With families wanting to share time together genuinely connecting rather than simply opening presents, Professional Service Gifts are all the rage these days. Professional Service Gifts offer the receiver more free time to focus on what really matters to them, whatever that may be. As a Professional Service provider myself, my work specifically supports the connections my clients desire to have with their families and I am passionate about creating more time for them to do just. I am thrilled when people purchase time with me for their loved one.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will love your friend and I can help her with her space, but purchasing a gift like this for someone else requires a bit more soul searching for the giver. Broken down to its core, what you are essentially purchasing for another person is the experience of inviting a stranger into their home to delve into a personal aspect of their life. This definitely isn’t for everyone. No one likes their vulnerabilities highlighted. (I know that I don’t!)

If you are considering purchasing a gift of consulting with me for your family member, colleague or friend simply be mindful of who you purchase a gift like this for and play the exchange out in your head beforehand.

YOUR INTENTION: “I love my friend. She is always saying how she wants to be more organized and wants to refresh her living room. This gift will support her, get her started and ultimately give her less anxiety about her space and fill her life with joy.” [All true, I might add.]

YOUR FRIEND’S POTENTIAL RESPONSE: “Thanks so much…um….yeah, this is really thoughtful. I see why you got me this because I have talked about it. So, they will be coming to my house??” [anxiety, vulnerability,nerves ensue]

See what happened there? Your intention was awesome, but it kind of backfired because your friend wasn’t really ready to delve into this yet. People’s homes are very personal to them and inviting someone in to help them with design and organization can be tough.

Do not misunderstand, purchasing a gift for consulting with a Home Stylist, like me or a Wardrobe Consultant, Makeup Artist or even a Cleaning Service are incredibly thoughtful, generous gifts. You are amazing to even consider something so creative. However, just make sure they are open to this before you spend a considerable amount of money on something that they may not use.

I hope these thoughts help support you in your gift giving this year and if my business is on your list I look forward to hearing from you.

More holiday decorating tips, tricks, and DIY projects to share throughout the month. Stay Close!

You’ll soon come to learn that I am kind of a wreath fanatic. I am not exactly sure when this happened, but I love them. This tutorial provides you detailed instructions for how to make your very own holiday wreath. Embellish as you see fit for your own home.

Ribbon

Select whatever you like. I prefer wire edged because it’s bendy and will stay put.

Fastener

Floral wire is the legit way to do this, but I didn’t have any and I am impatient so I used twist ties I had in the kitchen.

Wreath

This one happens to be real, but it doesn’t have to be.

Step 1

Darn, I forgot to tell you that you need scissors…go grab a pair - I will wait. Now, cut a piece of ribbon a few inches long. Bend it in half and secure a twist tie tightly around it once or twice.

Step 2

Select a location that you like on the wreath and secure the remaining end of the twist tie around the branch. Try to place it far enough in that you do not see the fastener.

Step 3

Pouf out {very technical terminology} the ribbon with your fingers. {Repeat steps 1-3 for as many pieces as you would like on your wreath}

Step 4

Bottom of Bow: Cut a piece of ribbon twice as long as you would like the tails of the bow to be. Example: For 3 “ tails cut the ribbon at 6”. {Truth, I did not do this, I just cut a longer piece} Next, fold the ribbon end to end with the open end facing up.

Step 5

Create Cute Edge: Fold the ribbon in half long ways

Step 6

Cut from an inch or two down the folded edge on a diagonal up to the corner of the open edges

Step 7

Open it up…voila! Nicely done.

Step 8

Secure tails of bow the same way you did with everything else you have attached previously

Step 9

Make hills and valleys with your ribbon making sure to hold onto the bottom of each valley as you create how you want your bow to look. I decided I just wanted a simple, traditional bow. Since you have already secured the bottom of the bow to the wreath you do not need to allow any extra ribbon to hang down. Simply cut at the bottom of the last valley and secure with twist tie. {you may need a larger one for this because it gets thick. Also, be sure to twist it tightly}

Step 10

Fasten the top of the ribbon a little bit over the tails so that it looks like one piece.

Step 11

Admire your work. Great job. Go hang it up! If there is not already a loop in the back for hanging you can use an over door hook specifically designed for holding wreaths or add a small piece of ribbon or rope around the top.

Limited Time? Limited Space? Limited desire to acknowledge every darn holiday on the calendar, but have children who won’t let you off the hook? BAM! Slap an attachment on this plate and your are festive!!!

Happy Everything, the name of the company started by artist and CEO, Laura Johnson (shout out to female entrepreneurs) seems to be thriving. From what I witnessed on my trip to North Carolina last week, you’d think this is the #1 home decor item in all the land! Everywhere I went they were selling these products.

How it Works

It comes in the form of a ceramic base (they call it) and you switch out adding various Velcro attachments that will project the feeling of fun & festivity in your home. What’s not to love?

My girlfriend, who incidentally now lives in the midst of the “Happy Everything Mecca” in NC, has had one for years. I would see it hanging on the wall of her home and think “That’s cute” - but I didn’t realize it was a “thing.” Boy was I clueless! Then it hit me how this one simple item could be a game changer for busy moms!!!

Think about it…you’ve probably been receiving a Pandora charm, for that bracelet you never wear, on every occasion since your partner discovered how easy it was to knock out a gift for you from “the kids. ” :) Now you can have some variety!!

This totally cute, family friendly, home decor gift is going to be the new savior when it comes to “What to get mom?!” (ooh and on that note, they definitely have religious attachments too!)

You’re Welcome!