Baking for Good is an “online bake sale that supports great causes.”  They offer a variety of treats, ranging from cookies to bars to granola and they all look delicious. Their margarita shortbread, for example, is calling my name.

margarita shortbread from Baking for Good

They even offer gift packs and suites of themed iced sugar cookies. The cookies would be fabulous for a party, a baby or wedding shower, or an engagement party.

iced wedding-themed cookies

How fabulous would it be to share with guests that each bite they take of their sweet treat goes to an even sweeter cause like First Book (one of my favorite non-profits) or The American Cancer Society.

Here’s to all the charitable sweet tooths out there!

I find personalized bags to be particularly helpful on the wedding day so the bridesmaids can put all of their personal belongings in their bag and not mix up items in the frenzy of pre-ceremony preparations.

These totes from Ballard Designs are not only stylish, but they are reasonably priced, too.

Monogrammed totes from Ballard Designs

a variety of styles all with free monogramming

The totes aren’t only perfect for weddings, though. They would make a great gift for a girlfriend, sister, mom…. You can even get creative with the monogramming: “Beach” for a friend with a beach house; “Yoga” for your sister who is mastering downward dog; and so on!

Check out the post for scoop on where to find great macarons in DC and how to incorporate them into your next social gathering!

Macarons from Adour

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!

Chocolate-covered strawberries from Dean & Deluca

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.”

decorated kraft boxes via Paper-Source

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.

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!

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

Modern Red Dot Wine Bag from Etsy's Space Moderne