Secret Santa can be tricky. On the one hand, you could have a recipient that you know well enough to instantly come up with the perfect gift. However, on the other, there is a distinct possibility that you have absolutely zero ideas and very little time to think of a suitable offering. If you fall in the latter group, here are tips for a memorable secret santa gift ideas. Below are a few, easy and crowd-pleasing secret Santa gift suggestions that will ensure that even the pickiest member of your group leaves with a smile.

Memorable Secret Santa Gift Ideas

Image via: Pinterest

Subscriptions are always well received:

Digital subscription services are companies that charge a monthly fee to stream web-based entertainment like music, movies, and TV shows. Companies like Hulu, Netflix, or Pandora offer subscription gift certificates and are almost certainly going to be a hit with the recipient, regardless of demographic. After all, it gives the recipient the freedom to choose her own content. And, who doesn’t have a series that they’ve been waiting to binge-watch over the holiday break?

Image Via: HobbyCraft.com

Get Crafty:

Admittedly, these take a bit more time, but homemade gifts immediately carry a certain amount of cachet because of the work that went into making them. But the key to a successful craft is to go for a neutral product that everyone can enjoy, regardless of personal taste. If you knit, consider working on a scarf. Or, if cooking is more within your skill set, grab a mason jar and fill it with a jam, condiment, or pre-assembled cookie mix. Best of all, homemade gifts tend to cost far less than the retail price.

Image via: Buzz Feed

Aim for Comfort:

Though it might not be the most exciting gift-giving option, everyone appreciates things that make them feel a little more comfy during the winter months. It could be something as simple as a travel pillow and blanket set for your friend who likes to go on outdoor adventures, whimsical slippers for your coworker with a great sense of humor, or a collection of bath products for your relative who needs some “me time”.

Image Via: Gizmodo

Ultimately, most secret Santa parties end up being more about the experience than the gifts themselves. They are an opportunity for friends and family to spend time together during the most hectic months of the year. Don’t worry too much about the final product because your effort will be appreciated.

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Every year it’s always a treat for me and my family to make our “wish lists” for the upcoming holiday season. I still remember from being a child of taking a big marker and circling all of the toys my sister and I wanted, and even ‘til this day I make a wish list for Santa!

This year American Express is helping you ring in the holiday with the #PointsForPresents program, where you can check off great items for yourself, friends and family using Membership Rewards points, satisfying everyone this holiday season.

Ringing in the Holidays with American Express – Points for Presents

A variety of ways to use your Points for Presents:

To use #PointsForPresents, you can go to shopAmex® for thousands of products, and now, you can download the new and improved American Express app to use  Membership Rewards points on your phone! I’m always on the go, so now I can use points to pay for a few gifts off my holiday list while in the grocery line with this new mobile feature.

Here are a few of my favorite picks this year from shopAmex. I always love picking a “throwback” nostalgia item for my kids, so this year I chose a dollhouse because this was my longtime, top-of-the-list item I begged my parents for when I was young. It’s the absolute joy to any little girl’s Christmas morning.

My favorite nostalgia “throwback item” from childhood:

Savannah Dollhouse from KidKraft Furniture

Find the Dollhouse here.

Now what’s on my holiday wish list this year? Every year I try to think of items that will help make my life easier. So I would love any small home appliances in the kitchen, ways to clean up easier… and of course, some entertainment would be great too.

Here’s my top 5 picks to use #PointsForPresents (all of which are a part of American Express’ Brand Sale, so they’re 20% off during the month of November!)

Here’s my top 5 picks to use my Points for Presents:

1. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids

Cuisinart Mixing Bowls

.

2. Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender

Cuisinart Hand Blender

3. LG 42″ 1080p 120Hz LED TV with HDMI Cabi

LG LED TV

4. Dyson DC34 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Cordless Vacuum

5. Cuisinart 5.5 qt. Oval Covered Casserole Dish

Cuisinart Oval Casserole Dish

Via AmericanExpress.com

What gifts would you use Membership Rewards points for? If you need more ideas, take a look at American Express’ Pinterest page for ideas. You can see what are on other member’s wish lists and you may get a few ideas for those hard to please family members.

