Neighborhood Gifts Ideas

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know I love a good neighbor gift!  I look forward each year to coming up with something fun and unique to give our neighbors and close friends.  Since the current year's gift is always a surprise, I share the past year's gift here in hopes you will be inspired to come up with a special gift of your own for your close friends. 

This past year, I decided to make Honey Orange Syrup as our gift. 

I found this fantastic recipe which could be made ahead (always a priority for me since I like to make these up over a weekend and deliver them throughout the following week as time permits).  After I nailed down my recipe, I got busy coming up with a custom label.  I created the labels on my computer and then took them to a print shop to have them printed on card stock paper. 

When you create an unusual recipe as a gift, it's important to give you recipient some ideas on how they can use your gift.  Also, I love recipes that can be used in multiple ways.  It makes the gift more meaningful.  

Once you've decided on the perfect recipe and gift tag, you need to think about how to present the gift in a fun way.  I loved these bottles I found with the cork tops and ordered them early to ensure I would have enough for all the gifts.  

I then ordered the fun twine and used it for a simple way to attach the gift tags.

Now, if only I had my gift for this year worked out.  It's time to start brainstorming! M.

 PS:  If you're curious about the gifts I've given over the past few years, click on this link to see the details Neighborhood Gift Ideas. 

Gifts for Girls

Now it's the girl's turn for some gift ideas.  Full disclosure here, many of these items are on my personal Christmas "wish list." That must be why the girl's list is so much easier for me to pull together!   

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(click on the corresponding number for the source)

Ways to Get the Look

Here are two similar looks, but the pricing on these are very different.  Can you tell which is the more expensive (as in $1,000.00 more)?

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In the first image, they have used a basic subway tile and simply laid it out in the a herringbone pattern to get the look.  In the second image, those tiles have each been hand cut on a perfect angle to match up with the adjoining tile to create a chevron pattern.  So, image number two is the more expensive due to the additional labor required of the tile work.  

I think as the chevron pattern becomes more popular, we will begin to see ready made parallelogram shaped tiles (my son would be so proud I worked in "parallelogram") in the real stone/marble tiles. 

Here are just a few more to consider in some lovely rooms. 

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Have a wonderful day! M.

Gifts for Guys

It's that time of year again!  The Christmas music has already started on a couple of radio stations here in Birmingham.  I know, I know.   Hard to believe.  I love it, but it also makes me anxious.
There really are only a few short weeks to go.  Is it just me or do you also find it harder to come up with fabulous gifts for men?  Well not this year!  I decided to start with the most challenging gift list to kick off the season.

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(click on the corresponding number for the source)

I'll be following up with other gift lists in the next few weeks.  If you will make a few purchases along the way this season, you will not feel as stressed out; and the holidays will be much more enjoyable! M.