Monthly Archives

October 2012

Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets, Uncategorized

Most Popular Baby Shower Trends of 2012: Part 2

October 24, 2012
Pink & Blue Twin Newborn Gift Basket

Welcome back to the baby bonanza! Last week, we covered two of the top five baby shower themes of 2012. The fun continues with three more trendy ideas, plus tips on how guests can get involved with fun games and cute baby gifts.

Personalized New Baby Girl Welcome WagonBring-a-Book Showers
When I was a kid, I used to carry a stack of books (which was often taller than me) everywhere I went … and I mean everywhere. My passion for reading stemmed from the simple fact that there were so many books lying around the house, waiting for their pages to be turned. Bookworms like me who want to start a miniature library for their new babies have given birth to this baby shower trend. When a guest attends a bring-a-book shower, they bring a copy of their favorite children’s book in addition to other essential baby gifts. They can even write a personal message on the inside cover to transform the book into a timeless keepsake. A bedtime story is the perfect addition to baby gift baskets or larger gift arrangements, like the Personalized New Baby Girl Welcome Wagon or the Newborn Girl Comfy Baby Gift Basket. By the end of the day, baby will have a collection worthy of a young scholar.

Sweet New Baby Boy Gourmet Cookie TinMini-Foods/Brunch Showers
Personally, stocking up on appetizers is my favorite part of every occasion. Their small size makes it fun and easy to sample a variety of foods. Combine that with my favorite meal, brunch, and you have the perfect baby shower menu! This year, lots of future moms celebrated with baby-sized finger foods (sliders, mini sandwiches, pies and cakes on sticks, tiny French toast squares, doughnut holes, and mini muffins, for example) rather than larger entrees. Serving your guests small, individually wrapped desserts—like the rich buttercream-frosted cookies in this Sweet New Baby Boy or Girl Cookie Tin—will definitely stir up some excitement at your baby shower. When it comes to baby shower fare, tiny is in!

Personalized Baby Boy Little Slugger Gift BasketMan Showers/Daddy Diaper Parties
Who says guys can’t have their own baby showers? While the women are ooh-ing and ahh-ing over cutesy gifts, the men are out for one last late-night hoorah with their buddies before the real sleepless nights begin. Eating barbecued favorites like burgers and wings, watching sports, playing poker and drinking from beer-filled baby bottles are all popular ways for the boys to celebrate. Plus, there’s no need for guests to go gaga looking for baby gifts: All they have to bring is diapers! The Deluxe Baby-Cakes Boy Essentials diaper tower is a great gift option. Bath towels and baby boy gift baskets are also easy and functional gifts for man showers. The Personalized Baby Boy Little Slugger Gift Basket has everything daddy needs to get his future all-star ready for bath time.

There you have it: the top 2012 baby shower trends. Which one is your favorite? If you’ve recently thrown, or been invited to, a baby shower with a unique theme, tell us about it! What was it, and how did guests get in on the action?

chocolate covered strawberries, Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets

Most Popular Baby Shower Trends of 2012: Part 1

October 17, 2012
Baby Balloon & Candy Pail

Baby’s on the way! Time to pick a clever baby shower theme before you pop. Too many options? We’ll narrow down the choices for you. Here are two of the top five baby shower trends for 2012, plus tips on how guests can get involved with fun games and cute baby gifts.

Fannie May Baby Blue Chocolate StrawberriesGender Reveal Showers
Today, many soon-to-be parents are sharing the excitement of finding out their baby’s sex by throwing gender reveal showers. The baby’s sex is kept secret till the day of the shower, when a cake that’s filled with either pink or blue frosting is served. When mom and dad cut the cake, the color of the frosting tells them whether they’re having a girl or boy! Although I’m not becoming a mom anytime soon, my parents and siblings are convinced that my first baby will be a girl, so I already know this idea would be a hit with my family: Before the gender reveal cake is cut, lay out a large platter of pink and blue Fannie May chocolate-covered strawberries. Tell your guests to pick a berry based on what they think the baby’s gender is. Count how many of each color are left to see which one got the most votes!