Stay close to Stagetecture as I will give you ideas for those tough family member gifts in the upcoming weeks. We will help you ring in the holidays with American Express!

I was selected by American Express as to help educate consumers about how to use Membership Rewards points. As such I was paid for my services, but all gift choices selected and opinions about the gifts and American Express are my own. http://paid-po.st/3Nfrb0

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the idea of what to give everyone on your holiday gift list is probably at the forefront of all the stress, right? This season, instead of stressing about what to buy, who to give what, and most importantly, how to pay for all these gifts, think about a better solution. Why not use American Express Membership Rewards points to help you do your shopping and mark off some “hard to find holiday gifts” easily, and without spending a fortune!

I’ve paired up with American Express for their ‘Points for Presents’ Holiday Program to highlight some of their great home and kitchen products that are wonderful to give and in my opinion: anyone would love to receive. For 12 days, American Express will highlight 12 experts and show their holiday picks and I was lucky enough to get Day 2!

Visit American Express Membership Rewards to see all of our picks.

My fond memory of using American Express Membership Rewards:

I remember in years past having to wait for my Membership Rewards in the mail! It was torture… waiting for the snail mail to go buy my mom a gift was awful. I used to love to use my Membership Rewards at the Coach Purse Factory outlet store, and I would get use my rewards points to purchase a gorgeous purse for my mom. Now they have changed the system and you can use your reward points IMMEDIATELY!! How awesome is this? Read on to see 6 different ways to use your rewards points this year, so much easier than before.

To make it easy I chose 5 products that I think my readers will love. Each of them can help make life easier in your home, or are perfect leisure gifts!

Stagetecture’s Home Gift Picks

1. KitchenAid® Artisan Series Stand Mixer with Bonus Food Grinder Attachment

Want to add to your gift list, get it here —> KitchenAid Mixer

2.) All-Clad 6.5 Quart Stainless Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert

Want to add to your gift list, get it here —> All-Clad Slow-Cooker

3.) Dyson AM04 Hot + Cool Heater/Table fan with Air Multiplier Technology

Want to add to your gift list, get it here —> Dyson Heater/Fan

Stagetecture’s Leisure Gift Picks

4.)  Cheesecake Factory Restaurant Gift Card

Want to add to your wish list? –> Cheesecake Factory Restaurant

5.)  Crate and Barrel Home Store

Want to add to your wish list? –> Crate & Barrel

To redeem American Express Membership Rewards points: 

1. Choose items from catalog

American Express offers a diverse array of merchandise from popular brands like BOSE, Apple, Michael Kors, TUMI and Kitchen Aid. You can browse by brand, category, or even by “point range”. You’ll often find items on sale, marked down from their original point value.

2. Gift cards/mobile cards

According to this year’s American Express Spending & Saving Tracker gift cards are THE #1 gift to give, so consider buying all your gift cards with points. Also consider using points to buy gift cards for your own shopping. It’s like having an additional $25 or $50 off at all your favorite stores, which is awesome for brand-name items that don’t go on sale. They also have a new Mobile Gift Cards feature: Cardmembers can now now log onto their American Express app on their phones (find it at MembershipRewards.com) and use points to download Mobile Gift Cards instantly for Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, PBteen®, Pottery Barn®, Pottery Barn Kids®, West Elm® and William-Sonoma®…with more retailers to come! Amex is the only credit card rewards program to currently offer this, and it means additional savings while you shop.

Visit American Express to see the full list of retailers to redeem your Membership Rewards

3. Ticketmaster events

If you want to give the gift of experience, there’s nothing like gifting tix to a live show. You can log onto your account while on Ticketmaster and opt to pay for your tickets with the points you’ve earned.

4. Pay in full or partially with Points on Amazon

Did you know that you can set your American Express card to default and when you go to log out, you can pay in full or even PARTIALLY with Points?

5. Charities

Give the gift of charity. Membership Rewards allows you to donate points and give to hundreds of local, national and international non-profit organizations.

