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I've been commissioned to order a good friend/customer of mine's Christmas present from her hubby for around $50. The problem is I can't decide what to get her!!!? What would you do, given these considerations--
1. She has TONS of stamps--literally more than I do at last count.
2. she tends to go for cutesy Fishy Friends, Cute as a Bug, Unfrogettable, etc
3. She scraps lots more than she stamps, but recently got started stamping
4. she has mostly bought stamps in the past, hardly any ink or cardstock
The only item I know for sure I want to get her is the Aida Cloth background as she ordered the cross-stiched Sampler Sayings set a few months back. I'm debating getting her the brayer as well as I know how frustrating it would be to ink it up properly without it.
Just had a thought--she sells Partylite--maybe the Business Boosters set? It's been updated and it's really adorable.
Thanks for any advice! This is harder than I thought!
__________________ Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek, Gold EliteSong of My Heart Stampers14-time incentive trip earner
It�s always fun shopping with someone else�s money! ;)
I probably wouldn�t get her stamps, unless her husband gave you a list that she would like, or if she mentioned some she would like to have. Since she likes to scrapbook, I would pick out some designer papers/ cardstock, ribbon or embellies.
Get her something from the Winter mini...the new papers are GORgeous.
What about a bitty book or some of the on board accent thingys?
Does she have the WWC?
I would suggest some of the punches. I love the ticket corner punch but the circle punches or square punches are also invaluable for stamping and scrapbooking.
Another idea would be to get her an alphabet set - those are great for scrapin' and stampin'!
I know this sounds different then what you asked but how about asking her DH if you can make it a gift certificate and making a cute little treat bag to present it in. I know that I would not want anyone picking out my stuff. She might want to spend $50 on stuff that she really wants.
I had a similiar issue years ago, I told my customers I was having a drawing and they needed to complete a "wish list" in order to enter. I made up a "When you wish upon a star...." wish list on copy paper, stamped them up, cut them into 1/4's and made each person complete one. You'd be surprised how quickly they were completed and given back to me. I did hold a drawing and one person did win an item on their wish list. It was fun, and the hubbies had it super easy.
On the other hand......
I think if there were items I knew for sure that she wanted then I would order. If I was unsure, I would perhaps just make a $50 gift certificate that her husband could give to her that way she can buy "exactly" what she wants. The chance of her getting something she wouldn't use or want would decrease, and you wouldn't have any returns or exchanges. HTH & good luck!
__________________ There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but few will catch your heart. Pursue those.....
Dotty's idea is EXACTLY what you need. Also say that the drawing will be after Jan. 1 so that she does not, in the meantime, buy something from her list.
i would rather get new papers, punches, and accessories than a gift card. it's more fun. it's all about opening the present and the love it was wrapped up with!
I got the heat gun for Christmas last year from my dh. I also found some SU brads, a roll of gingham ribbon, in my stocking. Oh and I also got the embossing kit too! My demo slyly gave me a wish list and that is how she knew what I wanted.
__________________ Tressa can't get to the phone.
Please leave a message after the tone...
I'm a scrapper who also stamps...though my style isn't exactly cutsie. Here's what is on my wish list...the paper set from the Holiday Mini ($8.95), any of the Wonderful Words & Warm Word sets (19.95 ea), the It's a Date Set ($14.95), Stamp of Authentication ($29.95), and Down to Business ($19.95). I also just got the Designer Label punch set and LOVE it!
I think the new ribbon originals are great. What about watercolor wonder crayons or new colors paper? If it were my friend, I would get supplies to use alongside her great stamp stash. She has a great DH, that's for sure.
cmm
__________________ christine m.aka summer and weekend stalker DOT INK (My yadda yadda) Don't magnify your problem . . .Magnify your God
PROUD MEMBER OF THE REDDIVAS!
I think the new roller from the winter mini the alphabet one is a must. I would definitely think your other ideas of the business booster set and the Aida cloth as well.
I'm not sure what would be the best way for you to go for your friend. If it were me getting the gift, I would rather receive a gift certificate. Then I would wait until January 1st to use it so that I can pick out the goodies I really want and get a free Sell-a-bration set, too. I tell my husband that he doesn't have to buy me any gifts for under the tree because my gift will be a big SU order on the first day of Sell-a-bration and the free sets just make my present better. He loves that because he hates to shop and I get exactly what I want.
I would try to do a gift certificate if I were you. I love getting new stuff but the most fun is picking it out! Plus we are all so picky about our stampin' stuff, KWIM?
I was thinking gift certificate too
because of sell a bration starting in January
maybe since it is a friend
you have some idea sheets or loose hardware peices or a few chipboard pieces you could have so he could "wrap" something for "under the tree"
If I were the recipient, I'd be MOST thrilled to get half of it in stamps or supplies and half of it in a gift certificate which I could then spend during SAB on something of my choice. But on the other hand, if she can easily afford SAB by herself and would prefer something to unwrap, then I'd go with your suggestion of the Aida since it'll go so well with her other set, and I'd probably get her some assorted cardstocks. Whatever you pick, I'm sure she'll be thrilled with it since she's a stamper!
