Archive for the 'Gifts For Men' Category
Mesh Bag of Lavender Soap
Have you ever seen the movie called “Finding Forrester”? Sean Connery plays Forrester who gives this advice to a young protege: “The key to a woman’s heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time.” Sage advice it is. Although, in my opinion, it can really be applied to almost anyone. Just think back on the occasions when you received something from someone right out of the blue. Once you calm down from the surprise, you begin to realize how thoughtful this person is and how you’ve been on their mind to the extent that they would go to such an effort. It is really quite touching on a very deep level.
The beautiful thing is that the gift doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. In fact, it’s far better if it isn’t so. It can just be a little bath gift or candle gift that your friend wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves that can be done up in a special wrapping you can easily fashion yourself in minutes.
A good example is the photograph I chose to illustrate my point. This is simply Antibacterial Hand Soap in a Pump bottle with a refill placed in a mesh bag with a gift tag. This would be a great gift idea for someone who is about to leave on a trip and would like a remembrance of you to tuck into their suitcase. Or, for your child’s teacher, your babysitter, or your neighbor who watered your plants while you were away.
Everyone of us needs to know that we matter and that we’re thought of from time to time. Give an unexpected gift at an unexpected time and you’ll witness joy in its purest form.
When I first started this blog, I was excited at the prospect of learning the process but, at the same time, a bit reluctant – what will I talk about, will anyone be interested, how on earth will I think of things to say, on and on. I began to freak out at the prospect of coming up with new ways to talk about spa gift baskets and bath gifts.
Thinking back, I’ve really grown through this experience. Those of you who have commented on my blog posts have become a very real source of encouragement and I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you. You make me want to write more.
I think I really started to enjoy blogging when I discovered I could stray outside the bounds of Spa Gifts. In a way, it becomes a challenge to find a logical way to weave it into the post while maintaining the integrity of what I’m communicating.
When I sit down to write a blog post, I typically don’t have anything particular in mind, so I start perusing around the internet and I find myself getting inspired by something or someone. This morning, I ran across a quotation that started me on this particular path. Interestingly, the quote comes from Dr. Seuss who said “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” For me, all of you are in the category of those who matter and I sincerely hope you don’t mind.
Be well, and we’ll talk soon.
4th of July in NYC
The temperature in New York City has climbed to 94 degrees – Summer can be very insistent. I’m looking forward to visiting a friend’s apartment this evening to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the most glorious fireworks show in the world – at least in the States. It never fails to thrill.
The city is incredibly quiet this weekend. It seems that most people have scurried out of its limits to enjoy a countryside celebration. I recall one year I was out on Long Island in a sweet little town called Northport where they staged a good old-fashioned 4th of July parade. All the kids decorated their bicycles, wheelbarrows, grocery carts, trailers, Dad’s truck and anything that had wheels. Even the dogs got into costume. That was the year of the 101 Dalmatian movie remake so they gathered up as many of the spotted hounds as possible. They didn’t quite make 101 but they were adorable, nonetheless.
This is a day for barbecues, beaches, backyards and front stoops. Hopefully, the sun is out in your neighborhood and your celebration is underway or at least in the makings. Have a fabulous day but please take a moment to say a silent prayer of thanks for our freedom and another one to keep our brave soldiers safe.
Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort in Costa Rica
I have a travel bug….most of the time actually, but especially now being that it’s summer. Mind you, a little local trip isn’t what I’m dreaming of either. International travel; that’s the thing.
I was just cruising around the Internet as I often do on a Saturday morning and I ran into an article on a fabulous sounding spa in Costa Rica called Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort. I’ve been wanting to visit Costa Rica for quite awhile but now I have a destination to focus on.
This isn’t just any old la-ti-da spa – oh no. They appear to have all the treatments you’d ever want, including volcanic mud wraps, as well as thermal pools, an extensive spa menu, rain forest & waterfall hikes, white water rafting and more. But more importantly, they have an eco-consciousness that has earned them a coveted award for energy and water conservation, recycling and community efforts.
The resort matches visitor donations which contributes to school construction, supplies, uniforms, computers, food and clothing for local orphanages, etc. The visitors are also encouraged to plant trees during their stay, to counteract the carbon emissions from arriving cars and buses. The nearby active volcano is utilized as an energy source to heat water used by the resort and sustaining their own energy needs. Standing ovation!!
I think I’m going to send a spa gift to my friend with a note suggesting that we make a plan to go to this fantastic sounding place. I feel a trip coming on!!!
Lime Blossom in a Magazine Rack
Men…one of my favorite topics, but did I blog about Father’s Day? Nope. It’s true thay my Pop hasn’t been with us for 16 years now but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an important day.
Actually, my favorite part of Father’s Day is hearing all the Day-after stories around the water cooler — the dinner out that bored the kids witless, the trip to the park that turned into a trip to the hospital, the gift made in kindergarten that was unrecognizable, or the barbecue that burned the neighbor’s garage…hahaha…oh well, I shouldn’t laugh.
It’s always a little tough to find the right gift for men but getting him something he wouldn’t necessarily buy for himself is always a good idea. Something like a spa gift set works well because men can be so stingy when it comes to pampering themselves. The truth is that secretly, they love bath gifts. Men. They seem complicated but heaven help ‘em, they’re easy.
Green Apple Bath Collection
I was just cruising around the Internet and stumbled across an article written by James Whittall, President of MenEssentials. According to his research, men account for half of all spa customers. This article was written in 2003 so can you imagine what is happening by now….2010? He included a list of Recommended Spas that cater to men http://www.menessentials.com/oxid.php/sid/oxs4ba4e4d002fce/cl/links. The list is amazingly long!!
I’m so impressed by this and happily take my hat off to men who realize how important it is to treat your body like the temple it is. We all have men friends who are dedicated to a gym regime but often that’s as far as they take it. Facials, massages, and even a periodic mani/pedi makes all the difference in your appearance. It can also have a significant and positive impact on your level of confidence.
Women often talk about how difficult it is to find a great gift for men. Well, it appears to me that this phenomenon has opened up a fantastic spa gift arena that we girls can really relate to. Hooray for male enlightenment!!