Tag Archives: holiday gifts

Making a bad gift good

Let’s face it. Not everyone is a great gift giver. We all know one or two people that no matter how hard they try, just never get it right. Yes, it is the thought that counts, but sometimes you wonder what they were thinking.

So now that the holidays are over, and you have a couple not so great gifts lying around, what do you do with them? We’ve got a few ways that can help you turn a bag gift into something good.

Exchange (1)

Return it. If you’re lucky enough to know where the person got the gift from, you can take it back to the store and try to return it. If you don’t have a receipt it may be a little bit more difficult, but you may at least get a store credit that you can then turn around and use on something you really want.

Swap

Swap it. They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. There are tons of websites where you can trade or swap for something you do want. You can also look into specific Facebook groups dedicated to your item. If you received a gift card from a place that you will never visit, check out a website like Raise.com. They give you cash for unwanted gift cards.

Donate (1)

Donate it. There are so many people in need and they may have use for the gift you don’t want. Plus, you get the added bonus of a little tax write-off and the warm feeling of knowing your gift went to a charitable organization.

Sell

Sell it. With auction sites and marketplaces all over social media, it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone who wants your bad gift. Just be careful especially when using social media for selling to make sure that the gift giver doesn’t find out you put it up for sale.

Regift

Re-gift it. Sometimes you get something and although it’s not your style at all, you know someone who would love it. Re-gifting happens all the time and whether you know it or not, you’ve likely been the recipient of someone else’s bad gift. The one thing you want to make sure of however is that the person you are re-gifting to has no connection to the one that gave it to you in the first place. That could get a bit awkward.

Keep it

Keep it. Depending on who gave you the gift it just might be something you want to keep for posterity and sentimental value. If it’s not something too big, tuck it away for safe keeping because that person may not be with you forever and this little keepsake from them is something you will remember them by forever.

In the end, a bad gift doesn’t have to be so bad afterall. Tell us about the worst gift you ever got in the comments or over on our Facebook page.

Looking for the perfect gift? Unique holiday gift baskets they’re gonna love!

With the holiday gift-giving season in full swing, we all have that person or people in our lives, that are either impossible to shop for, already have everything, or we’re just not finding something that screams “this is it”. Sure you can go grab a gift card, a bottle of wine, or a pre-made gift box and give those as gifts. That would be quick and easy right?

We have a better idea. Make unique gift baskets for everyone on your list this year. They are completely customizable, look beautiful, and you have complete control of their contents. Plus, we think you might have some fun making them too!

We’ll get your creative juices flowing with 10 basket ideas we plan on making this year.

BM Basket

Bloody Mary Basket. The vodka is the centerpiece of this basket so make sure you get a nice bottle. Add a bottle of Bloody Mary mix, hot sauce, seasoned salt, an array of pickled condiments, and some snack mix to round your basket out.  As a nice Added Touch, you could add personalized glasses with the recipient’s name.

lavender-1902943_640

Spa Day Basket. There are no rules for this one. Fill it with scented body washes, scrubs or sugars, bath accessories, facial treatments, and even a pair of warm slippers to tie it all together. A few candles, a fragrant diffuser, and soft music CD makes this gift even more special.

Pets 2

Pet Lovers Basket. Sometimes, when you give the gift to the special fur baby in someone’s life, you’re doing much more than giving the human parent something. You can fill these baskets with so many goodies like dog treats, toys, pet outfits, or even a new dish for food or water. Top it off with a beautiful frame for the human, so that they can proudly display their favorite picture of their beloved companion.

Salad Bowl

Salad Addict Gift Basket. You probably don’t want to add fresh produce to this gift, but you can give them wonderful additions to the standard salad. Think nuts, dried berries, tortilla strips, croutons, artichoke hearts, olive oils, a bottle of fancy vinegar, and don’t forget the gourmet dressings (make sure you don’t choose ones that need refrigeration). Instead of a basket, use a large salad bowl to hold everything and finish it off with serving utensils.

thecats paisleydazeclassiclife

kash sockred

The Cuddle Up Basket. This is for the person who either needs to relax or loves spending a peaceful day at home. Start with a set of pajamas, warm socks, a cozy blanket, and then include herb tea and honey or some trendy hot chocolate bombs. If you know what kind of movies they like, include a couple of Blu-ray discs.

