Gift Talk | 9999

Wrap It Up: Beautiful Presentations for the Perfect Gift

We often spend tons of time picking the perfect gift for someone we care about. We pour over ideas from the Internet, friends and family until we find just the right thing. Once we find a treasure that's sure to pull the heartstrings, bring a hearty laugh or impress the heck out of the recipient, we throw that special gift into a generic gift bag or wrap it up with humdrum wrapping paper. Why not make the presentation of the gift special, too?

If you put that perfect present in an equally stunning package, the lucky recipient will truly be impressed. The next time you pour your heart and soul into a gift, try wrapping it up in a more visually appealing way.

Scarves—One of the easiest “fancy” ways to wrap a present, especially something that's awkwardly shaped, is to use a large scarf. They come in many colors, patterns and fabrics and can easily be wrapped around the gift and tied with in a knot to close. Then just add a ribbon around the knot and you have yourself an impressive presentation.

Purses or Ornate Bags—Rather than a flimsy gift bag, use a beautiful reusable bag, such as a purse, tote or fun reusable grocery bag. Then all you have to do is tie the handles with a bow and it's a pretty gift bag that can keep on being used forever.

Blanket—Comfy fleece or chenille blankets come in a variety of colors and are as easy as pie to use for gift wrapping. Simply gather the fabric around the present like a scarf and POOF your done.

Giving a gift to someone special is always a big deal. You put a lot of thought into what you're giving, and that much effort deserves a unique presentation to make it that much more impressive.

Personalized Mother's Day Gifts

If you want to give her a truly unique, personal gift, you have to start early.

While Mother's Day is still almost two months away, some of the finer, more personalized gifts take a little time to order and come in. If you're thinking about getting something extra special that will take some time, now is a good time to look into your options.

There are several directions you can go for personalized Mother's Day gifts. One popular choice is mother's jewelry. Often these personalized pieces are pendants or rings that have the birthstones of children and grandchildren added. Some even allow space for engravings of names, dates or short messages. Most moms secretly wish for a mother's ring or necklace. They're personal and beautiful pieces that symbolize her legacy of love. You just can't go wrong.

Another personalized option is turning a favorite photographs of her children or grandchildren into a blanket, mug or wall-hanging. There are many stores online as well as popular photo processing centers that offer a large variety of personalized photo products, but the finished product does take some time to come back.

If you're looking for something really unique, you can have an artist paint a portrait from a favorite picture. If you're interested in this option, call around to local art supply stores. Shopkeepers see local artists on a regular basis and can put you in touch with someone who can paint your portrait professionally. Ordering it early is essential, because you'll need to have the portrait framed by another vendor, which will take some additional time.

Ordering personalized Mother's Day gifts early gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal, order what you think she'll really love and have time for it to be processed and sent back to you. If you wait to long, the order might not come in on time or there might be something wrong with it when it arrives. Allow yourself ample time to have the gift get back to you and with enough time to send it back if there are flaws.

Inexpensive Easter Basket Stuffers

Do you give gifts to your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews at Easter time? It's not uncommon to throw some gifts into the mix rather than loading an Easter basket completely with chocolate and sweets. Traditionally, stuffed animals have always been popular, but every parent knows those bad boys add up quickly until you feel like you're living in some freaky plush kingdom. It's awkward...for everyone.

If you want to stuff your munchkins' Easter baskets with loot that won't have them bouncing off the walls for the next two weeks or turn your home into a stuffed menagerie, there are lots of cool basket stuffers you can choose instead. And, you don't even have to bust your bank account to fill an Easter gift basket with fun.

The first stop you should make is always to your local dollar store or big box store's dollar aisle. These places are filled with cool little gadgets, gizmos, toys, puzzles, books and other cool items kids of all ages will love. If you're shopping for a young boy, cars, coloring books and bubbles are always well-received. For a tween girl, check out nail polishes, sassy sunglasses and hair accessories.

If you need a few more Easter gifts after you rock the dollar aisles, make sure to check clearance sections and clothing racks. You never know what treasures you'll find, and at discount prices to boot.

Finally, if after you've grabbed up all the gift deals at the local stores, you can always take a look around online. A hot tip for buying any gift at the best price is following some coupon queens on Facebook. They're constantly scouring the web for great deals on everything from toys and clothes to electronics and perfumes. They virtually bring the deals and steals right to you.

If you keep an eye out, you're sure to find some rad deals and pack up that Easter basket will loot that will make your kids totally wig...in a good way.

Strange Valentine's gifts

So Valentine’s Day has come and went and maybe you’re feeling like you didn’t give the best, or maybe the most unique, present to your loved one. Well next year, no excuses. Give one of these fun and quirky gifts next Valentine’s Day.

Couples Pillow Cases

When you lay your head down at night, next to that special someone, rest assured that your love connection is strong with these cute and fun cases. The “Say I Love You Pillowcases” are sold online and can sometimes be found at trendy stores like UrbanOutfitters. The matching cases run about 36 dollars and are a great reminder to your loved one every time he or she rests their head at night.

