Gifts | Well Heeled Blog

3 Tips for Meaningful and Personalized Gift Card Presents

Written by WellHeeled on December 15, 2011 · 7 Comments

Gift cards can save your life. How? You may ask. Well, there are now officially 10 days until Christmas. Are you done with your holiday shopping? I am not. In fact, I have not even started. And every day that Christmas creeps close is another day that I don’t want to go into the malls and fight over the picked-over displays of rejected items. Even though I may be a very bad procrastinator when it comes to gift-giving, I still want to give something that is of value and interest to my friends and family. The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is “Gift Card.”

I know, I know, many people think gift cards or gift certificates are impersonal. Others say, why not just give cash? But personally, I love receiving and giving gift cards. It’s an enforced way of spending on yourself (you can always save cash, and although you can also sell gift cards online, I’d imagine most people are more inclined to spend it instead). So here are my 3 easy tips for giving meaningful, personalized gift cards that will be used, enjoyed, and appreciated.

1. Get a gift card at a place the recipient likes to eat, shop, or visit. Might seem obvious, but don’t get your friend a gift card to Outback Steakhouse if he is a vegetarian. If your sister loves arts and crafts, a gift card to Michael’s is a great gift. If a friend loves to go to the Cheesecake Factory, a gift card will go a long way in satisfying his penchant for sweets. Book lovers will love a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Spa lovers will love gift certificates to a local spa. Disney lovers will love anything Disney (gift cards especially!). If a friend likes movies, electronics, games, etc., it’s hard to go wrong with Best Buy. If you can’t decide, go for high-impact gift cards that most people will use: places like Target or Amazon, etc.

2. Give an amount where the recipient can get something without spending too much (if any) of his/her own money. In other words, adjust your gift card amount to the retailer’s prices. A $10 gift card to Starbucks, for example, makes perfect sense. A $10 gift card to Neiman Marcus will get bubkus unless the recipient is willing to put in at least $40 more of her own dough. My rule for restaurants is that the amount I give should equal a really big spread for one person or a reasonable meal for two. For example, one of my friends love The Counter (a place where you can customize your own burgers). The burgers there usually go for $9, plus $5 for fries and $6 for milkshakes. I got her a $25 gift card because that should just about cover a meal for two if they have two burgers and share a fries. I would not get her a $25 gift card to Spago in Beverly Hills because that will get them 1/2 an appetizer.

The only place where I’d make an exception would be if you know the person wants something that’s really outside of your price range – for example, an iPad 2. In this case, anything towards that purchase would be fine. A $25 Apple or Best Buy gift card will get your recipient one step closer to the tablet of her dreams.

3. Personalize the gift wrapping / covering, and write a heartfelt message. What’s better than a gift card? A gift card wrapped in something cool! My favorite way to present gift cards would be to put them into a cardboard sleeve (some gift cards, like Express, come in an actual gift-giving box), wrap it up with old grocery bag paper, and then tie a string of twine around it. Add on a card with a personal message that refers to the type of activity the gift card will bring them – “I hope you enjoy those burgers at The Counter! The one with brie and grilled onions is delicious!” or “I know you’ve been looking for a Blue-Ray player. Hope this makes your search a little easier!”

Anyone like to give and get gift cards for their holiday presents? Does anyone have other helpful tips when it comes to gift card-giving?

Categories: Gifts, Spending

$10,000 Wedding Cash from Mom & Dad

Written by WellHeeled on November 29, 2011 · 23 Comments

Our wedding budgeting is about to get a whole lot easier. My parents have decided to give me $10,000 cash as a gift for my wedding.

A 2009 New York Times Bucks column asked readers what they would do with cash from parents – use it as a wedding contribution or save it for a vacation or a down payment on their first home. Most people said that they would of course take the cash. I had an inkling that my parents may give me some money (my mom had mentioned something offhand a few months earlier), but I was still pleasantly surprised. My mom and I were chatting on the phone when she brought up the wedding gift topic again and reaffirmed that the money will come before the wedding next summer. When I was growing up, the topic of weddings never came up much and although we knew that historically, the bride’s family paid for the wedding, such things were never assumed – or even discussed – in my household. After I got engaged, CB and I planned our wedding according to what we felt comfortable spending without any parental help, so this money is a boon indeed.

