Jeanette Friedman

Unedited: Jewish Standard Celebrations: The Art of Gift Giving

May 27

Jeanette Friedmanlife cycle events and celebrations No Comments

MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY: The Art of Gift Giving
By Jeanette Friedman

The most ironic gift item anyone ever received is the handmade, needle-pointed pillow that reads, “THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS.” Maybe. But guilt-inducing gifts won’t stop us from buying and giving gifts. People really love “stuff,” especially if it’s different, has sentimental value, is an heirloom, or creates beautiful memories. And they love, simply love, to rip off the bows and wrapping paper, open the envelopes, and crack the boxes to see what’s inside.

Back in the day, gift giving rarely used imagination. People bought things they liked that they thought you would like or would pick a toy, game or book that had been touted to fit a specific age group or celebration category, from housewarmings to birthdays and bridal/baby/engagement/adieu showers to graduations. Birthday boys could get three baseball gloves (today that translates into four smartphones or iPods). Birthday girls would score enough Nancy Drew books to stock a library and Barbie dolls to fill a mini-city. (Today that would translate into four smartphones or iPods and enough Barbie dolls to fill a mini-city.) Hostesses and brides-to-be were gifted with enough glassware and serving pieces to stock a restaurant. All it would take would be one more punch bowl to send them over the edge. And yet housewares keep on arriving—and after a while you wonder if you’ve been re-gifted and need to do a little re-gifting yourself. After all, “stuff” takes up lots of space, and don’t have any left.

Edibles are incredible gifts—bouquets of fresh fruits, chocolates and candies are available from a number of vendors. Petit-four and fingercake platters or a beautifully decorated cake are always welcome. They become part of your event, they’re attractive, luscious and scrumptious, and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Diamonds and jewelry are absolutely forever and don’t take up much space. Vintage collectibles, like Anchor Hocking’s mid-century kitchen set, Tulips on Ivory, would warm the cockles of any kitchen collector’s heart. There are all sorts of collectibles available on e-bay, but you need to make sure the person you’re gifting appreciates your efforts and doesn’t already have what you want to bid on.
Personalized items create a special link between giver and receiver, creating memories that will last forever, especially if there’s a thoughtful message attached.

There are folks who specialize in memories—they’ll create themed photo/video scrapbooks , on-line or off, that document the fun and games. Other turn invitations into works of art, etch them in glass, or engrave heartfelt messages into an item, like a crystal wine decanter or silver charity box that become family treasures. Google what you’re looking for, and chances are you’ll find it. There are now all sorts of gift registries where you can send cash to contribute to the price of a cruise, or buying a cruise ship (http://www.workboatsinternational.com/cruise-ships-for-sale.html) a car, a down payment on a house, or just about anything else. There’s no re-gifting a cruise, a mortgage or a trip to Disneyland!

TEANECK GENERAL STORE
502A Cedar Lane
Teaneck
Bruce and Stacey Prince
201-530-5046
www.teaneckgeneralstore.com
RCBC

There’s nothing like it in town. Born on vacation during a Vermont vacation in 2009, The Teaneck General Store has been filling the community’s needs for a café, arty gift shop and general store, which offers a platform to local artists, musicians, authors and even comedians. They also offer shiurim (lectures about Judaism and related topics) and book signings. The seeds for the endeavor were planted when, as a child, Stacey, now a creative director at Vogue, traveled the country with her family, stopping at every General Store she and her parents could find. She developed a love of lore and crafts. Bruce’s love of community service and Teaneck pride has been at the core of his life for the last 30 years.

Stacey is the buyer and seeks out the interesting, the crafty and the unusual. Tableware items, Shabbos gifts range from $15-30, engagement gifts from about $50. There are elaborate sets of glassware, handmade ceramics picture frames, erving pieces and so forth. They also do screen printing and embroidery as give-away gifts and party favors. There are camp baskets to send to the kids that are packed with games, toys and things children miss from home. One third of the gifts including the teas and coffees, are fair trade items from developing nations. The also set up tea parties at people’s homes.

