Browsing Tag

gift ideas

Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets

Hospital Care Package Ideas for Your BFFL

November 13, 2012
It's Time! Mommy's Maternity Essentials Bag

A-DOG-able Sick As a Dog ArrangementWhenever you need a helping hand or just someone to share a good laugh with, your best friend always comes to your rescue. So when your BFFL finds herself in the hospital, it’s time to give her some extra lovin’ in return for all those times she’s stood by you. Whether your friend is recovering from surgery or having a bouncing new baby, the hospital isn’t exactly the snuggest place to stay. So as her trusty sidekick, you can help her feel more at home by putting together a thoughtful care package. Here are some hospital care package ideas that will get your friend back on her feet in no time!

Ease the Road to Recovery

Staying in a hospital because of surgery or illness means spending a lot of time alone in a dull environment. Lucky for your amiga, you know how to make her smile in any situation, and this is no exception. Bring the comforts of home to her hospital room and help her painlessly pass the time with these fun, practical gifts:

Care & Comfort Get Well Essentials Bag for Her

  • BFFLBags Care & Comfort Get Well Essentials Bag for Her (there’s one for him too!)
  • Cozy pajamas, robe and slippers
  • Soft, comfy blanket and pillow cases
  • Lip balm and body lotion (dry hospital air can leave your friend’s skin feeling parched)
  • Antibacterial gel
  • MP3 player with headphones
  • Portable DVD player and movies
  • Novels and magazines (or they can borrow your e-reader/tablet)
  • Puzzle books and brain games
  • Snacks (treat your friend to all the munchies she desires with the Friend on the Mend Doctor’s House Call Kit … if it’s allowed by doctors, of course)
  • Flowers, picture frames and cheerful decorations

Pamper the New Mommy

With so many pictures being snapped of the proud new mama and her bundle of joy, having a baby is an exciting time for your friend … but sometimes the hospital stay can be anything but glamorous. Who better than you to lift her spirits with a fun makeover? Help her get ready for those close-ups and keep her feeling refreshed with these revitalizing indulgences:

Has your BFFL ever had to make a trip to the hospital? How did you make her feel comfortable while she recuperated?

Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets, Uncategorized

Most Popular Baby Shower Trends of 2012: Part 2

October 24, 2012
Pink & Blue Twin Newborn Gift Basket

Welcome back to the baby bonanza! Last week, we covered two of the top five baby shower themes of 2012. The fun continues with three more trendy ideas, plus tips on how guests can get involved with fun games and cute baby gifts.

Personalized New Baby Girl Welcome WagonBring-a-Book Showers
When I was a kid, I used to carry a stack of books (which was often taller than me) everywhere I went … and I mean everywhere. My passion for reading stemmed from the simple fact that there were so many books lying around the house, waiting for their pages to be turned. Bookworms like me who want to start a miniature library for their new babies have given birth to this baby shower trend. When a guest attends a bring-a-book shower, they bring a copy of their favorite children’s book in addition to other essential baby gifts. They can even write a personal message on the inside cover to transform the book into a timeless keepsake. A bedtime story is the perfect addition to baby gift baskets or larger gift arrangements, like the Personalized New Baby Girl Welcome Wagon or the Newborn Girl Comfy Baby Gift Basket. By the end of the day, baby will have a collection worthy of a young scholar.

Sweet New Baby Boy Gourmet Cookie TinMini-Foods/Brunch Showers
Personally, stocking up on appetizers is my favorite part of every occasion. Their small size makes it fun and easy to sample a variety of foods. Combine that with my favorite meal, brunch, and you have the perfect baby shower menu! This year, lots of future moms celebrated with baby-sized finger foods (sliders, mini sandwiches, pies and cakes on sticks, tiny French toast squares, doughnut holes, and mini muffins, for example) rather than larger entrees. Serving your guests small, individually wrapped desserts—like the rich buttercream-frosted cookies in this Sweet New Baby Boy or Girl Cookie Tin—will definitely stir up some excitement at your baby shower. When it comes to baby shower fare, tiny is in!

