Back to Where it All Began

On October 1, 2008 we opened our first store in the falling down, basically vacant shopping center on the southwest corner of Audelia and Walnut Hill in Lake Highlands.  Since that time the shopping center has seen tremendous change with the demolition of most of the shopping center, a total remodel of the remaining parts of the center and a bunch of new tenants.  

Also since that time we did what many entrepreneurs do - we tried to expand to build our business.  We opened stores in Hillside Village and later in Preston Center only to realize that where we really belong is right where we started, back in Lake Highlands.

So as of August 1, 2014, we are back to a single store company.  Always our favorite, now our only, the store in Lake Highlands is the only place you will find T. Hee!

Over the years our concept has grown as well.  When we first opened invitations were a huge part of our new business now we have a great selection of toys, gifts and even boutique wines and craft beers.  Always affordable.   Always friendly.  We are the locally owned, neighborhood store that you can always count on for exactly what you need.

And we are HUGE with holidays!  Check out these great metal stakes for Halloween!  You can stick them in your potted plants, in your landscape or hang them on your door or wall.  So adorable!

And don't forget us when you need teacher gifts, baby gifts, candles, toys and games.  

We love being your...

Locally owned, fabulously fun, gift, stationery and boutique wine store!

5 Best Teacher Gifts

I think we can all agree that teachers are the great unsung heroes of our communities.  Not only do they educate our youngins, but they teach them how to work, play well with others, wipe their noses, tie their shoes and they do this all without hanging them out the window by their toes… That is the most amazing part.

Now then, we all know that our teachers are woefully underpaid…especially when you consider what all they must endure every day.  It is more important than ever that, when possible, we remember our teachers and educators with a nice gift.   To help you choose the right gift, we polled our teachers to find out what THEY want this holiday season.

1. Something for the classroom – with budget cuts teachers are left on their own to supply their classrooms so when giving gifts, think of things they can use.  For example, books that they can read to their class, art supplies, office supplies and classroom decorations are always appreciated.  You may find a greater need for these items with younger/newer teachers.
2. Personalized note cards and note pads – teachers are always writing notes and having something cute and personalized makes note writing that much more enjoyable.
3.  Gift Cards – think Target, Wal Mart or a local grocery store. 
4. Personalized Gifts to use in the classroom – items like a monogrammed clip board is always a useful gift so is a personalized insulated water or coffee mug
5. Home Décor – cute picture frames, holiday platters, cute nut dishes or serving bowls – but err on the side of caution.  Nothing too overly decorated, keep things light and simple

What Teachers do NOT want

When we polled our teachers they were almost as vocal about what they did not want as they were about what they would like to receive.  The list is short but simple

1. Anything with TEACHER on it -  Same applies to apples, rulers, chalk – if you are going to give them a gift, make it something personal for them, not for the teaching profession.
2. Fragrances – since everyone’s taste is different it is best to stay clear from anything fragranced.  If you really feel compelled to give a candle, some nice soap or other fragranced item, make sure the scent is VERY light and not overly flowery.  Look for fragrances that include vanilla, linen or crisp in the title

Regardless of what you give, all teachers responded that they are very appreciative of any gesture.  Depending on your station in life (are you just starting out or is Warren Buffet asking you for a loan?) plan on spending $10 - $15 per teacher, per child.  If you are a little shy on funds or have a whole brood of kids each with a dozen teachers then do something small like a $5 gift card to Starbucks or Target. 

Whatever you do – be sure to remember your teachers with a nice gift.  After all, if it weren’t for them your kids would be home with you all day trying to learn calculus and the history of the Mesolithic period.  

Hostess Gift for Overnight Stay

If you are invited for an overnight visit at a friend’s house there is simply no way around it – you HAVE to have a hostess gift!  If you know the person that you are staying with then buying this gift should be fairly easy – something that suits their style or personality.  But what if you don’t know them?

