She is a great friend.
I can't spend too much $$$ but would like to do something.
We are both busy moms so we can't go out to dinner right now.
I'd like to drop something off for her.
She is a foodie, is going to culinary school, doesn't really drink, is very busy watching 2 kids during the day plus her own kids.
Any ideas? TIA :)
Why not a cute little apron she can use at home? They have some nice ones that are frilly, or have saying on them, etc.
If you know how to sew, you can craft a little waist apron made out of clear vinyl plastic from the fabric store. You can put some wooden spoons or utensils from the dollar store on top and tie with pretty ribbon. Then lay the vinyl apron on top of the Naked Chef (from that tv show) cookbook. :)
If she's in culinary school, maybe a carrying case for her knives? I know that chefs are really particular about the knives themselves, but most "gourmet shops" will have knife bags/cases.
Pick up a really nice appetizer tray and drop it off at her house so she can celebrate her birthday without having to go out or buy something? Call a nice Italian place and ask for an antipasto platter- tasty and filling!
You could also order or make a cake/cupcakes and drop those off! Leave a can of frosting and the stuff to decorate... instant activity with the kids PLUS mom gets a cake she didn't have to make!
NO COOKBOOKS! Buying a great cook a cookbook is almost insulting! Unless its a signed 1st edition by her favorite Chef.
Go to grocery store and buy grapes, an expensive stinky cheese and some good quality crackers. Make her a little gourmet basket of things to noche.
Also gadgets. People know I cook, so they always buy me cookbooks. I appreciate the thought, but I would much rather get a gadget. A new mandolin, cutting board, garlic press, cheesecake pan, anything to be used in the kitchen. Also, things for entertaining. Like a tiered appetizer presentation or cupcake tree. If you don't know what to get, just a $20 gift card to William Sonoma would make her day.
Your friend is a foodie? How about a bottle of artisan Olive Oil? A gift certificate to a store she normally wouldn't shop in that has specialty food items? Some gourmet cheeses? 25 year old Balsamic Vinegar? (I am a foodie and these are things I would love.) A really cute foofoo apron she can use when serving to guests?
Hope this helps.
A pair of really comfy slippers. I like the ones that are terry and look like ballet slippers with an actual sole so it you have to run outside in your slippers you don't get your feet wet.
My BFF for her last birthday got a little box with her favorites... a pack of cigarettes, a few airplane bottles of Jim Beam, $10 gift card to Target, new hoop earrings, Cadbury Cream eggs, 2 new nail polishes, a pack of her favorite gum, a few lighters with her NAME written on them in marker (her husband always steals hers, LOL), and a $10 gift card for iPad apps.
The whole thing cost maybe $25, $30 total (I already had some of the stuff, like the box and the Beam)... and she loved it!! Oh, and I got her a funny card too, of course ;) You could always, instead of the booze and smokes, include a gift card to a spa or even make your own coupons to babysit her kids one evening or something :)
A nice card and some fresh herb plants for her kitchen window. All of the foodies I know LOVE to cook with fresh herbs!
Wow, the other moms have some really wonderful ideas! I'll throw one more out: how about a recipie storage box/book for her favorite recipies from culinary school and start the collection with a couple of your own tried and true best recipies.
A cool new apron?
what about a "canning" starter kit - with jars, jar grabber, lid wand, funnel etc. Does she "can" - if not, being a foodie, she might want to learn!!!
Love World Market. I can find all sorts of kicthen, jewelry really anything there pretty cheap to. I like to get a basket and put in flavored oils and dip bowls or plates.
How about a cool new cookbook?
I like to get handmade earrings for my friends. Find a little boutique type place and you can get them pretty inexpensively.
you can also find some fun gadgets for cooking if you have a specialty store around... even bed bath and beyond has some fun things : )
Sounds like she could use some down time. How about a basket with hand-picked bath items? Perhaps a candle or two, some scented bubbles, lotions, oils, a loofah, brush, etc..? Or, since she's a foodie, you can go to World Marketplace, Trader Joe's or other specialty stores and make a basket of foodie things - Perhaps some specialty cooking oils infused with spices and/or herbs, things like that? You can do either types of baskets without putting too much money into them and they are more thoughtful than what you can buy pre-made.
Just a couple thoughts.
L. :)
I'm all for the bath items basket. Combine that with a few bars of really good chocolate (try Green and Black's: it blows Godiva WAY out of the water in my opinion!), and maybe a fun trashy novel to ready while having a good soak, and you have a lovely gift your friend can enjoy to pamper herself a little.
Happy Bday to your very lucky friend!
I'd just buy her a special card and let her know how much she means to you. Maybe a pretty small plant for her kitchen window??? She's blessed to have you....
A magazine subscription