Personalized Baby Boy Little Slugger Gift BasketMan Showers/Daddy Diaper Parties
Who says guys can’t have their own baby showers? While the women are ooh-ing and ahh-ing over cutesy gifts, the men are out for one last late-night hoorah with their buddies before the real sleepless nights begin. Eating barbecued favorites like burgers and wings, watching sports, playing poker and drinking from beer-filled baby bottles are all popular ways for the boys to celebrate. Plus, there’s no need for guests to go gaga looking for baby gifts: All they have to bring is diapers! The Deluxe Baby-Cakes Boy Essentials diaper tower is a great gift option. Bath towels and baby boy gift baskets are also easy and functional gifts for man showers. The Personalized Baby Boy Little Slugger Gift Basket has everything daddy needs to get his future all-star ready for bath time.

There you have it: the top 2012 baby shower trends. Which one is your favorite? If you’ve recently thrown, or been invited to, a baby shower with a unique theme, tell us about it! What was it, and how did guests get in on the action?

chocolate covered strawberries, Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets

Most Popular Baby Shower Trends of 2012: Part 1

October 17, 2012
Baby Balloon & Candy Pail

Baby’s on the way! Time to pick a clever baby shower theme before you pop. Too many options? We’ll narrow down the choices for you. Here are two of the top five baby shower trends for 2012, plus tips on how guests can get involved with fun games and cute baby gifts.

Fannie May Baby Blue Chocolate StrawberriesGender Reveal Showers
Today, many soon-to-be parents are sharing the excitement of finding out their baby’s sex by throwing gender reveal showers. The baby’s sex is kept secret till the day of the shower, when a cake that’s filled with either pink or blue frosting is served. When mom and dad cut the cake, the color of the frosting tells them whether they’re having a girl or boy! Although I’m not becoming a mom anytime soon, my parents and siblings are convinced that my first baby will be a girl, so I already know this idea would be a hit with my family: Before the gender reveal cake is cut, lay out a large platter of pink and blue Fannie May chocolate-covered strawberries. Tell your guests to pick a berry based on what they think the baby’s gender is. Count how many of each color are left to see which one got the most votes!

My Little Night Owl 5-Piece Baby Gift BasketOwl-Themed Showers
My boyfriend and I are full-on obsessed with owls (we’ve filled each other’s homes with owl-shaped mugs, candles, key caps, mouse pads … you name it), so I have an especially soft spot for this trend. New mommies who want to throw gender-neutral showers are using owls as their main source of inspiration for everything from invitations to desserts. Whether you’re welcoming a baby boy or girl into the world, you can add an enchanting touch to your baby shower with woodsy decorations like old-fashioned bird houses, mason jars and spray-painted tree branches. Guests also have plenty of adorable baby gifts to choose from, like the “My Little Night Owl” 5-Piece Baby Gift Basket, to celebrate the coming of your little owlet! (Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take some mental notes for my own future shower. …)

Tune back in next week for the final three most popular baby trends of 2012! Until then, we want to hear from you. If you were having a baby, when would you want to find out its gender: as soon as your doctor could determine the sex, during your baby shower, or right after delivery?

Gift Baskets, Thank You Gifts

The Top 5 People You Should Say “Thank You” To

October 3, 2012
Thank You Parisian Terrace Fruit Gift Basket

Thank You Parisian Terrace Fruit Gift BasketWelcome back, gift basket fans!

After taking a short break, the Designer’s Corner Blog is back in action! Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Stella, the new blogger, and I’m so excited to be bringing you fun, creative party and gift ideas each week!

One of the first things everyone learns about me is that I’m obsessed with finding the perfect gift to make someone smile ear-to-ear. When I’m celebrating a special occasion, I can never walk into a store, pick a random item on a shelf and throw it in a gift bag. I spend hours, even days, searching for presents that are personal, meaningful and practical. In other words, I want my gifts to speak to someone’s heart—and to be cherished long after they’re given. Now, I’d like to share my gift-giving mania with you! I have tons of gift ideas for you, so let’s get started.

