Category: Holiday Gifts

Flowers are blooming, spring-cleaning lists are being made, and winter jackets are going back into storage as we get into the swing of the brand-new season. As we enter spring, we can expect to see a few new visitors come out—birds, honeybees, and soon…the Easter Bunny!

Easter baskets aren’t just fun to look for and receive, they’re fun to make too. If you’re a first-time basket builder, or just looking to upgrade your usual creation, use these tips to make an unforgettable Easter basket this year!

1) Start with a killer basket.

The first thing you’ll need to bring your Easter masterpiece to life? A basket of course! Depending on who you’re building your basket for, there are two different approaches you can take to choose the right one: fun and traditional, or cute and functional.

Younger kids will love one of the brightly colored, embellished plastic baskets you can find at any store starting in March. For older kids, teens, and adults though, you may want to choose something a little more practical they can get use out of all year. A rustic woven basket or smaller, decorated storage box can be the perfect functional base!

2) Go bigger than you think you’ll need.

Easter basket shopping and crafting can be a lot of fun, so you’ll likely end up with more candy and knick knacks than you set out to have. Save yourself from having to unceremoniously cram everything together by going for a bigger basket this year!

A big basket will get kids more excited, look more impressive, and be easier to arrange all your goodies in. Remember, it’s not just about the contents of your Easter basket, it’s about the presentation too.

3) Choose good-quality chocolate and candy.

A great way to top off your traditional chocolate and candy haul is to add a unique treat to your basket. Layer in a few Jelly Belly Soda Pops or a couple boxes of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans for your favorite Harry Potter lover!

Sure, you could head to the drugstore and get cheap candy to fill up your basket, but you can do that any time of year! Use Easter as an opportunity to take your sweet treats up a notch and opt for gourmet chocolate and candy instead. You don’t have to get as much as you would of the cheap stuff either, since every bite will be that much more delectable.

4) Include fun and functional gifts.

You don’t have to go overboard but putting one or two little gifts in your basket that can be used year-round is a nice (and much appreciated) touch. A new toy, a couple of books, a fun tumbler, or even a few bath bombs will really round out your Easter basket.

Get personal as you choose your gifts, keeping in mind the person receiving your basket. Is it for a Marvel fan? Throw in a Funko Pop of their favorite character. Baseball fanatic? Grab a pack of cards or a cool new ball. Have fun with it!

5) Keep age in mind as you build your basket.

Again, think about who you’re making your Easter basket for. What would someone this age want? What would they get use out of?

Younger kids will be pretty easy. Throw in a few small toys, a little more candy, and maybe a new stuffed animal for their collection. For older kids and teenagers, think about their interests. Would they appreciate a new video game? Maybe a phone case? If you’re giving your basket to an adult, add a few mature treats, like a bag of gourmet coffee or a bottle of wine.

6) Don’t forget the eggs!

Easter eggs are a timeless tradition and great filler for any basket. You can go classic, dyeing and decorating them as a family, but don’t be afraid to get a little more creative either!

Fill plastic eggs with something unique—like a pair of earrings, small nail polish, or new earbuds. Or, combine the idea with another Easter staple and throw in a handful of chocolate or candy eggs. You can’t go wrong with a little extra sugar this holiday.

Get everything you need to build your best Easter basket yet when you shop at Otto’s Granary! Not only do we carry luscious gourmet chocolates and choice candy, but we also have an extensive selection of collectible gifts to impress people of all interests and age groups.

Stop into our store in Lubbock, Texas to check out or products, or shop online and have everything you need delivered right to your door in time for Easter!

You’re probably already familiar with the phrase “Christmas in July,” and especially aware of it at this time of year. Maybe you’ve been to a friend’s party or taken advantage of a company sale that plays along with the theme. It seems like the concept has just always been around, but it had to start somewhere, right?

Let’s take a look at how Christmas in July became such a widely celebrated and recognizable festivity!

How did Christmas in July start?

To answer this question, it makes more sense to learn about where these celebrations started. It was the people of the Southern Hemisphere that introduced the notion of Christmas in July as a result of their opposite seasons.

During official Christmas time, countries below the equator are experiencing summer! Christmas and its traditions are associated with the magic of winter. July is the coldest month for half of the world, and thus the celebration was born. The first known Christmas in July event in America took place at Camp Keystone in North Carolina in 1933, when the leader of a girls’ camp wanted to add a unique flare to her program.

Why is it still celebrated?

Although Christmas in July is not an official holiday, it has become an established practice in areas that spend their July in the peak of winter. It’s even sometimes called the “Yuletide” or “Midwinter Christmas.” As we mentioned before, colder months are the best time to carry out the time-honored traditions of Christmas, like eating hearty, roasted foods, drinking hot chocolate, and sitting by the fire.

