Happy Holidays!

Gen would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season!! We are busy searching for those perfect holiday gifts and we will be back with sharing our stories soon! 

365

Client: He and his business partner need gifts for potential clients in 2009. In his own words  he asks for gifts that are"irreverent but not childish, affordable but not cheap, branded but not arrogant". And certainly something that is a very anti-corporate holiday gift.

Gen: Well, well....  A perfect occasion for these incredibly packaged and tastey bottles of Prosecco. The brand is impeccable and the implication is perfect for celebrations to come in the near future.

Swim, Bike, Run

Client: It is her friend's birthday. This certain someone is training for his first marathon; which will be followed by his first half Ironman. She would like to send him something that will keep him inspired in his training; and looking forward to the big day. Oh and he loves peanut butter and chocolate; so could we include that too?

Gen: Hmmm....well we know our favorite spot for peanut butter and chocolate and it has nothing to do with Reese's. Think organic peanut butter, coated in decadently fabulous milk chocolate and topped with the perfect amount of sea salt. This is packaged up with a vintage hoodie  found from the actual marathon they will be running together in March. Score!

His Turn

Client: His wife is always surprising him and needs no occasion to do so. It's his turn. He'd like to do something before Christmas; with the occasion labeled as something to distract her from the stress of all things holidays. He describes her style as aware of the trends, but steers clear of the mannequins suggestions. She also loves to decorate by combining a basic piece with a one of a kind. 

Gen: How lovely! I must find something eye catching but subtle, one of a kind but not outrageous, trendy but in an understated way.  Well, I have been looking for the perfect home for one of these... These owls are  hand-cut and hand carved out of porcelain; made  by two  artists turned business partners in Toronto. Turn them on for a beautiful, don't take myself too serious glow, or leave them off for the perfect mild mannered statement.

Chop Chop

Client: Needs a quick gift for a hostess she doesn't quite know yet. You know the type....the friend of the friend. All she knows is she loves to entertain, cook and gravitates towards the quirky. 

Gen: Think I know the just the treat. These are laser cut upon on order. Each  is created so that the design lines up with the specific grains on the cutting board to give them "action". Great piece to get a new conversation and possible friendship going. 

Random is Her Favorite

Client: Her best friend has a lot going on to say the least. Kids, husband, pet, her own company and daily wine tastings with her friends at the house. She has a dedicated dress up room for adults (think nice) she watches her friends' kids at a moments notice...a lot and will throw down a random photo shoot in 20 minutes flat. Well at the moment she is over it. So BF would like to make her crack a smile and knows the smallest things re-inspire her. 

Gen: She sounds fun! Can she be my BFF? Perhaps not, but perhaps I could find her something like she was. Individual fashion sense? Check. Can sew up anything at a moment's notice? Check. Likes to couple a simple tee and jeans with something random? Check. Has to have one of these fresh, conversation starting, canvas belts? Definitely!

Pizza Pizza

Client: He wants to send his mom a kitchen inspired treat. He hasn't been able to come over for dinner as much as he would like to lately; and wants to send her a something to show that he misses the meals and conversations. 

Gen: Discover that homemade organic pizzas are a favorite in this household. So how about an epicurean pizza slate?  Makes for tasty pies and are "green" to boot. Wrapped up and made pretty with a note of promised pizzas to come.

Thanks for Thanks

Client: She is headed to her ultra successful boyfriend's parents for Thanksgiving. She would like to send something to thank his mom for having her stay  as their guest on the holiday. 

Gen: What to get the well travelled, dinner party throwing, in the now woman? Something a little posh, a little unexpected and personal. Try individually wrapped single use slivers of soap with a custom message for her guest bathroom. All wrapped up in an elegant box complete with bow.

4-0

Client: Four of her best friends (since she was five) are or have turned 40 this year. They are all getting together in December and she would like the perfect treat for her BFF's.

