Enter to win! 2012 Buy Local Tea Towel + Roost Farmers' Market Basket

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Shelley Crist!

In this week’s December Giveaway, we’re celebrating the Buy Local movement. The idea of keeping it local appeals to many people, not just gardeners and farmers. When it comes to buying your food locally, it’s not just about supporting your local economy. You are buying produce that tastes better and is more nutritious; transportation uses less fossil fuel; and you can enjoy guilt-free dinners knowing your meat came from a cow, chicken, or pig that grazed freely in an open pasture.

This week is a two-part question: (1) Currently, how do you keep it local, and (2) what is one way you plan to become a better locavore in 2012?

One randomly selected winner will receive one 2012 Buy Local Calendar Tea Towel + one Roost Raspberry Farmers’ Market Basket {raspberry}.

How to Enter

Click image to see more detail

• Answer the question in each blog post by submitting your answer in the “leave a reply” section at the bottom of the page – good for 1 entry.
• Answer the same on our Facebook page (you’ll have to “like” the page to make a comment) – good for 1 entry.

Yep, that’s right, you can enter your name twice for a chance to win our FREE gift idea. Keep ‘em for yourself or find some special to gift them to.

Week 3′s contest ends Sunday, December 18, 12:00 PST. The winner will be announced the following week.

Congratulations to Christina and Janis for winning last week’s December Giveaway!

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Christina for winning the first prize {terrarium + book} and to Janis for winning the second prize {book}.

Terrariums are the perfect gift for plant lovers, design junkies, DIYers, and crafty minds. And when you pair our Roost Recycled Glass Wall Terrarium with Timber Press’s Terrarium Craft book by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant, it makes the perfect giveaway! One lucky winner will win both the wall terrarium + the terrarium book, and a second place winner will win a copy of the book {pictured below}.

QUESTION: Terrariums are little scenes of nature in glass containers. What’s your favorite way to connect with nature indoors?

We're giving away 2 free copies of Terrarium Craft

Week 2 Giveaway: How to Enter

• Answer the question above by submitting your answer in the “leave a reply” section at the bottom of the page – good for 1 entry.
• Answer the same, or similar question, on our Facebook page (you’ll have to “like” the page to make a comment) – good for 1 entry.

Week 2′s contest ends Sunday, December 11, 12:00 PST. Two randomly selected winners will be announced the following week.

Congratulations Julie Lanier for winning last week’s December Giveaway!

Create the Perfect Terrarium Gift

Want to make a big impression this holiday? Think about grouping terrarium related items your gift recipient will need to create their first or 100th terrarium.

• Terrarium Tools make fiddling with plants and dirt easier in tight spaces
• Idea Books like Timber Press’s Terrarium Craft
• Organic Potting Soil
• Small bag of Crushed River Gravel for drainage
• Small bag of Charcoal to keep mold and bacteria at bay
• Water bottle for spritzing the plants
• Plant material ranging from succulents and cacti, ferns, moss, and air plants.
• Accent pieces add a nice personal touch and fill empty spaces. Look for crystals, feathers, bones, seashells, bits of wood, porcelain trinkets

WEEK 3 Giveaway: one 2012 Buy Local Tea Towel + one Roost Farmer’s Market Basket {raspberry}

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Julie Lanier!

In celebration of my recent feature in Oregon Home Magazine by Vivian McInerny, I’ve decided to giveaway one Roost Hemmingway Muddler Set and my newly published book Garden Rules, co-authored by Billie Brownell.  You may be thinking, what do muddlers have to do with gardening? My new favorite obsession, Cocktail Gardening!

We’ve all heard the phrase Garden to Table or Farm to Table, but how cool is Garden to Glass? Just Google “cocktail gardening” and you find a handful of resources on what to grow in your garden, garden inspired cocktails, and there’s even a blog called Gardening While Intoxicated by one the Garden Rant ladies.

If you’ve never started your own garden before, Garden Rules is a quick way to learn the basics. One of the easiest herbs to grow is mint, and one of the easiest drinks to make with a muddler is a Mojito. Cheri Loughlin, the creative mind behind The Intoxicologist, suggests topping it with a little champagne during the holidays to add an even tastier and festive vibe.

QUESTION: You’re hosting a holiday get-together among friends and neighbors, what’s your favorite alcoholic beverage to serve your guests?

