Archive for category Gifts & Registeries

So we’ve done it. We’ve completed the wedding task I’d been dreading the most. REGISTERING. For whatever reason, registering for gifts has been something I’ve been dreading. I love to shop, so one would THINK that registering would be right up my alley. But my shopping habits can be placed in two distinct categories. . .

A. Impulse buys as a result of finding a great deal on something I simply can’t live without or

B. Making a purchase that I’ve put lots of time and effort into by researching consumer reviews and trying to find the product for the lowest price possible.

Registering didn’t seem to fit in either category. Leaving me stumped. Do I really have time to research every slotted spoon I’m hoping to get as a gift? Come on, who has time to research? I did the next best thing. I recruited my Mom to help. She’s been a wife for almost 40 years, I knew she’d have the best insight on what I REALLY needed and what would likely end up in the basement.

First stop, Target. We sat Dad in the snack bar and J had to get a few groceries so Mom and I got started on our own. We scanned the heck out of that store! I would ask my mom what she thought about a certain item and every time her reply was “Scan it”. hehe! We found some lovely things at great prices. BUT we were treated like we were an inconvenience to the Target staff. I even had to ask them how to use the scan gun. I felt like saying “I’m telling 200 people to shop in your store, BE NICE TO ME”. Eventually J joined me and Mom joined Dad at the snack bar. J was a little half hearted about the small appliances and baking sheets so I asked him if he wanted to use the gun. Good thing I was pretty much done, because once I gave it to him, it was the point of no return! I practically had to pry it out of his hands! Haha! What did he scan? A $250.00 surround sound thingy. Boys.

Next stop, Bed Bath and Beyond. Mom and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond by ourselves and left the boys at home. I’m sure they watched sports. And probably scratched themselves! Haha! As shoddy as the service was at Target, the staff at Bed, Bath, and Beyond made us feel like royalty. Seriously. They knew what they were doing. They explained everything in detail. They offered us bottles of water. They told us that if we had any questions or needed any information on a product to just ask. Every time we saw an associate they asked if we needed any help. When I did have questions, they were knowledgeable about the products and offered great advice as to why one product was better than another. OH AND they kept the store open until 11pm. TWO extra hours just so we could finish. (yes, it took us FOUR hours to register! hehe!) Maybe the “Beyond” in their name has more to do with service than it does with vacuum cleaners. They really went out of their way and I will do WAY more shopping there from now on. Our consultant, Mike, even had our registry printed out and ready to go by the time we were done. He plopped it down on the table and mom and I lost it in a fit of giggles. It was EIGHTEEN pages long. We’d scanned pretty much everything in the whole stinkin store. EVERYTHING. I didn’t even think we NEEDED very much.

So the consensus. It wasn’t so bad. If you’re looking for places to register, forget the clichéness of it and get thee to Bed Bath and Beyond. (Especially the new on Manchester Road in Ballwin, MO… ask for Mike). I’m sure you’ll go to Target too, I don’t regret going there, but I do think they could use a lesson from Bed, Bath and Beyond when it comes to customer service… at least their return policy has improved. And by the way. If you’ve had a good experience at a Bed Bath and Beyond you can call 1-800-Go-Beyond and brag on your consultant… they’ll get some sort of bonus.

(ARA) – When it comes to giving a great wedding or bridal shower gift, it pays to put all your eggs – or gifts – in one basket. Gift baskets are not only simple to brainstorm, they are easy to put together and transport. Plus, you can fill gift baskets with items you know the newlyweds will use and match it to their lifestyles.

Here are some gift-basket ideas you can purchase or create yourself to match the personalities of the recipients.

For the Bathroom.
Find a semi-large basket which will hold bottles of bath salts, bubble bath and lotion upright. You can wrap the bottles in a hand towel and matching wash cloth to keep the bottles from clanking. Also try to match the scents of the products, and top the gift basket off with a matching candle.

In the Laundry Room.
Purchase a laundry basket with comfortable handles and fill it with laundry detergent, softener and a filled change container for anyone who has to use a Laundromat. If you have space leftover, add some wooden hangers, an iron, an ironing board or any other laundry room essentials that you think they’d like.

Spicing up the Kitchen.
People are cooking more and more in their own kitchens thanks to a troubled economy, and every working kitchen needs a good set of spices. American Spice has a starter spice kit already assembled, or you can create your own, matching the tastes of the bride and groom.

Say the bride is into French cooking and is always complaining she can’t find cooking lavender anywhere in the stores. Visit www.AmericanSpice.com, add a bottle to your gift basket and she will be thrilled.

