Received: Jane-Approved Engagement Gifts

During our Saturday Thanksgiving, for family and family friends, two people brought us engagement gifts.  This is, I think, because originally it was supposed to be an engagement party, but then my mom wanted to combine it with Thanksgiving, and then she got super excited about throwing Saturday Thanksgiving (it’s kind of her thing).

So:  engagement gifts.  Totally not expected.  I know some people get really excited about this part of getting married, but I hate the idea that someone thinks they need to give a gift – not only for the wedding, but also the shower, an engagement, etc.  Weddings cost guests a lot of money.  But anyway, we received two, and they’re both lovely.

When it comes to gifts, I’ve kind of a pain in the ass.  (Ryan is super easy, on the other hand.)  People who know me well are aware of my avoidance of Wal-Mart, Made in China, etc.  Now I don’t ever tell people that they must avoid all this when giving me a gift.  But I was really touched by the fact that both gift givers made a conscious effort to give us “Jane-style” gifts.

First specimen:  A gift from my mom’s neighbor.

This blank book and carved candle holder are both from 10,000 Villages.

Have you heard of it?  This chain of non-profit, fair-trade gift shops is popping up in more and more cities around the country.  They’ve got reasonable prices – ok, so they’re not quite as low as Target or Wal-Mart, but they’re fair trade – and a great variety of products.  All of the products are handmade by artisans around the world.

The blank book is totally gorgeous, so much so that I’m reluctant to write in it!  I’m thinking we may use it as our guest book for the wedding.  The cover is made of the Kupu-Kupu leaves in Indonesia.

The candle holder is carved from Kisii Stone in Kenya, by artisans who have passed down the art of carving over generations.

Jackie’s gifts were adorned with the most beautiful paper embellishments.   When I remarked on them, Jackie said “Yes, I used them so you could see them and then make them yourself!”  How awesome is that?  Now I just need to ask her for directions.

Update: Another reader let me know that she’d figured out how to make the paper flowers, and has shared her tutorial on her blog, Skooks’ Playground!

Second specimen:  A gift from Jessica, my long-time friend from high school (which we determined is over 15 years ago, ack!)

Jessica also brought us/me a gift from 10,000 Villages.  How awesome is that!  This beautiful set of four tealight holders is hand-carved from Onyx by artisans in Pakistan.    And if we ever get new shelves put up in our bedroom, these tealight holders will add the perfect touch.

I love the marble-y veining in the onyx:

To go along with them, Jessica brought me a colorful box of assorted scented tealights by Partylite.  This was perfect, because I knew nothing about all the different scents Partylite offered.   Jessica, a longtime fan of Partylite candles,  has recently become a distributor, setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure.  And while I don’t know a ton about the company (other than the fact there are no lead wicks used)  I believe in supporting my friends’ business efforts, so I’ll be purchasing some of her candles  once I figure out what fragrances I like best. And in the mean time, I’m totally stoked to find tealights that are scented!!

Shameless, In-yo-face Promotion for Jessica:  This December at Partylite you can get 36 tealights for $25, or 36 votives for $35.   Either option, in my opinion, is a pretty sweet deal.

So next time you’re shopping for a fair trade or handmade engagement gift, don’t forget to check out 10,000 Villages!

PS:   Let’s not forget the Nerf Gun that my mom gave Ryan. But that’s not “Jane Approved,” since it can be used to shoot unruly DIY-ing girlfriends or pets. 🙂