What Makes a Great Anniversary Gift?

Gift giving is about showing the people in your lives that you are paying attention. It's not about giving designer gifts or presents with huge price tags. When you give someone a gift, you want to show them that they are special and that they matter. Don't understand what I mean? Here's an example. My grandmother loved porcelain dolls. When porcelain dolls were very popular, financial times in this country were at an all time low. Things got better when she married my grandfather. He was wealthy and cared for her and their 5 kids. That is until the day he ran away with her "best friend". She was plunged into poverty. Her most prized possession, the doll he had given her-had to be sold.

Years later, I heard this story. For Mother's Day I decided to go buy her a porcelain doll. It wasn't the most expensive gift in the world, it wasn't the most original, but it held special meaning. When I gave it to her, she cried. She put it away because she didn't want it get damaged. She kept it in the box because she didn't want the color of the clothing to fade.

What would make an unforgettable anniversary gift for your parents? For your kids? For your in-laws? Their favorite wedding picture, family portrait, vacation spot or pet's picture turned into a canvas. Canvas on Demand is a great way to turn those memories into art. I have a portrait of my youngest daughter hanging in my living room. It is a quick process. You chose a photo, upload it into the site, choose the style you want and pay for your purchase. You can also choose to have the canvas framed or you can have a gallery wrap in varying sizes. The canvas is delivered by FedEx.

The only problem with this gift, is that everyone will expect one as a gift. When I told my mother about the canvas, she immediately asked me to send it to her! Oh well, you've been warned!

Gifts For The Person That Loves To Cook

My mother always complained that her uncle was impossible to shop for. She said he had everything. So every Christmas I remember her whining about how difficult it was to shop for him.

Let me give you a little background. My great uncle loved to cook. His life's dream is to open a restaurant. Unfortunately, his dream is unfulfilled. He loved to cook so much that he traveled many miles and paid expensive tolls to travel from Queens to the Bronx several times a week to cook in his church's soup kitchen. There he was the chef and he would relish the compliments of all that came to be satisfied from hunger with his creations. He was an inspiration to many. He still is now in California.

One Christmas before he moved, I bought him a real chef's hat and apron. I put it in these beautiful ceramic baking set that I filled with various cooking and baking utensils including a timer, a baking thermometer and baster. I bought a cook book that I thought he would enjoy and make a basket out of all the contents. When I gave it to him and he unwrapped the hat and apron, his eyes welled up. I wish I could have bought him the restaurant he always wanted, but I think the small gift I had given him had blessed him.

So there you have it, straight from my life. A gift for a that special someone that loves to cook.

Some other tips:
1. You can always add a gift certificate to a special cooking class at a neighborhood ShopRite (only $20.00) or other supermarket or institution.
2. You can add pots for their favorite type of food like a wok or an Electric Pressure Cooker ,
baking pans or Dessert Bowls and use that as the basket.
3. Cookbooks or a subscription to one of their favorite cooking magazines is something you can add.
4. Don't forget that some of those that like to cook also like their wines. So, why not? You may just get to enjoy the meal with that wine at a later date!

I've made it easy for you to purchase any of the suggestions by adding this Amazon widget! Just click on the box.
:)



Here's Another Gift Idea For People Who Love Great Food:
Get a $25.00 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate for $2.00 (With This Coupon Code)!

Gift Giving 101

Shopping has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I have a natural knack to find the sales and the bargains. I also have a talent for buying just the right gift. My fascination with people and my attention to detail come together beautifully in the art of gift giving.  I started this site to share it with those that get frustrated and discouraged.

In every post I will write about different people in my life and the different gifts that I have given them to try to give you some ideas. Think of it as tips to make your life just a little easier. It's here for you to use. I will put it in story form just to make it a little bit more interesting, just for you.

So don't fret, relax and have fun. Gift giving is meant to be a pleasant experience for both parties, not a chore. It doesn't have to cost a million dollars, it doesn't have to be imported. Creativity is a big PLUS!! Just let it come from your heart. Let it show that you paid attention to their interests, their personality, their essence.