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General Category => Grab Bag => Topic started by: LaurieS on November 03, 2010, 08:24:37 PM

Title: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 03, 2010, 08:24:37 PM
My dd introduced me to Tom's shoes http://www.toms.com/ (http://www.toms.com/)  Now this is not a shoe I can wear, but they are sure popular with the younger girls.  One of the draws of this shoe is the fact that for each pair the company sells, one pair is donated to a needy child. 

While out shopping with my dd one day, she was stopped 3 times by other 20ish young ladies who were asking or complimenting her about her shoes.

Anyone who has any unusual or currently popular gift idea, I for one would like to know about it.. it's time to get the Christmas shopping in gear.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Scoop on November 04, 2010, 05:39:56 AM
I like giving magazine subscriptions.  Because a lot of the people I know just wouldn't spring for that for themselves, and it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 04, 2010, 08:23:25 AM
The Tom's shoes link is very cool.  I think there is a pair of pink glitter flats in my future...

I like to give gifts by local jewelry artists.  There are a couple of fall/winter craft fairs nearby, and I can usually get relatively inexpensive and very pretty/unique things there.  Last year it was beaded charm bracelets for everyone.  I make my own jewelry and would like to sell it someday, so I support people who already do that.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 04, 2010, 08:42:47 AM
Yes Tom's does appear to be a social conscience company.  The little internet snooping I've done, backs the fact that they really do give out a pair of shoes to needy kids for each one sold.  My dd is asking for the glitters and I think I'll get a pair for my son's Japanese girlfriend, but I have to find a way to convert her current japanese size to usa sizing.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 04, 2010, 12:58:22 PM
Scoop, you just gave me an idea for a gift for my XSIL.  The word "subscription" did it.  Amazon lets you do "subscriptions" to food and other consumable items.  She has a Keurig coffee maker, and I'll bet a year's subscription of the little pods the coffee maker uses would not be an unwelcome gift.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 04, 2010, 01:08:32 PM
Quote from: elsieshaye on November 04, 2010, 12:58:22 PM
Scoop, you just gave me an idea for a gift for my XSIL.  The word "subscription" did it.  Amazon lets you do "subscriptions" to food and other consumable items.  She has a Keurig coffee maker, and I'll bet a year's subscription of the little pods the coffee maker uses would not be an unwelcome gift.
That would make my day.. you can set up two different types of coffee and alternate them.. a wonderful gift idea and you would get the 15% off as well. How sweet of you to give a gift to your Xsil, she must have been special.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 04, 2010, 01:10:47 PM
My DIL already has a Miche purse and I've given her shell's as well.. I think I'm going to get one for my son's gf for Christmas.. it's a good idea.. you purchase one base purse in brown or black... then you can change the outside shells ... saves you from having to change out  your purse
http://www.michebag.com/ (http://www.michebag.com/)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 04, 2010, 09:56:37 PM
I just got an email from Bed Bath Beyond, seasonal Yankee  Candles  are 25% off and free shipping. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylePage.asp?RN=901&utm_source=e&utm_medium=e&utm_term=e&utm_content=YankeeNov&utm_name=YankeeNov (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylePage.asp?RN=901&utm_source=e&utm_medium=e&utm_term=e&utm_content=YankeeNov&utm_name=YankeeNov)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: barelythere on November 04, 2010, 10:14:48 PM
Quote from: Laurie on November 04, 2010, 09:56:37 PM
I just got an email from Bed Bath Beyond, seasonal Yankee  Candles  are 25% off and free shipping. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylePage.asp?RN=901&utm_source=e&utm_medium=e&utm_term=e&utm_content=YankeeNov&utm_name=YankeeNov (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylePage.asp?RN=901&utm_source=e&utm_medium=e&utm_term=e&utm_content=YankeeNov&utm_name=YankeeNov)

I've given candles up for Scentsy...no flame!!
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 04, 2010, 11:11:39 PM
Quote from: barelythere on November 04, 2010, 10:14:48 PM
I've given candles up for Scentsy...no flame!!
Those are pretty cool.. here is the link http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx (http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Pen on November 04, 2010, 11:53:27 PM
All of your talk is making me a bit more enthusiastic about the holidays. It's great to find out your ideas. Very inspirational. I was feeling overwhelmed and getting stressed, but I think I can manage now with a little time spent organizing :) Gotta kick it into high gear here shortly.

