11/01/2008

Thanksgiving: A Time for Appreciation

As Halloween passed, Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away. Choose the right ornaments, and you'll definitely make this year's Thanksgiving even more special and extraordinary for your family and guests. So, what are our options?

First of all, sticking to tradition will never go wrong. Acorn, turkey, corn ornaments are always a safe bet.

However, if you're looking for extra something - something more special, more unique, then my advice is that tasteful (literally~ ^_^) "harvest" themed favors and autummn themed ornaments are your best choice.

Here're some examples.

Fall Leaf TeaLight and Place Card Holder with Autumn-themed Gift Box



The leaves are aflame with the lively colors of fall, a cozy fire warms your hands and your heart, and giddy guests depart with a dazzling memento of your autumn event. The exquisitely crafted, metal maple leaf displays every hue in Mother Nature's autumn palette, and when lit by the tea-light, it glows with the brilliance of the season.

Grape Design Candle Favors



A time honored symbol of good luck, joy and youthfulness, grape-themed favors make a spirited addition to any occasion. Resembling a splendid bunch of freshly picked grapes, the candles come in two realistic color variations of green and purple. Sold individually packaged in a two color assortment from the exclusive Vineyard Collection, each candle is in a clear plastic box tied with a corresponding green or purple organza bow with a designer heart shaped thank you tag attached. Fruitful season, isn't it?

Petite Merlot Wine Glass Gel Candle with Heart Charm



Wine and butter, wine and butter~~ The Petite Merlot wine gel glass candle has a harvest grape scent, features lovely translucent gel, and is adorned with a heart charm and elegant satin ribbon. Real glass candle is presented in a clear display gift box with wine and grape illustrations.
Crystal Clear

Crystal favors are definitely the icing on the cake. They will add a touch of class and romantic innocence to the occasion, and upgrade your party to the next level. Who wouldn't like Cinderella's glass shoe for their wedding, or crystal baby carriage for their baby's shower? It's the extra something that makes your party shine.

Choice Crystal Baby Pacifier


If you're planning a baby shower or looking for a special memento to accompany your birth announcements, then this crystal baby pacifier favors are sure to bring a smile to your guests. Each features a shimmering multifaceted crystal pacifier finished with a shiny silver embossed ring handle.

Choice Crystal Oyster Shell and Pearl Favors



Each favor features a radiant half opened crystal oyster shell with a pearl resting inside. Surrounded by satin inside a Choice Crystal signature silver heart design box, tied with an organza and satin bow with a crystal heart on top and an attached matching heart shaped tag, these favors make for a stunning presentation.

Choice Crystal Swan Favors



According to legend, the swan represents the presence of divine inspiration in our world. You'll definitely inspire your guests with these magnificent swan favors. Each radiant, multifaceted crystal figurine captures the beauty and grace of the swan. Perfect for all romantic events.

10/31/2008

Business Gifts: All about Function and Comfort - Complete Wrap

Hey guys, up til now, I've posted ten posts on how to choose a satisfactory business gift. For your convenience, I've decided to combine them all in this post. Hope you'll find my advice helpful. Enjoy.

Part 1: Traveling Kit / Utility Kit

Cutter&Buck Am Classic Shoe Shine Kit
Excel Utility Kit
High Sierra Overpass Wheeled Travel Pack

Part 2: Stationary

Icon PU Memo/Tape Flag Dispenser
Network Magnetic Multi Frame
Metropolitan Pencil Cup Clock

Part 3: Fun Factor

Gridiron Football Flip Game
Icon Marble Maze
Fortune Teller Game

Part 4: Here is Your Cup of Tea

Cool Gear Freezer Stick Bottle
Colt Vacuum Bottle
Horizon Polycarb Sport Bottle

Part 5: Electronics

3.5" Digital Picture Frame
Cutter & Buck Desktop Charger
High Sierra Tahoe Computer Travel Set
Alibi 3-in-1 Web Cam, Speaker and Microphone

