Jorbins.com: Gifts And Giving

(Article) - One Huge List of Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: From Romantic, to Clever, to Outrageous

Jorbins.com — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:59:34 GMT

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Giving gifts to your honey, sweety, your cherished life partner, or your special lover is all a part of this celebration of love. Which begs the question...

What should I give or do for the most special person in my life to express my deepest love I have for him or her?

In all honesty, I wanted to come up with a rather large list of creative and romantic ideas. There are so many possibilities for gifts and ways you can give them I didn't know where to start. So I came up with a better idea...

Instead of me writing an article offering romantic gift ideas for Valentine's Day, I thought I would do something a little bit different. What I am going to do is have you and our many readers participate together to make a huge list of ideas. Click here to view the list. Our goal is to hit at least 200!

If you would take just a few seconds and offer your own ideas to the list in our comment section below I would appreciate it. Your ideas will help those who need an inspirational spark for a great idea. That is the whole idea of doing this. Getting together to help one another out.

Ideas can be for a man or a woman, husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. They can be romantic, clever, funny, typical, outrageous, etc. All are welcome (as long as you keep it...ahem...clean).

Even if you don't have any ideas. That's ok. Maybe you could tell what kind of gift you would like to receive. What is your idea of a romantic gift or the perfect gift for you? How about sharing a special memory of what someone has done for you in the past or a cherished gift you received. You can even share your Valentine's Day plans for this year if you want. All I ask is that you please participate and help make this list as big as we can make it!

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Valentine's Day

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(Article) - Romantic Picnic Ideas

Jorbins.com — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:27:43 GMT

Who says you need a holiday to add some romance to your life?

Here are some ideas for a picnic. You probably know the drill... food, candles, champagne, beautiful setting. But, how about adding a little twist or element of surprise?

The Fast Food Picnic

Set up a table in your favorite fast food place. Ask the other person to do the ordering. While they are in line, put a table cloth on the table, get out your best dishes and drink glasses, place some paper cut-out hearts or sprinkle rose petal around, and light some candles. It's a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy eachother's company and let everyone around you know how special your person is!

The Living Room Picnic

With a bit of imagination, you'd be amazed how romantic your living room can become. Little touches can add up to a whole lot of atmosphere. Make it into a fantasy world. Pretend you are in the jungle, or on the beach, or up in the mountains... and do whatever you can to make it feel like that. Use candles to make a campfire and roast marshmallows over them. Put glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling and turn out the lights. Listen to mood setting music. Put your feet in tubs of water and go "skinny dipping". Just make sure enough furniture is moved out of the way so you have the space for a tablecloth or blanket. Great for a private party for two!

The Scavenger Hunt Picnic

For this picnic, all you start out with is flowers and candles. You visit the homes of friends and ask if they can give you a small item for your picnic. You might ask for a couple of plastic plates, a piece of fruit, a chuck of cheese, or a few slices of bread, etc. You never know what you might end up with. It makes for an interesting event shared with several people... and ending with an adventure with your loved one!

The Treasure Chest Picnic

This picnic takes a bit of planning beforehand. Before you go on this picnic, you should make or buy a small "treasure chest" and fill it with mementoes of special times together, or reasons why you love them, or some of their favorite treats. You then take the chest to a beach and bury it, clearly marking it in some way so you don't forget where it is. When it's time, you take your loved one there and set the picnic up in an inviting way (including putting candles around the place where you have hidden the chest in the sand). After the meal you tell them about the chest, and ask them to find it somewhere within the candles (another symbol of how they light your fire). By the time they are done reading what you have written or looking through the memories, they will know just how much you treasure them and might be ready for some fire!

As you can see... picnics can be can be a great source of fun & love, without spending a fortune. You can make it as romantic as you desire.

The candlelady's store is temporarily under construction. But visit the candlelady soon.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Valentine's Day

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(Article) - Angel Gift Basket

Jorbins.com — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Angel gift baskets are pretty and can be enjoyed all year round actually. If you are making the gift baskets for Christmas gift giving you can use any central theme. Santas, candy canes, snowmen, whatever you like, I just prefer to use angels in mine.

I do have friends that collect snowmen and for them I do use the snowmen theme. If you are giving a gift basket to a friend that has a themed collection you can do that as well.

You can find candles with almost any design and should be able to include one of those easily.