My Little Night Owl 5-Piece Baby Gift BasketOwl-Themed Showers
My boyfriend and I are full-on obsessed with owls (we’ve filled each other’s homes with owl-shaped mugs, candles, key caps, mouse pads … you name it), so I have an especially soft spot for this trend. New mommies who want to throw gender-neutral showers are using owls as their main source of inspiration for everything from invitations to desserts. Whether you’re welcoming a baby boy or girl into the world, you can add an enchanting touch to your baby shower with woodsy decorations like old-fashioned bird houses, mason jars and spray-painted tree branches. Guests also have plenty of adorable baby gifts to choose from, like the “My Little Night Owl” 5-Piece Baby Gift Basket, to celebrate the coming of your little owlet! (Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take some mental notes for my own future shower. …)

Tune back in next week for the final three most popular baby trends of 2012! Until then, we want to hear from you. If you were having a baby, when would you want to find out its gender: as soon as your doctor could determine the sex, during your baby shower, or right after delivery?

Gift Baskets, Thank You Gifts

The Top 5 People You Should Say “Thank You” To

October 3, 2012
Thank You Parisian Terrace Fruit Gift Basket

Thank You Parisian Terrace Fruit Gift BasketWelcome back, gift basket fans!

After taking a short break, the Designer’s Corner Blog is back in action! Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Stella, the new blogger, and I’m so excited to be bringing you fun, creative party and gift ideas each week!

One of the first things everyone learns about me is that I’m obsessed with finding the perfect gift to make someone smile ear-to-ear. When I’m celebrating a special occasion, I can never walk into a store, pick a random item on a shelf and throw it in a gift bag. I spend hours, even days, searching for presents that are personal, meaningful and practical. In other words, I want my gifts to speak to someone’s heart—and to be cherished long after they’re given. Now, I’d like to share my gift-giving mania with you! I have tons of gift ideas for you, so let’s get started.

National Gratitude Day might be over, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of appreciation can’t live on! There are so many people who brighten up our lives each day in both small and big ways, and there are even more thank-you gift options that show them how thankful we are to know them. I personally love thank-you gift baskets because you can fill them with tons of personalized items. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the top five people we should all thank on a daily basis, plus some great thank-you gift ideas for each!

Best of Junior's 4-Flavor Cheesecake SamplerMom
My mom, who looks like my identical curly-haired twin, has been my best friend since the moment I was born. She’s the first person I go to when I need advice or a good laugh, and “me-time” is not a word in her vocabulary: She always puts family first.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: If your mom never stops giving, spoil her with the Best of Junior’s 4-Flavor Cheesecake Sampler.

 

Complete Wine Tasting Party Kit Gift BoxBest Friend
My life wouldn’t be the same without my weekly dates with my best chicas. These girls don’t hesitate to lend me their ears whenever I have something juicy to say, and there is never a blah moment when we join forces.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Gather all your gal pals and treat them to a night of tasty drinks and gut-busting laughs. This Complete Wine Tasting Party Kit Gift Box will do the trick.

 

Fannie May Decadent Chocolate StrawberriesSpouse/Significant Other
Whether he’s sending me handwritten “I love you” notes in the mail or traveling two hours to surprise me at work during lunchtime, my boyfriend pulls out all the stops when it comes to showing me how much he cares.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Show your sweetheart just how sweet they are by surprising them with a box of Fannie May Decadent Chocolate Strawberries.

 

Wonderful You Thank You Gourmet Fruit Gift BasketNeighbor
I’m lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where everyone looks out for one another. My neighbors go above and beyond lending the occasional cup of sugar: I know I can always trust them to keep a watchful eye on my home while I’m away.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Return your neighbor’s considerate gestures by leaving a Wonderful You Thank You Gourmet Fruit Gift Basket at their doorstep.

 

Big Thank You Caramel Apple With CandiesTeacher
I might not be in school anymore, but it’s because of the lessons I learned from my English teachers that I’m here writing this blog! My instructors were never short on encouragement and inspiration.
Ultimate Thank-You Gift: Forget the boring red apple and drop this Big Thank You Caramel Apple With Candies on your favorite teach’s desk.

Now it’s time for me to get to know you! Who are you grateful to have in your life, and how would you thank them?