We all have people in our lives that are incredibly difficult to shop for. For me, this person is my grandma. For every holiday and birthday for as long as I can remember, every time I asked what is on her wish list all she would tell me is, “I don’t want anything” and “Don’t get me anything”. I always end up getting her something (I can’t actually not get her anything, come on!) and the last two holidays in a row the gifts I gave were a big fat fail.
With Mother’s Day coming up, I began thinking about what the heck I would get her this year. I grew up in my grandparent’s household so I always make sure to include my grandma on Mother’s Day. Since she still has not used the flower shop gift certificate that I bought for her last year for Mother’s Day , I could not get her another one of those and Lord knows I didn’t want to buy her another gift she would politely reject.
But this year I am fairly certain my thoughtful gift is the perfect Mother’s Day gift. I recently learned about Adirondack Stone Works which is a family run stone engraving business in upstate New York. Jeremy and his wife Tavia create beautiful custom pieces of engraved art with bluestone which is a stone quarried in Southern New York State. The stone is a sedimentary stone which is blue-grey in color. All stones are hand shaped with chisels and files.
On their site, I found a Garden Memorial Stone section in which you can get stones engraved to memorialize loved ones who have passed. My grandma’s mother passed away six years ago and she is missed dearly. One of the things my grandma and her mother had in common is their passion for flowers and gardening. I decided to have a memorial stone created in honor of my great grandma Bernice as a gift to my grandma so she could put it in her garden somewhere special. I figured it would be the perfect gift as it will remind her of the bond she shared with her own mother.
I worked with Jeremy to create the lovely memorial stone pictured above and it could not have been an easier process. I designed my stone, he made it and shipped it out all in less than 24 hours. He shipped it on Tuesday and the stone was at my house by Thursday afternoon. Also, shipping within the USA is always free! In addition to memorial stones, they also offer Address Stones, Personalized Garden Stones, Pet Memorial Stones and Wedding/Anniversary Stones. I’m going to have another stone created for the front of our home that has our last name on it, which I think is also an awesome gift idea for any newlyweds or new home owners.
I presented my grandma with the stone over the weekend since I was anticipating my blog post here and I think it’s safe to say that it was one of the better gifts I have given her. She teared up and told me she loved it. We discussed places she could put it in her yard. Our whole family will always think of grandma Bernice when we see that stone in the garden with flowers flourishing around it this summer and for many years to come.
Jeremy and his wife Tavia have been so generous to offer one medium size custom stone to giveaway to one of my readers. All you have to do is enter with the Rafflecopter link below. They have also extended a 20% off discount out to all of my readers until May 13th. The promo code that you must mention is “SCRATCH” and you will receive 20% off your order! Place your order by May 7th or prior to receive your stones in time for Mother’s Day!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, click on the Rafflecopter link below and follow the entry directions.
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This giveaway has now ended. Congratulations Michelle O. for winning the custom engraved stone giveaway! Thanks to all who participated! For everyone else, remember that there is still a 20% promo code for all of my readers that order by May 13th! Just mention “SCRATCH” to receive 20% off your order and free shipping (US residents only).
I’d like to get an address stone made and I’d keep it for myself.
Thanks!
Starla
Good luck!
Beautiful! What a great way to remember a loved one.
It really is! 🙂
Marvelous idea!
I would get a garden stone and give it to my mother. What a great idea.
Thanks for entering, good luck!
I would have a hard time deciding – I already got my Mom’s Mothers day gift although she would probably like this MORE! But then again I really like it TOO!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!!
I know what you mean! I can think of a recipient for each stone type and a couple I’d like for myself. Good luck, Rachel!
These are great – I can think of several people to give these to, (including myself)
I think I would buy EST Year for the anniversary of my Niece.
Yeah it’s a great wedding/anniversary gift idea that is very unique! Good luck!
I would love to win an address stone
Thanks for entering Sidney, good luck!
I would love an address stone and I would give it to my Mother
Best of luck, Margaret!
A wedding/anniversary stone would be the perfect gift for my geologist father and mother.
Wow, that would be very appropriate for them. Best of luck!
Those are so pretty! I think I would get a personalized stone or anniversary stone marking a major turning point in my life..thanks for the chance!
Making an anniversary stone for a life’s milestone is a fabulous idea! What a great way to celebrate and remember your life’s accomplishments!
I’d love the personalized garden stone!
oh! and I would keep it for my home!
I would get my ma one. It would say “Nancy’s garden. Nancy’s rules.”
Cute idea!
I LOVE MY STONE TO REMIND ME OF THE GREAT TIMES WE SPENT IN HER GARDEN TOGETHER….THANK YOU STEPH!!!
Glad you liked it as much as I hoped. A big thanks to Adirondack Stone Works at EngravedStone.net for making such thoughtful gifts!
I would really like one Steph!!!!!! 🙂
Which one and for whom?
I would either have one made in honor of my dog Ricki who was always my rock, but passed on a few years ago, or one for my garden with a meaningful message. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would get an address stone for myself!
Good luck! Thanks for reading 🙂
I would like an address or garden stone!
….for myself or my mom!
Good luck, Judy!
I love the family name stone with the estb. date!! Would love that one for sure!!
I would get an address stone for my parents:)
I would probably get a stone with our last name engraved on it.
I would give it as a gift to my daughter and son-in-law as a reminder of the strength of their love and wedding vows, which is coming up on 5/18/13~~