All time best GE Gifts-Share ideas for this GE!
 

I've seen this thread done in past GEs and always felt I got some great ideas from it so would like to start it up again!

I can speak for Tucker in saying the handmade/custom gifts we've received in the past are always the most special to us!! Our favorites include a black and white wooden, hand painted picture frame that matches our new decor, overalls for Tucker that accomodate his really long length (I always feel bad for him when we got to Petco/Petsmart and I can't get him some of the cuter outfits because the usual sizes just don't fit right), a choke free harness in ostrich leather in my favorite color, handmade cards, a harness vest with a monkey and Tucker's name embroidered on it, and a shirt that was made to match the ones we have here where I work. All of these stand out because they required more than just a swipe of the Credit Card. While we appreciated everything we have received in the GE's we've participated in, the gifts we listed made us take an extra moment and think wow! :)

We also really think it's special to do research and tailored our shopping to what we learned about our buddy. Remember, you can always search for posts for a particular username. Looking in the product review or product wanted section always gives me and Tucker some good insights on what our buddy might be secretly wishing for. We figure, it's just as easy to spend $ on what they want as it is to spend it one something they don't want, so we might as well purchase things we know they'll love! :animal-pa

I think it's especially important to be creative in the current economy and to keep in mind that you don't need to spend a lot of money to make the GE special for your Secret Buddy. All you really have to do is put in the time and effort to send a gift with love. :):heart to

So come'on! Share some of the best gifts you've received and why you thought they were so special. You never know, your post may inspire someone!!

Well, I have only been in one GE, but my secret buddy was great in that she really understood my style and taste. She understood what I meant that Maddy is a "girly tom-boy". She was so wonderful and really made my 1st GE a blast.

We liked everything our buddy sent but as far as special...oh wow...it has to be the UT Vols bed and blanket. Even my husband loved it and he's generally not that interested in anything other than the puppy herself. However, the interest rises to the max if it involves the University of TN sports.

Oh my goodness, we live and breathe UT sports during football and basketball seasons. There's not a thing in the world which would have pleased this household more than the UT bed and blanket.

Sarah, we loved it all but the University of TN bed and blanket are enjoyed every day and it's not even the height of the season yet! (We didn't miss the irony either in the fact that someone from Florida gave us that UT gift...LOL...whether you are a Gator fan or not, we enjoyed the irony that our biggest "rival" state gave us a UT treasure!)

Debbie, I am so happy that you are enjoying it!

I am so dumb when it comes to sports that I didn't even know that we were "rivals". Haha, that makes it all the better!! LOL

Ive only been in one GE and my buddy (TOY) researched me and my boys beyond our wildest dreams and touched on so many aspects of our lives! From personalized Patriots collar flags, to a special rememberance ornament for my fallen yorkie boy, to gifts for my nephew to be (who is now born), to lots of pool stuff since my boys are avid swimmers, to some of her favorite recipes, to special coffee she had to educate herself on! :) Everything was sooo special to me in it's own way. :)

I've been in several GE's and it seems that in EACH one we got a personalized or handmade gift that we LOVE!!!

Tiny eco friendly toys with squeakers....my girls LOVE those!!

Personalized picture frames...with my babies pics in them

Plaque with both my girls names on it!!!

Darling Pink Super soft Blankie that was made by our Secret buddy!!

Doggie beds

And Personalized bow box!!

that is just a few of our favorite things!!!!

THANK YOU SECRET BUDDIES!!!!



There is so much more....but those are some of our favorites!!!

I've only been in one other GE so far. My fave gifts were the personalized mug, magnet, and cards- they all had a Chase's cute face on 'em! Also, Jacke and Coco gave gave us the cutest t-shirts, not to mention grooming products we desparately needed.

Chasey poo hasn't met a toy or treat that he doesn't LOVE :rolleyes:.

Sarah, thank you so much for writing that! I did get a little help from our fav Monkey Daze seller, Annamalyssa. But when I saw the dress with denim, tulle, and a rhinestone skull, I figured that had to be for a "girly tomboy!" By next year, I hope to find a girl myself and will see if I can follow Maddy's style! :D

As to my favorite GE gift.......hmmmm loved the personalized leash holder and bow box.....but Ben loved the animaltronics monkey that makes real monkey sounds. He goes "ape" over it! {groan}!

This will be our 4th GE...the first thing I do is do a search and research my SB. (this gives you a little insight on your buddy) I love to do this because sometimes you can find something they really wouldn't expect but would enjoy.

I think the best gifts are ones that my buddy had fun putting together. :) each buddy has made each GE special in there own way...either by making something or finding something special to them that becomes special to us.

wow i am planning on doing a ge when i meet all of the requirements but i have to say i am just a little worried as i am not a home maker. so personalized gifts i wont be able to accomplish but i am not second guessing the ge seems a lot of people do home made gifts :mad:

Twinkle's secret buddy (Teresa and Gracie Ruth) made our first GE AMAZING!!! I LOVED the home-made cards, scrapbook/photo album and gorgeous personalised blanket.

I also loved the gifts that related to where my SB was from.....a Texas fridge magnet and little charm bracelets for my daughters with stetsons, texas, and mustang charms on them - all in red, white and blue.

Don't worry if home-made isn't your thing though. I'm not very creative so I bought toys and treats that I knew my SB would enjoy after reading her sign-up post, and then researched her mummy to find out her hobbies and interests then bought a couple of gifts that I knew she would love too. My only creative moment was sticking some gems onto a coat (You would have cried laughing watching me attempt it!) Even though everything was store-bought I know that she loved everything I sent :) xxx xxx

You don't need to be 'crafty' to personalize gifts. You can have something engraved, or embroidered. There are business that can personalize just about anything. But even if that's not an option, the effort you put into shopping and finding just that perfect gift is greatly appreciated!! You can enlist friends on and off of YT to help you brainstorm for ideas. Wrap the gift(s) in pretty paper, write a nice letter to your SB and enclose it with the gifts, or decorate the outside of the box. When I sent Twinkles box, I addressed it to Twinkle. Just do your best, be on time in mailing it out and I know your SB will be thrilled. :) Relax, have fun, making new friends is the best part of the GE!

woowwww they look great i love the colors thank you for posting them

thank you. i am pretty crafty as a matter a fact one of my hobbies is scrapbooking . i was just worried about some of the homemade clothes. that some ge are making thats all. right now i am just doing a little research and reading peoples post so i still have sometime anyway before i enter the ge. thank you for the feedback

Oh, I can't sew either, but I did the little photo album, cards & blanket that Lucia posted. If you scrapbook, you've got plenty of creativity in you. :D The GE is so much fun, so addicting...just wait, you'll see. :p

thank you

We are so excited for the GE! This is our first one and I can't wait to get the info and get started!!

Allie loves presents and she already thinks everything that enters this house is hers.... lol

lol thats cute. When i come home with bags denzel just knows he has something so he's rushing me or trying to get inside the bag hehehe we cant wait till we meet all requirements