Showing posts with label Gift Baskets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gift Baskets. Show all posts

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Fairy Garden Finds, Crafts & Inspiration

Fairy Garden Finds, Crafts & Inspiration  |  3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires
It all started with a gift idea for my daughter's 10th birthday.  Having two brothers, she didn't have too many girly hobbies.  We had built her a small dollhouse a few years ago, but furnishing it didn't seem to hold her interest.  Then, while shopping for the perfect bonsai tree for my home office on Etsy, I started seeing all these wonderful fairy garden items mixed in with my search results.  That's when the idea of putting together a fairy garden kit began to form in my head.

Before long, I became so enamored by all the creative and magical things I found while shopping.  I spent way too much time (and money) finding the perfect fairy garden items to include in my daughter's gift basket.  Some may say (ahem . . . my husband) that I went a little overboard.  I was just so excited that I found a hobby that my daughter and I could enjoy together.

I was right!  My daughter oo'd and aah'd over each item as she removed them one at a time from her gift basket.  It was then that I realized that a fairy garden had something a dollhouse didn't have . . . no limits.  Anything goes for a fairy garden as long as you can imagine it!

I'll be sharing all the magical fairy garden items I've found (many of which were handcrafted by some very talented people), some easy fairy garden crafts I've made, and sections of our fairy garden that may inspire new ideas for others.  As I share these things, I'll add the links below.  Let the fun begin!


Fairy Garden Inspiration . . .


Have questions or suggestions? Leave a comment here.


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

The Edible Arrangements® 4th Annual MS Awareness Campaign Features the Orange Citrus Blossom Arrangement

Edible Arrangements Orange Citrus Blossom Arrangement in Support of MS
Thank you to Edible Arrangements for providing the Orange Citrus Blossom prize for our reader giveaway and for sending an additional arrangement to me as a thank you for participating in this campaign.  All opinions expressed are my own.

For its fourth annual MS awareness campaign, Edible Arrangements is featuring their Orange Citrus Blossom arrangements for the month of March, which happens to be National MS Society’s MS Awareness Month.  For every one ordered, participating Edible Arrangements locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island will donate $5 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for MS research and awareness!

Here's how you can get involved . . . 
  • There are 8 different types of Orange Citrus Blossom arrangements and each come in 3 different sizes.  Each one prompts a $5 donation when ordered from a participating store.
  • If you prefer to order online, the Support MS Orange Citrus Blossom Arrangement (available in 3 sizes) will prompt a $5 donation.
  • To prompt a donation, you need to place your order in March, but you can have the arrangement delivered anytime during the 2014 calendar year.
  • Edible Arrangements delivers via UPS all across the country, so you don't need to have a store location nearby.
As a result of the past three MS awareness campaigns, Edible Arrangements raised almost $33,000 for this worthy cause.  Help keep the momentum going, by retweeting the message below . . . 

Now enter to win an Orange Citrus Blossom of your own . . .
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Trendy Tiffany Blue Gender-Neutral Baby Shower Gift Basket Idea!


This post has been written as part of an affiliate campaign for Zulily.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Shopping for a baby shower gift is not the easiest thing if you want to give the perfect gift.  Should you stick to the parents-to-be's baby registry?  Should you go with something practical?  Should you buy luxe baby items that the couple would not necessarily splurge on with their own money?  The answer to all the questions above is "yes"!  You can use the gift registry as a guide and easily give the parents upgrades on the items on the list.  As long as you stick with their theme and colors, you should be good.

Most soon-to-be parents will include some basic baby essentials on their registry, such as baby blankets, receiving blankets, crib sheets, basic infant bodysuits for layering, and some extra clothing.  Whether they realize it or not, these items may need to be changed multiple times per day, so they can never have too many of them.  Then add one item that can be a keepsake for the parents.  Rather than the standard sterling silver spoon, opt for something that can be useful and be a cherished keepsake once the little prince or princess has outgrown it, such as the sterling silver teething ring/rattle we found on Zulily.  If you are not sure of the baby's gender and the parent's, then choose neutral colors, such as Tiffany blue, grey, and yellow, which are much trendier than the everyday pinks, blues, and greens.

