The Gift Exchange

Summer is full of the most wonderful things that life has to offer. On the other side of the coin, it’s the most stressful time of the year for people like my self. I book my schedule so tightly with all of the plans that are offered from every direction that I forget to take time to myself to relax and let my mind rest. Most of all, my husband and I are so exhausted at the end of the day that we’re sleeping before more than two words have been shared between us. Sound familiar?

Sometimes you have to clear your schedule, even if it’s just for one night. If you have been daydreaming of that romantic night with your best friend but have no idea where to start or what to plan, use these suggestions to make your summer nights full of summer love.

1. Preparation
Relax and feel as delicious as you’ll smell by creating a sensual oasis in your very own bathroom with the Luxury Foam Blending Spa Set $79.95

2. Appetite
Chocolate has the effect of working like natural amphetamines to boost your passion. Start off with a dish of dark and white chocolate dipped strawberries handsomely decorated in almonds, coconut, and mini-chocolate chips (Strawberry Decadence $49.95) and top it off with a romantic Toast for Two $49.95

3. Excitement
Enjoy each other’s embarrassment with an evening ice-breaker. An enticing game like Strip Chocolate $34.95 will add to the excitement of the night and the “dare” cards, dice, and body frosting are all part of the romantic game.

4. Passion
Tucked into an elegant glass and wood boudoir box are gifts that will prove a favorite time and time again. Edible honey Dust and Vanilla Massage Cream are just two of the secrets waiting in for you in the Kama Sutra Bedside Box $49.95.

Turn some music on in the background, and relax together, and don’t forget to unplug your phones. Enjoy!

So now that the cat is out of the bag at work I guess it’s okay to blog about my current condition. I found out I’m expecting a few months ago and kept it a secret until a couple of weeks ago. That was tough! Now that everyone knows, the biggest question people ask me is - Is it a girl or boy? Well, I don’t have the answer to that yet and won’t be able to find out for another month or so. After talking to my Husband about it we decided we just don’t care either way. I know you hear all the time people say things like “As long as it’s healthy we don’t care.” For us, it’s true. We came to the decision to wait to find out what’s coming until it’s here. I mean really, what if I’m told what it’s a girl and it’s a boy? Then I end up with a bunch of tiny little dresses and saddle shoes. What then?

This information has come as a shock to many of my girlfriends because I am always the prepared planner. Some people just go insane over it. My best friend yelled at me, “Why would you do that? What am I supposed to buy?!” I will admit, I think torturing others is half the incentive to wait, but the other part of me that wants to wait is not sure why. In a way I feel like I might be jinxing something if I find out.

Anyhow, for all you ladies out there, I have found plenty of super cute stuff that you could buy for a boy or girl! Like the Down on the Farm Baby Wagon Set. I think it’s super cute. It has clothes and toys for the baby, can’t go wrong! And so what if my baby girl wears blue or my baby boy has a pink shirt on. I have seen plenty of men with pink shirts on these days…

My granddaughter loves all things that sparkle, glitter, glow or shine, and if you ever met her you would say that her personality is quite similar to the things she’s attracted to. Well, her birthday is coming up in July, and tell me if the Engraved Diamond Keepsake isn’t totally what every glitter-queen should have!

It’s the perfect accessory on so many levels, and who doesn’t love to get a gift that is just beautiful to look at no matter where it sits?  Here are some of the fabulous uses I’ve figured she can get from this beautiful bauble:

1. Use it for keeping her dramatic memos in their place.
2. Holding the pages of her diary open.
3. Place it in her windowsill for a sparkly rainbow effect all over the room.
4. Put it on her desktop next to her faux-leopard file caddy (tres chic!)
5. Use it to keep the door to the “salon” open.

Whatever she chooses to use it for, she will love this jewel of a gift!

Summer is finally here, and the warm nights are ideal for al fresco meals highlighting summer’s bounty of fresh produce and delicious meats and fish cooked to perfection on outdoor grills.  This welcome change of menu, however, often makes food and wine lovers wonder if they should be making a change in the wines they serve or give as wine gifts, as well. While many modern wine gurus will tell you to forgo the old rules and to simply drink whatever you like, following some simple wine and food - and weather - pairing guidelines will help your summer dining into a highly enjoyable experience.

Generally speaking, as the temperature begins to rise, it’s a good idea to bring out younger, more acidic white wines that pair well with seafood, salads, and lighter, grilled fare. By appropriately matching a white wine to your dish, you’ll be able to bring out distinctive flavors and aromas, thereby enhancing your and your guests’ dining experience. Best yet, chilled white wines offer a cooling, refreshing respite from balmy weather, which is an added bonus when dining outside on hot afternoons.

The most popular white wine, Chardonnay, can often be buttery and heavily oaked, making it a nice match for rich seafood dishes, such as lobster or salmon. Chicken dishes and pasta should also be served with a nicely chilled, but not icy cold, Chardonnay.

