Life in General, St. Louis Small Businesses

Gift Giving Anytime of the Year

During the Christmas holiday season, we hear a ton about gift giving, gift ideas, and nice gestures.  It’s very rare that we talk about it in March.  I know we are gearing up for Spring season, warmer weather, and baseball, but did you know the best time to give a gift is when it is least expected?  That surprise present or gesture goes such a long way.  I love to surprise my corporate clients with a surprise thank you gift. I’m not a big fan of gift cards except for the convenience of them, so I would like to share my top 2 favorite gifting options that I use both personally and professionally.

1)    Harry & David is the king of the gift basket.  You will find anything and everything for that special someone.  Corporate giving with Harry & David is also ideal especially when keeping in mind your budget. There are gifts under $30, $50, and $75. Want to send a healthy gift to a friend or client, Harry & David’s fruit baskets are perfect especially their Classic Comice Pear basket which is what got their early start back in the early 1900’s.  Wine and cheese baskets, chocolate and wine baskets, gift towers, bakery items, special occasion baskets, and even plants are just a few of the options available at Harry & DavidIt’s my go to company for my work clientele.  I can easily stay within my budget based on the sales of my accounts.  Harry & David’s options are endless and I love it when I can get in on a special sale or offer like this one:

Enjoy 20% Off, No Minimum Purchase with code: SAVINGS (2/17-5/31/16)
Pick Your Occasion Truffle Gift Box
2)   I’m a HUGE fan of personalized gifts.  Anything and everything personalized is very special and usually gives that WOW factor. Monogram Online is your one stop shopping for everything personalized. I’ve used them several times, mostly for friends and family gifts. Their personalized necklaces are beautiful.  I always get compliments when I wear my silver name necklace.  You can find a variety of different jewelry items. Most recently, I purchased a silver name necklace for my daughter…shh….it’s a surprise.  However I must admit my all time favorite product at Monogram Online is their personalized cutting boards.  Considering we are the St. Louis cooks, cutting boards are a favorite item in our kitchen.  Not to mention, they are a very unique gift for that special someone who enjoys to cook!
Personalized Cutting Board

Next time you are pondering what gift to give your colleague, client, friend or family member, look no further then Harry & David and Monogram Online!

Family, Life in General, St. Louis Small Businesses

Get Out and About this Holiday Season

Christmas and New Year Wishes

I can’t believe Christmas will be here in five more days.  I say this every year because as I get older and busier, time goes faster and faster.  However, you can’t let it go without getting out and about in your city.  Our favorite time to go see the holiday lights is the week between Christmas and New Years.  Although I love the hustle and bustle before Christmas, it’s a little crazy busy especially with three active children and two working parents.  Of course, my number one source for checking out lights and holiday activities in St. Louis is Kids Out and About in St. Louis.

Check out their holiday page for all kinds of activities throughout the holidays especially light displays, tree farms, holiday shows and events throughout the St. Louis area.   Attached is a link to their holiday page –  http://saintlouis.kidsoutandabout.com/content/master-guide-december-holiday-fun-and-around-st-louis

Kids out and About is a great resource for family activities. For those of you not located in St. Louis, you can also find this great organization in many other cities throughout the US and they continue to grow.

Get connected with them! Get out and about with your families this holiday season!

Kids out an about Logo

The St. Louis Cooks wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

More recipes and local St. Louis business features to come…Stay tuned!