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Giving Joy

Giving Joy

January’s Gift for a Friend: Favorite Things

This month I had a little post Christmas gift exchange planned with some of my friends and the theme was Favorite Things for around $20. I’m sure you’ve heard of these parties, where you buy one of your favorite things, and then either do a white elephant or secret santa gift exchange. In my case, we did white elephant, so that means whatever gift you get or steal, it’s one that is near and dear to one of your closest friends. And if they love something, you’re bound to love it just as much or find use for it. Here’s what my favorite thing(s) consisted of, video style! And as you can tell, I couldn’t just pick one thing, it’s sort of a package deal, ha. This gift idea also makes for a great gift for any mom or lady friend that you have that might have a lot going on and just needs to relax. It’s the perfect “relax in a bag” as I like to call it.

Maybe I’ll keep this vlog thing going for every monthly giftie I do. I promise to get more creative with the next one ;)  I was literally trying to get out the door.  After our gift exchange I walked away with quite the domestic bag of favorites: hangers, glass tupperware, cleaning gloves and a frame. Very interesting, but I’m sure I’ll find use for everything.

January 16, 2017 by
Giving Joy, Rob

The Daddy in our house + Father’s Day Gift Guide

IMG_5807I had so much fun shopping for Father’s Day (again) this year!! Rob is probably the easier person to buy for but that doesn’t stop me from trying to be creative! Here were my Father’s Day gift finds for Roberto this year:

“Daddy” Since 2014 T-Shirt — before Jace was even a concept, Rob has always called himself “Daddy”. Daddy’s hungry. Daddy like-y. Daddy wants a beer. Get the picture. So when I saw this shirt in Etsy land, I had to get it. Plus, it ships ridiculously fast and the quality is great.

Photo Mug — I’m pretty sure this is going to be an every year kind of a thing. We love relaxing in the morning with a cup of jo and drink a lot of it. This year I used Snapfish to customize a photo mug with pictures from Jace’s 1st birthday. It was perfect.

Beef Jerky & Whiskey Nuts — Need I say more? Cost Plus World Market. Delicious.

18 Holes of Golf — if you don’t golf, at least book a tee time for your man and send him away! Fortunately, I love to play golf so I tagged along and picked a course out aways from the cement city we live in.

After the gift session we ate mini waffles with Jace and watched as he proceeded to put syrup in his hair. It was the best morning with the Daddy in our house. Pretty sure Rob was on cloud nine. All. weekend. long. Ha. Plus, Jace learned how to cheers! this past weekend, too. So cute.

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June 23, 2015 by
Friends, Giving Joy, Heather by Hand

National Best Friend’s Day – June 8

IMG_5728National Best Friend’s Day might be my favorite non-holiday ever. It’s my chance to tell my bestie how awesome she is. If you already don’t know, Heather has been my bestie for .. how many years now?  Oh, jeez. 10 years?! Holy crap, we’re getting old. I think we both have been secretly shopping for each other, like it’s our birthdays, in preparation for this special day. I found some goodies for her, including this clever “Why You’re My Bestie” book.  And these Aid Through Trade friendship bracelets. Oh, and some lavender soap that reminded me of her handwriting, called Hand in Hand. Sound familiar??? ;) With all my gifts in hand, one night last week, I sat myself down with some red wine and started filling in my bestie journal. I must admit, I cracked up a few times thinking of old times. It was such a fun little activity. Made me smile thinking of my bestie who’s far away. I hope she loved her goodies. And I hope you spoiled your bestie, too!

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June 9, 2015 by
Giving Joy

How to wrap up wine for a Christmas gift

You know those kitchen towels I block-printed? Well, here’s what I did with them! I used them to wrap up wine and am planning to give as gifts this holiday season.  I call these my easy and extra gifts for anyone this year. Good as a hostess gift, or for neighbors, your hair stylist, anyone really. When in doubt, give wine, I say.  In this quick how-to video, I’m using a cheap bottle of Charles Shaw for my example. For your wine gift, be sure to pick out a special bottle, one that is delicious. Don’t gift cheap wine for Christmas! I didn’t want to talk on this video {lol}, so I picked out a cheesy Christmas song instead. Biggest thing, is to fold the tea towel in half first, then start rolling the wine up from one side. Let me know if you have any questions. The gift giving season is officially here, friends! I cannot WAIT to share the joy. 
December 2, 2014 by
Giving Joy

Gift idea for a friend on Halloween — BOOze!

Every Halloween I always like to BOO – ze someone {buy them silly booze for the holiday}. This year it was our new landlords. I took myself to a nearby Cost Plus and went to work on a basket gift. Cost Plus is the best place for basket building. And right now they have all kinds of spooky beers and wines for BOOzing. I added some Frankenstein cocktail napkins, some pumpkin crunch for snacking and a little dracula toy and it was complete. I wish I had the kind of budget to make these gifts for all of my friends. Maybe one day.

October 22, 2014 by