Its almost that time again… time to get out your Magic 8 Ball and buy for all the noteworthy people in your life.  Since no one wants to be the first person to publish their Dear Santa letters in a registry at Target, this nebulous time every year forces us to budget, lose sleep over budget, shop, buy nothing, lose sleep over impending holiday party, shop again, and make purchase based on the clock rather than the person we’re buying for.

We don’t mean to do it; we search high and low for gifting perfection, waste time, and ultimately spend money with only a lukewarm feeling of satisfaction.  My roommate falls prey to this trap all the time, so she has formulated a strategy that we thought ought to be shared.  Its not earth shattering, but depending on how organized you are, it CAN work.

Step 1: Get organized.

Make a list of people you typically buy for (birthdays, holidays, employee gratitude, etc.) and those you know you’ll BE buying for soon (house warming, engagements, weddings, births, children’s birthdays).  If you’re really that organized and determined, put it in a spreadsheet with the dates the gift will be given.  Taking it a step further, you could even put the list in your Smart Phone so that you have it in case of emergencies.  In my world, there are gift giving emergencies.

Great Gifting Idea:  For “emergencies” consult resources such as Oprah’s Favorite Things, choose from the less expensive items, and stock up for that odd housewarming or accidentally omitted friend.

Step 2:  Hoard.

I’m not backtracking on my earlier commitment to purge, BUT with the organization of “The List” you already made, this is a good thing.  Make some room in a closet for your gift bin, or if you’ve been blessed with storage and a large circle of friends, an entire closet will do just fine.  Post a copy of the list on your bin or somewhere you’ll be able to easily reference it.  The bin doesn’t have to be huge, and if you stick to the system, there will be an in/out flow of items so that it is not over-full.  If you must buy a gift that doesn’t fit in the bin, store it somewhere but don’t forget to mark it on your list!

Great Gifting Idea:  If you have school-aged children, buy classic children’s books when you see them on sale.  Give them as gifts inscribed with the date and occasion.

Step 3:  Keep your eyes and ears open.

LISTEN to your future gift recipients when they talk– what do they say they wish they had?  What did they pick up, or admire in a store window?  What did they show you in a magazine that they loved?  What do they admire in your home?  What do they collect?

When you’re out running your errands, cruising stores with your friends, or browsing antiques on a Saturday afternoon, look around.  Chances are, you’ll stumble upon something special.  It may not be time to give the gift, but you can package it, store it in your gift bin, and cross it off your list.  It will be waiting there when the time comes to wrap and present!  Your recipient will be thrilled to see that you bought the antique tea cup or cute pink fedora she had her eye on months ago but never bought for herself.

Great Gifting Idea:  For a long time friend or family member, beginning or adding  to an existing collection or every year is a thoughtful way to show you care, and narrow your search for their gift.  Collections can become valuable to your recipient and through the years, become special keepsakes to honor your relationship.  If you doubt, watch Antiques Roadshow!

There are a multitude of personal, thoughtful ideas for gift giving, especially with plenty of resources all over the Internet.  With enough time and planning, you can reduce your stress and enjoy the holiday season this year!

Stay tuned for more great gift giving ideas!  Thanks for reading!

Katie

My roommate recently received a book in the mail from an acquaintance who suggested she read it.  Not only did the friend send her the book, she inscribed it with a meaningful message, AND included a handwritten note on stationary in the package.  She could’ve just ordered it from Amazon and had it sent to our house, but the time it took for her to go out, buy the book, and write two thoughtful messages made it a treasure.  My roommate has already filed away the card in her folder for paper keepsakes– special notes, invitations, birth announcements, graduation programs, and the like.

It got me thinking.  With the advent of  eVite, Facebook, e-Mail, and text messaging, the painstaking (and expensive) task of correspondence and gift giving has become more about the instant gratification of having a head-count, monitoring the guest list to gauge whether the event is worth attending, and direct-shipping items off a registry.  We’ve lost sight of why we celebrate in the first place:  to honor someone we care for.   While you may be going to five weddings this year, each couple is only going to have one of their own.    Imagine their delight when they open their gifts wrapped in a message of well wishes and love.  These details make gifts for any occasion memorable and meaningful.