When I told CB about the cash, he couldn’t believe what a generous gift it is. We are both so grateful. It made me feel 100% better about splurging on my wedding dress and helped us make the decision to expand the guest list from 25 to 35-40. The great thing is that the cash is a no-strings-attached gift. My parents have no special requests for how we should spend the money, who we should invite, or how to conduct the wedding. After reading some stories on blogs and wedding websites (and watching family spats on Say Yes To The Dress), I’ve realized that such easy-going parents are not to be taken for granted. Bottom line, the money is ours to spend as we wish.

How does the extra money change our wedding planning? It doesn’t – much. It’s not so much my discipline or frugality as it is the sheer logistics of planning. In many ways, I am glad my mom didn’t tell me about the gift until our venue has been selected and the photographer has been booked. If I had taken the $10,000 into account, it would’ve been much easier to choose more expensive venues, menus, photographer. I probably would have had dancing instead of a dance-free lunch reception. Instead of searching for our photographer on Craigslist, I would have signed with a more established person for double the price. (But I love our photographer, so maybe things worked out for the best). I might have gotten these $200 Badgley Mischka shoes. I suppose now we can hire a professional wedding videographer if we want. All those options are tempting.

If we maintain our current budget, we expect our total wedding expenses to clock in around $6,500-$7,000. Sometimes I wish I can be the type of bride who’d be perfectly happy eloping. Think about the type of vacation we can take for $7,000. But I know myself, and I know I’d want something. Despite all the anti-wedding sentiments that seem to percolate in the blogosphere (if you ever want to see a collective vehemence for spending, just read the comments of some wedding blogs), I do want a wedding, complete with a long white dress, a walk down the aisle, and celebration with friends and family. CB’s family has also generously gifted us $1,000 that we have put into our joint savings account / Galapagos fund, which stands at $9,000+. With our savings and parental contributions, the wedding is paid for twice over.

So here is what we have decided to do: we are going to stick with our sub-$7,000 budget, and then save the rest. Perhaps we CAN start our married lives with a little house fund.

Will your parents help you financially with the wedding? If your parents offered you money, would you spend it on your wedding, a down payment, or a combination of the two?

Categories: Budget, Gifts - Tags: all things wedding

How Much To Spend on Wedding Gifts?

Written by WellHeeled on September 26, 2011 · 20 Comments

They say that your 20s and 30s are the “wedding season” because of all your friends getting married! With weddings come not only celebration and merriment, but also the question of how much to spend on wedding gifts?

In a few weeks CB and I will be attending a wedding of his coworker and friend (the one who has a honeymoon registry), and we have to decide on how much we should spend as a gift. Do we take into consideration what it would cost to feed and entertain us at the wedding, the groom’s relationship with CB, the fact that I don’t really know the couple, or all of the above? Here are some questions that we asked ourselves when it comes to wedding gift budget.

How close are we to the bride and groom? Are we siblings, cousins, close friends, casual friends, coworkers, strangers we bumped into on the street? (just kidding about the last one!) The closer we are, the more I’d be inclined to give as a gift. Also , are we both close to the bride and groom? Or would one of us be more like a “plus one”?
What’s my budget? The gifts I gave as a college student were very different than what I am giving as a working professional. The gifts I will give after I have a mountain of student debt from graduate school will probably be less expensive than what I can give after I’ve paid off that debt.
Are we attending the wedding? If we can’t make the event, we’ll still send something, but most likely it wouldn’t be as much as if we were to attend the wedding. Unless we are family members, then I would probably give the same amount regardless.
Is it a destination wedding? If we were to go to a destination wedding, we’d likely give a lower amount because of the increased travel expenses. Most brides and grooms will understand that a destination wedding means fewer gifts.
What’s the cost per plate? Cost per plate won’t dictate how much I spend, but I obviously do think about it. On the one hand, weddings are not an admissions event and guests shouldn’t be expected to pony up more cash/gifts if the couple decide to have an expensive affair. On the other hand, if I am a beneficiary of the great food, live music, dancing, etc. that a wedding provides, I do feel an obligation to give a certain amount.

