Blog

Gift Giving

Left-Brain Tips for the Right "Guy" Gift

Stephanie

We believe in order to shop for a guy, you have to think like a guy. This means using your “Left Brain”, ladies… Getting downright analytical! This week, we took it upon ourselves to design a few simple, pseudo-scientific experiments to help Elfettes discover what their husbands and boyfriends really want this holiday season… whether they know it or not! In the immortal words of Queen Victoria… “Men are hard to shop for!”

Okay, okay. There’s really no way to prove that one. But like every other wife or girlfriend in the history of holidays, we’re sure it crossed her mind at one point or another. The Strong-Silent-Type isn’t one to gush over his wish list, and even Mr. Sensitive tends to clam up when pressed for what he really wants. Still, ladies typically approach the task of guy- gifting with an emotional, intuitive philosophy, believing their male counterparts secretly pine away for the neckties of their dreams. [read more]

Gift Giving

The No-Wrap Gift Guide

Stephanie

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this week you’ve probably stocked up on more loot than a chipmunk with a hoarding complex. But if the idea of wrapping one more present has your packing peanuts in a jumble, you might want to consider these nifty no-wrap solutions! Elf Week rookies, these tips won’t help you much on the Wrapping Paper Relay, but they’re sure to save you a bundle of time and energy this holiday season…

1.) Let Pretty Packaging Pull Its Weight

Festively designed products not only look spiffy under the Spruce, they practically do the work for you when it comes to presentation. We love this adorable package of Pancake Mix from Chasing Fireflies, and these Scented Candle Tins from Voluspa. With not a stitch of Scotch Tape in sight, they’ll be the prettiest gifts ever to grace your tree skirt.

[read more]

Christmas

Santa’s Choice: World Cookie Recipes

Stephanie

This Christmas, don’t be caught with your oven mitts off… We’re giving you a list of Santa’s all-time favorite cookie recipes from around the globe. With these international favorites on the plate, Santa is sure to stop by your place first this year!

Crumb roll, please…

• Raspberry, Olive Oil and Thyme Shortbread (Great Britain)
• Meringue and Raspberry Baskets “Korzinki” (Ukraine)
• Ma’moul Cookies (Lebanon)
• Chocolate-Dipped Palmieres (France)
• Almond Cookies (China)

[read more]

DIY + Handmade

Easy-as-Pie Thanksgiving Placemats

Stephanie

History unfolds right before your pies, with this precious pop-up placemat idea! We love how PubliQue Living transforms plain sheets of recycled paper into charming table pieces for every occasion. But in the Pilgrim spirit of “making do,” this Thanksgiving, we just had to try the idea ourselves… DIY-style!

We armed Intern Steph with some Bristol Paper and an X-Acto knife, and told her to re-create the Mayflower for our Thanksgiving table… After a good cry, she got right to work and this was the result! Say what you will of her historical accuracy (or the judiciousness of giving an intern a knife), we think Stephanie did the pilgrims proud on this one, and here’s how you can create your own!

Materials:

• Large sheet of bristol paper or poster board
• X-acto knife
• Pencil

[read more]

Holidays

Ye Olde Thanksgiving Small-Talk

Stephanie

“Stick a fork in it.” This might be a top-notch tip for preparing a turkey, but we think it should generally be avoided in Thanksgiving dinner conversation. We know that families are under a lot of pressure to amp-up their suppertime small-talk, especially on this nationally sanctioned day of quality time. So to better prepare for a lull in the conversation, Elfster suggests you inject a splash of humor, and history, into this year’s festivities. You can get the Butterball rolling by using these pilgrim-approved words of thanks:

• Father, I am most mightily beholden to you for the generous portion of slaw.

• Mother, I see the lima bean casserole has not returned for this year’s festivities, and I give you many thanks.

• Grandpa, I am very much obliged to you for your tips on the art of turkey-basting, but please stand aside.

• Thanks with a bowed heart for sparing us the details of your last trip to the podiatrist, Uncle Jim.

• Aunt Midge, a thousand times I thank you for hinting at the parsley betwixt my teeth.

[read more]

Christmas

Announcing “Elf Week” 2010!

Stephanie

With the holidays closing in faster than Rudolph on a sugar rush, we’ve now officially entered what the reindeer call “Mush-Time”… and the Claus has got no room for error on his team! That’s why the week of December 20th, we’ll be devoting our entire agenda to the training and initiation of Santa’s most promising, up-and-coming little helpers. It’s called “Elf Week”… and it isn’t for the feeble-footed! As the name implies, it separates the Oafs from the Elves, building character and moral fiber with each event!

