It’s New York Fashion Week and I thought what better way than to celebrate with a gift list that is an homage to the ladies who have defined New York fashion over the years with their own kind of chic.
Category: Seasons
Back to School Deals
I’m a sucker for a deal. As a mom, there are a few shopping tent poles that hit me the hardest: Holiday (Christmas and Chanukah), summer shopping and back to school — the latter being probably the biggest in our house because it’s replacing pretty much everything: supplies, clothes, shoes and accessories. Because it’s such a huge shopping extravaganza I look for as many sales as I possibly can find, so I thought I would share the love and let you in on the deals I found. Hope some help you out, and note there are some time sensitivities noted — deals listed in order of expiration.
Labor Day Party Hostess Gift Ideas
Photo credit: © George Tsartsianidis | Dreamstime.com
Labor Day gatherings are always bitter sweet. They mark the end of those lazy days of summer and the beginning of getting “back to business.” Back to school, back to “regular” work hours, regular clothes and closed toe shoes–but also the promise of crisp fall afternoons, leaves changing color and (of course) Halloween is coming…
But, when going to a party, you know my POV on bringing something that messes with the menu (if not see this prior post) so for Labor Day you want to bring a gift that is thoughtful, possibly seasonal and in keeping with your host and your personality. Here are my ideas for consideration. Happy Labor Day and be safe!
Gifts for Back to School
My husbands favorite commercial is that Staples Back to school spot where the Dad is dancing in the aisle to the holiday tune “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” and the kids look miserable drudging behind him. Every year he waits for that commercial to begin airing again because it makes him laugh out loud and it does mean school is almost back in session and normalcy can return to our home. But even will I miss the lazy days of letting them sleep late (so I get to sleep a bit late too), a later routine so dinner isn’t at 5:30 which means, as a working mom, I get a shot at eating with my family and the promise of a sun-kissed weekend.
I don’t believe in buying comfort or joy, but I think it’s always nice to kick off back to school with a thematic gift that the kids can use during the year. Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, that Staples commercial is at the bottom of all my picks… enjoy 🙂
Gifts For Moms & Grandmas
July 4th Lobster Bake: Three Generations
From left to right back row: my grandmother, mom, aunt
Front row: my son (2) and daughter (4.5)
I am behind the camera
My mother’s birthday is at the end of August–sometimes falling right in the middle of Labour Day weekend (if you want further proof of this, see my earlier post on her Summertime Tea Party). What’s really interesting, or at least it was for me, is when you see your mother in action as not just “mom” but as “grandma”… particularly if this is to your children, and in my case since I was my mothers’ only child this was the only way that was going to happen. Putting on my gift-giving hat, this is a very cool challenge because I get to think about different kinds of gifts for her from my children and work with them on the selecting and assembling.
Gifts for Golfers
Golf runs in my family. Perhaps you have a strain of that DNA too? My grandfather, uncle, cousins…not me but my kids are taking lessons this summer. If you know and love anyone who plays golf, and not just plays but LOVES golf you know this is a sport meant to be taken very seriously. As one golfer I know has told me many times: “go to the driving range, that’s where amateurs belong.” ‘Nuf said. These are gifts to buy your golfer that are “safe” when you don’t know WTF you are doing.
Hostess Gift Ideas: Summer Getaways
Summers and getaways go hand and hand, don’t they? And what better way to enjoy summer weekends than with friends and family…even better, when it’s not at your house. When you’re lucky enough to get an invite for an overnight or a weekend (score!) it’s important to be gracious and show your host the same hospitality they have extended to you, especially when it includes your brood.
A Summertime Tea Party: Favor Ideas and More
I love having parties and gatherings celebrating special moments and it’s so fun when activities can be fun take-aways along with thematic party favors. Last summer I threw my mother a 65th birthday party. I wanted it to feel intimate and draw on themes that felt special to her so, of course, I looked to her likes and interests for inspiration. She loves tea, she’s an artist, a little quirky (in a good way) and her birthday usually falls right before Labor Day–the last official weekend of summer. I had the start of something good, I thought…now I just had to pull these pieces together and create a memorable event for my mom and our guests.Hostess Gifts: Spring and Summer Parties
There are so many different kinds of occasions to bring hostess gifts. In keeping with the season, I thought it would be fun to get into the different summer-time fun ideas that I know I have (or would like to plan for) on my calendar these next few months.
The Gifting Whisperer 