CasaSugar

Casa Holiday Gift Ideas That You Can't Beat

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you are still looking for a fabulous gift to perk up your family and friends' digs, take a gander at these CasaSugar-approved gift guides. You're sure to find the perfect present in one of these guides. You might even find an item or two to add to your own wish list.

Handmade Gifts For Indie Girls	Last Minute Gift-Baskets	Stocking Stuffers
Gift Cards for Picky Giftees	10 No-Fail Last-Minute Gifts	Gifting for Charity

No matter how hard I try, I always have some last-minute shopping to do. If you are in a pinch too, check out these gift guides from all the Sugar sites. Happy shopping!

Gift Guide: 10 No-Fail Last-Minute Gifts

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:00:44 -0800

Last-minute gift needed, but you're out of ideas? Don't just stand there, staring at holiday window displays. I know they're pretty, but they're not going to solve your present problems. Instead, take a tour through this slideshow, where I'll suggest 10 gifts that any home-oriented friend or family member will welcome into his or her home. Source

View Slideshow ›

Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gift Baskets

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:15:26 -0800

If you're running out of time and scrambling for gift ideas, I maintain that a pretty gift basket always comes through in a pinch. Today, I've rounded up two different baskets from World Market. These items should give you a good starting point for your own finds, and give you an idea of the items available from World Market with which you can assemble a pretty gift basket. World Market is a great choice for this type of gift, since it carries a wide variety of low-priced, pretty home accents perfect for gift baskets.

For my first gift basket, I pulled together pamper-worthy bath furnishings and accessories. From pretty glass-knobbed hooks for your friend's silk robe to eco-friendly drawer liners, the lucky recipient of this gift basket will definitely get a powder room upgrade. Assemble all of your finds in a pretty wastebasket or storage basket, stick a bow on it, and you're set.

To see another idea, read more.

Here's another gift basket idea for your eco-oriented nature-loving friends or family members. They can use this basket as a farmers market tote and take the cute reindeer towel with to wrap up delicate fruits or vegetables. With eco-cleaners, a gardening journal, a great green guide, and a cute apron for cleaning or gardening, any eco-loving gal will fall in love with this gift basket.

What do you put in holiday gift baskets?

Gift Guide: Gift Cards For Picky Giftees

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:00:52 -0800

After all the hard shopping and the days my family and I spend fending off vicious consumers at the mall, my sister unfailingly returns or exchanges 75 percent of her Christmas gifts every year. Even when she likes her gifts, she takes pleasure in returning a sweater and getting two for the same price at the post-Christmas sales. I guess she's a smart shopper. As much as I'd enjoy finding something to perk up my sister's under-dressed apartment, I know she'd much prefer a well-funded gift card under the tree. Luckily, I can order her one from the comfort of my own keyboard. I've rounded up a few gift cards from some fabulous retailers with plenty of goodies for the home for any of your pals with the same return/exchange-disorder. To see them, read more.

Gift Guide: Gifting For Charity

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:30:18 -0800

In these strange economic times, it's even more important than ever to support nonprofits and charities that are working to preserve people's homes and healthy living spaces. With that in mind, I've chosen some of my favorite charities that work with gardens or housing issues. I can't emphasize the importance of these programs enough. Some, like Habitat For Humanity, you've probably heard of, while others, like the Ruth Bancroft Garden, are more locally based, but still do very important work.

Even if we're all running around like crazy trying to craft or buy gifts for our friends and family members, I think that it's important to stand back for a moment and reflect on the important work that these organizations are doing. After all, our communities are an extension of our homes, and keeping our communities healthy is just as important as maintaining our individual homes. If you have the need to find a meaningful gift for a loved one, consider giving in his or her name to one of these charities. It will make a world of difference! To see some charities that I love, read more.