The etiquette guru Emily Post says, “There is no rule, so it is entirely up to you. Let your affection for the bride and groom and your budget be your guide,” which to me sounds like a lovely thought. I think it’s important to be generous with others, but no one should go into debt or jeopardize his or her financial situation for a gift.

In the end, we decided to give the bride & groom $100. If we cannot go to the wedding, we would have sent a card with a check for a lower amount. If we were both closer friends with the couple, we would have given more. If we were going to the wedding of a family member, we would have given much more.

How do you decide how much to spend on wedding gifts? What have you spent on wedding gifts in the past?

Categories: Gifts - Tags: all things wedding

Honeymoon Registries – Brilliant or Tacky?

Written by WellHeeled on September 20, 2011 · 42 Comments

In the past few years, honeymoon registries have become more and more popular. The wedding registry has been historically a way for guests to send off the newly-married couple with items to set up their household. But with more couples living together before marriage, some would rather their guests send them to China than give them a set of china.

Honeymoon registries – the basics

In a honeymoon registry, the bride and groom can list what activities or travel components they’d like to have paid for (hotel stays, romantic dinners for two, flights to the destination, etc.) and guests can contribute money for the couple to spend on these activities. Although some registries run by specific travel agencies or resorts allow guests to directly purchase a package or a room, most honeymoon registries are essentially cash registries.

The guest gives the bride and groom cash (perhaps with a nice note on what it’s intended for), with the understanding that this cash gift will go towards an experience listed on the registry. A slew of websites offer honeymoon registry services. Some of the biggest ones include Honeyfund, Honeymoon Wishes, Traveler’s Joy, and HoneyLuna. Some sites charge fees to the guests, others to the bride and groom.

Honeymoon registries – brilliant or tacky?

Some people think that honeymoon registries are a breach of etiquette, because the couple is basically asking for cash for a vacation. I understand that position, but I don’t feel that way.

I don’t see a difference between a traditional registry vs. a honeymoon registry. In both cases, the couple is making a suggestion to guests on what they’d like as gifts. A a guest, I don’t care if I spend my money on a physical present or a gift of experience – I just want to get something that the couple will enjoy. If they would rather have money for a brunch than a toaster, I am perfectly fine with that. (Also, I grew up in a culture where cash gifts are the standard for weddings).
Some couples specifically plan to return gifts for refunds, which strikes me as just a roundabout way of getting cash without asking for it.

In fact, CB’s coworker registered at Honeyfund for his upcoming wedding. We will be giving them money for a travel experience. I don’t even particularly care if they use the money for something other than the stated registry item – I know the gift will be appreciated no matter what they use it on.

The ease of using the HoneyFund has made me think about setting up a honeymoon registry for my wedding. I think most of my family and friends would be fine with that. But just in case, CB and I will also add a registry at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond for folks who would prefer a something more traditional. I do think that as time goes on, a honeymoon registry will become more and more accepted. As a guest and as a bride-to-be, my vote on honeymoon registries is definitely for Brilliant!

What do you think of honeymoon registries? Did you/would you have one? As a guest, would you be offended by a honeymoon registry?

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Categories: Gifts - Tags: all things wedding

Diamond Ring Spammers

Written by WellHeeled on January 12, 2011 · 13 Comments

My musings on nontraditional / non-diamond engagement rings got many comments from ladies who have gorgeous rings that were meaningful, a little unusual, or budget-conscious (or all of the above!). A few gents also chimed in. Thank you so much for offering your thoughts.

I also got a few spam comments about rings, including one from an UK diamond store that I found hilarious. I guess my post is keyword rich in “diamond” and “engagement rings”!

If you are searching gift for presenting on the day of engagement, then no gift would be better engagement rings so present a attractive and alluring diamond engagement to impress your beloved

Here is something interesting about engagement rings (diamond or otherwise): an engagement is a conditional gift, which means that if the engagement is broken, the ring’s ownership reverts back to the buyer – in most cases it would be to the gentleman. It doesn’t matter who was at fault for breaking up the engagement. If, however, an engagement ring is given on a nationally-recognized holiday (Christmas, Valentine’s Day), or the recipient’s birthday, then an argument can be made that the ring is a gift and not a conditional gift.

