Christmas Shopping - grace grits and gardening

Southern Giving: Fayetteville Find!

December 11, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Northwest Arkansas friends, have you been to Southern Giving? This gift and home decor boutique opened a few months ago. Already, it’s become my go-to place for charming southern gifts. Owner Susie Baker is like a long lost friend. She’s friendly, creative, and has an eye for helping a confused gift giver find that perfect something.

Baker is known for monogramming. Her business started out of her home. When the business took over her home (as home businesses can do), she opened Southern Giving in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas on the square (just behind Tiny Tim’s Pizza). It’s a tucked away place filled with lots of goodies perfect for Christmas. And yay (!) she focuses on local artisans.

Let’s take a tour!Continue Reading

Creative Christmas Giving with Walmart Gift Cards!

December 2, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

This post is sponsored by InComm for Walmart as part of the #SaveMoneyGiveBetter2017 Campaign. All opinions are my own.

Hey friends! I’m that person who doesn’t start thinking about Christmas until the calendar flips to December. And yay, it has! Now I’m all in. Yesterday, I started decorating my house. Yesterday, I picked up a few Walmart gift cards for those on my Christmas list.

Tis the Season, for Walmart gift cards!

Remember when the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads?

I do.

But now in our family, there are no babies, no sugarplums, no nestling, not really. My kids are adults in their twenties with lives and careers and new homes and serious goals. My sister’s kids (twins) are seniors in high school with visions of graduation on the very fast approaching horizon.

It’s like I settled down for a long winter’s nap and woke up two decades later.

And then in a twinkling, they grow up in a flash. Take it from me. It’s true.

During the past few years when I ask, “What does everyone want for Christmas?” the answer is the same.

Gift cards.

There was a time I thought giving gift cards was boring and dull. What’s the point of exchanging gifts if I give you a Starbucks card, and you give me a Starbucks card? But there is a point. A huge point.

Giving is important and impactful. It’s about the love we put into it. Giving brings about happiness. We open our hands and hearts and spread a little joy and glitter and tinsel in this world that so needs it.

And here’s the thing. Walmart gift cards can be fun for both the giver and receiver. And the truth is, a gift card is way easier than putting together a Barbie house during the wee hours of Christmas Eve or scouring the interwebs for a rare and sold-out Lego set.

Would I go back and relive one of those Barbie – Lego Christmases? Absolutely. But a stress-free adult Christmas is pretty sweet, too.

How to Make a Gift Card Personal

So how to make a gift card personal?

Match the card to the recipient. Obvious right? Walmart has a variety of gift cards to choose from, so you can be as specific as you like. For the movie lover: Fandango, Netflix, Regal. For the foodie: Olive Garden, Chilis, Outback. For the person who needs a break: a Spa card, Starbucks, Hotels.com. For the gamer: Google Play, Xbox, iTunes. And on and on. For my niece and nephew, I chose Vanilla Mastercards which can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. Senior year is busy busy BUSY. (And expensive.) They can use their Vanilla Mastercards for new clothes, choir trip souvenirs, dorm room things. Whatever.
Treat the gift card like the special gift it is. In other words, present the card in a fun box or gift bag rather than handing it over in a plain envelope. Make it festive! I seriously love to wrap gifts, so adding ribbon and gift tags is a big part of holiday magic for me.
Tie it to a theme. Whatever card you choose, include other goodies and trinkets that fit the theme of your card and personality of your recipient. A movie card? Add Milk Duds and Sweet Tarts. A spa card? Add a fizzy bath bomb or lavender lotion. Although I chose a rather non-specific card for my niece and nephew, I made it personal by adding a few Arkansas Razorback items to the gift: a hog koozie, peel & stick tattoos, and a Razorback ornament. Full disclosure: the twins have applied to several colleges, been accepted to Arkansas, but have not committed. As their favorite aunt, I’m doing my part to guide them in the right direction. #WooPigSooie

I love the way my gifts turned out. The boxes were less than $2.00 and can be reused. How cute are these Razorback ornaments? Your local Walmart is a great source for fan goodies, no matter which team you support.

So Many Gift Card Choices

The next time you’re at Walmart, stop and visit the gift card kiosk. You can’t miss it. During the holidays, it’s topped with a big red bow visible from anywhere in the store. The available varieties of gift cards is incredible. There’s definitely something for everyone on your list—teachers, your postman, the barista who creates the perfect art on your skinny pumpkin latte. Your favorite blogger, haha, just kidding.

I’d love to hear how you make gift cards part of your holiday gift-giving. And which gift card do you want Santa to bring you? When I see him, I’ll put in a word.

Happy creative Christmas giving!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]#AD How to make gift cards personal and creative! @InComm #SaveMoneyGiveBetter2017[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians

Southern Christmas Gifts under $25!

November 25, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

(This Southern Christmas Gift post is sponsored by

P. Allen Smith, Bourbon and Boots and Bentley’s Batch 5. All opinions are my own.)

Once again, Christmas is rushing up on us, and I have a problem—I hate to shop. If shopping doesn’t involve plants, books, an antique/thrift store or the farmer’s market, I DREAD it. And because I dread it, I do most of my shopping on-line. For those of you who enjoy shopping from the convenience of your cozy home, I’ve rounded up these southern Christmas gifts, something fun for everyone on your list.

