Tag Archives: gifts

Shower Her with [Cool] Gifts

Summer is definitely the season for weddings, which can only mean it’s also the season for endless amounts of bridal showers. As you sit there looking at your watch, bored out of your mind and pretending to ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ at all the gifts the bride-to-be will open, why not play a little game with yourself? Judge all the other gifts being opened and be 100% confident that yours will be the best.

Let me make it clear — I am a huge supporter of purchasing gifts from the bride’s registry. Don’t believe me? Come on over and have your pick at the bizarre bird themed bread and butter plates, cheesy frames and pile of other unwanted non-registry presents people so generously purchased me for my own bridal showers. People, there is a registry for a reason!

With that being said, some of the best gifts I received were also not ones that we registered for…so I guess it’s a double edged sword. If you think you have good taste, have some fun with your gift, but if you’re clueless as to what the bride might want beyond her china and electric mixer, stick to the basics.

Now at the risk of ruining all my gift surprises for the bridal showers I’m attending this summer, I’ll take one for the team and let you in on my personal list of the only presents that make buying off the registry acceptable.

Customizable Hangers
Choose from several options including the names of the bride & groom and wedding date. The perfect way for her to hang her wedding gown for pictures!
$40.00 custom order on www.shopfirstdate.com


Personalized Map of Wedding Location
Whether she hangs it in their living room or somewhere more out of sight, she’ll love the personal touch that showcases her place of marriage.
$22.00 on www.etsy.com


Kate Spade “I Do” or “Mrs” Necklace
An understated way to commemorate her marriage. These necklaces are perfect for layering, but just as classy on their own!
$78.00 on www.katespade.com


Monogrammed Stationery
A girl can never have too many notecards in her desk drawer, plus she’ll be dying to send out cards from “both of us” once she’s hitched!
$48.00 for a set of 24 cards on www.etsy.com


Personalized Tote Bag
From the beach to a weekend overnight, this tote is a gift she’ll use for years! I love pairing these totes with tropical honeymoon essentials like a towel, make-up bag, flip flops, etc.
Starting at $19.95 on www.llbean.com


Sixpence
If your bride has to have her something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…you need to make sure she also has a sixpence for her shoe! This is a great gift to add-on to something more expensive.
$8.95 on www.silversixpence.com


Script Monogram Necklace
A trendy way for her to sport her soon-to-be monogram. Choose from an array of colors and pick her favorite. This necklace is a definite conversation starter and she’ll be the envy of all.
Starting at $75.00 on www.shopfirstdate.com

Posted by Alyssa

Valentine’s Day Gifts from the Heart. Literally.

 

I love jewelry, flowers and chocolate; the usual Valentine’s Day gifts. For me, these don’t get old year after year, in fact, I embrace the tradition.  But every now and again it’s good to mix things up; The Frisky.com recently published a slide-show of unique Valentine’s Day presents that give new meaning to the term “from the heart”.

Heart soaps from Etsy.com were my personal favorite. Imagine opening up a perfectly wrapped present, envisioning that new pair of earrings you’ve been pining over, and finding heart-shaped (meaning real hearts — like inside your chest) soaps instead. If that doesn’t say “I love you” — I don’t know what does!

Posted by Alyssa

Gift Ideas From the mm/c Santa

Since there are so many holiday gift guides out there, what’s one more?  We’ll keep it short and simple with our list of hand-picked gift ideas from the mm/c client portfolio.  There’s something for everyone.  In fact, we think this list could also double as our holiday wish list…hint hint ;)

Bling
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but black diamonds will make even Kate Middleton’s royal engagement ring jealous. Whether you like simple or extravagant, gemvara.com’s extensive selection of black diamond rings are a unique twist to a traditional holiday gift.


‘Tis the Season
Season up your holiday home cooking! As a stocking stuffer or host present, Mustapha’s Essential Spice Kit adds depth and flavor not only to your cuisine, but also to your spice rack. Fancy peppercorns are out, exotic flavors are in.


Certified Fun
Instead of buying your kids that expensive trampoline (that will go untouched for 6 months of the year) get them to Sky Zone. Sky Zone is the only “trampoline park” in Boston, and offers everything from one of a kind fitness classes to dodgeball to “open jump.” A gift certificate here sure beats a Barnes and Nobles card!

Noshes
A good house guest never arrives anywhere empty-handed, especially during the holiday season. This year, instead of baking up Christmas cookies or serving celery with cream cheese and olives, stock up on specialty cheeses, delicate olive oils and artisanal wines from BiNA alimentari. Whether you’re hosting or being hosted, BiNA’s can help you create a memorable experience.