6. Travel

Turn points into a trip. Use Pay with Points and enjoy the flexibility to travel using all or some points.  You can book travel with points and even use points for hotel gift cards for room nights, spa treatments, dining, and more.

Stagetecture Readers – Who needs help choosing the perfect gift this year? If you are an American Express cardmember and you can’t think of an idea – let me know. I will help you find the perfect items for your holiday giving this year!

I was selected by American Express to help educate consumers about how to use Membership Rewards points. As such I was paid for my services as an ambassador, but all gift choices selected and opinions about the gifts and American Express are my own. http://cmp.ly/3/H1Gj0K

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

As more and more of us are becoming eco-friendly, we may have considered giving presents along that theme: plants, soy candles, jewelry made from recycled metal and earth gems, or even make-up and perfume that was created sans a lot of chemicals and toxins.

However, after we purchased these items (well, minus the plants), we probably didn’t think about gift wrapping them in a way that promotes the “go green” movement as well. Yet, wouldn’t it be cool to be able to present a gift to someone in a way that sends the message that “greenifying” can be done in all kinds of creative ways?

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It’s possible and below, we have enclosed five tips on how your gift wrapping can be just as eco-friendly as the token that lies inside of the package:

Use newspaper.

This is actually a pretty classic way to wrap a present because some people have been doing this for years by using the cartoon section for children’s presents. It’s probably pretty obvious what the “green hook” to this is. You’re recycling the newspaper (you can do this with magazines too). And, that’s always a good thing.

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Cover “it” with (organic fabric).

If you’re wrapping something like a boxed item, using some organic fabric and tying it up with a bow is both classy and smart. All you need to do is cut the fabric to fit the lid of the box and then the box’s “bottom”. If you would like some step-by-step instructions on how to do it easily and effectively, eHow.com has several articles along the theme. Simply go the website and put “gift wrapping with fabric” into the search engine.

Image via

How about some vegetable gift wrap?

Here’s a neat idea. First pour some of your favorite non-toxic paint colors into a metal pie tin. Then, cut some green peppers into rings (make sure to take the seeds out), cut a design into a potato and then thinly slice some mushrooms. Dry all three vegetables on a paper towel, dip a brush into the paint and apply a few coats of it onto each vegetable. On a large role of white or brown butcher paper, stamp designs onto it with the painted vegetable prints. (You can also do this with fruit).

Put “it” in a cloth bag.

Virtually everyone has received a present in a paper gift bag before, so don’t hesitate to substitute it with a cloth one instead. As a matter of fact, aside from it being a “green way” to give, it’s also like giving two gifts at once because the bag can be used over and over again to carry groceries from the store or to put books or magazines in while on the go.

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Buy some eco-wrap.

Of course, you can always go the retail route and simply purchase some gift wrap that is made in an eco-friendly way. You can find some RetailPackaging.com gift bags that have been made from recycled materials. You can also go to websites like BotanicalPaperWorks.com that actually sells seed paper that you can plant into the ground and FishLipPaperDesigns.com has some really cute gift wrap that is cost-effective and eco-friendly—the final touch to the perfect gift.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Throwing a party is so much fun and can be exciting. You get to be acquainted with new faces and reunited with old friends. This needs thorough preparation and dedication to achieve the ultimate goal – an entertaining and enjoyable party. You have to consider several factors like your budget, venue, decorations, guest list, food, theme and still ultimately make your guests feel special.

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One of the best ways to ensure the orderliness of the party is to provide all the details to your guests. The details should include the party motif, time, venue, and even more importantly the seating arrangement. The availability of place cards will definitely help guests to be seated in your preferred area. As well as give the guests a party favor to take home with them.

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Making a place card is simple yet very effective. It brings a feeling of personalized welcoming gesture whenever your guests see their names written by you. The place card is usually placed on top of the plate. You only need a few things to accomplish this craft.