If your friends already have an established spice collection, check out the jams, salad dressings or barbeque sets which come in many different sizes and flavors. Add a few drying towels, a chef’s apron or hat, cooking utensils and a recipe box or book and your cook is set to create some amazing treats and meals.

Setting up the Garage.
Anyone with a vehicle can use a garage-themed auto care kit. Instead of using a basket, try a crate or nice wooden box. Start with jumper cables, and include all the handy tools necessary to do minor maintenance jobs — paper hand towels, extra bottles of window washing fluid, transmission fluid and oil. A small tool kit also would be handy, complete with a lightweight hammer, screw drivers and a pair of pliers.

Bedroom Basics.
This basket can go in many directions, depending on how the recipient is related to you. For basic ideas, try an aromatherapy candle, a good novel, a set of high thread-count cotton sheets complete with pillow covers and a reading light. If your really close to the recipients you can try a more risky basket of honeymoon treats, its always fun to cause the bride to blush!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Been invited to a valentine’s wedding? Not sure what to get the happy couple? Or are you the happy couple and not sure what to get for your bridemaids and groomsmen? These are common problems so here are some ideas to help take the stress out of gift giving.

1. Gifts for the coffee lovers, the ones that can’t live without that java in their cups!

Coffee mugs- A coffee mug is a great gift for coffee lovers. Weither your buying for the happy couple or your the happy couple buying for the wedding party a mug can be made into a personal gift. Just buy one that you can have a picture or message printed on it. For the happy couple have a special message wished them luck and thank them for inviting you to their special day. For the wedding party add a thank you and a picture of you and them doing something fun.

Membership to a coffee club- This is a great gift since most coffee lovers like to try new flavors. A coffee club allows them to try new flavors and meet new people at the same time. Boca Java is a coffee membership club that offers new flavors each season.They provide fresh ground coffee or whole bean depending on the subscriber’s preferred tastes.They ship every four, seven, or twelve weeks.If your coffee lover doesn’t like the membership they are free to cancel at any time.

Coffee machine- Even if they have a coffee machine they will still love a new one with more features then their old one. You can buy coffee machines that make only one cup at a time straight into a thermos, coffee machines that grind whole beans before brewing or an espresso/cappuccino maker.

Coffee filled gift baskets- Gift baskets are great gifts. They can contain several gifts in one package. You can purchase a gift basket online, in a coffee store, or come up with one of your own. For those who like a variety of coffee, don’t forget to add several bags of their favorite flavors. Add a cute coffee mug, some flavored spoons and creamers, etc. Including shirts, pens, and other items that cater to his or her coffee cravings will help them to remember your gift with items that are useful beyond just the coffee itself.

2. Gifts for the movie nut.

Dvds- Get a few new releases or find their favorite oldies on DVD and they will be thrilled. Buy his or her favorite movies complete with bonus DVD’s that contain extra footage and director’s comments. If you are close to the reciever you can also create your own movie for them. They are sure to love that and it will make a great keepsake.

Gift certificates- Every movie theater offers gift certificates for their movie fans. These gift certificates function like cash so they can be used for snack bar items also. This gift is sure to be a hit.

Snack gift basket- A movie is not the same without a snack to enjoy. Give him or her a basket filled with all their movie favorites: Jujubes, Mike and Ikes, Snickers, and Goobers. Watching a movie at home will be just like a seat in the theater.

Home audio system or big screen tv- these are big gifts that are sure to thrill. Instead of dragging these to the wedding you can either give them to the couple ahead of time or if you close to them find a way to get a copy of their house key and while they are away on their honeymoon set it up in their house with a note saying who it from and all that. they will be thrilled when they walk in and will forgive you for ‘breaking in’ to their house.

3. Gifts for the tech. lover.

A new cell phone/accessories- This gift is great since most cell phones come with plans and rebates for the first few months/years. To add to this gift you could also pay their phone bills for a few months. Some phones can even be personalized. I once had an LG Shine that I was able to engrave my name onto. Just make sure the phone is the right material before engaving anything. If they already have a great phone you can buy them accessories like covers, memory cards or gif certificates for ring tones.

Computer accessories- Small acceccories make a big difference. A wireless keyboard and mouse keep them from tripping over wires all the time. For their laptop, a cooling mat underneath extends the battery life and keeps the system from overheating. They can see the friends they talks to with a webcam.

The newest gaming technology- Always stay ahead of the technology. For game lovers, this means the latest video game system. Choose from the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. Each has its own unique features to thrill the intense gaming fan. The games for these systems can get expensive, so you may want to purchase one or two favorites to get them started off right.

4. Golf lovers.

New clubs- Even if you only buy one or two a good golfer always appreciates new clubs. Or get accessories for their golf clubs. Club protectors, tees and golf balls are always good.