Love the Miche idea for DIL. I hope it will work with our newly revised budget for DS/DIL this year. Let the weaning begin (they're both doing well and get thoroughy spoiled by DIL's FOO too, so dry your eyes, you old softies!)

Some women at work sell Scentsy. I'll take a look next time I'm in their department. And BB & B - how great are their sales and coupons? DDD likes to make bath salts and scrubs so we're planning a work day very soon. Fun! Time to put on the holiday tunes (run, DH, run!)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 05, 2010, 07:16:40 AM
Laurie, my XSIL is awesome.  The X has some serious cognitive and emotional issues and is (finally, after 30 years of refusing and fighting applying for it) on full disability.  She has basically been his primary support since I left him 12 years ago, and he fights her every step of the way.  He can be extremely verbally abusive, and yet she has never abandoned him - in fact, she has arranged things so that there is a trust set aside that he can draw on for emergencies (of which he has many, because he cannot/does not plan).  She's been a wonderful and supportive aunt to DS as well, and very welcoming and kind to me.  She definitely understands why I left her brother.  The only area in which she and I disagree is that I am planning on cutting all contact with the X as soon as DS turns 18 (10 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 13 hours and 51 minutes from now, lol).  She understands, but I think it will leave her feeling very much alone to handle him. 
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 05, 2010, 10:37:48 AM
Quote from: elsieshaye on November 05, 2010, 07:16:40 AM
as soon as DS turns 18 (10 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 13 hours and 51 minutes from now, lol)
That was funny... do you have the count down clock on your desktop? 
I think the coffee is a wonderful idea.. I have the cuisinart machine and love love love it.. no more stumbling around trying to put together coffee/filters/water when I'm still 90% asleep....  My mom gives the most horrendous gifts, I'm dropping the hint today that this would be the perfect gift.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 06, 2010, 08:25:22 PM
Haha, yes actually I do have the countdown on my desktop.  It makes me laugh and helps me not react to the X's inane emails.  ::)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: barelythere on November 06, 2010, 08:36:20 PM
Quote from: elsieshaye on November 06, 2010, 08:25:22 PM
Haha, yes actually I do have the countdown on my desktop.  It makes me laugh and helps me not react to the X's inane emails.  ::)

What the heck is that? 
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 06, 2010, 10:16:15 PM
You can get clocks/calendars on the net and set a certain date.. you can then do a count down for a special event.... I don't think it was quite intended to be used as ElsieShaye does... she might have the most unique event that she's counting down to.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 07, 2010, 09:28:06 AM
Yes, exactly.  I like Google, so I have an iGoogle start page on my computer, and found a countdown timer "gadget" to put there.  You can also find timers online that you can put on your computer's desktop, or use as your computer  wallpaper.  It just reminds me that time moves quickly, and nothing is forever, which helps me respond calmly to things that would otherwise send me into orbit.  Like the X.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 07, 2010, 06:24:39 PM
Don't miss seeing the EX
http://www.amazon.com/5-Piece-Unique-Designed-Raffaele-Iannello/dp/B000KMAIHS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1289183008&sr=8-4
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: elsieshaye on November 08, 2010, 09:47:51 AM
Hahahaha, Laurie - I love it!
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: barelythere on November 08, 2010, 09:56:23 AM
Quote from: elsieshaye on November 08, 2010, 09:47:51 AM
Hahahaha, Laurie - I love it!

I just saw this...totally priceless!! Hilarious!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Tara on November 08, 2010, 10:46:24 PM
I ordered a gift basket for ds and dil as well as my dad for xmas since I will be gone
They are a local company here in Oregon.  I like knowing the items in the basket will be fresh.
They have the best 'moose munch"  its addictive.

I've also gotten a great gift basket for my bday this year  from ds and dil  that was all ORGANIC  which dh and I both
enjoyed.  Have also gotten very nice gift basket from the wine company which had wine and
snacks. 