Week 1 Giveaway: How to Enter

1. Answer the question in each blog post by submitting your answer in the “leave a reply” section at the bottom of the page – good for 1 entry.
2. Answer the same, or similar question, on our Facebook page (you’ll have to “like” the page to make a comment) – good for 1 entry.

Week 1 contest ends Sunday, December 4, 12:00 PST. Winner announced next week.

WEEK 2 Giveaway: one Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Wall Terrarium {small}

We’re getting into the holiday spirit by spreading some giveaway cheer!  For the month of December, starting Thursday Wednesday, November 30, 12:30 PST, we will be giving away one cool gift idea each week.

And what will you win you ask?

Cool Holiday Gift Giveaways

• Week 1:  one Roost Hemmingway Muddler Set + one Garden Rules Book
• Week 2: one Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Wall Terrarium {small}
• Week 3: one 2012 Buy Local Tea Towel + one Roost Farmer’s Market Basket {raspberry}
• Week 4:  one jar of Natural Sugar Scrub + a selection of Graham Garden soaps

How to Enter

1. Answer the question in each blog post by submitting your answer in the “leave a reply” section at the bottom of the page – good for 1 entry.
2. Answer the same, or similar question, on our Facebook page (you’ll have to “like” the page to make a comment) – good for 1 entry.

Yep, that’s right, you can enter your name twice each week for a chance to win a FREE gift. Keep them for yourself or find some special to gift them to.

A hostess gift is a sweet, simple and thoughtful way to show your host that you appreciate his or her hospitality. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to show your host that you are grateful for all of the all of the time, effort and planning (not to mention cleanup after) that goes into entertaining.  With fall and winter holiday season upon us, it is time to be prepared with a stock of appropriate and tasteful hostess gifts for all of your weekend stays, cocktail parties, dinners, and potlucks.

Here are our top ten favorite hostess gifts for under $25

(1) Studiopatro Natural Linen Tea Towels — $22.00. These tea towels, which are available in 4 different prints, are made of 100% natural linen and made in the USA. For a hostess gift, wrap a Studiopatro Natural Linen Tea Towel around a bottle of wine and tie it at the top with a bow. Or, wrap a loaf of homemade pumpkin bread in a tea towel.

(2) Gather by Georgeanne Brennan — $22.95. A cookbook is an excellent hostess gift for any host who likes to experiment with new recipes. Gather is a great choice because it provides a variety of seasonal and holiday menus, all gorgeously photographed.

(3) Roost Basket Bird Huts — $17.50 – $24.50. A bird hut is a cool and unique hostess gift for the outside entertainer. If your attending an backyard barbecue or potluck, this is a clever gift idea. You can choose a Roost Basket Bird Hut in one of three different shapes: egg, oval, or round.

(4) Roost Lucie Hanging Votive — $13.00 – $14.50. These hanging votive candlee holders are perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Choose one of three Lucie Hanging Votive shapes, flare, tulip, or votive, and your host is sure to appreciate its simple and elegant design.

(5) Daub & Bauble Fig and Thyme Hand Wash — $9.00. A nice hand wash is always an appropriate hostess gift because it is so practical and useful. We love this earthy Fig and Thyme scent, which is just for the fall and winter holiday season. Plus, it’s packed with moisturizing Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. Also available in hand lotion.

(6) Roost Glass Bird Tealights — $22.00. A lovely match for any interior decor, the design of the Roost Glass Bird Tealights is delicate and beautiful. Choose from cardinal, blackbird, or robin.

(7) Winter Thorn Glasses — $17.50. Each brown and frosty white etched glass is a lovely work of art. For a nice hostess gift, fill a Winter Thorn Glass with a short-stemmed cluster of flowers, or a selection of individually wrapped chocolates. Or, pair it with a bottle of your favorite lager or sparkling water.

(8) Wild Herbs Record Plantable Paper — $6.71. It looks like an album, but this sheet of paper is actually brimming with herb seeds. All your hostess has to do is plant it for an awesome herb garden. Each pack of Wild Herbs Record Plantable Paper comes with 2 sheets of seed paper, and is packaged in pop art. Cool!

(9) ChicoBag Produce Bag Starter Kit — $15.95. Perfect for your Earth-loving host, the ChicoBag Produce Bag Started Kit includes three different mesh produce bags that are specially designed to maintain optimal airflow for fruits and veggies. Plus, they come in a super cute apple shaped storage pouch, making them nice for gift giving.

