That Perfect Something

10 last minute Mother's Day Gifts under $50 from Anthropologie

2009-05-08T13:25:00.016-04:00

Earlier this week I did some last minute Mother's Day gift shopping at one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. Anthropologie is a great place to shop because it's eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, kitchen and household items, and furniture. Anthropologie stores are located all over the U.S. If you haven't had time to pick out something for your Mother, I suggest checking out Anthropologie's selection of great gifts. Here are a ten of my favorites, all under $50.

1. Lemon Initial Necklace made out of 14k gold plated brass, $38

2. Florid and Faceted Earrings constructed with metal, amazonite, glass, resin, $28

3. Initial Pocket Mirror, $14

4. Tocca Solid Perfumes comes in three fragrances - Cleopatra, Florence, Stella, $30

5. Apia Frame made out of mango wood, $40

6. The Illustrated Kitchen Bible 1000 family recipes from around the world, $35

7. Shimmering Garden Journal crafted out of soft leather, $18
8. Voluspa Candle Tin has an 80 hour burn, five fragrances - Santiago Huckleberry, Baltic Amber, Capri Fig Frangipani, Champaca Bloom, Goji Berry, $18

9. Ivory Vines Canister constructed out of porcelain, $20

10. Provence Perfume Bottle made out of crystal glass, $38

Mother's Day Giveaway - Winner Announcement

2009-05-05T10:58:00.003-04:00

It was heartwarming to read about the wonderful ways each of you honored your Mother.

We are pleased to announce that the randomly generated winners of our Mother's Day Giveaway are:

1. Coin Purse - ali and josh holt

Ali and Josh Holt said...
The best gift I ever gave my mother for Mothers Day was a surprise Pedicure date for the two of us! Nothing better than spending time with your mommy and relaxing while you are at it! :) Im all signed up for the newsletter!

2. Stacking Rings - SarCraw

SarCraw said...
I've given my mom lots of random things for Mother's Day, but I think the best thing to her was a card I made her my first year of college, 300 miles away from home. I thanked her for everything she'd done for me, and she cried when she read it.

3. Vintage Apron - Thespa

Thespa said...
The best gift I ever gave my mom was a grandbaby for mother's day. She cried. Incidentally it was my best mothers day present too. LOL. Thanks for the great Mother's Day gift ideas!
April 28, 2009 4:01 PM

I'll be contacting each winner via email. Please look out for an email from info(at)thatperfectsomething (dot)com. If for some reason a winner does not get back to me in 72hrs, I'll randomly pick another winner for that particular prize. Congratulations all! I hope you enjoy these great gifts.

Mother's Day Giveaway - Now Closed

2009-05-04T23:59:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

The Mother's Day Giveaway is now CLOSED. It was great to read about all the wonderful gifts you've given to your Mothers. As stated previously the winner will be selected randomly. I'll post the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow morning (Tues, May 5th).

Six hours until end of Mother's Day Giveaway - Enter Now!

2009-05-04T20:16:00.000-04:00

You still have tons of time to enter our first ever Mother's Day Giveaway. We are giving away three great prizes!

How the Giveaway works

1. The Mother's Day Giveaway runs until Monday, May 4th 11:59PM EST.
2. The Giveaway is open only to entrants with U.S. and Canadian addresses.
3. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog sharing with me the best gift you've given someone for Mother's Day and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
4. Three winners will be randomly selected and will be awarded prizes in the order listed (First mini frame purse, second stacking rings, and third vintage apron).5. Winners will be announced on this blog on Tuesday, May 5th.

Six hours until end of Mother's Day Giveaway- Enter Now!

2009-05-04T18:23:00.000-04:00

You still have tons of time to enter our first ever Mother's Day Giveaway. We are giving away three great prizes!

How the Giveaway works

1. The Mother's Day Giveaway runs until Monday, May 4th 11:59PM EST.
2. The Giveaway is open only to entrants with U.S. and Canadian addresses.
3. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog sharing with me the best gift you've given someone for Mother's Day and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
4. Three winners will be randomly selected and will be awarded prizes in the order listed (First mini frame purse, second stacking rings, and third vintage apron).
5. Winners will be announced on this blog on Tuesday, May 5th.

