While makeup and fragrances always make great gifts for a beauty lover, I’d like to make a few more suggestions that are beautiful IMHO but outside the beauty realm. In fact, one of them is the gift I already received for Valentine’s Day from Jeff this year!
Gifts from Museum Stores
When it comes to gifting, my favorites places to look for often unique gifts are the gift shops at art museums or actually any museum. A week ago, Jeff and I went to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem MA to pass the afternoon. We saw a wonderful exhibit on the moon. Yes, the moon at an art museum, not a science museum. But, the show was a mixture of art and science, and it was wonderful. We saw a short silent French sci-fi movie from 1918, I think, about men who made a rocket ship to go to the moon. It was the silliest thing, but I was mesmerized by it. It was amazing at how much their rocket ship looked like the capsules used by NASA in the 1960-70s!
While Jeff went to grab a cookie from the cafe, I sneaked into the PEM Shop where I picked out my own Valentine’s Day gift for Jeff to give to me: a handmade hat! I have about a million hats, but I love them all. This hat from the brand, Bon Bons by Tina, was handmade in Japan. It’s made from handcrafted felt in my favorite color combination that reminds me of colors worn by Jill St. John in the late 1960s: pink and orange. Luckily, the hat happened to be on sale for 50% off! I absolutely love it, and Jeff really liked it too! In fact, I was wearing it this afternoon, and two neighbors whom I ran into while they were walking their dogs ’round the ‘hood complimented me on it. Yay! What do you think?
Speaking of art museum gift shops, my next recommendation is the gift shop at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Just about all art museums (including the PEM and MFA) have online shops so you don’t have to go in person to pick up some great finds.
At the end of December, Jeff and I went to see the William Merritt Chase (19th century American painter) exhibit at the MFA. It was a large and fabulous show that took us almost two hours to visit. At the end of the exhibition rooms, there was a gift shop with items inspired by Chase’s works and the time period in which he lived. I picked up a couple of items that were so pretty and very affordable: a deep blue sparkly crystal tassel necklace and a blue cut glass jar. Each was under $15 but absolutely lovely.
Gifts from Etsy
Somehow or another, I discovered a shop on Etsy called Femme de Bloom that specializes in rings, pins and earrings handmade from enamel or plastic as well as vintage items. This is a great shop for when you’re looking for a cute inexpensive gift for a young girl, teen or a lover of cartoon characters, unicorns or whimsical themes. I think I found it because Femme de Bloom often has heart-shaped items. Just last week, the owner was running a Valentine’s promotion, 25% off plus a free pair of heart-shaped studs. Of course, I couldn’t resist. Again for less than $20 total including shipping, I picked up 3 adorable items:
- molded handmade floral bouquet studs
- cushioned red heart studs (free!)
- an enameled pin of Cinderella’s coach.
They arrived in about 3 days so it’s not too late! And while we’re talking about Etsy, don’t forget to check out Alkemia Perfume Oils on Etsy that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago for zillions of affordable, handmade perfume oils.
So if you’re still on the hunt for Galentine gifts or little tokens for friends and loved ones or just a treat for yourself, these are a few ideas for places to look! Do you still have any Valentine’s Day gifts to pick up?
What wonderful Valentine’s Day picks! I love the handmade hat that you selected! It’s beautiful!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo Collection: A Message of Positivity | Review and Swatches #HOURGLASSCOSMETICS #GIRLFORGOOD
Thank you, Helen! I love everything handmade
Oh, my goodness – the Cinderella Coach Pin is adorable <3
Monica
It cost less than $10, Monica! I think it looks so cute on my jean jacket collar. Hope all’s well with you!
Morning Allison…..I love the Heart ❤️ earrings. Anything with hearts. Valentine’s Day ? Is a special day for hubby and I, it’s our Wedding Anniversary ? 46th this year! ?
Good morning, DiEtta, and Happy Anniversary in advance! I love that your anniversary is on Valentine’s Day. I think it’s the most romantic day to get married. And big congratulations on number 46! That’s a definite achievement. What will you and your husband do to celebrate this year? I know it’s in the middle of the week so it’s a little harder.
