has a wonderful set of course offerings from sculpture to printmaking to art education.
Local Getaway — Is there someone on your list that needs a weekend getaway? Stone Manor Country Club just north of Frederick, Maryland is the perfect escape. Nestled in the countryside, this charming B&B offers peace and tranquility to all its guests.
Cooking Classes — What gourmand would not love the gift of culinary education? Classes offered at L’Acdemie de Cuisine or Culinaerie would be a wonderful treat for any home cook.
Personal Fitness — Just in time for the new year, one-on-one personal fitness classes are are perfect gift for anyone on your list — from health nut to couch potato! Fit One Studio in Alexandria offers some great options for fitness training gift certificates.
Entertaining Consulting — I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Rex & Regina offers gift certificates, also! They are perfect for newlyweds who are just beginning to entertain, veteran entertainers who want to know the latest trends in entertaining, or anyone who wants to take their at-home hospitality to another level.
I am totally crushing on the letterpress invitations and other stationery offered by Linda & Harriett, a Brooklyn-based custom letterpress house. Don’t you just love this wedding invitation?
crescendo invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
And this one?
handwriting invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
And this one?
heirloom invitation suite from Linda & Harriett
You get the idea! The designs are crisp, clever, and thoughtful, right down to the envelope liners. The rest of their work is equally impressive. What about this Save the Date that mimics a Ben & Jerry’s lid? Adorable!
Save the Date from Linda & Harriett
And this paper doll-themed birth announcement is equally charming.
paper doll baby announcement from Linda & Harriett
Just in time for the holidays, Linda & Harriett is offering some adorable holiday gift tags and other items.
moose tags from Linda & Harriett
2010 Calendar from Linda & Harriett
There’s nothing better than amazing letterpress — and these ladies have it down pat! What talent!
The holidays are upon us and that means our calendars are full with lots and lots of parties. Just as a gracious host is always prepared to entertain his or her guests, a good guest never shows up empty-handed to a soiree.
Should you opt for bringing wine (a perfectly lovely hostess gift) to one or more of the holiday parties you attend this year, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1) Don’t expect them to serve it.
A host is not required to open a bottle that a guest brings as a gift to a party — especially if they have already gone to great lengths to pair wine to their menu. A guest should never be upset if the wine is not served right away.
I did get a chuckle out of Lettie Teague’s column in the December issue of Food & Wine (her columns are always so fun to read), in which she says she is generally disappointed when hosts don’t open the bottles she brings. (Note: If Lettie Teague ever brought a bottle of wine to my house, you can be darn sure I’d open it on the spot!)
Ms. Teague came up a with a few clever wine-giving strategies, some of which she specifically designed to help ensure the hosts opens the bottle:
Bring champagne — it’s such a celebratory beverage and its easy for a host to re-gift (not a horrible thing!)
Select a wine with broad appeal — like Pinot Noir from California, Oregon, France or Argentina
Tell them in advance – let your guests know if you plan to bring a very special bottle and always ask what they are serving to make sure the wine will complement the menu
Present the wine ready to serve — chill the champagne or a white in advance if that is what you are bringing
Bring a magnum — a large bottle “demands to be shared,” says Lettie. And what host would be so greedy as to not open such a generous bottle!
2) Transport it carefully
Keep the wine at the proper temperature and protect it from breaking when you transport it by carrying it in an insulated wine tote. I like this one:
Built NY Double Wine Bottle Carrier, available from WineStuff.com
3) Presentation is key
It’s a gift right? So why not make it pretty?!
There are so many fabulous wine gift bags out there these days, you may just want to stock up on a few and keep them on hand for gift giving.
"Cheers" wine gift bag, available from The Craft Pantry on Etsy
Solo Felt Wine Bag, available at www.bambeco.com
organza wine bags from Gumps
Built NY Fishnet One-Bottle Wine Tote available from Ecobags
Call me a hater, but Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays. Even when I was a child, I was never excited when Halloween came around. It always seemed so dark and meaningless and I just didn’t enjoy it. The candy, however, was the day’s only redeemable quality and I still enjoy the sweet treats that come along on October 31.