What's in your Gift Closet?

2009-05-01T22:52:00.000-04:00

It’s 6PM on a Saturday night and you suddenly remember that your best friend’s birthday party is in two hours. You panic because you realize you forgot to purchase a gift. You debate whether to run out and pick something up or whether to go to the party empty handed. You opt to go empty handed because you know you won't have enough time to get dressed and shop for a gift. If you are someone who hates to show up to an event without a gift but often find yourself showing up empty handed because you forgot to or didn't have enough time to purchase a gift; a gift closet is the perfect solution for you. What is a gift closet? A gift closet is a term I use to describe an area in your home where you store common gifts and gifting supplies for upcoming gifting occasions. Your gift closet doesn't have to be an actual closet. It can be a shelf, a drawer, or a storage box or bin.

How do you stock a gift closet? Ideally, your gift closet should contain gifts in the following four categories: 1. home and entertaining 2. personal use and enjoyment 3. office 4. children and teens. I recommend purchasing five to ten items for your gift closet. I do not recommend purchasing all these items at once. It is a good practice to create a list of possible gift items for your gift closet and take this list with you when you shop for other items. This will enable you to quickly scan a store for items to purchase for your gift closet. To get you started, I've compiled a list of gift ideas, gifting supplies, and stores where you can purchase gifts. Keep in mind that you don't have to spend a lot of money on these gifts, I've never spent more than $25 for the items in my gift closet. Sale areas in certain stores can be goldmines for your gift closet. You'll be sure to come across a lot of great, inexpensive gifts. One concern that may arise is that the gifts in your gift closet are too generic and not thoughtful enough. You can remedy this concern by writing a thoughtful note on an accompanying blank card. So the next time you go shopping get started on your gift closet so you'll never be in a situation where you show up empty handed.

Gift ideas for your Gift Closet

Gifts for the home/entertaining

Candles

Picture Frame

Votive Holders

A Throw

Planter

Vase

Reed Diffuser
Book Ends
Glass/Ceramic/Wooden Bowl

BBQ Tool Set

Cocktail Glass set
Serving Dish
Wine Stoppers

Gifts for Personal Use & Enjoyment
Journal

Bath/Body Set

Tote Bag

Recipe Book

Cosmetic Purse

Photo Album
Address Book

Jewelry/Watch box

Travel Kit
Money clip

Gifts for the Office
Stationary Set

Paperweight

Business card holder
Pen/Pencil set

Gifts for Children
Wooden Blocks

Stuffed Animal

Coloring Books

Story& Activity Books

Rattle
Baby Blanket

Gifts for Teens
Costume Jewelry

iTunes gift card
Sporting Apparel (hats or t-shirts with state/local college team logo)
Gift certificate for movie tickets

Tools and Accessories (all can be purchased at your local dollar store)

Scissors

Tape

Ribbons/Bows

Gift Bags

Wrapping paper (non gender or event specific)

Tissue Paper

Blank Note Cards

Stores where I've purchased gifts for my Gift Closet

TJ Maxx

Target

Local dollar store

Barnes & Nobles

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bath and Body Works

Victoria's Secret

Local Flea Market

Crate & Barrel

CB2

West Elm

Pier 1 Imports

The Container Store

Marshalls

Earth Day Giveaway - Winner Announcement

2009-04-29T10:37:00.000-04:00

A huge thanks to everyone who entered our Earth Day Giveaway. We really appreciate your participation.

We are pleased to announce that the randomly generated winner of our Earth Day Giveaway is Noreen!

noreen said...
using totes, recycling, growing own veggies from seed, and using reusable water bottlessigned up, nor_lou at hotmail.com
April 27, 2009 9:59 PM

Noreen, I'll be contacting you via email. Please look out for an email from info(at)thatperfectsomething (dot) com. If for some reason Noreen does not get back to me in 72hrs, I'll randomly pick another winner. Congratulations Noreen! I hope you enjoy the gift set.

We've also just announced our Mother's Day Giveaway. Please enter to win one of three great prizes!

