On the Tart Side's Holiday Gift Guide

Everyone and their brother is doing a holiday gift guide this time of year so I figured I would throw one more in the mix! While I still stand by the advice from my previous gift giving entry - You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting - here are some creative items for everyone on your list!

Ladies first....

Gentle Reminders Pencils - Even though we ladies strive to embody all of these attributes, it never hurts to have a little reminder at our fingertips! These cute pencils come in a variety of colors (though I think the gold on white is very chic) and at just $12 a set are perfect for small gifts for co-workers or stocking stuffers. In addition Amanda Catherine Designs, the Etsy shop that sells the pencils, donates a portion of their proceeds to end child sex slavery & exploitation. These pencils are not quite the "write" sentiment? There are several other fabulous designs as well as a number of cute prints for your walls.

 

 

 

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Gold Chevron Picture Frame - As a huge Jonathan Adler fan, I was thrilled when he started designing a line for JCPenney! While MY wish list has a number of items from his regular store, you can't go wrong with this adorable $15 frame. The neutral tones of gold & white give it flexibility to work with a variety of different decors. Other stylish frames are priced similarly so you can bring that Jonathan Adler look to your home for a fraction of the cost! Also, right now all of the holiday themed items are on sale! Very cute stockings to dress up your mantel!

 

 

 

Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely All of It - Nothing says friendship more than crazy Patsy & Edina from Absolutely Fabulous! This just released DVD box set includes every episode, every special and lots of extras. While at the higher end (currently approximately $143 on Amazon) it would make a very memorable gift. Don't forget a bottle of Stoli and some champagne sweetie darling!

 

 

And now for the Gentlemen....

 

Antonio Glasses Holder - I am a big fan of anything that makes boring more fun. Lose your shades frequently? Not anymore! What guy wouldn't want to see his glasses perched on top of a moustache? At only $6.99, it also can double as a conversation piece on your entry table. Is it practical? Is it art? It's both! Available at The Container Store.

 

 

 

 

 

Recycled Vinyl Record Bookends - Regardless if he uses these bookends to hold up his own vinyl collection or a bunch of encyclopedias, give his bookshelf a facelift! IKC Designs confirms that no viable records are harmed in the creation of these bookends so for $24 a set he can cozy his books up next to some vintage vinyl. One can only hope that such classics as Air Supply and Milli Vanilli end up in your order. These records are coming from my home state of Ohio so you never know what you might get!

Craft Beer Connect - Shopping for a craft beer lover? Give them the gift that keeps on giving with a membership to Craft Beer Connect! Memberships start at just $30 per shipment and you have several options depending on the types of beer you would like to gift/receive. Prefer to do a one time shipment? That is an option too - same options and prices but as single transaction. You can even select your beers if you want! Please read any shipment restrictions carefully as not all states allow the shipment of alcohol.





 

 

 

 

Don't forget the kiddos!

 

Fingernail Friends - I remember the year that Santa brought me my first nail polish. It was supposed to be kid friendly however I recall sitting in my parents' bathroom waiting FOREVER for it dry. Kids are not known for being great at the waiting game which is where this product comes in. Choose either Butterflies or Zoo Animals and have fabulous nails in seconds with these great stickers from The Container Store. At just $4.99 they make a great stocking stuffer!

 

 

 

 

Incog-Neato Moustaches - Movember might be over but kids will love playing with this fun selection of moustaches from The Land of Nod. Hours of make believe await for just $7.95!

 

 

 

 

 

What about a gift for the ENTIRE FAMILY?

 

 

Zoku Quick Pop Maker - Kids want popsicles, parents want to provide a healthy snack with minimal time and effort - enter the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. You simply store your pop maker (makes either one, two, or three pops simultaneously depending on model) in the freezer and when the popsicle mood strikes, simply fill with your favorite juice, chocolate almond milk, etc. In just seven minutes you will have fully formed popsicles! Each slot can make up to three pops before needing to be fully refrozen. The maker comes with instructions on how to make fancy layered pops if you want to get creative. The single pop maker starts at just $24.95 and is available directly through Zoku as well as Williams Sonoma; Amazon; Bed, Bath & Beyond among others.

