Magnolia Blossoms

Magnolias remind me of springtime and early summer. As a Southern I can not wait to see the magnolia trees loaded with their beautiful blossoms. The magnolia flowers are the official flower of my home state, Louisiana. We have sold porcelain items with magnolias for twenty years. Be sure to check out our collection of pieces, for the kitchen for your table top (two selections of patterns are available the Magnolia (D013) and the Alice Magnolia (D802) collection.) The pieces remind me of spring time all year long.

Just a few magnolia facts:
~ There are over 80 spices of magnolias.
~ The plants are native to Eastern Asia and the eastern Americas north of the equator.
~ The flowers are showy and fragrant.
~ Fossil remains have been found dating back between 36 and 58 million years old.
~ Flower colors range from white to pink, purple, green or yellow.

Happy Springtime and Happy gift giving even if it is a gift to yourself.
Sincerely,
Marilynn
~ Magnolias are now in the top ten trees in the United States.
~ Official state flower of Louisiana and Mississippi

"GUMBO" Mugs

Spring is almost here and this may be our last days of cool or cold weather until the fall. So think GUMBO for dinner and enjoy them in our "Gumbo Mugs". This is been one of the most popular items on our site for the past few years. The piece is dishwasher safe and can be used in the microwave. We call the item "Gumbo Mugs" but the piece is very versatile.

The set of four gumbo mugs make wonderful wedding gifts and Mother's Day gifts. Recently our UPS account rep got married and was given these as a gift. She mentioned how nice it was so see our stamp or label on the bottom of the piece and know where the piece came from.

Happy Gift Giving even if it is a gift to yourself!
Sincerely,
Marilynn

National Pet Sitters Week is March 7th to 13th

National Pet Sitters Week is March 7th to 13th, which is next week. Show your appreciation for the person who cares for your pet when you are away with a wonderful gift from our pet them collection of gifts. Not only can our pet products (mugs etc) be personalized with a pet's name or your sitter's name. What a nice way for your favorite pet sitter to remember you and your pet than a personalized item.

Order not to receive the products in time to celebrate National Pet Sitters Week with your sitter. As always we are happy to ship a gift directly to your gift receipt. Just provide us with the name and address and we do everything else. Your gift will ship gift packaged at no additional charge (Normal gift packaging is a white gift box with ribbon.) A special gift packing slip will be included in the package with any special message you may want; just provide your message in the comment section.

Happy gift giving to your pet sitter or a gift to yourself!
Sincerely,
Marilynn

Lobster for Dinner?

Thinking of having an outstanding dinner with lobster as your main entree. Why not make the presentation of the meal complete by serving on our lobster dinnerware?

Yesterday I had the privilege of assisting a client with her questions regarding pieces from our lobster dinnerware collection of dishes. We discussed how messy lobster can be when eating. One of the questions was "What to do with the shells?" http://www.giftsetc.com/ has the perfect solution it is a piece we have been selling for years the Lobster serving bowl # 5943D015. This bowl is perfect to be placed in the center of the table for approximately four quest to use to place the discarded shells as they eat their lobster. The bowl can also be used for serving salad or something as simple as popcorn or chips.

The second questions we discussed was "How to accommodate the service of lobster so that you do not get water all over your table?" . Our recommendation is using the 14" Lobster Platter as a serving piece for each person (it would be used as their plate since lobster really does not fit well on a standard size dinner plate). The lobster can be placed across the center of the platter and you have room to add lettuce for garnishing along with steamed potatoes and lemon wedges. The platter is large enough that the lobster does not hang over the plate and drip water onto your table. The lobster platter can also be used to serve fish, shrimp or any other item of your choice.

Not only do these pieces add style to any presentation of food but they are convenient to use. All of the lobster dinnerware collection is dishwasher and microwave safe and must for our busy lifestyles. As always we are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products. I am here Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:00 and will personally take your call just ask for Marilynn.


Happy gift giving even if it is a gift to yourself!


Sincerely,

Marilynn
http://www.giftsetc.com/

March is Women's History Month

As modern American women we often look for inspiration. We look to other women whose life story can provide encouragement, guidance and that all important proof that we can make it. We can survive. In our search we often look to those who we believe have idealist lives; these include women who are political figures, media moguls, and entertainment icons. However often the greatest women whose stories can provide inspiration are those found when we look back in history, to those women that were not famous, were not wealthy, but were ordinary women placed in unbelievable situations.

