Annual 2011 SIT Gift Guide: Ladies

Has that special girl in your life made you a Christmas list yet? No?? Well, we’re here to bail you out of a jam. Yes, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But since we’re sure you just did that last year, here are a few other ideas, just to keep things interesting.

This signet ring is substantial enough to be rock-star cool, but simple enough to be classic.

How about a bit more rustic, everyday wear for the jewelry lover. This equestrian necklace is a gorgeous patina that she’ll want to wear with everything, on into the summer months.

The ladies love a great set of stationary to keep in touch with their dearest friends. Give her the gift of corresponding in style with these pineapple notecards.

Great Southern girls don’t mind sewing on the occasional loose button or two. But your girl will love it even more if she’s got a cute sewing kit, complete in a mason jar to do it with.

My favorite day of the week is shopping day. I love placing all my green veggies, fresh bread, and tasty goodies in a colorful reusable bag. These, from L.L. Bean are classics. And besides getting them in her favorite color, you can have them personalized for an extra special touch.

I love sticking small vials of essential oils in stockings. They have so many uses. Once you start, you’d be amazed at their health, cleaning, and gardening benefits. Try eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint to start.

I love these hair bands. They are simply the best.

Every girl loves a beauty product — especially if they help her relax and smell gorgeous too! Try this bath tea by Bettijo or the tea collection by L’Occitane.

Want to make something with your own two hands? How about these bath teas? They’d be most appreciated after the holiday hurrying and bustling, I’m sure.

Or if you prefer to support the handmade community, Etsy is a great source for gifts made with love. I’ve extolled my love before for these personalized jars by DayJarView filled with sweet notes to last your friends well after the holidays, and let them know you’re thinking of them into the new year.

Annual 2011 SIT Gift Guide: Men

If it’s often held true that men are the hardest to buy for, that’s quickly changed. Lately, I’ve been noticing the coolest gifts around with men in mind. Maybe it’s the rise of metros, or maybe there’s really just that much cool stuff.

But if you’re having trouble with the man in your life, fear no more! Sweet Iced Tea is here to help. Here are our favorite picks for all the good boys and good ol’ boys:

I don’t know about your house, but in mine, it’s the man’s job to put up the Christmas tree. So start his season off right by having one come straight to your door. Several companies now will deliver fresh, still growing trees to your home, and then plant them back after the new year. Your family can even adopt the same tree year after year, and watch it change and grow like an old family friend.

Got a golfer in your life? Make a golf gift basket with tees, balls, and a set of this care kit by F. A. Seeds, including polishes and leather conditioner.

If there is one surprising thing I’ve learned about Southern men, it’s that they actually love candles. Of course, they’re not often going to waltz into your favorite home store and pick up a bagful themselves, but everyone from my hubby to favorite uncle light the candles on the coffee table when they get a chance. My FIL (father-in-law) just had this tobacco candle burning all Thanksgiving in his sitting room, and it was delicious, and so manly.

Monogrammed handkerchiefs – Nothing better to show Southern chivalry than a guy who has a hankie in his pocket to offer along with his “Bless You. Give him a box of crisp new hankies in his stocking.

Men are practical creatures, so give him something of use and value. Like this fire-resistant document bag or a firesafe to keep his family’s precious memories and important papers safe. Peace of mind is a priceless gift.

Is your guy always looking for a screwdriver? Combine key ring with a useful tool that will always be with him where he can find it easily.

He can also never have too many flashlights. Especially when they are as cool as this super-bright LED model, with bulbs that will never need replacing. Tell him he, like this light, lights up your entire room.

Mr. SIT loves his iPhone to get us places, but we miss our GPS, mounted conveniently on the dash. Here’s a universal mount that will hold just about anything. Problem solved!

I love to stick a little something humorous in the mix. But I think any guy would seriously love this bacon soap.

If there’s a music lover in your family, how about one of these cool records-turned-clock to keep time in the man-cave. (Someone in my family is getting one of these, but I’m not telling who!)

What about an experience together? Book a massage for a day of relaxation after the parties are done and the lights are down and the snow is shoveled and the families are gone. A short drive across town to that fancy place you’ve always wanted to go to is a good excuse to throw in a lunch and perhaps even an overnight staycation in the mix. It’s something to look forward to after the holiday leaves.

And if you’ve got to do the gift card thing, at least put it in a clever ornament to be used again and add a little spark to, let’s face it, probably their favorite gift of all.

National Park: Timucuan Reserve

In keeping with my thoughts on doing things to get out of the house, away from the malls, we decided that some fresh air and a new (at least to us) hiking trail might be just the ticket for a Saturday afternoon.  Living in an area full of walking trails, beaches, etc..we simply do not take advantage of our local spots nearly as well as we should.  Timucuan Park is just one such place that I haven’t visited in years and my fiancé simply just hadn’t been at all. 

There is so much interesting history in our area, as the French and Spanish battled over these pieces of land and relied much on the kindness of the native Indians, the Timucuans.  The fort on the reserve is a recreation, but one can most definitely get an idea of how things used to be, despite the large homes facing us from across the water.  We walked a one mile loop on the fort side and in all my life I have never, ever seen that much Spanish moss in one place. It is a photographer’s haven and makes me wish I brought more than just my iphone.