 

 

 

 

Show your favorite Host or Hostess that they truly are the Mostest!

 

Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato - Last year I traveled to Australia and while there discovered this wonderful, light, sweet sparkling wine - Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato. While a traditional champagne is a safe choice, I think this particular wine is a very fun and festive option for a hostess gift. Rather than a champagne cork, the bottle is topped with a bottle cap which is very unique. In Australia they also serve this wine on draft at bars in fabulous beakers. K&L is selling this wine for just $10.99 a bottle so at this price you can pick up a case!

 

 

 

 

Journals from Kikki K - Kikki K is another discovery from my time down under - a Swedish themed stationary company based in Australia. Kikki K has the most amazing journals - not just a book with blank pages but one that helps take you on a journey. The two examples I included below are two of my personal favorites. The "A Sentence a Day Journal: Celebrate Today" is a three year journal where you write one sentence about your day each day. It is a wonderful way to reflect on the little things that make up the days of our life. Another favorite is the "Happiness Journal" which provides activities and places to write you monthly objectives to exploring your own happiness. I could go on and on so it is better to just take a moment and see for yourself (I bought my guestbook from this store - it is similar to this book). Prices vary and international shipping is free with orders of $150 or more.

 



 

 

Last but not least a fun item for your office gift exchange!

 

Misheard Lyrics Coaster Set - I just saw these coasters this week and thought they were just too fun! Coasters with commonly misheard lyrics are an automatic conversation starter - Did you ever think they were singing that? What lyrics did you realize you sang wrong for years? With a price of $20 they are the perfect price point for your gift exchange!

 

 

 

What is the best gift you've ever received? Any favorites for this year you are hoping to find under the tree? Happy Gifting!

 

 











They Say It's Your Birthday....

Ok, it's not quite my birthday yet. I have at about 6 more hours left in my time zone but since I am celebrating all week - why not celebrate here now?!?!


Not only is it my birthday, it is almost the 1 year anniversary of On The Tart Side! Yes, technically I started this blog in 2009 but four posts followed by over a year off does not a blog make. So in the tradition of sitcoms everywhere (as well as the graduation episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 - Thanks Ben & Whit for my gift of Seasons 1 &2!), today's post is a flashback episode to some of the biggest hits of the past year.

Top 5 Posts

#5 - Product Placement Wednesday - Surprise Surprise Bake Shop Cake Pops - If you live in the LA area and still have not tried these cake pops, what are you waiting for? Maybe I should pick up a few to celebrate with!

#4 - Happy Half-Birthday To Me! - FYI - if you are looking for a gift for me, all of these items are still available.

#3 - First Date Do's and Don'ts for Boys - This is just good advice. If you have yet to pass along to the guys in your life - do it.

#2 - Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Peach Pops - Tastes like summer. The Strawberry are also good but I still prefer the peach.

and the most popular post of the year BY A MILE....

#1 - Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Flower Pepper - This pepper must be REAL popular as I had three times as many hits on this post as on the next closest. It really is delish so jump on the bandwagon and check it out!

In the spirit of the birthday theme, here are a few other posts that tie in...

You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting (and it's companion You Shouldn't Have! - The Wedding Edition) - Be the best gift giver EVER!

and on the flip side... Product Placement Wednesday - Amazon.com Wish List - Make it easy for people to know exactly which gifts to buy you (hence my new found BH9 DVDs).

People have also seemed to enjoy my wedding posts this year though the favorite for sure was Tacky Weddings!

This one about 10 Things That Make A Woman Undateable cracks me up.

There was also adventures in my neighborhood - pre arsonist.

Lots of great recipes - too many links to include here. I have so many more to share this year!

I could recap all night but I have got to keep the birthday train moving! Thank you so much for reading this year and I hope that you continue to enjoy the content in 2012!