Crisp Pinot Grigio pairs nicely with salads, appetizers, and cheese and cracker combinations. Since the wine is fairly acidic itself, it is best to avoid pairing it with foods that have high acid contents, like citrus or tomato-based recipes.

Because of Riesling’s vast regional influences and style variations, Rieslings can be paired with a diversity of foods, ranging from desserts to spicy dishes. Dry Rieslings are a great counterpart to seafood and dishes prepared in a cream or butter sauce. Sweeter Rieslings, on the other hand, pair well with desserts and also provide a nice balance to spicy meats.

Gewurztraminer has a dry finish and high acidity, making it also able to stand up to spicy Asian foods and pastas. Gewurztraminer even crosses the color barrier, matching well with a fairly wide range of smoked and spicy red meats.

With its medium-bodied style and approachable acidity, Sauvignon Blanc is terrific with appetizers, herbed dishes, veggie dishes and dips, and even sushi. Fans of Sauvignon Blanc also swear by its perfect pairing with goat cheese.

Sparkling white wines and champagne are simply exquisite for sipping during the summer months and also can be served with fruit, raw oysters, and mild cheeses. Chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne make an excellent summer dessert pairing.

Lastly, red wines still do have a place under the sun during summer. Light-bodied reds such as Beaujolais and Pinot Noirs can be served slightly chilled with pork, ribs, and poultry. For heavier grilled meats and steak, Cabernets and Zinfandels are still the recommended, no-fail match.

Need a place to start? Check out our Meridian Wine Trio, which offers two white wine varietals as well as a Merlot for your die hard red wine fans. Enjoy!

I adopted a kitten right before the holidays from the Humane Society. I think by now Jelly might be considered a cat. I never knew I could love a cat so much. I even researched what it means if my cat’s tail is in the upright position. It means the cat is content. If your cat looks at you directly in the eye and blinks slowly, it is called a cat kiss. You can even return or initiate a cat kiss. In the wild cats communicate mostly by body language. So here is a top 5 list of gift ideas for your cat from someone who tries to talk to theirs:

1) Good Kitty Gift Basket $39.95
This basket is filled with toys and treats. It also contains a brush, bowl, and a fancy collar. This basket will provide hours of entertainment for your furry friend.

2) Cat Treat Jar $29.95
This is a very cute jar that can be used to hold cat treats or people treats.

3) Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul $44.95
This is a great gift for a cat and their owner. It contains cat toys, a mouse scratch pad, a fuzzy pom pom tail, Almond Roca and Hathaway’s Sour Cherries in an attractive top-stitched red leather tote.  It also includes the book Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul.

4) Kitty Gift Set $29.95
This gift includes a very cute food bowl, 3 catnip toys, and a vinyl mat.

5) Cat PawPrint Desktop Frame $44.95
This gift is really a gift for a cat owner and not a cat. This frame allows you to display a copy of your cat’s paw on one side and a picture of your cat on the other side. This would be a great gift to keep at your desk at work.

Thanks to everyone who participating in GiftTree’s Father’s Day Contest. It was great to read so many heartfelt comments about dads.  The winner is Natasha Marshall. Natasha will receive a GiftTree t-shirt while her dad will get our sold out Professional BBQ Gear gift, engraved with his name on the handle.

Not a winner this time? Check out GiftTree’s Father’s Day Gifts to find a great gift for dad.

Natasha’s winning entry:
My biological father left me when I was about three years old and my step-father of the time adopted me without hesitation. My father taught me to have fun in life. He taught me to laugh and experience the world. He has taught me that everything will pass. If there is a hard time I am going through I know that it will pass and everything will improve. My father has taught me the simple everyday things that a father teaches his children. But the most important thing my father has taught me is to be myself, and exactly who I am. So thanks dad, I never say how much you really mean to me.

I’m a woman. Therefore (according to my husband) I’m sensitive, sarcastic, moody (all of these things rightfully so, might I add), and sometimes I just want some freaking cookies. Oh, cookies, what a precious gift to the world. I’m ashamed to admit that there are times when I whip up some cookie batter and it never even makes it to the oven. In fact, there’s a giant bowl of cookie dough sitting in my freezer right now just waiting for me to get home! Is it pathetic that I’m actually looking forward to this?! Don’t judge me.

Chocolate chip, snicker doodle, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, white chocolate hazelnut… if you’re not craving these by now, there is quite possibly something very seriously wrong with you. You might want to get that checked out. Really.

They’re the perfect table topper when company comes over, or when you’re visiting a friend and don’t want to show up empty handed. No matter the reason these wonderful treats never fail to impress or say, “I was thinking about you”.