We also crossed the street and started out on the longer loop, but eventually turned around scared our car would get locked in the state park and we would be stranded!

Folks, this is the year to give and to give joyfully, but sometimes to be joyful you have to remove yourself and engage in something that refuels you and gives you peace. Being outdoors in God’s creation is one way I know how to change the pace and find joy.  I hope you will make the time to find joy this Christmas!

Annual SIT Gift Guide 2011: Books

It’s no secret we love to read around here.

So it’s natural that we love to give & receive books as presents. Think about it, if you can find a great book, it can transcend age/gender barriers and be the perfect present to last the year and a lifetime through. (Plus, is there anything easier to wrap than a book?)

So, here are just a few of our great suggestions for reading material (these work well on plane rides and car trips to grandmother’s house too).

Nathan Coulter by Wendell Berry — The first of Berry’s set in the fictional Port William, Kentucky, this Southern work is deeply emotional and human. A fantastic, but lesser known Faulknerian work from the South.

In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel by Jan Karon – I’m just going to pretend it’s not even a possibility you and yours haven’t read the rest of the Mitford series, and just remind you that the latest in the Father Tim novels came out this fall, so this would make a perfect present for Dad/Mom/Mamaw and everyone in your family who are old Timothy Kavanaugh friends.

God and Football by Chad Gibbs — Such an interesting read for any Southern man. Seems almost like the title could be a book describing the South — God & football. In that order, thank you very much.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson — Everyone knows someone in the South who has hiked the Appalachian trail. But, not really being too much of an “outdoor gal” myself (surprise, surprise, I know), I never really “got it” until I read Bill Bryson‘s hilarious journey in A Walk in the Woods. His books are some of the few that will literally make you laugh out loud. I also love I’m a Stranger Here Myself, The Lost Continent, and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, but truly everything I’ve read of this man is genius — hilarious, informative, and warm. Perfect winter reading.

And if your friend or family member has a shorter attention span, but wants the gift that keeps on giving, we love magazine subscriptions for the holidays too. Make sure to pick up the latest copy, tie with a bow, and give them something to open and thumb through after the Christmas feast!

Our picks? Why, Garden & Gun of course!

We also love Cooking with Paula Deen for great Southern recipes and more.

And if you really love that so-n-so you’re buying for, the gift of a thousand books — a Kindle. I’ve loved every incarnation since the first. Amazon has a large selection of books and stellar service. The perfect gift for anyone!

Annual SIT Gift Guide 2011: Children

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, our Annual Sweet Iced Tea Gift Guide. This year, we’re doing a whole week of gift suggestions, since there are so many great options out there. So check back each day this week for many great ideas for the man, woman, booklover, or foodie in your life.

We start off with children, because isn’t the real reason for Christmas, all about One Child?

To get your imaginations started, here are our picks for the kids in your life:

Weren’t you just fascinated with snow globes as a child? I certainly was. Seems there are loads of tutorials going around these days on how to make your own, but if you’re running out of time for a hand-made gift, we suggest these great versions made of Southern-inspired mason jars.

For the little lady in your life, this was one of the best movies from Disney in recent years — The Princess and the Frog. And, it’s filled with Southern charm and music.

Kids love making art, and the colorful and modern creations they’ll be sure to create with this Hypotrochoid set might just be worthy of framing.

Not every toy has to come with wires and batteries. Little guys and girls will be just as fascinated with the colorful, wind-up throwbacks to yesteryear like these rad robots. (I know a few adults who would love a cool addition like this to their desk or mantle as well!)

Can anyone tell I have a love-affair with anything from Restoration Hardware? I can see the charges in your life captivated for hours with these finger puppets.

And if you follow the something they need, something they want, something to read, something to wear rule, here’s a cute little something for those tiny feet: Frye boots for baby!

May I share my very favorite stand-out gift as a child? A bouquet of Christmas flowers my father brought home, just for me, one evening during the holiday season. I’m not sure what inspired his little stop, but I got to keep them, all for myself in my room for that week, and it was the most magical part of any Christmas I can recall. Don’t forget the little luxuries we often enjoy for ourselves, a little princess might receive years of joy from the memory.

Or perhaps they’d like to grow their own garden. Part toy, part science experiment, this Root Farm will grow right along with your kid while he learns a bit about the unseen world of plants.

One of the greatest storytellers of our time resides right in the South, Nashville to be specific. Andrew Peterson uses his fantastic imagination through story, song, and words. His Wingfeather Saga trilogy is reminiscent of Narnia or Hogwarts. Start with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. These bedtime tales aren’t to be missed.

And finally, if you don’t have any children in your life at the moment, consider being a part of a child’s life who could really need something far more than a new toy or book. We’ve had the privilege to sponsor children through Compassion International for the past few years, and it is such a joy to watch them grow and learn, and to make a difference to them and their families, when we’ve been given so much. But there are many other great organizations, here and abroad.