Posts Tagged ‘holiday gift ideas’

2011 December Holiday Giveaway – Week 1: Roost Muddlers + Garden Rules Book

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Roost Hemingway Muddlers

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}

aHa! Modern Living December 2011 Giveaways

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

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

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.

Great Holiday Gifts For Everyone on Your List

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

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.

Shop more Gifts for Her >>

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.

Shop more Gifts for the Gardener >>

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.

Perfect Hostess Gifts for Every Occasion

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

As autumn temperatures continue to decline, and the fall season begins to transition into winter, we find ourselves at a time of year that we love. Suddenly, our wall calendars are filled with hasty scrawls: “Dinner party at Katie’s,” “Wine tasting at Ellen’s,” and “Potluck at Brian’s.” It is the time of year when we tuck away our gardening gloves and instead slide on a sparkly cocktail ring; the time for holiday celebrations and social engagements abound.

Now if you’ve ever hosted a dinner party, wine tasting, or potluck, then you know just how much work they can be. Even if you purchase a stack of pre-made veggie and deli trays to cut down on food prep, you still have to take the time to clean the house, pick out music, send invites, wash all the dishes… the list goes on. Hosting a party is a lot of work. And it is your responsibility as a guest to let your host or hostess know that this does not go unnoticed.

A simple gift is a classic, and classy, way to let your host or hostess know that you appreciate all of the hard work and time that goes into entertaining. Some people seem to think that this is an outdated tradition, but as TV personality and etiquette expert Clinton Kelly explains in his book Freakin’ Fabulous, “bringing a small token of your appreciation is certainly not uncouth.” So while you start to complete your Christmas shopping this year, make sure to also stock up on hostess gifts. aHa! Modern Living has some great ones from which to choose.

Choose the Perfect Hostess Gift

An overnight stay- According to the Emily Post Institute, which has been the go-to etiquette expert since 1946, a hostess gift for an overnight stay is mandatory. The size and grandeur of the gift may vary according to the length of your stay. In this case, it is also appropriate to send the gift after the tenure of your stay, along with a heartfelt thank you note. This gives you the opportunity to select a gift that matches your hostess’ living space. Check out our Modern Decor section for some fabulous options. Wouldn’t a Parker Collection Fragrance Diffuser look lovely in the guest room where you slept? We think it would be a perfect thank you gift for your weekend stay. Or how about the Window Sill Herb Holder for your host’s kitchen? He did make you that delicious tomato and basil fritatta for breakfast one morning, and this would be the perfect place for him to store his fresh herbs while he’s cooking.

Cocktail party- A bottle of wine is an appropriate hostess gift for a cocktail party. But don’t bring a plain ol’ bottle- dress it up with a fun accessory, like a Felt Wine Sleeve. The sleeve is pretty darn handsome looking, and as a bonus, it will keep your hands dry and your bottle secure on the car ride over. Now if you give a gift of wine, Kelly has a couple rules of thumb to point out: First, don’t expect the wine to be served to you at the cocktail party. Consider it a gift to your host for later consumption. Kelly points out that a conscientious host will have already chosen wines for the evening based on what will pair well with the hors d’oueuvres. Secondly, never take an unopened bottle of wine back home with you at the end of the night. This goes for a cocktail party, wine tasting, or pretty much any other event!

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Gifts for the Gardener Who Already has it All

Monday, December 7th, 2009
Photo source: Happy Mundane

photo by Happy Mundane

Every year, the Christmas season starts a little earlier. This year, stores were filled with plastic evergreen trees and stacked boxes of greeting cards even before the Halloween costume aisle was cleared out.

The holidaze begins months in advance. Yet every year, regardless of how early you start your Christmas shopping, there is someone who remains on your list. This is the someone for whom you need to find a gift that is unusual; not just another trinket from a big-box store. aHa! Modern Living is here for the rescue with a selection of gifts for that tricky person on your list who already seems to have it all.

Gifts for the Un-green Thumb

We all have that friend who claims to kill every plant she lays hands on. Here is the perfect solution for the aspiring gardener or apprentice who is still learning the trade. The Matchstick Garden totally makes planting as easy as pie. All you have to do is tear off a little matchstick, which is already brimming with seeds, stick it in the ground, and give it a little sprinkle of water. That’s it! They come in both wildflower and herb varieties, and at the price of only $2.50 per packet, you can afford to give both!

matchstick

Matchstick Garden

One of the most common reasons that houseplants are killed is over watering. The pretty and sleek Aqua Genie Watering Can aims to prevent over watering. It’s made of lightweight plastic so that it’s easy to lift and won’t rust. This is a super error-proof and user-friendly watering can.

aquagenie-general

Aqua Genie Watering Can

 
 
Gifts for the Novice Gardener
 
Your friend who is just starting to dabble in tilling and cultivating will love to receive some new tools to help her along the way. Chances are, she’s using some old rusted hand-me-downs. She’ll really be inspired to plant a fabulous garden when she receives the Garden Tool Hand Set. This is everything she needs to dig, transplant, and weed.

Celebrate Cyber Monday with Great Deals for the Holidays!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Need to get some holiday shopping done but you’re stuck behind your desk all day?  Or maybe you’re too busy running errands for the family to scout out the best deals around town.  Then take a quick peek at our Cyber Monday Specials during your next 15 minute break, or wait until you get home to browse our specials from the comfort of your own sofa.  We are offering 20% off and FREE Shipping on our 9 most popular items (see below). Hurry! Sale ends today, 11/30/09, at midnight PST.

Have we piqued your interest?  Then start shopping our Cyber Monday Specials.  In order to receive FREE Shipping, choose either UPS Ground or FedEx Home Delivery during the checkout process and enter the discount code CYBER20 on the Summary Page.  We offer a 30-day Money Back Guarantee on all orders and free return shipping.  So don’t fret, shop with confidence at aHa! Modern Living this holiday season.

Cyber Monday Sale

Happy Shopping!


West County Garden Gloves Burgon & Ball Pruners Garden Hand Tool Set Etched Botanical Glass Votives Shake-a-leg Salt & Pepper Shakers Fragrance Diffusers Modern Bird Ball Feeder Roost Mortar and Pestle Modern Nesting Bird Box