Archive for Gift Ideas
November 13, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Molly · Tagged buying handmade, handmade gifts, holiday gift guide, holiday gift ideas, support independent artists
A few heartfelt words from little ol’ me:
As you’re thinking about what to get for the people on your holiday gift lists, please consider buying handmade as much as possible, either from the shops featured here on Charlotte’s Fancy, or other independent artists and their handmade gifts. They deserve our support for the hard work, care and warmth they put into their businesses and the pretty things they make for us.
I’ve never met so many nice people as all of the shop owners on Etsy – many of whom I follow on Twitter too. I’ve already bought a few things myself and have gotten so much joy from chatting with the owners* and telling them how much I like and appreciate their work and creativity. Invariably they wrap the packages beautifully, include extra goodies, and always a very kind handwritten note of thanks.
Each package is like receiving a gift, even if it’s not for yourself. What could be better than that?
*Jacqui of Mee a Bee, Jen of Sophie & Lili, Jessica of Miniature Rhino, Sol Linero, and Lindsey of b. children’s wear ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
Oh—and if you have liked the gift guides and generally what you see here on Charlotte’s Fancy, I’d love it if you shared this blog with others and left me a comment every now and then. It always makes my day to hear from you. (Really.)
Photo: Gingerbread Hearts by Made With Love by Hannah
November 13, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Molly, Recipes & Food · Tagged edible gifts, handmade gifts, holiday gift ideas
What to do when you have people on your list who either have it all, mumble that they don’t want anything, or would prefer not to have more “things” to add to their homes? Give them some gourmet food, of course! Everyone has to eat, right?
I like the idea of giving gifts that someone can “use up” – and Etsy has a lot of edible gift choices:
Caramel with Nougat Pinwheels, ½ lb. ($10) by Vintage Confections
Custom Spice Mix (Small) ($17) by Purpose Design
9 French Macarons ($14) by Lemonade Stand
Blueberry Lime Jam ($6) by JustbHandmade
Original Teton Hot Chocolate, ½ lb. ($14) by the Teton Cocoa Company
Pure Raw Honey ($6/ 12 oz.) by Green Leaf Apiary
3 Tea Tin Gift Set ($12) by ruaTEA
Hazelnut Chocolate Whisky Cookies ($9 per ½ dozen) by Whimsy and Spice
16 Apricot Ginger Scones ($22) by the Kitchen Witch
Organic Popcorn ($2.80 per 500 g.) by The Organic Home
Creamy Yogurt and Boursin Dip Spice Blend and Recipes ($4.50) by epicerie
Fair Trade and Organically Grown Papua New Guinea Coffee ($13 per lb.) by The Roaster
So there you have it! Two weeks of holiday gift and card ideas. Did you buy anything from our guides? Get inspiration? We hope so.
Monday, we’ll be back to our regular schedule, with a craft waiting for you. Have a good weekend!
November 11, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Molly, Pretty Things · Tagged handmade gifts, holiday gift guide, holiday gift ideas, stocking stuffers
Stocking Stuffer Rules According to Molly:
1. This one is the most important rule: Stocking stuffers don’t actually have to fit into the stockings to qualify as stocking stuffers.* I will never forget the year my mom Santa put a stack of coloring books (a STACK!) and a big box of crayons with them next to my stocking. Pure joy.
*Santa didn’t hang the stockings back up on the fireplace, which may be different from your house; at my house he scattered them around the room, so that he could surround them with little piles of presents that didn’t fit in the stockings.
2. Sometimes stocking stuffers cost as much as gifts under the tree, but that’s ok – it’s what makes stockings extra special.
3. While I understand that oranges used to be a treat in the old timey days, no kid of mine is getting an orange in her stocking.
4. Stockings should never be an afterthought. When I was a kid, stockings were actually better than the presents under the tree.
OK? OK. Glad we’ve got that cleared up.
So I’ve got a whole bunch of picks here and again tomorrow – many of them are shops I featured last week, many are new, not all are Etsy. I hope you love these picks as much as I do.
Bicycle Wood Business Card Holder ($25) by HARE and DRUM
Honey Sugar Scrub, 20 oz. ($25) by One Honey
Purse/Pouch/Pencil Case ($23) by Helen Rawlinson
House Tea Towel ($14) by PataPri
Elephant Parade Print ($20) by matiekiller
Acorns Roasting on an Open Fire Print ($20) by Lisa DeJohn
Boston Terrier Stamp ($5) by nikoart
I Like Pretty Things Pencils, set of 3 ($4.95) by Olive Manna
iPod or iPhone Case ($19) by byrd and belle
Octopus Pocket Mirror ($7) by SparklePaw
Wooden Picture Frame Brooch ($15 each) by enna
Love Letter Shirt ($18) by b children’s wear
Red Striped Ornament ($35) by Fern Animals/Ashley Anna Brown
Ceramic Vintage Style Owl Desk Planter ($24) by fruitflypie
Set of 3 Cards ($8.50) by Dwell Deep
Bird Tea Towels, set of 3 ($30) by Anna Joyce
Snow Bird Ceramic Magnets ($2.50) by Sweet Tidings
Box of Felt Tarts ($13) by ikatbag
Tomorrow: even more stocking stuffer goodness!