Source

Gift Guide: The Modern Dude

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:00:10 -0800

As much as they'd like to think they're "The Man," most dudes need a little help in the décor department. Whether that means they should lose the La-Z-Boy in favor of a classic lounger like this Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman ($3,599), or the blah jersey bed-in-a-bag set that Mom bought at the Macy's One Day Sale in favor of some hip modern stripes, that's for you to decide. But, I wanted to make sure you've got a few options at different price points when shopping for your man (or bro or cous') this year. If the dude in your life likes pizza, beer, wine, smoking, stepping in the mud, or gets lost a lot and won't ask for directions, or just needs a slick new furnishing, I've got something for you. To see my finds, read more.

Gift Guide: The Jumbled Homeowner

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:45:27 -0800

Yesterday, I showed you some gift ideas for slightly disheveled home enthusiasts. Today, I'm back with great products that will help your friends and families who need some help getting organized. Whether you have a brother who needs a solution for his recycling area mess, or a grandparent who needs to organize an office, I've found products that will help you and your loved ones with all of their organizing needs.

To see my finds for organizing gifts, read more.

Bamboo Lattice Trays - $7.99	Hardwood Double Hook Rack - $29.99
Henckels In-drawer Deluxe Knife Tray - $50.00	Quilted Ornament Storage Box - $75.00
Stackable Mahogany Drawer Organziers - $6.49	Apothecary Jars (Set of 2) - $20.00
Washable Shallow Baskets, Sets of 2 - $52.00	Asker Container - $5.99
Rationell Variera Box With Handle - $12.99	Steel Grid System - $2.49
Heavy Metal Stacking Bins - $14.99	Tweed Drop-Front Sweater Box - $29.99
Recycled Paper Desktop Organizers - $6.99	Bamboo Drawer Organizers - $9.99
Wire Organizer Baskets -Set of 2 - $49.95	Stacking Modular Trays - $11.99
Cast Iron Row of Hooks - $99.00	Jaipur Print Fabric Vanity Tray - $6.99
Fluted Vanity Jars - $22.00	Yellow/Peach Snap Paper Boxes - $6.99
Personal Valet Bags (Set of 5) - $24.99	Artecnica Beads and Pieces Medium Bowl - $254.00
Seagrass Box With Lid - $12.99	Metro Commercial Chef's Cart - $250.90
Grundtal Rail - $6.99	Grundtal Container - $4.99
Bisley 5-Drawer Cabinet - $99.00	simplehuman Flip & Fit Shower Caddy - $39.99
Expandable Drawer Organizer-Trays - $105.00	simplehuman Kitchen Cabinet Organizer - $39.99
Bamboo Wabi Sabi Gift Box - $79.00

Source

Gift Guide: The Slightly Disheveled Home Enthusiast

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:15:27 -0800

One of my friends is so well-organized and super-tidy that she has a side business as a personal organizer. Alas, that's not the case for most of us - myself included! It seems as if half of my home time is spent simply organizing the clutter and tackling the dust bunnies. Since the majority of us will always need an extra hand in keeping things sparkling and clutter-free, I've pulled together some eco-oriented and design-forward products that will help your friends keep their homes green and clean.

For a few words of advice on assembling this gift idea, as well as my picks for the slightly disheveled home enthusiast, read more.

So, my first word of advice on giving this gift is not to give it to anyone you're romantically involved with! As someone who once received a cast iron pan from a boyfriend for her birthday, I can tell you that this will not go over well. Instead, save this gift for a friend or family member who's recently moved, or who you know will appreciate a practical gift. Giving these gifts to someone who's making the switch to green cleaners is also a smart idea. If you arrange all of the cleaners, microfiber cloths, and other products in one of the organizing containers or design-forward trash bins, and tie it together with a big bow, the whole package will look great when you give it, too!