Earth Day Giveaway- NOW CLOSED

2009-04-29T02:59:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

The Earthday Giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much for sharing how you are working to become more ecofriendly. As stated previously the winner will be selected randomly. I'll post the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow morning (Wed, April 29th).

@ecky - I've been thinking of switching to mama pads myself. Like you said it's time to just do it.

@carapace - wow it certainly sounds like a huge undertaking to build a home from scavenged materials, but must also be really exciting and will be very rewarding when completed.

@Thespa - I love that you are making green fabric shopping bags.

@oona & @nikki - composting is a really wonderful idea, definitely something worth looking into.

Five Hostess Gifts for Cinco de Mayo Parties

2009-04-28T17:44:00.000-04:00

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away and I'm sure many of you received invitations to Cinco de Mayo parties this weekend. Why not show your appreciation to your host/hostess for opening their home to you with a small gift. Nowadays you don't have to spend a lot of money on host/hostess gifts. I've discovered that you can find great gifts at stores like Target, Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, and Sur La Table for $25 or less. Here are five gifts under $25 from some of my favorite stores.

1. The Ultimate Grilling Rub Collection $24

(image from Williams-Sonoma)

This spice rub set includes Adam's Steak Rub (for red meat), Chili-Lime Rub, Potlatch Seasoning Rub (for seafood and salmon, and the Memphis Rib Rub(great for beef and pork).

2. Three-Part Server $9.95

(image from Crate and Barrel)

You can never have too many serving dishes and this server is the perfect size for dips and fruit.

3. Electric Wine Bottle Opener $19.99

(image from Target)

The electric wine bottle opener is ergonomically designed and rechargeable. Any wine-loving host will appreciate this gift.

4. Foodie Fight Trivia Game $18.95

(image from Sur La Table)

This trivia game has over 1000 questions and is sure to be a huge hit at any gathering.

5. Any type of Dessert - Crumbs Bake Shop 6 pk Cupcakes $21.70

(image from Crumbs Bake Shop)

Who doesn't like dessert? Your host and fellow guests will all be thanking you for this gift. Visit your local Bake shop and pick up a pack of cookies or cupcakes as a gift for your host.

Mother's Day Giveaway

2009-04-27T22:22:00.000-04:00

Fourteen more days until Mother's Day, have you found the perfect gift yet? If not be sure to check out our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide. We've highlighted a nice variety of gifts that are priced right!

In honor of Mother's Day we are excited to offer our first ever Mother's Day Giveaway. We are pleased to be giving away THREE items from our Mother's Day Gift Guide.

Giveaway Items

1. Mini Frame Purse

(image from Oktak's Etsy Shop)

2. Cherished Mother Stacking Rings (Size 7)

(image from Red Envelope)

3. Vintage Style Apron

(image from spicerak design)

How the Giveaway works

1. The Mother's Day Giveaway runs until Monday, May 4th 11:59PM EST.
2. The Giveaway is open only to entrants with U.S. and Canadian addresses.
3. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog sharing with me the best gift you've given someone for Mother's Day and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
4. Three winners will be randomly selected and will be awarded prizes in the order listed (First mini frame purse, second stacking rings, and third vintage apron).
5. Winners will be announced on this blog on Tuesday, May 5th.

One day left until end of Earthday Giveaway - Enter now!

2009-04-27T13:39:00.001-04:00

Our Earthday Giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 28th 11:59PM EST. We are giving away an Intro to Green gift set. The gift set contains a reusable travel mug, a fluorescent light bulb, the "Green Book", an Envirosax reusable tote, a bamboo cutting board, natural liquid hand soap, and a bamboo box.

To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog telling me what you are doing or planning to do to become more eco-conscious and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here. (3) One winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog on Wednesday, April 29th.

Intuit's Small Business Grant Contest

2009-04-23T10:27:00.000-04:00

I recently learned of Intuit's Small Business Grant Contest and decided to throw my hat in the ring. Entrants share a short story of a real situation and a short tip other businesses could use. I've captioned my story - "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." In my story I talk about finally taking the leap of faith to launch my business only to find that it wasn't as successful as I dreamed it would be. Initially I perceived this lack of success as a failure, but then realized that I wasn't a failure I just needed to take a step back to regroup and refocus. I'm now committed to taking smaller steps to reach my end goal. I think it's a great lesson for everyone.

