Ideas & Tips — Practical Gifts

Some simple preparation can help you avoid the stressful rush of trying to find a last-minute birthday gift for your sister-in-law, a housewarming gift for your best friend or a Christmas gift for your family. Huffington Post contributor and editor-in-chief of Gifts.com Dana Holmes recommends designating some space for your gift stash, and filling it with universally appealing. "To avoid spending every spare moment gift shopping, I like to stock up on fun gifts and match them with their rightful owners when the time comes," Holmes writes. "I call this my 'gift closet.' I have a few shelves stocked with...

We know the feeling: You've been busy all month and now you're looking for last-minute holiday gifts, or maybe you're just feeling like treating all the special people in your life to a nice surprise. While flipping back and forth between online shopping tabs, you wish there was just one place you could go to for every present you need. Well, you're in luck: StainlessLUX carries a variety of stainless steel accessories so diverse that they can make great presents for many different types of people. Here's our stainless steel shopping guide: For the beer enthusiast: You know, that one person who...

When you spend Thanksgiving at someone's home, you know they've spent all day cooking up a feast and preparing the house for guests, so you'll want to bring something along to show your appreciation of their efforts. When choosing a host gift, it's important to consider your host's particular tastes, but there are a few categories that many good host gifts fall into. Useful in many situations, sometimes even during the meal itself, these versatile host gifts will make your hosts want to invite you back next year: A serving bowl: Oftentimes, hosts who are taking on the Thanksgiving meal for...

If you're getting married, remember that thoughtful wedding favors can really set your special day apart. This detail is too often overlooked, but it is crucial to acknowledge the time and money your guests have invested in celebrating the start of your new life. Show your appreciation with a special gift that will always remind them of your wedding day.  There's something memorable about any occasion like wedding, baby or bridal shower, birthday or anniversary party that sends you home with a special treat. Favors are often arranged as part of the place setting, allowing them to do double-duty by...

In our parent's and grandparent's generation it was common courtesy to bring a hostess gift when you were invited as a guest – either homemade pastry or an original trinket – but this custom seems to be slipping away. There is no reason why this thoughtful tradition should be a thing of the past. In a recent article for The Huffington Post, writer Brie Dyas takes time to reiterate the importance of a hostess (or host) gift. Here are a few reasons why we should keep up with the courteous tradition: Hostess gifts show your appreciation: "Depending on the situation, [your...