Mrs. Meyer's Dish Soap - $4.99	Magnetic Fly Swatter - $5.99
Translations Wastebasket - $24.99	Mrs. Meyer's Hand Soap - $4.99
Red Stripe Crunch Can by Umbra - $19.99	BabyGanics Healthy Home Products - $8.99
Hardwood Floor Refresher - $20.00	Cucumber Mint Cleaning Collection - $9.00
Animal Swing-Lid Cans - $11.99	Ceramic Compost Pot - $29.99
Williams-Sonoma Pure & Green Collection, All-Purpose Cleaner - $12.50	Mildew Stain Away - $14.00
Mrs. Meyer's All-Purpose Cleaner - $7.99	Pablo - Duo Paper Bin - $106.00
GreenShopper 21" x 17" Shopping Bag - $4.99	Granite Gold® 24-Ounce Sealer - $29.99
Garbini Mini Can by Karim Rashid for Umbra - $4.99	Super Pine Cleaner (2 bottles) - $14.00
Handmade Broom Set - $65.00	Lavender Linen Spray - $12.00
Ceramic Compost Pail - $32.00	NatureMill PRO Composter - $399.95
Shopping Bags - $40.00	Eco-Cloth Kitchen Pack - $18.00
OXO Soap Dispensing Palm Brush - $9.95	Misprint Waste Can - $35.00
Mrs. Meyer's® Clean Day Home Cleaners for Pet Owners - $4.99	Ceramic Compost Filters, Set of 2 - $8.50
Umbra U+ Collection Crinkle Waste Can - $80.00	Granite Gold® Stone Cleaners - $9.99
Hardwood Floor Cleaner - $9.00	Rowenta® Soleplate Cleaning Kit - $9.95
Wood & Bamboo Oil - $7.95	Bamboo Floor Duster - $30.00
Eco Sponges - $1.95	Casabella Contour Spray Bottle & Microfiber Cloths - $12.99
Stainless 8-gallon - $149.99	Square Feathergrain Wastebasket - $19.99
simplehuman® Grocery Bag Can with Bag Holder - $29.99	Tree Life Furniture Oil - $15.00
Smudge-Resistant Trash Can - $135.00	Wood Handled Ostrich Feather Duster - $9.99
simplehuman® Steel Bar Rectangular Fingerprint Proof 38-Liter Step Can - $199.99

Gift Guide: Difficult Gifters

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:00:45 -0800

We all have a few people in our circle of family and friends who are notoriously difficult to buy presents for. I often take the easy way out in these situations and provide a gift certificate to a store or cafe that this person may love (or just live close to). But sometimes, it's best to have a physical gift with you to give this difficult-to-gift acquaintance. And if the gift goes over well? Then you win doubly big!

My most important word of advice is to keep it simple with the difficult gifters. Think about what you know they love, and then work from there. This isn't the time to get creative or original in your gift-giving patterns. Save that for your artistically inclined and easy-to-please pals. With the difficult gifters, you want to play it safe and smart.

For some of my gift ideas for this difficult-to-please person, including this set of frames, read more.

"The Elements Of Style" - $24.95	Two-Tone Silk Toss Pillows - $12.48
Sheep's Milk Soap - $12.00	Martha Stewart Collection Lemon-Grapefruit Glass Dish Soap - $19.99
Women in Green - $24.95	Voluspa Mini Fragrance Diffuser - $20.00
Roost Glass Sea Urchin Vases - $10.00	Metallic Egg Vases - $29.00
Sterling Vase - $19.95	Monthly Journal Box Set & Pencil Box Set - $19.00
Thomas Paul Drawer Box - $10.50	Rhodia Essential Box - $20.00
Woven Hurricanes - $12.00	Japonica White Collection by Voluspa - $8.00
Bennet Floor Pillow - $39.95	CLOSEOUT! Linden Street Cotton Throw - $24.99
Small Longneck Vase - $3.95	The House Book - $24.95
Osaka box - $19.95	notNeutral - Flora Vase Set - $22.00
The Green Book - $12.95	Thin Box Frames - $16.00
Lavender Linen Spray - $12.00	"The Human Spirit" - $14.95
Gallery Frames - $12.00	Luxury Plush Travel Pillow Chocolate - $18.00
Diffusers & Room Spray Persimmon Spice - $15.00

Source

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:00:53 -0800

Whether you're looking for a cute design-worthy toy for a niece or a genuinely useful household tool for your husband or sibling, there are definitely some great, inexpensive options for stocking stuffers related to the home world.