So.. forewarned is forearmed! Don’t ask on a holiday if you worry about rings / ownership / broken engagements.

Categories: Gifts, Love

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Christmas Shopping

Written by WellHeeled on December 20, 2010 · 12 Comments

On which side do you fall?

CB and I ventured into the malls this weekend, which was clearly eye-opening in (1) how many people are procrastinators in this Christmas shopping business, and (2) the For Sale signs that dangled in front of every single store.

For Christmas, I’ve spent about $120 total on 5-6 gifts for my cousins and friends. I’ve spent several hundred dollars on myself over the past month or so (hello fitness classes!) and a $300 dress for my birthday, so I think it’s fair to say that I should not indulge any more for Christmas.

But I still haven’t gotten CB’s gift yet. Christmas is in less than a week. I still don’t have something for him to open under the tree. And the worst part is, I am less stressed about it than I should be. I am not sure what this says about me as a girlfriend. Oops.

Categories: Gifts

Generation Earn: Book Giveaway + Q&A with Kimberly Palmer

Written by WellHeeled on October 18, 2010 · 37 Comments

Today’s twentysomethings have been called many things – Generation Y, Generation Debt, Generation Next, Millenials, etc. Now personal finance columnist and author of US News’ Alpha Consumer Kimberly Palmer adds another (more positive) label to the mix: Generation Earn.

In her book Generation Earn, Kimberly addresses young adults’ money topics in three key life sections:

The first section centers on the self, covering professional goals, personal spending, debt, and investing. The second focuses on creating a home, including renting, mortgages, marriage, and saving for baby. The third focuses on community and the world at large, including green spending, sustainable donating, and supporting nonprofits.

I am really excited to see a book that talks about young people’s money issues in such a holistic manner – from self, to family, to community. Here’s what Kimberly adds:

The bottom line? We don’t need to resign ourselves to lives defined by debt. We can earn more, save more, and live more richly – largely because we’ve redefined what “rich” means.

Thanks to Kimberly, I have **3 copies of Generation Earn to give away** on this blog. I will also be hosting a Question & Answer session with the author next week.

To enter the giveaway, please do one (or all!) of the following:

1 entry: Leave a comment here with a question for Kimberly to be featured on the Q&A.
1 entry: Follow me & tweet about it @wellheeledblog with this message: RT to win Generation Earn @WellHeeledBlog see http://tinyurl.com/349sgk9 for details
1 entry: Subscribe to my RSS Feed (please leave me comment to let me know)
1 entry: Become a Fan on Facebook (please leave me comment to let me know)
1 entry: Write about this giveaway in your blog (please leave comment w/ URL to blog post).

Everyone can submit up to 5 entries. Deadline to enter is 12 midnight PST Sunday, October 31.

I’ll do a random drawing to come up with the winners, and announce the 3 winners and Kimberly’s answers to your questions on Monday November 8.

image source: generationearn.com

Categories: Books, Gifts

The Great Temptations of Etsy

Written by WellHeeled on May 13, 2010 · 14 Comments

I shall share three items that have caught my eye on Etsy, then hope that if you buy it, you will let me know in the comments so that I can live vicariously through your purchase.

For the world traveler:

I’ve always wanted a map to decorate my walls, and this would fit the bill perfectly. You can also purchase the picture with different colored canvases. At $160, it’s a surprisingly affordable piece of larger-scale art.

For the lady with style:

This 4-strand glass and bead necklace has a quiet elegance about it – you can wear it to the office with a black shift dress, toss it on with jeans on a grocery run, or dress it up with a satin A-line gown at a wedding. $38 without shipping.

For the businesswoman:

Every since I’ve gotten business cards for my new job, I’ve wanted a chic but sturdy business card holder. This silver-toned holder with the raised seahorse on the front is 90% class, 10% whimsy. $48.