National Gratitude Day might be over, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of appreciation can’t live on! There are so many people who brighten up our lives each day in both small and big ways, and there are even more thank-you gift options that show them how thankful we are to know them. I personally love thank-you gift baskets because you can fill them with tons of personalized items. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the top five people we should all thank on a daily basis, plus some great thank-you gift ideas for each!

Best of Junior's 4-Flavor Cheesecake SamplerMom
My mom, who looks like my identical curly-haired twin, has been my best friend since the moment I was born. She’s the first person I go to when I need advice or a good laugh, and “me-time” is not a word in her vocabulary: She always puts family first.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: If your mom never stops giving, spoil her with the Best of Junior’s 4-Flavor Cheesecake Sampler.

 

Complete Wine Tasting Party Kit Gift BoxBest Friend
My life wouldn’t be the same without my weekly dates with my best chicas. These girls don’t hesitate to lend me their ears whenever I have something juicy to say, and there is never a blah moment when we join forces.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Gather all your gal pals and treat them to a night of tasty drinks and gut-busting laughs. This Complete Wine Tasting Party Kit Gift Box will do the trick.

 

Fannie May Decadent Chocolate StrawberriesSpouse/Significant Other
Whether he’s sending me handwritten “I love you” notes in the mail or traveling two hours to surprise me at work during lunchtime, my boyfriend pulls out all the stops when it comes to showing me how much he cares.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Show your sweetheart just how sweet they are by surprising them with a box of Fannie May Decadent Chocolate Strawberries.

 

Wonderful You Thank You Gourmet Fruit Gift BasketNeighbor
I’m lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where everyone looks out for one another. My neighbors go above and beyond lending the occasional cup of sugar: I know I can always trust them to keep a watchful eye on my home while I’m away.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Return your neighbor’s considerate gestures by leaving a Wonderful You Thank You Gourmet Fruit Gift Basket at their doorstep.

 

Big Thank You Caramel Apple With CandiesTeacher
I might not be in school anymore, but it’s because of the lessons I learned from my English teachers that I’m here writing this blog! My instructors were never short on encouragement and inspiration.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Forget the boring red apple and drop this Big Thank You Caramel Apple With Candies on your favorite teach’s desk.

Now it’s time for me to get to know you! Who are you grateful to have in your life, and how would you thank them?

cupcakes, Father's Day, Feedback, Fruit Club, Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Party!, Summer Time Gift

Celebrating Summer Fun Picnic Ideas

June 14, 2012
meat and cheese gift basket picnic

Welcome back readers,

Father’s Day weekend is here, and I spent the last few weeks drumming up gifts for Father’s Day, so I hope you have yours picked out by now! If not, you can always check back on our posts for some great ideas here, here, and here. Don’t forget the comments section for some really great ideas for Dad! For now I’ll announce our weekly winners and we’ll move on to one of my favorite topics: picnics! Congratulations to Pamela Hansen (June 8, 2012 at 8:23 am), Stacey Ellis (June 8, 2012 at 10:23 am), Jean C (June 8, 2012 at 10:28 am), Melissa (June 14, 2012 at 10:39 am), and Tiffany (June 14, 2012 at 3:24 pm)! Please send your shipping information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your Crabtree & Evelyn® Nomad Traveler for Men.

meat and cheese gift basket picnicMy love of picnics is no secret, especially on here when we always have so many amazing gourmet gift baskets and food gifts to use for fun summer outings. Summer is in full force right now and I can’t imagine not wanting to enjoy the great outdoors, even if it’s just your local park or backyard and a basket of food. These days of nice weather will only be here for so long, and I’m dedicated to making the most of them. We’ve already talked about essentials to bring on your next picnic and a few fun dishes, but our sister brand Celebrations.com has so many delicious recipes for quick and easy finger foods as well as downright decadent desserts that I need to share with all of you!

Picnics should be about easy fun on the go. There’s no need to get super complicated with the meals you prepare or how much stuff you need to bring. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make them fun or seasonal. Which is why I’m currently obsessed with Celebration.com’s finger sandwiches collection. 