Spread the Love
These watches by PeaceLove Studios are a gift that keeps on giving. Each Phillip Stein FRUITZ watch piece showcases original artwork from PeaceLove Studios’ community of artists, and is a unique gift that can be appreciated at any age.  The best part? For each watch sold PeaceLove will be able to share their Paint for Peace arts programs with 10 individuals who are suffering from mental illness, helping them achieve peace of mind.

Pamper
Can’t decide what to give your gal pals or the lady in your life this year?  We can do it for you—get her the “Ombre Duo” holiday package from SalonCapri. She’ll have the chance to liven up her locks with a “shaded “color application and blow dry, as well as a special manicure. It’s a gift that says “you deserve to be pampered!”

Custom Confections
Bad at baking? Impress your host with these delicious holiday cupcakes from Treat Cupcake Bar. Go in with your friends and family and ice-up your own custom cupcakes, or order up a dozen and leave the work to the pros! They even have vegan and gluten-free options, so these treats are sure to please any palate.

Get a Six Pack
While it might be hard to maintain your six-pack during the holiday season, it sure is easy to give one! The mild chocolatey-malt flavor in Narragansett’s Porter compliments the crisp air of the winter season perfectly. Don’t give your host a bottle of wine, drink and be merry with this retro brew instead!



Posted by:  The mm/c team

“OMG, Thanks…You Shouldn’t Have”

I can’t pinpoint when we became socially inept at gift giving, but during the financially-challenging holiday season that just passed, there’s been a deluge of tacky holiday offerings guaranteed to leave any recipient saying, “OMG, thanks…you shouldn’t have!” Has anyone seen the constant As Seen On TV commercials offering Snuggies and The Stealth S.S.A. (aka Secret Sound Amplifier)? Though courteous and typically on my best behavior, I think I would cry if anyone ever got me the Neckline Slimmer (which not for nothing resembles…well, you get it).

I polled some friends and officemates about the worst/most bizarre holiday gifts they’ve received over the years. Among the best worst gifts were*:

  • A “Nightmare Before Christmas” stuffed doll keychain from a long time boyfriend—and only that.  – Brian Garrett
  • An annual Ziplock bag of “Snowman Poop” (which is really a bag of marshmallows). – Len Snowens
  • The infant Jesus doll pictured above. – Malyssa Mugglioti Schmevens
  • Unwrapped anal beads from a schizophrenic family member. – Ophelia Glutton

While it’s true it’s the thought that counts, sometimes—as with the gifts listed above—it’s hard think anything other than keep your thoughts to yourself!  What are some of the gifts you’re having trouble rationalizing from last week?

*Names have been changed to protect identities of the victims and offenders.

Posted by Elizabeth

The Real Meaning of The 12 Days of Christmas

I’ve never wanted a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, or three French hens. In fact, I’ve never even wanted one French hen. I’ve certainly never wanted six geese a-laying or nine ladies dancing. However, I do have to admit…it would be a pleasant surprise to wake up to eleven pipers piping!

You might be asking why I’m writing about The 12 Days of Christmas on, well, Christmas? Even for the last-minute shopper, day-of is cutting it beyond close to start in on this hefty of a shopping list! Well, despite popular belief, The 12 Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day — not December 13. Yep, The 12 Days of Christmas has roots in medieval traditions and Christianity with the 12th day falling on January 5, the day before Christ’s manifestation in human form on January 6. Deep, huh? Regardless, today its history is less significant than as a symbol to so many of the season. A holiday favorite, everyone from John Denver and the Muppets to Janice Dickinson have made The 12 Days of Christmas their own.

Who knew the 12 Days could also serve as an economic indicator?  According to the PNC Christmas Price Index, which has been calculating the total cost of the gifts of the 12 Days since 1984 ($12,673), check out a quick breakdown of what one could expect to pay this year:

  • Partridge in a pear tree: $159.99 (down 27.3% from last year)
  • Two turtle doves: $55.98 a pair (up 1.8%)
  • Three French hens: $45 (up 50%)
  • Four calling birds: $599.96 (no change)
  • Five golden rings: $499.95 (up 42.9%)
  • Six geese a-laying: $150 (down 37.5%)
  • Seven swans a-swimming: $5,250 (down 6.3%)
  • Eight maid’s a-milking: $7.25 an hour, total of $58 (up 10.7%)
  • Nine ladies dancing: $5,473.07 (up 15%)
  • Ten lords a-leaping: $4,413.61 (no change)
  • Eleven pipers piping: $2,284.80 (no change)
  • Twelve drummers drumming: $2,475.20 (no change)

Added up, we’re talking a staggering $21,465 with tax and fees, representing a 1.8% increase from last year. Or enough to buy 103 pipers piping! Seriously, the good thing about the holiday season is that it’s a time to be thankful for everything and everyone you have in your life, so remember it truly is the thought—not the amount spent—that counts.  But if anyone has some pipers they want to get off their hands, you know where to find me!

Posted by Justin