that's a wrap

Today is my dad's 89th birthday!!!!  It's always hard to find presents for men, but especially for older men who don't "need" anything.  My dad has fond memories of his grandfather taking him into town to "paint the town red"  at the local five and dime, so that was the inspiration for his birthday gift. I filled a paint can with some gift certificates to local shops in town: one to the bookstore, one to the ice cream shop, and even one to the package store!  I used a paint sample as the card and I hope he has fun doing some shopping for things he wants. My dad is an amazing person, who at 89, still rows in a shell on the lake where my parents live.  This is a photo I took with my phone last summer of my children watching him row.  It's one of my favorites.

that's a wrap

This was a thank you gift I gave to a friend.  I found an adorable glass cloche that reads "Bon Appetit" etched on the cover. I decided it would be fun to give her something to put inside of it too, so I got some macaroons from a local bakery.  I put it all in a recycled clementine crate and tucked in a thank you note written on an Eiffel tower card.  I love using these crates to hold gifts.  One of my friends actually used them to place little treats for her out of town guests at her wedding.  So cute!

that's a wrap

Here's another fun summer gift.  I put a tie dye kit and plain white t-shirt (both found at Michael's) in a tie dye bucket!  I also tucked in a peace sign shaped lollipop just for fun.  Again, this is a great gift for kids of all ages.

summer sangria

I have a new favorite summer cocktail! It's made with a mint simple syrup, orange juice and Champagne!  You can find the recipe here.  I made the mint simple syrup but only used about a half cup in each pitcher.  The first time I made it I used the whole two cups and it was way too sweet.  Now I can make four pitchers with the one recipe for simple syrup, I just save it in a jar in the fridge and I'm ready to make it any time we have guests over.  I also don't zest the fruit, just cut it up and throw it in like Giada does in the recipe.  I hope you'll try it. It's very refreshing and great to serve at parties!

that's a wrap

My favorite gift to give this summer is a root beer float kit!  I have given it as a hostess gift and as dessert for a meal train. I included pretty straws, bottles of root beer, and some vanilla ice cream.  You can find pretty paper straws everywhere these days.  I found these chevron patterned ones at Marshalls! If you wanted to add a few more fun details you could include some root beer mugs and an ice cream scoop.  If you have a long distance to travel you could also give a gift certificate for the ice cream too. This is a fun and versatile gift for people of all ages.