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New Baby and Baby Shower Games

August 16, 2012

Welcome back!

Apparently the number 8 isn’t too lucky for a few of you, so just stick to not walking under any ladders! Of course five of you commenters are in luck and will be receiving a giant fortune cookie! Congratulations to Gary Narberes (August 9, 2012 at 4:16 pm), Karen Koch (August 9, 2012 at 4:21 pm), Melissa (August 9,2012 at 4:51 pm), Elaine C. (August 10, 2012 at 10:49 am), and Suzanne (August 15, 2012 at 10:14 pm)! Send your shipping information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your fortune cookies!

Is it just me or is the end of summer and beginning of fall “baby season”? I know a few people who are due around this time and nearly half of my family has a fall birthday. I realize there is a statistic about however many thousand people are born every minute, but in my small world, I feel like those minutes all gather around the change of the fall season. Feel free to let me know if it’s the same or different for all of you!

I enjoy seeing the new name trends every year and guessing what influenced them (how many Katnisses do you think we’ll get this year?). I would like to see more interesting trends for boy names. They get the short end of the stick, I think. Someone should start the petition for trendier boy names. Below are the top 10 names for girls and boys for the year 2011.

Top 10 Names for Girls 2011

Isabella (who saw that one coming…besides everyone)
Emma
Olivia (my hope is this was inspired by Olivia Newton John)
Sophia
Ava
Emily
Madison (I will never not think of the movie Splash when I see this name)
Abigail
Chloe
Mia

Top 10 Names for Boys 2011

Jacob (once again, color me shocked)
Ethan
Michael
Alexander (the Great!)
William (could shorten to Liam)
Joshua
Daniel
Jayden (Big Willy style, obviously)
Noah
Anthony

Of course with new babies on the way, comes baby showers and trying to find a gift that’s useful while still being cute (personally all tiny things are cute to me, especially baby gym shoes that will never even touch a single sidewalk and will be grown out of within a month). We have all the most adorable new baby gifts you could imagine here, including my favorite monkey baby gift. However, for those of you currently planning baby showers, let’s talk some fun and unique baby shower games so that no grown woman will ever have to smell a fake diaper with random mashed food in it again.

Baby shower game ideas:

Give your guests a list of television families and have guests list the children from the families. Some families to try: Full House, Brady Bunch, Arrested Development, Leave It To Beaver, Little House on the Prairie, Malcolm in the Middle, Partridge Family, Growing Pains, Bewitched, Step by Step, Cosby Show, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Family Ties, Modern Family.
Create a baby guide book with ideas from close family and friends. Sometime during the party, ask each guest to write down their name, relationship to new mom and then some helpful hints, baby advice, words of encouragement. This will be very helpful to new parents!
Cake Race. Have people race to build a diaper/baby gift cake using provided materials and reward those who finish first and/or have the most appealing diaper cake!

In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) tell me your own ideas for baby shower games, new baby gift ideas, or some interesting and trendy baby names! FIVE lucky and random winners will receive a prize of their own.

Have a great weekend!

chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes, Customer Appreciation, Feedback, Party!

Olympics 2012!

July 27, 2012

Hello Gift Basket Fans!

Our work picnic yesterday was great! A little hot out (especially after a few rounds of sand volleyball), but it was a fun change to be outside. Plus, it gave all of you some extra time to submit your comments! I think a lot of us agreed that food is the way to go in most cases, but it doesn’t hurt to get a little trinket to remind you of what great gift givers you have around you. Speaking of gift giving, I have a few gift baskets to award now. Congratulations to Gita (July 26, 2012 at 12:06 pm), Julie H (July 19, 2012 at 7:49 pm), Clara Ray (July 26, 2012 at 11:05 am), Teresa (July 19, 2012 at 11:18 pm), and Olivia (July 27, 2012 at 7:45 am)! You will all be receiving the All Smiles Gift Basket that comes with a $10 gift to use on your next purchase so you can choose which gift basket is right for you! Email your information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll get your gift baskets out to you.