Aside from its seasonal origins, Christmas in July has simply become a cultural excuse to get together with friends and family and throw a party! There aren’t any national holidays after the 4^th of July until Labor Day in September, so it’s mostly just a good way to liven up the stretch of time in between.

How do people celebrate?

A lot of people celebrate the midyear Yuletide with the same customs they observe in December—they eat, drink, and be merry! July celebrations usually don’t involve gift exchanges, although they can in some families. In line with the spirit of the original holiday, Christmas in July is about spending time with loved ones and celebrating life.

A lot of stores also have special sales to honor the tradition, and you can find some ticketed festivals and special events in many cities as well. There are even a few TV stations (like Hallmark!) that will play Christmas movies for a few days this time of year.

It’s no secret that we love Christmas here at Otto’s, that’s why we’re celebrating it twice this year with our 12 Days of Christmas in July Sale starting July 14^th through the 25^th! Be sure to look out for our festive deals both online and in-store offering a unique discount every day on some of our top items.

Treat yourself or your loved ones to a midyear gift or start stocking up for Christmas in December. Browse our unique, eclectic collection today and take advantage of our July Christmas gift to you!

Father’s Day is just over one week away! If you’re the type to put off gift shopping until the last minute, don’t worry—it’s not too late to shop for dad. With so many options to choose from, there’s no doubt in our minds that he’ll love a gift from Otto’s Granary.

We’ve mentioned a few gift ideas for dad in our previous blog post, but if you’re still searching, here are a few more to consider:

Calling All Grill Masters

If dad loves to fire up the grill, barbecue sauce from West Texas Gold would make the perfect present. From smoky buffalo hot wing sauce to spicy chipotle, dad will love taking meat to the next level this summer. Bring some sides and make it a family gathering.

A Workout for the Brain

Puzzles can make a fun Father’s Day gift, and Otto’s Granary has a great selection. If Dad loves to travel, get him the European Postcards puzzle. If he’s an art lover, he’ll appreciate Great Paintings. Want to make it even more special. Sit down with dad and help him complete it!

Satisfy the Sweet Tooth

Maybe dad isn’t really a chocolate fan, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy something with a bit of sweetness to it. Anyone with a sweet tooth will love our delicious Jelly Belly gift boxes and dispensers. Check out this clear gift box, which is slim enough to fit into the drawer of dad’s desk at the office. He’ll think of you every time the 2:00 p.m. snack attack hits!

Spend Quality Time Together

Of course, the best gift of all is spending quality time together. Why not bond with Dad over a hot cup of gourmet coffee or tea? Buy some gourmet beans or loose-leaf tea from Otto’s Granary and relax and catch up over your favorite brew.

Be prepared for Dad’s special day and buy your Father’s Day gift today. Visit the Otto’s Granary shop in Lubbock or place an order online today. Remember, shipping is free with all orders over $99, and new customers get 15% off!

Father’s Day is just a little over two weeks away; have you thought about what you’re going to get dad yet? While we’re sure that just about any dad would be happy enough to get a card and a hug this Father’s Day, we always encourage putting in a little bit of extra effort when it comes to gifts for dad.

Treat him with a few goodies from Otto’s Granary! Here are some great suggestions:

Specialty Coffee or Tea

Does Dad love his morning cup of Joe? Otto’s Granary carries a wide selection of whole bean and ground gourmet coffee. Whether dad prefers dark roast, light roast or fun flavors like amaretto, chocolate orange or cinnamon roll, we’ve got a delicious brew for him. We even have delectable decaf! If dad is more of a tea guy, Otto’s Granary has him covered. Browse our assortment of gourmet teas. Make your present extra-special by purchasing a variety of teas, and gifting them along with a teapot, and a pair of mugs!

TV & Movie Collectibles

Star Wars, DC Comics, Game of Thrones—these types of movies and tv shows have cult-like followers. Is dad one of them? Otto’s Granary offers a wide selection of incredible movie and tv collectibles to choose from. How about a Star Wars Pint Glass 2-Pack or a bobble head of his favorite character from GOT, such as Arya Stark or the Night King? Whatever dad’s into, you’ll find it here!

The Sweet Stuff

Honestly, who doesn’t love chocolate? Far too often we reserve the sweet stuff for mom, but don’t forget about dad this year! Chocolate is always a classic gift, no matter who it’s for. We carry gift boxes from Godiva and Neuhaus in every flavor Dad could ever want.

Gift Certificates to Otto’s Granary

When you just don’t know what to get, a gift certificate is always a solid bet. You could buy a gift certificate to Otto’s Granary and let dad pick out exactly what he wants!