If you would like to read about my struggles in launching That Perfect Something please go to
http://community.intuit.com/contests/aE87eSl7ur3QVhacfA8pyY, and if you find my story inspiring, please don't hesitate to show me some love by rating my story.

Earth Day Giveaway

2009-04-22T09:56:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day folks! I hope each of you is taking a moment today to reflect on what you can do to ensure that our planet remains healthy for future generations. We can all make a few small changes in our daily lives that will help to sustain our planet's resources. Some of the small changes I've made over the past year include switching to recycled paper products, using "green" household cleaning products (my favorite brand is Seventh Generation), using reusable shopping bags when I go shopping, and I also use a stainless steel water bottle (my pink kleen kanteen bottle is always at my side). Now that I've shared how I'm becoming more eco-conscious, tell me what you are doing or are planning to do to become more eco-conscious and you might win this Intro to Green gift set. The gift set contains a reusable travel mug, a fluorescent light bulb, the "Green Book", an Envirosax reusable tote, a bamboo cutting board, natural liquid hand soap, and a bamboo box.

(image from The Green Perspective)

How the Giveaway works:

1. The Earth Day giveaway runs until Tuesday, April 28th 11:59PM EST.
2. To enter you must (1) leave a comment on this blog telling me what you are doing or planning to do to become more eco-conscious and (2) sign up for news and updates from That Perfect Something here.
3. One winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog on Wednesday, April 29th.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please stay tuned for our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Giveaway. Three great items are up for grabs. If you are still looking for an inexpensive Mother's Day Gift check out our Mothers Day Gift Guide. If you can't find exactly what you are looking for in our Guide take a look at our Gift Consulting Service.

Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide

2009-04-22T02:43:00.000-04:00

Please enjoy our Ten under $50 Mother's Day Gift Guide. We spent some time scouring the web for great gifts at bargain prices. We hope you find the perfect Mother's Day gift in our guide. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for news about our Mother's Day giveaway.

(image from everydaygrace)

You create the coupons for this fully customized 15 page coupon book. It's a great way to create a truly personalized gift. Purchase at Everydaygrace's Etsy store for only $16.50.

(image from Colonel Littleton )

This rustic bracelet can be engraved with three initials or one's full name. It's a wonderful gift for a Mom who prefers understated, casual jewelry. Purchase for $27.75.

(image from spicerak design)

I love this vintage style apron from spicerakdesigns. The apron is made of 100% cotton and is nostalgically priced at $25. This cheery apron is sure to make cooking fun again.

(image from the green perspective)

Looking for a gift for the eco-conscious Mom? The "Green your Office" set is the perfect gift. The set contains a bamboo box, a "Greening Your Office" book, a mini kleen kanteen, a bamboo pen, and recycled stationary. Purchase the set for $40.

(image from Barnes and Nobles)

The Mother's Legacy journal provides a unique opportunity for a Mom to record her life story to share later with her children. Purchase for $12.99.

(image from Oktak's Etsy Shop)

Tired of seeing your Mom dig in her handbag for change? This adorable, bright yellow mini frame purse makes the perfect coin purse. Purchase at Oktak's Etsy shop for $22.

(image from Red Envelope)

Tell your Mother how much she means to you with the Cherished Mother Stacking Rings . These sterling silver rings can be purchased from Red Envelope for $39.95.

(image from Thomas Claire)

Dress up your Mom's dresser with this Embroidery Jewelry Tray. The tray is made from hand rolled clay and you can personalize the tray with Mom's initial. Choose from periwinkle, blush pink, and cloud white. Purchase for $43.

(image from Fortnum and Mason)

Foodie Moms will be in heaven with the Fortnum and Mason Taste of Spring hamper. The hamper is packed with goodies like tea, sugar crystals, and jelly. Purchase the hamper for $40.

