Our top 5 gift lists: Girlfriends, Hostess & Teacher gifts

This is the post for all those smaller gifts you need to purchase and sometimes spend way too much time thinking over.  All these recipients are just happy to be thought of.  They know you love them so don’t stress.  There are so many times you need to reach and grab something to give during the month of December.  Stock up and be prepared.  Don’t worry about individualizing these gifts!  Here are our stress free gifts:

Hostess Gifts

1) Case of Wine. Buy a case of your favorite red or white in a comfortable price range.  You’ll get a case discount and have 12 bottles ready to give.  Tie on a bow and go.  I know it’s not particularly interesting, but it’s always appreciated and always used.  Just buy the case upfront so you’re not scrambling last minute.  Elizabeth’s favorite bottle of red wine is Plungerhead Zin at about $15 a bottle with a 98 Robert Parker rating!  Liza’s favorite $10.99 bottle of white wine is: Raimat Vina 24 from the coast of Spain, with a 90 Robert Parker Rating.  Liza thought she didn’t like white wine, but this one has convinced her otherwise.  See comments below for great deals at The Wine Chap.

Raimat Vina 24 2008

Plungerhead Zinfandel 2007

2) Match Sticks. The long sturdy match sticks are my favorite.  They are cheapest at Manor and a la Maison at just $3.50 per box.  Take two and wrap some fake berry garland around it, slip your calling card on top and voila!  Don’t be fooled by the picture, this box is just over four inches long x 2 inches wide.  Who knew luxury could come in the form of a match?

3) Ornament. Handmade snowman ornament by StyleBlueprint favorite Jason Parker Counce; available at Digs $14 and $24.

4) Specialty Salts. a la Maison, Ashblue, Whole Foods.  A friend gave me some Vignalta salt, from Italy, earlier this year as a Hostess gift and I think of her with fondness whenever I use it, which is about everyday!  For the Vignalta salt, click here.

5) Granola Bark. At just $4.99, the dog lover host will be so appreciative that you thought of their four legged family member(s).  Plus, this won’t add an ounce of fat to a friends thighs…and they are a healthy treat for dogs made by local company Two Good Dogs.  We love local.  Available at Fido, The Green Wagon and Caldwell Collection.  See comments below for how to order a sample FOR FREE.  Granola Barks

Girlfriends Top 5:

1) DVD’s. How long has it been since you have seen The Philadelphia Story?  It’s just about the best movie ever made….and it’s great to watch with girlfriends.  The Philadelphia Story

2) Blackberry Farm Cookbook. I can’t figure out if the pictures are the best part or the recipes.  I guess that’s just like Blackberry Farm: is the food the best part or the warmth that envelopes you while there?  Available at Davis Kidd $60.

3) Lip Gloss.  I you hadn’t noticed, almost all of us LOVE lip gloss and are hugely happy anytime someone gives us some.  Trish Mcevoy, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Lip Fusion are my favorites, but there are tons of great ones out there.  You can hit Sephora at The Mall at Green Hills or at the new Kiosk at the Galleria.  Also, hit local stores Woo Skincare & Cosmetics, Private Edition, or The Cosmetic Market.

4) Be Green Not Mean. With the theory that you can never have too many bags, this one is particularly great.  Available at Caldwell Collection $28

5) Your Favorite Book. What was your favorite book you read this past year?  Liza’s was Love Walked In by Maria De Los Santos.  Elizabeth’s was  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows (don’t let the title scare you off; it’s an amazing book)  Who doesn’t love to read a good book with a nice inscription from a dear friend?

Teachers

We completely endorse gift certificates for teachers.  We polled many; all came back practically the same.  Here are our top 5.

• Starbucks
• Tickets for two to the movies
• Cheekwood pass for the year
• Pedicure
• The Parent-Teacher Store

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