A Birthday gift Registry

Random Thoughts, by Agmac.

Why, if they have registries for babies and weddings, don't they have them for Birthdays and Christmas? I think this is a brilliant idea for a social networking website--the fregistry.com. Or something.

Here's what would be on my registry (in case anyone was wondering what to get me this year :-)

• A snazzy biz card holder. Cuz I never have any on me.
• A white noise CD. My apartment building is uber loud and I need me some white noise.
• Dangly earrings. S'up?
• Lipgloss. A gal can never have too much lipgloss.
• A 2009 Calendar that's easily fastened to a fridge.
• An acoustic guitar.
• A pair of cotton pjs with lambs on them to replace the ones that I used to have, but had to throw out cuz they had all sorts of holes in 'em.
• One of those cool knit hats that all the cool gals are wearing, the ones that kind of resemble sacs.
  

What would be on yours?

xoxo

Last Minute Gift Giving Guide

In my world, December 11th is last minute for Christmas or Channukah gifts. But that's just me.

Anyway, this is the follow up installment to my original gift giving post, filled with so many awesome, and some recession-friendly, gift giving ideas.

Cuz it wouldn't be agmacsparty.blogspot.com without these helpful suggestions.

Gifts for friends with a sick sense of humor like yours

• Mean note cards. These are hilarious and ill-humored. My fave.

Gifts for Friends who are obsessed with Twilight, or for your teenage cousins/nieces

• We've all got them. You know who you are. Check out these cheese-tastic gifts--iPod covers, shoes and Edward Cullen dog tags--at Etsy.com

Art for friends with weird taste

• Prints or books by Greg Simkins and Mark Ryden

Personalized Gifts (always a good idea)

• T-shirts with inside jokes or special messages at Cafe Press

Pretty Things

• Anything from this site would be good for a girlfriend if you don't know her that well or just can't figure out what to get her, look here
  

For Mad Men Lovers!

• Joan Holloway paper dolls! Hot!

Books, for anyone

• Great Coffee Table book by an awesome Photographer
  
• Any books from Taschen
  

For Co-Workers

• Crap like this
  
• And Crap like this
  
• And some from the Fred Flare online store
  

Gifts if you have some money to spend...

• Check out these beautiful Periodic Table rings and accessories by my friend Joe

...If you have no money to spend

• Send an e-card espousing your cheapness or lack of employment
  

And a tried and true gift when all else fails, DVDs of awesome movies. You can visit Amazon for that.

XOXO
Lil' Elf Agmac

*REPOST*Everyday, or Early Holiday, Gift Giving Guide

********This is a re-post from October. I will also be doing a Holiday Gift Giving Guide Part II next week, so look out for it!************************************************************
I know it's only October, but there's no reason you can't start thinking about the holiday season now.

I consider myself a creative gift giver and would like to think that I know the tastes and desire of my friends & family pretty well. All it takes is to keep your ears open throughout the year for hints and a penchant for the creative.

Below is a list of my absolute favorite gift websites, along with some ideas for family members. I will repost when it gets closer to Christmas to remind everyone!

Gifts for just about ANYONE:
My favorite, favorite gift website in the whole wide world is Excitations
Because better than giving someone an object or a "thing," is giving them an experience.
With this site, you can choose a city and the type of experience you want to give--whether it be a culinary tour, a wine tasting, a cooking class, a hot air balloon ride, or even a glass blowing class!
I've given this as a gift for holidays, birthdays and weddings. I especially like giving it as a wedding gift in lieu of money because I'm not quite at the age yet where I feel it's appropriate to give checks or cash as a gift.

Gifts for your gal BFF's:
Let's face it, ladies love jewelry and pretty things. There are a slew of websites out there that have amazing crafts, jewelry, kitchen items, etc., but below are my two favorites:

* Etsy, and especially check out my friend Jennie's line!

* Elsewares--has art, jewelry, clothing, kitchen items, the whole shibang!!!

Gifts for Co-Workers:
Otherwise known as stupid junk you wouldn't get for people you actually like...

* Cube Goodies

*Exit 9





Gifts for a boyfriend's or girlfriend's Mom:
* Pylones
Some people (my bff Lo) think this stuff is tacky junk. But if you shop with a discerning eye, one or two kitschy things can make a home! (Take my obsession with pigs for example--I wouldn't decorate my entire apartment in pink pigs, but a tiny item here or there adds to my "quirkiness).
And you don't really have to know the person's taste or home decor, because you can just get something fun!

*Fine Chocolates are also always welcome, no matter if the person eats them or not, they're a nice gesture and fun to share. My favorite chocolates are both beautiful and delicious... MarieBelle



Gifts for a boyfriend's or girlfriend's Dad:
This is simple, Liquor. First, find out if said Father is a recovering alcoholic. If not, then a really nice bottle of scotch goes a long way (I recommend Johnnie Walker Green or Blue).

If you are married and this is a father-in-law, or if you are looking for a gift for YOUR Dad, try a gift that keeps on giving such as...
Wine of the Month
or
Beer of the Month

Just make sure the state you are delivering to allows for alcohol shipments.

Homemade Gifts:
This can sometimes be the most special (and let's face it, cheapest!) gifts you can give. However, in my experience, it's always better if you have an established talent, such as sewing, or photography, or baking.
My favorite handmade gift maker is my cousin-in-law Carey. She's super shy and modest about it, so I won't link to her blog, but below are a few things she's made for her friends and their kids. Aren't they FANTASTIC?!?!?!
From top: Aromatherapy pillows and a knitting needle holder; Traveling Chalk Board; Crayon holder.


Art as Gift:
This can be tricky!! I do NOT recommend buying art for someone UNLESS: a) your friend/family member is in the midst of redecorating or moving into a new place, and b) unless you really know the person's taste.

* For lovely prints by independent artists see Etsy (above)

* Vintage Art

* A fave artist of mine... Stella Im Hultberg


* Great prints from illustrators around the world... Soma Art

Wedding Gifts:
* See Excitations (above)

* Black-Out Kit...Another great idea, which is "homemade," was given to me years ago by my co-worker/friend Cathi. She suggested getting the happy couple a "Blackout Kit." This consists of activities to do that don't involve electricity or TV. These can be "sexy time," or just playful and things that help couples reconnect. Some examples include pottery clay, candles, mad libs, board games like Boggle, a blind fold, massage oil (get your mind out of the gutter!), aromatherapy, etc.

Babies:
* Awesome and great for any hip upcoming parents you know... Rockyabyes

* Rock Tees