Product Placement Wednesday - Amazon Wish List

With this being the last Product Placement Wednesday before Christmas, I thought it was appropriate to go with a "gift" theme. Unfortunately it is too late for this product to help you and your friends & family this holiday season but there is always next year!

Amazon.com Universal Wish List

Amazon.com has an amazing feature - the Universal Wish List. This allows you to create a wish list from the many amazing items on the Amazon site as well as add items from other sites as well. The key to adding the non-Amazon items is the "Universal Wish List Button" that adds to your toolbar with a simple download. This allows you to keep yourself organized as to things you might like and helps your friends and family figure out exactly what to get you for all of the gift giving holidays. You can set up as many wish lists as you like and also decide if you would like to make them public or keep them private. The benefit of keeping the list private is that you can keep track of items you might like for redecorating a room, etc. It is a great companion in that regard to Pinterest. Though Pinterest allows you to dream big (in ground trampoline for the backyard) I tend to keep my Amazon list a little more realistic.

As I mentioned in my previous post "You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting," this is a great idea to share with your friends and family and help make the holidays more fun and less stressful! Still not convinced about the wish list? Hopefully this previous entry will still help you give amazing gifts!

I would love to hear from you about the best and the worst gifts you've ever received. Remember you don't have to be a registered user to comment and you can be anonymous if you prefer!

Happy Holidays!

Wedding Guest Dos and Don'ts

So this weekend Melissa and Andy will tie the knot! In honor of their upcoming nuptials, here is a great article to help you be a perfect wedding guest.

15 Wedding Guest Dos and Don'ts

Regardless if you are a wedding guest or planning your own trip to the alter, don't miss out on my other wedding related posts!

Crimes Against Bridesmaids

Product Placement Wednesday - Ms. & Mrs. Minimergency Kit

A Trip to the Alter on a Budget

What to Do With an Old Bridesmaid Dress, etc.

What To Do With An Old Bridesmaid Dress and Other Wedding Related News

What To Do With An Old Bridesmaid Dress

Like me, I am sure many of you have stood up for a friend or two as they started down the path of married life. If you are a guy, you have it easy (and much less expensive) than the ladies. Rent a tux and done. As my female readers know, we must purchase a dress that we will unlikely wear again. Out of six weddings, only one bridesmaid dress is one that I plan to wear again (hopefully on September 10, 2011!). Many people have a closet full of dresses much like Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses. So today we will explore some options for those never to be worn again frocks!

Consignment

This is a tricky option but can help you recoup a little cash for your dress. Your success at consignment is going to have a lot to do with the style and color of your dress. Could it pass for a prom dress or special occasion dress? Then you will have better luck. One of my dresses sold for $80 and I made $40. My initial investment before alterations was $130 so I was able to recoup a third of the cost. Be sure you understand all of the perimeters at the consignment shop so that there are no surprises on the back end. The particular shop I used had a window of time that they would try to sell your dress. Once that time was up, you had to pick up the dress or they would donate it to charity.

Donate

Personally this is one of my favorite options. There are wonderful organizations all of over the country that collect old prom, bridesmaid, and other special occasion dresses and provide them to underprivileged high school girls so that they can attend prom in style. Some of these organizations will also take shoes and accessories so it can be a one stop to donate an entire look. There are several sites that will help you find places to donate but DonateMyDress.org seems to be the most comprehensive.

Exchange

I recently learned of a company that will allow you to exchange a bridesmaid dress for a new, stylish, black dress. NewlyMaid only accepts dresses that are in top condition (no rips, stains, etc) but in exchange for your old dress you will get a significant discount on one of their new dresses. The old dresses are either recycled into new yarn or donated to charity. Check out their site for additional details.

Repurpose

This option only really works if you are crafty but can be the most fun! I have a dress that unfortunately has permanent stains on it do to a fellow bridesmaid's inability to hold her liquor. NONE of the other options will work with this particular dress so I am probably going to eventually turn it into a Halloween costume. If your dress has a large stain free area to work with, the fabric can be turned into a variety of items - pillows, skirt, top, wrap, table runner, etc. The only limit is your creativity!

