Summer is finally here, and the parties, BBQs, and picnics are starting! Hostess gifts are always important to show your gratitude, and we want to help you be the best guest there! Here’s our round-up of creative hostess gifts that will definitely be a hit!
DIY Freshly Squeezed Lemonade Basket
Homemade lemonade is the perfect summer refresher! It is a total crowd pleaser, and any hostess would love to mix it up for all of the guests!
This is one of the most awesomely creative ideas. WeMontage let’s you turn your photos into large scale, removable wallpaper. You can have all your favorite photos up with no nails in the wall, no stressful attempts at perfectly lining up frames for a gallery wall. Create a collage for Mom or Grandma with special moments from your lives. She’ll be able to enjoy it every single day. Starts at $59.99
These REAL, 100% natural fresch-cut blooms actually last 6 months or longer! These Blooms by Heinau are cut at their peak, then the water and sap in the plant cells is replaced by a moisturizer prolonging it’s beauty. Amazing. They have 25+ colors of roses and hydrangeas w/50+ different arrangements. All natural, maintenance-free & requires absolutely no water.
$9.95 – $459
3. Customized Chocolate Gifts from Totally Chocolate
Here’s an sweet way to personalize a sweet treat for mom this year. Totally Chocolate offers this huge chocolate bar, 2 lbs, larger than a license plate, with customized lids – upload a sweet photo, pick a Happy Mother’s Day message and make it personalized just for her. You can also choose from different Mother’s Day messages to to be etched right into the chocolate.
$29.95 for each bar, Use code: GIFTINSIDER20 for 20% off
4. Cosmetic Cases + Travel Goodies from Burlington
When gifting to parents, many don’t love when you over-spend on gifts for them, especially luxe items they don’t always need. If your mom is more of a practical gift lover, we found these adorable cosmetic cases at Burlington for under 5 bucks and filled them with fun travel and beauty necessities for a sweet and thoughtful way to give something they might really use, without spending too much. They’ll be so proud!
5. Made to Order Clutches from Merci New York
These clutches from Merci New York let you pick and choose exactly how you want them. Choose from exotic python, embossed python or faux leather and then choose the vintage inspired brooch style you like, the color, etc. Beautifully made: flap top w/magnetic & zip closure, Interior zip pocket & beige ultra suede lining. Gold plated chain and findings.
Starts at $135
6. JARS by Dani
Live far from mom and want to send her something totally unique? Send these totally adorable JARS, layers of her favorite desserts: sprinkles, cake, marshmallows, chocolate – you name it, all packed in an adorably cute jar. The lids can be customized with a logo or photo or text of your choice. Great spot to add a Mother’s Day message. 8oz Jars for $10/8 jar minimum or mini 4oz Jars for $6.25
Watch our Gift Picks on-air as we chat with Fox Chicago!
What our gift picks on-air as we chat with ABC Detroit!
*The Gift Insider is highly curated and the picks are all items we think our readers will love giving as gifts. Some items listed are sponsors of the site.
Pelcor (a blend of the Portuguese words for skin (pel) & cork (cor), is a Portugal based cork accessories brand and has innovated the use of cork skin, creating products that are fabulously soft to the touch, sustainable & practical. This eco-chic Umbrella is impermeable, buoyant, pliant & even fire resistant. You will also be supporting the environment – the Cork Oak tree from which the cork skin is sourced, is the only tree in the world whose bark regenerates itself, and it thrives as part of a unique worldwide ecosystem. Tall $180
Available at PelcorUsa.com
Sacky Sacks
Saving the earth & lookin’ good. Squishable, scrunchable squashable & ultra-compact, these super practical totes take you from supermarket to the beach or great for baby gear & travel. Made of Tyvek® Saky Sacks are crease resistant, washable & strong enough to carry 25 lbs & can be recycled. Padded straps for comfort, key rings & inside pockets, lightweight & fold up in to a tidy little packet. City Saky, $20.00
Emerald Heritage – Adopt a Plot of Land in Ireland
A fun & eco-friendly opportunity to purchase a wee piece of Ireland. This is the first ever Irish conservation project formed due to the deforestation crisis in Ireland. Becoming a landowner/Squire ensures that the land can never be developed or destroyed. A gift to be passed down from generation to generation. Includes legal title & certificates, updates & GPS location so you can visit your land. Buy 1, 4 or 9 sq. ft. plots, ~$50 a sq. ft.
100% organic textiles from Coyuchi, the first brand to bring organic cotton bedding to the US. Eco-conscious towels without artificial dyes or chemicals, promise. Coyuchi towels are made with the same quality, care & fine detail as its famous bedding. Loomed from pure organic cotton, with earth tone colors. Soft and thirsty & designed to dry quickly on towel bar & in the dryer. Set of 2 tea/kitchen towels, $15
Available at coyuchi.com
Green Herbal Tea Kit
Green Herbal Tea Kit-This holistic tea set invites you to sip from an array of nine herbs and three varieties of eco-certified, organic green tea from Japan, India, and Sri Lanka. Steep the loose leaf teas and herbs in the included, reusable tea bags made from biodegradable corn silk. $40.00
These are a fun long-lasting way to show mom how much you love her! Pick some of her favorite family pictures and you will have the perfect decoration for the coffee table! She’ll love to show off this great gift to guests!