So how does one train for such a rigorous week? You could practice by bobbing for halibut, or birthing a set of reindeer twins. You might even try brushing up on your coal-mining skills for Santa’s Naughty List. But you’ll be glad to know, as a loyal Elfster blog reader, you’ll get an extra leg up in the competition.

In honor of Elf Week, we’ll be showing you a slew of helpful tips, tricks and holiday advice right here on Wish Fulfillment, the Elfster blog! As the event approaches, keep your eyes peeled for our fun and informative series of posts called “Elf-Help”.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at Elf Week 2010’s calendar of events:
[read more]

DIY + Handmade

DIY Fall Fridge-scape

Stephanie

A freezer-burned chicken cutlet is no reason to give your fridge the “cold shoulder” this fall! Here’s a simple way to clear the shelves and show your icebox some well-deserved appreciation. For a fabulously fanciful fridge, try this pretty new eco-friendly craft!
[read more]

Halloween Party Favor Bags
DIY + Handmade

Fast n’ Festive Halloween Favors

Stephanie K

Think quick! It’s almost Halloween and you’ve pretty much wolfed down your colossal candy stockpile. All that’s left for your guests is one measly bag of morsels. Don’t just stand there! Today we’re making these festive, fun-sized candy bags. With these cute little favors, your guests might just overlook your stinginess with the sweets… [read more]

Holidays

Something’s Afoot…

Stephanie

Here in the North Pole, our idea of a “good scare” is when Rudolph comes down with a case of the sniffles! But this week, one Elfster intern found herself smack dab in the middle of a Halloween horror flick. With a flashlight poised eerily under-chin, today we tell her tale! [Cue clap of thunder.]
[read more]

DIY + Handmade

Garden Ghouls for the Docile Decorator

Stephanie

Step away from the carving knife! We know that the spirit of Halloween might not feel the same without going Friday-the-13th on an unsuspecting pumpkin. But this year, make good with the gourds! We’re talking a little less violence, and a little more ingenuity… [read more]

Little Pumpkin with Fallen Orange Autumn Leaves
DIY + Handmade

A Taste of Fall

Stephanie

We elves may make a mean cup of eggnog, but by the time autumn rolls around, we’ve only got pumpkin on the brain…That’s why we love this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins! [read more]

DIY + Handmade

The Art of Moon Cakes

Bee

Photos and recipe courtesy of i bake for you If you’re Chinese or know anyone who is, you’ve probably noticed the big red boxes of mooncakes springing up in stores and homes around the world. [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Breaking Bread Before Yom Kippur

Bee

Photo courtesy of Foodologie In a few days, millions of people will be observing Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement”. It’s a day of fasting, resting, and praying in commemoration of the day to [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Ironed Cheese Sandwich

Bee

Photo and recipe courtesy of Chocolate City Web A grilled cheese craving is a grilled cheese craving, no matter where you live or how limited your supplies are. We’ve all heard about the story of [read more]

Parties

Songs of Summer

Bee

Photo courtesy of my next picnic Come Monday, many of us will be participating in some kind of parade, feast, or shop-fest in celebration of Labor Day! It’s not only an unofficial marker for the [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Late Summer Raspberry Fig Galette

Bee

Photos and recipe courtesy of pastry studio Before you leave behind the flip flops and backyard barbecues, here’s one final huzzah! Figs, like many fruit, have two growing seasons. You might have noticed them popping [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Sustainable Tips for Dorm Dwellers!

Bee

Every year thousands of incoming college freshmen begin a new phase of life and moving into campus housing for the first time! More and more colleges are making efforts to build eco-friendly dorms, whether it’s [read more]

Kids + Family

Ready for National Dog Day!

Bee

Photos and recipe courtesy of Framed They provide companionship, entertainment, assistance, and are loyal to the very end. Let’s hear it for the canines in our lives on August 26th! We’ve heard of some grrreat [read more]

Kids + Family

Lunch Bags With Love

Bee

Photos and instructions courtesy of Design*Sponge It’s normal to grumble about going back to school, but it’s also normal to get excited about school supplies! Remember those shiny new Power Ranger or Lisa Frank notebooks [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Happy Ice Cream Sandwich Day!

Bee

Yes…another ice cream post. Now that it’s August and the days of summer feel marked, we’re wondering how much longer we can get away with eating ice cream for dinner. Thank goodness National Ice Cream Sandwich [read more]

DIY + Handmade

Tricky Ice Cream Cones

Bee

Photo and recipe courtesy of Confessions of a Cookbook Queen Not that we could ever get tired of ice cream, but the cleverness of these rice krispie treat cones are too good not to share. [read more]