With so many upcoming holiday parties, bringing bottle after bottle of wine seems so unoriginal. And who wants to end up with 15 bottles at the night’s end? Why not give a more thoughtful gift? A Reclaimed Slate Cheese Board is perfect because it’s functional for serving some party appetizers. 

The board is made of recycled chalkboards from Franklin Elementary School in Illinois, making it a great eco-friendly option. You can educate other party-goers on the selected cheese by writing the name in chalk. With this creative gift, you’ll surely be the hit of the party. And your host/hostess will think of you for years to come.

Reclaimed Slate Cheese Board starting at $48.00.

Every year, across the country, as families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, there are a few brave souls that manage to handle all of the cooking and hosting responsibilities. They whip up pies overnight, cook multiple courses, and make everyone feel at home. If you're heading out of town this holiday, don't forget to treat your host/hostess to something special. 

A cool kitchen gadget will come in handy for any social occasion and is a host's best helper. This cordless serving tray can heat up or keep cool any appetizer so food stays fresh 'til the end of the party. It's interior has a gel core that you can place in the oven or fridge depending on the temperature desired. So that pumpkin pie will stay hot until all the football games are over and your guests are clamoring for leftovers. Check out the rest of our gift picks to make your Thanksgiving run smoothly this year.

The Cordless Heating or Cooling Serving Tray starting at $34.95.

Shopping for guys can be very tricky, and finding the perfect gift for my fiancee is even harder.  But you can assume that most guys love a good glass of whiskey, and with these cool Whiskey Stones, their cocktail will never get warm.

While most drinks get diluted quickly when you put ice in them, these whiskey stones will stayed chilled to the last drop. Made from carved soapstone, these stones retain their temperature whether you chill them or heat them up depending on your drink. So whether it's bourbon on the rocks, or a steaming Hot Toddy, this unique gift can be enjoyed year round, or even slipped in his stocking. 

Whiskey Stones starting at $20.00.

Our electronics and gadgets have taken over every room in the house, the kitchen is no exception. A fun product out there is the Talking Coffee Maker. 

Activate the machine and it will ask you, “Would you like to set the coffee brewing time?” and will then proceed to prompt questions that will set your machine.  Based on your responses, the Talking Coffee Maker will have up to 10 cups of your morning joe ready for you exactly when you want it. I’m not great in the morning, so I tend to be a little light on the AM conversation, but a quick chat with a Talking Coffee Maker might be worth it.

Talking Coffee Maker starting at $99.95.

Alright, if you’re like me then you may or may not have bought a pumpkin already, but you definitely have not carved one. Seeing that Halloween is this Saturday, I’d say it’s time to get to work. Every year my friends and I get together and try to out-do each other with our crazy pumpkin carvings. 

It’s easier than you think when you have the right tools like this Extreme Pumpkins Carving Book from the popular website Extremepumpkins.com and the Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Carving Kit.  Together this dynamic duo will have you slashing out the best pumpkin in your neighborhood!

Extreme Pumpkins Carving Book starting at $13.95.

Set the Outlook calendar! Boss’s Day is October 16. Sure, as holidays go, it’s no Christmas or Valentine’s Day, but Boss’s Day offers an opportunity to acknowledge the check-signer. 

You can go sincere with flowers or gift basket, or if you willing to step out a bit, a gag gift might hit the spot. My pick for a gag gift is this Personalized Executive Decision Maker desk toy. You might be thinking your boss probably already uses one of these, but you can erase all doubt with this fun gift. This one’s great for the boss with a sense of humor.

Personalized Decision Maker Desk Toy starting at $40.00.

Who needs to go pumpkin picking when you can grow your own? This adorable "Start Your Own Pumpkin Kit" is a great seasonal gift for kids that teaches them about the growing cycle and maintenance of plants and vegetables.

Each kit comes with a pot, seeds and care instructions. It starts growing in 5 to 14 days and once it gets to be nice and plump you can transfer it to a bigger pot for a full size pumpkin. This makes a great gift for kids or even adults like me that lack a backyard to grow their own little garden. Check out the rest of our Halloween picks for all ages. 

Pumpkin Garden Kit starting at $14.00.

Can you believe it's only 3 months til Christmas? I know you haven't even started carving pumpkins or honing your perfect apple pie recipe yet, but believe or not, Santa is on his way. Even though December seems ages away, October is right around the corner and that means Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What better way to get started on your Xmas shopping and show your support than this beautiful Pink Ribbon Crystal Ornament. For each ornament sold, Lenox will donate 10% of the sales towards the non-profit Breastcancer.org. This site is a great resource for those who struggle with the illness and family members who want reliable information about the medical and personal side effects. Help show your support this holiday season and Think Pink! 

Lenox Gift of Knowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Crystal Ornament starting at $19.95.

A successful dinner party means good food, good wine, and good conversation. And these unique appetizer plates will certainly have people talking. Perfect for any hip host or hostess, these speech bubble-shaped "chat plates" are sure to please. 

Designed by Japanese artist Ikuko Nakazawa, this dish set is made of fine porcelain and mimics the speech bubbles used in anime illustration. They're certainly a step up from the usual lazy susan or dip bowl and great for any young couple that loves to entertain. 

Chat plates starting at $48.00.

With the summer winding down, some might think the BBQ and grilling season is soon to be finished as well.  Well, don’t even think about it! Kings (and Queens) of the grill never rest, so remember that a grilling gift is not just a seasonal option.

So let’s not think of the Labor Day weekend as a time where grills get their last workout before a six month vacation. Instead, go get the propane tank refilled, load up on meats and veggies and vow to grill throughout the Fall and Winter. And also, don’t be shy about thinking about a grilling-related gift for those who take this stuff very seriously.

My grilling gift pick of the day is this basting sauce pot and brush. Both stylish and practical, this set would be a welcomed addition to any grill-master’s arsenal.

Williams Sonoma Basting Sauce Pot & Brush starting at $29.95.