(image from Kaponga)

The Nuts Cream Perfume is a cream-based perfume formulation of sweet almond oil and beeswax. The perfume is alcohol free and comes in yummy scents like mango, lavender, and ylang ylang. Purchase for $19.95.

Office Group Gifting, Yay or Nay?

2009-04-19T10:37:00.000-04:00

I recently read the Washington Post's Ask Amy Column in which a reader asks whether the office should contribute to a collection being taken up for the loss of their boss's wife. The reader is hesitant to contribute because the boss treats the co-workers unprofessionally. Amy replies that despite the office's misgivings of their boss, some expression of sympathy is warranted. She also notes that a donation or remembrance gift is thoughtful but not necessary.

This post got me thinking about the number of group office gifts I've been asked to contribute to over the years. Having worked in an large office for a number of years, some good natured person is always collecting money for a gift for a coworker's birthday, engagement, wedding, new baby, etc. I generally think office group gifting are nice gestures and can foster office camaraderie, but the reality is that these collections can add up over a year and the choice to contribute is often complicated by numerous issues.

The following issues are usually considered when deciding whether to contribute to an office gift pool:

1. It might win points with the gift recipient, especially if the recipient is your boss
2. Even though you don't want to participate, you think it's the polite course of action, and you don't want to be the only person who doesn't contribute monetarily
3. You barely know the gift recipient
4. You may not get along with the gift recipient
5. You just don't have the funds to contribute
6. You hate group gifts and think they are tacky

My general approach to office gifting is that I give only when I know the gift recipient well and I only give what I can afford. At the end of the day I don't think anyone should feel obligated to contribute to the office gift pool. However, if you do feel inclined to give something, remember you can always give an individual gift or simply buy a nice card for the recipient that expresses only your sentiments.

If you want to purchase a gift for a coworker or boss, we can help you find a unique gift that fits within your budget with our Gift Consulting service. Now $10 off.

Mother's Day Special at That Perfect Something

2009-04-17T11:48:00.000-04:00

That Perfect Something is excited to announce a special Mother's Day Offer. From now until May 10th, receive $10 off all Gift Consulting Requests. You'll pay only $9.99 to receive two to three creative and customized gift ideas. Don't hesitate send in your Gift Consulting Request today!

The Importance of Little Gifts

2008-08-23T08:29:00.000-04:00

I recently came across an article in the Lebanon Daily News discussing the sudden appearance of gift wrapped presents in a neighborhood in Spring Garden Township. According to the article, the police believe that the gifts were left behind by a group of people who are trying to start a neighborhood association. Some of the gifts included a bungee cord, pencils, children's clay, a plastic dog bone, a paint brush, and beer. One neighborhood resident commented, "I think that we have forgot about little gifts and how important little gifts are." I love this story because it shows how small meaningful gifts were used to create goodwill in the neighborhood. I'm sure these small thoughtful gifts were very appreciated by the residents. These days when buying gifts we tend to purchase the biggest, shiniest, most expensive, newest, or trendiest gift. We seem to have forgotten that small gifts can give a recipient just as much or more joy. A few years ago I received a notepad and pen set from a friend. It wasn't the largest gift or probably the most expensive, but it was one of the most thoughtful gifts I've received. Primarily because my friend purchased the set in pink, one of my favorite colors, and had the notecards engraved with my name. My face lit up when I opened the gift. My friend took the time to add little touches to the gift she knew I would appreciate. And I did. The next time you have to purchase a gift take a moment to think about the small things you could do or purchase that will really mean alot to the recipient. Think about the recipient's favorite color. Is there a favorite item the recipient lost that you could replace? Can you provide assistance or a service that would make the recipient's life easier? Remember you don't always have to spend a lot of money on a gift. The most appreciated gifts are usually the small thoughtful ones. What small gift have you received that meant more to you than the larger more expensive gifts you've received?

My visit to the New York International Gift Fair

2008-08-20T14:06:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I attended the New York International Gift Fair. This is my first year attending the fair so I really didn't know what to expect. I have to say I was blown away by the variety of products. I'm in the midst of planning the launch of an online retail store, so I wanted to get an idea of what's out there to determine what types of items my store will stock. I saw some great products and I'm looking forward to getting my store up and running. One note of advice to first time attendees - wear comfortable shoes. I wore flats which were comfortable for the first 30 minutes, but, by the end of the day my feet were SCREAMING. I also probably shouldn't have tried to see everything in one day. Next year I'll spread my visit over two days. All in all it was a cool experience and I'm excited for next year's gift fair. Here are a few items that stood out to me.

