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| Up, Up and Away, from the Masterpiece collection |
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| Open Road Santa, Derevo collection |
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| Santa on Owl ornament |
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| Father Frost ornament |
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| Tree giver Santa |
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| Nativity manger ornament |
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| Sharing Secrets ornament |
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Hand-crafted Christmas ornaments
G. DeBrekht Artistic Studios has added to its various collections of Santa Claus ornaments in limited editions. Many pieces are hand-carved and free-hand painted. It takes months to complete a single ornament in the Masterpiece collection. It is carved in one Eastern European art village, then travels from village to village to complete the face, the expressive eyes, the highly detailed scenes and the elegant decorative trims. Items come in satin-lined presentation boxes.
6 new photo frames
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| Whitman |
The Metal Radiance collection, featuring sweeping curves and elegant angles, premieres over 20 new additions for 2011, including Metro, a four-opening frame featuring classic metal with chrome accents. The contemporary-style frame is available in black or brushed silver and holds 4x6 photos.
Whitman is an antique-copper frame with a rustic intertwined twig design. Sizes include 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. The Luxe series has classic moldings and contemporary profiles. Among the new additions is Annabelle, a beveled-style frame featuring an intricate floral pattern in antique gold or silver. Other collections are Luxe and Boutique.
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| Victoria |
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| Eliza |
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| Annabella |
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| Serengeti |
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| Metro |
Digital piggy bank for children
The Digi-Piggy is a coin collector and counter from Cisco Sales Corp. It was introduced earlier this year at the 108th Toy Fair in New York City and the 2011 International Home+Housewares Show in Chicago. The LCD snout on the Digi-Piggy keeps an accurate and running tally of all American coins inserted into the bank, making it easy for children to learn the values of different coins and how to count change.
Colorful aprons, kitchen towels, pot holders
Peking Handicraft Inc. (PHI) introduced a new line of kitchen textiles by licensee Ellen Crimi Trent. Trent's designs for Peking Handicraft are done in five colorful designs. All the styles boast a whimsical look, using bright, bold colors and a fanciful duck adorned in a chef's hat. The classic statements "Sugar and Spice," "Kiss the Cook," "Bon Appetit," "What's Cookin'?" and "Never Trust a Skinny Cook," enhance the look of all aprons and kitchen towels found in each style.
Photo frames with love, friendship themes
“Sweetheart” features laser-engraved black wood frames with hot pink wording along the right-hand corner. The 5x7 frame is available in three styles: “Madly in Love,” “You and Me” and “Hugs and Kisses.” Miniature versions are also available. The “Lovestruck” series of red wooden frames has mirror cutout accents. The 6x4 frames are available in three designs: “Falling for You,” “Madly in Love” and “Love at first Sight.”
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Inspirational angels
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Inspirational angel figurines
The collection, consisting of male and female angels, features slots in the angel wings, which can hold photos or cutouts of heartfelt sentiments and inspirational thoughts.
The Angel Connections, which range from 2" to 5 1/4" in height, feature the company's classic ivory look. Each resin figurine comes packaged in a box decorated in soft-colored hues and floating angel wing feathers.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Stylish wine totes, chic lunch bags
The Sachi Fashion Insulated Lunch Bag is available in more than 42 styles and colors. The company offers a point-of-sale floor display that holds up to 32 assorted totes. The bags have a fully lined silver insulated interior that keeps food and drink cool or warm for hours. A cool pack can extend coolness for most of the day.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Photo frames for all occasions
Prinz Ltd. has introduced about 500 items in its frame and album collections. New products have been introduced in each category: everyday, wedding, baby, juvenile, hobby and social expression themes.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring
Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring
This Squirrel Buster Wild Bird Feeder from Brome holds 3 quarts of seeds, has 6 feeding stations, and is very easy to clean. You can even put it in the dishwasher. The cardinal perch ring encourages cardinals to come to this feeder because it allows them to face the food source directly on a secure perch. They do not like to turn their head to feed.