(10) Roost Carved Wood Doorstop — $22.00. To say “thanks for the overnight hopitality” after a weekend stay, we love the idea of the Roost Carved Wood Doorstop. Its carved bird design and leather handle make it both pretty and practical.

Still looking for more great hostess gift ideas? Check out last year’s post, Perfect Hostess Gift for Every Occasion.

Specialty food shops would like to have us think that infusing olive oil with aromatic herbs, fruits and spices is a mystical and complicated process. This would explain why their decorative clear glass bottles of oil, with bright red peppers and white cloves of garlic floating around in them like globules in a lava lamp, cost such a pretty penny. But infusing olive oil is a process that is neither complicated nor expensive. It is an easy and fun thing for anyone to do at home in the kitchen.

Why infuse olive oil?

Infused olive oil can be used in a variety of delicious ways. Our two favorite ways are to use our homemade flavored olive oil as a salad dressing, and as a dipping oil for chunks of bread. Plus, homemade oils and vinegars really go hand in hand with parties and entertaining. The next time you are invited to a dinner party, offer to bring a salad of fresh, crisp veggies from your garden. Then create your own custom olive oil blend with cuttings from your herb garden, and pair it with a nice balsamic in the Roost Oil & Vinegar Cruets. Everyone will be so impressed with your homemade salad dressing, and you can leave the beautiful cruets as a hostess gift. Perfect!

Simple Salad Dressing from ECurry

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil from ECurry

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• 5-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary from your garden
• A few pinches of dry crushed red pepper, to suit your taste
• ¾ to 1 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

Wash and thoroughly dry the rosemary sprigs — make sure there is no water left on them.  Pour your olive oil into a sauce pan and heat it over a low heat until it is just warm, for only 1-2 minutes. Let the oil cool to room temperature for about 5 minutes. This gentle heating process allows the allow to take on the flavors of the rosemary more quickly.

Place the crushed pepper and the rosemary sprigs inside a dry, heat resistant bottle like a canning jar — you can always transfer the infused oil to a decorative bottle once the oil has cooled. If needed, you can poke the rosemary down into the bottle using a wooden skewer. Then, pour the oil into it using a funnel. Cool the bottle for a while, then place the bottle aside in a dry, cool place where there is no direct sunlight for about a week until it is ready to use. After a week, you can keep your bottle in the refrigerator. Since olive oil is a monounsaturated oil, it is perishable and is best kept cool. The oil may become slightly cloudy in the fridge, but will return to normal if you let it sit at room temperature before using it.

The rosemary flavor is delicious on a fresh garden salad. We also love it drizzled over grilled fish and baked potatoes. Yum!

Garlic and Herb Dipping Oil

Another favorite oil recipe of ours is from Ivette Soler, author of the The Germinatrix blog and the awesome new book The Edible Front Yard. The next time you have friends over for wine and cheese, set out a dish of this dipping oil with some warm focaccia bread. {swoon}

Focaccia dipped in olive oil

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of good quality olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, bruised
• 3 or 4 sprigs of marjoram (prettier if they are blooming sprigs!)
• 3 fresh or dried chile peppers (cayenne or thai dragon)
• A few peppercorns
• 4 thick slices of lemon peel

Preparation:

Put all of the ingredients in a non-reactive saucepan and very, very slowly warm the oil to bring the flavors together. It is important just to gently warm it and not actually get it hot, because that changes the flavor. Cool the oil for 5-7 minutes, and then decant it into a decorative bottle, like our Roost Oil Cruet. Use it for a week, keeping it on the counter so everyone can see how beautiful it is. (Refrigerate it if you wish to keep it longer than one week.)

Ivette also recommends drizzling the oil over polenta, or of course this one can be used as a salad dressing for all your fall greens, too. If you like a less garlicky flavor in the long run, remove the cloves of garlic from the bottle after about 3 days. Otherwise, the garlic flavor will increase over time.

Seasonal Wisdom’s Herbs de Provence Infused Oil

Teresa O’Connor, author of the Seasonal Wisdom blog and co-author of the book Grocery Gardening, infuses a gorgeous, aromatic blend of oil and herbs perfect for a variety of dishes. Try tossing garden vegetables, like eggplant and bell peppers in the oil before placing them on the grill. Teresa also suggests using it as a marinade for chicken and fish. The cool thing about this recipe is that, unlike the other two, it is a traditional cold process recipe. This means that you will not heat the oil on the stove, but you do give the oil time to “steep” in the sun. Once you’ve combined the ingredients, give it two weeks to sit and infuse. To use the cold process technique, all you’ll need is a mason jar with a lid and a piece of cheesecloth.

