Total Basset Case: Guest Post: Tess from Tea Time with Tess

Oct 27, 2011

Guest Post: Tess from Tea Time with Tess

Hi Total Basset Case Readers! It’s Tess here from Tea Time with Tess

A big thank you to the lovely Sarah for inviting me into her home.
With 7, count um', 7 birthdays coming up before Christmas, I need a little help deciding what the perfect birthday present is, and I figured you may need some too...'tis the gift giving season, no?

Here are a few rules of my what not ever to get your girlfriends for their birthday:

1. House decor (besides candles): I do not want to be forced to display whatever you gave me. Plus, there really isn't anything for under $30 dollars that I necessarily want to use to decorate my house. Unless you can find a 100% cashmere throw in a neutral color, take my advice.

2. Gift Cards: Save these for your 15 your old male cousin whose name you randomly picked in your family's Secret Santa 

3. Perfume: A two reasons here. 1st, it sends the wrong message. 2nd. Perfume should be given by men.


Okay, now on to how to decide what to gift.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Gifts should indulge the recipients guiltiest pleasure

2. Gifts should serve a specific purpose.

3. Gifts should be thoughtful

If you can accomplish those 3 non-negotiable's, you will be in good shape.

From this point, give yourself 2 weeks and a category to choose from (see below).

For example, I know that my best friend looks amazing in gold, statement earrings (purposeful), she'll never shell out more than +50 bucks for an amazing pair even though she'll spend weeks talking about them (guilty pleasure), and I know she has a few dates coming up so I want to make sure I can find her a versatile pair (thoughtful).

Okay, well, now you have to let inspiration and time work their magic. Make sure you are signed up for all of the discount designer groups (Rue La La, Gilt, etc.) and scour, scour, scour.

If your lucky, Kendra Scott will pop up on your email and you'll be able to shower your best girlfriend with one of these darling baubles.
Most of the time, my gifts come from one of the following categories.
Coasters: Etsy, Cups & Popcorn bowl: Crate & Barrel
 
I hereby promise that if you use these simple tricks when giving gifts none of your girlfriends will ever complain.

These are GREAT gift ideas, Tess!!
Thanks again for helping out!
Please go visit Tess at her lovely blog!!

4 comments:

shadylanestyle said...

Good Evening. You have won a Liebster Blog Award!

shadylanestyle said...

Good Evening. You have won a Liebster Blog Award!

http://shadylanestyle.blogspot.com/2011/10/leibster-blog-award.html



Leslie

Darby Hawley said...

Oh wow these are great gift giving rules! Anything monogram has me grinning ear to ear :-) I am going to hop over to your blog Tess and check it out asap!

Lisa said...

Thanks for the intro to Kendra Scott! Gorgeous stuff.