SWEETS ON CEDAR
488 Cedar Lane
Teaneck
201 928-4100
(fax) 201 530-5385
Monica
monica@sweetsoncedar.com

http://www.sweetsoncedar.com/

RCBC

Great place for those addicted to sugar and sweets, pretty things and fresh ideas. Get platters for your mahjong party, drown in 26 flavors of Jelly Bellies, and pack them as gifts by the glass, jar or bucket. The candyman in shul gets to pick from 20 lollipop flavors, or you can order a lollipop bouquet for your sweetheart. The shop also carries an elegant selection of disposable partyware. Corporate and organization gift giving accounts are available and there are specialty gifts that are custom created for weddings, bar/bats, sheva brachot, get wells, births, and so much more.

THE PAINT TUBE
10a South Dean Street
Englewood NJ
201-227-8203
Fax 201-227-8204
SHERI
sheri@thepainttube.com

http://thepainttube.com/

“Gifts to fill those wishes and dreams for infants, children and adults, ” says the website, and Shari had been there for twenty years to help you choose the right personalized gift for the right person and occasion. There’s even a baby gift registry for your convenience. The shop specializes in hand-painted custom gifts for infants, children and adults, many hand-painted by talented crafters. In addition to gifts, the shop carries custom accent furniture pieces, bedding for infants thru adults and accessories. Birth announcements, invitations, and. Stationery are also available. Visit the website to realize what you can choose to make someone happy.

SUNSHINE GIFTS
266 Grand Ave, in the rear
Englewood
RACHEL 201-541-5595

Great place for Shabbat gifts for your hostess and her family. There are also more than 100 games you can play on Shabbat for children of all ages. Prices range from $10-$200. Interesting items are a line of tempered glass platters that wash well, hold up in a warming drawer and microwave and are actually useful. There are picture frames, serving pieces, chip and dip sets, Funky dinnerware for picnics and pool parties, BBQ’s and romantic and themed and scented candles and diffusers. To see, you must go. Call ahead if you like to make sure Rachel is there to offer advice. Free Parking and Gift wrap.

PARTY PLUS STUDIO
108 Engle St.
Englewood,
201-871-8860
CARYN SHERRY/JENNIFER MARALDO

A unique boutique specializing in custom invitations for all your special occasions: Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, baby namings, social and business stationery and special event parties. Offering a wide selection of giftware for graduation, teachers gifts, hostess gifts and more. Stop by and begin your shopping experience with ease. To learn more, find them on Facebook.com

MATISSE CHOCOLATIERS
260 Grand Avenue, rear of building
Englewood
LUCILLE SKROCE
201-568-2288
RCBC

http://www.getfreshchocolate.com/

If you are looking for a chocolate gift that makes a special statement, the natural choice for gorgeous, quality corporate gift baskets and more.Matisse Chocolatier is deliciously decadent. They offer a sophisticated yet down home variety of beautifully prepared and gift wrapped chocolate gift ideas ~ perfect for business associates, clients, co-workers, your boss and more. There are traditional gift baskets, stackable boxes, leather look magazine bags, and more. Though packaging is important, it’s the delicious chocolate treats inside that really count!

Matisse Chocolatier puts fresh, homemade chocolate into every beautiful gift basket we make ~ chocolate bark in several mouth watering varieties, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate dipped potato chips, chocolate drizzled Fiddle Faddle, chocolate covered Oreo cookies, and even more delicious chocolate confections to choose from. Gift basket styles may change from time to time based upon availability—so if you have any special preferences just give them a call to find out what baskets, boxes or other packaging is available. There’s a variety of fresh homemade milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate, cherry cordials, raspberry jellies, milk chocolate covered caramel patties, dark chocolate covered peppermint patties, classic assorted homemade chocolates in gift boxes ready for gift giving and the ever popular Matisse Box-O-Bark, featuring 20 different types of Matisse Chocolatier’s handmade bark. Check out the boxes of gourmet Chocolate Pizza!! And they do special themed gifts, as well as chocolate platter for parties.

