Birthday, just because you're you, special surprise GIFTS for Girlfriends!

My first job out of college was in Houston TX. Not knowing anyone and having minimal funds, I spent almost every weekend at my girlfriend's apt. on the other side of town (which in Houston means it was an hour away). Neither of us had much discretionary income but we enjoyed just hanging out together, exploring our new home town and doing anything free we could find.

Paying college bills as well as adjusting to the real world, Paula and I had no money for Christmas gifts so we made up our own version of gifts. Before the internet and virtual worlds, we had virtual gifts. We didn't go shopping or hang out at a mall. We gave each other little symbols or cut-outs of gifts that we would have bought for each other, you know, like if we had won the lottery! It was a memorable holiday because we put thought into the 'gifts' and creatively presented each one.

Last week was my friend Cath's birthday. I love Cath and would enjoy nothing more than to give her a trip to somewhere with a fabulous beach or pay for something special that would make her days even sunnier like a gardener or weekly florist delivery. However, with $4/gallon of gas and other economic 'challenges,' those gifts will have to wait.

What do you do when you're unable to spend as much as you'd like on girlfriend gift? What gifts have you received from a creative girlfriend that didn't cost a bunch but meant so much? Please share in the comments.

Thanks Paula for that friendship and for being my thrifty friend when I really needed one! Thanks Cath too for understanding about the handmade necklace and recycled gifts!

NOTE: The photo above, Circle of Friends, is a gift of our girlfriend Caroline's site: HealingBaskets.com. We interviewed Caroline for a very inspiring podcast. Listen in for ideas on gifts especially for girlfriends in trying situations like loss, health issues, etc. She gives great girlfriend advice! And, her site has wonderful girlfriend, caregiver, sister, mom, coworker gifts!

Inspirational Girlfriend - JENNIFER DAVIS, Director of Beaded Hope

"You don't have to be Bono or Oprah to make a big change in the world." Jennifer Davis

Jennifer Davis is a mom, wife, beader and girlfriend. She also (INHO!) is an "Oprah" or "Bono."

A few years ago she decided she need to do more, she wanted to make the world a better place for her children and others. She started BEADED HOPE as a non-profit organization to employ women in AIDS-rampaged South Africa to create beautiful beaded jewelry, accessories, ornaments and home decor. Through trips and calls to South Africa and in working together she developed friendships with the women who had no other opportunities to earn money to feed their families. And, she has built the business of Beaded Hope to return the profits to support medical supplies in South African.

I had the privilege of interviewing Jennifer recently and discussing Beaded Hope with her at Red Tree Gallery (in Cincinnati). Watch the video to see the beautiful person who is making a difference in this world as well as the beautiful beaded items created by Beaded Hope 'girlfriends' in South Africa.

And, as a bonus for Girlfriendology, Jennifer is offering at 15% discount on Beaded Hope items until June 1. Just enter the promotional code: "GOGIRL" Thanks Jennifer! (Oprah would be proud of you!)



Thanks also to Red Tree Coffee Shop and Art Gallery, as well as the Gregs of CallGregCreative!

Meet my girlfriend Jennifer Davis, Dir. of BEADED HOPE

As girlfriends, we often are each other's best 'cheerleaders.' I think this happens because we love our friends unconditionally and we can see all their best traits. Fortunately, through our eyes their beauty, talents and special qualities all shine. And that's a very good thing!

Today we taped a video with my girlfriend JENNIFER DAVIS. Jennifer is the director of BEADED HOPE, an organization that gives women in South Africa a job creating beaded art, then sells it here in the U.S. and returns profits to support an AIDS hospice in Mamelodi, South Africa. (I've had the honor of going to the hospice and it is both impressive and emotionally ovewhelming.)

We'll have the video on this blog and YouTube, etc. later this week so come back and check it out. We taped at girlfriend Wendy's art gallery and coffee shop - RED TREE (a very cool place in Oakley/Cincinnati, OH).