I am acutely aware of how the world is changing and how it affects my particular business.  In these harsh economic times, a product that can be used only once before being thrown away may seem frivolous, wasteful, or unnecessary.  But the way I see it, custom wrapping paper is a luxury.  Its unique.  Its distinctive.  Its leaves an impression.  Its not a gift bag with some used tissue paper thrown in and a hastily scribbled card.  When you give a gift wrapped in paper with your own monogram, a personal message, or even printed with your children’s own artwork, it sends the message that you care enough about the gift inside to present it in an exceptional way.

The Fancy Bug is passionately committed to helping you make any event memorable.  Our online catalogue is simply a starting point for ideas– we love helping your imagination take flight.  Please feel free to contact us about creating something special for you!

I live in a 2 bedroom condo, with a roommate, and two pups, Duffy and Foxy.

We have a lot of stuff.  And when  I say, “we” I actually mean “me”.  The other occupants just live with it.

I have managed to stuff it in one small attic-like room….ok, that’s not entirely true.  Let’s be honest here.  I have stuff in every closet and cabinet, drawers are stuffed full of pens, candy, old receipts, make up, and assorted kitchen utensils.  What can I say?  I have a lot of stuff.

I have been through these boxes and bags probably three times now.  When my roommate moved in and took over the spare room I was using as an office/junk room (where nothing ever got done!), I threw out a lot of stuff!  It was hard.

A few days ago, on a rare day when I was at home relaxing, I caught  the TV show, “Hoarders.”  To my awe, horror, and relief, I realized…. I am SO not as gross as those people!

So now I’m feeling inspired– not a full fledged Feng Shui-attack, but I have a Rubbermaid box full of picture frames I’ve collected over the years… with no pictures in them.  It occurred to me that I could do SO many crafty projects with those frames.  But if I’m not using them now… when will I?

Guess what my friends are getting for Christmas this year?  You guessed it!  Hand-decorated picture frames.

Future blogs will have great tips, tricks, and ideas for old picture frames!  YAY!  Feel free to post your own suggestions or design ideas as well!  Look for more tips ahead from the Fancy Bug ahead on using what you have laying around to make great gifts.  Happy crafting!

Katie

A friend of mine is challenging herself to go on 52 dates in a year and is blogging about it: for self discovery, for the experience, for the sake of all the single girls out there who wonder, “What is WRONG with me!?”

My initial reaction to this news was, “Ugh, why would she want to spend hours of her life on painful dates?”  My next thought was, “At least she will get free meals and beverages, and great service– not necessarily from the date– but from the establishment playing host, in the hopes of a shout-out in her blog.”  I am sure that’s not the goal of her endeavor, but to me, it’s all about perspective.

A male friend of mine recently entered a new relationship, and he intimated to me that he had to go on sixty (SIXTY!  60!)  first dates before he found one person he would seriously consider a relationship with.  I guess guys and gals alike have to kiss a lot of frogs.  It made me feel a lot better, because he’s a good-looking, successful, great guy, and I know that he and his new girlfriend appreciate each other that much more knowing what he went through for them to get to their present state of bliss.

It’s all about perspective.

Back to my friend and all her dates:  Prospective VS Perspective.

It will be interesting to see how things develop as she begins her adventure, and how her perspective evolves with each prospective date.  My roommate wondered if it would be more enlightening to go on 52 dates and let them all critique YOU, but not everyone has the stomach for even the most constructive of criticism.  I guess it all comes down to your perspective: know what you’re after, be honest with yourself about WHY you’re after it, and be prepared for all possible outcomes.

Perspective.  What’s yours?

Today, I started the (Katie-modified)  South Beach Diet– again.

I went to the Vitamin Shoppe and got my protien powder, and to the grocery store and picked out the the necessary veggies, egg beaters, meats, cheeses, etc.