Materials Needed

• Colored Pen
• Art paper
• Scissors
• Flower with stem
• Handheld hole puncher

Directions

1. Cut the art paper into 2 X 3 inches using your scissors. You may adjust the length and width depending on the size of your flower.
2. Punch a hole on the opposite sides of the art paper.
3. Write the name of the guest in the middle of the art paper. Feel free to address the guest using their first name or their nickname.
4. After writing the names, insert a flower in each art paper.
5. Place one on top of the plate.

It is very important to have some extras. This is to ensure that you will have something to replace in case you make a mistake or if you missed out someone’s name. Seating cards are one of those touches of a dinner party that can make all the difference. Enjoy this easy craft!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

There is no better way to enhance your home than with DIY or do it yourself projects. One of the things you can do is to create a customized fabric vase. This is a simple project to make your desk look fabulous or to give as a thoughtful gift. These fabric vases only take a little of your time and you will love the result once you’re finished!

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Decorative centerpieces requires materials that are readily available at your home. To achieve a unique and decorative fabric vase, you can do these simple steps:

Prepare all the materials needed

The primary material for this project is the fabric. The length and width of the fabric will depend on the size and number of vases. You also will need a pair of scissors, glue gun, vase or container and sewing materials. You can use recycled materials for the vase like empty cans, plastic containers and other things that can serve as a vase.

Cut the fabric accordingly

You can have several designs you want to cover your vase with the fabric. But if you just want to have an overlapping fabric design vase, the easiest way is to cut the fabric lengthwise.  Make sure that the length is enough to cover the diameter of your vase.

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Seam the fabric

You may use a running stitch for a quick and neat finish. It is best to use a similar color of thread to match the fabric. However, this process can be optional depending on how you want your design to look. Contrasting thread color can be a design statement in itself!

Stick the fabric to your vase

For overlapping fabric design, you start by gluing the fabric at the bottom of your vase. Then, overlap the next on top of the other. You can do this repeatedly until you reach the top and virtually cover the entire flower vase.

Image via

Fabric can change the usual glass bottle, plastic pot, or even tin pail into a beautiful and customized home decor item. Use any available material you have at home or choose materials that match with the decor in your room, your work or home office. You will love the look when you are done, and what a smile it will bring to your face!

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

]]> https://stagetecture.com/diy-craft-idea-how-to-create-customized-fabric-vases/feed/ 0 27614 https://stagetecture.com/15-mothers-day-gift-ideas-you-can-start-now/ https://stagetecture.com/15-mothers-day-gift-ideas-you-can-start-now/#respond Wed, 02 May 2012 09:55:06 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=25868 Entry #1141, May 2, 2012

Every year Mother’s Day is highly anticipated and somehow it always seems to creep up on us! If you are one of those that waits until the last minute… this year use these helpful ideas below to grab a gift giving idea from!

One from the archives…

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Original Entry #516, May 6, 2011

Why is it that every single year, we take the last few days right before Mother’s Day and then start thinking of what to give her? Whether you are trying to get something memorable or you are trying to impress, it is time to get serious about a gift!

The great things about Mom’s, they aren’t too picky. In fact, as long as you call them, spend time with them, and have a thoughtful gift from the heart, Mom will probably LOVE it!

Here are last minute ideas that always bring a smile!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas:

Fresh Flowers:

Image courtesy of Jeanne Winters

Pampering Gift Baskets:

Brunch just for her

Image courtesy of Tasty Eats at Home

Family Picnic

Image via

For more Mother’s Day ideas and recipes, click here.

When we think of Mother’s Day we usually think of giving a bouquet of flowers, but what about giving a colorful display of outdoor plants? There is no question that plants can provide a lot of benefits in your outdoor home, and Mom will enjoy them too! Mother’s Day has always been signified with color and when you improve an outdoor home with colorful plants, it makes the surrounding more lively and picturesque.

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Here are tips to bring more color to Mom’s outdoor home:

Bring nature back to her home:

The presence of colorful plants catches the attention of bees and butterflies to roam around your surroundings. This makes it more attractive and scenic. This enhancement needs to be properly planned to be successful. However, you may consider these few tips to improve your plants:

Place plants in colorful plastic cans, cups or container.

