December 21st was my 23rd birthday. My husband is in Iraq and I had to work that day. Not exactly the best birthday plans. I arrived at work at about 3 PM and started my usual daily routine of paperwork, counting down the safe and preparing the facility for …

I know that all generations have certain toys and games that cause a huge craze. In my experience, these fad toys are usually ridiculously expensive and over-priced for the quality. Such is the case with the Zhu Zhu Pets. This toy gained popularity in 2009 and was a huge …

Wal-Mart Gift Cards have become one of the latest fads for gift giving. In today’s world kids have become so picky that we hardly know what to get them. So giving a Wal-Mart Gift Card makes giving a gift easy. No more waiting in long lines to return a …

It is always sad to see Swarovski retire a gorgeous crystal figurine, especially when it is a piece that hasn’t even been on the market very long. That was the case with this little violet figurine. When I heard it was being retired, I made sure I got to …

The way I ended up getting this piece is an interesting story. I was in the Norman Rockwell Museum in Philadelphia, PA, because I had done a charcoal drawing for the president of the museum. It was a drawing of Norman Rockwell himself, and I went there to see …

This Christmas I was at a loss as to what I should get for my brother-in-law for Christmas. He is incredibly difficult to shop for and if there is something he wants, he usually just goes out and gets it.
He was the last person I had left on …

For my daughter’s two year old birthday, I got her a Nick Jr Deluxe Book Gift Set. It comes with 4 story books, a misic player (which looks like a cd player), 4 play cds that play songs along with the books, a movie projector, and 8 picture disks. …

With the change of season vastly approaching, the leaves turning burnt reds and orange, and the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, a Pumpkin Pie from Yankee Candle’s would be an ideal gift. Any home would instantly become welcomed and uplifting as the scent of this candles carries through …

I have a soft spot for all things mid-century, so when I spotted Kitschy Canapés: Finger Foods for the Swinger Set, I just had to have it! When you purchase the Kitschy Canapé’s gift set, you receive a 64 page recipe book, 6 retro inspired plastic fruit …

What a good candle this is for getting rid of icky, stale odors. This comes in its own little can, which means you can seal it up in between uses and take it wherever you like. It survived a whole house move that way!
I appreciate how cleanly …

I purchased this paperweight at a store called People’s Pottery at the King of Prussia Mall. It was a big, beautiful store that sold jewelry and handmade glass and metal art works made by artisans from the U.S.A. I used to work there, at the branch near my home. …

You can always tell when Easter is approaching. In the old days it might have been a result of increased activity in the churches, but nowadays it’s more likely to be the result of increased activity in the supermarkets! With this in mind, Tesco have brought out their “Easter …

I’ve been shopping a lot, lately, for children’s toys and those items that are not exactly toy level, but, more teaching level.
At Target, in Eureka, CA, I came upon a wonderful item that many of my friends have, actually, gone out to buy for their Christmas gifts, as well. …

I bought this cast paper wall sculpture at People’s Pottery in Willow Grove, PA, which closed down years ago. They carried all kinds of handmade metal sculptures as well as art glass, ceramics, and jewelry. I love all different kinds of tropical fish because of their bright colors and …

Put simply, this coin is magnificent. I love this coin because of the meaning it holds and how lovely the coin design is. Before I describe the coin, I must say this isn’t just for coin collectors but also for anyone who desires a unique piece of jewelry.
This was a …

I know that friends back home would be expecting some nice gifts when I return from Bangkok, Thailand.
So, the last evening of my stay in Bangkok, the City of Angels, I went around looking for some Thai gifts. There were so many nice and beautiful items, Thai traditional …

Kohl’s department stores make this really adorable looking Ceramic Holiday Candle (for Christmas) in the shape of a cupcake that can be purchased now on their website or at their department store site for three dollars. The original price was close to ten dollars, but since it is after …

Valentine’s day is a day reserved not just for lovers, but for people who do love or receive love from family and friends. However, if you happen to be in love during the month of February, and Valentine’s day approaches without you knowing what it is you’re going to …

My friend just gave me a Love the Earth 2011 CD Case Desk Calendar. I love nature and the environment so among all the gift calendars I have received throughout the years, this one is one of the few that stand out. Each Christmas and New Year, …

First of all, I want to guarantee you that I have no financial interest in this! This is not something I sell, I bought it! On ebay, there is a gift basket that is wonderful! I received mine, yesterday, buying it as a gift for a special person.
The gift …

I bought this crystal heart about ten years ago at Bloomingdale’s. They used to carry a vast and very impressive collection of giftware that included Limoges (porcelain boxes), Waterford, Halcyon Days Enamels, Swarovski, and Caithness Glass. I don’t believe they carry Limoges, Caithness, or Halcyon enamels anymore (at least …

I am very loyal with my parker pens but I also like pens that i found very useful to me as well as good looking. I really don’t know but I think i love to use good looking sleek or stylish type of pen, but this pen is stylish …

I believe this Swarovski cake figurine was a gift that my brother gave me, because I asked for it. But that was quite a few years ago, so I’m sure that it was less expensive than it is now. On the Swarovski website, it says that this piece costs …

I bought a copy of Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements shortly after he appeared as a guest on Oprah years ago. I remember this book as being one of the few new spiritual self help books to come out that didn’t strike me as absolute nonsense.
I first …

