Birthday Love!!!!

In the next couple of weeks I will be celebrating my husband's and my best friend's birthdays. I think that a birthday is an excellent reason to give someone a gift basket. With a gift basket you can make a very personal and special gift that they will love.

My husband is a very tough person to buy a gift for because he tends to buy the things he really wants or he wants something that is financially not possible. With a gift basket it is possible to give a gift they will love within a budget. My husband loves movies and so making a movie night gift basket with candy, sodas and popcorn is always a hit. You could also give almost any guy a gift basket with beer and tailgating snacks. You could make a basket with a nice bottle of alcohol and special glasses. If they are a coffee lover make a basket with a mug, some nice coffee and biscotti/cookies. You can make a gift basket out of almost anything that they love.

My best friend is an incredible woman. She is kind hearted, creative, loving and an amazing mother. She is hard working and hilarious. She is the first person that would give the shirt off her back if you need it. Because of how absolutely wonderful she is I feel that she needs a birthday gift to match. I know how much she loves baths, so a basket filled with spa necessities such as bubble bath, lotion and a new loufa would be a good idea. I also know how much she enjoys a nice massage (and she deserves a much needed relaxing hour) so I could give her a massage gift certificate included with other stress relieving items. You could include a nice bottle of wine or other drinks of their choice. There could be some nice chocolates. For most mothers a nice night out without the kids would be an amazing gift. She has done so much for me that a nice birthday gift is the least I could do for her.

Remember that a thoughtful, caring and special birthday gift does not have to break the bank. Make it small but meaningful. The thought behind a gift showing how well you know someone tends to mean the most. Show those special people in your lives some birthday love.

My Husband's Valentine's Day Gift!

My husband is my soul mate. He is kind, loving, caring, funny and everything I could have ever wanted in a partner. He has made me unbelievably happy. Now as much as I love him, I know that I don't tell him or show him how much nearly enough. I have heard people complain that Valentine's Day is a holiday created by the candy corporations or it is a made up holiday etc. However, I view Valentine's Day as reminder to tell the people we love how much they mean to us. So that is what I did for my husband.

This year was our first Valentine's as parents. Our son is six months old and the love of our lives. So I had to buy my husband a Valentine's card from his son and one from me. In these cards I wrote exactly how I feel about him and how truly wonderful I think he is. Telling someone how much they mean to you is never stupid, silly or corny as long as you mean every word. A handwritten letter is sweet, personal and a rarity that makes it even more special. I also cut out construction paper hearts. On these I wrote one thing I love that he does for me and a coupon esque thing he could cash it in for. Now since we have a six month old I made them personal and worth alone time because it is always important to continue forming a personal and intimate bond with your partner while raising your children. I could have simply wrote things that I love about him or used them as decoration.

My husband works from home so I do not have ways of really surprising him so I created a gift basket for him with all of his favorite candy goodies. I also included some drinks I know he loves. I did this while he was out helping a friend one day. Otherwise posting notes around the house, candlelit dinner, low lighting, romantic music and rose petals would have been involved. No matter he loved his gift basket as much as I would have hoped. Below is a picture of all the yummy goodies inside of it.

Valentine's Day is not the only day you can show someone how much they mean to you. Sometimes it is nice to tell someone how much you love them just because you think they deserve to know. Hope you all had a marvelous Valentine's Day filled with lots of love!

Super Bowl Party!!!

Super Bowl is on Sunday and most of us are looking forward to that fun party, great food, and an awesome game. Although our favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers, did not make it to super bowl this year we are still excited for the party we are attending.

For that one very kind person that is hosting the super bowl party they are cleaning, prepping, buying the food, finding the seating and trying to make everything perfect for those who are coming to their home. Often times we forget how much effort is put into providing the perfect super bowl party. So if you are going to a super bowl party remember to bring the host/hostess a gift.

There are several options when providing a host/hostess gift. Since it is super bowl you could bring a football tailgating gift basket. This could include snacks, dips and candy that are perfect to munch on during the game. You could focus on their favorite football team and use those colors to create a gift. You could bring a drink tub that is filled with beer. There is the option of a gourmet basket that has a different kind of treat for them. There is also an option of providing them with something to help them relax after the party. For a woman this could be a nice spa gift that would include bubble bath. For a man you could bring a nice bottle of alcohol like whiskey or scotch.

Have fun! Be safe! Don't drink and drive! Enjoy the game, the food and the party! And remember to bring the host/hostess a gift!