Today (and well let’s be honest, the next two weeks) I am ALL over the Olympics! I’m counting down to the Opening Ceremony tonight, what surprises they’ll pull out, what secret thing David Beckham is doing for the ceremony, if there will be some mention of Harry Potter since the director is creating this whole thing (a girl can dream). Either way, 7:30 I will be tuning in. Also tuning in for Swimming, Track & Field, Gymnastics (how do they DO that?), Volleyball, and probably a few more events that catch my attention. All from the comfort of my couch of course. The Olympics (and watching any kind of sport in general) goes one of two ways for me, either I get really motivated to be active or I just watched, amazed, while eating very delicious non-Olympian food.

And it’s looking like this year will be falling into the latter category, especially after I found these adorable Olympics cupcake decorations from Williams-Sonoma. Yes, I know, making and eating cupcakes while watching the best athletes in the world from my television. If I make it into a viewing party with other people to help me eat these, would that make it better?

Are you going to have your own Olympics viewing party? Let me suggest one of my favorite desserts to include at your party. Our Junior’s Red Velvet Cheesecake! It’s got red and white, so there’s your patriotic colors. And have I ever mentioned how sinfully delicious this cake is? Very creamy without being too sweet, the red velvet crumble on top and sides, plus the cake portion mixes very well, and there is plenty in one cake to share! I had it for my birthday to be served to my whole family (aunts, uncles, grandparents, the whole 9 yards) and we have all sworn by it’s delectable nature since. 1800Baskets has also been running a special for 20% off, so now you really can’t say no! I promise, your party guests will absolutely love it.

We still have our Stars & Stripes Chocolate Covered Strawberries ready to order. And you can read a full review from me (along with some pictures!) here in a previous post!

You can find the Olympics Event schedule here.

Now tell me: In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs), which Olympic event are you looking forward to and why? FIVE lucky commenters will win a special prize next week!

Have a great weekend and happy Olympics!

Birthday Gift, Christmas Gift Baskets, Customer Appreciation, Feedback, Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Holiday Gift Baskets, New Baby Gift Baskets, Summer Time Gift, Thank You Gifts

Which Gift Basket Would You Choose?

July 19, 2012

Welcome back readers!

As always, I loved all of your Thank You Gift suggestions (and even better, some of you put down really great recipes and dessert ideas!). Clearly, whoever is lucky enough to receive a thank you gift from one of you is in for a special treat. And I have a few of my own gifts to send out! Congratulations to Cathy B*****y (July 13, 2012 at 12:01 am), Judy (July 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm), Amanda S (July 18, 2012 at 10:50 am), Shannon J. (July 19, 2012 at 10:16 am), and Pat (July 19, 2012 at 12:50 pm)! You will all be receiving our special All Smiles Gourmet Sweets & Treats Gift Basket! Please send your shipping info to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll have your gift baskets sent out to you.

As I’ve said, I love reading through all of your comments (and sometimes even look there for future blog post ideas!). One comment I saw made me think of a really interesting topic that (of course) I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on. When making or receiving a gift, do you prefer an all food gift or do you prefer a gift with reusable objects?

I know this really depends on the occasion, but usually the rule of thumb is to stick with food gifts because you know they can always be used…or well, eaten. But sometimes when I get a gift basket full of my favorite things like new books, magazines, pens, and all corresponding items, I can’t help but love it more. And in a way, I think it says a lot that someone knew which things you would enjoy!

But as I said, you can never go wrong with food. Sure it’s around every day, but there’s something extra delicious about a gourmet treat that someone specifically picked with you in mind.

We have tons of gift baskets overflowing with delicious foods ready and on the go, but I definitely think our specialty gift baskets can hold their own! As far as new baby gift baskets, this adorable monkey gift basket is super sweet and will put a huge smile on mommy’s face.

If you’re looking for a relaxing gift, our spa gift baskets are divine. Check out this Lavender spa gift basket sure to relax and soothe whoever is lucky enough to use it! Or if you’re interested in a more active way to relax, this trendy and ready to go yoga gift set is perfect (and comes with some great essentials for your workout!).