Hopefully you have lucked out and your dress is as fashion forward as our dresses from this Fall 2009 wedding!

Other Wedding Related News

Gifting

A few weeks ago I blogged about wedding gifting. Real Simple has also published their take on these age old questions. What do you think? Did they get it right?

TOMS Wedding Shoes

TOMS shoes is now offering a wedding collection. Perfect for the couple that wants to put a eco/philanthropy spin on their special day. As you may recall, TOMS donates one pair of shoes for every pair purchased to a child in need. Personally, I have never worn this brand of shoes but they look very comfortable. Even for the bride that wants a sexier shoe for the ceremony and photos might enjoy changing into these little flats once the dancing kicks off!

Heather - today's entry is for you! Thanks for being a loyal reader!

You Shouldn’t Have! – The Wedding Edition

When writing my previous entry about becoming an amazing gift giver (and receiver), I had planned to include guidelines for wedding gifting. While many of the same principles apply, wedding gifting is a somewhat different animal and therefore deserves its own entry. This guide is based on feedback from many married couples as well as my fellow singles. Hopefully this will assist you (and those you know – in particular GUYS) in becoming a successful wedding gift giver (and receiver!). So just in time for wedding season here it is!

1. How Much Should I Spend On A Wedding Gift?

The Basic Guideline

There are a variety of opinions online regarding what the minimum that should be spent on a wedding gift. What those opinions don’t take into consideration is the multitude of exceptions that may occur. My basic guideline is that the value of the gift should be at least $50 and adjusted based on the following exceptions.

The Exceptions

1. Your Financial Situation – If you are fortunate that you are able to give a more generous gift to the newlyweds, by all means do so. I am sure you can recall a time when you were more financially challenged and appreciated the generosity of others. On the flip side, if you barely have two nickels to rub together there are some alternatives which I will get to later in this entry.

2. Your Relationship With The Couple – For close friends and family members it is always appropriate to be a bit more generous. It is rarely appropriate to be less generous no matter your relationship as the happy couple has hopefully they only invited their nearest and dearest.

3. Number of Guests in Your Party – Are you a single guest or a family of four? There is no hard and fast rule as to how much more you should spend however it is appropriate to spend more if there are multiple people attending the wedding. Keep in mind that for each person invited the bride and groom are incurring additional costs. Yes, the amount they spend is their choice but keep in mind they were not under any obligation to invite your boyfriend/girlfriend or your children. Choose not to bring these additional guests? Then you are not under any obligation to gift additional as long as you did not RSVP for them.

4. Location of Wedding – Are you traveling a great distance to the wedding? Some people I have spoken with feel that this negates the need to provide a gift. I disagree. If you are financially able, you should still adhere to the basic guideline and exceptions. If you are spending all of your available funds on travel expenses, you can always gift a bit after the actual wedding (more on the one year rule below) or if finances are particularly sticky check out the alternatives later in this entry.

5. Not Attending the Wedding – The general rule is that regardless of your attendance at the wedding you are still obligated to send a gift. The ultimate value of that gift can vary but I agree that something should be given to congratulate the happy couple. Emily Post states the following exception: "...if you send invitations to casual acquaintances, business associates you don’t know well or people you haven’t seen in years and they do not attend the festivities, then gifts are not expected.” I somewhat disagree as it is appropriate at the very least to send a card or even a small token of congratulations.
6. Cultural Considerations - Some cultures have very strict views on the subject of gift giving at weddings. I recommend that if you are attending a wedding that falls in this arena that it is advised to discuss any questions with an individual more familiar with these traditions.

Non-Exception

1. Cost of the Wedding – The idea of giving a wedding gift is to congratulate the bride and groom on making a lifetime commitment – not pay for your seat at their wedding. If that was the case, we should just buy tickets! Whether the couple is having a cake and punch reception in the church hall or a black tie affair at the Four Seasons, keep in mind the reason for your gift.