To see my stocking-sized picks, read more.

Scented Notecards - $20.00	Recycle Journal - $14.95
Illume Silhouette Tins - $16.00	Le Dachshund Dog-Shaped Soap by Gianna Rose Atelier - $22.50
Grey/Aqua Floral Turkish Cotton Bath Towels - $8.99	Pure & Green Candle, Winter Forest - $24.50
Jungle Animal Paperweights - $25.00	Vetiver Hanging Bundles - $9.99
Cruiser Magnets - $4.95	Script & Scroll Address Labels - $21.00
18" Aluminum Level by Tomboy Tools - $16.99	Jardin Botanique Perfume Bottle - $48.00
Savon Soap Dish - $14.00	Decorative Candles & Dishes - $1.00
Bone China Bird & Nest - $24.00	Illume Botanical Ceramic Collection Candles - $32.00
Hedgehog Candle - $14.00	Aunt Sadie's Gingerbread Tin - $18.00
Antiqued Mercury Glass Votives - $15.00	Tan Flower Hook - $14.00
Master Grip Overdoor Hook - $7.99	Island Garden Hook, Pink - $18.00
Southern Beech Hook - $20.00	Baccio Hooks - $29.99
Cutwork Hook - $14.00	Sunset Daisy Knob - $12.00
Green Glass Swirl Hardware - $8.50	Rustling Leaves Journal - $16.00
Jadeite Knobs - $4.95	Fish Knobs - $5.95
Budgie Journal - $16.00	Kikkerland - cube wall clocks by constantin boym - $20.00
Kikkerland - lenticular clocks by constantin boym - $12.50	Mercury Glass Acorn - $1.00
Starburst Ornament - $1.95	Mini Beaded Pinecone Ornament - $0.95
Raindrop Ornaments, Set of 24 - $16.00	Faux Manzanita Branch, Silver - $25.00
San Francisco - $20.00	Art Glass Ball Ornament Set - $5.90
Mercury Glass Golden Fruit Ornaments - $22.00	CLOSEOUT! Midwest White Flocked Ball Light String - $6.97
Buri Squirrel Ornament - $6.95

For more ideas, check out my other gift guides, and check out HolidaySugar for all of the holiday-related coverage.

Japanese Toile Apron, 2 Potholders or 4 Kitchen Towels - $9.98	1001 Ways to Save the Earth - $9.95
Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Cleaning Supplies - $4.99	Reindeer Jacquard Kitchen Towel - $5.99
Vetiver Hanging Bundles - $9.99	Recycled Glass Flower Pots - $6.99
Caliente Medallion Applique Journal - $10.99	Culinary Herb Planter Seed Kits - $14.99
Golden Gate or Arc de Triomphe Kitchen Towels - $3.99	Brown Bamboo & Rattan Double Handle Basket - $7.99

Only at Bloomingdale's Bloomie's Seasons Greetings Gift Card with Box - $10.00	"The Style Of Christmas" Gift Card - $10.00
Artist Series Gift Card by Mario Hugo - $25.00	"Merry Christmas" Gift Cards - $10.00
Holiday Sweets GiftCard - $10.00	L'OCCITANE Gift Card $50 - $50.00
Pottery Barn Gift Cards - $25.00	Multi-Snowflake Gift Card - $25.00
Williams-Sonoma Gift Cards - $25.00	Nordstrom Classic Virtual Gift Card - $25.00

Pizza Slice and Beer Stein Ornaments - $32.00	Alessi alessandro m. corkscrew - $45.00
Moleskine City Guides - Set of 3 - $80.00	Normann Copenhagen -stepptwo ashtray- 4 left! by tom stepp - $66.00
Unison Wideband in Green and Grey Sheet set - $68.00	Cast Iron Bootscraper - $99.00
Matte Stephens A Man Bird - $170.00	Lightyears Caravaggio Pendant - $195.00
Gus Modern Thompson Chair by Gus - $235.00	Everywhere Storage - $69.00
Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman - $3,599.00