Last night my friend Courtney hosted a gift exchange at her home. The theme was “My Favorite Things” and it was a LOT of fun. Everyone had to think of their “favorite thing,” valued at $15, and then we each brought three of that favorite thing to the party. Everyone presented their favorite items to the group, explaining why they were so wonderful, then we pulled names from a bowl and everyone went home with three gifts that were other peoples’ favorite things. It was super cute and I loved seeing what everyone chose to share!
I was already planning on telling you today what my favorite thing was (of course it’s chocolate), but as I was sitting there last night, this blog post kept growing in my head. First I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to do a virtual ‘favorite things’ gift exchange on my blog, where everyone comments and says what they would have brought to the party?” Then, as I furiously took notes on everyone’s favorite things last night, I realized I should be sharing that list with you, too! I mean, that is one totally awesome gift guide!
So, what began as a short “here’s my favorite thing” blurb has turned into a blog post with a three-fold mission!
- I will share my favorite thing with you
- I will share all of my friends’ favorite things with you.
- You will share YOUR favorite thing with all of us! Please comment and tell us what you would have brought to the “My Favorite Things” gift exchange. Your budget is $15!
I’m sure you dying to know what I took to the party, right? My gift included to two items made by Guittard: Cocoa Rouge and Super Cookie Chips. (Click through on those hyperlinks to read why I love them so much. AWESOME stuff.)
And now for the list of favorite things from last night! There are tons of great gift ideas in here…or even just ideas when you need to splurge on yourself a bit!
- Reader’s Digest Children’s Songbook
- Frango’s Chocolates
- Therapeutic-Grade Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Lavendar Eye Pillow
- L’Occitane ‘Hugs & Kisses’ Shea Hand Cream and Lip Balm
- Kuhn Rikon Butterfly Rainbow Silicone Whisk (I got this and it’s AWESOME! The tines get into the corner of your pan, so excited!!!!)
- Mistral South Seas Hand Lotion
- Williams Sonoma Tuscan Fig Dish Soap and Cinnamint Lip Balm from Bath & Body Works
- Pride & Prejudice and a cool scarf (which reminded her of England)
- Philosophy Animal Cracker Lip Gloss and OPI glitter polish
- Mini Latte Bowls from Anthropologie
- Paper Source gift card
- Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Paste
- Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper
- Lush Jasmine Shampoo Bar and Veganese Conditioner
- Super Cute Rhinestone Owl Purse Hook (I got this and have been wanting a purse hook for ages!)
- Mary Kay Cellu Shape Contouring System
- Really cute reusable shopping bags
- Smiley Metal Dustpan
- Schwarzkopf Dust It (I have this, it’s cool stuff!)
- Salad Hands from Sur La Table and a Tangerine-flavored Balsamic Vinegar
- Nike Lightweight Running Arm Wallet / Phone Case (I got this…and I think it’s the universe telling me to get exercising again!)
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
Rattlesnake Cracked Pepper & Chipotle Chili Olive Oil – 250ml (http://www.texasoliveranch.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=199) makes my baked chicken POP. MMM
Juana Ghanii’s Shall We Live Forever (http://juanaghani.com/) is this amazing gypsy-flavored music that I just found last week.
Something I think EVERYONE should get? http://bit.ly/Joy2013 is Leonie Dawson’s 2013 Create Your Incredible Year workbook+planner. It’s so empowering and you can print it from the PDF file.
So…lol…food, ears and heart from me!
I’ll have to check out that workbook+planner! and everything else you listed!!!!
Rockaholic dry shampoo (purchase at Ulta). This stuff is a must for all moms. I used to have to wash my hair everyday. Now only every 3 days. Such a time saver and my hair looks great for all those days. No residue and smells great.
I am SO trying this stuff!
Lush Ultra Bland cold cream. It can be used for so much more. Makeup remover. Hand cream. Hair cream. Diaper rash cream. And the list goes on and on.
Aura Cacia lemon eucalyptus oil. A couple drops into the bath or in my face toner makes me feel like I am at the spa.
Life Factory glass water bottle. I make sure to have my bottle with me at all times. Before I got my water bottle I always forgot to drink water.
I need to check out Lush, apparently I am missing out!
and love that your water bottle is glass. definitely going to check that out!
This may be my favorite holiday thread EVER. 😀 I just wish it was earlier so I knew all these clever inexpensive gifts. LOL
you’ll have to bookmark it for next year! 🙂
What a great post! Hollywood tape is my favorite, it keeps everything in place and prevents any wardrobe malfunctions. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000K9NZJE
ha ha! I love that you can get that on amazon! whoduvthunk.
2 things: For the foodies a Microplane, so many uses.
And a new favorite of mine: American Eagle Touchpoint Gloves, soft, cozy, and useful. Maybe the Californians don’t need these gloves I just bought this weekend, but had I had them for the OSU v. Michigan football game last month I might not have about frostbitten my fingers taking pictures!
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?productId=0426_6275_020&catId=cat4840018
I do love my microplane!
those gloves are adorable in addition to useful!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NYL3NQ/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0012X6MQA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0AVY2V0Z6BFZKJJ2WMCN
Paul Mitchell’s super skinny serum.
And Thanks for doing this! I love seeing what other people like. I did an exchange like this but it was only $5. Five of the same items that are your favorite and it can only cost 5.00. I realized then that I have expensive taste cause I couldn’t find anything I loved that was just 5.00. I like 15.00 better
I need to try that serum…
even though the $15 pricepoint is higher for a party, honestly, it made it way more fun, you’re right! totally worth the extra 10 bucks.
Yes to Carrots hand cream.
Burt’s Bees peppermint lip balm.
Lindt dark chocolate bar with hazelnuts.
will have to try all these!