Ideas for Girlfriend Gifts ... and an opportunity to win some too!

I love that feeling when I open a gift from a special friend and it is PERFECT! Something she puts some thought or time into. Something that was so ME and so perfectly from HER! And admittedly, I'm partial to handmade gifts from my creative, crafty girlfriends. Anything my craft girlfriends make me is priceless and better than store-bought gifts!

Every month Girlfriendology has a contest for girlfriend stories. The theme changes monthly and for the November contest, in preparation for the holidays, the theme was on 'gifts.' What gifts have you given to or received from a creative girlfriend that was special?

We were blessed with lots of great stories from wonderful female friends. From simple acts of kindness to those wonderful, special creative gifts; from thoughtful expressions of friendship to personalized presents that recognized the individuals personal style and celebrated their special day - it was inspiring! (Just in time for holiday shopping!)

Our dilemma is that we only have room for five winners!* There were many, many wonderful stories. It was a challenge to judge the monthly Girlfriendology Contest!

Interested in what girlfriends shared on their favorite gifts to give or receive? Listen to the podcast (that will be posted by 12/3/07) to hear all the stories - the winners and those who still are winners because they are/have great girlfriends!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the November Girlfriendology Contest! Winners are: Christine - for her Thanksgiving basket, Cherie - pregnancy pampering girlfriend story, Jenny - for her caffeinated and thoughtful friend, Robin - with her charming charm bracelet story and Beth - for her beautiful best friend poem. Each of these winners will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card (to take your girlfriend out for coffee on Girlfriendology!) and Beth also receives the Girlfriendology Journal for her top entry girlfriend story. (See the other Girlfriendology Blog for her best friend story and poem.)

The creative submissions included:

- Robin is super creative so it must be hard to be her friend and give her something she couldn't make herself! For a 'special birthday' (ended in an "0"), her friend Ana presented her with a book of photos and letters from friends and family. She also presented Robin with a charm bracelet filled with charms selected by all those friends and family who wrote for her book. (Love that idea!) Check out her blog for more creative ideas!

- Veronica was admiring the beautiful chainmail jewelry that her friend Jezka was making. The next time Veronica got a gift from Jezka it was this necklace. Jezk noticed this longing and thoughtful shared her creative talents with her good friend!

- Heather shared: "The best gift that I have ever received from a girlfriend was a scrapbook that she made for my wedding. She put pictures that you wouldn't normally contribute to a wedding. It was full of all the bloopers pics and natural fun." (Another great idea!)

All these stories and more will be on the Girlfriendology Podcast - just check out the November Contest Winners podcast. Check it out - you might get some great ideas for your holiday girlfriend gifts!

* All these great stories and only five 'winners' - that is a dilemma! So, in honor of all these girlfriend sharing their stories we've designated December as the Girlfriendology "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway"! Every day in December, everyone who submits a girlfriend story will go into a drawing for a free book/gift. In addition, the top five stories will win a $10 Starbucks gift card (to take you and a girlfriend out for coffee) and the top over all will win the Girlfriendology Journal. See Girlfriendology for the rules/information. Then write us! I'm sure you have a girlfriend who deserves to be recognized for her friendship (and you deserve a great girlfriend gift!).