I usually include an angel Christmas tree ornament as well as anything else that I see that I like that has to do with angels. You will find figurines, plaques, dolls, pictures, teacups, and stationary.

I like to bake sugar cookies so I add a dozen or so angel sugar cookies to my baskets.

As you are doing your Christmas shopping be on the lookout for items for making gift baskets. I like to hit the clearance items after Christmas for next years baskets as well!

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Christmas

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(Article) - Bath Gift Basket

Jorbins.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bath gift baskets, think of them as a pampering gift basket. When I give these to friends I want them to think they are getting a little bit of relaxation along with it.

You can always find great bath products but this is especially true around the Christmas holidays. This makes it super easy to make bath gift baskets.

I personally like to focus on one scent and build from there. I love to go shop of bath items to fill my baskets, there is so much stuff out their to put in a pampering gift basket.

Some of the items I put in my bath gift baskets are candles, bubble bath, soap, lotion, hand cream, foot cream, bath oil, loofahs, back brushes, the list is endless for what you can add to them.

I sometimes add a puzzle book or a good paperback to them. You could even add a gourmet chocolate bar or some fancy hot chocolate to the mix.

I have one friend that I add a coupon that says good for one night of babysitting. Her girls spend the night with me and she can enjoy an afternoon of pampering and then her and her husband can enjoy a night out together.

Have fun with our bath gift basket ideas, and who knows, you may just find some bath products out there you will want for yourself. Everyone deserves a little pampering!

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Christmas

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(Article) - Cookie Gift Basket

Jorbins.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A cookie gift basket, who wouldn't love to get one!! This is one of my favorite gift baskets to give. If you are going for strictly gourmet cookies you can shop around and find some and fill your basket with them. They are not hard to find you can find them in grocery stores as well as many gift stores.

Add some gourmet coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with them to give it a little variety and you are set.

If your cookie lover is also a baker you can find a great cookie recipe book, spatulas, an apron, oven mits, cookie cutters, to add to the mix. I would use a nice mixing bowl as the "basket", and the utensils add a little height to it to make it look pretty.

My favorite cookie gift baskets use cookie jars as the "basket". If you have a lot of gift baskets to give or make this can really help out. You can individualize your gifts by picking a cookie jar for each person that is suitable. Then fill them all with cookies.

I like to bake my own to fill them up, I try to find a few unique cookie recipes that my friends have probably never had before as well and include the recipes in the gift basket.

This is an especially great gift basket idea for families. Not only can the whole family get together to bake the cookies, but if the gift is for a family the whole family can enjoy them.

A simple cookie gift basket would be to bake some cookies from a cookie jar recipe to include, then add a couple of jars of the cookie ingredients. That way then can enjoy some now and some later.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Gourmet

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(Article) - Chocolate Gift Baskets

Jorbins.com — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Do you have a special someone that loves chocolate? Why not send them a gourmet chocolate gift basket!! You can even make your own gift basket up if you like. Here are some chocolate ideas on how to make your own gourmet basket.

First off find a pretty basket, bowl, vase, or candy dish. Depending on the container you decide to use you can fill it with a number of chocolate items.

You can even go shop for the items you want to put in your basket first and then find the right sized basket if that would make it easier.

Something to keep in mind is whether you will be shipping your gift basket or delivering it personally. You don't want your chocolate items to melt!!

If you are using a candy dish or vase as your basket you can fill it with individual chocolates that you can either make or buy at a candy store.

If you are making a gift basket for someone who likes to bake you can use a mixing bowl for your basket and add baking chocolate and a few utensils to the "basket".

Some other fun things to add are chocolate roses, chocolate coffee, gourmet chocolate bars, a bottle of dessert wine, hot cocoa, home-made chocolate cookies, strawberries, a coffee mug, a candles, a great paperback, a puzzle book, and if you included wine - a wine glass.

Depending on how well you know the person you can personalize it even more with a new pair of slippers and theme your gift basket to a cozy night at home with some chocolate and a good book. Either put in coffee, wine, or hot chocolate with a mug or wine glass, a paperback or puzzle book, a candle or two, the slippers, and then an assortment of chocolate goodies.

If your chocolate lover enjoys baking find a chocolate cook book, some baking chocolate, some cooking utensils, a pair of oven mits, even an apron if you like.