Wine Gift

The Wine Drinkers Basket. Yep, we said a bottle of wine was quick and easy but an entire wine basket is a whole different thing. Choose good wines, and add wine glasses, wine glass charms, coasters, and chocolates. A wonderful added touch would be a gift certificate to a local cheese shop. Shopping for a beer lover instead? Swap out the wine items for craft brews, beer mugs, beef jerky, and nuts.

breakfast basket

The Breakfast Basket. The most important meal of the day has no rules. Pancake mix, maple syrup, bacon (make sure they can refrigerate right away), jams, breakfast biscuits, granola bars, coffee, tea, homemade sweet bread/muffins, or anything else you think they will enjoy can be added to this thoughtful gift. If you want to add some non-food items, consider coffee mugs or a gift certificate to a local restaurant for champagne brunch.

The Pickle Fanatic Basket. There are hundreds of different kinds of pickles out there. If you know someone crazy for pickles, this is a wonderful treat. You can get hot & spicy ones, sweet ones, sour ones, big pickles, and small pickles. You can even find things like pickle-flavored candy, chips, vodka, and nuts. A quick internet search of ‘pickle flavored’ will shock you. If you know someone who lives for hot sauce, you could do that instead.

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The Pasta Chef  Basket. Fill it with unique kinds of pasta, robust sauces, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta serving spoon, and a chef hat. Sweeten it up with Italian cookies and some limoncello.

The Barbecue Master Basket. Perfect for the king –or queen – of the grill, you can get super creative here. A nice set of BBQ tools, seasonings & rubs, barbeque sauces, hot pads, hickory or apple chips, metal skewers, and a digital meat thermometer are just some of the items you can stuff this basket with. Want to really make an impression? A gift certificate to the local meat market will make their holiday extra great!

When it comes to gift baskets, there is no right or wrongs. They are fun to make, always get a wonderful reception, and allow you to give folks exactly what they like. Come up with your own theme and fill those baskets full!

If you have creative ideas for unique gift baskets, please share them here or over on our Facebook page.

Easy Homemade Stocking Stuffers Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving

Many people are doing Thanksgiving weekend a little differently this year. Lots of folks won’t be traveling or hosting large get-togethers. Black Friday will be a more virtual event than anything else, and you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time at home with your immediate family.

So how can you spend your time after the feast is over? Enjoy a day of making homemade stocking stuffers! It’s a great way to spend fun family time, and you’ll have some wonderful gifts for the holiday season. These homemade presents will be perfect for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and even your mail carrier or hairdresser. Pretty much anyone you’d like to share a little cheer with!

There are tons of great ideas out there, and many of them you can do with things you already have in your home. Here are some of our favorites. We hope you’ll find this fun to make and spread joy to others.

DIY-Mint-Sugar-Scrub-2

Mint Sugar Scrub – Every gal loves beauty products and you only need a few ingredients to make this absolutely fabulous sugar scrub. All you need is ½ cup oil of your choice (we like coconut), 1/12-2 cups of sugar, 1 Tablespoon of peppermint extract, and a drop of green food color. Warm the oil in the microwave for about 20 seconds and add 1 ½ cups of sugar, the extract, and color. Mix everything until well combined (add some more sugar if it’s too moist). Pur in small mason jars and decorate with a festive ribbon or cloth under the canning lid. You can also use different essential oils or extracts (with different food colorings) to make a variety of scents.

Ornament

Salt Dough Ornaments – There is nothing more special on a tree than a one of a kind handmade ornament. Simply mix up 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 1/2 cups of warm water in a mixing bowl. Knead the dough until it is smooth. Roll it out and cut shapes with holiday cookie cutters or better yet, go freestyle. Be sure to make a hole for hanging (a straw works great) Bake for about an hour at 300°F until dry. Let them cool and then decorate!

Cinnamon Candle

Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder – Fill the air with the sweet smell of cinnamon for the holidays. It doesn’t get easier than this. Place cinnamon sticks around a candle, and hold them in place with a rubber band. Then cover the band with twine or ribbon for a beautiful, deliciously smelling gift.

Cocoa

Hot Cocoa Mix – Another stocking stuffer in a mason jar brings a sweet warm treat to all! Layer cocoa, sugar, powdered milk, and marshmallows in a jar. Decorate and share the sweet love. We found a great recipe at The Food Network

Sweater Stockings

Sweater Stockings – Want to step it up a notch? Create the actual stocking and stuff it with your handmade gifts using old sweaters. This is quite easy and they are absolutely adorable. Trace a stocking on an old sweater, cut it out, and then sew it inside out with the foldover sewn the opposite way.  Use fabric scraps, ribbon, or wood or metal house numbers to personalize.

We hope you’ll have tons of fun making these gifts! From the team at the Pajama Company, Happy Thanksgiving!

