A Teenage Dilema!

As the children of my friends continue to grow older, I seem to struggle more each year with what to get them for special occasions. An abundance of cute and cuddly options are available for the younger age groups, but the teen age range tends to stump most people – including me! On my journey to locate some good gift options for this challenging age range, I dug deep to recall what I was interested in at that age. Once I dusted off those memories, I tried to locate the modern equivalent. The results? A blend of truly silly stuff and music related gadgets.

Let’s have some fun and start with the silly stuff first…

Flip Flop Socks – My practical nature immediately wonders why you would wear socks with flip flops. Isn’t this along the fashion forbidden lines of socks with sandals?! Even so, it sure seems like it meets the teen need to shock and fly in the face of convention… without creating a juvenile record! Available in colorful patterns, these socks are patterned after mittens with a single pocket for your big toe and a larger pocket for the other little piggies.

Recycled Candy Wrapper Bracelet – Perfect for the budding eco-friendly fashionista! Colorful candy wrapper, food packages and soda labels are recycled to create this colorful and chunky accessory. No need to worry about sticky stuff carried over from their previous life. These wrappers are all from company discard piles due to misprinting, over printing or discontinued items. Instead of heading to the trash, they are turned into fun accessories for sassy young things.

Temporary Hand Tattoos – Don’t let the name scare you! Think of when you used your pen to draw lips and eyes on your hand to create a talking friend… You know, the one where moving your thumb opened and closed the mouth of your little talking friend. Consider this the upgraded version! The decals are non-toxic and applied with water allowing zany teens to get creative and talk back to themselves!

Give me a beat… and let’s talk about some music related gadgets…

Urbanears Headphones – Anyone old enough to remember the Walkman should recognize the general style of these headphones. We were warned that the 80’s was making a comeback… This trendy new version comes to us from Sweden which in a teen world should make it SO COOL just because of its foreign origins. Of course, the full range of available colors ensuring that you can coordinate with their iPod does not hurt, either. The other bonus is that they are on par with modern music technology which means that they will deliver great sound quality to your young friend. The upside – you no longer have to hear their music blasting. The downside – they have a new method to pretend they did not hear you…

iSkin– For those lucky teens in your life who already have an iPhone (thank you Santa Claus), these accessory items might be a great gift option. Three different general styles offer a range of colors for selection. This means that your favorite teen can build a collection and be sure to coordinate their phone case to their outfit for the day making you the coolest ever!

Building Block Speaker– A great transition gift for the young man who still loves his Lego toys, but can also blog faster than a 40-year old! Designed to look like a Lego block, these tiny speakers plug into most iPod devices allowing music to be shared quickly and simply with friends. No batteries required and they come in a variety of colors in case you need to coordinate with your iPod.

Happy Shopping and let me know if you have other helpful suggestions!

You're Invited

When I went to check the mailbox yesterday I was expecting the usual blend of bills and advertising flyers. Much to my surprise there was an envelope addressed to me that appeared just a bit fancier than the rest and this caught my attention. My birthday has long passed and there are no major holidays around the corner, so I quickly ruled out greeting cards. As I prepared to open this envelope a funny thing happened... I got a little excited! The idea of opening something special (and other than a bill) has become such a unique occurrence that the anticipation of its contents made my eyes twinkle. What was inside? An invitation!

As I walked back to the house with my special piece of mail in hand, it occurred to me that people have become so involved in the digital world that the habit of sending formal invitations has been all but forgotten. Attempting to put my nostalgia in check, I tried to recall the last time an evite in my inbox caught my attention to the same degree as this recent envelope experience. Sadly, I was lacking for evidence. With so many pieces of correspondence coming to us digitally these days, invitations seem to get lost in the mix and lose their luster - in spite of the spiffy graphic options available! Perhaps it is time to reconsider the ways of the past and return to the art of the formal invitation - at least for the gatherings you want people to get really excited about...

The result of this epiphany? A little option investigation, of course!

Option One: For those of us with an craft inclination a quick trip to the local craft store combined with a little creative energy can be the perfect way to send a truly unique invitation. This option ensures that guests receive a one-of-a-kind invitation which is sure to give the gathering that extra special touch. My only warning... beware of the time investment! The handbooks and craft shows make it seem so easy, but there can be a significant time investment for this option. If you love crafting, this should not be a problem as you will get to spend a few hours in your version of heaven. If you are not a craft-aholic this could quickly turn from a "fun idea" to a "crafting nightmare".