Feeling a bit pensive? Our Thinking of You stationary gift basket is a real treat! Check out a review I wrote on this gift basket here.

So what do you think? In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) let me know which gift you prefer and why! FIVE lucky and random winners will receive a sweet prize next week.

Have a great weekend!

Customer Appreciation, Feedback, Fruit Club, Gift Baskets, Thank You Gifts

Thank You Gifts

July 12, 2012

Welcome back everyone,

I hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July holiday with a lot of relaxation and down time, it seems like there were also a few delicious cookouts had (yum)! A huge thank you to everyone who commented well wishes on my road trip! All of your comments were much appreciated. I got to explore some caves in Kentucky, see fireworks in Savannah, and lay around on Myrtle Beach (the best kind of road trip always involves a beach in my opinion). And now I’m back thinking of fun and exciting party and gifting ideas!

The only topic that comes to mind for me right now would be thank you gifts. How great is it to receive an unexpected gift that lets you know someone appreciates something you did for them!

Weddings don’t have the only corner on the market anymore! Thank you gifts can be the one thing that someone remembers from your party, event, or dinner. One of my friends had a housewarming party just to show off their new place and provided cute little “thank you gift bags” filled with candy for everyone who attended. For younger children’s birthday parties, I’ve seen a lot of decorated candy and caramel apples being used as thank you gifts that look so delicious (blame Pinterest for pointing me to all of those pictures)! You can also use larger thank you gifts for interviews or coworkers that you want to showcase.

Thank you gifts can also be a great memento from you to a friend that lets them know you were thinking of them and all that that do. Send a great gift to a friend who recently helped you move or provided much needed comfort during a stressful time. I recently made a thank you gift for a friend of mine filled with new books, comfort food, tea and things she would like just for always being my go-to person to call when in need and she surprised me by making her own gift for me the next time I saw her. Now we have a little tradition of creating sort-of care packages for each other!

Along with your thank you gifts, don’t forget to include a generous thank you note! It personalizes your gift more and shows them that you took extra time to appreciate them.

Below are some helpful Thank You Note suggestions:

Make your note at least three sentences
Avoid pre-printed or fill-in-the-blank thank you cards.
When thanking someone for money, don’t name the amount. Say “Thank you for the generous gift.”
Handwrite your notes if possible! Don’t print out thank you notes on your computer.
Don’t be generic, try to include some personality.

What do you guys think? In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) tell me what would be a great Thank You Gift idea? FIVE lucky winners will receive a thank you gift of their own!

chocolate covered strawberries, Customer Appreciation, Feedback, Party!, Summer Time Gift

Stars & Stripes Chocolate Covered Strawberries

June 26, 2012

fourth of july chocolate covered strawberries

Everyone loves chocolate covered strawberries, especially when they’re so seasonally decorated in the good red, white and blue!

Our Stars & Stripes Chocolate Covered Strawberries are an absolutely decadent treat that will have you feeling more patriotic with every sweet bite. Fresh-picked and ripe strawberries are hand-dipped in and festively decorated to perfection. You’ll receive six strawberries hand-dipped in dark chocolate and decorated with red, white and blue candy stars. As well as six large strawberries hand-dipped in white confection and drizzled with patriotic red, white and blue confectionary designs.

I loved these decadent berries and felt a lot less guilty eating so many of the dark chocolate covered strawberries, convincing myself that since it’s dark chocolate it would be okay! I have no excuse for the white confection strawberries other than they were too delicious to resist and I wish I had about 20 more of them. I currently have a few freezing to enjoy later, they end up tasting like a strawberry chocolate smoothie.

With Fourth of July coming up soon, these chocolate covered strawberries would be perfect for a Fourth of July party dessert or a great party prize. Be sure to send these to any military relatives and families you know to celebrate the season, or just order some as a great treat to snack on with you and your family on your way to see 4^th of July fireworks!