I’d like to think my taste in candy has matured over the years, though. And while I do still enjoy the Halloween standards like M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, these days I fall more easily to the temptation of artisan and handmade chocolates. Here are some great options for “grownup” Halloween treats for your trick or treat collection this year:
While my husband and I do not have children, the majority of our social circle does and we have been blessed by getting to know each of them and watching them grow — their little personalities emerging, their hobbies and interests developing, their clever comments and cute expressions…
So when we are invited to a party at a home where the hosts have children, we try to bring a hostess gift that the whole family will enjoy. For we are thankful not only to spend time with the parents, but to visit with the children as well. A bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers, while lovely, may not express that sentiment quite as well!
Here are a few playful, family-friendly ideas for hostess gifts to bring the next time you are visiting with your friends and their children:
I love these world maps from A+R Store. Perhaps its the education degrees talking, but I love how they serve a dual role — both a playful aesthetic and an opportunity to teach and learn something while at the dinner table. Fun!
World Dinner Maps from A+R Store
These game pads are perfect for a family who is often on the go. Have the pads personalized with the family’s name or with the children’s names. Who doesn’t love a good game of tic-tac-toe or hangman?!
Personalized Game Pad Set from Neiman Marcus
Dominoes is such a fun game and it can be adapted for many age groups. This colorful set is fabulous!
With September upon us we are officially entering Fall Wedding Season. Palettes change from summery tones to deeper autumn hues; hydrangeas make way for zinnias and chrysanthemums; and warm evenings are replaced by cooler nights and shorter days.
Speaking of those cool nights, if you are having an outdoor wedding, consider offering guests a way to ward off the chilly air. Warm apple cider is a great start, but don’t stop there. Why not offer a wrap for the ladies to cuddle up with?
Pashminas are fine, but they are a little “been there, done that.” Instead, offer something a little more current like these unisex scarves from American Apparel. They come in a wide variety of colors and since they are unisex, the men can take one, too!
Even better? For the savvy spender in all of us, if you buy them in packs of three you save.
American Apparel Sheer Jersey Scarf
If American Apparel seems too declasse, you can always ratchet up the luxe factor with these lovely wraps from White + Warren…
I don’t smoke, but do I find myself in need of a light more often than one would imagine. Lighting candles on a birthday cake… votives the dining table… starting a fire in the fireplace or the fire pit outside….
Matchbooks are certainly helpful in those scenarios. In fact, we keep our ever-growing stash of matchbooks from restaurants we’ve patronized in decorative tin canisters. Matches, however, can be a pain — especially when there are a lot of candles to light! This is when a lighter can come in handy. (My husband prefers using our creme brulee blow torch when we need a light, but there is such a thing as too much “fire power”!)
I’ve recently stumbled across some beautiful lighters, which would not only be practical in the home of an entertainer, but would also flaunt a little style, as well.
Tsubota Pearl's Stick Lighter (Gloss Finish) from A+R Store
Lighter with engraved crocodile scales decor by Cartier
Welcoming out-of-town wedding guests with a gift bag at their hotel is a thoughtful gesture and one that is an increasingly standard part of most weddings. A welcome gift need not be extravagant — a thank you note, an itinerary and map, and maybe some water and snacks would certainly suffice. But for those who may wish to add a little more pomp and flair to their guests’ arrival, the following ideas may get your creative juices flowing and, if assembled, would indeed constitute one incredibly luxurious SWAG bag!
The ultimate out-of-town gift bags will help your guests…
1. …stay hydrated.
Water is a critical element to any welcome gift. Voss (sparkling is my fave, but it is also available in still) is not only great H20, but it’s packaging is also very sleek.
Voss water
2. …fight back a snack attack!
