RSSGifts From Real People 1
October 23, 2009
Here we go again. Every magazine is showing gift suggestions. There are some lovely ideas but if you live in Canada, if you live in a small town, and/or if you can’t spend $50 on each person (nevermind the $250 bar set), what do real people give? What do real people want?
Last year, I did 5 of these articles, Gift Ideas For The Real World 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Having just looked them over, why they’re pretty good, sez me. I didn’t want to duplicate anything.
I’m not sure I can think of that many ideas this year. Although, once the ball starts rolling and people chime in, we can come up with some amazing things.
For you early shoppers, how about these?
1. Stainless steel compost buckets at Lee Valley. They look great on the counter and stay nice and shiny.
2. The rolling composter at Lee Valley. I tried composting once in one of those big square plastic tubs you get from the city. I attracted every raccoon and possum for miles. This guy is easy to roll, gets hot enough inside to kill weed seeds, and produces gorgeous earth in less than a month. Read about it on the linked page. I have a friend who owns one and it is the BEST thing.
While you’re at the Lee Valley, site, check out their gifts organized by activity and cost. Really good.
3. A Comfort Plus Pillow by Sleep Innovations. Changed my life, this did. It took about 3 nights to get onto it but for my neck and shoulders, it is a wonderful thing. Got mine at Zellers, normally $40 but they go on good sales often. Your face doesn’t sink into it and rub off all your night cream, quite a big bonus for me who goes to bed very gooped up.
4. A Silpat baking mat. Listen : if you don’t have one, don’t wait till Christmas. Just go buy yourself 2 of them. These things are unbelievable. They make life better!
5. Jams and honeys. These are just such a treat, but so expensive to buy yourself. If someone gave you one and you ate it in 3 days all by yourself, well you’re not out anything are you? Many companies make these.
The PEI Preserve Company is a favorite of ours. Should you ever be so fortunate to visit PEI, this place is a MUST SEE. Beautiful restaurant, gift shop, bakery, and samples upon samples.
The Garlic Box, McGarrigle’s Mustards, the Jellies and Teas, all fabulous. In fact, their chutneys and relishes may be better than the jams. The Balsamic and Cracked Pepper Mustard is wonderful. The Antipasto is a PEI summer staple. Who wouldn’t love a beautiful Summer Honey box?
6. Wicked Good Hand Warmers at LLBean. On those long winter walks through the woods, you will be LOVED. Give them out to everyone like M&M’s. They work incredibly well. The fabric is quite durable so you can slip one over your toes and wouldn’t wear through it.
7. Double layer long underwear at LLBean. I might have said something like this last year, but this fabric is so cushy and warm and dry that I’ll risk repeating it. The outfits run big. I’m a size 7 and the Medium is a bit too big, but for sleeping, it’s fine.
8. A rain barrel. There are many that can be found through Google. The wooden whiskey barrel style is expensive. Home Depot has them now and then, and they may be on sale now where you live. They look so good in the garden, a focal spot.
In plastic, they come in various shapes and sizes. Home Depot even has collapsible ones. What a nice and easy way to water the garden. Or to wash your hair.
9. Bottles and bottles of Paula’s Choice new Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer.
10. A subscription to Fitness magazine. I’m loving this publication. It’s not too exercise-hard-core. The nutrition and health articles are terrific. Coming home from a long day and finding a new magazine in the mailbox = a good evening.
Also, the latest installment at 12 Blueprints : Icy Colours and Pastels. If you’re a Winter or a Summer, you need to know the difference.
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10 Responses to “Gifts From Real People 1”
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Thank you so much. That gives me two gifts already …nice to get a jump start.
Already ordered my Paula stuff
They’re good ideas, ay? If there’s anything in your life that makes your it better, tell me what it is. Often, it’s small things and they make such a difference.
You’ll like the Resist. I’m already through my first bottle! That’s because I put it on 6 times a day. I did an analysis yesterday on a woman who cringes at the thought of makeup. Because the Resist isn’t heavy and disappears into skin so well, I mixed a little concealer with it, and it was perfect on her. She could not see the concealer but she knew the 2 sides of her face looked different. If you think of it, please do link to Paula’s site through AGT – I get a little present from referred sales.
So to do that… which I most gladly will
…. I simply click on the blue coloured font and order that way right? Sorry to be so technologically incompetent.
Now find me a place that will send me that baking mat and I will l so link ….I am trying to maneuver a way to get to one of the stores that sells them and there are none close to me
Gina, Paderno sells the baking mat and I am sure they will mail you one.
This weekend I bought myself a present, matching fleece hat and special kerchief from Mountain Co-op. The fleece scarf is the special thing: it is triangle shaped and has velcro on the corners, so you put it around your neck and velcro at the back. It isn’t bulky like a scarf and has great neck protection under your coat.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627275&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883734&bmUID=1256528646390
This is the link and it is great ($14 for both).
Plus, the blue kerchief was one of my colors, which I checked because I carry my color book everywhere. It is my new essential equipment.
Thanks Sonja…..the scarf looks great for those outdoor duty days.
Checked the Paderno site but they do not list the Silpat mat, only the ones they manufacture themselves…..hopefully I can find an alternate supplier…:(
xox
Right, click on any blue coloured font (underlined, and turns into a hand when you mouse over it) that mentions Paula’s company, products, or books. It will take you to her site and they track it.
Don’t worry about the tech thing. That’s one of the reasons why you don’t see more marketing on this site. Nooobody gets it or remembers it.
If I’m in PEI at Christmas, I’ll mail you a Silpat. Did you look at Amazon.ca? They have wild assortments of stuff.
I was re-reading your Gift Ideas for the Real World 2,(Nov.27′08) and you mentioned Smart Wool socks, and that they are hard to find. I bought a pair quite by fluke last year about this time, and LOVE them. Went there again today (Camper’s World Calgary Alta.) and bought 2 more pairs. Now I see they have very interesting designs & colors, which is a fun option for women. If you are doing another “Gift Ideas for the Real World” (and I really hope you will), these socks are a bit on the pricey side ($21) but a wonderful gift idea.
Janice,
Socks are just so good, ay? Warm, dry feet just FEELS good and it’s such a simple thing. Like special quality hot chocolate.
I looked for the patterned socks at http://www.smartwool.com . 20 minutes later, after drooling over all the good stuff, I’m back. As Miss Cold From October to April, I can stare at cozy underlayers and slippers forever.
It doesn’t actually say SmartWool on the product descriptions – does one presume that everything is SmartWool, because that’s the website, after all? Are these the socks you saw at Camper’s World?
Wow! I hadn’t seen SmartWool’s website before. I had NO idea they had so many different socks. The store does not carry that many kinds of socks. A good selection, but not any where near what the site carries. I’m guessing that all the socks shown are SmartWool, as this is their website. Also I wear size 6 & a half to 7 shoe, so can fit into either a small or medium. I bought 2 pairs-one a small & one a med. and they fit the same.
I also like the choice of thicknesses~ can wear different ones with different footwear.