__________________ Linda
”From the rising of the sun to its setting,the name of the Lord is to be praised!”
Thanks for everyone's suggestions! Who knew it'd be so hard to spend someone else's money??? I do think he wants a package under the tree, but since she is hosting a party in Dec. and might possibly buy herself something I just got her, maybe I can persuade him to get a gift certificate.
I hate to just keep giving her more stamps when she needs to start collecting the accessories, paper and ink that will give her the versatility to USE the ones she has! But I'm finding it very hard to choose someone else's colors for them!
__________________ Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek, Gold EliteSong of My Heart Stampers14-time incentive trip earner
I have found that when I first started stamping that all I wanted to do was get more and more stamps sets when what I really needed was the accessories to make stuff with the stamp set. First off as a scrapper, I love the Hodgepodge hardware. I have used quite a few pieces in it for several pages. Secondly, the scrappin kits are lovely, especially the family one. I have it and love it. I would then look at the craft spots. They are a great size when you are going to a crop and the fact that you can emoboss with them as well as stamp is a great great thing. BTW, I do not like gift certificates for Christmas. I love being able to open stuff. I'm sure that whatever you pick she will be happy as a lark.
Since she's having a workshop in Dec, ask her for a wish list so that when it comes time to figure her bennies, it's easy. Make sure she has some big and some small ticket items on there. Then you get her coordinating accessories for her wish list - punches, ribbon, etc.
I haven't read through all of the posts, so I apologize if I repeat someone else's suggestion.
My fist thought was an alphabet. Of course, the big ones will use a lot of the money. So, I thought you should ask her husband if he would prefer a package with a lot of smaller items, or a small package with an expensive item. I just gave my sister a birthday present of a number set to go with an alphabet I had previously gotten her, three rolls of the new ribbon, and a set I knew she wanted out of the mini.
I'm thinking you could do designer papers, ribbon, and some of the cool new punches. That would look like a lot, which is always fun!
I just did the same thing, my friends husband had me spend 100.00 Luckily through our 150 club, she has a wish list, so I got her the Headline Alpha set, both size circle punchs, SS Spots for when we go camping and a jumbo wheel.
She also has a ton of stamps, but not many punchs, and I always take my spots, and she keeps saying she wants some too, and she is always borrowing my Alpha set so, it was easy to figure out what to get.
I may be repeating as well, but if she doesn't have many SU inks, her DH could easily tell you what she has. If you got her a few key colors (certainly celery, real red, etc.) that would illiminate her need for brayering on to get coverage from a background stamp. You could show her how great SU pads work to directly ink up the aida cloth background (the one we're gessing you're getting her) then show her how to use the background upside down and rub with a piece of paper.
My other suggestion would be to get her a set with lots of seasons like "All through the Year" that can be used for either scrapping or cards.
Wow, what a fun task!
I think I'd be pretty excitied with a gift certificate! If he really needs her to open a present, how about sticking a brick in a box and set the certificate on top of the brick? (Or stick a jar with a marble or two plus a couple of buttons in it so it rattles around in the box?)
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
Why not make her a set of 6 stationary Thank you's and put them in a decorated folder, and make a matching pen. Then make a gift card with one of those junk credit cards you get in the mail, and make it a personal credit card good for $50.00 in Stampin Up supplies. That way.......she gets something personal she can use....and shop anyway she want to at SU.
I'd ask the hubby if he would be okay with a gift cert and let him know about SAB cause she can get a lot more for $50 in January than she can right now. Give a SAB mini along with the gift cert then she can get what she wants and a free stamp set!
SPOTS! I second the spots idea. I started as a scapper with lots of stamps but it wasn't tell I got my spots that I realized how AWESOME stamping is. Or a set of markers because it's fun to color in all those cutesy stamps. (I too love cutesy stamps). Other ideas which are super fun to use with Unfrogettable/Fishy Friends: Dimensionals, Googlie eyes, crystal effects, paper snips, glue dots, a set of cicle punches for doing spinner cards with Cute as a Bug. I could go on...
I would second the suggestion for a scrappin' kit, I just adore the Hostess kit this year! (and a lot of the other ones, too!) I would pick one roll of coordinating grosgrain ribbon and maybe two stamp pads in complimentary colors. I would give her a few sheets of 8X11 CS in coordinating colors, too for photo mats or in case she wants to make quick cards instead! I like the suggestion of an alphabet set, also. I love some of the new scrapbook papers, too, they would make terrific gifts for a scrapbooker! Good luck! Be sure to post what you decide to give her!
If you had $50 to buy SU for a friend...