Part 6: Handy, Handy

Multi-Tool Corkscrew
Garrity 3C 4 L.E.D. Emergency Lantern
3 ft Tape Measure

Part 7: Kitchenware

Bosque 3-Piece Wine Set
Grill Mastertraditional BBQ Set
Wave Electric Pepper Mill

Part 8: Cool It, Baby~

Excel Sport Divided Lunch Cooler
Alpine Tailgate Cooler
C&B Deluxe Rolling Festival Cooler

Part 9: Health and Wellness

StayFit Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
StaySafe Deluxe Auto Safety Kit
Pedometer, pedometer, PEDOMETER~

Part 10: Tick Tock

Barlow Spinning Desk Clock
Swivel 4-Port Hub Clock
Metropolitan Pencil Cup Clock
Business Gifts: All about Function and Comfort (Part 10) - Tick Tock

If you're still plagued by which business gift to choose despite all my previous recommendations, then you might consider timepiece as gifts for your business contacts or associates. They are a handy and reasonable choice - all in all, an ideal business gift. One thing though, when dealing with Chinese, clocks are not a desired business gift idea because the phrase "giving out clocks" in Chinese is pronounced the same as something undesirable.

Barlow Spinning Desk Clock



This clock adds a personal touch with a photo frame on the flip side of the clock face. Available with optional vinyl panel insert. Button battery included. Elegant, isn't it?

Swivel 4-Port Hub Clock



A built-in alarm clock makes this USB hub unique. Use it as an employee appreciation gift. Clock includes a timer function, special birthday reminder, and six different alarm rings. LCD screen with backlight and large display of time, date, day, and temperature. 3" USB extension cord. Instructions and two button cell batteries included. Includes 1-piece gift box. Compatible with Windows Vista.

Metropolitan Pencil Cup Clock



Sophisticated 2-in-1 design. Clean and modern. Space for writing instruments, letter opener, or laser pointer. So Mr. Big-ish. Definitely will add a touch of elegance and style to your office.

10/28/2008

Love Actually

I can't remember which movie once said "it is love that made life bearable". I can't remember the name of the movie but I can't agree with it more. And I really wish everyone, everywhere, will find their true love eventually. So, today, let's take a look at a group of love-themed favors.

"Love Letters" Letter Opener in Personality Box



L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you can adore


L-O-V-E. These for magical letters are combined into this unique LOVE letter opener. Made of solid silver chrome, these letter openers are romantic, practical, and elegant and make wonderful guest favors that your guests will appreciate for years to come.

LOVE Heart Compact Mirror in Black Velvet Pouch



Classic and sleek, these compact heart mirrors are a great way to "reflect" your appreciation to your guests. Each chrome silver heart compact has LOVE across the front and is packaged in an elegant black velvet pouch.

"Love Notes" Sticky Notes in Nostalgic Dispenser Gift Box with Dainty Heart Charm



It's true that action speaks louder than words. So, why don't combine action with words and actually write your love one a love note? A step above the typical sticky-note pad, this unique note dispenser is a perfectly fitted box that offers one note at a time, each one delicately etched with "Love Notes" in pretty pink-ideal for exchanging words of passion with someone you adore. The perfect favor for Valentine's Day parties, wedding showers, anniversary parties and more, your guests will love you for it, and they'll remember your day fondly whenever they "make note" of their emotions.

10/27/2008

Green is the New Fashion

Green stands for nature, harmony, organic, environmental friendly. What can be more "IN" than green when everyone is crying out loud "We Love Green"? So, are you prepared for a breath of fresh air?

Topiary Photo Holder/Place Card Holder



A breathtaking topiary-always the stunning showpiece of an exquisitely arranged garden-is the inspiration for this dramatic design. The Topiary Photo Holder/Place Card Holder will bring the same engaging charm to your wedding reception tables. Nobly rising from a well-crafted, dark-wood planter is the finely manicured, round, rich green foliage-an artisan's hallmark. Every topiary can hold a cherished photo of the happy couple or a place card.