If your chocolate lover is a child, you can put in chocolate candy, hot cocoa, cookies, and either a toy or book. You can use a basket as a container or a sand pail even.

The possibilities for gourmet chocolate gift baskets are endless, just give a little thought to the recipient and let your imagination go.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Gourmet

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(Article) - Candle Gift Basket

Jorbins.com — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I love to give gift baskets all year round, but especially during the Christmas holidays. Candle gift baskets are a favorite of mine this time of year because they are easily made and look and smell wonderful.

Candle gift baskets can be made unique quite easily. Almost everywhere you go around the holiday season you can find candles in holiday colors and smells. I like to start my gift baskets off with one focal candle. I try to find one that is very decorative. For Christmas that can mean santas, angels, candy canes, snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees, and numerous others. I then pick out one scent and find various candles (different sizes) to fill in the basket.

Some of my favorite scents for this holiday season are pine, cranberry, gingerbread, cinnamon, and sugar cookies. There are many more out there that are related to Christmas but you can use any scent you want.

To make my candles sit better in the basket I pack inexpensive bows around them. They stabilize the candles as well as add to the eye appeal of the gift basket. I often buy a bunch of bows when they go on clearance for the next years gift baskets.

I often put some candy canes in with them. They come in so many flavors and colors now that I can almost always find some to match each candle gift basket that I am making.

Some other items I have added to my candle gift baskets are snuffers, doilies, and votive candle holders.

On a few occasions I have combined candles, a bottle of wine, and a couple of wine glasses.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to candle gift baskets, just look around while you are doing your other Christmas shopping and get inspired by what you see.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Christmas

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(Article) - Cookie Cutter Soap Recipe

Jorbins.com — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ingredients

Melt & Pour Soap Base (clear or white)
Fragrance
Colorant
A Cookie sheet or plate
Cookie Cutters

Directions

Melt soap base (enough to fill cookie cutters.

Add desired amount of fragrance and coloring.( You may want to divide the soap base and make more than one fragrance and color.)

Pour a thin layer onto the cookie sheet or plate and place cookie cutters on this.

Allow to harden.

Then pour enough soap into cookie cutter to fill it.

Let this harden.

Twist the cookie cutter a little to loosen it.

Push the soap out of the cookie cutter. Trim the edges of the soap, if needed.

These make great gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, all occasions. You can wrap them in saran wrap and tie a ribbon around them, or place in small plastic bags and tie the top of the bag with a pretty bow or raffia. Put several soaps together in a basket with basket filler and make a gift basket to give to someone special.

Enjoy!!!!

Lilli Davis

A Lilli Creation
Beautiful handmade baskets, gift baskets, childrens gifts, and handcrafted soaps and beauty products. You will also find some craft ideas here as well.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Any Occasion

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(Article) - Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

Jorbins.com — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Our favorite is the last idea and it will cost less than a dollar and take less than an hour.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

1. A photo album put together with a picture of special times you (they) shared together. (It does not have to be extravagant) You (they) can then look at it together and reminisce about the past year, or past 50 years. May also consider a gift of a camera with auto date and some photo albums for future pictures as well.

2. Plan a get together with friends and family. Again it doesn't have to be fancy. Just everyone together under the same roof celebrating your (their) anniversary. This may take some planning and you will probably want everyone involved in it. Your spouse (or the couple) may want to invite people you have not thought of.

3. A surprise trip to somewhere that was special for the two of you (them) or to somewhere your spouse (they) has (have) always wanted to go.

4. Season tickets to a play, opera, ball game, or anywhere else your spouse (they) would enjoy. It might even be more special if your spouse has an interest you are not extremely fond of but are willing to go with them for their enjoyment.

5. Sign up for a class together. Learn a new craft or even take some dancing lessons. It will be a time to focus on yourselves.

6. Send a special letter. Jorbins.com has wrote a couple of aniversary letters one for you to use free of charge. It is a letter from cupid. Just find you own pretty paper and copy it off. We like Lucinda Calligraphy for a font in size 18. The first letter is for a spouse the second is for a special couple. Enjoy.

Dear _____,

I have been sitting here sharpening my arrows thinking back to all the people my arrows have reached.

One that comes to mind is your husband/wife ____. When my arrow struck his/her heart it was already filled with love for you.