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day gift. Visit our shop in Lubbock or place an order online today.

For most people with a special someone on Valentine’s Day, quintessential gifts that never seem to disappoint include flowers, chocolate, a romantic candlelit dinner, or maybe even a cheesy card with a mushy note.

While these time-honored gifts are sure to delight, they are rather cliché, don’t you think?

For those of us looking to break the mold, here are a few unique gift and date ideas that will undoubtedly wow your unconventional Valentine:

Breakfast fit for your King or Queen

Maybe candlelit dinners just aren’t your thing, or maybe you’re tired of calling every classy restaurant in town begging for a reservation. Perhaps you’re over frantically searching the internet for the perfect sure-to-impress meal to whip up.

Insert the breakfast spread—who doesn’t like breakfast any time of the day?

Waking up Valentine’s Day morning with your partner by your side? Doesn’t breakfast in bed sound delightful?

Not seeing each other until dinner? Breakfast dinners with the works—doesn’t the saying go, “a way to their heart is through their stomach?”

Get cozy

What could be better than cozying up with your partner next to a warm fire? Nothing.

Throw some marshmallows on a roasting stick and make some great s’mores with that Valentine’s Day chocolate you bought—just in case the whole fire thing didn’t work out.

Go dancing

The restaurants you tried making a reservation at are packed—you’d be sitting on top of another couple anyway. Put on your dancing shoes and take the night to the dance floor! Enjoy a glass of your favorite vino in between dance breaks.

Looking for more out-of-the-box date ideas? Check out this article!

As for the Valentine’s Day gift: if boxes of chocolate and red roses make your eyes roll, check out these ideas for something unique!

A coffee mug that says it all

Who wouldn’t want to drink their morning coffee or tea in a cup too cute to handle? Exactly. Check out our variety of mugs here!

‘Honey-dos’

Are you handy? A good cook? A great dish washer?

Create homemade ‘honey do’ coupons for your partner to cash in whenever they want!

Some ideas: After dinner dish duty, 10-minute back massage, no complaining, etc. You get the idea.

Unique gifts that last

Does your someone special have unique taste or interests? Star Wars fan? Disney enthusiast? We’ve got a unique gift sure to put a smile on their face—check out our selection!

For all of your Valentine’s Day needs, turn to Otto’s Granary. We have the perfect sweets for your sweetheart and the perfect gift to match. Call us at 806-797-1728 today for help finding your Valentine’s Day necessities!

Maybe you love love every day of the year, or maybe it’s your first Valentine’s Day with that new special someone; either way, these gifts are sure to make any hopeless romantic melt!

Old school love notes

A handwritten note accompanied by their favorite candy is always a cheesy-but-oh-so-cute idea.

List “reasons why I melt for you” (It is winter after all). Write cheeky things like ‘I’d lose my skittles without you’ (skittles), ‘be my hot tamale’ (hot tamales), ‘you make me turn to jelly’ (Jelly Belly)… you get the idea.

Don’t forget, we have several Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans available—from sweet to savory, there’s a flavor that’s bound to please your sweetheart.

The gift of irresistible lips

Lip gloss in the shade of love—any shade of red will do, just pick one you want to see on that special someone.

If it’s a guy you’re buying for, you can’t go wrong with Burt’s Bees chap stick. Most men could use a little TLC on those dry lips—making them all the better to kiss!

Fuzzy socks

Because let’s be honest—when was the last time anyone said they hated fuzzy socks? Exactly.

Decadent chocolate

There is simply no better way to your special someone’s heart than through decadent chocolate. It’s been a staple in Valentine’s Day gifts since the dawn of time, so why fix what isn’t broken?

Coffee in bed

Do you want to know the best way to win their heart?

Bring them coffee!

We promise that this simple gift will warm your partner’s heart. If you think about it, what could be better than waking up Valentine’s Day morning to the wonderful aroma of coffee and the person you love?

With over 150 coffee beans in house, there’s a flavor for every coffee connoisseur.

Not a coffee fan? Don’t fret, at Otto’s Granary, we have 110 loose leaf teas to choose from.

Consider digital gifts

In the age of social media and selfies galore, why not put some of those adorable couple-selfies to good use? Print out a bunch of your favorites and create a collage of the two of you. Make those memories of you and your special someone last.

Love is in the air with scented candles

This may seem like a cliché gift (they all are!), but who doesn’t love a scented candle?

That’s what we thought. Want to take it up a notch?

Find a candle with sandalwood. It’s considered an aphrodisiac, which is sure to spice things up.

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, but when you shop gifts, coffee and more at Otto’s Granary, you’re sure to earn major heart eye emojis from your sweetheart!