Gift Patrol
These care packages will have your friends snapping to attention.
by Julie Steed
Military spouses are specialists when it comes to holding strong on the home front, but even the most hardened battle buddy deserves some R & R every now and then. Send your favorite sidekick one of these gifts and she will feel restored and be ready to return to duty in no time.
Hip Lady
Free-spirit friends will feel peace, love and happiness when they receive the Celebrate Woodstock soap box pack from Soaptopia ($16 for 3-pack at Soaptopia.com). With names like Vet It Be, Purple Haze and Hippeeeeeee, there is a bar for every persona. Soaptopia's products are B.A.T.H. Certified Junk Free (Bathe in All Things Healthy), animal friendly, vegan, synthetic and petroleum free.
Chocolate Lover
A calorie-free chocolate fix is just what the doctor ordered for the stressed-out gal. The Just Because gift set by Philosophy ($30 at Sephora.com) includes three flavors of combo shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. Think dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate indulgence. Pamper more pals and take advantage of Sephora’s free shipping offer available for orders totaling $50 and over.
Earth Girl
The Think & Write & Grow plantable journal ($34.95 at Botanicalpaperworks.com) will give the recycling enthusiast something to write home about. After expressing her inner thoughts on 150 sheets of lined recycled paper, she can satisfy her need to reuse by removing and planting the cover (made from 100% recycled office paper and wildflower seeds) to grow wildflowers.
Grape Goddess
Entertain the wine connoisseur’s taste buds with the Life is a Cabernet gift basket ($35 at Wineofthemonthclub.com). The gift pack includes a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon in a retro wine tin, DolcettoWafer cookies, Nunes Almonds and assorted hard candies. You can still toast, coast to coast.
Professional Diva
Add glamour to the working girl’s attaché with a Swarovski Crystal business card case ($52 at Executivegiftshoppe.com/swarovskicases.html). Available in animal prints and solids, these cases will entice the most serious pencil pusher to mix some fun into the equation. Free engraving adds a personal touch.