 

10 Gifts for Stress Management

Gifts That Promote Rest and Relaxation

‘Tis the season for holiday stress! Months of cooking, shopping, family time, and out-of-town guests take a toll on everyone. Since we’re all jonesing for a little R&R after the holiday season, gifts that promote rest and relaxation are guaranteed to be appreciated. These are our top picks for thoughtful holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

10 Thoughtful Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Women's Pajamas Bee Pattern

Queen Bee by The Cat’s Pajamas

1. Pajamas Fit for a Queen. Queen Bee pajama set by The Cat’s Pajamas is perfect for the queen in your life. This beautiful set is made from Pima cotton, which is premium long staple cotton. When it comes to cotton, the longer the fiber (staple), the softer the fabric. The set comes in three colors and would make a thoughtful, relaxing gift along with some loose leaf tea and a good book.

Father Son Matching Pajamas

Furry Monsters by Munki Munich

2. Something for Superdad. For your “biggest kid,” the man who makes them laugh the hardest, a pajama set that will bring a smile. This jogger set by Munki Munki comes in different colors and patterns and, best of all, comes with a pint-sized version so he can match his favorite little buddy. Throw in a luxe shave kit to give him a little “me” time.

Junk food funny adult onesie

“Junk Food” Hooded Fleece Union Suit by Boxercraft

3. A Little Fun for the College Kid. Is your college-aged kiddo wiped out from Finals and the holiday crunch at their internship? Let them kick back on the couch (in between shoveling the driveway) with this fun union suit by Boxercraft. Pizza and fries are totally optional.

unisex Dinosaur kids pajamas

Dinosaur Union Suit by Big Feet

4. For the Future Paleontologist. Do you have a little one in your house with a bad case of dino fever? Preschool is hard. Let their imaginations run wild before bedtime with this super playful dinosaur onesie by Big Feet.

Kashwere unisex plush bathrobe

Plush Bathrobes by Kashwere

5. A Spa Day for the Workaholic. We all have a friend or family member who gets caught up in “all work and no play.” Encourage them to take a break with one of our customer favorites, the Kashwere robe — once featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things. It is an ultra plush robe that can be worn year-round. Pair with a salt scrub and a face mask to encourage rest and relaxation.

Boxercraft Unisex Plaid Pajama Pants

Unisex Plaid Pajama Pants by Boxercraft

6. Relaxation for Everyone. Let’s be honest: the best part of the day is when you have finished your obligations at work and home and can “slip into something more comfortable” — for us, that something is pajama pants. Everyone appreciates a cozy pair of classic flannel pajama pants. Unisex plaid pajama pants from Boxercraft offer the pattern in every color combination. Give with a mug and hot chocolate to promote quality time with the couch.

Fuzzy Friends 'Duck' Slippers by Aroma Home

Fuzzy Duck Slippers by Aroma Home

7. For the Early Riser. Some of us are morning people and some of us have to wake up in the wee hours to start our day, for a workout, an early shift, or a long commute. During the winter months, those early risers are stepping out of bed and into a cold, dark house. Brighten up their mornings with a pound of quality coffee and these cheerful ‘Fuzzy Friends’ slippers by Aroma Home, with a menagerie of playful characters.

Cowboy Pajama Pants

Cowboy Cotton Pajama Pants by The Cat’s Pajamas

8. Even the Wild Ones Need a Nap. This is a gift for our friends who burn the midnight oil, who live by “work hard, play hard,” who are the first on the dancefloor when they’re not skydiving or mountain climbing. These cowboy pajama pants from The Cat’s Pajamas are perfect for the wild ones with restless hearts. Pair with a nice set of lowball glasses or their favorite spirit.

Party Pups Pajama Set

Party Pups Pajama Set by The Cat’s Pajamas

9. For the Animal Lover. Whether they’re dog people or cat people, The Cat’s Pajamas has a pajama set for the “fur mom” in your life. Caring for pets is a lot of responsibility. Acknowledge their love and their dedication with a gift they can use while snuggling their best friends on the couch. Throw in their furry friend’s favorite treat for a thoughtful, heartwarming gift they’ll love.

matching family pajamas

Don’t Moose With Me by Lazy One

10. Kick Back with the Whole Family. These adorable ‘Don’t Moose with Me’ Flapjack Pajamas come in sizes for the whole family. Give the give of matching family pajamas. They’re perfect for fun family holiday photos and ideal for lazy movie marathons into the New Year.

We hope you enjoyed this list! For more gift ideas, family recipes, and inspiration for family fun this holiday season, visit The Pajama Company blog at thepajamacompany.com/blog.