Everything is locally made in the South.

Everything is priced under $25. You don’t have to spend a pile of money to buy something perfect and thoughtful and full of southern charm.

Before you get started, I have two deals that will save you money on several of these gifts found at the online stores of P. Allen Smith and Bourbon and Boots.

Deal #1

Sign up today to receive news from P. Allen Smith and you will immediately receive a 25% off coupon code to use in his on-line store. Click HERE to sign up. Easy money! Your inbox will not be bombarded with tons of emails, I promise. Plus, once you do this you will be eligible to win one of ten $50 gift cards to Shop.PAllenSmith.com. The winners will be selected by random draw. Offer good through December 12, 2014.

Deal #2

Use the code bloggracegg14 for 5% off any purchase at Bourbon and Boots. Offer good through December 31, 2014.

Okay, now on to my Christmas gift list…

For the Dedicated Gardener:

As a gardener myself, I love these herb stakes made of natural wood. They come perfectly packaged in a whitewashed box and make a great little gift or stocking stuffer!

click to see more: HERB STAKES

For the Sweaty Outdoorsman:

If you’ve spent any time in the Ozark Mountains, you know the area is special. These 100% unbleached cotton bandanas are hand printed with eco-friendly water-based ink. These babies make me wanna go hiking.

click to check this out: OZARK MAP BANDANA

For Girls of all Ages:

How seriously cute is this? These state charm necklaces are made in Oklahoma but available in several different state versions. I bought the Texas one for my niece’s birthday last year. The chain is a simple antiqued brass and the charms come in a variety of fun colors.

Click to see all the options: STATE CHARM NECKLACE

For Thirsty Farmers:

Raise your hand if you know a thirsty farmer? Every farmer I’ve ever known is thirsty at the end of a long day in the fields. Could this gift be any more appropriate? At $10, buy one for each of your farmer friends. I bet they will crack open a cold one for you too.

Click for all those hardworking farmers: TRACTOR BOTTLE OPENER

For the Crafty Seamstress:

I don’t sew, and I love this pincushion. I do have a junk drawer with straight pins just laying around waiting to stab me. This little treasure will wrangle all your pins and be stylish doing it. Just think how much someone who really sews will appreciate it.

Click to view: ANTIQUE-STYLE PIN CUSHION

For the Stylish Imbiber:

In a word, cool. These flasks are pocket sized, stainless steel and covered with synthetic leather. The images range from deer and fish to guns and mustaches. Perfect for tailgating and other southern hipster activities.

Click for more coolness: HIPSTER FLASK

For Sweet Eating Book Hoarders:

This book by Arkansawyer Kat Robinson includes everything you ever wanted to know about pie in the Natural State. And she will sign it for you too. An autographed book always makes a delicious gift.

Click here: Arkansas Pie

For Squealing Babies:

If you’re a Mama, you appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the onesie—THE newborn wardrobe essential. Plus, doesn’t every child deserves to start out life with a Merle Haggard-ism on his or her chest? Absolutely.

Click to try: MAMA TRIED ONESIE

For Fashionable Dogs:

Nothing says southern like a bit of gingham flair. All the fashionable fidos agree.

Click to sniff: GINGHAM DOG COLLARS

For the Hot Grillmeister:

Elevate your barbecue with this bold, rich sauce made from an old Texas family recipe. Better buy all three because each is wonderfully different. Isn’t life too short to eat less than stellar barbecue sauce? I think so.

Click to buy pronto: BENTLEY’S BATCH 5 BARBECUE SAUCE

For Dirty Men Everywhere:

What do these three things have in common—gravel roads, gunpowder and home brew? They all lead to fun times and big trouble. Clean your man up with this soap handmade in Little Rock.

Click for fun: MEN’S BAR SOAP

For the Ornament Collector:

Show your state pride with these wire ornaments that aren’t just for Christmas. Hang them from your doorknob, rearview mirror, wherever. If you have a family divided like ours (Razorback and Longhorn), you will need more than one. Currently available for the folks who love Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Click for more info: SOUTHERN STATE ORNAMENT

For the Hostess with the Mostest:

Ahhhh, this candle is light and refreshing like a sip of sweet tea. Hence the name. Any southern hostess would be happy to receive it. And really, you can’t have too many candles.

Click to buy: SWEET TEA CANDLE

For Santa Claus:

Let’s talk about Santa. He works hard all year with a bunch of elves way up at the frozen North Pole so that he can pack his cramped sleigh and deliver a bundle of soon forgotten toys down your sooty chimney. Doesn’t he deserve chocolate? Real chocolate. Chocolate with moonshine? Yes, yes he does. He’s tired of slice and bake chocolate chip cookies. He told me so.

Click for Santa: MOONSHINE TRUFFLES

So that’s my list. Check it twice and don’t forget to use the coupon codes mentioned above.

Happy on-line shopping!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-182″]#Southern #Christmas gifts under $25! #shoplocal @PAllenSmith @BourbonandBoots @TieDyeTravels @BentleysBatch5[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

White Christmas Cartoon Song – The Drifters

Tis the Season, for Walmart gift cards!

How to Make a Gift Card Personal

So Many Gift Card Choices

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.