Put all your items together in a container that will be useful, such as a diaper bag, a canvas storage bin, or a Moses basket.  After all, a nursery can never have too much storage!

What you need to make this trendy gender-neutral baby shower gift basket . . . 

1.  Lolly Gags Tiffany Blue Minky Fitted Crib Sheet - $31.99 (Originally $50)

2.  SpaSilk White Bodysuit Set - $11.99 (Originally $18)

3.  Kathy Ireland Gray 'Big Hoot' Owl Bodysuit Set - $12.99 (Originally $26)

4.  Lolly Gags Tiffany Blue & Silver Zigzag Minky Stroller Blanket - $29.99 (Originally $50)

5.  Little Giraffe Silver Muslin Swaddle Blanket Set - $27.99 (Originally $47)

6.  Empire Silver Sterling Silver & White Teething Ring/Rattle - $34.99 (Originally $57)

7.  Tadpoles White Twisted Fur Moses Basket Set - $49.99 (Originally $100)

What other items would you include in a baby shower gift basket such as this?


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Mrs. Fields Gift Baskets for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Anyday


Last Friday afternoon, my husband officially started his week off from work.  He was looking forward to a week of quiet and rest during the days while the children are in school.  I wanted to give him a "happy week off" gift, so I ordered a basket of treats from Berries.com for him to enjoy during his time off.  (I also wanted to soften the blow for when I revealed his honey-do list for the week.)

I had no idea that Shari's Berries offered other goodies besides gourmet dipped strawberries and other dipped treats.  There were tons of great gift ideas for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  What caught my eye were the gift baskets in the Mrs. Fields Shop.  How can you go wrong with cookies and mini muffins, whether you are giving a gift, trying to cheer someone up, or sending a heartfelt thank you?

I ended up choosing the Mrs. Fields Bites Basket, which contained assorted bite size cookies, cookie bars, and mini muffins.  For freshness, all the baked goods came in sealed packages in addition to the shrink wrap around the basket itself.  Although the description listed brownie bites to be included in this basket, we did not receive any, which I found to be odd.  We ended up receiving bar cookies, which was not listed in the description.  I suppose the contents must vary based on what is on-hand when the baskets are packed.

I knew that my husband would be looking forward to trying the mini muffins first.  I was quite surprised when he told me that the cookies were exceptional and completely blew away the muffins.  I suppose that's why Mrs. Fields is so famous for her cookies.

If you are thinking about sending a gourmet gift to someone in the near future, be sure to check for Shari's Berries coupon codes and special offers before you shop.  There are currently discounts for orders as little as $29.  Also be sure to plan ahead so you can avoid paying extra for expedited delivery.  Shari's Berries delivers Monday through Saturday.

Also checkout our gourmet dipped strawberries and cake pops review.


Thank you to Shari's Berries for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.



Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Tech Tips for Decreasing Holiday Stress from U.S. Cellular & DIY Network's Janna Robinson


Recently, I was able to email in some questions to Janna Robinson, host of DIY Network’s Hollywood Hi-Tech. She was looking to hand out some much-needed seasonal advice about utilizing technology to make your holidays run smoother. As a tech-savvy person myself, I am always looking for more advice on how to best use my smartphone and tablet to make my life easier and run more smoothly, so I was happy to participate and hear what Janna had to say. As a thank you, Janna sent me a gift basket with several stress-busting items such as a comfy robe, slippers, scented candles, hot tea, and more. In addition, one lucky reader will win the same basket.

Here are the answers to the questions I sent in to Janna Robinson . . .


To find more great tech tips or to find a U.S. Cellular location near you, visit them online at USCellular.com.

    Thank you to U.S. Cellular for providing the information and video above, and the gift basket for our contest prize.  I also received a gift basket as a thank you for taking the time to participate in this campaign.