Geeky video game “life power” matching shirts

Let your gamer boyfriend know how much you care (about his habit of playing video games) by buying these two 8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirts. Each shirt has 6 red hearts on the front and when you wear them in range of each other the LED hearts begin to glow according to where you each stand. If you’re far apart, only to hearts glow. If you’re hugging all 6 are aglow. You’re boyfriend will surely appreciate that he has “full health” and your undying love.

Beating Heart pillow

Ok so I’m pretty sure this is what newborns use to feel like they are still in their mother’s womb but hey, it apparently makes a great Valentine’s gift. This heart shaped pillow gives off the sound of a heartbeat every time you hug it. The heartbeat pillow gradually syncs with your own heartbeat when pressed to your chest and every time you turn it on a new unique heartbeat can be heard. It’s a great way to fall asleep and once more feel like an infant.

Valentine's Day gifts that continue to give back

This February 14th why not give something to your loved one that continues to give back to a cause that sits close to both your hearts. Here are a few gift ideas to give to that special someone that lets them know you care, in more ways than one.

Trinity Oaks Wine

Trinity Oaks wine supplier has partnered with Trees for the Future and every time you buy a bottle of their wine, a tree is planted. The one bottle one tree program has planted 6,101,246 trees since its inception in 2008. These trees are planted in rural areas all over the world that have been hit hard by lumber companies.

Chocolate for a cause

Bypass that cheap box of chocolates and buy your sweetheart a Survivor Chick Bar sold from Seattle’s Chocolate Company. 100 percent of the proceeds from the bar go to fighting breast cancer. If you decide to go another route with your chocolates this year, just be sure you’re buying from a fair trade company that partners and treats workers equal and fair in the countries where chocolate is produced.

1 for 1 condoms

Sir Richard’s condoms help decrease and prevent the spread of curable diseases in developing countries around the world. For each condom you buy, one is donated abroad.

Flowers

If you purchase a bouquet online from Teleflora, 20 percent of the proceeds go to the American Society for the prevention of Cruelty for Animals.

Meaningful Jewelry

Brilliant Earth is a company that sells conflict free diamonds. Rest assured that those diamond earrings your wearing are both recyclable, and did not fund a bloody civil war in Africa (where many diamonds are harvested). Also, 5 percent of each purchase is donated to a community that has been harmed by these diamond related conflicts.

Put your money where your mouth is. Sometimes the best way to make a change is to re-route where your money goes.

For more valentine gift ideas that make a difference see here.

Odd gifts throughout history

So, you like to be one of those friends or family members who gives a thoughtful and unique gift? Well good luck giving a gift that tops one of these creative presents from history.

Statue of Liberty

Wanting to honor America after the Civil War, French politician Edouard Rene Lefebvre de Laboulaye (geex there’s a name) came up with the idea of building a large statue to signify America’s freedom and liberty. Although this stroke of genius was conceived in 1865, the dedication ceremony for the “New Colossus” (Ms. Liberty’s original title) was not held till 1886. The massive gift was shipped to America in pieces after its completion.

“Bugged” American Seal

UN Ambassador Averell Harriman was overjoyed when the Soviet Union gifted him with a large wood carved seal of the United States, in 1945. This token of friendship was then hung on Harriman’s wall where it stayed till 1952, when it was discovered that there was a small device implanted within the wood. Russian inventor Leon Theremin had designed one of the first ever detection devices that used no power or gave of any signal.

The real white elephant in the room

In 1514, Portugal’s King Manuel presented Pope Leo X with a true white elephant named Hanno. At the time, Pope Leo felt that gold was the panacea of all ailments. When his elephant Hanno came down with severe constipation, Leo had handlers feed the elephant laxatives laced with gold which proved to be less of a cure all and more like a poison. The elephant died a very young age of six.

Travel gift ideas

If you have someone in your life that loves to travel, here are a few gift ideas that will make their journeys a bit smoother and they will surely appreciate.

Belkin surge protector

This mini surge protector has three built in outlets, two USB ports and a built in surge protector that ensures your hair dryer won’t blow its fuse. It’s small and compact and able to be stored almost anywhere.

$25

Sunpocket sunglasses

These handy shades fold in half and are able to be carried in ones pocket when the sun is not blazing in their eyes.

$65

Downy wrinkle releaser

This spray allows travelers to unpack their clothes, spray, and automatically get rid of the unsightly creases. It’s a great item for on the go and doesn’t require further ironing.

$2.25

The battery boost

This little tech device can be carried on one’s key chain. It’s a battery, MicroUSB cord, retractable USB charger plug, and memory card reader all in one.

$24

Screwpull travel corkscrew

There’s nothing worse than traveling through Italy’s Tuscan region, land of tasty wines, and realizing you have nothing to un-cork your bottle. This portable corkscrew folds down into a pocket size item and can be carried anywhere.

$20

Petzl Tikkina 2 Headlamp

Headlamps are one of the best gifts as they provide multiple uses for travelers. Whether your spelunking in caves in South America, or wanting to read during a long over night train through Germany, LED headlamps are a necessary item.