This is a great way to help our environment and beautify your surroundings as well. Recycle used materials like an empty cup of noodles, soda cans or anything that can be used as flowerpot. You may decide on using the same type of materials or combine different materials. Other ideas include: Have your kids decorate pails with colorful chalkboard paint, decorate terra cotta pots in bright colors, or use repurposed or vintage containers that used to have different purposes.

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Ensure your Mom can maintain the plants 

While the plants may look beautiful on the shelf, ensure your Mom can maintain your beautiful blooms you give. Buy plants that are easily trimmable or require little upkeep. If your Mom has a green thumb, see to it that you trim your plants according to the style or landscape you want your colorful plants to portray before giving it to her. Use a thin tie wire to serve as a guide for trimming the plants. If tie wire is not available, you can use nylon or a guitar string as an alternative. Take your time in trimming so that you will have the desired output you expected.

Mom will love the color it brings to her outdoor home, and you will love seeing your gift grow for years into the future!

Happy gift giving!

For more Mother’s Day ideas and recipes, click here.

Best of 2011 – #4

Father’s Day: Man Caves and Gift Ideas

We continue with Stagetecture’s Best of 2011! and at #4 is all about Dad’s and their love for man caves! It’s interesting to see this post still get so much fanfare from you the readers. Whether you are trying to create your own personalized one, or you just enjoy drooling over some impressive man caves, #4 this year helps you turn that spare room into the perfect man cave!

Image via: Houzz

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Original Entry #560, June 18, 2011

Happy DIY Saturday and tomorrow is Father’s Day! Today’s DIY Saturday is focused on what to give Dad. Whether he likes his own sanctuary or ‘man cave’ or you are trying to get gift ideas, today’s DIY Saturday is for you!

You Tube video from Six Minute Style – gives Father’s Day Gift Ideas. Then see one of Stagetecture’s archive posts for the perfect Man Cave ideas and what to include in one for Dad.

Happy Father’s Day Dads!

Original Entry – DIY Saturday #5, Entry #116, June 19, 2010

In honor of Father’s Day tomorrow, I thought I would showcase a room that Father’s like to call their own. Entertainment Rooms or affectionately called “Man Caves”. Traditionally, DIY Saturday’s focused on projects and resources to help you

start and finish a home project.

Today – let’s see what items you need and get inspiration to make your own man cave.

According to My Bad Pad, a “Man Cave” is a room in the house (although some men have been known to renovate sheds), where a man can get away from the pressures of daily family life. It is his personal refuge full of his favorite things. Man Caves come in all shapes, sizes and themes but one thing they all have in common is loads of testosterone.

The “Man Cave” is no longer an elusive dream. According to a recent survey by Servicemagic.com, 40% of homeowners say that their home already has a man cave and another 13% said a man cave is either in the planning stage or in the process of being built.

These amenities are the top items that go into a Man Cave:

• Flat screen TV (75%)
• Recliner (69%)
• Stereo (68%)
• Refrigerator (67%)
• DVD player (67%)
• Computer (65%)
• Bar (64%)

Image via: DIY Network

Look at these great examples that will make you want to start planning your own!

For you Harley Davidson fans, take a look at this man cave in the garage. Hey, you need to be able to park your Harley right next to you! Complete with: Humidor, Refrigerator for beer, 46” LCD TV, Gaming System and Custom Bar with glass top.

Want to feel like you’re at a sports bar? Take a look at this one with a Fireplace, Dartboard, Flat screen t.v., leather seating, full person bar, guitars and amplifier.

Are you a NASCAR Earnhardt fan? Take a look at this man cave perfect for watching the races! Look at the amenities:

50” HDTV
Yamaha Amp and DVD
PSB Image Series speakers (5) with a 12” sub
Wall to wall Diamond Plate Flooring by www.racedeck.com
(43) 1/24 die cast cars featuring legends of yesterday and famous paint schemes on the Daytona Track
(195) Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. 1/24 scale die cast
Converted Craftsmen Workbench into a bar
Beer Fridge
6 Bottle Shot Steward
Race Fan Furniture
Home Security System

To see Stagetecture’s Best of 2011 – click here.