Ingredients:

Use canning jars during the infusing process, then transfer to a more decorative bottle.

• 4-5 sprigs of thyme
• 2 sprigs of marjoram (or 1 big sprig of its cousin, oregano)
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 2-3 sprigs of savory
• Pinch of lavender flowers. The best tasting types are Lavandula angustifoli, English lavender, or Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence’ French Lavender.
• 1 fat clove of garlic (optional)
• Enough oil to fill the mason jar. (Consider light, tasteless oils such as sunflower or safflower that won’t compete with the flavor. Other options: grapeseed and olive oil.)

Preparation:

Carefully wash and dry the fresh herbs and flowers. Muddle them gently in order to help them release the flavors and aromas. Fill your glass mason jar with the herbs. Cover the herbs completley with the oil. Place a piece of cheesecloth over top of the jar, then cover it tightly with the lid. Keep the jar in a sunny spot, such as on a windowsill, and give it a good shake every day. If you used a clove of garlic, remove it after 3 days to keep it from overpowering the other flavors. After two weeks, remove the jar’s lid, and strain the oil through the cheesecloth into a clean and dry container. As with the above recipes, refrigerate the oil to keep it from going rancid.

Try experimenting with infused olive oils to incorporate all of your favorite flavors, such as basil, sun dried tomatoes, dill, chives, and kalamata olives. Or, you can be adventurous and add exotic flavors such as coriander, juniper and star anise.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with whatever herbs are thriving in your garden — have fun!

Studiopatro Tea Towels: Eat & Spoon Set $42

In 2009, San Francisco designer and art director Christina Weber introduced a line of bold, geometrically printed tea towels under the name Studiopatró. This means that for two years, we have been discovering more and more excellent ways to use them! Certainly not just for drying off clean dishes, Studiopatró towels are a versatile and modern addition to any kitchen. Here are our six favorite ways to use them.

(1) As an apron.

Here you can see how the Facade Tea Towel in orange can be easily used as an apron. All you have to do is tuck it into your belt. When you’re entertaining guests, you can easily keep your pants dry and clean during food prep, then pull the tea towel right off when you’re ready to party. Ta-da!

(2) As a wine cozy.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Gifting a plain bottle of wine is boring. To dress it up, wrap the bottle in a Live, Love, Eat tea towel and tie it at the top with a piece of twine or ribbon. Not only does this look pretty, but if you are headed to a dinner party, it will keep the chilled wine from sweating and dripping on you on the car ride over. Once the wine has been drunk, your hostess will have a much more lasting gift to use in her kitchen.

(3) As a salad spinner.

Conventionally marketed salad spinners are not very practical; they’re bulky and cumbersome. Instead of a salad spinner, just try using a clean City Tea Towel. Simply lay the towel out on your counter, rinse your salad greens, then place them in the center of the towel. Fold the four corners into the center, and grip them with your hand so that you are holding the salad greens in a bundle. Then, lift the towel above your head and give it a few twirls. This will “spin” the water off your greens, and right into the absorbent tea towel.

(4) As gift wrap.

Colored paper wrapping paper is so passé. All that paper is simply ripped off and thrown in the trash; how seriously un-eco friendly! For a much more creative and green alternative, wrap your gifts in tea towels. Here you can see that a tea towel makes excellent gift wrap for a potted plant. We also love the idea of wrapping a cookbook in a tea towel to make the perfect hostess gift, or housewarming present. Gifts in jars, such as caramel sauce or candles, can be easily wrapped and rolled in a tea towel to make a pretty cylindrical shape.

(5) As a potholder.

This is an excellent and attractive way to transport food to a potluck, or protect the surface of your wood dining table from heat and drips. Lay your casserole dish or dutch oven on the center of the tea towel, then tuck the ends into the handles. Voila.

(6) As table art.

Tea towels can create instant easy table art for your dining room. Use them as table runners, place mats, or even napkins. Since Studiopatró′s designs are bold yet simple, they will work well with nearly any decorating scheme, and the rest of your tablescape can remain simple and understated. We love the use of tea towels in this photo–super elegant.

We’ve assembled a wonderful array of Mother’s Day gifts for any and every Mom, regardless of her style and personality. We can ship the gift of your choice straight to Mom’s house. We’ll even gift wrap it and include a personalized message on your behalf for a small charge of only $4.

