Need an inexpensive but cute gift idea for a friend?

I have a group of around 10 close friends and of course I try to buy them birthday and holiday gifts when the time comes around. Being the price conscious shopper I am, I try to purchase inexpensive items, and then personalize them to create value.

For example, one of my friends loves to write and to draw. So, I went to TJ Maxx where they sell the cutest stationary for under $5.00. I purchased a stationary set that included 3 different size tablets of paper and a pen. I then wrote a sweet note on one of the top pages, wrapped it in some pretty paper from Dollar Tree and there you go! A cute, personalized gift for around five bucks!

Because I purchase gifts so often, I make it a habit to take advantage of deals at stores. For example, if I go to Wal-Mart after one of their holiday sales (after Valentine’s Day or Christmas) I buy huge bags of candy for 50%-75% off and store it to use later in goodie bags for gifts.

My inspiration: The $1 rack.

Oh how I love stores that have $1 sections. These sections at Michaels and Target are my favorite! I like to stock up on birthday cards, magnets, notebooks, stickers, ribbon, and odds and ends that I can use for spur of the moment gifts.

All of these super cute cards came in packages of 8 and only cost $1 at Michaels. I got the flower vase and flowers, the candle and the pretty pink cup at Dollar Tree...ALL for $1! Bath & Body Works sells mini hand sanitizer bottles in your favorite scents for $1.50. A great deal!

Looking for something personalized, uplifting, and inexpensive? My friend gave me this picture frame ($1 at Dollar Tree) with one of her favorite verses written in it. Customize it even more with some ribbon, sequins, or small pictures!

In this economy, consumers are constantly looking for ways to save, you just have to know where to look and be creative!

Cookies & Crafts Party

Thinking of something to do on a cool cloudy Saturday afternoon? Yesterday, I hosted a small "get together" at my apartment for my sisters and long time girl friends. These girls LOVE eating sweet treats and being crafty so I thought of some cute ideas to do!

First station: Cookie decorating! We ate delicious snacks while using icing, sprinkles, and candy to creatively decorate one of our favorite desserts.

Next station: Mod Podge picture frames using magazine cut outs! This is a great way to break out your creative side by cutting words, letters, or pictures out of your favorite magazines while getting to chat with your friends. We had a blast finding words and phrases that described each other and then getting to embellish our frames with sequins, ribbons, paint, and jewels.

Contact us to get more info on how to make your next Saturday afternoon "girls day" a huge success!

We're Supposed to Miss This....Right?

One day we will miss this right??



Because currently this is cramping our creativity!

Pot Luck Inspirations

March 3 we are hosting a pot luck supper for our sorority and brother fraternity.So we got to thinking and the following week is our universities spring break, so what better way to kick in spring than with a indoor picnic! (We practically live in a snow globe so indoor is the only way to go!) Here are some inspirations for our picnic:

Step One:Grass We are going to pull the outside in! Because this is a pot luck we are going to have a buffet style set up so a grass table cloth will serve as our first layer.



Step Two: Layer again! If you've ever seen the grass table cloth you'll know it's not the greatest. And who can have an indoor picnic with out a blanket? Insert checkered cloth.



Step Three: A picnic with out a picnic basket!? Not here!



Step Four: Pesky critters! But only the cute friendly kind! We will transform these styrofoam balls into friendly dinner time guest.



And Last but not least...

Step Five: What's a picnic without an ice cold coke!?




This only the beginning! Stay tuned for updates on the pot luck picnic as well as past and future events.

The Journey Begins

Have you ever dreamed of hosting your own perfect party? One where you sit back, relax, and overhear your friends exclaim how cute everything is, and secretly laugh to yourself while thinking, "I haven't even lifted a finger!"

Perfect Pairings all started during our junior year at Appalachian State University where we spent countless hours dreaming and fantasizing about owning our very own event planning business where we could put our endless creativity, time management skills, our entrepreneurship degrees and our personal love of throwing the perfect parties to good use.

Perfect Pairings is here to assist you with all your planning needs. We pride ourselves on making each event unique and custom to you. With an eye for detail and a passion for planning you can't go wrong.

Thinking of having a girls night, a makeover party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, birthday party, scrap booking party, craft night, "bring your own dessert" night, cocktail party, sweet 16, luau night, or a mom's night in? Then we're just the girls for you!

As soon to be recent graduates we are always looking for great deals and unique ways to turn inexpensive ordinary items into extraordinary compliments for your special event.

Perfect Pairings offers customizable yet affordable inspirations for your special occasion.

We're currently planning parties in the Boone, NC area but upon graduation in May 2011 we will be moving to the suburbs of Charlotte, NC!
Shoot us an e-mail for consultations and estimates for your next event.
perfectpairingsevents@gmail.com