Every time I am tempted by a purchase, I ask myself, would I rather have this ________ or would I rather save the money for the Galapagos Fund? So far, dreams of seeing the giant tortoise usually win out. Yet I cannot deny the appeal of the map. Or the necklace. Or the cardholder.

image source: Etsy.com

Clicking on the pictures will take you to the seller’s listing.

Categories: Gifts, Luxury - Tags: wishlist

I Have A Netbook

Written by WellHeeled on May 1, 2010 · 15 Comments

Last year I wrote a post on the netbook. I’ve wanted one for a while now, but always resisted actually buying one, because I didn’t need it. But last night, CB told me he had a surprise for me. Guess what it was…

A brand new ASUS Eee PC 1005PE seashell with a 10.1 screen and up to 14 hours of battery life! And, he even bought extra RAM to install in my netbook. The tiny netbook was humming nicely running updates by the time he showed me my surprise.

CB wouldn’t tell me the price because he wanted me to just enjoy my new (just because) present, but I figured it was probably somewhere around the range of $300+. I hope he got a good deal on it. I’m happy I have a shiny little netbook that I can carry with me everywhere. Oh the whole world of possibilities.

This netbook will come in handy when we go traveling or when I want to write something during lunch hour or after work. It’s so light and easy to handle compared to my full-powered laptop that I’m sure I’ll be bringing it along on many more trips.

In other news, our Galapagos Fund has $780.40 in it. I’ve been funneling to it any money I make in a freelance job. I don’t have an exact goal for where I want it to be at the end of 2010, but I’m going to shoot for $2,000. Of course, retirement savings come first.

image credit: carl144 via flickr.com

Categories: Gifts, Luxury, Technology

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Written by WellHeeled on January 29, 2010 · 21 Comments

So the holiday of love (or over-commercialization, depending on who you ask) is coming up.

I am trying to think of some good gifts for CB, as this Valentine’s Day will also mark our seventh year together. We almost never celebrate our anniversaries, though last year CB bought me an absolutely delicious bottle of ice wine. And, on our first Valentine’s Day together, CB left a rose on my desk in one of my class and boy, did I get teased that day! High school kids are merciless.

Unfortunately, for this Valentine’s Day I seem to be fresh out of ideas on what to get him. The likeliest gift would be AAA membership. CB has an old car prone to problems, and I’ve suggested to him that AAA might be a good idea. I’ve had my member for a few years and it makes me feel better to know that if something happens to my car, help is only a phone call away. At $47 for basic coverage or $64 for premium, it’s not a cheap gift by any means, nor will it win any Romantic Gift of the Year award. But I think it’s a gift that will be most practical.

We’ll both be trying to keep this day on a budget – we might splurge for a nice dinner at a tapas place we love, but I’d rather we go out to eat after Valentine’s Day weekend.

A few other budget / useful ideas I had were: a Nerf rocket-launcher (do they make those? CB engages in Nerf warfare with his friends. Sometimes I join in), movies (fun for everyone!), flask (very Mad Men, I think), a trip to the shooting range (this is something we’ve talked about since college but have never done), or wine-tasting (mmm wine).

What are you getting your partner for Valentine’s? Maybe we can get a brain-storm going in the comments.

image source: ehow.com

Categories: Gifts, Love - Tags: Valentine's Day

Jewelry and Gift Giving

Written by WellHeeled on January 18, 2010 · 17 Comments

This Christmas, I received a pair of gorgeous ruby earrings (and separate gifts for my birthday). They sparkle like a vampire of the Twilight variety.

These are “created” rubies, i.e. stones with the same chemical properties as naturally-occurring rubies, except these stones were made in the laboratory instead of dug from the ground. This means that rubies of exceptional color and size which previously were only available to royalty and the ilk can now grace my earlobes. I think it’s a brilliant (pun intended) idea.

Jewelry is a funny thing. I’ve heard of ladies who would dislike to have their engagement ring purchased at Costco, or ladies who would prefer “natural” gemstones to lab-created ones. (I think the Costco aversion is funny because Costco carries really high quality stock – CB and I looked at their jewelry selection one night for fun and everything is expensive – though likely less expensive than they would be at other retailers).

