These are a Few of My Favorite Things- Ideas for Gifts or a Party Theme!

"FAVORITE THINGS" STOCKING

This idea was inspired by Oprah's favorite things show that she used to do every year around Christmas. In my family, Christmas is about celebration, but it is also about the excitement of finding creative gifts for everyone on your list. One of our Christmas traditions is to fill a small stocking or bag with a few of our favorite things that we have found throughout the year. It may be a mascara, a soap, or an amazing moisturizer and the most fun thing is to share something that you love with someone else, right? I am going to provide you with a list of a few of my favorite things so that maybe you can start this tradition with others in your family or friends.

Here is a list of items that are great ideas for the favorite things stockings and below that are a few of my ultimate favorite products.

• Each person's favorite candy
• Toy helicopter (www.amazon.com)
• DIY items such as coasters, ornaments or homemade baked goodies
• A few nice cigars and a fun lighter (www.amazon.com or a local cigar shop for suggestions)
• Travel size of your favorite items such as face wipes (www.neutrogena.com) and shampoos (www.aveda.com)
• Electric toothbrush (oral b, sonicare, etc.)
• Wireless headphones (for the person that always has surround sound on!)
• Fun Iphone cases (JCrew)
• Festive nail polish (OPI)
• A bottle of your favorite wine
• Next year's calendar
• Gift Certificates for $5-10 to coffee shops, movies, sporting goods stores, wine shops etc.
• Club of the month: Flowers, wines, chocolates and more...

***NOTE on where to find these items- Pick your favorite brand or just "Google it"

Here is a great link for 150 stocking stuffer ideas- this is by far the best list that I have found that has something for all ages whether male or female.

http://jennasjourneyblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/150-stocking-stuffer-ideas.html

FAVORITE THINGS PARTY

Another idea if you do not want to do this for Christmas is to host a favorite things party. A friend of mine recently brought me to her blog group's monthly brunch and one of the girls mentioned that she hosted a favorite things party for 5 or so of her closest friends. Everyone brings multiples of an item that they love (putting a max dollar value on spending so it does not get out of hand) and she provided a bag for each item to be placed in as they walked in the door. The hostess even went to a few of her favorite places and got free samples of makeup and other products to add to each of the bags, so the options are endless for what you can contribute. Many vendors were into the idea because each sample potentially attracts a new buyer.

As the hostess, it would be a great idea to put together either cute gift baskets or bags for each of your guests. You can also pick a color scheme and integrate it into the baskets or bags to take your theme further. Use your color scheme for desserts, flowers, invitations and napkins to tie the concept together. Why not take the party to the next level to make it one to remember?

For some great ideas for making your own or purchasing gift bags, see either of the sites below. They are full of great ideas, many of which are not too difficult to replicate.

http://www.etsy.com http://pinterest.com/