Gifting Blog

Shopping Stand is all about the art of personalized gifting for the important people in your life. We realize that picking out the perfect present for someone can be quite daunting, regardless of whether you know the person intimately or not well at all. Emotions such as pride, love, respect, hope, affection are all wrapped up in the gift-giving process, as well as meeting the expectations of the recipient. That’s why it can sometimes feel stressful go shopping for the elusive, ideal gift. But, when you choose to give personalized gifts, you’ll never feel like you’ve settled for a generic gift; you get to add a name, monogram or special message that is sure to impress your intended. Regardless of the gift-giving occasion, your budget or the person you are gifting, you will feel a sense of pride in treating your friends, family and co-workers with personalized gifts. Visit often and read our insights, ideas and advice on how to give unique personalized gifts with flair and finesse!

Personalized Gifts Rarely Regifted

Regifting is the act of taking a previously received gift and giving it to another person, often under the guise of a new gift. You can stop it with the manufactured collective gasp of disbelief, because a study done in 2008 by Consumer Reports says that more than 1 in 3 people are “regifters” – are you?!. I personally believe this number is much higher due to folks who don’t want to admit they’ve recycled presents onto an unsuspecting recipient. From a scarf you don’t care for to a book you’ve already read, what is the harm in sharing the spoils and uncluttering your closet?

Nostalgic Toys for Big Boys

Have the ups and downs of the economy got you stressed out? Worried about work, the bills, the kids – are your temples starting to pound. The perfect solution to these modern-day maelstroms of bad mood is to simply turn your outlook around with a little frivolous fun.

Your Wallet Says "Thanks" - Father's Day Gifts Under $25

With the tough economic times this Father’s Day, I’ve seen so many doom and gloom news reports about slipping retail figures, financially overburdened families, and more unemployment on the way. However, you don’t have to worry so much about finding a special little something for dad this year. While the majority of the population has spent less on gifts this year, according to a recent study named National Trends in Gift Giving, the focus has been switched from big expensive presents to meaningful and sentimental gifts.

Bust Boredom in July

The long, lazy days of summer can lull you into such a state of extended relaxation that it starts to feel a bit, well, boring! If watching paint peel off the front porch is the most exciting thing you’ve done lately, you might want to step up the fun before the school year schedule starts again. Thank goodness July has been officially declared National Anti-Boredom Month so we can all start letting the good times roll again.

Plates That Take The Cake!

Not that you’d ever have to encourage a kid to hurry up and eat his cake, but we’ve found some adorable personalized birthday plates that will make it a messy “cake-face” race to clean the plate and uncover the adorable hand-painted birthday design underneath. These plates are oh-so-tastefully crafted by Little Worm & Co., a literal small town, Main Street design firm run by a talented and down-to-earth couple who go together just like “peanut butter and jelly”. Speaking of PB&J you could serve up this comfort sandwich on a custom made birthday plate and watch it disappear – wonder what would happen if you topped the plate with steamed spinach?!

July Pet Parades and Personalized Pet Gifts

Independence Day has come and gone for 2010, but we still have the fond memories of all the festivities - the fireworks, the watermelon eating, hanging out with family and friends - and the pet parades. Ahh, the pet parades! While the evening of the 4^th of July isn't meant for animals (the loud noises of firework displays can scare them), during the day it is all about the pets in many cities and towns across America.

Folks in Bandera, Texas (horse capital of the world), include all their four-legged friends in a parade through town while the pet parade in Bend, Oregon includes animals big and small, from lamas, lizards and goats - hot animals get to cool off in wading pools a the end. In Terry Montana, pet-owners and their best friends celebrate the bang-up day with Pup-A-Palooza, a parade and informal dog show.

Mad About Mad Men Cufflinks

On the eve of the fourth season of Emmy-award winning show, Mad Men, the AMC drama about 1960s-style big advertising, we can't help but put our own slick spin on the cufflink. Ahh, the cufflink - such a small part of the wardrobe, but yet makes such a big fashion statement. Shirtsleeves without exquisite cufflinks are like a dinner party table that has not be set with the silverware or a fine luxury car missing the tell-tale hood ornament. Do not let another important business or social event go by without elevating your image with a pair of cufflinks.

August is National Golf Month

If you live in a mild climate, golfing may be a year-round pastime. But almost anywhere you are, the month of August provides perfect temperatures to tee off. That's probably why the month of August is dedicated as U.S. National Golf Month. Men, women and children of all ages enjoy this outdoor sport and this summer time month allows the perfect opportunity families to take advantage of free time by squeezing in more hours on the golf course.

Picnics Take The Cheese

With the crazy schedules of back-to-school looming on the horizon and the temperatures so hot no one dares to turn on an oven to cook means one thing -it's the perfect time for a slow-paced, easy going picnic. If enjoying the great outdoors isn't reason enough to organize a picnic, then looking forward to the tasty foods is! August of each year is officially designated as National Picnic Month, so dust off your blankets and baskets and get going!

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