Since I live a distance from family its interesting to see the variety of things that can be sent.

http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/store/gift____shop-by-holiday-occasions_shop-by-occasion-christmas-gifts
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 19, 2010, 04:02:38 AM
Has anyone given one of David & Harry's, Of The Month Club gifts?  Or any other month club websites?  Looking for in-laws who need absolutely nothing.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Tara on November 19, 2010, 07:47:26 PM
Hi Laurie,

Don't know about the monthly, but the harry and david warehouse and shops are in the next town over. 
One thing I like is the stuff is pretty fresh.  The moose munch that is carmel and chocolate is awesome
and addictive.  Are they wine drinkers?  there are some nice wine clubs.

Em

Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 19, 2010, 07:51:02 PM
No, my in-laws are not wine drinkers.. so I was looking at the fruit... no where did it say how much was actually shipped at a time... So I think I'll call them and check on the weight.. I'd hate to pay those prices to find out that they are getting two big beautiful, but expensive apples :)
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Rose799 on November 19, 2010, 08:07:23 PM
The prices on Costco's gift baskets often include shipping fees... 

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=4001055&eCat=BC|3605|3762|22259&N=4001055&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=3605&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&hierPath=3605*3762*22259*&topnav=
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: LaurieS on November 19, 2010, 08:10:59 PM
Those look wonderful Rose... I'm hoping to find something that they will receive throughout the year.. but I do have other people that a single fruit basket would be well received.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Tara on November 20, 2010, 10:13:06 AM
Quote from: Laurie on November 19, 2010, 07:51:02 PM
No, my in-laws are not wine drinkers.. so I was looking at the fruit... no where did it say how much was actually shipped at a time... So I think I'll call them and check on the weight.. I'd hate to pay those prices to find out that they are getting two big beautiful, but expensive apples :)

makes sense.  Only thing about the fruit is that it is not organic, but many people don't care about that.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Tara on November 20, 2010, 10:18:12 AM
Quote from: Rose799 on November 19, 2010, 08:07:23 PM
The prices on Costco's gift baskets often include shipping fees... 

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=4001055&eCat=BC|3605|3762|22259&N=4001055&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=3605&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&hierPath=3605*3762*22259*&topnav=

They have quite a selection gift baskets and how nice that you don't have to pay shipping
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: seasage on November 20, 2010, 10:56:46 AM
I have received gifts of fruit, cheese, cherry products, etc. from many of the places mentioned above.  I never found the monthly fruit gifts worthwhile.  It seemed that by February they were sending out the stuff they hadn't sold at Christmas.  My favorite fruit gift by far was the big box of pears my brother sent.

This year I will send gifts of tea from www.harney.com.
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Tara on November 20, 2010, 05:18:08 PM
nice idea, what ones have you tried and liked?
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: seasage on November 20, 2010, 06:09:49 PM
I have been given quite a few of these teas as gifts in the past two years.  I especially like the straight green, oolong and puerh teas.  Don't like teas with added fruit flavors, etc, although DH does.  All the straight teas are very, very high quality.  Rolled tea leaves instead of fairy dust.

I am going to be choosing my teas using the catalog, because the new catalog has a rating system that tells you which teas have the most flavour, the biggest nose, etc. 

     Briskness- 2 Body- 3 Aroma- 4

http://www.harney.com/images/Harney-Christmas-Tea.pdf
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Pen on November 20, 2010, 07:34:20 PM
Thanks for the tea website. I have a dear tea loving friend who is hard to buy for (she has everything.)

One year I gave gift certificates for organic produce, farmer's markets, etc. at the Local Harvest website (google them) that can be used online or in person at farms, farmer's markets, and other places around the USA for everything from organic dates to veggies to dried lavender and other herbs to bath products. They offer thousands of products. No clutter!
Title: Re: It's gift giving time
Post by: Rose799 on November 26, 2010, 07:09:57 AM
Learned about this place from the Nate Berkus show...

Naumes Fruit Gifts 

Your gift gives twice: For every fruit gift purchased, this family will match it pound for pound, donating to food banks that feed hungry families.

http://www.naumesfruitgifts.com/shop.asp