NOAH’S ARK
493 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
Phone: 201.692.1200
Fax: 201.692.1890
www.noahsark.net
Glatt. RCBC

Prepaid Gift Card for Pastrami on Rye and so much more, giving new meaning to the phrase, “conspicuous consumption. ” The VIP cards are the size and shape of a debit card and work the same way, against the account set up by the giver. The full-color collage of deli meats on the card will make your mouth water. Available in any denomination, $18 and up. They never expire until the money runs out, and then they’re refillable and useable at Noah’s Ark in Teaneck and on the Lower East Side and Shelly’s Café on Cedar Lane.

DEPOSIT A GIFT
Dana Ostomel
Chief Gifting Officer, Founder
181 E. 119th St., Suite 10B, NYC
646-337-5581
www.depositagift.com
Be Our Fan: http://www.facebook.com/DepositaGift
Follow Us: http://www.twitter.com/DepositaGift
Press: http://www.DepositaGift.com/Press
Blog: http://www.DepositaGift.com/blog
dana@depositagift.com.

Deposit a Gift is for all of life’s celebrations where gifts are involved and cash is preferred. Knowing that some people feel awkward asking for money—and others are not accustomed to giving it—Deposit a Gift mainstreams the process with a user-friendly site modeled on traditional registries. Users share their wants and dreams with their guests, who help them achieve their goals by giving them what they want most: Flexibility. Works for weddings, babies, graduations, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, fundraising, retirement parties and more. Users create gift lists to get what they actually want, not ‘stuff’ they don’t—from cribs to college funds, Bar/Bat Mitzvah trips to Israel, even raising money for charity. Gift-givers contribute via credit card. When users are ready, they cash-out to redeem their money via free direct deposit, personal check or Visa gift card to spend it how, when and where they want without being tied to a particular store. There is no shipping, no gift wrap, no need for returns.

The Grey Dove
159 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston,
Audrey Weinstock
973-994-2266

http://www.thegreydove.net

Founded 30 years ago, The Grey Dove specializes in hand signed art glass, fabulous picture frames, designer serving pieces, jewelry, home accessories and things you never knew that you needed. This gallery reflects what is elegant, beautiful and out-of-the-box outrageous! While trends in style are very important, selections are always tempered by what is right for our clientele. When you visit The Grey Dove, you will be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of beauty whether it is for your home, for the new baby, for your hostess, a wedding, graduation or engagement gift or just something that you would just love to have! It doesn’t matter if the gift is modest or extravagant, presentation is everything and our signature gift wrap is always free of charge!

THE PURPLE RAINCOAT
63 Fifer Lane
Lexington, MA 02420
www.Purpleraincoat.com
Ask for Carol Colman
617-803-0366

Unique keepsakes for life’s special events. Invitations are perfect touchstones for remembering the joy associated with life’s special moments. That’s why Purple Raincoat uses framed invitations to create personalized keepsakes that preserve the memories of these special occasions. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a memento for your own event, let Purple Raincoat create a unique keepsake just for you. They incorporate photographs and little touches of art and elegance into your custom-made keepsake. They can even “reinvent” lost invitations or announcements – for a 25th anniversary or 50th wedding anniversary keepsake. These personalized keepsakes become cherished mementos that will be appreciated now and cherished for a lifetime.

PICKELICIOUS
384 Cedar Lane,
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-833-0100
http ://picklelicious.com/
ROBYN SAMRA
RCBC

Family Day Sunday`s (10am-5pm)Picklelicious Gift Cards make a great gift for the Pickle lover in every family. Get a $100.00 Gift Card for only $90.00. Souvenir section includes bibs, t-shirts, tot bages and other pickle paraphernalia. Sauce and condiment baskets, pickle platters as hostess gifts.