To satiate those late night snack attacks, be sure to include some treats — both salty and sweet — for your guests. To reflect your wedding location, consider including snacks with local flair (e.g. Virginia peanuts, Maine blueberries, etc.).
Kettle Chips are a great option for a salty snack.
Lightly salted Kettle Chips
For a sweet snack, consider these options from two of the best artisan chocolatiers.
Knipschildt's chocolate-dipped pear slices
Recchiuti's Black Box
3. …keep their breath fresh.
Jila gum and Choward’s mints are not only a refreshing treat for guests, but the smart packaging will be visually appealing, as well.
Jila Sugar Free Gum available through CandyDirect.com
Choward's Spearmint Mints
4. …know where they are going.
One of the most important things to include in a welcome gift is information about the timing and locations of the weekend’s events. Three great options for wedding maps include:
Help guests make their hotel room feel more like home with thoughtful touches like travel diffusers or monogrammed slippers. For beach weddings, consider adding flip flops or a beach towel. For cooler climes, a cashmere throw, ski hats, or monogrammed scarves would be a nice treat. Guests will also appreciate other small items like asparin and a mending kit.
Travel Diffuser from Archipelago
Hermes printed beach towel
Williams-Sonoma Home Cashmere Throw
6. …capture the moment.
Yes, your professional photographer will be there to capture the key moments of your wedding. But don’t miss those behind-the-scenes moments that only your guests can capture. Single use cameras can be fun for guests; those cameras with black-and-white film are particularly cool. A luxurious option for capturing moments on film would be to provide guests (or even just your wedding party) with Flip cameras. You can even personalize the camera with a picture of the bride and groom or the bride/groom with that particular guest.
Kodak's Black & White Single Use Camera available through Amazon.com
The Flip MinoHD camcorder
7. …feel welcomed and honored.
A welcome back is not complete without a personalized note from the bride and groom thanking the guest for coming and for sharing their wedding with them. While personalized notes do take time to write, they will make each guest feel even more honored and welcomed and know how much you appreciate their presence and friendship.
8. …pack it all up.
Once you’ve assembled all of the special welcome treats for your guests, you’ll need to present the items to them in lovely packaging. This is a wonderful chance to incorporate your theme (e.g. gifts at a beach wedding could be packaged in canvas beach bags). Keep in mind that your guests will have to pack up these items and to take them home with them, so try not to make the packaging too bulky or awkward. Fun tote bags like the ones below or beautiful Kolo boxes can be good options.
City Out-of-Town Totes available at Blissweddingsmarket.com
This morning I played golf with some friends and was reminded of how much I miss playing. I was also reminded of how few women I see when I am out on the course or at the driving range. My friends and I felt a little like a rare species being watched at a zoo… Thirty-something women on the golf course? Not partnered with men? They didn’t know what to do with us.
I am not a great golfer, but despite its challenges and frustrations, there is no sport I enjoy playing more. And I wish more of my girlfriends would join me on the links. Come to think of it, I think a golf outing would make for a fabulous party with the gals. Golf weekends… golf bachelorette parties… golf wedding showers. The possibilities are endless!
Thinking back, one of my all-time favorite parties was when my husband (boyfriend, then) threw a surprise golf birthday party for me — complete with adorable trophies for the longest drive and best putt. And while that party was co-ed, it would work just as easily with women only.
A golf party doesn’t have to mean 18 holes on a PGA course (though that would be fun!). You could:
Reserve spaces at a driving range;
Play nine holes at a local executive course; or
Arrange for a pro to give a group lesson
Whatever you organize, just make sure guests know you are out to have fun. Pair patient golfers with less-experienced ones, and don’t put too much emphasis on scoring (unless you want to!). Award prizes for traditional milestones like longest drive or putt, but also incorporate lighthearted awards like “Most Original Swing” or ”Biggest Shank.”
This invitation package would be a great way to pique friends’ interest in the gathering while providing all the details they need.
Golf-themed invitation
Oh, and wouldn’t these make great party gifts — especially if they were monogrammed?
