SHOP THE POST:

Spring is right around the corner and finally getting us out of our winter funk! Over here at The Gift Insider, we love any and every excuse to celebrate holidays (and warm weather) to the fullest. This year, we’re throwing our own St. Patrick’s Day themed party and wanted to share what we found to be 5 crafty DIY essentials to kickstart the perfect day.

Let’s be honest, St. Patrick’s Day is just an excuse for us to all justify spending an entire day drinking and eating with our friends and families. Between the parades, fireworks, and booze-filled festivities; there is no better initiation to the spring season.

The Essentials: 

1. The Perfect Cocktail 

These HoneyDew, Cucumber Mint Mojito’s are the perfect light and crisp cocktail for day drinking.

Via Thyme Food Blog 

2. Great Decorations 

No party is complete without a little bit of decoration. These fun centerpieces are eye-catching and simple to make!

Via Two Twenty One 

3. A Themed Snack 

These Pot O’ Gold Oreos are decorative and yummy desserts for guests.

Via Happy Hour Projects 

4. Party Favors

Give your guests something to remember the day by. These Mason Jars are simple to make and the perfect party favor for everyone.

Via Uncommon Designs 

5. Jello Shots

What party is complete without Jello Shots? While this recipe gives you the choice of making them kid-friendly, TGI definitely suggests making them boozy!

Via Hoosier Homemade 

Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine’s Day is here, but you have no boo…

Single and content? Here’s a competition for YOU.

Let’s face it, nobody in this world is there for you like your BFF. Here at TGI, we believe in spoiling your gals just as much as you would your significant other. We decided to team up with Bow & Drape for a fun GIVEAWAY that’ll be the perfect post-Galentine’s day gift to show your BFF just how much you love her. Their “You Had Me At Merlot” Sweatshirt can be yours with two simple steps…

Enter in TGI’s Sweepstakes to win the ultimate present for your favorite friend!

The competition rules are simple:
1.) Follow TheGiftInsider on Instagram
2.) Tag a BFF in the comments and write one word that describes her

We will announce the winner on Monday, February 29th.

Good Luck and Happy Gifting!

XOXO,

The TGI Team

Oh, just think of what you’ll save if you try at least one of our Savvy Shopping Tips. Here are our top 5 ways to save:

Get app-ed up

Man yourself mobile-y with money-saving apps! With ShopAdvisor you can search and scan barcodes for products, watch products, view their price history and best time to buy, set price time alerts, view reviews and share with your friends. It’s always important to keep a budget, especially during the holidays and with Mint, it’s easy to keep track of your spending on the go. Shopping for deals is one thing, but it’s more important to follow a budget.

Get @ it

There’s plenty of savvy shoppers with awesome tips and deals to follow on Twitter. Check out: 

@earlybird  @cheaptweets  @coupontweet  @fatwallet  @retailmenot

Get flashy

Ever since Gilt Groupe popped up a few years ago, flash sale sites are all over the web! Designer duds for less for a limited line – you know the drill. Here are some great sites:

Gilt Groupe ~ Rue La La ~ Haute Look ~ Beyond the Rack ~ Editor’s Closet ~ One Kings Lane ~ Fab

Get your closet right 

Clean out your closet, find gently-worn items that are in good condition and head to a consignment shop to sell them. In the meantime,  you’ll have more cash to put toward new things that you’ll actually have room for in your newly cleaned out closet. Here are some places where you can sell your things:

Closet Rich

Second Time Around

eDrop-Off

Luxury Garage Sale 

Buffalo Exchange

Crossroads Trading Co.

Plato’s Closet

Get subscribed

The best way to know when and where sample sales are going on is subscribe to your favorite designer’s emails or to subscribe to sample sale know-it-alls like Daily Candy and Top Button. And sample sale companies like Billion Dollar Babes and Decades Two (upscale vintage consigment) throw their own sales with numerous designers at one sale. So if you know want to know the deets, subscribe! subscribe! subscribe!

Brrr…it’s getting cold up in here! And obviously we’re obsessed with everything furry, fuzzy, cozy and warm right now and so thought we’d put together a list of Cool Gifts to Keep You Warm.