BloemBox

(courtesy of bloembox)

My eyes were immediately drawn to the Bloembox booth. The gorgeous packaging holds a really great gift idea for the flower loving apartment dweller. Each box contains a pot with saucer and a bulb. You can purchase a set of 6 for $222 at www.bloembox.com.

Music Cooks by Menus and Music

(courtesy of Music and Menu)

MusicCooks is the perfect gift for food and music lovers. Each box contains 16 washable recipe cards that feature food photos, cook's tips, and shopping lists. The box also contains a CD compiled with songs that complement the theme of the box. For example, the Pleasures of the Caribbean box contains recipes for Caribbean dishes and cocktails and the enclosed CD contains reggae and calypso songs. Purchase it at Menus and Music for $22.

Transport by Setgogear

(courtesy of trendhunter magazine)

The transport is a really cool gift for the urban guy. This lightweight non bulky alternative to the messenger bag has two front pockets that can be used for a cellphone, ipod, or blackberry. And, there is also a zip pocket that is perfect for storing money. The back has a large zip up that can be used to store magazines. Purchase it at Setgo for $80.00.

Wedding Party Gift Ideas and Wedding Favor Gift Ideas - New Wedding Solutions Service

2008-08-08T19:39:00.000-04:00

As I'm preparing to attend my third wedding this year, I thought it would be a good time to introduce the new Wedding Solutions service offered by That Perfect Something. We'll help you find unique and creative gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and wedding guests. Now you can stress about one less thing while planning for your wedding. Try our Wedding Party Gift Consulting service or our Wedding Favor Gift Consulting service today.

More wedding gifts for couples who have everything

2008-07-29T22:08:00.000-04:00

My last post talked about wedding gifts for couples who have everything. Today, I was reminded of another great wedding gift idea by a post on Wedding Bee. Miss Cookie suggested that a charitable donation in the couple's name is great alternative to purchasing a gift from the couple's registry. I couldn't agree more. A charitable donation is a great gift for a couple who is socially conscious or a couple who supports a specific charity. Charitable donation gifts are meaningful and memorable.

Wedding Gifts for couples who have everything?

2008-07-26T10:31:00.000-04:00

I recently saw an article in NYMag's the Cut announcing the upcoming nuptials of Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler. A quote by Simon Doonan really stood out to me. Asked about the details of the wedding, Doonan replied, ".....[N]o gifts,”.... “We have enough tchotchkes at home for one lifetime.” Doonan's statement reflects the state of many nearly wed couples these days. Many couples already have established homes stocked with small appliances, linens, towels, glassware, and pots and pans; and really don't need the items they've selected for their wedding gift registries. Take me for example, I'm in my early thirties and I already have a Cuisinart Griddler, Kitchenaid mixer and mini food processor, Oster toaster and blender, T-Fal pots, and Ralph Lauren towel sets. Seriously, I don't need anything else. I'm pretty set. So what do you get the couple who has everything? Do you go ahead and purchase the blender from their registry, even though you know they already have two state of the art blenders, one that's still in the box? Many of my friends don't even visit the wedding registry. They prefer to give a monetary gift in a nice card. However, I find that some people think monetary gifts are tacky. I disagree. I believe a monetary gift is perfect for newlyweds. We all know how expensive weddings are. A monetary gift could help defray the costs of putting on the shindig for family and friends. Yes, I know it's not your job to help pay for the cost of the wedding. But, wouldn't you rather give a gift you know the couple will actually use, instead of pushing in the back of a closet and forgetting about it until it's time to move to a new house? If the thought of giving a monetary gift still makes you feel a little icky, another great idea is to give a group gift. Get together with a couple of friends you have in common with the couple and purchase a big ticket item you know the couple really needs. A third cool gift idea is to purchase a gift that reflects or encourages the couples hobbies or interests. For example, if you know the bride and groom are sports fans, purchase tickets to a sporting event. This type of gift will most definitely be appreciated and remembered.