The art and jewelry gallery where I bought this has a special case that is marked “Under $100.” The case only contains perfume bottles, not jewelry or anything else. I think this peach perfume bottle was in that case for a while before I finally decided to buy it. …

A few days after Christmas is over with is a great time to buy decorations for the next year. My husband always likes to go shopping and come back with something interesting that we can’t wait to add to our Christmas decorations for the next year.
One of his …

For my uncle’s wedding i was a little short on gift ideas because i just didnt know what he would want from his nephew. I decided to get him Vip tickets to a popular nightclub in NYC, but on the subject of his bride i was very solidly stumped. …

The Strawberry Patch Hallmark shop in Strawberry Square Harrisburg is a great place to stop in at lunch break to select a last minute gift or card for that special occasion that may have slipped your mind. I often find myself stopping in and checking out their 99 cent …

I have always wanted to send a gift that doesn’t cost too much, but has a special meaning. I discovered InstaSong.com a while ago. For a price of $4.95, you can choose any of the occasion, whether it is for a birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion.
You can …

I bought this paperweight at a local gift shop called Ashley Avery Collectibles. I have had this piece for about ten years now, and I never knew what kind of flower this was or what the name of the paperweight was. Well, I am just now doing some interesting …

This is a wonderful gift idea, I should know I was gifted this along with another of Plant Theatres kits.
The kit contains 6 packets of different herb seeds (basil, parsley, thyme, chives, coriander, rocket), 6 starter growing pots from peat, 6 peat expandable peat blocks, 6 plant markers and …

It is just too cute for words! A double seater John Deer tractor for kids that is battery powered and has forward and reverse driving capabilities? Come on. Anyone with twins or two small children would love it! I think this is such a cool item …

The He knows your name Winnie the Pooh is a great gift for any kid. You can also find this toy by just doing an online search. When you squeeze his hand he sings a coupld of fun child songs. This is a really great gift for …

I received this stationery set as a gift. I’ve never been big into stationery but it does come in useful from time to time.
First of all I love the small 4 x 6 size, and really everything about the packaging. Everything about the way it’s designed makes a …

I often find that the quality of assorted boxed chocolates is all over the place, and doesn’t necessarily correlate to the price. In fact, if it’s up to me I prefer not to buy assortments at all. I’d rather pick out only what I like at a specialty shop. …

I am one of those type people who is always on the look out for a new and exciting product that will make an excellent gift for family, friends or business associates. igourmet has made an excellent product with their Specialty Meats Gift Tray. This beautiful Specialty Meats Gift …

Save fifteen percent off a purchase at K B Toystores. Five dollars off a single ticket at Sesame Place. Buy one meal and get the other free at McDonalds. See Walt Disney’s world on ice free when you purchase one other ticket. Order flowers online …

After having the commercial crammed down our throats through the television and listening to my seven year old beg for these for years, I invested in picking up a small, $5 kit from WalMart. After having them out of the package for just a few hours, I was …

Hey, it’s getting into Christmas time/ holiday season again, and you know what that means—¦(Other than the annoying companies who like to shlock their crappy products WAY too early in the season using the timeless tunes of carols.) No, I mean, this time of year is the season for …

Ever since the 911 tragedy, it seemks that many Americans fear saying what they think or feel because someone else might find it offensive and seek to hurt or harm them or their families. It is so sad that America has come to this. One of the …

Another holiday or occasion is coming up; most of us must have been pretty busy searching for the right gift or cards to send to our loved ones. Well, I’d say there is only one place to go for online or e-cards this valentine’s season and that would be …

I have been using Harney and Sons teas since 1996 when I had a small bakery. They have a very large collection from green to black and everything you can imagine in between. I have tasted many but my personal favorite are the greens. They have at …

I would assume that many people have been to or at least heard of Epcot. It is one of Disney’s parks that features various countries around the world. In Norway, guests can find adorable little troll dolls that make for perfect gifts for loved ones.
My sister had purchased one …

My birthday last year just came and went. Basically I spent my birthday at work like most of us. But what made it extra special was my then girlfriend’s (now my wife ;)) gift to me… Transformers Masterpiece Skywarp!
Out of the box:
I love how there’s no twist ties at …

One day while shopping in the small downtown of Oshawa I stumbled upon a small store named “The Gift House”. In this store it was like a wonderland of unique gift ideas and the Tea Forte: Kati Tea Brewing System caught my eye.
It was a basic idea for loose-tea …

I saw the ads. The Edible Arrangement are not just edible. They are beautiful and I was curious about it. But a friend who check it out as a possible holiday gift said that it is too pricey. So I was wondering if it is worth the price …

I am definitely one of those people who see a candle rack in the stores and have to stop to take in the scent of each one. There is just something so peaceful about lighting up a candle to fill the room with wonderful fragrances to add to my …

I think I bought this crystal figurine in a Hallmark shop in Cape May, NJ, several years ago. Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the company. I know that it is not a Swarovski piece, because I have many of their pieces, and this doesn’t look like their …

Birthstone Flower Anklet is a gift I bought for my mother for her birthday. It’s a very pretty anklet that fits nice around her ankle. You can choose which birthstone you want on the jewelry. It’s gold and in each flower on the anklet is a birthstone. In between …

Mother Goose Nesting Blocks by Sylvia Long is a special gift item for babies and toddlers mainly. There are lots of things inside this package that your child would love to see and learn. For instance, I tried it out no my niece, and she was so loving …