I'm glad you have a chance to meet Jennifer through this message and the upcoming video. She's making the world better one bead (and girlfriend) at a time. I am proud to be a Jennifer 'cheerleader'! What girlfriend do you cheer for? Let her know that you're proud of her and that the world is a better place because of her. She'll no doubt feel the same way about you!

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P.S. Mother's Day is coming (along with Girlfriend birthdays, etc.!) so check out Beaded Hope for gifts. Enter "GOGIRL" into the promotional code and receive a 15% discount. Looking and feeling good simultaneously would have been plenty - but to also give hope, that's something I can definitely cheer about! Thanks Jennifer! Thanks Red Tree!

TIP TUESDAY #5 - What's your last minute holiday shopping tip?

Today is my husband's birthday. I don't think they should let women have babies in December - it is too hard to come up with presents for that and for the holidays! "I don't need anything," he tells me. Well, that sure helps make shopping easy!

In addition to him and other family members, I am blessed with great girlfriends and need to shop for (or make) gifts for them. With extremely limited budget and time, my stress level starts to rise.

I've mentioned this book before but it comes to mind ... In The Tending Instinct, by Shelley Taylor, stress tests done on women show that we respond with "tend and befriend." Shopping is getting stressful, so I'm looking to my girlfriends for HELP!

This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"What shopping secrets do you have for hard-to-buy-for girlfriends and others?"

One of the best gifts of "girlfriendship" is that we learn so much from each other. Please, be a "Santa," and share your shopping secrets! Thanks girlfriends! Happy Shopping!!

p.s. Speaking of "gifts," this is the month of the Girlfriendology "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway." While you won't receive them in time to put them under the tree, you will have a nice gift for yourself or a friend in '08.

TIP TUESDAY #2 - Share your Holiday Tips with Girlfriends

Wow - can you believe Thanksgiving is a week from Thursday?!?! How does it sneak up so fast? Leaves are still turning and falling here in the mid-west and we even have the windows open tonight on Nov. 12th!

But, nonetheless, the holidays are here.

What favorite holiday tip do you have?

Maybe it is a shopping hint for a week from Friday? Or advice for not overdoing it on mashed potatoes and rolls at family dinners? Perhaps you have guidelines for spending time with your girlfriends, even when the holidays get hectic?

My tip? Since I make my own holiday cards (you can see some of them on the other Girlfriendology blog - www.girlfriendologyToo.blogspot.com - for the creative side of girlfriends), I often find myself super stressed trying to get everything done on time. I usually take projects with me in the car when my husband drives. (I've taken things to read, put together or even cut out - even with a big paper cutter, in the car!) I know it is a whimpy idea, but it helps me multi-task when in transit.

Okay, another one? I usually buy a bunch of hostess gifts early in the season to share when we visit our friends. Wine, candles, coffee, cookies - whatever might be a good treat for them to have around during the holidays. It just saves me time from rushing out frequently to find a rush gift.

Okay your turn! Remember, one of the great things about girlfriends is how we learn so much from each other. Just click on "comment" below and share your advice. And, don't let the holidays stress you out. Make sure and spend time with your girlfriends. Together you'll laugh, reduce your stress levels, be healthier and even live longer - which means you'll have even more time to enjoy your girlfriends! Happy Holidays! (Now, leave a TIP!)

p.s. Coming around Thanksgiving - more shopping for your girlfriends at www.girlfriendology.com! Get your shopping done then go hang out with your girlfriends!

Girlfriend Gear, Girlfriend Gifts ... from Girlfriendology

Women from Australia, UK, Philippines, Jamica, Israel, Indian, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, etc. have stopped by Girlfriendology recently. And why not? Having, inspiring, appreciating, supporting, celebrating and loving our girlfriends is universal. We all need our girlfriends!

Just in case you also need a gift for your girlfriend or you'd like to wear girlfriend gear, I just updated our Girlfriendology store. Stop by for a little girlfriend shopping ... shirts, mugs, greeting cards, bags, etc. We'd appreciate it!

(Thanks for letting me do a quick plug for Girlfriendology!)

ALSO, Girlfriendology will share our profits with women-oriented non-profits. Email us if you have a recommendation for causes/non-profits. Thanks!