A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

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.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, otherwise known as the Jewish New Year. And for two days straight, families will come together and celebrate with Jewish traditions. If you're unsure what to bring as a guest, something sweet is always a good full-proof gift.

This Happy New Tray is the perfect addition to any party, filled with popcorn, pretzel, a chocolate "shofar", and a "Happy New Year" chocolate card. Check out the rest of our kosher selection for more great gift ideas. And Shana Tova "good year" to all those celebrating.

Happy New Year Tray starting at $24.95.

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.

Even if you didn’t attend (or weren’t alive) for the original Woodstock Music Festival, chances are you’re well aware that 2009 marks its 40th anniversary. To commemorate the most famous “happening” in the summer of love, stores are selling all kinds of fun Woodstock themed gifts. 

These will do well under just about any Christmas tree, not to mention they make awesome host/hostess gifts, thank you gifts and, of course, birthday gifts. My favorites are the Woodstock Playing Card Tin Set and I can’t forget the original Woodstock Documentary DVD with 17+ legendary performances completely re-mastered for the 40th Anniversary. Far Out Man.

August is the official month for pool parties (actually - I just made that up, but it should be!) Better make sure to book as many pool parties as possible, because before you know it, summer will be gone. And to ensure another invite, don't forget to have a fun gift in hand.

Depending on what kind of party you are going to (family fun or adults only) will dictate what kind of gift you should bring. This handy Remote Control Snack Float is good for both — but let's face it — probably more fun with a splash of rum! This multi-directional gadget let's you pilot your beverages to you, so you can enjoy cold drinks while you lounge in your pool float. It's like having your own personal cabana boy!

Remote Control Snack Float starting at $49.99. 

As an avid amateur “chef de cuisine” myself, I have to say I have high hopes for the movie Julie & Julia. If you haven't seen the trailers, the movie is based on a book on one amateur chef's story of cooking every recipe in Julia Child's famous "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". It also features Julia Child's own rise to domestic stardom.

But, since I haven’t read the book I’m not sure what to expect. Usually, the book is better than the movie (I’m just saying) and I’m a bookworm at heart anyway so I’ll probably read the book no matter what. So, if you know a girl who loves the joys and challenges of experimenting in the kitchen or is looking for new inspiration away from a rectangular screen, then this book could be THE gift you’re looking for.  Plus, give this as a gift and you could have some delicious meals coming your way very soon! Bon Appetit! This is a great gift for a host/hostess, dinner party, or as a thank you for a fabulous meal.  

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously starting at $11.99.

My love for fried chicken knows no bounds, and now that the picnic and BBQ season is in full swing, I get to enjoy some quality home cooked varieties. If you're looking for a great host or hostess gift for summertime entertaining, look no further than the Ad Hoc Fried Chicken Kit. 

This kit boasts the ultimate fried chicken recipe from famed chef Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc Restaurant. The recipe is printed on the bag, and contains everything you need to season and coat your chicken. It also includes seasoning and dressing for accompanying side dishes of potato salad and coleslaw. It's the perfect gift for any foodie with flair for southern cooking. And check out Williams Sonoma for more great summer recipes and cooking demonstrations.

Ad Hoc Fried Chicken Kit & Dressings starting at $14.95.

We may still be a few days away from the official start of summer, but that doesn't mean the backyard soirées and BBQ invitations haven't started piling up. And while any host or hostess is sure to be prepared to kick off the season, it doesn't mean he or she won't be delighted when you surprise them with some great entertaining essentials. Here are our hot hostess picks for parties big and small. 

As with any celebration, there's bound to be a couple broken glasses and scattered plastic cups, save them from these party pitfalls with some festive outdoor tumblers that are unbreakable and easy to clean.  

One the of the best things about wining and dining in the backyard is the natural light as you dine under the stars. Add some soft light to their night with these summer scented candles. I love the pineapple shaped one to give it that Luau vibe.  

Nothing says summer like a cold crisp glass of iced tea. This kit includes iced tea and lemonade mix, lemon cookies, a serving pitcher and a hostess tray. Arnold Palmer's anyone?  

And let's not forget the key to any successful summer party, Ice Cream! Kids and Adults alike will melt for these cone-shaped bowls perfect for make your own sundaes.  

How often do we actually talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to going green? Too often convenience rears its ugly head and you end up with a trash full of disposables. So when the team here at Gifts.com ran across this set of organic cotton dish towels, I couldn’t help but spread the word.

You probably already know that using cloth towels over paper towels saves thousands of trees from being cut down, but these towels take eco-friendliness to a whole new level: They're made from 100 percent organic cotton using water-based inks and biodegradable detergents. Plus they proudly proclaim, "I am not a paper towel," which should bring a smile to any eco-loving women's face (even if they hate doing dishes!)

I Am Not a Paper Towel Kitchen Towel Set of Two starting at $20.00