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Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

Everyone knows that Mother’s Day is all about brunch!  Oh, yea, and showing your mom you really appreciate everything she’s done for you, of course!

Sometimes all Mom needs is YOU!  No fancy gifts. No fancy restaurants, just quality time with you.  So step away from the mall and head to the grocery store!  We’ve found some simple but elegant Mother’s Day brunch recipes  that’ll melt her heart.

For a healthier start to her day, we found these delicious Strawberry protein pancakes with yogurt filing!  They’re not just healthy, but refreshingly satisfying too. These pancake roll-ups are a mix between a crepe and a pancake. The sweetness of the strawberries make these pancake roll-ups taste like dessert! The best part is, these pancakes are packed with protein and healthy whole grains (no flour!)… So, although they are sweet enough to be dessert, they are healthy enough to have for breakfast!!

 

You definitely can’t go wrong with the traditional pancakes and coffee.  I mean, really, who doesn’t love pancakes? So, if you want to really surprise her, how about a breakfast gift basket? Packed with everything you’ll need to make her an absolutely delicious Mother’s Day breakfast….in bed!  She’ll get to indulge in mouth watering pancakes, savory biscotti while dipping in her Starbucks coffee. After all, isn’t that what she deserves?

Crepes are so versatile. You can roll em. Stuff em and even slather them.  And because everything is better with Nutella – these Nutella stuffed crepes are the bomb! Rich, creamy, delicious and best of all, easy!  Mom is going to go bonkers over these heavenly delights. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, dinner or even a snack, she’ll be in euphoria!

And now to really get the party started, here are some refreshing Mother’s Day Brunch Drink Recipes!

Pisco-Grapefruit Brunch Pitcher 
Pisco is especially delicious in a light cocktail like this easy brunch drink inspired by extra-flavorful Ruby Red and Oro Blanco grapefruits. To double up on grapefruit flavor, you’ll use both the juice and the zest, steeped in an easy simple syrup. Batching the drink in advance means you won’t have to fuss at the last minute (and can concentrate on waffle-making.) It’s light and zesty – perfect for Mom!

Peach Thyme Bellini
We can’t think of a more refreshing celebratory drink for Mom! Wonderfully light, refreshing, and bubbly peach bellinis – and all you need is 3 ingredients and 5 minutes! So simple and easy!   A traditional Bellini is a mixture of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) and white peaches.  They originally added raspberry or cherry juice to give it a pink glow.  However, it’s been modified over the years and people are now using champagne instead of Prosecco.  Either way you pour it, it’ll still make Mom smile!

 

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Great Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

It’s never too early to be thinking of gifts for Mom on Mother’s Day.

There’s nothing better than spending quality time with her –  a nice picnic, a day of shopping,  or just a meaningful day at home sharing stories. But when distance doesn’t allow you to share Mother’s Day with her, we think our Mother’s Day baskets are a perfect way to express your heartfelt love and appreciation for all she’s done!

 

Spa/Pamper Gift Baskets

Tranquility Spa Gift Basket

Does she love to be pampered?  Let her discover the life-enriching, soul-soothing, enduring effects of aromatherapy. She can reconnect with her spiritual inspiration with the heavenly scents of vanilla while indulging in some bubbly in the comfort of her own home.

Tennis Gift Baskets

Got a sporty Mom on your hands? We’ve got the answer! Our tennis baskets come with everything she’ll need to hit the courts. From Penn tennis balls and racquet grip to tasty snacks and hydrating drinks to keep her fueled for her three set tie-break match!

Gardening Gift Baskets

Whether her passion is being one with nature or getting fit,  any of our gardening gift baskets will undoubtedly hit a home run.  Most of our gardening gifts come with a variety of garden tools, gloves, flower seed packets and refreshing snacks.  So go ahead and send Mom a gift that’ll nurture her green thumb and allow her to play in the sunshine.

