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Employee Appreciation Day – March 4th

February 22, 2022 by Lisa Paden

I’m a firm believer in making employees feel valued and appreciated. Whether they’re lucky enough to work from home or in the office, these are the people who make you look amazing, who help run the business like a well-oiled machine every day. There are many moments in an office setting to celebrate your employees, like work anniversaries, birthdays, promotions, and retirements, to name a few. These special moments are also wonderful ways to connect and show appreciation.

Whether you’re giving a little treat for a job well done or sending custom care packages for an upcoming sales trip, showing your staff they are valued and appreciated in a special way will go much further than a quick shoutout in the team meeting.

From your executive team to the admins, they all play a vital role. Employee recognition is great for employee satisfaction and healthy productivity in the workplace.

I know these past couple of years have been trying on big and small companies. Maintaining a dependable, loyal, hardworking staff has become harder than ever before, and this is more of a reason than any to celebrate the ones who have stuck it out, worked overtime, and been there through the tuff times.

Mark your calendars for Employee Appreciation Day on
Friday, March 4th, to celebrate your fantastic staff.

Are you looking to tweak your current employee gifting program or start a new one? We’d love to help; click here to contact us and schedule a time to chat.

Last Minute Galentine’s Day Ideas

February 8, 2021 by Lisa Paden

As you are all aware, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but before we all celebrate that special day with our significant others, there is Galentine’s Day! Galentine’s day is a relatively new holiday. How did it come to be, you ask?

For those who are unfamiliar with this holiday, it falls on the day before Valentine’s Day, February 13th. It was created to be a day to celebrate, embrace and support the power of female friendships. A little history about Galentine’s Day: it was season 2 (episode 16, to be exact) of the iconic sitcom Parks and Recreation in 2010, where the holiday got its origin. Since that episode, girlfriends worldwide are showing love to each other on this day. So how can you show some love to your sista-friends? Below, I’m sharing five fun and easy ways to make your girls feel valued, loved and appreciated.

Ice Cream Potluck

We all know how potlucks take planning and a lot of it! But with an ice cream potluck, it can be as easy as going to the store and picking up your favorite ice cream flavors, cones and toppings and sharing with your besties. To make it even more delicious, you can always add in your favorite cookies and brownies.

Sleepover

We can all remember back to those sleepovers with your BFF’s, how much fun did we have; we still remember some of those nights. Make Galentine’s Day your annual girlfriend sleepover. It doesn’t have to stop now that you’re all grown up. Invite the girls over or rent a hotel suite and have a fantastic night together. Put on your favorite PJs, binge watch all the chick flicks your heart desires. Laugh till you cry and cry till you laugh with your girlfriends. to make it even more special, make it a “no cell phone” zone, giving your full undivided attention to your girls.

Wine Tasting

Raise your glass and toast your amazing girlfriends this Galentine’s Day. You don’t need to visit an actual winery to have a little fun tasting wine! Gather your besties and head to a wine bar. Wine bars are sometimes paired with excellent restaurants, making for a fun, full evening of delicious food, sweet desserts, and drinks.

Important side note: PLEASE drink and have fun responsibly.

Bake Desserts

Get your favorite Pinterest dessert recipes, your cute apron, and have a fun bake-off with your galentines. Baking can be fun, and the results are delicious! Whether you buy a box mix or make your sweets from scratch, it’s sure to be a great time together. And the biggest treat is getting to share your baked goods with each other.

Pizza Party

Nothing says party like hot pizza! Add your girls, your favorite pizza, salad, and breadsticks, and you are set! Make your time together even more fun, make your crust from scratch and add lots of toppings to your pizzas. Everyone can make their personal pan pizza, and you can also share your pie creations. Be casual or get dressed up – but we all love a good slice of pizza.

Shop Local

November 24, 2020 by Lisa Paden

Shopping small has a significant impact on the economy and plays a vital role in building our communities. We love to support small local businesses on Small Business Saturday (November 28th). Because we are an artisan gifting business specializing in curated gift baskets, boxes, and gifts, we intentionally support small businesses throughout the year. To help you shop small this year, I’ve put together a list of five small (local) businesses that I love and recommend to you. They are worth checking out and supporting during the holidays or any time of the year.