The weight of a squirrel on this feeder makes the food ports automatically close and the spring mechanism can be set to discourage larger undesirable birds as well. This top-rated bird feeder gets five star reviews at Amazon. Satisfied customers report that this feeder is worth the money and does keep the squirrels away. There were a few complaints such as the cardinal ring not being sturdy enough if you have aggressive squirrels and birds. Some said that squirrels had been able to chew on the metal lid. The majority of customers were very happy with this bird feeder because of its large capacity and quality of construction.
Quick Link:
Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring
Clever felt breadbasket
The Avva Felt Breadbasket from Teroforma is made of 100% wool felt. The colors coordinate with the company’s linen collections. It is available in white, green, brown and gray. The baskets hold four bagels or equivalent size breads.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Best-selling furniture, apparel and gfits
The hand-blocked voile robe from Two's Company is available in six colors and patterns. The Butterfly pill box with mirror comes with a velvet pouch.
Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.
Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.
Guest blog: A shopper’s view of gift stores
Gift & Home Today asked writer Louise Burton: What catches your eye when you are out shopping? What do you expect in the area of customer service? Here is her report:
When Gift & Home Today invited me to write about gift and home décor from a consumer’s point of view, I jumped at the chance. As a longtime resident of the northern suburbs of Chicago and an avid shopper, I have been doing research for years in gift and home décor shops in the area. One of my favorite shops is Perennials, located in Evanston, IL (owned by Patty O'Neill). It is my source for elegant gifts that are not available in other stores.
Every year, when shopping for holiday gifts for my in-laws, I find myself heading toward Perennials’ green-and-white-striped awning on Evanston’s Central Street. This year, Perennials featured a Victorian Christmas theme in its windows. A tree was decorated with vintage ornaments, including white balls imprinted with Victorian street scenes and a small, antique book titled “Christmas Memories.”
Usually, at least one item in the Perennials windows catches my eye. This time, it was a set of small candles that were towers of mini Christmas fruit. And then I saw a miniature wooden sled, decorated with a vintage scene of children throwing snowballs. The sled was about 8 inches long. I went inside with visions of “rosebud” in my head, and discovered the sled was actually a box! The top of the sled lifted up, revealing a place to put holiday treats.
What a perfect Christmas gift. Unfortunately, I had already bought most of my Christmas presents, and couldn’t think of anyone to buy the wooden sled for. I tend to shop at Perennials for gifts and not for myself. However, I am kicking myself now for having passed it by!
A few minutes after I entered the store, a saleswoman came up and gave me a friendly greeting. About 10 minutes later she asked me, politely, if I needed any help. The salespeople in Perennials are always friendly and helpful, never overbearing. I don’t like pushy salespeople or those who insist on showing you lots of items only slightly related to the item you’re looking for. I am very picky and have my own sense of style. In addition, due to my busy schedule, when I shop I am usually speeding along and don’t want to bring my search to a screeching halt while I listen to a salesperson describe articles I’m not interested in.
While scanning the elegant displays, I was thinking: where is the one really amazing gift? I know it’s here. Every trip to Perennials has yielded a new discovery of an elegant gift item I can’t find anywhere else.
When I first visited Perennials about a dozen years ago, I thought it was just another gift store – lots of flower arrangements, gift soaps and pastel notecards. A fun place to explore with your female friends. But I slowly realized that the buyer truly had exquisite taste. The following items won me over:
1. Robin’s-egg-blue notecards displaying one large script initial in white. Robin’s-egg blue has been synonymous with wealth and good taste ever since Tiffany’s began using it as their signature color. These notecards were just the right shade of robin’s egg blue, with a white border. I still berate myself for not using the cards with initial “B” as thank-you notes after my wedding! To use these would make me feel wealthy and possessed of the most exquisite taste.
2. Stunning, heirloom-quality photo albums and frames. Fortunately, I came to Perennials when I was shopping for wedding photo albums. I had looked everywhere for the perfect albums and frames: Marshall Field’s, The Yellow Bird, The Hallmark Store, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and online at sendaframe.com. At Perennials, I found a selection of picture frames covered in ivory jacquard fabric, and photo albums in ivory silk shantung with a raised diamond pattern. (see picture of the ones I chose!) I love diamond patterns: on quilted jackets, Chanel purses, you name it! These albums and frames had just the look of understated elegance I was searching for.