If there is one piece of wise advice I can give you for the day it is this: Find one loved one that you haven’t talked to in a while, or who deserves a very simple act of thoughtfulness and send some cookies their way. Whether it brings back wonderful childhood memories or warms their heart from the unexpected kind gesture, you’re sure to make their day!

Want to go one more step toward looking creative with out having to rack your brain? Try the Apothecary Jar of Cookies or the New Baby Cookie Basket for someone who’s expecting! They come in multiple tempting flavors and are made with the freshest ingredients.

Don’t have anyone to send cookies to? My address is….

I was just looking for some dog gifts on our website and I came across Good Dog Gift Basket. It reminded me of the other they when I was playing with my roommate’s dogs. First of all, I recently moved in with a roommate that has 3 dogs and a cat, and I came from a family that had no pets at all, so you can imagine I’ve had a bit of adjusting to do!

On my first day of meeting the new pets, the dogs were just barking and barking, which kind of scared me away a bit. The second time I saw them though, they were much more polite and actually were trying to interact with me. Now that I’ve been there two weeks, I’ve learned some of their habits and how to interact with them.

So, a few days ago, I was home alone and bored out of my mind. So what do I decide to do? I start teasing the dogs! Hehehe (evil laugh). I hid behind the door and as soon as one of the dogs (named Sky) came closer to the door, I jumped out and screamed, “RAH!” Sky started barking like crazy and ran away. I then hid by the door again and waited for him to come back (which he did) and once again I jumped out and yelled, “RAH!” Once again, he runs off and I just hid by the door waiting for him to come back, but he never did. I peeked out just in time to see him running, so I hid again and before I could get in my “rah” position, Sky was sneaking up on me! Then he started barking and wagging his tail, and you can just tell how excited he was that he got me back. It was just too much fun playing with him. Now every time he sees me he always shows me a smiley face and a wagging tail. I might need to get the Good Dog Gift Basket for my new buddy.

Father’s Day is June 21st this year, which is also the first official day of summer. What says Father’s Day and summer more than BBQ-ing? I can’t think of a single thing! This year, GiftTree would like to get one special dad geared up for some great summer BBQ. All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post telling us one lesson you learned from your dad.

My dad taught me a lot and there was a bunch more that unfortunately, fell on deaf ears. One thing I am grateful for is that he never treated his 3 daughters as if there was something we couldn’t do because we were girls. He always said we could do anything we wanted. It was just a matter of how hard we were willing to work to get it. I believed him then and I believe now, so thanks, Dad!

Now, share a little something about what your dad taught you and The Gift Exchange bloggers will select our favorite. The winning dad will receive our Dad’s Professional BBQ Gear gift with his name engraved on the handle of the fork. We’ll also send the winner a GiftTree t-shirt as our thanks to you for nominating a deserving dad.

Deadline to enter: Midnight (PST) Sunday, June 14th.

Many wine purists insist that single variety or varietal wines are preferable to blended wines, but limiting yourself to varietal wines for wine gifts and personal consumption often means you are missing out on some delicious and skillfully combined blends. Sure, it’s important to be familiar with varietal wines and to know, for instance, that you love a good Zinfandel, but some of the best wines on the market today are blended wines.

Many wines with which you are already familiar with are actually blends. Chianti, Bordeaux, and Meritage are all blended wines. Many wines labeled as varietal wines may also contain other grapes, depending on the laws of the country of origin. For instance, American wines are only required to have 75% of a single grape variety to be considered a varietal wine, meaning that the Cabernet Sauvignon you are drinking most likely contains a dash of Cabernet Franc or Merlot.

At their most basic, blended wines are simply wines made by professional vintners who blend different grapes varieties in order to create a wine with more complexity, texture, and flavor than a varietal wine. The final goal of blending wine is to balance out flavor characteristics of the different grapes. The process makes sense if you think about it:  if you have two, three, four, or more grape varieties to work with, then you can blend them in such a way that you enhance their appealing characteristics and cloak their less appealing characteristics. The ability to blend grape varieties can also come in especially handy during a poor growing season if a certain vineyard’s crop proves to be, for instance, too sugary.

At GiftTree, we offer several superb blended wines in our gift baskets. Our 5th Avenue contains Maryhill Winemaker’s Blend, a prestigious and award-winning blend from Washington.  Laurels aside, the wine is simply delicious and highly drinkable. We also offer another great wine from the Maryhill Winery, their Proprietor’s Reserve Serendipity, which is a delightful Bordeaux blend.

The next time you are at the store to purchase wine, don’t let wines labeled as “red wine” or “table wine” deter you. While some cheaper blends carry these names, some of the more expensive and superior blends are labeled as such for matters of simplicity. Also, the absence of a varietal name on the label that tells you the wine is a blend. If you have your doubts, you can always rely on the reputation of the winery to key you in to the blend’s quality. Have fun and let us know of any discoveries you make along the way!