Your thumb may not be green, but your windowsill will be with this whimsical garden kit — it’s that easy to grow! Packed into this adorable gift box is everything that special Irish lad or lass will need to grow real Irish shamrocks: a quaint ceramic planter with built-in water catcher, shamrock seeds, and a package of “Official Irish Dirt” from the Emerald Isle! Enjoy some green ahead of spring with this fun, easy-to-grow kit…it may even produce a four-leaf clover! Imported from Ireland.

86702 -Shamrock Gift Set at Solutions.com

Did you know the term “shamrock” comes from the Irish Gaelic word, seamrog, which means “little clover?” While there is no official shamrock plant, the word shamrock can be used to describe a number of varieties of three-leafed clovers. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick demonstrated the principle of the Trinity using a shamrock, pointing to its three leaflets united by a common stalk. Thus, while a four-leaf clover is considered a “lucky find” due to its rarity, it is not a shamrock, which always has only three leaves.

Short on gift tags? No need to run to the store to pick up more! Print these FREE holiday gift tags on regular paper, use a single hole punch in one corner to make a hole for a ribbon, and attach them to your gifts. Or print them on full-sheet adhesive label paper and cut to fit!

Even small, inexpensive gifts can convey your thoughtfulness when wrapped with flair, while handing off an expensive present in a plastic shopping bag might give the wrong message, however much it cost! Packaging has an impact on how your gift is received, so take the time and effort to make it good.
Continue Reading 3 Ideas for Presenting your Present

Here at Solutions, our Surprise Ornaments are a big hit year-round! But it’s no surprise to us – with their ability to hide a treat inside and over 50 styles to choose from, what’s not to love?
Many of our customers love collecting all the different styles, and we’re always on the lookout for new ones.

Now you can help us by suggesting ideas for ornaments you’d like to see! Just submit your idea for a new ornament in the comments section below, and at the end of the month we’ll prevent the list to our buyers and merchants. Check out www.surpriseornaments.com/all-styles for a full list of all the current styles.

Please note that, apart from your submission in the comments section here, we won’t be able to attribute ideas to any one person, as we usually generate several lists throughout the year (and there’s lots of duplication). And while we can’t guarantee we’ll be able to commission all the styles suggested, your input will certainly help us generate some new ideas!

You don’t need to spend hours untangling strings of lights in the bitter cold, or filling the siding full of staple holes to deck your house for the holidays! These top holiday décor sellers from Solutions give your home a big impact in no time at all – and with very little effort:

Snowman Light Cover 67369 Snowman Light Cover: No plugs or cords – just snap this two-piece cover over any 3¼” dia. electric lamp post or coach light and add the top hat! Customers tell us this fun and personable snowman is easy to install, and always delights the neighbors. UV-protected, high-impact polystyrene/rubber holds up to sun and cold temperatures so you can enjoy him year after year.

Lighted Mini Wreaths 83322 Lighted Mini Wreaths: These faux-pine, lighted mini wreaths look like the real thing, but can be packed away and enjoyed season after season! Use indoors or out…each set of 4 wreaths arrives already decorated with bright red bows and 20 mini lights apiece—just plug in and hang outside on a fence or from a deck railing. You can even enjoy them indoors along a banister or in windows!

Lighted Snowman 83204 Lighted Snowman: These cheerful fellows are sure to make a big hit in your neighborhood! So easy to set up…plus, they look as good at night as they do by day, thanks to 70 white lights that illuminate their colorful features. And because they’re mounted on a single spring pole, they sway gently in the breeze, giving passersby the impression that they’re waving – and wishing everyone a cheery holiday!

Snowman Solar Light 68319 Snowman Solar Light: Installation doesn’t get much easier than this – just push the 24½”stake into the ground and hang the beautiful, crackled glass snowman globe on the hook! No wires or plugs…you won’t even need to remember to turn them off and on because the sun does it for you. Buy several and use them to line a path or driveway. Easy on your utility bill, too.

Star Garland 81957 Star Garland: You get more impact with less work and fewer lights! Clusters of three stars create big splashes of bright light, thanks to a 9′ garland that sparkles with 21 big stars that range from a dramatic 6“ to a stunning 10“. Guests and passersby will take notice however you set the clear lights—steady–on, flashing, or trailing for a look of falling stars.

Looking for more ideas? Visit our Outdoor Decor and Indoor Decor sections at Solutions.com

Part of the enjoyment of a holiday meal for me (besides eating it!) is preparing it. I don’t usually get so involved in my cooking, favoring quick, simple recipes that go better with my busy schedule. Thanksgiving gives me a great opportunity to putter around in the kitchen and feel domestic. What I don’t enjoy is the cleanup!

Here are some tips I use to cut after-dinner cleanup down as much as possible so I can spend more time with family and friends:

Continue Reading 6 tips for Thanksgiving Clean-up

From cleanup to piecrusts to recipes, we’ve shared some of our favorite Thanksgiving tips with you. Now it’s your turn! Got a mouthwatering recipe for stuffing? Maybe you know a foolproof way of keeping lumps out of the gravy. Or perhaps you have a unique idea for dressing up your holiday table with party favors or a special centerpiece.

Whether it’s a clever cleaning tip, cooking shortcut or family recipe, we’d love to hear about it. Comments are open below.