Chocolate Gift Baskets

Mothers Day Chocolate Gift Basket

Treat Mom to a gift that’s as sweet as her and curb her sweet tooth this Mother’s Day with decadent, melts-in-your-mouth chocolate.  Our Mothers Day Chocolate Gift Basket was made with TLC and lots of chocolate too! A perfect way show Mom how much she’s appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Best Wines for Spring

THE TOP WINES FOR SPRING

Spring and Summer lends itself towards lighter and more refreshing wines. Some say white wines offer the same quenching freshness of an ice cold beer! Whether you’re relaxing poolside or entertaining outdoors white wine should always be handy! Although people like what they like when it comes to wine, you just can’t beat the crisp, fruity flavors white and rose’ wines have to offer.

Light & Zesty

Chenin Blanc
In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is the most planted wine grape and, in recent years, a great deal of effort has been put into researching how to make South African Chenin compete with the best in the world. What’s really cool is that even though South Africa is turning out incredible Chenin Blanc wines (particularly from old vineyards), the prices are still quite competitive. This is an awesome spot to look for value. Think Sweet and Sour. Because of Chenin Blanc’s awesome acidity and inherently sweet flavor, you’ll find it pairs well with foods that have a sweet and sour element. Southeast Asian cuisine or pork chops with apples paired with a richer and sweeter style Chenin Blanc will blow your mind

Pinot Grigio
The primary fruit flavors in Pinot Grigio are lime, lemon, pear, white nectarine and apple. Depending on where the grapes are grown, Pinot Grigio can take on faint honeyed notes; floral aromas like honeysuckle; and a saline-like minerality. Pinot Grigio doesn’t have a strikingly unique flavor the way Moscato or Riesling do, but it does offer a refreshing twinkle of acidity and a weighty feeling on the middle of your tongue – like licking wax paper.Pinot Grigio with its zesty and refeshing acidity pairs really well with fresh vegetables, raw fish and lighter meals. Fish and shellfish are classic pairing partners with Pinot Grigio.

 

Light & Sweet

Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is like the grown-up version of Moscato. While aromatic sweet wines like Gewürztraminer are slightly out of fashion, we see it as an opportunity to find some of the most outstanding values on the planet. In this guide you will learn how Gewürztraminer wine tastes, where it comes from, and food pairing recommendations that will blow your mind. When pairing Gewürztraminer with food think about how the wine’s floral aromas and notes of ginger will bring out actual ginger and rose water used in a dish.

Celebrate – White Wine Gift Basket

Riesling
Tasting Riesling starts with intense aromas that rise from the glass (even when the wine is ice cold). This aromatic wine offers primary fruit aromas of orchard fruits like nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, and pear. Besides fruit, you’ll often smell things like honeycomb, jasmine, or lime peel, along with a striking aroma that smells similar to petrol . Think Spice. Because of Riesling’s sweetness and acidity, it makes the perfect accompaniment to spicy food. Strong Indian and Asian spices are a perfect match with Riesling.

Bold & Dry

Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world’s most popular varietal wine and the Queen of all white wines. It is successfully produced and enjoyed around the globe in many different styles that vary widely depending on where it is grown and how it is treated by the winemaker. You can pick up apple, pineapple, or the hint of peach. The warmer climate Chardonnays may have less of the fruits but develop wonderful honey, vanilla, and roasted flavors that really fill the mouth. It is most commonly paired with roast chicken and other white meats such as turkey.

Hats Off to You White Wine Gift Basket

Viognier
Most loved for its perfumed aromas of peach, tangerine and honeysuckle, Viognier can also be oak-aged to add a rich creamy taste with hints of vanilla. If you love to brood over bolder white wines like Chardonnay, Viognier is definitely something you’ll like to swirl.Good examples should feel round, rich and intense in flavours. But it is important the wines also have good acidity. For poultry dishes, think rather rich, creamy poultry dishes. If you go for fish, go for meatier fish such as Monkfish or Mahi-Mahi.

From lean and crisp to oaky and buttery, white wine and all of it’s delicious-ness makes for a great gift!  Design It Yourself Gifts & Baskets offers a wide variety of Wine Baskets to choose from.  Some of our favorites include South Texas Wine Country Gift Basket and  A Toast to You Wine Gift Basket and  the best part is, YOU get to pick your wine.