Butterfly Garden Gift Baskets with Wildflower Seed



The butterfly gift basket was lovingly designed to remind your guests of a springtime garden in bloom, with a dainty butterfly frame and charming mesh lining. Each basket comes with a little paper "grass" filling and a wildflower seed packet. These adorable favors will make your event just a little bit sprightlier!

"New Beginnings" Plantable Petal Cones Kit



Let your wedding day be a breathtaking new beginning - for you, and for the bounty of natural beauty you present to each of your guests. Who else but Kate Aspen could design a favor that's elegant, eco-friendly, versatile and able to be personalized? She's done it magnificently with her "New Beginnings" Blooming Petal Cones. They begin their journey as convenient flower-petal holders, so your guests can shower you with Mother Nature's confetti as you leave for your honeymoon. Next, the petal cones travel near and far to the gardens of your guests, who can plant the favors so they can grow and blossom as a lasting reminder of the love that brought you to your special day. If you'd like to personalize your cones, Kate suggests vellum, and she provides a convenient, downloadable template that enables you to print whatever you wish on the vellum sheets. Simply insert the vellum into the cones for an even more dazzling presentation. To complete the impressive look, a lovely, matching organza ribbon enhances the front of the cone.

10/26/2008

Fairytale Themed Weddings
By Ashley Rader

Most young women grow up with visions of their wedding day already conceived. We dream of that day when all eyes are on us as we walk down the aisle towards our knight in shining.. uh, tuxedo!

So when that special day arrives, you may want to live out your dream of a fairytale themed wedding; princess dress and all. Here are some fairytale wedding ideas to look over before making important planning decisions for your big day.

Cinderella

As the fairytale goes, Cinderella is oppressed by her wicked step family before blossoming into a beautiful princess. Of course, you will want to buy that perfect princess dress, complete with ruffles, lace-up back, and all of the accouterments that make it exquisite.

Cinderella would surely end off this display at her fairytale themed wedding with dazzling diamond accents as well. And we can't forget glass slippers that will be seen as the bride is walking down the aisle.

Want to go over the top with your fairytale wedding ideas? Instead of the traditional walk-in from the back, put on a little "skit" towards the back of the church or venue involving the Cinderella theme. Have a wicked step mother and sister yelling orders at the bride, who will at first be dressed in raggedy clothes (preferably over her actual dress). Add appropriate music and sound effects over the sound system to complement the scene. Then cover the bride as she goes through her transformation and is revealed in her stunning new wedding dress.

We're talking about a fairytale themed wedding here-bring out all the sprinkles and glitter necessary to make this an eye-catching production. This is a great idea for a bride who actually went through a struggle in life that people would recognize, and rose above it to glory.

Fairytale wedding favors that would go with this theme are sparklers and silver snowflake ornaments. You might even go so far as to purchase "magic wands" for all of your female guests, and ask them to point it towards you before you go through your "transformation" in the fairytale skit, or at some other point in your fairytale themed wedding. All of this will not come cheap, but it will definitely be memorable for guests. Think outside of the box when brainstorming fairytale wedding ideas.

Marie Antoinette Wedding Theme

Another fairytale themed wedding idea plays on the infamous Marie Antoinette and her life of excess. Again, you will need a very elaborate dress with wide panniers underneath to create the full effect, but this time it will be a little more on the gaudy side. Keep thinking excess when considering this fairytale wedding theme. A thick application of rouge is necessary for the bride and/or bridesmaids.

Marie Antoinette was known for her love of clothing, shoes, and shopping. Pick wedding favors that reflect these items. One example would be a stilletto keychain. What about giving all of your female guests a lacy garter belt as a wedding favor? Sparklers are also a nice touch to this fairytale themed wedding. Fairytale wedding ideas are plentiful. Let your imagination go wild as you piece all of the elements of your fairytale themed wedding together like an intricate puzzle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Rader