2. Don’t I Have A Year To Give A Gift?

The answer to this is simple – no. The “one year” rule has become an accepted guideline but unless there is a financial reason to wait to provide a gift it is considered bad form to wait that long. Also, it leaves the couple unsure if a gift was lost or if you chose not to send one. Best bet is to avoid the awkwardness and be as prompt as possible with your gift giving. If your gift will be delayed by a month or more after the wedding, it is best to bring a card with you to the actual wedding. You even may wish to include a note advising the couple that their gift is forthcoming.

3. Do I Really Need To Provide A Gift? I Heard It Is Not Mandatory?

No, it is not “mandatory” but Yes, you need to provide a gift even if it is a small gift. Honestly it is just inappropriate not to give anything.

4. My Budget Is Tight And I Cannot Spend $50 On A Gift. What Are Some Of The Alternatives You Mentioned?

If you are financially challenged or even just looking for an alternate gift to cash or registry items, the next best option is a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. What is great about champagne or sparkling wine as an alternate gift is that not only is it appropriately festive for the occasion it also does not scream the value of the item as a gift card would do. You are able to give something fun and not look or feel like you cheaped out (well, unless you buy André or the like). While the couple does not have the option to return your gift, it is quite possibly the easiest item to regift.

The best place to shop is a wine specialty store that does a high volume of business. They will be educated in the options available in their store and are likely to have bottles from smaller vineyards that can provide a great value. I personally like K&L Wines as they offer a lot of direct imports that would be difficult to find elsewhere. Due to their large buying power, you can get a very high quality champagne or sparkling wine for well under $50.

Of course you can always still give cash, registry items, and non-registry items (with gift receipts) if you prefer.

5. So What Are The Best Types Of Gifts In General?

This is very simple – cash or registry items. As I mentioned above, if you plan to give a gift off registry (other than champagne) it is critical to give a gift receipt. Otherwise you may have ultimately wasted your money on an item that the couple can’t use.

6. Should I Bring The Gift With Me To The Wedding?

Unless you are bringing a card with a check inside, this should be avoided. At the end of the night there is so much chaos that not having to deal with a multitude of gifts is a gift itself for the newlyweds. Shipping the gift or hand delivering before or after the wedding is the ideal way to handle.

7. I Am Getting Married And I Thought You Said There Was Advice For Me Too?

Of course I did not forget about the soon-to-be-weds out there! Here are a few tips:

1. A Robust Registry – Even if you had a very successful shower, be sure to have lots of options on your registry as the wedding date approaches. While you may prefer to receive cash (and many people will likely gift you accordingly), you will have guests that would prefer to give you an actual gift. Do not leave them to their own devices! Well, unless they have read this entry that is! If they are registry items you can always return them later.

2. A Registry With a Variety of Price Points – This will also help eliminate guests going off registry due to lack of availability of affordable items. I have a friend that received a number of “holiday” items she did not register for as a gift. These items were clearly purchased at a post holiday sale approximately four months prior to her wedding. Obviously the gift giver was a on a tight budget and while affordable registry items may not have ultimately played a role, let this be a cautionary tale. The items were not attractive.

3. Send Prompt Thank You Notes – Yes, this is often the dreaded wet blanket on your post wedding bliss – the abundance of thank you notes. However getting them out right away not only makes the gift giver feel appreciated but serves as a confirmation that the gift was received. With many gifts being shipped these days, you never know what could have gotten lost in the mail.

I hope that after reading this entry you feel well poised to tackle all of your wedding season gifting needs! If you feel that I missed anything, please feel free to comment below.

This entry is dedicated to Melissa, Katy and Jen (as well as their fiancées) – may you receive only the most thoughtful and lovely wedding gifts!

You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting

I am sure you are wondering why at the end of March I would choose to write about gifting. Shouldn't that be saved for November as everyone begins to spend their life savings on holiday gifts for family, friends and that annoying co-worker that always gets you a gift? Absolutely not! There are occasions for gifting year round and with these helpful hints you will be an all-star gift giver by the time the holidays roll around!

