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We all want to feel good about ourselves and our ability to achieve whatever we set our minds to. That’s what empowerment is all about—having the confidence to show up day after day even when life gets hard. We also want to know we aren’t alone. If you have friends who could use your support and encouragement, in good and bad times, be the person who leads by example and lifts your friends up. Here’s some girlfriend advice for empowering your best friends, plus a few best friendship gifts ideas . Follow Their Dreams We only have this one life to live, so if your friend is excited about a new opportunity or challenge, give them your blessing. If it’s something that will make them happy and healthy, such as a move to a new city for a great employment opportunity, let them know you support their dreams! Don’t be afraid to shoot them straight either, they may be looking to you for an unbiased opinion. Change is hard and scary for some people. You can give supportive ad

Some people are easier to buy gifts for than others, but you can’t go wrong with a personal, artisan piece no matter their interests. For the nature-loving friend, the possibilities are endless, whether you’re looking for best friend birthday gifts , Christmas gifts, or housewarming gifts. Check out these five ideas to get you started in your search. Paw Print Salt and Pepper Set It’s those small details at the dinner table that make a meal feel cozy. The salt and pepper shakers you buy at the grocery store can feel generic and lacking in personality. So, for the friend who enjoys rustic charm, pick out a salt and pepper set that displays original artwork with upscale materials. For example, cute bear paws imprinted on a stoneware set will make guests and family members pause to admire when they say, “pass the salt.” If the gift recipient has an RV or camper, the set will look adorable in there as well, especially on their way to a national park. Striking Terrariums

Moving into a new house is hectic, but when the boxes are unpacked and the lawn is mowed, it’s time to celebrate your new space with a housewarming party. The housewarming party tradition has been around a long time, descended from the pre-central heating days when people would bring firewood as a literal “warming” gift. Housewarming parties are relatively casual, but it’s a good idea to plan out some details to set yourself up for a low-stress party. Here are a few tips for throwing a memorable housewarming party to welcome your friends and family into your new home. And unless you have a fireplace, guests don’t have to bring the wood! Planning a Housewarming Party Guest List If the idea is to expand your social circle and get off on the right foot with new neighbors, you’ll want to make sure to include them on your guest list. Some of them could end up being your new best friends. You’ll also want to invite your current friends and family members because you know

We all know at least one person in our lives who’s an amazing baker. They whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies that taste better than any store-bought version. Their brownies are moist and chewy, just the way people like them. They probably have their baking equipment dialed in too, but you can still add some flare to their basic supplies and kitchenware lineup. Thoughtful baking gifts let them know that you’re thinking about them and might inspire them to keep pursuing their passion for cooking. Here are four great ideas for the beginning baker or the life-long baking genius. The following ideas are also perfect gifts for wife , sister, or grandma—or any special lady or gentleman who enjoys making and serving up delicious treats. Made with Love Mixing Bowls A classic set of stainless steel mixing bowls is standard for use in cooking, baking, food prep, mixing, and more. People also use them for making salads, serving ice cream, eating popcorn, and storing fridg

Sometimes, shopping for a gift can be a stressful experience. Whether it’s because it seems like the recipient has everything or you’re adamant that the gift knocks their socks off, some people can just be hard to shop for. Fear not, as finding the perfect gift is easier than you might think once you consider what makes a gift great in the first place. Do you think that you’ve found the perfect gift that they are practically guaranteed to love? If it hits all of these checkboxes, then you just might be onto something. A Gift Related to Their Interests As any experienced gift-giver will tell you, one of the keys to finding the perfect gift is understanding what the recipient is in to. You don’t need an encyclopedic knowledge of their hobbies and interests, just keep a few ideas in mind that relate to them. That’s a great start! Has your recipient mentioned that they were interested in trying something new? What about their current interests and hobbies? You don’t ne

There are very few things in life that are as satisfying as giving a gift to someone and watching them light up with excitement. The thing is, many of us don't give gifts nearly as much as we should or would like to, dedicating the winter holiday season and birthdays as the exclusive gift-giving times of the year. What about “just because” gifts? There's something to be said for the magic of giving someone an unexpected gift. Here are a few reasons why you should seize the day and give gifts to your favorite people regardless of the occasion. Gifts Make People Happy For some, giving gifts is important in their lives, while others appreciate receiving gifts, no matter how big or small, out of the blue. If you know someone who enjoys receiving gifts, then a "just because" gift is the perfect way to show your affection or appreciation for them. It feels nice when someone gets something for you. When there are so many good feelings associated with gif

For many of us, it seems as if there is an art to gift-giving. Some people have it mastered while others struggle to think outside the gift card box. One category of gift that’s always a hit and checks the boxes of being memorable, thoughtful, and practical all at the same time is the coffee mugs category. Why do coffee mugs make such great gifts? Well, there are a few reasons, starting with the seemingly endless selection. The Style Options Are Endless You can find a coffee mug with a phrase, picture, or color in practically every variant. From positive, uplifting messages, to celebratory mugs, mugs with pictures, and mugs in unique colors, shades, and patterns, the list is endless. With so many options available, it is practically impossible not to find a mug your chosen recipient will love. If you have even just a little bit of knowledge about their interests, it can steer you in the right direction. There’s a Mug for Anyone Whether they are a tea, coffee, or

Moving away, either for a new job, for school, or just to start the next chapter of your life is never easy when you’re leaving loved ones behind. Although it can be tough at first, moving away is usually for the best of reasons and worth it in the end. Even so, before you go, show your loved ones how much you appreciate them and leave a piece of you behind with these inspiring and thoughtful gifts for mom , dad, and other family and friends. Your Relationship Sculpted Sculptural figures are great gifts for a variety of occasions, and there's a reason that so many people choose them for any occasion. From gifts to mom for birthday or as a "just because" gift, a sculptural figure is a physical and artistic representation of the relationship you share. You can find these figures in a variety of different poses and scenes. From a lone boy holding a gold heart to a couple locked in a warm embrace, shop for one that perfectly depicts your relationship with y

After months if not years of planning the wedding, the day has finally come and gone. After a beautiful ceremony and seeing all of your favorite people, it's time to settle down and begin the next chapter. Many couples receive a ton of wedding gifts that warm their heart, and spend a good deal of time writing and sending out thank you notes to the people that attended the wedding. One person that has earned a little bit of extra love and attention is your new mother-in-law. There likely isn't a woman closer to your wife or partner than their mother. Show your appreciation, and how happy you are to be a new member of the family: Give your mother-in law a thoughtful thank you gift. Here are a few perfect gifts for your new mother-in-law (or "mom" if you two are already that close). Artful Entertaining Gifts There really isn't a better experience than hosting friends and family over for dinner or a special event. Although the idea of sharing a me