I LOVE that hat Allison! It looks great on you. Definitely something I would pick up,especially for 50% off! I always enjoy a nice trinket or keepsake. These are some great picks,I’ll have to check out some museum websites. I used to go to the NYS Museum a lot and they had some really nice jewelry there,agate rings and such,I forgot all about that until now. Oh,btw,I have high hopes Dermstore will have the right sale soon,they keep having 20% off flash sales just not for FHF. 🙂
Thank you so much, Laura! Yes, definitely check out museum gift shops including the NYS Museum. Twice a year, PEM has a big sale with a higher percent off for members, and I always try to go to that. I lucked out with the hat. I guess not everyone is into hats, especially pink and orange. Re: Dermstore, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for you too. When I got that email over the weekend or end of last week, I thought that may be it, but as you said, it was just particular products. It’ll come around, it always does 🙂
That Cinderella’s coach pin! <3 <3 <3 <3 And I'm drooling over the cobalt blue covered dish. I am mad for cobalt glass. 😀
Erika recently posted…A Valentine from Fashion Flash
I think it cost $12 before the museum member discount. I keep my tooth flossers in it. And the Cinderella pin was $8 before the discount, I think. I love these affordable treats!
What a fun museum adventure you had!!! My favorite Valentine gift was from the Smithsonian – a heart-shaped piece of Labradorite that my now-husband got me because the description of the stone said t helped with anxiety and he thought I might like it when I fly – I’m aviophobic! It was thoughtful and a beautiful stone. Of the above – your hat is FAB and the Cinderella coach pin is beautiful!!
Judy recently posted…Hard Candy Metallic Mousse Matte Metallic Lip Color
Thank you so much, Judy, for actually reading my post, and for the compliments on the hat and pin xoxo What a wonderful gift your husband gave you from the Smithsonian! I looked up labradorite to see what it looks like, and it is gorgeous with that blue/aqua glow. Your heart-shaped specimen must be a lovely lucky charm to take on a flight or to have with you anytime!
Those perfume oils sound amazing!
My favorite perfume oil is still Kiori that you introduced me to on your blog!
Great ideas! I love the oils.
Phyrra recently posted…FOM Facial Enhancer Review
What a great guy Jeff is letting you pick out your own gift. Everything you picked out is so pretty. I love it all.
MarciaF recently posted…Take me away Panasonic~ your guide to the nanoe™ compact hair dryer
Thank you, Marcia! I think Jeff was relieved that I found something I wanted so he didn’t have to think about it this year!
these are great gift ideas! I love the tassel necklace, it’s so stylish and chic 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…POPSUGAR MustHave January 2017
Thanks, Anastasia. The deep blue crystals and tassel look great on a grey sweater.
Great suggestions, Cinderella’s coach is adorable!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…White Sands Color Protecting Orchid Bliss Shampoo & Conditioner!
Thanks! I think the coach is perfect to decorate a jean jacket
Great unique ideas! I personally like to receive experiences as gifts… like massages or museum trips themselves! 🙂
What a great idea, Miranda! Jeff got an experience from his daughters for Hanukah. We have a class for two in sushi making that we have to redeem one of these days!
I love that cut glass jar and the floral ear studs. These gifts are so unique and non-commercial.
CosmetopiaDigest recently posted…Valentine Day Gift Ideas: 10 Beauty Pampering Sets
Thank you, Renu! I love finding things that are a little different and yet affordable
The museum exhibit sounds like so much fun! I love the little bits you found on etsy. It’s amazing what you can find.
Bailey recently posted…The First Mask I Didn’t Love? | Bliss Mask A-‘Peel’ Rubberizing Mask
ah… I want one of each… I love love that beanie… I’m such a beanie fan. And, love me some Cinderella too 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day Allison <3
Honeygirlk recently posted…Valentine’s Gifts to Treat Yourself or Someone Your Love
I know I’m super late to this post but such great items! You’re so adorable in that hat!
Elaine recently posted…Sharing the K-Beauty experience: LANEIGE
Thank you, Elaine! How are you and your baby doing?