Lovely Things: A Fifth Anniversary Gift Guide

May is our anniversary month, and this year marks our fifth year married and our tenth year together. We have gone traditional with anniversary gifts for the last four years, and I predict that whenever possible, we will continue that theme. It's a fun quest. 

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I wish I could say that I am using affiliate links, but monetization is on my list of things to figure out, so these items are simply a result of my own search on Etsy and Lowe's.

Here are some ideas...

1. A wooden bathtub caddy

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2. A wooden sign for the home. 

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3. Wooden kitchen utensils

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4.  Scrabble-tile wall art

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5. A cedar chest for storing treasured favorites. 

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And one for good measure...a wooden porch swing built for two

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Which one would you pick? Share your favorite or something else. 

Lovely Things: A Fourth Anniversary Gift Guide

May is our anniversary month, and this year marks our fourth year married and our ninth year together. We have gone traditional with anniversary gifts for the last three years, and I predict that whenever possible, we will continue that theme. 

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At first glance, the traditional fourth anniversary gift of fruits and flowers do not lend themselves to the most romantic of keepsakes, but there is still much opportunity for creativity and romance. Here's what I found. 

Plan a Botanical Garden Date Night
Plan a date or a picnic at a local botanical garden. Not sure where your closest garden is located? Try this helpful locator. 

Do you live near a local vineyard or orchard? Plan a picnic or a wine tasting. Grapes are fruit. 

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And then there's this. 

Cheers to your special day!
Make a pitcher of fruity sangria. We have this set and we use it a lot. 

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Need a recipe? This is the best in the world! Trust me. If you don't believe me, ask Peggy. 
The white one is pretty good too. 

Continuing with the wine is fruit idea, how about a monogrammed wine cork holder? Etsy has some cute ideas here.  

For dinner, prepare citrus grilled tuna steaks and a special fruit tart, like Peggy's lemon blueberry tart for dessert, or a chocolate fondue with fresh fruit for dipping. 


Eat Fresh
A CSA box, a Fruit of the Month or a Wine of the Month subscription is a fun way to try new products you haven't tried before. 

And a new basket will keep that fruit fresh. 

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How about a fruit infuser bottle (with recipe book) or a fruit inspired cookbook?

New appliances can be fun. How about a juicer, tying together the traditional with the modern gift ideas. 

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And a book that helps you reboot your wellness plan?

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Get Crafty

Check your local craft store for a class to create a pretty door wreath or table setting using your favorite dried flowers or dried versions of the flowers you used in your wedding. 

Or find a tutorial for a wreath you love, like this one. 

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Add beauty to the great outdoors.

Plant your favorite flowers around your home or in a container garden.

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Maybe you can plant fruit trees; there are some great dwarf varieties available too. Not sure where to start? There are many guides, like this one for growing your favorites. 

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If you're a traditionalist, there are plenty of options to help you find the perfect gift for your fourth anniversary, and if fruits and flowers aren't your thing, treat yourself to a new appliance, or donate one you no longer use and reduce your clutter. It's a win-win. 

In the meantime, we'll be celebrating our own amor para siempre.

Gap Year Gift Guide

Graduation season has just about passed and many grads are preparing for what comes next. 

No doubt, most high school graduates follow the path directly into college, university, the military, or to work. But more and more, graduates and even more established workers are taking a gap year or a career break to travel the world and to explore different career options. 

According to the American Gap Association (Who knew this even existed?), there are various reasons why people decide to take a break, but overwhelmingly  people choose a gap year for personal development and to expand their life experience.  This seems obvious. 

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There are benefits, academic and otherwise, to taking a gap year or a career break. For starters, those who return to university are likely to return more invested because they are actively choosing to participate in their education and not going simply because it is expected. 

Those who travel during their gap year or sabbatical will return with more empathy as a global citizen. They may be better able to problem solve or to collaborate. They may come back bilingual, or with an enhanced skill set that makes them more marketable. 

Do you know someone who is taking a break to travel the world? Try to be supportive of their choice and make plans to stay in touch. 

In the meantime, if you're looking for something to send with them, here are some ideas that may come in handy on their journey. 

I would love to say that I am an Amazon affiliate, and that I could make money by suggesting these things, but these are just items I thought could be helpful to someone as they take to the road or things I have used myself or would like to try. 

1. A backpack cover to protect packs from the rain. 2. A sleep sack 3. A travel safe

4. A Jackery Portable Charger (my husband and I both have these and love them. 

5. A Kindle or other tablet loaded up with guide books, maps, or whatever he or she likes 

to read.   6. A travel towel

Still looking for ideas?

How about a Eurail pass or a gift certificate to Tinggly?

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Whether you're gifting for someone embarking on a gap year or a sabbatical, or you're someone who loves new travel gear yourself, this gift guide may spark some new ideas. 

What would you recommend to someone taking off on a round-the-world trek? Inspire me. 

Third Anniversary Gift Guide: 6 Leather Ideas

May is our anniversary month, and this year marks our third year married and our eighth together. We went traditional with anniversary gifts for the last two years, and I predict that whenever possible, we will continue that theme. 

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When searching for leather gift ideas, I went to the mother-ship of all things gifty...Etsy. I also looked on Pinterest and Amazon for some ideas, and here's what I found. 

I wish I could say I am using affiliate links, but monetization is on my list of things to figure out, so these items are simply a result of my own search. 

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1. Personalized leather luggage tags

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2. Personalized passport cover

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3. A leather beer carrier for parties on the go

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4. A leather briefcase for him

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5. A leather tote for her

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6. A new leather sofa for snuggling up at night

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It is not difficult to cull ideas for leather gifts for him or her. Leather gifts for a couple get a bit dicey, as you might imagine. What are your ideas for leather gift ideas?