You better believe that the Mini Grilled Cheese sandwiches will be a key player at all my summertime functions. Asiago, Parmesan, Fontina, Provolone, arugula, and truffle oil! I am in culinary heaven right now. I just bought a new bottle of truffle oil that I’ve been cooking everything in lately, so this is definitely my favorite sandwich of the set. Their Avocado and Tomato Finger Sandwiches are a close runner-up, because I have a lifetime commitment to all things avocado. It’s so simple, fresh, and you’ll never feel any guilt with eating your fair share of these delicate treats!

Check out more of their Tea Time and Finger Sandwich recipes here, and don’t miss out on their Top 10 Picnic Food Ideas here! 

For a cute and creative dessert that I am definitely trying out this weekend, are Celebration’s Blueberry Cupcakes in a Jar. It looks decadent but also incredibly easy to make. I have a feeling I’ll be trying out all of their Cupcake Ideas here.

meat and cheese gift basket picnicGoing back to the simplicity of picnics, you can always find something you love with our collection of gourmet gift baskets. Every gift basket is packed with gourmet foods, sides, and fun treats inside for you to try out. And all items complement each other perfectly. Everything is there waiting for you to pick it up and go! Since it’s summertime, I’m leaning towards some fresh orchard fruit and cheese gift baskets, or flavorful and hearty meat and cheese gift baskets, and of course some very tasty wine gift baskets. Take any of these out for a gourmet getaway one afternoon:

In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) tell me which of these gifts you would pick for your picnic and things you would pair with them! FIVE  lucky and random winners will receive the Lucca & Sons™ Deluxe Meat & Cheese Box!

Have a safe and happy Father’s Day weekend!

Customer Appreciation, Father's Day, Feedback, Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Summer Time Gift

Father’s Day Gifts Guide

May 31, 2012
classic bbq gift set for dad

Welcome back readers!

You all had a lot of great Father’s Day gift suggestions and I will definitely be stealing a few! We’ve got some fun stuff ahead so let’s get to it.Congratulations to Patricia Sauber (May 24, 2012 at 4:47 pm), Mike (May 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm), Roxanne (May 26, 2012 at 3:37 pm), Josh (May 31, 2012 at 8:57 am), and Terry (May 31, 2012 at 8:57 am)! Please send your information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your Stubbs BBQ gift set!

Have you picked out the perfect gift for dad yet? June is only a skip away. Dads tend to be a lot harder to shop for sometimes. I can never tell if I’m getting a gift that will be well used or one that will end up collecting dust. I’m positive though, that you can never go wrong with a tasty food gift. We just got some new and delicious Father’s Day gifts in and I thought it would be a great idea to showcase them with a little gift guide quiz I’m sure most of you are familiar with. It’s time to play Guess That Dad!

When you’re done taking our little Father’s Day Gift Quiz, tell me in the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) which answer you got and come up with your own gift idea that would fit! FIVE lucky and random commenters will win the Father’s Day Handyman’s Snack Gift Toolbox!

Enjoy! 

 

Q: What is the one object your Dad can’t live without?

A) The grill, definitely.
B) His golf set
C) Toolbox
D) A deck of cards

Q: What is Dad’s favorite show to watch?

A) Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
B) Sports Center
C) Holmes on Homes
D) Any game show, he’s tuned in.

Q: What’s the one thing you learned from Dad?

A) To try new things
B) To have a great deal of patience
C) To be self-reliant
D) To look at situations from all angles

Q: What is Dad’s favorite shirt to wear?

A) “Kiss the Cook” shirt
B) A polo shirt
C) It’s more of an oil rag now…
D) Short sleeve button-up

Q: Dad’s favorite color?

A) Red
B) Green
C) Brown
D) Black

Q: It’s Sunday afternoon, where is your Dad?

A) Cooking dinner!
B) Out on the green hitting a few tees while the sun is out
C) With his head under the hood of his car
D) Shhh…he just missed that hand!

 

Did you get…

classic bbq gift set for dadMostly A’s: He’s a natural born chef! You can always find him trying out a new recipe, rub or seasoning and ready to entertain the whole family! We’re sure he’d love this Dad’s Classic BBQ Grill Gift Set.

