My friend, Joelle Berti is a beautiful French woman with a natural and earthy style. She is a true “Eden-maker.” Joelle always has a new idea, (or twist on an old one) for cooking, decorating and gardening. I was enjoying a cup of red Chai tea at her home this weekend when I spotted a colorful object that appeared to be  a Christmas decoration, sitting on her bar.

 

Beautifully wrapped magazines make a great, custom gift.

“That’s pretty. Is it a Christmas decoration or “yuletide log?” I asked

“What decoration?” Joelle answered looking around

“That one, over there on the bar.” I pointed out

“The gift? Are you talking about the Christmas gift for my friend?” She corrected me with her thick, but understandable French accent.

I picked up the package and noticed that it was in fact a bundle of glossy magazines tied together with a ruby colored velvet ribbon and topped with a handcrafted willow and berry star. The magazines, Paris Match, were selected especially for Joelle’s friend, an American woman who learned to speak French at  the Universite de la  Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris. Joelle was also giving her friend a bottle of French wine to go with it. 

“I love that your gift is so personalized! I have to steal your idea and blog about it. Do you mind?” I asked

Always generous, Joelle responded, “Of course not, go ahead. By the way, my last name is spelled, B-E-R-T-I.”

I have friends and family with diverse interests- some are into politics, others, sports, gaming, gardening, I’m sure to find a specialty magazine to suit their interests. I’ll buy them a subscription and then pick up a few issues to wrap “Ala-Joelle.” With this type of gift, my recipients will remember my thoughtfulness every month when they receive their magazine in the mail. I’ve got a “good friend pass” for the year. 

To order subscriptions online, go to the magazines’ web site, (you can usually find the address on the magazine cover). Add a complimentary gift and you are done!