Perennials currently has other beautiful wedding photo frames: a selection of elaborate, gilt-covered frames that look like fine antiques but aren’t (see picture). I have seen similar frames for prohibitively high prices at antique shows.
3. A collection of fine gift soaps and lotions, beautifully displayed. I have found many hostess gifts on these shelves: lavender-scented soaps from the Provencal region of France, exquisite seashell-shaped soaps, and a whole shelf of LaSource products in elegant turquoise packaging, featuring the clean scent of ocean breezes.
Perennials is the place to buy gifts when you want to make a good impression. This is why I often refer to it as the “mother-in-law store.” Their gift-wrapping service is as elegant as their gift items. You can choose between red toile wrapping paper or a blue floral pattern, tied with ribbon and accented with a single rosebud. For important gifts, you can’t go wrong by shopping at Perennials
When Gift & Home Today invited me to write about gift and home décor from a consumer’s point of view, I jumped at the chance. As a longtime resident of the northern suburbs of Chicago and an avid shopper, I have been doing research for years in gift and home décor shops in the area. One of my favorite shops is Perennials, located in Evanston, IL (owned by Patty O'Neill). It is my source for elegant gifts that are not available in other stores.
Every year, when shopping for holiday gifts for my in-laws, I find myself heading toward Perennials’ green-and-white-striped awning on Evanston’s Central Street. This year, Perennials featured a Victorian Christmas theme in its windows. A tree was decorated with vintage ornaments, including white balls imprinted with Victorian street scenes and a small, antique book titled “Christmas Memories.”
What a perfect Christmas gift. Unfortunately, I had already bought most of my Christmas presents, and couldn’t think of anyone to buy the wooden sled for. I tend to shop at Perennials for gifts and not for myself. However, I am kicking myself now for having passed it by!
While scanning the elegant displays, I was thinking: where is the one really amazing gift? I know it’s here. Every trip to Perennials has yielded a new discovery of an elegant gift item I can’t find anywhere else.
When I first visited Perennials about a dozen years ago, I thought it was just another gift store – lots of flower arrangements, gift soaps and pastel notecards. A fun place to explore with your female friends. But I slowly realized that the buyer truly had exquisite taste. The following items won me over:
1. Robin’s-egg-blue notecards displaying one large script initial in white. Robin’s-egg blue has been synonymous with wealth and good taste ever since Tiffany’s began using it as their signature color. These notecards were just the right shade of robin’s egg blue, with a white border. I still berate myself for not using the cards with initial “B” as thank-you notes after my wedding! To use these would make me feel wealthy and possessed of the most exquisite taste.
2. Stunning, heirloom-quality photo albums and frames. Fortunately, I came to Perennials when I was shopping for wedding photo albums. I had looked everywhere for the perfect albums and frames: Marshall Field’s, The Yellow Bird, The Hallmark Store, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and online at sendaframe.com. At Perennials, I found a selection of picture frames covered in ivory jacquard fabric, and photo albums in ivory silk shantung with a raised diamond pattern. (see picture of the ones I chose!) I love diamond patterns: on quilted jackets, Chanel purses, you name it! These albums and frames had just the look of understated elegance I was searching for.
3. A collection of fine gift soaps and lotions, beautifully displayed. I have found many hostess gifts on these shelves: lavender-scented soaps from the Provencal region of France, exquisite seashell-shaped soaps, and a whole shelf of LaSource products in elegant turquoise packaging, featuring the clean scent of ocean breezes.
Perennials is the place to buy gifts when you want to make a good impression. This is why I often refer to it as the “mother-in-law store.” Their gift-wrapping service is as elegant as their gift items. You can choose between red toile wrapping paper or a blue floral pattern, tied with ribbon and accented with a single rosebud. For important gifts, you can’t go wrong by shopping at Perennials
Louise Burton is a writer, editor and avid shopper who lives in Wilmette, IL. She currently writes web content and designs websites, uniting her interests in both writing and design. She has written for a host of e-newsletters about marketing trends and techniques. One of her passions is good design, wherever it can be found: on the Web, at art fairs, or in home furnishings. She is constantly on the lookout for the finest products available in gift and home décor.
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