Thinking Outside the (Gift) Box

I loooooove birthdays and holidays. My hub doesn't get it. Especially all the fuss over birthdays. But. I say, you get one day to celebrate YOU each year. So. Let loved ones spoil you and soak it all in. I feel the same way about holidays, too. There are 365 days per year and a handful of holidays. So. Why not make the most of them, too? 

With the explosion over Pinterest the last few years, it has made a holiday-lovin' momma's dream come true. It is a great place to find inspiration for creative gift giving (and thrify home decor; and party ideas; and recipe suggestions; and workout tips; and outfit planning [which is especially helpful for those of us...ahem...who don't exactly earn any prizes for wardrobe of the year]). 

Anywho.

I thought it'd be fun to share a few gift-giving ideas if anyone is looking for something a little outside of the box. A few of these are Pinterest-inspired (shocker!), but I will also give credit where credit is due for a few original ideas: a few of my own and also to one of my sister's best friends. 

So. Off we go:

For my hub's birthday last week, he repeatedly said that he didn't want it to be a big deal. Pssh. That goes in one ear and out the other for this holiday-lovin' mama. But. I also didn't want to overspend. So. Aside from a homemade banner (beautifully colored by his babies), some balloons, cupcakes, and surprise office decor, I modified an idea I saw on Pinterest to make him his own Man-Bouquet. 

The bouquet was very easy to assemble and included many of his favorite things, including Hot Fries (barf), mini bottles of Glen Livet (barf), beer salt, a variety of hot sauces, his favorite candy (Rolos), granola bars, peanuts, and beef jerky. Each item was mounted on a skewer, which was stuck through that floral styrofoamy-greenery stuff, and put in a large beer mug. He absolutely loved it! And I didn't break the bank. I call that a success!

Oh, but my hub. Ever the consummate one-upper. For Mother's Day, which fell three days after his birthday this year, he totally stole my (okay, Pinterest's) idea and made an extra large Momma-Bouquet. It included many of my favorite things, including several bottles of wine, a gossip mag (I haven't bought one in YEARS and was SO excited about it!), a Starbucks gift card and new coffee mug, gum, yummy snacks, and a bouquet of flowers. Oh, and my sweet hub also bought two Golden Delicious apple trees (my favorite fruit!) from Lowe's to plant in our backyard, which we did that afternoon. Now, every time I see those trees and watch them grow, I will think back very fondly to Mother's Day 2013. 

Moving on to a few original (gasp! Non-Pinterest inspired!) gifts: 

One of my favorite gifts was one I gave to my first niece, Brantley, on her first birthday a few years ago. I think first birthdays are especially special, so I like to try and do something a little extra special for the occasion (how's that for special?). For Brantley, I bought passes to the local zoo, aquarium, and children's museum so that she would have some new, memorable, and fun! activities she could experience as a toddler. I am a firm believer in giving experiences, rather than toys or gifts, whenever possible, to help create beautiful and fun! memories. It's why my kiddos gave their daddy a helicoper ride with our son for Father's Day last year.

Another favorite (original! Non-Pinterest inspired!) gift was the one I gave to my niece, Cameron, for her first birthday last year.  I ordered her a personalized, tutu tote from etsy (in her hot pink and yellow birthday party colors) and then bought 12 books and labeled each book with a specific month for her to open on the 10th of each month (her birthday is on the 10th) for the next year. I've been told by a reputable source that she loves seeing her new book each month. :)

Lastly, something new to the market, but something that I think is a lovely, innovative, and out-of-the-ordinary gift idea, is an Owl Origami locket. It is a different take on charm jewelry and it is oh-so-sweet!!! One of my sisters and I gave one to my momma for Mother's Day this year, and she loved it. If you're looking for one, check out this awesome, amazing, cool-as-can-be consultant, Lindsey, who can set you up with one of your own if you're interested. :) 

I hope that helps if anyone is searching for fun gift ideas. And if all else fails, there's always Pinterest. And gift cards.