 

 

 

 

golf tote gift for fathers dayMostly B’s: Dad’s a very relaxed guy and easy-going. He enjoys a nice snack, and a gift with meaning. Get him a great gift that he’ll love like this Golf Tote Bag with Snacks.

 

 

 

 

 

tool box gift for dadMostly C’s: No matter what the problem, no one can fix it quite like Dad. He’s been your personal handy man for as long as you can remember. Fix his hunger with this Father’s Day Handyman’s Snack Gift Toolbox.

 

 

 

 

game gift for fathers dayMostly D’s: Always calculating the odds, Dad is there for an answer when you need him most. The best way to Dad’s heart this Father’s Day is with this lucky treat! Get him the Happy Father’s Day Gaming & Poker Bin.

Customer Appreciation, Father's Day, Feedback, Summer Time Gift

Father’s Day Gifts and Summer Grilling

May 24, 2012

Welcome back gift basket readers!

There were a lot of great graduation gift ideas in the comments this week (and obviously a lot of calls for cash!). I really liked the ideas for the personalized blanket for someone going away to school and the photo album. Of course we have a few gifts to get out for our lucky and random commenters. Congratulations to Donald Hayes (May 17, 2012 at 4:51 pm), Lori (May 17, 2012 at 7:13 pm), Claudia (May 21, 2012 at 10:04 am), Suzanne (May 24, 2012 at 10:02 am), and Ed (May 24, 2012 at 3:38 pm)! Send your shipping information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your wine backpacks!

We have Memorial Day weekend about to begin with June and Father’s Day on its tail, and all I want to do is enjoy the warm weather instead of finishing all this work I have to do! Also, I’m (trying) to get a head start on my Father’s Day gift ideas…thankfully I have your comments to help me out with that last part.

I have a large gift I bought for my dad, but he won’t be getting it until September, and instead of me putting a bow on an email confirmation, I’d like to have something fun or delicious to present him on the day of…I just haven’t decided on what. Food gifts are always a safe bet for me with my dad.  And for me, Father’s Day is always synonymous with summer grilling. It’s probably because the only meals my dad knows how to cook are all meat-on-a-grill-or-slow-cooker related. I usually try to pick up interesting spices or seasonings for him whenever I go somewhere. I brought home a Cajun seasoning home for him when I was in New Orleans, and he loved the Budweiser sauces I got him before. I think this year I’ll be going with our Award Winning Stubbs® Authentic Barbecue Gift Set. It’s great for summer, upcoming family barbeques and it will give him something new to try when it’s his turn to cook dinner.

If I wanted to win “Daughter of the Year” award, I’d probably pair it with some of our new Stock Yards® steak gifts (which are AMAZING by the way). We had an impromptu work barbeque the other week to sample these and I could cut my steak with a plastic knife; definitely impressed.

Stock Yards® is one of our new sister brands and we’ve picked up a few of their most delicious gifts for Father’s Day. Stock Yards® has been providing the very best USDA Prime and Choice steaks  to America’s finest restaurants including: Chicago Chop House, Gibson’s, Morton’s, Tavern on Rush and Wildfire. Previously they were exclusively sold to restaurants but now are available for home ordering, which is great news for those who like to dabble in cooking restaurant quality meals!

I love that they only sell Prime and Choice; since I know the steaks and cuts I’m ordering will be top quality instead of sketchy meat from other companies who use their own terminology for “ratings” instead of “USDA Prime” or “USDA Choice” like Stock Yards does.

My picks for Father’s Day:

I found a few recipes for cooking a premium NY Strip Steak here, here & here that I am literally drooling over. And I found a great Filet Mignon recipe here. I love anything to do with Filet Mignon and may very well be trying out the recipe soon (plus YUM chive butter!).

As I said earlier, I’m looking for all your great answers and gift ideas for Father’s Day! In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs), tell me what you think a great Father’s Day gift would be! FIVE lucky and random winners will receive our Award Winning Stubbs® Authentic Barbecue Gift Set.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!