We imbue jewelry with whatever meaning we want, a meaning that is usually culturally-sanctioned and historically-promoted. Some say that jewelry might be a cliche gift (Sarah Haskins does a hilarious parody of jewelry commercials), but, well, I guess I’m mainstream because I love my earrings!

It’s also extra special because I’m fairly tightfisted when it comes to buying jewelry for myself. The most I’ve ever spent is $20 on a necklace. Whenever faced with more costly pieces, my thoughts always turn to whatever else I can be using the money on instead. But to receive nice jewelry as a gift is wonderful. I don’t feel guilty over spending money on something that’s – let’s face it – purely an adornment, and instead I get to bask in the glow that CB picked out a thoughtful (and beautiful!) present for me.

I believe in valuing experience over stuff, and at the end of the day a ring or necklace or bracelet is just made of sparkly rocks with little intrinsic value of its own beyond what people are willing to pay for them. Still, I hold that the act of wearing jewelry from someone who loves me is an experience after all.

Do you like giving – or getting – jewelry as gifts?

image source: overstock

Categories: Gifts - Tags: worth the money

Giving Gifts Makes Me Happy

Written by WellHeeled on December 15, 2009 · 10 Comments

And that includes giving to others and myself!

Today I went to shop for a Secret Santa exchange – Marshalls generously sponsored the project, giving me $25 to shop for another blogger and $25 to shop for myself. (I love Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I would sing their praises all day even without gift cards. Wait.. shouldn’t say that too loudly! Hehehe).

Even though I didn’t know my Secret Santa, buying gifts for someone else is very fun. With $25 to spend, and knowing that she is a fashion blogger, I wanted to make sure I get her something stylish.

In the end, I decided on a Nine West wristlet wallet in a gorgeous poppy color (price paid: $12.99, MSRP: $34), a KitchenAid apron in bright yellow (price paid: $6 on clearance, MSRP: $15), and a box of notecards with matching envelopes (price paid: $3.99, MSRP: $6). The total came out to $25.22, including tax. Practically perfect.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, by the way - I’m on an OLD computer after my 5-month Lenovo started going crazy and I had to send it back for repairs.

I put the other $25 towards a pair of 3.75-inch bejeweled holiday shoes for myself. I love the embellishments – and even though the heel is high I am fairly comfortable in them. Not sure if I can tango in these shoes though.. nine west jon2 pump pewter Giving Gifts Makes Me Happy

$39.99 at Marshalls. $75 MSRP, selling for $45 – $70 on various websites (Macy’s, Amazon, Endless, etc).

I also managed to resist the temptation of the influx of B. Makowsky leather bags at my Marshalls. My brown leather satechel is from that brand and so far I’ve been very satisified with it. Just have to keep telling myself I don’t need a new bag right now.

Categories: Gifts - Tags: shoes

Pure Altruism – Does it Exist?

Written by WellHeeled on December 14, 2009 · 18 Comments

Every time the holidays come around, feel-good human-interest stories surface. This is a time to give to others, help those in need, and realize that the world is not as cutthroat or as competitive as we may believe.

But is it true? Can people be purely altruistic?

The authors of Superfreakonomics (the followup to the best-seller Freakonomics), says no. Most giving is what economists call impure altruism or warm glow altruism.

You give not only because you want to help but because it makes you look good, or feel good, or perhaps feel less bad.

For example, a donor who gives $10 million to her alma mater may want to help her school, but she also wants her name atop a brand new building. Donors to the popular micro-finance site Kiva do so in large part because lending $10 or $50 or $100 makes them feel better. (Also, microlending is a very “trendy” area of philantrophy right now. Bill Clinton is a big fan of Kiva, and the founder of Grameen bank recently won the Nobel Peace Prize).

I may give $2 to a homeless person on the street, but that’s because I feel guilty and uncomfortable that he is walking in the rain while I’m warm in my car. U.S. citizens might give a lot to charities, but many people (especially the wealthy who can benefit to a greater degree) do so partly because of the tax advantages.

Beyond (or even aside from) the desire to help, lies a host of other incentives that makes giving in one instance more worthwhile to us than not giving.

No pure altruism there, no sirree.