I know I am not the first person to spread this wisdom around but what makes me different from the Martha Stewarts and Real Simples of the world is that I have actually made the majority of the mistakes I will be helping you avoid. They say the best way to learn is to learn by experience so I suggest you sit back, pour yourself a glass of wine and learn by mine.

Choosing The Gift

Actually choosing the gift can be the easiest or most difficult part of the gifting process depending on how well you know the recipient. Even for those we know the best, we still might not know what they truly want. Here are some easy ways to make foolproof selections.

1. Ask them what they would like. - This seems like the easiest and most logical but it is tricky. Often when faced with this question the recipient's response goes something like this: "You really don't need to get me anything." or "I'm sure whatever you choose will be great." This brings you back to square one.

2. Look on their Amazon.com "Wish List". - What's an Amazon.com Wish List you ask? Only one of the greatest gift giving inventions of our time. Amazon has pretty much everything under the sun available for sale and the Wish List feature allows you to let generate a list of the items you would like to receive. Have an item you desire that isn't on Amazon? Just download the "Add to Wish List" button and you can add items from all over the internet. The Wish List can be set to a variety of privacy settings so you can add all the "Toddlers & Tiaras" DVDs you want and don't have to worry about the entire world knowing. Personally I update mine all year long as I see a new item that looks interesting. Unfortunately I can't buy everything I want the second I want it so this allows me to "save it for later." So the gift recipient doesn't have an Amazon Wish List? I suggest you lead by example and start one of your own. Then you can share the idea with your family and friends which will eventually eliminate this problem!

3. Buy them something you think they will like. - This is probably what you've been doing all along. As I mentioned above, if you know the recipient well, then this is likely the easiest way to go. I have one friend in particular that always knows what to get me and it's usually something I didn't even know I wanted (though he said that a few years he knew what to get me because I told him earlier in the year - another tip - use your listening skills!). Use your context clues to see what they like and what they already have before shopping. It should give you the inspiration you need.

4. When you are still at a loss.... - As Mr. Birchum says on the KROQ 1996 Christmas Tape (yes, that's right - TAPE), you go for the big three and don't stray - booze, porn or cash (or for him the big four - booze, porn, cash and more porn). Now I'm not suggesting that you buy your friends and family porn. From what I understand that's really more of a personal choice. Booze and cash in the form of champagne and gift cards are another story. If the recipient enjoys alcohol, champagne or wine are always great gifts. If you know that they enjoy a specific spirit or microbrew, that is an option as well. For those with a more robust budget, you can always purchase a wine or beer of the month club for a certain duration of time.

Alcohol not their thing? Gift cards are always a safe option. The best gift cards are to places you already know that they frequent. Two of my favorite gift cards in recent memory were both very practical. The first was to Whole Foods where I pick up an item or two weekly. While I ate everything I bought, I was able to appreciate that gift every week when I went shopping. The second was an online gift certificate to Snapfish which is my preferred photo site. I was able to purchase well over 300 photos and preserve all of those memories in an album. These examples are meant to show you that thinking outside the box can make something as simple as a gift card special.

5. What about regifting? - Regifting is a touchy subject. We've all done it regardless if we admit to it. While a new gift is preferred, sometimes regifting is a viable option. Here are some guidelines to assist you in making sure you regift successfully.

• Make sure the gift is something the recipient will actually want and enjoy. Just because you received two blenders for your wedding does not mean that your sister wants or needs one.
• The gift needs to be in new condition. Don't "try" something and then regift it. That goes for items that are missing pieces or are damaged too.
• Remove all traces of the previous gifting. This includes all wrapping paper, personal notes (personalization on the item itself means it can't be regifted) enclosed in the packaging, gift cards on the gift bag, etc. Just because you don't see these telltale signs of a regift when you quickly glance at the gift, know that the recipient will find them. Go over the item with a fine tooth comb.
• Don't regift within the same circle of friends. This goes without saying - you will get busted.