Now that I've given you a few gift ideas for couples who have everything, it's your turn to tell me how you feel about registries and what types of gifts you would give to couples who have everything. Please Click Here to share your thoughts.

Need creative and customized gift ideas?

Try our Gift Consulting Service.

Looking for personal shopping assistance when you go gift shopping?

Schedule an appointment with a Gift Shopping Companion.

Too busy to shop for gifts?

Our Gift Concierge Service will purchase, wrap, and mail your gifts.

New Gift Consulting service for bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts and wedding favors

2008-07-02T08:16:00.000-04:00

Are you too overwhelmed with other wedding planning details to search for gifts for your wedding party or your wedding guests? Don't spend your precious time racking your brain looking for gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and wedding guests! That Perfect Something's new Wedding Solutions Gift Consulting service can help. We'll find gift ideas for you so you can use your time for other aspects of your wedding. Email us today for more information.

Help your man get spiffy at Spiff a new NYC grooming salon for men

2008-06-18T16:58:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for the perfect summer birthday gift for a guy in your life who needs some spiffing up, look no further. Today, the New York Times' Critical Shopper highlighted a cool new grooming salon for men in NYC called Spiff. Spiff offers a long list of services for men, including haircuts, hair color, shaves, shoe shine, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. You can purchase a gift certificate in any denomination or get a gift certificate for a specific service. Spiff also offers a 6 month membership plan for $425 and a 12 month membership plan for $750. The membership includes unlimited haircut/style, unlimited manicures, unlimited shoeshine, 10% off any additional services and any retail product. Spiff is located at 750 Third Avenue at 46th Street.

Need creative and customized gift ideas?

Try our Gift Consulting Service.

Looking for personal shopping assistance when you go gift shopping?

Schedule an appointment with a Gift Shopping Companion.

Too busy to shop for gifts?

Our Gift Concierge Service will purchase, wrap, and mail your gifts.

Gift cards as Teacher appreciation gifts

2008-06-17T23:11:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I came across a post in Real Simple's Simply Stated Blog where the author discusses trying to find appropriate Teacher appreciation gifts. She didn't have the time make a personal handmade gift but wondered if giving a gift certificate/gift card is too impersonal. A number of teachers responded to the post and said they love to receive gift cards and did not find them impersonal. Generally, I don't think gift cards are impersonal. In fact, they are great gifts for people who you don't know very well. But, I also think that there are little things you can do to add a more personal touch to gift cards. You can include a handwritten note to the recipient. You can also include some inexpensive related gifts with the gift card. For example, say you are planning to give someone a gift card to a bookstore. In addition to the gift card you could also include a bookmark, a book by the recipient's favorite author, and maybe some tea bags or a bag of coffee beans. Another way to make a gift card more personal is to purchase a gift card that encourages the recipient's hobby. You can read a post I wrote on this subject here. If you are still struggling with giving a gift certificate/gift card as a gift to your child's teacher, I think a great alternative is to give a subscription to a monthly book club. There are also other great monthly club options, including a bouquet of the month and tea of the month clubs. What are some of the gifts you've given to your child's teacher?

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Birthday gift for Top Chef fan, food lover, or burgeoning chef

2008-06-16T16:00:00.000-04:00

I'm a huge fan of the TV show Top Chef and I wish I could cook like the contestants who appear on the show. So, you can imagine my excitement when I learned through a post in Apartment Therapy's the Kitchn that the Culinary Institute of America is offering cooking classes with former Top Chef contestants. How cool is that? The CIA is offering 3hr classes with a number of former Top Chef contestants including Sam Talbot, Dale Talde, Tre Wilcox, Stephanie Izard, Marcel Vigeron, Casey Thompson, Dale Levitski, and Jennifer Biesty. Your Top Chef instructor will prepare a signature dish, two other recipes, and a cocktail. This great opportunity costs $195. It's the perfect summer birthday gift for a burgeoning chef, food lover, or Top Chef fan.