The love _____ feels for you is so real it is sometimes hard for him/her to let you know how much he/she loves you. But I can assure you ____ is very much in love with you and that will never change.

As you celebrate your (1st, 8th, 50th, etc.) anniversary know you are cherished and loved. And that will continue to be the case, year after year.

Sincerely,

Cupid

Letter 2:

Dear _________,

I have been sitting here sharpening my arrows and thinking back to all the special couples my arrows have struck.

Your names are foremost in my thoughts today, partly because you are celebrating your anniversary, but mainly because I seem to have made an especially good match in you two. Your love and respect for each other shows as you go about your days.

Together you have touched the lives of many and for that they are truly blessed. Someone that comes to mind is _______. How fortunate it is to have friends/parents/etc. like you to count on.

May you have many years together and may they all be blessed with good fortune.

Sincerely,

Cupid

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Wedding Or Anniversary

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(Article) - A Pretty and Yummy Gift

Jorbins.com — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In a quart jar layer these ingredients.

1/2 cup of cocoa
2/3 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1 cup and 1 Tablespoon of flour
fill to the top with walnuts put on lid

On a recipe card list the above instructions.

In a large bowl add contents of jar, 3 eggs, 2/3 cup of oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Bake 350 in 9x9 pan for 30-35 minutes.

Attach card to jar and decorate with a bow.

My friend Kat made me one.

Thanks Kat!!!

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Any Occasion

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(Article) - Cat Lover Gifts and Ideas

Jorbins.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Got a cat lover on your gift giving list? The list of cat lover gifts that you can give is endless.

If your cat lover has their own cat then they would probably love some pictures of it and themselves together. Why not take some and make a picture collage for your cat gift. Cat owners often take pictures of their cat but unless someone else takes the pictures they may not have many of them and their pet together. This is a cat gift they can really enjoy.

Take a picture of their cat and have it put on a welcome mat, coffee cup, or a t-shirt. If they don't have their own cat you can find these with pictures of other cat's as well to use as gifts.

Greeting cards often have beautiful cat pictures, many times you can even find sayings like friends are forever on the front as well. You can get an inexpensive frame and put the cat picture in it. Not only will it go with the cat decor but your cat gift will have the meaning of friendship behind it.

If your cat lover is a cat owner you could make up a cat gift basket for the owner and a small one for the cat as well. Put in a few treats and toys. Both will enjoy the cat gifts.

There are many cat books both educational and inspirational, browse your local bookstore and you will be surprised at the variety of cat books you will find.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Ideas | Animal Lover Gifts And Ideas

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(Article) - Christmas Cookie Gift Basket

Jorbins.com — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Making up platters of candy and cookies for friends and family at Christmas time is a common practice. My family takes it a step further and gives out Christmas cookie gift baskets.

We have a great time getting together and making them as a family. Not only do we have fun together but we get to try out new recipes sometimes.

The focal point of our Christmas cookie gift baskets is always decorated sugar cookies and we make these together. We have so much fun cutting them out and decorating them. We are all always looking out for fun new cookie cutters or ways to decorate them. All the kids get involved in the decorating too!! In our family we have one recipe that we especially like to use and since it has to be chilled we each make up a double batch at home to bring with us.

Each family brings several dozen cookies already made to put in the gift baskets. Depending on how many gift baskets you are going to do this can be a lot sometimes. But it is easier to make 20 - 30 dozen cookies from the same recipes than from several recipes. Each of us usually has our "specialty" cookie that we bring, but sometimes we will find a new recipe and change it up a bit.

Your Christmas cookie gift baskets don't have to be extremely large, most of the people you give them to will also be doing holiday baking so you don't need to fill them to the brim with cookies. My family usually gives them to neighbors and friends as a thinking of you gift. So it is the thought, not the quantity that counts!! Plus by doing it this way you can have a few of each different kind of cookie so that makes them special.

We use inexpensive baskets and decorate them with ribbon. We wrap them with Christmas colored cellophane to keep them fresh and top it off with a bow. If for some reason we will not be able to deliver a basket right away we will put the cookies in ziploc bags until we can deliver them. You want to make sure your cookies stay fresh.

Then when we are all done we each take our own cookie gift baskets and deliver them to our neighbors and friends. They enjoy them and we have had a great day with our own family making the gift baskets.

Filed In: Gifts and Giving | Gift Baskets | Christmas

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