6. Non-tangible gifts - There are lots of special gifts you can give someone either as a main gift or in addition to the main gift. These don't have to cost a lot of money but are extremely thoughtful. It could be as simple as making a special dinner or making a funny card. Because this type of gift is best when it is personal, it is difficult to give specific examples of things you can do. One recent gift I received that fell into this category was from my last birthday. A friend placed a cupcake and flower vase on an adorable little plate with a sign that said "Eat Me". The items were all great on their own but putting them together with the sign pulled them all together and also went with my party theme.

7. Gifts to Avoid - Clothes, fragrance, bath products, personalized gifts, knock-offs, exercise equipment, and art. This list is far from complete but is somewhere to start. Feel strongly that you know the recipient will love a particular item? See gift receipt below.

Giving the Gift

Once you jump over the first hurdle and have selected the gift, the final step is giving it. Easy as pie right? Nope. This is where a lot of people suffer defeat.

1. Give them a gift receipt. - For those that have been living under a rock, gift receipts allow your recipient to return and/or exchange a gift without the original receipt. We all like to think that our gifts are going to be a slam dunk but unfortunately that is unlikely. Gift receipts sound like a no-brainer but they are often not used. In the past I know I have refrained from providing a gift receipt when I have gotten a particularly good deal on the gift. This is wrong. Trust me when I tell you that if you purchased a sweater that didn't fit the recipient, they are not going to care that you spent $50 or $25 on it. It is an item that they can't enjoy regardless of what you spent. Who loses in that situation? Everyone. You have spent money on something that is likely going to charity (or possibly regifted) when the purpose was to treat the recipient. The gift receipt also works on the flip side of this scenario. Let's say you purchased the sweater at $50 and now it's marked down to $25. Even if the store will exchange it without a receipt, they will only give current value. Your $50 purchase is now only worth $25.

I have a friend who is excellent at providing gift receipts. She always does a great job selecting gifts she knows I will enjoy however there did come an occasion when she purchased an item I already owned. The gift receipt made the exchange simple and painless for all. I have also experienced the flip side and have ended up with two of the same item and been unable to return either. The morale of this story? Gift receipts, gift receipts, gift receipts.

2. Wrapping the gift to perfection. - The art of gift wrapping is a dying art since the invention of the gift bag. I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to gift bags. They are so simple and easy to use (and reuse). If you are willing and able to actually wrap the gift, more power to you. I look forward to receiving a gift from you! If you are like me and sticking with the gift bag option, here are a few helpful hints to make your gift look like a million bucks!

• Keep a variety of bags on hand so you have a variety of options when it comes time to wrap. Think of square peg, round hole. A too large gift jammed into a bag doesn't not look good.
• Match your tissue paper to the bag. It doesn't have to be matchy matchy but complementary. I like to buy a package with a wide selection of colors which requires less storage space than buying a different package for each bag.
• If you are going to reuse a gift bag, make sure it is in pristine condition. No wrinkles, tears, etc. Also, check the bag tag for a personal note. If it's there, remove it. Bags that don't pass this test need to be reused for your personal business or recycled.
• Be sure to fluff up the tissue right before presenting to the recipient. If the gift may be damaged in travel, assemble just before gifting.

Accepting the Gift

So you are the gift recipient? Congrats on your birthday, wedding, etc! Let's say the gift giver didn't follow any of my advice. What should you do?

1. Thank them. - Regardless of how you feel about the gift, you need to thank them. Both when you open it (if they are around) and also with a thank you note. Thank you notes can be hand written or online through a site like Paperless Post.

2. Be honest. - If they ask you how you like a gift and it something you already have, let them know that you love it adding something about how great minds thing alike. They may offer to exchange it for you. Regardless, don't make a big deal about it. You don't want to make the gift giver feel bad about giving the gift.

3. Recommend On The Tart Side. - Have family and friends that can use some of this advice? Suggest that they read this blog!

It is my hope that these tips will help you become a better gift giver and in turn set an example which will result in you receiving amazing gifts for each occasion. Can you think of any good advice I forgot? Comment and let me know!