Orders come in 6 or 12 chocolate covered strawberries and require overnight delivery.

chocolate covered strawberries, Customer Appreciation, Feedback, Fruit Club, Gift Baskets, Party!, Summer Time Gift

Fourth of July Party Ideas

June 21, 2012

Welcome back readers,

I promise I’ll hold off on the picnic blogs for a while now, I think I got it all out of my system (at least until I try all of your suggestions out). But please let me know if any of you try out your own picnic ideas or the delicious recipes featured last week, and send pictures! We have some winners to announce who can be our first to try out the picnic ideas. Congratulations to Jean C (June 14, 2012 at 8:18 pm), bessie burnsed (June 15, 2012 at 11:05 am), Ashley (June 16, 2012 at 5:19 pm), Kristen eby (June 18, 2012 at 1:11 am), and Jessica Beard (June 18, 2012 at 2:56 pm)! Please email your info to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I can send out your prize!

We’re so close to July, which is crazy to me because I feel like May was just yesterday! July is the month for camping, barbeques, and tons of outdoor summer parties. And we have our biggest summer party coming up: Fourth of July! What could be better than some fun in the sun, celebrating with red, white, and blue? Also a Fourth of July party means one of my favorite things about summer: Fireworks. There is something very right about enjoying something off the grill, a patriotic dessert and colorful fireworks against the night sky. So let’s get planning with some awesome Fourth of July party ideas!

Our sister brand Celebrations has a great piece on decoration for a 4^th of July brunch here. I think there are so many fun ways to incorporate the festive patriotic colors into your designs, like checkered table cloths with solid colored plates. Or utilize this fun and festive stars and lantern lights at your Fourth of July bash! (Both found at Target). Even better is this party gear kit with fun patriotic hats and décor!

This is going to be a very short post, because sometimes certain bloggers get very busy and also want to get more ideas from their very gracious readers!

In the comments section below (1-2 paragraphs) tell me how you would incorporate the following products (and the previous decor if you want!) in your own Fourth of July party! Five winners will receive the chocolate covered strawberries!

Have a great weekend of planning!

cupcakes, Father's Day, Feedback, Fruit Club, Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Party!, Summer Time Gift

Celebrating Summer Fun Picnic Ideas

June 14, 2012

Welcome back readers,

Father’s Day weekend is here, and I spent the last few weeks drumming up gifts for Father’s Day, so I hope you have yours picked out by now! If not, you can always check back on our posts for some great ideas here, here, and here. Don’t forget the comments section for some really great ideas for Dad! For now I’ll announce our weekly winners and we’ll move on to one of my favorite topics: picnics! Congratulations to Pamela Hansen (June 8, 2012 at 8:23 am), Stacey Ellis (June 8, 2012 at 10:23 am), Jean C (June 8, 2012 at 10:28 am), Melissa (June 14, 2012 at 10:39 am), and Tiffany (June 14, 2012 at 3:24 pm)! Please send your shipping information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your Crabtree & Evelyn® Nomad Traveler for Men.

My love of picnics is no secret, especially on here when we always have so many amazing gourmet gift baskets and food gifts to use for fun summer outings. Summer is in full force right now and I can’t imagine not wanting to enjoy the great outdoors, even if it’s just your local park or backyard and a basket of food. These days of nice weather will only be here for so long, and I’m dedicated to making the most of them. We’ve already talked about essentials to bring on your next picnic and a few fun dishes, but our sister brand Celebrations.com has so many delicious recipes for quick and easy finger foods as well as downright decadent desserts that I need to share with all of you!

Picnics should be about easy fun on the go. There’s no need to get super complicated with the meals you prepare or how much stuff you need to bring. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make them fun or seasonal. Which is why I’m currently obsessed with Celebration.com’s finger sandwiches collection.

