Tag Archives: purple camel media

Guest Post, Promo

Perfect Gift Ideas for Your Boss

1 Comment

With the holidays looming right around the corner, it’s time to start crossing to-do’s off your list. And while most friends and family may be fun and games to shop for, there’s one person on that list that doesn’t come so easy: your boss. Everyone wants to find the perfect, office-appropriate gift for their boss, but few have any idea where to start. Luckily, we’ve compiled a can’t-miss list that includes a few gifts sure to be a hit in any office.

On-the-go Coffee Press

If you often find yourself catching your boss with coffee cup in hand, they’re sure to appreciate a nice go-cup for their morning brew. But not just any go-cup will do, so step it up a notch and get them this on-the-go coffee press. It’s a great way to enjoy the morning pick me up and feels fancy, too. French presses are known for the rich, deep flavor they give coffee, so it will serve as a definite upgrade for the run of the mill cup. Simply pour hot water over the grounds, allow the coffee to steep for about three minutes, plunge down and enjoy a cup that tastes as if it was brewed straight from France. Failing that, you could even try to find the best subscription of coffee for them and pay for a few months, they’ll sure love getting regular coffee deliveries without having to pay a penny!

Mug Warmer

Also tailor-made for the coffee fanatic, this Mr. Coffee mug warmer will keep your boss’s coffee warm and spirits high. Because a long day often requires multiple cups (and nothing makes a long day worse than a cold cup of coffee), give them the gift of fresh coffee all day long. It’s easy to use; a convenient cord length makes it easy to plug in anywhere and the surface is easily cleaned. And with a price tag of just $10, you’ll be eager to pick one up for yourself as well.

Gift Certificate to His or Her Favorite Restaurant

Treat them to a night on you with a gift certificate. Do a little digging to find out what their favorite (or one of their favorite) restaurant is and give them a dinner on you. Certificates to many restaurants can be found on Gift Card Granny, or go the old fashioned route and stop by the location. If that isn’t quite your style, try finding out if a favorite band of theirs is coming in town and surprise them with tickets. Of course major bands come with major price tags, so it’s a perfect to go in with as a team. Your boss will appreciate the thought and personal touch, and it’s guaranteed to be a gift they’ll enjoy.

Custom Socks

For something truly out of the ordinary, think socks. And no, we’re not talking your average, run of the mill sneaker socks, but custom socks designed particularly with your boss in mind. Have a boss that loves sports? Check out performance men’s socks from Stance.com. Is your boss a woman who has an affinity for Star Wars? They have that too. With custom socks this cool, your boss will be the talk of the office—in the best of ways.

Gourmet Gift Basket or Wine Collection

When in doubt, stick with the classics. Because everyone loves food (and who doesn’t need a secret stash at the office) you can’t go wrong with a gift basket. Make your own out of a nice basket and fill it with some of your boss’s favorite snacks, or pick a pre-made one from places like The Manly Man Company.

gift basket, jerky, snacks, gifts, manly man company

You can even choose sets paired with a bottle wine to compliment different chocolates or cheeses. Or, skip the food part altogether and opt for a wine collection. Because who doesn’t need a little indulgence over the holidays?

Whether you decide on something big or small, your boss is sure to appreciate the gesture. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the egg nog. We’ve got the office gift giving covered.

Guest Post

Throwing a Kid Friendly Halloween Party

Leave a comment

While plenty of adults love Halloween, let’s face it—this holiday is a kids’ dream. Between the bottomless candy, dressing up as their favorite superheroes, and trick or treating, kids go nuts for this fun fall fete. Whether your child has a birthday around this time of year and you want to go with a spooky theme or you simply want to throw a kid-friendly Halloween party, we’ve got ideas for you.

Cosplay All Day!       

Costumes are key when it comes to Halloween, so make sure you make it a costume party! Of course, you’ll have to expect the party poopers but many people will enjoy coming as their alter ego. You could even consider giving it a more specific theme, like a super hero party or “come as your favorite movie/TV character.” Consider adding an incentive by offering up a prize for best costume. Remember those party poopers we talked about? They might not come in costume but hopefully they’ll at least be in keeping with the holiday by wearing some super cute Halloween leggings.

Deck the Halls (and Other Rooms) With Decorations

Halloween decorations are the best, and so easy! From spooky hanging spiders and fake spider webs to skeletons and faux graveyards, the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating for Halloween. Spooktacular decorations abound in most stores, but there are plenty of DIY options, too. When it comes to this, Pinterest is your friend. And, whether you go with something as simple as homemade hanging ghosts or as elaborate as these glowing spooky friends to put on your lawn, decorations go a long way in creating the mysterious mood.

Of course, the simplest and likely least expensive way to decorate is to add a bunch of carved pumpkins. If the party is at night, tea lights within them will illuminate the designs and set the tone. Better yet, have your guests carve them (with kid-friendly carving tools, of course!), and offer a prize for the best design. And, if you know anything about kids, there had better be a piñata; buy a Halloween-themed piñata from Pinatas.com. Consider mixing in some toys as prizes, as we all know kids will be getting plenty of sugar elsewhere!