    Our prize for this contest is a Holiday Gift Basket (ARV $115) containing:
    • Robe
    • Slippers
    • Bath kit or shaving kit
    • Google Play Gift Card
    • Tea or chocolate sampler
    • USB flashdrive
    • Scented candle
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Good luck in the drawing!


    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas


    Although almost everyone loves to receive fun impractical gifts, sometimes the practical ones are most appreciated.  A gift basket filled with everyday household products would be especially appreciated by anyone who has moved into their first apartment.  A person venturing out on his or her own for the very first time may not have the extra cash to spend on household products after they have just spent most of their savings on a security deposit, furniture, and other necessities like tableware.

    People who have downsized from a house to an apartment may also appreciate such a gift.  They likely will not have any space for more knickknacks.  Here are some ideas for easy-to-make housewarming gift baskets . . .

    Ready-Set-Clean Gift Basket

    Fill a handled plastic caddy with the following:
    Pair of Rubber Gloves
    2 Dish Towels


    Clean-Play-Display Gift Basket

    Fill an attractive storage basket with the following:


    For more ideas about what to use to fill your future gift baskets, visit PG.com.


    Thank you to Procter & Gamble for providing complimentary product samples to inspire this article.


    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Holiday 2011: Hickory Farms for Family Holidays


    Whenever I think about holiday gifts for friends and family who are not local, I always think of Hickory Farms.  It is one of the few gifts for the whole family that is most often appreciated and so easy to have shipped directly to the recipient.  Since I did not grow up eating things like sausage, cheese, and crackers, as an adult, I associate these types of finger foods with special occasions.


    We received the Hickory Farms Summer Sausage & Cheese Gift Box to sample.  This box included Beef Summer Sausage, Farmhouse Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar Blend, and Smoked Gouda.  We thought the perfect time to open our cheese and sausage gift box would be on Thanksgiving.  We were not entertaining that day, but we would be going to my Aunt's house for a huge Thanksgiving dinner.  We did not want to fill up on a big lunch, so instead my husband, I, and our three children enjoyed trying these different cheeses and sausages.  I had purchased some whole grain crackers to serve with them.  The children very much enjoyed trying some cheeses they had not tried before.  Some of them turned out to be too strong for them, but they had fun tasting them all.  This turned out to be the perfect thing for us to eat in place of a conventional lunch on Thanksgiving Day.  I am thinking of doing the same thing on Christmas Day.


    If you are looking for a gift that would be suitable for a whole family or perhaps a hostess gift, then you should be aware that a gift from Hickory Farms will only cost you $3 for 3-day shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. . . . .

    Hickory Farms Infographic


    For a limited time, Standard Shipping is Free with a $35 purchase.  To view their full selection of food gifts, visit HickoryFarms.com.


    I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review.


    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Holiday 2010 Giveaway: Gift Baskets & Goodies from 1-800-Baskets ($50 GC) [CLOSED]

    For friends and family that live far away, I have always loved to order gourmet foods and gift baskets that the whole family can enjoy. 1-800-Flowers, 1-800-Baskets, and The Popcorn Factory is all on one website, so you can order from all three and only have to checkout once. Take a look at some of the gourmet food gifts my family received to sample from this trio . . .

    Let us start with my absolute favorite . . . the Fannie May Mint Meltaways! These delicious mint chocolates really do melt in your mouth. I have not decided yet if the milk chocolate coating is my favorite or the pastel. I think I am leaning towards the creamy pastel. The box is nearly empty, so I will need to make up my mind soon.



    Everyone in our house just loved the 3-way popcorn tin from The Popcorn Factory. How can you go wrong with popcorn, especially in a household with children? I actually do not see this Poinsettia 3-Way Tin on the website any longer, but there is a 4-Way Holiday Popcorn Tin available.

    The Cheryl's Frosted Holiday Cut-out Cookies is ideal for sending to anyone who is on-the-go, whether it is a family with children or a busy office. Cheryl's cookies are decadently delicious and individually wrapped for freshness. They can be packed in a lunch box or in a briefcase to put a smile on someone's face in the middle of the day.