You better believe that the Mini Grilled Cheese sandwiches will be a key player at all my summertime functions. Asiago, Parmesan, Fontina, Provolone, arugula, and truffle oil! I am in culinary heaven right now. I just bought a new bottle of truffle oil that I’ve been cooking everything in lately, so this is definitely my favorite sandwich of the set. Their Avocado and Tomato Finger Sandwiches are a close runner-up, because I have a lifetime commitment to all things avocado. It’s so simple, fresh, and you’ll never feel any guilt with eating your fair share of these delicate treats!

Check out more of their Tea Time and Finger Sandwich recipes here, and don’t miss out on their Top 10 Picnic Food Ideas here!

For a cute and creative dessert that I am definitely trying out this weekend, are Celebration’s Blueberry Cupcakes in a Jar. It looks decadent but also incredibly easy to make. I have a feeling I’ll be trying out all of their Cupcake Ideas here.

Going back to the simplicity of picnics, you can always find something you love with our collection of gourmet gift baskets. Every gift basket is packed with gourmet foods, sides, and fun treats inside for you to try out. And all items complement each other perfectly. Everything is there waiting for you to pick it up and go! Since it’s summertime, I’m leaning towards some fresh orchard fruit and cheese gift baskets, or flavorful and hearty meat and cheese gift baskets, and of course some very tasty wine gift baskets. Take any of these out for a gourmet getaway one afternoon:

In the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) tell me which of these gifts you would pick for your picnic and things you would pair with them! FIVE lucky and random winners will receive the Lucca & Sons™ Deluxe Meat & Cheese Box!

Have a safe and happy Father’s Day weekend!

Feedback, Fruit Club, Summer Time Gift, Thank You Gifts

Mendocino Fruit & Nut Crate

June 12, 2012

A rich and flavorful gift for every health-nut in need! Another one of our healthier gift selections, the Mendocino Fruit & Nut Crate makes the perfect summertime or anytime gift to give.

It arrives in perfect presentation, a clean sleek wooden box tray with four sections filled to the brim with delicious goods. My tray came with dried fruits such as apricots and plums, freshly roasted pistachios, and a dried fruit and nut mix. The burst of bright yellow, orange and red hues from the fruit livens up this nutritious gift and makes it very appealing to the eye. I almost did not want to disturb it, but who am I to turn away amazingly delicious snacks?

The dried fruits are packed with flavor and easy to devour. The pistachios are roasted to perfection and pair perfectly with variety of fruits they came with. 1800Baskets.com partners with Torn Ranch to bring this absolutely stunning and delicious gift. Healthy, tasty and kosher, it really will please anyone lucky enough to receive it!

I sampled some of the treats upon arrival, but have since saved these to bring with me to work, for lunch or snacking, and as a great post-workout snack to build back some energy. The fruit and nut combination is a great way to snack healthy while getting in some much needed vitamins and minerals, from lowering cholesterol to providing much needed protein.

Did you know that you can even recycle pistachio shells? Empty pistachio shells can be used as fire starter for kindling, or you can place them on the bottom of pots for your houseplants to be used as drainage and soil retention for up to two years. You can use the shells as mulch for shrubs and plants that require acid soils, particularly plants that grow blue or purple hued flowers, to retain that pigment.

Get this gift for any health-conscious friend or someone you want to say hello to! It’s perfect for summer, to enjoy with friends out in the sun. Or even during the colder months as a sweet and nutritious treat in between large holiday celebrations!

Father's Day, Feedback, Fruit Club, Summer Time Gift, Thank You Gifts

Sweet & Succulent Summer Bing Cherry Gift Box

June 12, 2012

A 1800Baskets.com exclusive gift, our bright and succulent Bing cherries are the perfect gift for Summer! Keep a healthy gift in mind without compromising on great taste.

The Sweet & Succulent Summer Bing Cherry Gift Box was definitely a delicious surprise to receive. The box was still cold when it was delivered and inside was the largest, most flavorful farmer’s market cherries I’d seen this summer. Varying in hues of bright red to deep maroon, all cherries were packed with decadent juicy flavor. Obviously I needed to sample a handful of the cherries as soon as I opened the box. They were too good to pass up. And you’re all lucky I stopped myself in time to grab at least one picture.

