Wantist: Give Amazing Gifts

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Give & Tell

Give & Tell with Emily Fitzhugh from Sodapopgirl

Emily FitzhughEmily is a design loving, coffee-drinking, bike-riding, Portland gal with amazing curly black hair. She’s a social media consultant with an interior design background and stays connected to the creative world through her blog Sodapopgirl.net. Her finds there are inspiring, beautiful, and just plain fun—hence her tagline, “shake it”.

After admiring others’ creative masterpieces for years, Emily started to make jewelry and just recently launched her new Etsy shop Sodapopgirlshop. Such lovelies. I’ve got my heart set on these!

Tell us about a gift-giving ah-ha moment you recall.

Choosing a gift for my Dad is the biggest challenge. He is a Boston businessman who seems to have everything. For as long as I can remember, there has been a collection of helicopters on the top of the bookshelves in his office—wood, metal, toy and pieces of art. Okay, Helicopters. He also is a self-proclaimed “foodie”. Well, a little known fact is that if you type “helicopter/cooking” into the Etsy search you will find a very handsome, handmade, men’s apron with helicopters on the front, made in Italy. It even says in the description “for helicopter fans to enjoy while cooking.” SOLD!

Could you share a wrapping secret with us?

My grandparents taught me a great wrapping secret. Save all your Christmas cards from year to year and then cut them into pretty pieces to create a little Christmas collage on the top of special packages. With a little snipit of a card, you can create a mixed media work of art. Using plain craft paper, a simple ribbon and a glue stick, let your upcycled Christmas card art shine!
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Emily Fitzhugh's Gift Picks form Wantist

Gift it

Bundle Up! With Handmade Knits by Elde & Lucky 14

Plaid Fingerless Gloves by Elde

Plaid Fingerless Gloves by Elde

One of the many things I love about handmade marketplaces like Etsy and Cargoh is that they’re filled with talented knitters. My skills fall far on the novice end of the skill spectrum but that doesn’t keep me from admiring, getting inspired by, and wanting to get my hands on their warm, cozy creations, especially this time of year.

Two shops have captured my attention recently and have me wanting to bundle up and run outside to play in the leaves. Here are some favorites—mittens, cowls, scarves, yum! They’re from Seyda’s shop Elde, handmade in Turkey, and Lucky 14, handmade by Beatriz in Vancouver, Canada. Did I mention these make lovely gifts? Of course they do!

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Forever Fingerless Gloves by EldeGreen Fingerless Gloves by EldeEar Flap Hat with Pom Poms by EldePebble Beach Chunky Cowl by Lucky 14Frilly Fingerless Gloves in Orange by EldeThe Stevenson Cowl by Lucky 14Grey Neckwarmer by Elde

Give & Tell

Give & Tell with TV Show Girl, Maggie Furlong

Maggie FurlongMaggie is an L.A.-based writer, TV critic and lover of all things pop culture (you can see her stuff at AOL TV and The Huffington Post or follow her on Twitter). She’s got more energy than a bumblebee and is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. As you’ll read, her husband’s quite the sweet guy too.

When she’s not interviewing celebrities or scooping a story, her favorite multi-tasking hobby while keeping up with bad TV is online shopping—and she’s a big fan of Wantist. In all her adorableness, here she is. Thanks, Maggie!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

The best gift I’ve ever received is a sun deck that my husband (and a few friends he bribed with tacos and beer) built for me for my 30th birthday. We’d lived in our house for a year, and it was so close to perfect, but my prized chaise lounges — once my grandmother’s — were always in the shade. The sun deck is a fabulous place to “work from home,” watch the sunset with a cocktail or get some quiet time with a great view.

What’s the best food to give as a gift?

The best food to give is anything homemade. From an assortment of pickled veggies your giftee can set out with dips at a party, to cookies or brownies straight from a package, food is always a gift that’s made with love. My new favorite that a lot of people will be seeing in their stockings come Christmas? Our house-made bitters in an assortment of flavors, suited to each recipient’s taste.
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Maggie Furlong's picks from Wantist

Give & Tell

Give & Tell with Summer Robertson

Summer is the co-founder of 3 online shops (house&hold, fawn&forest and goodnight green) and lives in Portland, Oregon with her co-founder husband & three small sons.

Each of her stores has a clean and colorful modern aesthetic. fawn&forest, where I first met Summer, is one of my most favorite places to shop for kids and baby things. Their newest shop, house&hold, is full of wonderful housewares—both places teeming with great gift ideas.

In addition to her great eye and good taste she’s a really fun person with a super sweet family. I’m so excited for you to hear about her mother’s amazing number game, the drawings from her husband, and her wrapping plans for this Christmas!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

The best gift I’ve ever been given would definitely be my 3 sons. And the cast iron pan my husband gave me for Valentine’s Day when we were first married. I use the cast iron pan daily. It is sturdy, timeless & honest. Give it love and it will reward you. Just like my sons. Yes!

What’s your favorite reason to celebrate with a gift?

I like no reason at all! My husband is really amazing at this & I will randomly receive packages in the mail from him with great surprise. I also really like housewarming gifts. It is such a cozy occasion & a fresh chapter for new homeowners. I recently did a post on House&Hold on housewarming gifts. The products listed are my favorite 4!
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Summer Robertson's Favorite gifts on Wantist