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EZINE CONTEST
Here is this week's question:
Send in a 'Homemade Holiday Gift
Idea'.
Send in your moneysaving tips to
lata@dotcomwomen.com
with the subject 'Holiday Gift Idea' before the 6th of
November, 2004. The best 3 Gift Ideas will win 'Chocolate
Recipes' ebook containing delicious chocolate recipes.
CRAFTS
Not-So-Mainstream Holiday
Hostess Gifts
by
Vicki Bishop, Small Touches, Inc.
http://www.SmallTouches.com
Home accessories & Gifts in Your
Style
There is so much food during the
holiday season that a hostess gift of a fruitcake, a box of
chocolates, or a basket of cookies can be lost in the shuffle and
not eaten. A bottle of wine is the most traditional hostess gift,
but to be a little daring and different, make the hostess happy by
giving a not-so-mainstream hostess gift.
Consider these not-so-mainstream
hostess gift suggestions:
-
Fresh Flowers already arranged in a
vase so the hostess does not have to arrange the flowers upon your
arrival.
-
Spreader Knife Set (great for someone
who entertains often)
-
Set of Decorative Dessert or Appetizer
Plates
-
Bread Board Set
-
A Christmas Music CD
-
Wine Stopper & Wine Coaster Set (What
a great variation to a bottle of wine!)
-
A Seasonal Potted Plant or Flower
-
Set of Coasters (Lasts longer than a
bottle of Vodka!)
-
Decorative Candles
-
Festive Serving Platter or Dish
-
Note Card Set
-
A Decorative Night Light
-
A specialty coffee with a couple of
decorative mugs
-
A Christmas Tree Ornament (the
ornament can also be engraved in remembrance of the occasion)
-
Olive Oil Dipping Set
-
Personalized music CD for the hostess
(in their taste of course)
-
Tea Towel Gift Set
In conclusion??¦
- Always take a gift to the hostess
to show your appreciation for their thoughtfulness in inviting
your into their home.
- Never take anything you expect to
have served while you are there, unless they have specifically
requested something.
- If you are unsure of the d?©cor and
style of the hostess, it is best to stay away from the more
decorative gifts.
- If you bring the traditional
bottle of wine, at least decorate it festively for the season.
Finally,
yet importantly, send the happy hostess a thank you note the day
after the event.
?© Vicki Bishop, Small Touches,
Inc.
Small Touches, Inc
is an Internet based Home Accessories & Gift Retailer.
SmallTouches.com offers home accessories and gifts that make your
style come to life. Visit
http://www.SmallTouches.com.
THANKSGIVING
RECIPES
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
4 lbs. Baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cont. (8 oz.) sour cream
?? cup butter or margarine
1 ?? tsp. salt
?? tsp. pepper
Melted butter and chopped fresh parsley, optional
In large pot over high heat combine potatoes with enough water to
cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until potatoes
are tender, about 25 minutes. Drain; return to pot. Add cream
cheese, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Mash until smooth.
Serve drizzled with butter and sprinkled with parsley, if desired.
Makes 12 Servings
ELKE'S WEEKLY BEAUTY TIP
Make your own deep lipstick color by mixing blue eye
shadow and red blush on your lips. Apply a lip balm on top and
you're set. The most fun part is that every time you try this, you
can experiment and get a different version every time.
----------------------------------
'Elke's Weekly Beauty Tip' brought
to you by E. Von Freudenberg, Editor of The Beauty
Newsletter:
http://www.beautynewsletter.gq.nu. For a free subscription,
email
BeautyNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Ms. Von
Freudenberg is also a top celebrity makeup artist whose work has
been seen in Allure, W, Rolling Stone, Paper, Detour and many
more. Von Freudenberg Ent. ?© All Rights Reserved.
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