This makes such a great gift for any health-minded friend and leaves them with endless possibilities to use their gift. They can be enjoyed as is, benefitting from the high antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. You can bake them in a pie, cobbler, or in any of your everyday cooking. Add them to any dessert for an additional treat; dipped in chocolate or with whipped cream, they’re bound to please!

I’ve never been one for cherry pies, but this cherry cobbler recipe looked too good to not share!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
2 cups pitted sour cherries
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the butter in a 9×13 inch baking dish, and place in the oven to melt while the oven is preheating. Remove as soon as butter has melted, about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and baking powder. Mix in the milk until well blended, then pour the batter into the pan over the butter. Do not stir.
Rinse out the bowl from the batter, and dry. Place cherries into the bowl, and toss with the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour. Distribute the cherry mixture evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the cobber should come out clean.

Customer Appreciation, Father's Day, Feedback, Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Summer Time Gift

Father’s Day Gifts Guide

May 31, 2012

Welcome back readers!

You all had a lot of great Father’s Day gift suggestions and I will definitely be stealing a few! We’ve got some fun stuff ahead so let’s get to it.Congratulations to Patricia Sauber (May 24, 2012 at 4:47 pm), Mike (May 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm), Roxanne (May 26, 2012 at 3:37 pm), Josh (May 31, 2012 at 8:57 am), and Terry (May 31, 2012 at 8:57 am)! Please send your information to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I’ll send out your Stubbs BBQ gift set!

Have you picked out the perfect gift for dad yet? June is only a skip away. Dads tend to be a lot harder to shop for sometimes. I can never tell if I’m getting a gift that will be well used or one that will end up collecting dust. I’m positive though, that you can never go wrong with a tasty food gift. We just got some new and delicious Father’s Day gifts in and I thought it would be a great idea to showcase them with a little gift guide quiz I’m sure most of you are familiar with. It’s time to play Guess That Dad!

When you’re done taking our little Father’s Day Gift Quiz, tell me in the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) which answer you got and come up with your own gift idea that would fit! FIVE lucky and random commenters will win the Father’s Day Handyman’s Snack Gift Toolbox!

Enjoy!

Q: What is the one object your Dad can’t live without?

A) The grill, definitely.
B) His golf set
C) Toolbox
D) A deck of cards

Q: What is Dad’s favorite show to watch?

A) Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
B) Sports Center
C) Holmes on Homes
D) Any game show, he’s tuned in.

Q: What’s the one thing you learned from Dad?

A) To try new things
B) To have a great deal of patience
C) To be self-reliant
D) To look at situations from all angles

Q: What is Dad’s favorite shirt to wear?

A) “Kiss the Cook” shirt
B) A polo shirt
C) It’s more of an oil rag now…
D) Short sleeve button-up

Q: Dad’s favorite color?

A) Red
B) Green
C) Brown
D) Black

Q: It’s Sunday afternoon, where is your Dad?

A) Cooking dinner!
B) Out on the green hitting a few tees while the sun is out
C) With his head under the hood of his car
D) Shhh…he just missed that hand!

Did you get…

Mostly A’s: He’s a natural born chef! You can always find him trying out a new recipe, rub or seasoning and ready to entertain the whole family! We’re sure he’d love this Dad’s Classic BBQ Grill Gift Set.

Mostly B’s: Dad’s a very relaxed guy and easy-going. He enjoys a nice snack, and a gift with meaning. Get him a great gift that he’ll love like this Golf Tote Bag with Snacks.

Mostly C’s: No matter what the problem, no one can fix it quite like Dad. He’s been your personal handy man for as long as you can remember. Fix his hunger with this Father’s Day Handyman’s Snack Gift Toolbox.

Mostly D’s: Always calculating the odds, Dad is there for an answer when you need him most. The best way to Dad’s heart this Father’s Day is with this lucky treat! Get him the Happy Father’s Day Gaming & Poker Bin.

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