$20

An Adorable and Useful Gift

Whether you know someone who is getting married, having a baby, or even spending Valentine's Day alone this year Penzeys Spices make a really unique gift! Haven't heard of the company? Check out some of the packages they put together on their web site. I am lucky enough to have one in driving distance. The nice thing about spices, is they hardly ever go bad, and you can use them for a long long time! For Christmas I got a package called "The Kind Heart" it was adorable and all the recipe cards inside look almost like Monopoly cards. (Added charm)

The flavorings and the fact that some were even salt free were what really turned me on to the company. Here are some of the great combinations I have come across:

Mahlab-the pit of a sour cherry, it is a sweet/sour, nutty addition to breads, cookies and biscuits (If you have ever made cherry cheese bread this would make a great addition!)

Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle -garlic-cheese blend for pasta and garlic bread (is your mouth watering yet?)

Cinnamon Spices (there are at least 5-10 for baking and each one is to die for, don't forget your morning cinnamon toast either!)

Greek Seasoning, and Green Goddess (Time to make your own dressings)

I could list my favorites forever, but here are the facts. Gift boxes range from $12-$120. They are packaged beautifully, and are a nice touch. Instead of the spice rack, give the actual spices, and I guarantee your thank you will be sincere! There is just something magical about adding the right blend to a warm dish. I love reading the labels and ingredients as well, they are so creative. (Chocolate and lemon, now that is exciting!)

Celebrities give the best gifts of all

You know the Lexus commercial on TV that starts playing around the holidays? It has the goofy jingle that indicates to the viewer that some lucky spouse is about to receive a car for Christmas, while we think to ourselves how illogical it is to give the gift of automobile to our loved ones. Well, apparently giving cars away, Oprah style is peanuts compared to the gifts celebrities give each other during the holidays. Here’s a look at some of the most ostentatious gifts in Hollywood.

Don’t go chasing waterfalls.

Please stick to the millions of dollars that you’re used to Angelina Jolie. In the Past, Jolie has bought Brad Pitt a $100,000 motorcycle and an olive tree reportedly priced at over $18,000. Now, Jolie has given Brad a waterfall to place next to his money tree. So far, we’re not sure about the price tag of buying your own waterfall but I’m assuming it’s about to increase. That’s because the couple will soon begin construction of their new house atop said waterfall in order to invoke Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1939 design “Fallingwater”. With money like this, why not just buy the actual Wright house instead of building your own?

Be sure not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

No, seriously, that bath water and tub is too darn expensive to toss out. Former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland bought her BFF Beyonce a Swarovski crystal encrusted baby bathtub. It weighs around 3,000 pounds, cost over $5,000 and has about 45,000 crystals on it. It took designer Lori Gardner over 2 months to hand insert the precious stones. I don’t know about you but this sounds like a painful rub a dub dub. It seems Beyonce will be grating her newborn rather than bathing.

Cash Money

When Lil Wayne’s birthday comes around, everyone knows that dollar bills will be flying. Birdman, head of Cash Money Records reportedly bundled 1 million bucks in a Louis Vuitton briefcase and gave it to his protege, leaving Lil Wayne speechless. However, Birdman didn’t stop there. He also included an ice sculpture filled to the brim with $100 bills, marking what became a cash-themed party. Yea we get it. You have a lot of money.

See more rediculous celeb gifts here:

Strange gifts from around the world

Maybe you’d like to give something more unique this holiday season? Here’s a list of some of the weirdest, and offensive, toys from around the world.

Erwin the Little Patient:

If your kids are bored with the whimsical anatomical parts found in the toy Operation and want something a little more realistic, buy them the Erwin doll from Germany. He seems to be half monkey and half Dr. Seussesque but he’s an excellent cadaver model. His torso flaps open to reveal anatomical plush heart, lungs, and large intestine that can be removed and reinserted however the child finds appropriate.

Plumber Action Figure:

This is GI Joe after he returned from battle and faced the harsh realities of life away from war, trying to support his wife and kids. I’m pretty sure this is also the toy that best represents Sarah Palin’s “Joe-six-pack”. He’s a plastic male character equipped with a monkey wrench, tool belt, and you guessed it... porcelain toilet. Nothing says “go out there and achieve your dreams kid” like this action figure.

Beanie Babies? No I want micro babies!

The U.K. has introduced a new line of plush characters portraying giant microbes. These disease bearing creations come in a variety of shapes from blobby flesh eating virus to long and lanky tape worm. A great educational toy that will make your kids think twice before touching the next door nob or eating that batch of raw cookie dough.

Titanic Slide:

Did you ever watch that scene in Titanic when half of the ship was sticking vertically out of the water and people were sliding down its deck into the frigid Atlantic waters? Did you ever think to yourself, wow that ride looks like fun? Well if so, you and your kids can experience it together. China has created a 33 foot high inflatable slide depicting this exact moment. Climb your way to the top of the vessel and slide down into its bouncy blue waters and live to tell about it. Quite the tasteless toy. Some versions even include an inflatable iceberg.

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