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The holidays are upon us, and what office holiday party and neighborly get-together is complete without a White Elephant gift exchange? This annual tradition is always full of suspense, drama, and, of course, revenge as the stealing of prized gifts gets more and more intense. If you've never heard of this type of gift exchange before, the rules are as follows:
Everyone brings one wrapped gift of a set value (usually $30 or less) and then all gifts are placed in a central location. Numbers are drawn from a hat to see in what order participants grab presents. Each person has the choice of either taking and unwrapping a new present or 'stealing' someone's already unwrapped one. If your gift has been stolen, then you have the same choice.
The name of the game refers to gifts that are often extravagant but impractical and harkens back to the King of Siam's historic practice of giving rare albino elephants to subjects who had displeased him as the cost of elephant upkeep would destroy them. Today, the best white elephant gifts tend to be those that amuse but still offer some practicality. The following is a look at some great white elephant gift ideas that'll rock your office or Flagstaff apartment party:
White Elephant Gift Ideas for $30 or Less
- Breakfast Sandwich Maker. Have a lot of young professionals in your group? Then consider a nifty all-in-one breakfast sandwich maker, like this one.
- Funny Coffee Mug. Creepy ceramic coffee mugs offer a good laugh and you can pair this nicely with a local cafe gift card to make it a bit more appealing.
- Cat Bingo. There's a cat lover in every office and apartment complex and a cute little game like this one is sure to be a white elephant gift hit.
- Animal Oven Mitt. This one's great because it's practical and yet not something you'd expect. To match your party's dollar limit, you might pair this with some local hot sauce or similar grilling/baking item.
Looking for a New Apartment Perfect for Hosting Guests? Check Out University Square!
A new residence is a great way to change things up, and few Flagstaff, AZ apartment communities can offer the same relaxed and friendly environment as we do with a community-oriented clubhouse, pet-friendly apartments, and an incredible central location. Contact us to learn more!
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These two homemade gift ideas will really impress your friends and loved ones! They are both very practical, and your loved ones will be sure to get a lot of use out of them. They can both be easily made in your Flagstaff apartment using supplies that are readily available in craft stores.
1. Infused Cooking Oil
This is a practical gift that everyone on your list will be able to make use of! Make it as soon as you can, so the oil has plenty of time to become fully infused with the flavors before you give it as a gift.
Supplies:
- Decorative bottle with narrow neck, such as an empty wine bottle or oil bottle.
- Pourer spout with cork, like the kind used in bars.
- Funnel.
- Assortment of fresh herbs and spices, such as rosemary, oregano and garlic.
- Premium olive oil.
Instructions:
- Insert a variety of fresh herbs and spices into a decorative bottle.
- Use a funnel to fill the bottle with premium olive oil.
- Cork the bottle with the pourer spout.
- Tie with a pretty ribbon.
- Attach a card that says what flavors the oil is infused with.
2. Photo Coasters
Everyone on your list will be able to use these practical and beautiful coasters. Make the gift even more personal by using images your gift recipients will relate to, such as family pictures or images of places they’ve visited.
Supplies:
- Plain, square, 4-inch ceramic tiles.
- Selection of photo images.
- Sponge-style paint brush.
- Felt circles (1/4-inch diameter).
- Mod Podge.
- Clear acrylic finish spray.
Instructions:
- Prepare images by cutting them to fit on top of tiles.
- Use the sponge paint brush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the tile.
- Center the image on top of the tile.
- Paint another thicker layer of Mod Podge over the image, being sure to cover the entire top of the tile.
- Allow to dry.
- Repeat step 4 .
- Allow to dry overnight.
- Spray with the acrylic finish clear coating.
- Allow to dry overnight. They will ready to wrap the next day.
Are you inspired to starting making homemade gifts in your Flagstaff apartment? Get started today by contacting us about available floor plans to suit every lifestyle!
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Everyone's super busy during the holiday season, so plan the date and time of your get together well in advance. Decide who you will invite. Will your guests be family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or a mix of all of the above? Consider how much space you have and what type of atmosphere you're striving to create when determining who to invite. Send out invitations or simply invite people via phone or email.
The Food Feast
Of course, the centerpiece of your holiday dinner gathering is the food. As much time as possible before the event, decide what you will serve. Include main dishes like turkey, beef, and/or fish. Also add to the menu, side dishes like rice, potatoes, vegetables and fruit. Don't forget desserts like pies, cakes and cookies. Find out ahead of time whether any of your guests have special dietary requirements such as gluten- or dairy-free or vegetarian. Serve food that will meet everyone's dietary needs. Consider having a potluck-style get together by inviting guests to bring side dishes to share.
Ambiance and Mood
Decide what type of tone and style you want to set, whether that's low-key or a bit more upbeat. You can plan decorations and background music based on that. Make sure you have plenty of serving dishes, silverware, plates and glasses for everyone who will attend your holiday dinner.
You'll need a place to call home as the spot for your holiday dinner. If you're looking for apartments in Flagstaff that are ideal for hosting special get togethers, call our office today to see which floor plans are still available.
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]]>The post Show Dad You Love Him with These 5 Gifts appeared first on University Square Apartments Blog.
]]>1. Custom Map Coaster Set
Is your dad a world traveler? Help him express his love for wanderlust with a set of four customizable map coasters. These 4” x 4” marble and cork coasters are imprinted with an image of the nine square miles around a location of your choice.
2. Gardner’s Tool Seat
Appeal to dad’s green thumb with a durable gift he can use everyday in the garden. This combination tool bag and garden seat is functional and stylish. It features 21 pockets to hold all of dad’s favorite garden tools, and can be used with or without the aluminum seating frame.
3. Home Plate Paperweight
Your dad spent years inspiring you to reach your potential, and now here you are at University Square apartments in Flagstaff, getting your degree at Northern Arizona University. Give your baseball-loving dad some encouragement in return with this handsome home plate pewter paperweight, embossed with a famous quote from Babe Ruth.
4. Executive USB Turntable
Is dad a classic phonophile? Does he have boxes of albums hidden in his closet? Help dad bring them out to play on this Executive USB Turntable. This working turntable fits neatly inside a retro-style briefcase fitted with brass hardware. Sound is emitted through built-in stereo speakers.
5. Pocket Poker Set
Enjoy an impromptu game of poker with dad in the University Square courtyard this Father’s Day. This Pocket Poker Set travels anywhere and fits almost anyplace. The attractive and convenient tin case holds 108 magnetic poker chips and a deck of playing cards.
For more ideas for hosting dad on Father's Day at University Square, contact our rental office.
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