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

Liza — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:23:58 +0000

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

Hostess Gifts that Travel Well

Liza — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:15:22 +0000

I just got back from a 10 day tip in the Western North Carolina mountains. For the first time ever, I added an extra bag, last minute, to our already overloaded car. I’ll call this my Merci Beaucoup bag. In it, I grabbed a few things from my gift closet for all those little get togethers that seem to pop up. We counted up that we saw 45 relatives this past trip, all traveling in from TX, FL, MD, VA, TN, AL and CO. Add to that the Nashville transported West that Cashiers becomes this time of year, and you have the possibility of running into at least 100 people! And it’s not that a hostess gift is necessary, but I do think everyone loves a little acknowledgment, whether here in Nashville, or on vacation as an appreciation of their efforts in putting the fun evening together. This last minute Merci Beaucoup bag addition was empty by the time we pulled away yesterday. I will forever be packing one in the future.

My favorite hostess gifts to travel with overlap with some of my favorite in town gifts as well. Here are a few to stock your gift closet with. If you don’t have a gift closet, consider purchasing a decorative chest, or small dresser to create this space in your house.

Cups

One of my favorites gifts for couples with kids, or for the young at heart, are these acrylic cups by Natural Life. For $12.50, I find them at Fabu and Katy’s Hallmark. Don’t they just make you smile? And they are versatile. Captions range from Be Happy, Joy to the World, Peace and many others. Each are wrapped four to a bundle and are ready to give just the same way they come packaged….just staple on your calling card and you are good to go! They can be used for morning juice, toothbrush holders, or little vases stuck next to a bathroom sink.

Candles

Who doesn’t just love a great smelling candle? They can be pretty pricey as well. And no, Target’s are not as good as everything else. For a great gift try the PaddyWax Eco Candle. Made in small batches in Georgia, these soy based candles won’t break the bank at $16.99 each. You can find these locally at All Seasons Gardening and Brewing on 8th Avenue. They just received a shipment in featuring 12 scents. Better yet, three scents are currently on sale for just $8.50. Time to stock up! All Seasons is located across from the Habit for Humanity Store on 8th between Wedgewood and Division.

Kitchen Towels

While it’s hard to buy yourself a $22 kitchen towel, this same fact means that one is always fondly received…and possibly used that night! My favorites are made in France by Le Jacquard Francais. Officially considered a tea towel, they are a large 31 x 24. You can find them locally at A La Maison on 8th Avenue (two doors down from Douglas Corner).

I hope you enjoy my favorite hostess gifts that are easy to pack. Make yourself a Merci Beaucoup bag and you, too, can feel prepared for whatever hits your social calendar while away.

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