Is your mother a tea lover? No doubt she’ll be so impressed and excited to have her favorite drink with a personal loving touch from her favorite people!
Something yummy to say “thank you for everything you do”! Put a huge smile on mom’s face (and maybe some chocolate in her teeth) with this delicious chocolate bouquet!
Waking up to a fresh-made breakfast may be the best part of Mom’s day. Say thank you to your wife with this yummy baked oatmeal. A great dish for a perfect Mother’s Day brunch with the kids!
Unfortunately, it isn’t always the guy who is begging for forgiveness. We make mistakes too! If you think this screw-up needs a little more than “I’m sorry,” we want to help! We’ve picked some of our “For Him” favorites that will end this fight for good!
DIY BBQ Rub
We have a griller on our hands! If your man loves to barbecue, this is a totally creative way to apologize! He definitely won’t turn down the opportunity to throw a steak on the grill for a date-night dinner for two!
Nothing beats early morning smiles! Say “I’m sorry” with a mirror full of sweet messages written on sticky notes! Post them in the shape of a heart, and you have the perfect apology to start his day right!
This is a totally creative and tasty apology! He will love that you took the time to make him AND his taste buds happy! What part of a yummy treat doesn’t say “oops, my bad..you’re right” ?!
The tables are turned! Switch out the flowers for an awesome not-so-typical alcohol and cigar bouquet! This apology says “so sorry, today is all about you!”
It seems like everyone is on a health kick these days! It can be tough finding a gift for someone that might not be thrilled with a box of cupcakes.We have a solution! The person that says “no thanks” to cake and cookies would love a healthy gift with a personal touch! We’ve picked out some DIY gifts that are all about a healthy body and mind – Think fit, relaxed and YUM!
Women’s Fitness Basket
This Women’s Fitness basket is so cute! Perfect for the friend that’s all about the work-out life or someone trying to stick to a healthy living New Year’s resolution!
Love the homemade granola idea but have a friend who isn’t a honey-lover or is trying to keep it low-cal? This Chai Spiced Low Calorie Granola will totally hit the spot!
OR….if this person loves all granola at any place and anytime, make both recipes in mason jars and put them in a cute basket with some ribbon. Now, you have double the yummy-crunch!
Sore Muscle Soak Home Remedy
This is an awesome gift for the fitness-junkie in your life! It is totally easy to make and will make this person very grateful after a long day in the weight-room!
Mmmm who doesn’t love lavender? This DIY Lavender Soak is the key to a yogi’s happiness – nothing better than relaxation and aromas that will put you right to sleep!
Check out our Ridiculously Early Holiday Gift Guide for details and deals on all of the items featured on this morning’s ABC Detroit spot, 10-35% deals for the products listed and be sure to enter to #WINITALL. Yup, literally to win the Entire Gift Guide!
Bring out the pumpkins and take out your flannel.. Fall is definitely here! We’ve come up with some great gifts and DIY projects that will help you embrace the cooler temperatures ahead!
Custom Wood Slice
Turn a slice of wood into a homey welcome sign. Find it now on thegiftinsider.com via Scoutmob.
Cinnamon Candle Votives
Spice up a room (literally!!) with these candle votives covered in cinnamon sticks. All it takes is a little hot gluing! Yummy! // julieannart.com
Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Be the envy of your block this Halloween with ornate pumpkin designs. Such a fun activity for the fam to do together! //clipzine.me
Apple Cider Kit
Mmm.. it’s not fall without apple cider, right? This is perfect for a hostess gift or even a little something to bring to your neighbors! //williams-sonoma.com
Pumpkin Crudité Platter
It’s all about the presentation! Instantly make a veggie platter festive by putting the dip in a hollowed mini pumpkin, so creative!
Fall Leaves Bowl
Perfect home decor for Fall! Make this all purpose bowl yourself and leave it out for all of your friends to see! // blovelyevents.com
What’s your favorite thing about Fall? Let us know in the comments!!
Have a little one going back to school? Make sure your kids know just how special they are every single day of the year by making them an easy DIY Chalkboard Lunchbox.
Step 1: Purchase a cute tin lunchbox (we love these Fender finds from amazon)
Step 2: Get Chalkboard Paint and Sponge Brushes
Step 3: Cover the edges of the tin box with painters tape and begin to paint the top section with the chalkboard tape. 2 coasts works best. Let dry in between coats and then overnight.
Step 4: Write a sweet note each morning to your little one, change it depending on the day!
Step 5: Start adding in some healthy elements. Suprise them with a hidden banana note. Use a tack to write the note in the skin and by the time it’s lunchtime it will “magically” appear
Step 6: Add in some more healthy elements like the widely popular coconut water craze, Vita Coco, now has a line especially for kids and their back to school lunchboxes!