Gifts for the Gardener Mom:

We think that it’s no coincidence that Mother’s Day is in May each year. Come May, the April showers have ceased and given way to sunnier skies, making it a great time to gift mom with some fun new gardening supplies. Place all of these items together in a large flower pot or galvanized metal bucket for a beautiful Mother’s Day gardening gift.

Matchstick Gardens $2.50

Soil Scoop $18

Write + Erase Plant Tags $16

• Botanical Interests Seeds make a simple and fun gift, and are small enough that you can tuck them right inside a greeting card.
• Matchstick Gardens are cute and trendy, too! In fact, they are featured in this month’s edition of Better Homes and Gardens.
• Garden Plant Tags are perfect for the garden. Not only are they stylish but reusable. Plus, they come in two different pretty design schemes: botanical and herb.
• Bamboo Garden Gloves are not just your ordinary gloves. Mom will feel totally pampered in these durable and eco-friendly gardening gloves.
• Allsop Container Pot Pads are a practical gift for anyone who enjoys container gardening.
• Soil Scoops come in 5 different colors, and you are sure to find Mom’s favorite shade.

The Foodie Mom:

Every foodie is really a garden lover at heart. Why? Because the best foods are ones that are locally grown and produced. To encourage your mom’s love of all things delicious and scrumptious, we have a selection of gifts for the foodie. Group these items together in a large mixing bowl or colander for a great foodie gift.

Gather Book $22.95

Roost Farmers Market Baskets from $13

Eat & Spoon Tea Towel Set $42

• Gather, a seasonal cookbook by Georgeann Brennan, is all about bringing the entire family together to enjoy a meal, whether it’s super extravagant or totally simple. The family dinner is a dwindling art, and one that we think should be preserved.
• Tea Towels are a great for drying fruits and veggies. Help Mom update her kitchen with an eco-friendly alternative to paper towels.
• The Roost Farmers Market Baskets are a chic update on a grocery store staple. Made of sturdy white bone china, they’re so pretty that Mom can keep them right out on the kitchen counter.
• Don’t you think it’s time for Mom to update that old plastic cutting board that has seen better days? The Roost Cutting Board and Serving Set, with its tough and rustic design, can go right from prep to serving thanks to its handsome appearance.
• The Roost Mortar & Pestle is sure to become Mom’s favorite new kitchen tool. If she’s not sure how to use it, she can get some easy tips with our blog Top 5 Uses For Your Roost Mortar and Pestle.
• Roost Apple and Pear Pinch Bowls are great not only for salt, pepper and other herbs and spices, but could also be used for rings, stamps, or crafting supplies such as seed beads.

The Bird Loving Mom:

Singing songbirds herald the arrival of spring, and are certainly one of the loveliest and most welcome signs of the season. Whether Mom has a sprawling backyard or a teeny apartment balcony, she can attract these friendly visitors to her space and enjoy their company. Arrange these gifts in a pretty basket for the perfect bird lover’s Mother’s Day gift.

Glass Bird Tealights $22

Bodega Birdhouses from $79

Roost Hummingbird Feeders from $20

• The Roost Glass Bird Tealights are perfect decorations for any season. They look lovely as a stand-alone centerpiece, or perched among seasonal flowers, foliage, and berries.
• Roost Bird Candles are finely crafted candles that come in a set of four in green, ivory, or gray to match any of mom’s decor styles.
• The Birds of a Feather Mobile makes such an interesting and unique gift. Wouldn’t it look pretty positioned near an open window, so that the wooden birds could gently flutter in the breeze?
• Modern Glass Hummingbird Feeders are a stylish way for Mom to lure hummingbirds to her outdoor spaces, which are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful garden visitors.
• Roost Bodega Bird Houses have such a hip design. With three different designs to choose from, you can pick the one that Mom would like best – or place a grouping in one of her trees for a happenin’ bird ‘hood.
• Owl Salt & Pepper Shakers transform a mundane kitchen object into a hand-carved work of art.

Still haven’t found the ideal gift for Mom? Take a look at our Mother’s Day blog from last year, Garden Starter Kits Make Great Mother’s Day Gifts, for some additional ideas. Or, peruse our Gifts for Her section to find plantable paper, lusciously scented bath products, and other fun items.

Guide to Selecting the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

(1) Don’t give a boring bouquet.

