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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.
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.
There’s plenty of savvy shoppers with awesome tips and deals to follow on Twitter. Check out:
@earlybird @cheaptweets @coupontweet @fatwallet @retailmenot
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
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:
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)
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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
PaperandPolka Dots –
Back to school? Back to work? Let’s do it greener with this collapsible, practical eco lunch box that is leak-proof and BPA-free. Perfect size for those lunch bags or boxes. It’s even microwaveable & dishwasher-proof. There’s more, it comes with it’s own built-in “spork”. Affordable, practical, small or large and comes in 4 colors. This family owned Texas company is wonderful to work with. Small lunch box $10.50
http://www.paperandpolkadots.com
Take Your Pix Board Albums –
Ever wish your photo albums were sturdy enough to not fall apart? This idea is not just for baby books. This photo album invention was created by a Mom who needed a sturdy photo album to facilitate learning for her daughter. Thus, the Take Your Pix® Board Book Album was born. Board Book Albums,LLC brings us an adorable chunky board book album that can be used by adults & small children too. The album has sturdy cardboard pages, where you can slide the photo in from the top. Notches have been added to make page turning easy on small fingers. 7″ x 7″, 10 pages and holds 20 photos. Comes in many colors and styles. Great for scrap booking, kids crafts, weddings and baby showers too. I love it as a new Mom gift or to make a memory book for any special occasion. Add stickers, lettering… So personal, so easy.
http://www.boardbookalbums.com
20% off code on The Gift Insider
Lap Desk Lady
I don’t know about you but I hate it when my laptop starts heating up on my lap & then I’m piling pillows to make it the right height & then it topples over … Safari Lap Desks to the rescue! Perfect height, indented at waist, handle to carry it… they thought of everything. I like that it’s not business-boring colors. Love the purple & leopard combo with the decorative rope. My teacher-friend uses it for grading their papers. Stable, cool & comfy. Done. 20″x14″ scotch-guarded desk surface. The Lap Desk Lady is very talented & offers lots of other patterns & different sizes too. This medium purple & leopard goes for $39.95
http://www.lapdesksandmore.com/
Coupon code for 10% off till 9/30/11 on The Gift Insider
Zom B Monster Cases
Back to school & back to work can be a little more fun with these vinyl fun-loving Monster Pouches for pens, calculators or for money & change. Take out a pen and smile. Enough of those boring office store generic pouches. All Monster Pouches are one-of-a-kind, choose your colors of the zipper & the vinyl, have some fun. Love this artist’s stuff, it’s all about bold colors, random fun and unique things. $16
10% off till 2/31/12 code on The Gift Insider
Aubella Couture Backpack and Lunchbox
Remember when Back to School was so exciting? You got everything new & couldn’t wait to get to school. It hasn’t changed & this artist has made it so very special for some lucky kids. She makes personalized backpacks, lunch boxes & even napmats all personalized with child’s name. They even come in preschooler size or elementary school size. So sweet. Washable, lined & monogramming is included in price. Backpack & Lunch Box Set $59.99
15% off code on The Gift Insider
Teacher Planners from Honizukle Press
If you know a teacher, you have to give this to her as a gift. It’s beautiful! The artist created this for her sister who is a teacher & tailor-made it for all the teacher’s planning needs. It is completely hand-made, lovingly assembled & personalized on front & back of planner. These really are a labor of love, so plan ahead & get your teacher-friend something really thoughtful. Pretty, stylish and personalized. Love it. $38
20% OFF CODE on The Gift Insider
Look Sugar Chalkboard Calendar
Perfect for back to school, or dorm or just getting organized. It’s not paper, it’s chalkboard paper. So clever. Why not decorate a wall with something you can actually use & re-use? This is high-quality chalk-board vinyl, which can be removed without leaving any marks. Use regular chalk or chalk-ink pens. Get arty, rearrange the squares. Organized chaos! It’s got that cool “architectural loft” style. Good gift for one of your right-brain friends who would enjoy organizing more, if it was a little more fun. This’ll make it fun. $68
15% off code on The Gift Insider
Now you tell us … what was your favorite back to school products you were excited showing to show off.
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.
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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.
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.