So, the authors posit - “Are people innately altruistic?” is the wrong question to ask.

Because

People aren’t “good” or “bad”. People are people, and they respond to incentives. They can nearly always be manipulated – for good or ill – if only you find the right levers.

The authors look to kidney donations as an example. Only 16,000 kidney transplants are performed each year, but there are currently 80,000 people waiting for the organ. Many people have clearly decided that the incentives to donate a kidney are not strong enough to make up for the risks or inconvenience of donation.

When I examine my own behaviors of generosity, I have to agree that my giving are of the warm-glow types. When I gave my parents a stay at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay for last year’s Christmas, it wasn’t for purely altruistic reason. I wanted to feel like I am being a good daughter and make my mom proud.

The part that really makes me smile? Is that I know my mom will tell her relatives and friends about this, and that in addition to all the enjoyment she will get out of her luxury hotel, she will also get to feel like she raised a good daughter.

And that? Is money well spent.

Even the kind comments I received on that post was “reward” (i.e. positive incentive) towards that type of behavior.

So, what do you think? Are people innately altruistic? Or do we just respond to a series of incentives, social norms, and references?

image source: thejosevilson.com

Categories: Gifts, Life - Tags: consumer behavior

Bubble Calendar Is Best Calendar Ever

Written by WellHeeled on December 14, 2009 · 8 Comments

Bubble calendar is awesome. Now, do you have a compulsive bubble popper in your life?

Speaking as one (once I have my hands on a sheet of bubble wrap, I cannot stop popping the bubbles until every. single. one. has been popped – they are just that irresistible), this bubble calendar from Urban Outfitters might just be the best calendar ever.

It might also be a way for me to practice self-control. Because I can only pop one bubble a day, you know.

bubble calendar detail Bubble Calendar Is Best Calendar Ever

image credit: Urban Outfitters

At $24, the price is a bit steep for a calendar. Though it’s not just any ol’ calendar. It’s a bubble calendar! Still, I know the prudent thing to do is to wait until after the New Year’s and see if prices drop. If I buy the calendar, I can pop 3-5 bubbles at once to catch up!

Bubble wraps are fun, but this bubble calendar might be even better, because I’ll feel a satisfying pop! with the passing of each day. Quite a productive bubble popping, wouldn’t you say?

Categories: Entertainment, Gifts - Tags: fun stuff

The Birthday-Christmas Combined Gift Dilemma

Written by WellHeeled on November 30, 2009 · 41 Comments

My birthday falls within a few weeks of Christmas, so for most of my childhood I’ve gotten a combined birthday-Christmas present (in high school, my parents started giving me monetary gifts).

When CB and I got together, I told him that I wanted separate birthday and Christmas presents - I love to have multiple boxes or bags to open. So, CB gives me separate presents, every year.

Great presents do not a great relationship make. But I think as in all interpersonal relationships, what gestures represent speaks volumes. People certainly shouldn’t go into debt for gift-giving or demand a case of champagne on a beer budget, but the thought behind presents matters and the effort put into selecting or making a present matters.

I don’t really care how much CB spends on my gifts (and the costs vary – one year, I got a pearl pendant. Another year, a sweatshirt), but the fact that he cares enough about giving me separate presents because they were important to me matters a whole lot.

So, to everyone whose birthdays fall closely to Christmas – do you get / want separate presents? I can’t be the only one who wants distinct presents for distinct occasions, right?

Categories: Gifts

Regifting: Yay or Nay?

Written by WellHeeled on November 24, 2009 · 11 Comments

***First, a big welcome to readers who came here by the ways of my guest post on dorm life, on Single Ma’s Fabulous Financial. Please enjoy your stay!

Now, back to the perennial question of regifting…

I say Yay under the following conditions:

The gift is 100% brand-spanking new. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.
The gift is not expired. Past-due-date cookies or lotions aren’t very appropriate gifts. For anyone.
The gift is something that the recipient will like / appreciate / use. Passing off a gift that no one wants (i.e. a bright green sweater with a blinking Rudolph nose) brings you no goodwill.
The wrapping is new. No matter how well you think you unwrapped the present, you should not re-wrap it in the same paper!
Do not give the gift to the same person who has given it to you in the first place <– I think this can safely be called the cardinal sin of regifting.
Do not give the gift to someone in the original giver’s social circle (i.e. if you want to regift your coworker’s present, do not give it to another coworker). People might compare notes.