November 6, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Kids, Molly · Tagged baby gift ideas, baby gifts, handmade gifts, handmade gifts for babies, holiday gift guide, holiday gift ideas
I need all of my friends to start having babies right away, because I have a lot of baby gift ideas…
Custom name plate ($60) by ninainvorm
Kanoe Baby Hammock ($290) by studioleroux
Chubby Night Owl ($21) by rabbitsmoon
Baby spoons ($22 each) by beehivekitchenware
Number Pipeline Print ($25) by ModernPop
Flock Organic Cotton Baby Quilt ($44.50) by Organic Quilt Company
Happy Cloud t-shirt ($12) by Jen Skelley
Lovely Lilac Snookie with personalization ($40) by Chickabiddybaby
Elf Hat ($16) by Mani-Mina
Eames Rocker Baby Name Birth Date Keepsake Print ($35) by prettymod
Modern Striped Candy Cane Stocking ($25) by MissMosh
Pear Tree Wall Art ($38) by Almost Sunday
Mix n Match Fruit Hats (Pick 3 for $60) by LA Originals
Wooli Felt Garden Diaper Caddy ($49) by BabiesBreath
Custom Silhouette Ornament ($30) by lepapierstudio
Deer in the Woods Growth Chart ($84) by Anna Joyce
Custom cloth blocks ($50 for set of 3, each additional block $10) by SmidgeboxDesign
♥ ♥ ♥
Is it Friday already? It’s been an especially fun week here – thanks to all of you for your kind comments, which we love reading.
The beauty of these gift guides is that if you really liked them, you can bookmark them for anytime you need gift ideas (and not just gifts for the holidays). Right? Karin and I both added a lot of new Etsy shops to our favorites.
Next week we’re starting the week off with some holiday card ideas, then we’ve got a whole lotta stocking stuffer fun, and finally, gifts for the person who has it all.
See you on Monday!
November 5, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Kids, Molly · Tagged gifts for children, gifts for little boys, handmade gifts, holiday gift guide, holiday gift ideas
Ok, you’re right. We had just as much fun picking out these gifts for little boys as we did for yesterday’s little girls’ gift guide.
Tell us if there’s anything you especially love in today’s guide – we’d love to know.
Aqua Cowboy Print ($30) by jenskelley
Bear Woodland Set ($80) by small town toys
The Beep Beep Car Stamp Set ($18) by The Small Object
Bernie the Monster t-shirt ($28.50) by NissaLisa
Blast Off Finger Puppet set ($35) by stay awake
Say Cheese Vintage Camera t-shirt ($20) by b children’s wear
Treasure Chest ($55) by Illustrious Rose
Organic Cotton Circle Wooden Toy Boat ($19) by willowbaus
Lemon Ball Vintage-style Baseball ($28) by Lemon Ball
Special Edition Winter Boy Doll ($104.25) by hasenpfeffer
Gertrude the Goldfish ($7 each) by MiChiMa
Tiny Friend print ($25) by KidsHaus
Zoo Blocks, set of 13 with drawstring bag ($30) by tiny giraffe
Little Hero Cape ($42) by Discovery Denim
Of course, pretty much all of these gifts work for little girls too.
Tomorrow: We’re going a little crazy with the Gifts for Babies guide. We can’t help ourselves.
November 4, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Kids, Molly · Tagged gifts for little girls, handmade gifts, holiday gift guide
Karin and I have three girls between us. No boys. We’re all girlie, all the time, so we especially loved picking out today’s gift guide.
How can you resist any one of these items? That’s right, you can’t.
Forest Friends Satchel ($30) by Mee a Bee
Custom Kid Portrait on Canvas ($165) by LittlePinkHouse
Chickadee shirt ($22) by 1girl1boy
“Hannah” notecards set of 12 ($12) by Peony Paperie
Apple Maryjane Flats ($20) by Utopiapedia
Hayride Ruffle Cape in Tweed ($60) by red possum
Caterpillar and assorted hair clips ($5) by Sun Drop Clips
Nahla Bear with Coloring Book Set ($57) by all things small
Forest Critters Reusable Wall Stickers ($74.50) by Mae
Felted Flower Fairy ($30) by FairyFolk
Mary Had a Little Unicorn, 8 x 8 print ($20) by Helen Dardik
Nest. Sweet Nest, wool bird in a cotton nest ($25) by Sugar Elf
The Sasha Dress ($22) by Mani-Mina
Bunny and Radish, 8.5 x 11″ print ($20) by yumiyumi
Which is your favorite? I’ll confess: I bought one thing (so far!) in today’s gift guide. I can’t tell you which – but it’s more fun to guess anyway. (Ok, if you ask me on Twitter, I’ll tell you!)