By the time I arrived home, I was STARVING.  So, I made some delicious tuna, with chives (my secret ingredient) and celery.  Yum.  And then, I chowed down, only after finding that whole grain bread I bought last week!  Way to start my no carb diet.

I guess the universe is in cahoots with my trainer because only after I finished all but the last bite of my tuna and piece of whole wheat bread did I notice the gnarly mold on the crust of my bread.

Ah well, I didn’t need it anyway, and now I have a great excuse to throw away the rest of that loaf.

If only the Moravian Cookies brought alllll the way from Winston-Salem by my friend Jessica brought this weekend would turn up moldy…or missing.  (No, that is not a hint for you to consume my Moravian Cookies!)

Baby Beluga

Awe…summer memories…Do you remember Raffi? 

This little video brings me back to the dog days of summer, while swimming on the deck in the little plastic pool with mommy.  Fun times!  What is your favorite summer memory?

Happy 90210 Day!

Guess this won’t happen again.  LOL!  Did you watch 90210?  What is your favorite episode? Who was your favorite character?

This week, I dined at a brand spankin’ new Mexican restaurant here in lovely downtown Wilmington, NC., checking out the scenery– namely, the infamous building where the movie, “Empire Records” was filmed.

Unfortunately, I made the very bad decision to order the (not so) fresh catch tuna steak to complement my salad. OOPS! To say the least.

As the very gracious, tattooed waitress rested my plate in front of me, I caught a whiff of that distinct “fishy” smell that can only mean not so fresh fish …ughhh. Attempting to be a courteous patron, I gathered my courage, telling myself, “Yes. This greyish stinky tuna will be ok! Really. It will. Just put in in yo mouf!” And as I did, my eyes immetiately darted to the nearest napkin, I grabbed it-and out it went. Buh-bye not-so-fresh, fresh caught tuna!

The manager must have been watching, because as soon as I laid down the napkin, she came over to inquire about the dish. Not quite sure how to explain what had happened in my mouth, I stuttered through the explanation, to which she replied with a Cheshire Cat smile, “Well, I can assure you it’s fresh!”

Living on the coast all my life, I’ve learned that the definition of “fresh” varies fairly widely. This fish was probably brought in Friday for the weekend, which means it was caught on Thursday. Again, in an attempt to be reasonable, I ordered a different salad, this time with chicken. It came with a quickness like you wouldn’t believe, was quite yummy! Much more to my liking. Because of the staff’s willingness to accommodate me, I will be going back to this resturaunt, and hopefully won’t have a repeat experience.

And as for fish on Tuesdays, I learned a valuable lesson: adjust your expectations when dealing with a business’ limitations, but be as flexible as you can when your concerns are met in a timely and acceptable manner.

Have you ever experienced a time when your expectations for service were not met, but the business was able to keep you as a customer? What did they do to make sure you were provided with an excellence of service that you expect? Tell us about it!

Have you seen those pretty yellow butterflies, lately?

According to Captain Tom, they are one of the fist signs of Fall!  YAY!

These yellow butterflies are called “Cloudless Sulfur Butterflies.”   We see them locally as they migrate south to Florida and the Upper Carribbean!  Wouldn’t you love to fly with them?  Don’t worry if you haven’t spotted one yet, they will be here until December.

Just like you and me, these sunny butterflies have favorite flowers.  The Cloudless Sulfur Butterfly’s favorite treats are red, tubular flowers, like impatients.  They can be found among the morning glories, lantana, marigolds, petunias, rose verbena and zinnias.   And guess what, they love azaleas, too! 

And for you fishermen out there, “they” also say that when these yellow butterflies migrate through our area, a certain kind of yummy fish start running…the King Mackerel!  Captain Tom says that even 25 miles off shore, you can still find these little buggars!

This week, The Fancy Bug Paper Co. is doing a contest for the best butterfly pic.  Upload your picture to the Fancy Bug Paper Co Facebook Fan Page, and we will pick a winner on Friday!  Happy Hunting!

The Fancy Bug!

  Ooooh La La!  We have a blog!