Besides buying a 4-month warm-weather get-away, these are the cold-weather gifts that top our list:

1. Giant Flask

There’s something about that chill in the air that makes you want to cozy up with a little libation or two…Ok, so you might want some help from your friends–or 10-20 of them. It is one humongo flask and remember what you learned in kindergarten – share your toys. ($29.99)

2. USB Drink Warmer

It’s harder to keep drinks warm once the temp hits 30, so hook-up your co-worker with a sweet USB drive that doubles as a drink warmer from Vat19.com. ($16.99).Those USBs get ridiculously hot anyways, so whoever invented this was one smart (techy) cookie.

3. Couples Snuggie

Speaking of things getting HOT…it can’t get much hotter than a Friday night on the couch with a full DVR, munchies and cuddling with your schmoopie in a Couples Snuggie. ($19.95) Ow ow!

4. Make Me Late Pillow

Let’s face it, when it gets cold you spend more time in bed yada yada yada-ing. And a little personalized flirty message on a pillow for your boo might keep you in there longer…or just make you hibernate all winter with this Make Me Late pillow. ($18.95)

5. Voluspa Candles

Set the mood with sweet smelling candles from Voluspa. ($14.90) Just don’t forget to blow it out before the heat of the moment really becomes that.

6. Gloves from Scotland

And finally when you actually decide to wake up from hibernation and leave your place, these hand-knit Gloves from Scotland will keep your fingers warm while you brave the elements. ($71)

Stay Warm + Happy Gifting!

My name is Marisa and I’m thrilled to be the newest member of The Gift Insider team! Even though I’m a copywriter by trade, I’ve always fashioned myself as a pretty awesome gift giver. I enjoy the hunt for the perfect gift but most importantly, I live for the sneak attack—giving the gift they never thought they asked for (because listening to the little things everyday in turn, creates my giftspiration). Who doesn’t love hearing…”but how did you know?”

Some of my favs:

Here are the Gifts I Love on The Gift Insider:

1. State necklace by Maya Brenner – I LOVE to represent my home state, the Midwest’s high-five, the mitten state, Michigan and whenever I wear this necklace, I always get compliments. It’s the perfect gift for your “transplant” friend who loves showing off her hometown pride.

2. Bocce in a Bag – I actually grew up playing bocce ball. It’s an Italian pastime that the men in my family always played in the summer at gatherings and I always tagged along as a kid in hopes that my dad would let me throw a few times. It’s an awesome lawn game and a fun gift for the men in your life or a sporty friend.

3. Mad Canvases – I’ll all about putting up original and unexpected art work in your space (whether it be at work or at home) and that’s what I love about Mad Canvases. It takes your standard black and white city print and adds a pop of color to brighten up your space and inspire creativity.

I hope to offer you hours of giftspiration, humor and hip DIY gifts, for that extra personal touch. Look for my DIY post every Friday.

Happy Gifting!

Marisa

Gift Expert, Lindsay Roberts, is the go-to expert in the gift-giving field. Below is a reel of her in 2011 highlights.

Lindsay scours local boutiques, magazines and the web to help users find the best, newest, coolest, most unique, most romantic, most creative gift ideas out there – so that users don’t have to.

Roberts’ influence as a Gift Expert  goes far beyond just thegiftinsider.com, as she has appeared  on ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX networks across the country, was recently a guest on The Carson Daly Radio Show and contributes to several gift guides and online columns.

Below is our latest Press Release for The Gift Insider:

Nationally Known Gift Expert Shares 4 Easy Ways to Give Gifts That Make an Impact

Lindsay Roberts, editor of TheGiftInsider.com, takes the hassle out of finding unique and creative gift ideas by offering expert gifting advice and an uber-cool website full of under-the- radar gift recommendations for every type of person and price range.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 09, 2011 — The Gift Insider scours local boutiques, magazines and the web to help users find the best, newest, coolest, most unique, most romantic, most creative gift ideas out there – so that users don’t have to.

Thegiftinsider.com is an edgy new site that lets users browse for gifts by price, person, occasion or personality, then links directly to the website where users can purchase these cool gift ideas.

The site offers exclusive discount codes for many of the products recommended and has a blog full of gifting tips and trends for each holiday season

.