Tomorrow: rats and snails and puppy dog tails.
November 3, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Molly · Tagged Etsy, gift guide, handmade gifts, holiday gifts, men's holiday gifts
Do you struggle to find interesting gifts for the guys in your life? So do we. We hope this Gifts for Him guide helps.
iPhone Sleeve and Wallet ($39) by Joli Originals
Espresso Cups and Saucers with Stingray Bike, Set of Two ($60) by Circa Ceramics
Hortence J. Pacadorf 8 x 10 print ($15) by Grand Ole Bestiary
“Breakfast” t-shirt ($22) by Moth Written
Wall Topo in Olive No. 14, 8 x 10 ($20) by Crafterall
College Bag, Black Top ($65) by Badimyon
World Atlas Bowl ($125) by Bombus
Dual iPod and iPhone Docking Station ($119) by Woodtec
Mustache Pint Glasses, set of 4 ($52) by Bread and Badger
Pine St. Wool Scarf in Cherry ($40) by Mr. Sköna
Star Wars Poster for Minimalists, 11.5″ x 16.5″ ($29) by Graphic Nothing
Fishing with Dog letterpress card ($8) by Old School Stationers
Tomorrow: Gifts for Little Girls! Hooray!
November 2, 2009
· Filed under Etsy Finds, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Molly · Tagged Craftsbury Kids, Etsy, gift ideas for her, handmade gifts, holiday gift ideas, Mahar Dry Goods, Paper N Stitch
Happy Monday!
Today we’re kicking off our Handmade Holiday Gift Guides, which we will feature for the next two weeks. Karin and I have had a lot of fun picking out handmade items mostly from Etsy but also from Paper N Stitch, Craftsbury Kids, and Mahar Drygoods. (Certainly not an exhaustive list of places where you can buy handmade items).
The first of our gift guides – and probably the biggest because we’re experts in this category (!) – is Gifts For Her. We hope these ideas give you some inspiration for your holiday gift giving.
The Letter Bag ($118) by Moop
The Orange Book print ($18) by LilyMoon
Bird Cupcake Stand ($38) by Whitney Smith Pottery
Pink and Cream Plaid Set of 4 Notecards ($7.50) by Olive Manna
Amoeba in an Oval Necklace ($35) by Starving Artist Bazaar
Chalk Cloth Table Topper ($21) by Modern June
Clouds Are Raining Happily Medium-Sized Pitcher/Jug ($35) by Ninainvorm
Block-printed Medium Lampshade – “Minileaves” ($80) by Home Sweet
Letterpress Recipe Cards and Recipe Box ($46) by 1canoe2
“Today is Awesome” print ($20) by The Small Object
“Birdies on Chairs” Fabric ($8.50 for a fat quarter) by Scarlet Fig
Personalized Loveheart Notecards, Set of 12 ($18) by modernemotive
Low Wide Coper Bowl ($200) by Jill Rosenwald
Little Black House ($30) by Nora Aoyagi
Dachshund Wall Hanging, two 8 x 10 panels ($45) by BellaBlu Designs
Bird Planter ($48) by PrettyRandomObjects
Wide Collar Wrapped Blouse ($93) by Moon Circus
Brown and White Striped Vintage Ribbon Belt ($25) by Jessie Chapman
See anything you liked?
Tomorrow: Gifts for Him
October 29, 2009
· Filed under Design, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Molly, Pretty Things, Stationery & Paper Goods · Tagged 2010 calendars, Night Owl Paper Goods, Owls, stationery, woodland animals
Just as a follow up to my 2010 calendar round-up, I wanted to share some pics from Night Owl Paper Goods and their Critter Calendar, which I already own and adore, and the Pattern Calendar, which is also lovely.
I love the April duckies and the August otter.
The calendars (as well as many of their single notecards/postcards) are printed on eco-friendly yellow birch wood which has been sustainably harvested (yay!).
Here’s the Pattern Calendar:
I especially love those blue/green/yellow flowers of October.
If you follow them on Twitter, they often have one day sales which you can take advantage of, and visit the sale section of their website for some really good deals.
Night Owl also designs for Tiny Prints. You might remember that not long after Christmas last year, I totally fell in love with these Valentine’s Day cards:
So, yeah, I’m pretty much a big fan of Night Owl. Can you tell?