Option Two: Pre-purchase printable invitations. There are a variety of stores and sites offering printable invitations and cards in a wide variety of designs. If you need something cute, quick and cost effective this is your best bet. Most come with instructions for printer settings making it relatively easy to add your event information, hit print and send them on their way. My primary hesitation with this option is my inner crafter. Because they are mass produced and so readily available, there is little room for customization which increases the likelihood that someone you know received the same style of invitation for another event and this instantly removes some of the sparkle from your event. An option to consider: Brown & Ivory Vintage Invitations Kit

Option Three: Take the hybrid approach! Combining the ease of digital developments with the ability to customize, there are quite a few on-line sites offering invitation and card templates with the option to add photos and your own words. The upside to this option is that you can quickly and easily create a customized invitation without the need for craft supplies. However, if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind invitation this may not be your best option as anyone else surfing the internet can find and purchase the same basic design. Some sites to consider: Invitation Box and/or 123 Print 

Option Four: Custom invitations made just for you and your event. I will be honest. When I win the lottery, I will send custom invitations and announcements for any and all occasions... I love them. A designer gathers information about your occasion and style wishes to develop custom graphics and verbiage for your gathering. No one else will have the exact same invitation! When people receive these invitations they are immediately aware that this is a unique and special item - not mass produced or store bought. The unfortunate downside... these are not cheap! Because they are custom designed and, most often, handmade the expense for materials and labor can quickly add up. One of my personal favorites... Orange Spot Pink Nose 

Holiday Twist!

I have been hearing a lot lately about people branding themselves - thank you, Paris Hilton! With the increased use of social media and other non-traditional marketing tools, people are begining to catch on to this trend and converting personalization into branding. This got me thinking and then I had a thought that might actually be considered useful!

If people can be branded just like a business, then why can't a person utilize some of the less obvious "marketing" tools that companies have used for years? Specifically I am thinking of... Holiday Cards!

I am not sure about you, but every year I struggle through the card selection process trying to find an option that offers artwork consistent with my personal style along with a message in line with my wishes. During this process I have often found myself wishing that I could take the message from one card and apply it to another to create the card I want. Until today I assumed that doing so would be a costly and custom endeavor.

What, you ask, is the magic solution that I have discovered? Holiday cards designed for businesses! There are a wide variety of artwork styles and in most cases, the pre-printed inside greeting can be selected from a variety of options allowing you to find just the right one for your cards without having to compromise on the design. In some cases, you can even select an option to create your own message - if you are so inclined. Just a heads up that this feature is likely to be an additional cost to your order. Don't be thrown by the prompts to list your "company information". Just think of yourself as the company and proceed with your order. Most options will also offer the addition of a logo. Assuming that you have not gone so far with your personal branding as to develop a logo, you could find some letter style artwork similar to a monogram and use it for additional customization.

As you investigate this card option you may find that they appear to be a bit more expensive than the options you find at your local Hallmark store. What I caution you to consider is that in addition to receiving customized cards, your order also includes matching envelopes (in most cases foil lined) with your return address pre-printed on the envelope. This adds a professional touch to your card delivery and saves you some writer's cramp! If you are planning to send a big batch of cards, you can also inquire about having your signature pre-printed on the interior of the card (for an additional charge). Add this option and all you have to do is add the recipient's name and address to the envelope, seal and send!

 

Party Time!

Summer seems to be the season for the gathering of friends - whatever the occasion may be! As my hostess skills continue to get dusted off I find myself feeling the need to have a little fun with my gatherings and began the search for some inexpensive ways to make an impression - or at least get a laugh! Here is what I found...

Option One - Ice Bling!

If you are getting your gal pals together for a little estrogen-fest, these ice trays might be a fun option to add a little silly to those girly cocktails on the menu! A simple ice tray with various jewel shapes, all you need to do is add water and freeze.

Option Two - Iceberg Ahead!

This could be fun for a lady's night or couples get together - who doesn't enjoy a little tacky Titanic humor from time to time? A combination of icebergs and ships these specialty cubes are the perfect accent to your cocktail of choice.

 

Option Three - Forget the Nose Job... these are way cheaper!

With a variety of nose shapes and styles printed on the side of the cup, these can only get more entertaining as the festivities continue. If you don't like the nose you get with your first drink, simply grab another and try it on for size! 

Option Four - It's all about the accessories!

Inviting guests to a wine party may give the impression of a sophisticated evening among friends. If, however, you prefer to enjoy the fruit of the vine without the stuffy air these flip flop coasters may help to bring things down to a more relaxed level. Just be sure to select the flop that matches your outfit - you would hate to clash!

Option Five - Bottoms Up!

Every once in a while the gathering escalates to a full on party and it is inevitable that the shot glasses show up. Always a pain to wash the next morning, there is a way to enjoy the debauchery without the glassware.... just chill! These unique trays create ice shot glasses allowing you to serve chilly favorites and avoid the clean up. Just be sure that they don't get set to melt on your table... what a water stain!

Option Six - Finger Foods!

Most ladies are familiar with the traditional tea sandwiches served and afternoon gatherings and showers. If you hang with a crowd interested in shaking up tradition, these sandwich cutters could elevate you to hero status! Offered in several shapes, these cutters turn ordinary sandwiches into tiny, yet yummy, puzzles. The ultimate excuse to play with your food!