    The Comfort & Joy Sweet Treats Gift Basket (pictured at the top) is perfect for an individual. There is a sampling of popular gourmet sweets, such as Guirardelli chocolate squares, a Harry London chocolate-covered pretzel, toffee, a jumbo hand-pulled candy cane, and more. I seriously have not opened this basket yet because I need to figure out how to share it with the other four members of my household. Maybe if I hide it, everyone else will forget about it after awhile. Then I could have it all to myself!

    1-800-Flowers, 1-800-Baskets, and The Popcorn Factory offers expedited shipping nationwide for your convenience. Visit any of these sites to see the full line of gourmet gifts and holiday floral arrangements while you are considering what to send your friends and family this year.


    Thank you to 1-800-Flowers for sending us complimentary product samples to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize.





    What you can win:
    One lucky reader will receive a $50 gift card to spend on one of the following items or anything you like . . .


    Limitations:
    This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


    How to Gain Entries:
    Visit
    . Then leave a comment telling me the name of one item you would most like to send as a gift to a friend or family member. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

    Extra Entries:

    1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


    2)

    For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.


    3)
    For 10 extra entries, download the free Mobile Flower & Gift Center app to your iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Android, or Mobile Web accessible phone. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

    4)

    For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.


    5) For 1 extra entry each
    , follow 1800Flowers on Twitter and/or "Like" 1-800-Flowers.com on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


    6)

    Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.


    7)

    Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.


    8)

    Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.



    9)

    Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.


    10)

    Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.




    (All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


    Random Drawing:

    This contest will be closed on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.


    Good luck in the drawing!





    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Easy Johnson's Baby Products Gift Baskets

    In today's struggling economy, it is a growing trend to consider giving practical gifts over frivolous ones. This stands true especially when shopping for baby shower gifts. It use to be that one only gave gifts that would be used during the first 6 months of the new baby's life. I personally think this rule is outdated.

    Crocheted booties and frilly outfits are cute, but they will be outgrown within two weeks. Plus what if the parents don't do frilly? Why not spend your money in a way that is appreciated by the parents-to-be? You may think baby shampoo and diaper rash cream sound boring, but you can create an easy gift basket that can be both interesting and practical. Simply select useful products, such as ones for bathtime and diapering, because those are major expenses on top of formula and clothing. Then choose a useful container for your basket and at least one thing that the baby can enjoy. You can fill any excess space with shredded gift basket fill or tissue paper. To make an even nicer presentation, simply wrap the whole thing in cellophane or a gift basket bag, gather it at the top, and secure the neck by tying it with some ribbon.


    Ideas for Gift Basket Containers:

    Fabric-Lined Nesting Storage Basket
    Bassinet
    Nice Laundry Basket
    Diaper Changing Caddy
    Infant/toddler Bathtub
    Wooden Book Bin
    Diaper Bag
    Potty


    Baby Products to Include:

    (3 or more) Johnson's Baby Bedtime Bubble Bath & Wash
    (2) Johnson's Baby Shampoo
    (1 large or 2 small) Any variety Johnson's Baby Lotion
    (1) Desitin Diaper Rash Cream
    (2 small or medium) Johnson's Baby Powder
    (1) Johnson's Baby Oil
    An assortment of travel size Johnson's Baby Products (for on the go)
    Diapers in more than one size
    Baby Wipes


    Fun Items to Match the Basket You Chose:

    Crib Size Blanket or Quilt
    Hypoallergenic Plush Animal
    Hooded Towels
    Bath Toys
    A Boppy Pillow
    Fabric Blocks
    Board Books or Fabric Books
    Baby-Safe Mirror


    One of the newest Johnson's baby products is the Baby Bedtime Bubble Bath & Wash, which is part of their sleep care line. We liked how this product was creamy like lotion or conditioner rather than thin and watery. We were even more impressed because it rinsed off so easily in spite of it's thicker consistency. This product contains NaturalCalm essences to specifically soothe your child before bedtime. Even though this item is new, it still uses the "No More Tears" formula we have grown to trust over the years.