Gen: What better way to celebrate bday's and fabulous friendships than with a toast? Something to toast in, accompanied with individual imported journals; where my client will write a special something to each of them. Cheers!

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Client: She needs something for her business partner's wife. She enjoys the art of mixing traditional with the not so. The occasion is a thank you for being laid back for all the hours her husband has put into the business lately.

Gen: Well, how about a traditional material that is used to make something that is far from it? She can use it as a nightstand lamp or perhaps hang it upside down above something unexpected  like a side table or piece of art.

London Calling

Client: A group of women want to show their support to a dear friend who lost her sister very quickly to cancer. Their friend had recently moved to England to be closer to her family; and was already missing the girls from stateside and now there was this to get through. They wanted things to remind her of her other home, to show their love and perhaps make her smile during an impossible time.

Gen: Lovely distractions are what I need. Perhaps a lavendar pillow to induce sweet dreams, an adorable Japanese imported bento lunch box for her daughter, and something to look at that will remind her of her friends, life when it was a little less dark and mostly the possibilities of tomorrow.

H2O

Client: She is headed to NYC with the girls for a long weekend. Two of them she is meeting for the first time and one is a long time friend. She wants to bring a traveling treat for each of them. Budget $100.

Gen:  What would be something great to have on you at all times as you galavant through NYC? Got it! These are earth friendly, keep you hydrated and come in fantastic designs.  

Baby's Momma

Client: A new father realized his wife was not her usual creative, energetic self. Perhaps he thought it was because of their 8 week old, well what was a result of their 8 week old. No sleep, showers were a rarity, as was maintaining the "structure" in her life she loved. He wanted to surprise her and show her that the unexpectedness of it all could still be fun.

Gen: Tired momma. Check. Something shiny. Check. Distraction. Got it. These are one of a kind, made of glass but sturdy and sparkle in just the right way. And who doesn't love a cocktail ring?

Espana

Client: It is her sister's birthday. Her hipster, French & Spanish speaking, well-travelled librarian, beautiful voiced little sister's birthday. She is openly not easy to shop for. The budget is around $100.

Gen: Where are her favorite spots she has travelled to, I ask? I find out she is still prone to overnight trips on a whim. As well as an avid lover of all things old- from clothes to records. Perhaps, I know a gift that will remind of her of her travels and provide a vessel for her vintage valuables. An environmentally friendly bag made from discarded promotion materials of all things cultural across Spain.

Legoland

Client: It is their mom's 60th birthday in a couple of weeks. She is described as selfless and fun and the driving force behind her kids' creativity.  The gift should represent that and the budget is set at $250.

Gen: An appreciated momma to shop for!  I want to find fabulousness that combines  classic with  fun and the unexpected. Something this birthday girl can wear that symbolizes her take on life and how much her kids love her.  Her very own necklace complete with lego and diamond.

Hippest Baby Ever

Client: Needs something for a friend who just had her first baby. She is quick to point out, she owns a line of boutiques, doesn't "do" typical and the budget is $50 but needs it to appear like it was double that.

Gen: I can appreciate the anti-Carter baby sentiment! Right there and then, I know the perfect something for this boutique owning, gorgeous new momma and her son. These baby blankets are handmade to order and fabulous. The fabric choices and the details are unsurpassed in my book. I pick 3 to choose from. Someone special will be snuggling very soon.

Something "Stinks"

Client Story: A new friend's sewage pipe burst under her house. Leading to a tearful call to her friend. She wants to send something to cheer her up; and has a budget of $30.

Gen's Story: I ask the necessary questions and I am off! The receiver is shy, sweet, a little bit nerdy (in a good way) and upset about the stink. Hmmmm. What to send? Certainly something distracting and worthy of a smile. I presented over the top chocolates that involve sweetness and African salt, paper lampshades who sit on your wine glass that make any room glow and lastly a tiny print of a smiling cartoony "nerdy" girl smiling under the umbrella she is holding. Well, the print won and it is off to its new home.



Til next time...