Rachel Roe Art

Rachel Roe is a fantastic artist, designer, and illustrator. She creates the most impressive fine art and graphics that display breathtaking florals and landscapes in her quaint, cozy backyard studio. A few of her designs are available through Minted.com and would be perfect as gifts. Visit Them

Wrapped & Written

I just recently met Leah and immediately fell in love with her beautiful work. Leah creates hand-lettering on surfaces like wood, glass, canvas, paper, and many others. Her attention to detail and overall presentation when you receive your order is so beautiful. Visit Them.

The Caramel House

Janet Shulman knows her way around her delicious caramel, and we can’t get enough of it! From popcorn to cookies and with over 13 different caramel flavors, you will find something you’re going to enjoy. Visit Them.

STL Cakepops

Rachel Sarino is the owner of this delicious company. I’ve never visited Rachel without coming away with one of her delicious cake pops. There isn’t a shortage of treats when you step into her quaint shop in St. Charles. You have the choice of deep-dish cookie cakes and chocolate-covered Oreos, to any shape cake pop you can imagine. Visit Them.

Sweet Scarlett

Shannon Patton is the owner of this sweet little company, but there’s nothing little about the taste of her delicious cookies. This mompreneur has proven that she knows her way around a sugar cookie. I first tasted her work at a wedding where her cookies were the thank you gift. I was taken away by the detail and then the taste…heaven! Her cookie kits are so much fun and make great gifts. Visit Them.

National Fondue Month

October 31, 2020 by Lisa Paden

Let’s have fun with fondue! We all like to change things up in the kitchen, so why not make your family dinner more fun with something different.

The term fondue derives from the French word for “melted.” The Swiss, introduced fondue when promoting their national cheese industry.

Whether your preference is for breads dipped in cheese, meats cooked in oil, or fruit dipped in melted chocolate, consider your own fondue gathering whether for a stay at home date night, for the family and/or friends during National Fun with Fondue Month! Everyone will enjoy!

10 BEST CHEESE FONDUE DIPPERS

Bread
Broccoli
Chicken
Baby Potatoes
Meatballs
Pretzel Bites
Steak
Tortilla Chips
Bell Peppers
Apples

A FEW CHEESY FONDUE RECIPES

10 BEST DESSERT FONDUE DIPPERS

Mini brownies
Pound cake
Strawberries
Pineapple
Bananas
Pretzels
Marshmallows
Macaroons
Rice Krispy Treats
Apples

A FEW OOOEY GOOEY DESSERT FONDUE RECIPES

Lisa’s Personal “Fall” Favorites

October 8, 2020 by Lisa Paden

I’m sure I’ve said this a million times before, but Fall is indeed my favorite time of the year.

My favorite fall scented candle, the house decorated in autumn décor, The coziest, plush throw blanket and my favorite comforts foods.

Below are a few of my personal favorites that I’m enjoying this season that I wanted to share with you.

Balsam Hill Fall Wreath

Infuse elegant autumnal beauty into your home with Balsam Hill’s Fall Harvest Foliage. Lovingly crafted by hand, this Balsam Hill exclusive is adorned with sunflowers, pumpkins, berries, pinecones, and burlap ribbon to represent the warmth and color of the harvest season. For more information on the wreath.

Pottery Barn Sherpa Back Throws

When it comes to cozy textures, we believe the more the merrier. Ridged stripes on the front of this throw create a sense of loftiness, and the supersoft sherpa reverse is the perfect warmth for chilly weather or snuggling by the fire. For more information on these cozy blankets.

Oh My Gourd Doormat

Perfect for Fall and even Halloween, you can’t go wrong with a “punny” Oh My Gourd Doormat. For more information on the doormat.

Capri Blue Pumpkin Clove Jar Candle

Treat yourself or a loved one to Capri Blue’s beloved pumpkin spiced scent — it’s a cozy, comforting choice that’s perfectly suited for the harvest season. Pumpkin Clove: The scent of creamy, buttery pumpkin with a touch of orange zest, wrapped within a savory vanilla and cinnamon base. (SPICE) For more information on the candle.

Staub Ceramic Stoneware Pumpkin Cocotte

Bake and serve individual portions of soups, casseroles or vegetables with these charming ceramic pumpkins. Inspired by the French heirloom Rouge Vif d’Etampes pumpkin—the same handsome variety used to depict Cinderella’s carriage—they add a sculptural element to the tabletop. For more information on the stoneware.

Throwback Stir Stick Popcorn Maker

Movie night is more fun with freshly popped popcorn served retro-style. This electric popcorn maker has a motorized stir stick to ensure that all kernels are popped to a fluffy consistency and tossed evenly in butter. For more information on the popcorn maker.