4 Easy Ways to Give Gifts That Make an Impact in 2011

1. Make it Personal So many gifts you order online can be engraved, embroidered and customized for a few extra bucks. It shows you put some thought and effort into finding a gift just for that person. Order early.

2. Consider Handmade Etsy.com is our go-to for handmade gift ideas. It’s brimming with meaningful and affordable finds that are sure to be as unique as the artists who make them. Festivals and fairs are another great place to find one-of-a-kind items.

3. Go for a Memorable Experience Gift Many companies now offer gift certificates where recipients can pick from hundreds of unique experiences like driving a race car or being a fighter pilot for the day. It’s a perfect way to give them something they’ve always dreamed of.

4. Don’t forget the WOW factor Try to add special touches to every gift you give this year. Combine a few similar and smaller items into a pretty gift set, add in some easy photo gifts from Walgreens, or wrap the gift using a favorite flower instead of a bow.

The Gift Insider recommends similar tips and gift ideas across a variety of media platforms. Roberts has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX networks across the country, she was recently a guest on The Carson Daly Radio Show and contributes to several gift guides and online columns.

Roberts started the site after working in the publishing industry at magazines such as Esquire and Good Housekeeping. She decided to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion for creative gift-giving in June 2010.

PRWeb ebooks – Another online visibility tool from PRWebJournalists: Need a quick quote for any gifting features? Feel free to use any of our tips but make sure to attribute all quotes to “Lindsay Roberts, gift-giving expert and founder of TheGiftInsider.com.”

For more information and gift expert interviews, media appearances and spokesperson opportunities, please go to The Gift Insider’s contact page to contact Lindsay.

###

Watch us feature all of these items on TV! Here is the clip of our segment on WGN Chicago!  Discount codes for everything we mention below. Check out the groomsmen gifts we are featuring too.

The Jewelry Bar – Personalized Necklaces

10% off code on The Gift Insider

I love personalized gifts, it always shows how much thought & heart you put into giving. This modern & handcrafted necklace was created by The Jewelry Bar, a very talented New York artist & it couldn’t be more personalized. The birthstone & the initial will make each bridesmaid/friend feel very special and know how important they are in your life. I like how the gold plated initial disc has that cool hand crafted look, it comes in gold or silver. 16″ 14k gold chain. Awesome gift for bridesmaids or a special group of girlfriends. Love the idea of everyone having the same “girlfriend” necklace. Letter & gemstone of your choice $42

Hair of the Dog – Custom Flasks

10% OFF code on The Gift Insider

Love this for bridesmaids. These flasks are covered in a pretty floral print with a protective coating and then have a name plate that can be personalized. This creative product is brought to you by Hair of the Dog, an artistic duo in South Carolina. Any 5 flasks personalized with 5 different names for $90. Comes in a cute canvas drawstring tote and includes a stainless steel funnel. Can be a great gift for a group of friends you always hang out with or a birthday group or work buddies. Drink in style ladies.

Eye Candy Chill Spa Bucket

20% OFF code on The Gift Insider

Luxurious & affordable makes this a perfect bridesmaid gift or party favor or housewarming gift or thank you gift or for anyone who needs to treat themselves right. Eye Candy is a California company owned by 2 sisters who offer spa-at-home cool products. (I’m obsessed with their eye candy coolers to reduce eye puffiness).  They just launched these 4 adorable spa bucket gift sets which come in Pink/Glam, Orange/Glow, Blue/Wash & as pictured Green/Chill. Each comes packaged in an all-in-one, cute see-through paint bucket, and includes one set of matching eye candy coolers/reusable gel circles that you chill in the fridge for a few minutes, a terry spa towel square and a 4 oz. bottle of either body scrub, wash, soap or body soak, depending on bucket theme. Indulge, it’s only $24 & now there’s a special Gift Insider discount below. Be a friend, give someone a bucket.

The Dedication Company

10% Off Code on The Gift Insider

The Dedication Company customized keepsake bracelets are a special way to honor your bridesmaids with a personalized touch. They are classic and elegant with a working vintage locket and include options for personalization with a monogram pendant and birthstones. Birthstones can even be customized to match wedding colors or bridesmaid dresses. Personalized gifts allow each member of your wedding party to feel they received a gift made especially for them.