Best Hostess Gifts and Gifts That Give Back
Capability:Mom is posting today on lovely hostess gifts and frankly, she is an expert on this. For my part, I am compiling a list of gifts that give back in some way but also have a “present component” to the recipient. They’re gifts that keep on giving.
Wool and the Gang. I read about this in Elle magazine. My mother-in-law was here a few months ago and I finally learned to knit after years of yearning to knit — I had seen a hat on Cameron Diaz, a simple beanie like the grey one here but it was $200 and that seemed like highway robbery because it doesn’t look too difficult to make. And it’s not!
Another idea for doing good while eating chocolates is an artisan chocolatier, Compartes. They are donating proceeds from an African-themed truffles collection (think caramelized plantains and cardamon!) to help victims in Darfur. The chocolates come with a Beads of Africa bracelet, each handmade from sand in Africa, and are $20. The bracelets can also be purchased individually for $10 from Relief Beads.
FEED Bags
Lauren Bush-Lauren’s non-profit FEED has great bags to help your country of choice feed its hungry children.
FEED USA, $30 Bib, $18FEED Guatemala Pouch for Cosmetics or Pencils, $30Tee to FEED Japan, $35
Stocking, $20
To order or examine any item, please click on image of item.
The 12 Days of Shopping
I will be posting The 12 Days of Shopping jointly with Capability:Mom. Please visit her blog to see the other half of each post.
Dec 1: Make Your Own Gifts GRANOLA, Amazing Granola from Nigella Lawson versus Amazing Granola Bars from The Barefoot Contessa
Dec 2: Kids Make Gifts CRAFT (ModPodge versus Clove Fruit)
Dec 3: Personalized Gifts (Fancy Address Stampers versus Pretty Papers Giveaway)
Dec 4: Father-in-Law/Dad and Mother-in-Law/Mom
Dec 7: Hostess/Gifts That Give Back
Dec 8: Sanitation Engineers, Mail Carriers, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning People, Dog Walker/Dog Trainer, etc. (a.k.a. who else did I forget?) and Emily Post’s Etiquette on this subject.
Dec 9: Husband, Me (Our Own Wacko List); Capability:Mom Husband/Wife
Dec 11: Quick Gifts from Whole Foods versus Gourmet Food Store
Dec 12: ‘Cause I Am So Together, Last Minute Home Made Gifts: Cookies & Personalized Holiday Tags
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Love these ideas – only you could come up such terrific finds! Can we have matching hats?
If I learn how to make those hats, I will definitely make you one but I am having trouble doing a ribbing (knit two, perl two) so don’t hold your breath!!
I love reading your blog! It’s amazing. Do you have any secret knowledge of creative Hannukah gifts?
To Melissa,
I asked around and some moms kindly gave me some suggestions:
Hannukah banner you create: Alex Chanukah Banner which the mom liked because boys can do it and there are very few Chanukah decorations out there. Books came up and I like Klutz books and have posts for boys and girls Top 10: Best Klutz Activity Books for Girls UPDATED
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=4578 and Top 10: Best Klutz Activity Books for Boys http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=6283 if you want creative kits. I also like the Little Librarian kit http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=12079 and this DIY comic book for boys http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=12077
Hope these help!
Mia