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How to Spruce up for Spring

GETTING YOUR GARDEN READY FOR SPRING

Whether there’s still a few hints of snow on the ground or you’re ready to tip toe through a field full of tulips, it’s time to dust off the gardening gloves and tools and get a little dirty!

Step 1 – UNDERSTANDING YOUR REGION

It may sound obvious, but not everything grows everywhere, so what you plant is determined by where you live. Online research is great, but you should talk to someone who works at your local garden center or a local landscaper about the best native plants for your region.

Step 2 – CLEAN UP

Your garden has most likely been exposed to the elements and debris during the winter and fall months.  Leaving this could impede the growth for many new buds. Cleaning out the beds and digging up weeds is the first step in ensuring your garden is ready for planting. Be sure to also trim dead and broken branches from trees and bushes.

Step 3 – DUST OFF YOUR GARDEN TOOLS

Pull out those tools that have been sitting around all winter. If you didn’t get a chance to clean them last season, start with basic soap and water. Follow with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease causing pathogens. Because, like many things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Step 4 – PREP YOUR SOIL

Make sure your soil is ready for planting.  Use a spade or pitchfork to start turning the soil over and rake it out. This will also expose any weeds that hadn’t made it to the top surface.  Add about 2-3 inches of fresh compost. If you don’t have any, most local garden centers carry it.  Rake again to mix the compost and soil. Be sure to wait about a week or so before planting, so the compost has time to blend with the soil and won’t damage the roots of the new plants or flowers.  Because it may just be dirt to us, but to a plant it’s home.

Step 6 – MAINTAIN

Upkeep, upkeep, upkeep is the key. Make sure you keep new plants trimmed and garden beds weeded. As we approach late Spring, early Summer, you’ll want to lay down a nice layer of mulch. This helps keep the weeds down and holds moisture to keep the plants and flowers hydrated during the brutal summer months.

Design It Yourself Gifts & Baskets offers a variety of Gardening Gift Baskets to get you and your garden up and running!

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The Power of Giving This Holiday Season

THE POWER OF GIVING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The final months of each year are happy times spent with family and friends, and opportunities for us to show gratitude and generosity. The charitable and joyful spirit that fills the holiday season is important because the act of giving brings more meaning and fulfillment to our lives, and provides much-needed help for those in need.

Our team at Design It Yourself Gifts & Baskets truly believes in the importance of giving back and we are proud to support three incredible charities this holiday season:

  • The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
  • Texas Children’s Hospital
  • ASPCA

Please join us in giving back – you’ll save 10% on your Orders, and we’ll contribute a matching 10% to one of these charities of your choice.

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Everything You Need to Know About Christmas Gift Baskets

Everything You Need to Know About Christmas Gift Baskets

If finding the perfect gifts for your family and friends is a challenge every holiday season, consider sending them gift baskets for Christmas. You won’t have to put off your shopping until the last minute and get lost wandering the malls on Christmas Eve because gift baskets will be the perfect solution to your problems. Take a completely different approach from the present shopping you’ve done in the past and give people something they’re sure to appreciate and enjoy.

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The Art of Wine Tasting

The Art of Wine Tasting

At Design It Yourself Gift Baskets, we understand that wine tasting is a complex, yet fun, endeavor that has intrigued people since the beverage’s creation. Although fermenting grapes seems like a simple undertaking, the final product’s taste greatly depends on region, grape variety, and palate. Whether you’re a novice wine drinker who enjoys the taste of vino but doesn’t have much understanding of the wine tasting process, or a seasoned vintage drinker who can detect notes of oak or pepper, read on to better understand the four-step process that will improve your wine tasting experience.
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How Wine Can Improve Your Health

How Wine Can Improve Your Health

You enjoy the taste of wine and find it relaxing to sip on a glass at the end of a long day, but did you know the fruity beverage also offers a plethora of health benefits? Indeed, drinking wine in moderation has been linked to all sorts of benefits that can help you feel better both mentally and physically. Read on to find out how drinking wine – responsibly – can be advantageous. So go ahead and order the wine lover in your life a wine gift basket from Design It Yourself Gift Baskets.

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