Gift basket- Surprise them with plenty of golfing goodies. The basket can contain new golf balls, a monogrammed hand towel, golfing gloves, and more. Cover the bottom in green spray-painted Spanish moss to resemble the golf course.

Subscription to a golf magazine- Those that follow golf don’t want to miss out on any of the action. A subscription to their favorite golfing magazine will keep them informed about all of the latest in golfing techniques and tournament play.

New wardrobe- With this gift, they’ll be the best dressed golfers on the course. How about a pair of driving moccasins or new golf sweaters? Keep them in style when they meet friends or clients on the course.

5.Gifts for the ladies.

While this category is mainly for the women, it can also count for men.

Shopping spree- This gift is sure to please. For the bride plan to go before the wedding so she can pick out some sexy honeymoon outfits. Shirts, skirts, shoes, shorts,pants..this gift can go anywhere oh and don’t forget the lingerie! If your the bride wait til after the honeymoon and take those girls that have been stressing and working their butts off to make your day perfect.

Gift certificates- Give them gift certificates to their favorite stores or simply get them visa gift cards that they can use anywhere. They will be thrilled.

Spa day- take the bride/bridesmaids out a day or two before the wedding so that they can relax and be pampered!

In your wedding you have so many people helping you out that you want to thank with a wonderful gift that its easy to over look one very important little girl, the flower girl. So what do you get for this little angel who so lovingly walked before you, throwing flower petals(or whatever you had her throw), that isn’t going to break the bank? Well i found the perfect gift for her, Barbie wedding dresses!

Every little girl loves Barbie so why not give her a beautiful wedding dress to dress her Barbie in? I found a store called Minibarbie Boutique on eBay which sells and makes wedding dresses just for Barbie.  They have a wonderful collection of wedding gowns in a variety of styles and colors. Your sure to find a dress to match your wedding colors. The dresses aren’t going to break your budget either. Some sell for as little as $1.99. Your flower girl is sure to love this wonderful gift.

If you are planning a destination wedding or have quite a few out-of-town guests attending your wedding, it’s important to keep that in mind when choosing where to register for wedding gifts. The point of a registry is to make gift shopping easier for your guests – and if Uncle Bob is flying in just hours before the wedding – chances are he isn’t going to want to run around town just to make sure the Waterford Crystal vase he gives you is from your list. There really is no point in a registry if your guests can’t get to it.

Fortunately, the number of sites offering online registry services is growing quickly. Today, you can register for almost anything – from the traditional Denby China Dinnerware right down to your honeymoon! Many retailers are also offering their registries online as well. Often, these registries will give your guests the option of purchasing from your list and having the item shipped straight to you – saving them from having to worry about stepping off the airplane with a suitcase full of shattered Lalique Crystal.

Is your registry “guest friendly”?

Vera Wang designs CHINA!! Who knew! Apparently there is no end to the amazing powers of this woman. Her designs are everything you would expect from the popular designer – elegant, timeless, luxurious and classic with modern flair.

Take a look at some of my favorites. The one up top is Blue Duchesse, which is a very simple design that I adore for it’s blue color which reminds me of our ever popular, Tiffany Blue:) The ones shown below are Sable Duchess (elegant and trendy with it’s rich brown colors) and Lace Gold (a modern take on a very traditional, formal design in luxurious gold).

I found these over at Crystallia Dinnerware and Fine Crystal, an online retailer carrying China Dinnerware and Waterford Crystal. They carry both current and discontinued Vera Wang designs, and currently have some specials as well. For example, purchase 8 sets (coffee cup, saucer and 3 sizes of plates) and receive 8 matching rim soup bowls for free – or purchase 4 set and get 2 free bowls. They also offer a gift registry which is especially nice for brides who’s guests have to travel. They can purchase online, have them shipped to you and your registry is available to anyone with a computer!

I never thought that a road side emergency kit would get my attention for a bridal post, lol. Then I found Safety Girl while surfing on Shopping With Moms.  If you are looking for an affordable, chic and unique gift for yoru bridesmaid's this is it! these are adorable!! At onlt $29 each, they come in an super chic tin that will have EVERYONE talking! You just know this safety kit is going to be placed ina very noticable place (to show it off of course) and every one will ask. Your bridesmaids will have a useful, chic gift they can brag about for years – and every time they will be reminded of your wedding day and just how cool you really are. Each one includes everything a chic gal needs on the road:

You can never be to safe: and now you can be safe in style. This kit also makes a great gift for the bride who has everything, especially if the honeymoon is going to include road travel!! Definitly something no one else is going to think of!!!