Stories of great inspiration can be found in those women who lived during the times of the American Revolution. Elizabeth Hill Halbert was born on Sept 18, 1747 in Caroline County, Virginia. She married John Halbert in 1765 of Essex County, Virginia. By the time of the American Revolution, Elizabeth and John already had two children. During her third pregnancy; John was away participating in the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth gave birth to her third child without her husband by her side, without the use of modern drugs and without the comforts of modern conveniences including running water, inside bathroom faculties, air conditioning and heating. Three days after delivering her baby she was “visited” by her neighbors who were Troyes’s. They opposed the war, and freedom from England. They held her at gun point. While having a shotgun held to her head she watched her home being destroyed. Her own neighbors took her possession down to the mattress ticking of her bed where she had given birth just three days before. She was without her husband, without the assistance of good neighbors, with no furnishing or necessities and three small children. Just think she lived in a time without 911 and without modern communications. She had to pull herself together. She had to be strong without the help of reading the latest blog postings or self help book. She had to do this without her husband, who was way fighting for their freedom. You have to wonder what she did. Did she pray? Did she cry out?

What we do know is she survived. Her husband returned from the war. They had four additional children and lived as a family in their new country, the United States of America. Her story was told from one generation to the next and was accepted in 1904 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Elizabeth Hill Halbert’s name was placed into the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Registry of Patriots. Her story has been recorded in history for those who read it to be inspired. Her story clearly shows in spite of our current situations we are so blessed to be Americans in a free country, a country for which she and her family sacrificed. Her story is that of inspiration of the everyday life that lived through incredible times and events.

In Honor of all Women who have serve as inspiration use this coupon code 25USA and receive 25% on any American item on orders placed during the month of March 2010.

Happy gift giving even if it is a gift to yourself!

Sincerely,
Marilynn

Red Hat and Purple Dress or was it a Purple Hat and Red Coat?

Our website, http://www.giftsetc.com/ has sold red hat products for several years. It has been our pleasure to assist clients with products for either their red hat collections or for their fellow red hat friends. Even though I have sold these items (We have really nice porcelain gifts available with two different patterns and jewelry.) I really never wanted to identify myself with this group of distinguished ladies due to the age associated with membership to the group As each year passes I realize those red hat years are approaching.

Today, I embraced the thought and understood the purpose of the red hat or in my case the purple hat. Wearing a red hat and a purple dress is to symbolize doing as you please. Your actions are not mean spirited or filled with anger; your actions are just as you please.

This morning as walking my dog, Mollee, I realized as cars drove pass my yard I was the lady in the long red coat, light blue jogging pants and purple fleece cap. I was dressed in just the reverse of the red hat and purple dress and I really did not care at that moment. I was warm. So now when I process an order for red hat products I can smile and laugh to myself. I still have a few years left to reach the official membership requirements but I understand and appreciated the meaning so much more.

Happy gift giving even if it is a gift to yourself!

Sincerely,
Marilynn
www.giftsetc.com

Scottish Terrier Breed Proudcts and More

What fun it is for all pet lovers especially dog enthusiast to get the results of the Westminster Kennel Club Championship Show. Congratulations for Best of Show this year goes to a Scottish Terrier, named "Sadie". What a win for the Scottish Terrier bread and all of those associated with the 2010 Best of Show Champion dog. It is amazing how many terriers have won the Best of Breed Championship in the history of Westminster. 44 terriers have been victorious as Best of Show Champion over the134 year history of the Westminster show. Maybe it is their cute and lively personalized that really shows in the competition.

As a pet owner it has been so much fun to offer pet themed products on our http://www.giftsetc.com/ site over the years. I love dogs but must admit dachshunds (after all I have Miss Mollee who comes to work with me) and Labradors have a special place in my heart. We have a wonderful collection of pet themed gifts which include a large selection of breed specific patterns available on a variety of home accessory. We also have a collection of breed specific jewelry items. The Scottish Terrier design is featured on one of our most popular style coffee mugs on our site; we also offer affordable Scotty earrings and a Scotty charm perfect for charm bracelets or worn on a chain for a Scotty necklace.

All orders placed during the month of February for any pet related item get a special offer free gift or Laginappe. You can preview the gift - it was selected in honor the the Westminster Show.

Happy gift giving even if it is a gift to your self or maybe your dog!

Sincerely,

Marilynn Jane