Of course, we love bright, colorful flowers. And red roses are certainly a ubiquitous sign of Valentine’s Day. But there’s something awfully ho-hum about delivering a bouquet of blossoms in the grocery store or Farmer’s Market wrapping. Plus, the recipient has to then mess with trimming the stems, finding and filling a vase, etc. To deliver a bouquet in serious style, place your selected stems in a beautiful vase before gifting them, such as one of the Roost Glass Reed Vases. They are so pretty that when your Valentine has to throw away her blooms, the vase can stand alone as a work of art. Plus, guys would really like a Reed Vase as well. You may not think of a bouquet as a good gift for men, but we think it totally works. Just pick flowers that have a strong appearance, such as exotic Birds of Paradise, robust sunflowers, or our favorite for men- some spiky orange and gold chrysanthemums, which are a symbol of friendship. For a card inscription, try a twist on the classic “roses are red/violets are blue.” Fill in the end with your own creation- and make it unique! If you need some tips on how to easily arrange flowers in a vase, visit our blogs on easy flower arranging and arranging flowers in bud vases.

(2) Let your love take flight.

Bird themed gifts are perfect for Valentine’s Day because of what they symbolize: a love that is filled with song, lovely, delicate, and soaring. And we here at AML have an excellent array of bird-themed gifts from which to choose. Check out our Roost Utopia Bird Feeders, for example. Aren’t they gorgeous? A bonus about gifting a bird feeder is that it is a gift that can be used all year round, in every season. Or for a gift that is appropriate for indoor use, try some bird decor, such as the pretty Roost Glass Bird Tealights. Filled with a simple little tealight candle, these little birdies cast a sparkly glow that is just right for setting a romantic mood. For a full selection of bird-themed gifts, check out our Gifts for the Bird Lover. Don’t forget to deliver each one with an appropriately penned message, such as “you make my heart soar,” or “we’re two birds of a feather.”

(3) Gift some greenery.

Giving flowers just not your thing? Well, don’t exclude  plants entirely. Whereas cut flowers need to be tossed out in a few days, potted flowers, herbs, and other plants can last for years. And we’ve got a great selection of pots and planters for the plant of your choice. Check out our new Greenbo Planters. Aren’t they cool? This is the perfect gift for anyone who spends a lot of time in the cement enclave of an office building or apartment. It can be placed right on the railing outside a window, so you don’t even need floor space or a balcony for it. All you need is the Greenbo Planter, which is available in 6 different colors, some organic potting soil, and the flowers, herbs, or foliage plants of your choice. Deliver with a card that reads, “I know our love will continue to blossom and grow,” or “no one can uproot my love for you!”

(4) Get creative.

Don’t you just love hearing stories about when people get creative with their marriage proposals? We have friends who have gotten engaged under water, atop a mountain, and on the beach at sunset. Maybe we’re just sentimental and mushy, but we think there’s definitely something to be said for creativity when it comes to romance! This goes for Valentine’s Day, especially. You’ll earn some major points if you get creative. How about if you stock her kitchen with beautiful new accessories, like the Roost Cutting Board & Serving Knife, Apple & Pear Pinch Bowls, and the Farmers Market Baskets. Then cook a romantic dinner together using all the cool new stuff. I mean, seriously- with a kitchen full of awesome accessories, and a romantic home-cooked meal, you will earn some major points. Even if you’re not a “cook,” per se, you can still pull this off. Try a platter of french bread, nice cheeses, olives, pickles, crudités, and dried fruits. Simple, and no cooking involved. Plus, you can feed each other with your fingers. How hedonistic.

(5) Of course, you can’t go wrong with chocolate.

We love chocolate. You will never hear us claim otherwise. But those cheap heart-shaped boxes that you can get for 5 bucks at the drug store? Eh, not so much. We’d rather have something seriously decadent. If you’re gonna do chocolate, you may as well do it right. We suggest a sensuous hand and foot massage for your sweetie with Cacoa and Spice Hand Lotion from Daub and Bauble. If you think chocolate melts easily, wait til you see how your Valentine turns to mush with this luscious, spicy chocolatey scent and super softly moisturizing formula. Chocolate + massage = heaven. If you simply can’t have something luscious and chocolatey without sinking your teeth into a delicious dessert, check out these 10 decadent chocolate recipes from Food & Wine Magazine. And don’t forget to read their tips on what wines pair well with chocolate, too.