    To learn more about this and other Johnson's baby products, visit JohnsonsBaby.com .


    I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Johnson’s and received samples of Johnson’s Baby products to facilitate my review.




    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Review: Disney Our Storybook Christmas Gift Basket from Hickory Farms

    Look who's paying a visit to Hickory Farms this holiday season! It's Mickey Mouse!!

    Hickory Farms is featuring two Mickey Mouse gift baskets this year. This one is called "Our Storybook Christmas Gift Box" and includes summer sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, toasted crackers, assorted holiday cookies, a porcelain dessert plate featuring Mickey Mouse, and a hardcover Disney storybook titled "Mickey's Night Before Christmas". These goodies come in a ready-to-wrap gift box.



    What my family and I thought about this holiday gift basket from Hickory Farms:

    1) I thought the gift set was presented very nicely. Everything from the design on the box to the poem inside to the protective tissue and bubble wrap, all give a very high perception of quality, which is what you want when gifting a gift basket.



    2) I think this set is perfect for a family. There is something for everyone to enjoy.



    3) Of the four types of cookies, my favorite were the Raspberry Jelly Drops, while my husband preferred the Sprinkle Stars and our kindergartner loved the Pinwheel Sugar cookies. The twins were not as discriminant.

    4) I was surprised that the children took to the savory treats just as much as the sweets. Between the three children and my husband, they almost finished all the cheese, sausage, and crackers in one sitting. The only item the kids did not finish were the toasted crackers.




    This gift basket retails for $40 and would make a nice gift for an entire family, as opposed to giving token gifts to each family member. To view this and other gourmet gifts offered by Hickory Farms, visit HickoryFarms.com .


    I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review.



    Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

    Review: "Blue Smoke" Gourmet Salsa Gift Baskets

    When I received this basket of gourmet salsa to review from Blue Smoke Salsa, I could not wait to try cooking with the peach salsa. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. You see, my husband is a bit of a glutton when it comes to salsa. I went to bed thinking about perhaps trying the peach salsa in a chicken dish and woke up to an empty peach salsa jar. The following day half the jar of mild salsa had disappeared.

    Every year during the holidays, I am facing the same task of coming up with a gift idea for one or two people who have everything. I often turn to gourmet gift baskets, especially if it is someone to whom I would have to ship the gift. It is so easy to order something tasty and have it shipped directly to the recipient. Even though we were not able to experiment by cooking with Blue Smoke Salsa, both my husband and I agree that this would be a very enjoyable gift to receive.


    What my husband and I thought about our Blue Smoke Salsa gift basket:

    1) As you can see, the wrapped basket is presented beautifully, including a big coordinating bow, crinkle cut basket fill, and a handwritten card. It was also packed very well, so all the jars were intact.


    2) The Mild Gourmet Salsa was fresh tasting and flavorful, but mild enough for almost anyone to eat.

    3) The Peach Medium Gourmet Salsa was also very fresh. It was sweet and fruity, but had a little kick to it. Someone who is sensitive to spices might think it was hot, but bearable. Since my husband finished an entire jar in one sitting, it is safe to assume that he found the peach salsa to be especially enjoyable.


    4) There were two varieties of tortilla chips included in the gift basket. The chips were standard and did not seem to be of the same quality as the fresh delicious tasting salsa. Also, the quantity of chips verses the quantity of salsa was disproportionate. I would love to have seen crisper chips and enough of them to finish almost all of the salsa in the gift basket.

    Tortilla chips aside, I would definitely consider Blue Smoke the next time I need to send a gourmet food basket. There selection is not limited to salsa, but also includes jams, jellys, barbecue sauces, salad dressings, steak sauces, and much more. These are a great alternative to the typical cheese logs and crackers.

    To view their full line of products or to learn more about the company, visit www.bluesmokesalsa.com .

    Thank you to Blue Smoke Salsa for providing us with a review product free of charge as part of this Viral Conversations campaign.