Most likely you were invited by someone – like a family member or good friend of the host.  If so – ask the inviter for some details about the host – are they fancy, modern or traditional?  Do they like to entertain, play games, or decorate?  Are they foodies?  Regardless, here are a few ideas that will fit almost any need:

Food – find a packaged sauce or salsa manufactured in your area that you have personal experience with.  Put it together with some crackers and a package of guest towels or cocktail napkins along with a cute spreader – adorable!

Games – Table Topics is always a fun gift -it’s a box of cards each with a different conversation starting question on it.  Many themes available.

Decorating – we carry a line called Beatriz Ball – it’s hand made pewter that you can go from the fridge to the oven to the table and never needs polishing.  At least half of what we sell is used for “sit about” decorations on the coffee table or night stand – so one of these items is a very versatile, fun gift.

Another nice gift is a package of guest towels and a guest towel holder.  If monogrammed – use the family name’s initial.  If they are a “homey” person or a big cook, a nice selection of fun kitchen towels tied up with a couple of spreaders and/or some fun appetizer plates are always a useful and appreciated gift.

How much to spend?  If you’re there for a night or a weekend, spend about $25 – 50 (a little less depending on your station in life.)  Staying a week?  Try for about $50 for the gift then take the family out to dinner one night.

Oh, and if you get an invitation to somewhere really fab – don’t forget to invite your favorite gift store owners…. we’re always up for an adventure!

Christmas Dinner Menu

Each year my family splits the holidays - my brother serves Thanksgiving, Mom does a traditional Texas-German New Year's (don't ask) and we get to host Christmas.  Since we are the only ones without children we feel it is our job to make everyone else look bad in comparison to our holiday meal.  So this year we've decided to add a n Italian flare to our menu..here's how it's looking

Appetizer:  Almond-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates
First Course:  Pesto Lasagna made with spinach and egg noodles, bechamel, hand made pesto and parmesan cheese
Salad:  I'm really lacking ideas on this one...something with an orange-walnut vinaigrette
Sorbet:  Whatever looks good that day...maybe something like pomegranate
Main:  Pancetta wrapped, roasted Beef Tenderloin served with an Arrabiata Sauce (we call it an angry sauce), an herb crusted, yukon gold & sweet potato layered tart (loaded with gruyere and cream) and lemony/garlicky haricot vert.
Dessert:  Mom's bringing flourless chocolate cake - my favorite!

Thoughts?

New! Shop online on our new sister website!

Finally!  Our new website has hatched!  We are pleased to present our new online shopping website, Party Chick and Paper.  To visit the new web click on http://www.partychickandpaper.com/

This new site offers many of the same great gifts found in our stores at the same great affordable prices!  Now your friends that do not live in Dallas can enjoy the store that you have grown to love.

And another great item at PCaP is Cluck Bucks!  For every $10 you spend on the website you earn 1 Cluck Buck which you can "spend" on future purchases!  And earning Cluck Bucks is easy - you automatically earn just by shopping on our website. If you refer a friend and your friend spends at least $40 you earn 5 Cluck Bucks!  Do you blog?  Write about and link to PCaP and we'll give you another 5 Cluck Bucks!  See how easy is is?

So go online and start shopping now! 

Do you Tweet?

If you know me at all you know how funny it is that I (well, the company) is now on the Twitter! If you Tweet or like to be tweeted to (is that correct tweet-speak?) how about following us? : http://twitter.com/Theegreetings   You know how I am..I like to do silly things like launch one hour sales, preview specials, etc. just for those folks that are friends on facebook (oh yeah, sign up for that one too!) and now for our Twitter friends! So get in the nest and watch for fun stuff to come your way soon!

New Vera Bradley Fall Fabrics are in!

And they are gorgeous!  For fall we are adding the Baroque - a black background with accents of lime, grey adn white; Versailles - a navy-almost-black background with reds, golds and whites; Twirly Bird Pink (the official Breast Cancer fabric) with white on hot pink and Twirly Bird Navy, and Buttercup with a chocolate background and soft pinks, yellows and oranges.  Each fabric is available in all of your favorite styles including the Weekender, the Hipster and the Vera.