For some tips on how to mix up some sexy Valentine’s Day cocktails, check out our recent blog, How to Use the Roost Hemingway Muddlers. Or, for more gift ideas, take a look at last year’s Valentine’s Day gift blog, Top 5 Valentine’s Gift Ideas.

Have you checked out our new holiday gift guide here at AML? It is a total synch to use, and has everything you need to select the perfect presents for all of your loved ones. This year, you can get all of your shopping done at one place. And for all domestic orders over $50, we’ll ship your goodies to you for just a buck! How awesome is that?

2010 Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Gifts for Him

Shopping for the dude in your life can be a bit of a challenge. There are only so many pull-over wool sweaters, bottles of cologne, and colorful ties you can buy him. This year, get him something decidedly more interesting and unique. If he likes walking the dog or tossing a pigskin around outside, then he will love one of our sleek outdoor accessories, such as the Modern Nesting Box. If he lives for Sunday afternoons on the couch with football and a few beers, get him a Roost Menagerie Bottle Opener. These are cool enough to be kept out on the coffee table at all times. Or, if he’s a wiz in the kitchen, check out the super slick Roost Mortar and Pestle. We know he’ll enjoy putting a little elbow grease into his dishes, as well as exploring the many uses for this extremely versatile kitchen tool.

Shop more Gifts for Him >>

Gifts for Her

This time of year, we are deluged by tv jingle that reminds us, “every kiss begins with Kay.” But you know what? If you get the special lady in your life a piece from Kay Jewelers, she will have already seen it on their commercial a hundred times. How predictable. If you’re gonna go for jewelry, go for something unique and special, like our Bean Sprout Earrings. Not only would these beautiful earrings match anything, but they also are modern, elegant, and decidedly more interesting than the same old pieces that are being sold at jewelry chains across the country. For a set, check out the Bean Sprout necklace, too. Perfection. Now if your lady already has gobs of jewelry and just needs a place to put it, then our new Roost Bronze Twig  Jewelry Stand (pictured at left) is the perfect gift. It keeps each piece of jewelry neat and tangle-free, while displaying it like a pretty dresser-top work of art.

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Gifts for the Gardener

Whether your gift recipient is an experienced or beginning gardener, nothing will help her out more than a set of really good quality gardening tools. Well-made tools make difficult gardening tasks a total snap. Like chopping through thick roots and tangled brambles, for example. This is the perfect job for the Hori Hori Garden Knife. And who doesn’t want to feel like a samurai ninja gardener? The Garden Hand Tool Set, with its groovy contoured handles, is both comfy and handy. Plus, the tools are made from rustless stainless steel, so your gift recipient is sure to appreciate that they will not need to be replaced any time soon. For the indoor container gardener, check out our new favorite plant accessories, the Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Terrariums, (pictured at left). Aren’t they so cool? Plus, they are totally versatile and can be used all year round.

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Gifts for the Kids

Ever since our cute Elephant Watering Can was featured in Fine Gardening Magazine in September, it has just been flying off our shelves. And we can’t say that we’re surprised- it is so irresistibly adorable! Plus, it is a great way to get any child involved in gardening, which then promotes a healthy lifestyle. For a fun way to use the Elephant Watering Can this holiday season, take a look at our Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas blog from last year. And don’t forget to check out the other fun little gift ideas there, too!

Gifts for the home-body

With temperatures hovering in the teens, we admit that during the winter we tend to become home-bodies, too. There is nothing like snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and a great book on a chilly January evening. Anyone who likes to hunker down on cold night, like we do, is sure to enjoy our selection of indoor gifts. Check out our array of colorful Ben Collection Bowls, which are just right for a choice of yummy snacks. Or to create a fragrant and soothing atmosphere in any room, gift a Parker Collection Soy Candle. They come in 3 delicious scents and are guaranteed to be the yummiest smelling candles your recipient has ever received. For a gift that is both pretty and versatile, check out our new Roost Copenhagen Carafe & Terrariums (pictured at left). Your gift recipient can use it for either purpose. As a terrarium, it is an excellent way to spruce up a drab winter room with some green life. As a carafe, it can hold a favorite beverage for some relaxing fireside sipping.

Still not sure what the absolute perfect gift is? Don’t worry, you can simply select one of our gift cards in the amount of your choice. Then your gift recipients can shop to their hearts’ content!

For more excellent gift ideas, check out last year’s blog, Gifts for the Gardener Who Already Has It All.