If you’re sending them on their journey home with party favors, creative ideas abound. Fill bags with candy corn, nail polish in fun Halloween colors, and maybe some individual floss packets—have to protect those teeth from all that sugar intake.

Fire up the Festive Food  

Although the main dish at kids’ parties—Halloween or not—should be fairly simple due to their many picky palates, there are plenty of ways to get creative with appetizers and desserts. From spider cupcakes and non-alcoholic witches’ brew to mini hot dog mummies and the uber creepy dead man’s finger sandwiches, there are so many fun Halloween food options for kids. Of course, if you’re concerned about the healthiness of the food, consider banana ghosts and tangerine pumpkins!

 Ghoulish Games Shall Abound

No proper party for a kid should go on without games. While the usual suspects like Musical Chairs and Duck-Duck-Goose are great, there are plenty of ways to take traditional kids games and turn them into Halloween fun. Need some inspiration? Take a page from the playbook of the party queen, herself—Martha Stewart. A bit of “Pop Goes the Pumpkin,” “Ghost Story Prank”, and “Dead Man’s Guts” will surely elicit many squeals of delight. Of course, bobbing for apples is simply a rite of passage for childhood and specifically perfect for this time of year. Don’t forget the Squash Bowling and Pin the Tail on the Bat! Getting their creative juices flowing is a great way to get their seemingly endless energy to burn.

Parties are a blast but Halloween parties are beyond the pale (one might even say “ghostly”). Turn up the fun by following these tantalizing tips for throwing a kid-friendly Halloween party.

Guest Post

Back to School Gifts for the College Student

1 Comment

Fall is here, and with it, hordes of students are heading back to college campuses across the country. If you have a loved one that’s soon packing up and starting their higher education career, consider these fun and practical gifts perfect for the studious scholar.

Dorm Decor

Cramped spaces, shared bathrooms, and cafeteria food—ah, the joys of dorm living. Help them make their own mark on their living space with some great dorm décor. Instead of sticking to those boring old posters that have more crinkles than a linen shirt, help your college student outfit their living space with some up-to-date art. Finding great, unique pieces doesn’t have to mean spending a small fortune. Sites like Minted.com offer a bevy of art prints that will appeal to every style preference. Order the prints framed or stand alone for a great gift that will help transform a dorm room from a glorified closet into a stylish abode.

A New Backpack

Backpacks aren’t just for elementary school, but the college student you love probably wants something a little more sturdy and stylish than the good old JanSport packs of childhood. As they mature in age and fashion choices, keep up with their changing tastes and make sure they have all the school supplies no matter the class with any of these refined Touch of Modern backpacks. Tailored and high-end, these packs will help them move from school to professional world with ease.

Some Sweet Treats

College students are notorious for their snacking habits, and you can’t go wrong by appealing to these sensibilities. Whether they need some savory snacks to get them through those boring afternoon lectures, or need a bit of sugar power to help get them through those late night study sessions, you can’t go wrong with a delivery from CarePackages.com. Send the package of your choice right to their door to make for a fantastic surprise during midterms or finals week.

Some Fashion Sensibility

If the college student in question is a young fashionista or “fashionisto”, consider contributing to their wardrobe. If you’re not sure about the styles they prefer, or you just have a hard time narrowing down your selections, consider a subscription service like StitchFix. This awesome company will pair your college student with a personal stylist who will send collections

A Special Alarm Clock

We all know college students are notorious for their strange sleeping habits, but if they’ve got a morning class, there’s nothing more valuable than a great alarm clock. Make this gift unique by checking out the Shape Up Alarm Clock. Designed to add a bit of fitness to anyone’s morning routine, this gadget will definitely make sure they’re open for that early morning lecture. When the alarm goes off, they’ll have to stand up and lower and raise the dumbbell shaped clock thirty times in order to turn off the blaring. They’ll make it to class on time and have chiseled arms—talk about a win-win.

The Gift of Experience

Even the most studious of college students needs to take a break from the dingy interior of their campus library and head out into the world to get some real life experiences. What could be better than an experiential gift from FunSherpa.com? This awesome website allows you to type in a zip code, then gives you a list of all the fun activities and experiences available in that area. Whether it’s a day spent white water rafting or time spent galloping sat astride a valiant steed, they’re guaranteed to appreciate this gift idea. It will also help them get more involved in their college town area, and show them the opportunities knocking at every door. Life is about collecting amazing memories—this is one of the most important lessons they’ll learn in their college years.

It’s rare to see a college student on campus without headphones jammed in their ears. Whether they’re listening to educational podcasts or the latest radio jams, you can make sure they hear all their favorite beats and sounds in the highest quality possible with some new experiences.