But other than that… regift and rejoice!

What do you think about regifting?

Categories: Gifts

Just Because Presents

Written by WellHeeled on November 15, 2009 · 16 Comments

This weekend, CB told me he wanted to show me something that he got for me. Immediately, I asked him “is it my present?” (Because the holidays are coming up and while I have jokingly told him I wanted my present now, I don’t really! I want something to open on Christmas.)

“No”, he said, “well, it’s a present, but it’s not your Christmas present. It’s a present just because.”

Then he took out a pair of beautiful silver hoops. (I had mentioned before that I was looking for silver hoops because I don’t have that type of earrings, and I guess he remembered ). silver hoop earrings1 300x300 Just Because Presents He told me that the earrings didn’t cost much, and I told him I loved them. Then I wore them every waking hour for the rest of the weekend.

Even though Christmas season invariably brings out a slew of articles and posts that bemoans the overly consumerist tendencies of the holidays, I love presents, and I love the concept of “just because” or “no reason” presents – because they are a treat and a true surprise.

“Just because” gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money – here are a few ideas sure to create the warm fuzzies in your friends or significant other:

card with handwritten note inside ($4 at Papyrus, $0 for homemade)
surprise picnic ($10 for sandwich bread, prosciutto, and orange juice)
2-truffle set from Godiva ($4)
something from Overstock.com or Redenvelope.com’s sales section
books ($5-$10 on Amazon). This is a surefire way to melt a bookworm’s heart.
flower (a single rose is always classic, and much cheaper than a bouquet of dozen, or just go the DIY route and pick a flower from your garden). In college, CB presented me with a lovely pink rose that he, er, illicitly picked off the college grounds. I know – if everyone did that there would be no flowers left to enjoy, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I placed the rose floating in a bowl of water and thought it was the prettiest flower ever.

I’d like to give CB something just because too, but what? A few things on my mind are a leather portfolio (for future interviews, etc.) or cuff links. The first thing I do after I find a job is, well, do a happy dance. Then set up my retirement contributions. But after that? I’m going to get him something nice.

Do you give, or get, “just because” presents?

Categories: Gifts

Photo Books: Blurb vs. Shutterfly

Written by WellHeeled on November 11, 2009 · 22 Comments

I know what the perfect momento of my upcoming Disney adventure would be: a photo book filled with pictures and memories!

Because… realization of childhood dream to visit the Mouse + our first big vacation together deserve some kind of remembrance, right? Instead of buying Disney souvenirs that will be tossed or lost later on, I’m splurging for this photo book project. I’d like to make 2 books – one for CB and one for me.

I’m thinking a book of about 20-35 pages, 80%-90% pictures. Size-wise, I’ll probably go for a small square book. Ideally, the books would be 12 inches by 12 inches – alas, that option is too expensive. I’ve heard good things about Blurb and Shutterfly, and will probably go with one of these companies when the time comes to put my book together.

Based on my online research, I made a short comparison of Blurb vs. Shutterfly, and would like all of you to weigh in!

Presentation31 Photo Books: Blurb vs. Shutterfly

Comments on Blurb:

cheaper price per page – if I go this route I will definitely get the 40 page book to get my money’s worth
read good reviews about the quality of the premium paper option
somewhat mixed reviews on quality of picture / printing

Comments on Shutterfly:

book dimensions are slightly larger than Blurbs (which is good!)
limit on page count – I will stick to a 20-page book with Shutterfly to avoid incurring additional costs
read reviews of pictures coming out “darker” or “more orange” than originally uploaded photos

I am just not sure about which company to go with. Because I have 2 months until I will be able to do a photo book, I suppose I have more time to research. But I think I’ve exhausted google-able reviews already…

So – this is where you can help, dear reader! What do you think about either (or both) of the companies? Please let me know about your photo book-making experiences!

Categories: Gifts, Travel

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