Few things are more embarrassing than forgetting the birthday of an important person in your life. Here are five simple strategies to keep on top of birthdays. You don’t have to have a great memory, you just have to have some great tools!

1. If you use a wall calendar, write in all the birthdays at the beginning of the year. (I transfer them from my old calendar.) Then, write in another reminder one or two weeks ahead of each birthday (”Jenny’s birthday in 2 weeks!”) to give yourself enough time to purchase and send a card or gift. Birthdays that fall on the first few days of a month will no longer sneak up on you.

2. A perpetual birthday calendar never needs to be replaced and can be updated easily. Download a free copy of the calendar shown above from Lemon Squeezy. Keep it posted in a spot you’ll see often, like inside a cupboard door or on the wall next to your hanging calendar.

3. Since our lives are more and more managed on our cell phones, download an app like Birthday Express and enter all the birthdays you want to remember, as well as how many days in advance you’d like a reminder. Like an alarm clock, you’ll have a notification pop up right on your phone!

4. Facebook has a good birthday reminder, but if you’re not in the habit of checking Facebook everyday (or every five minutes), sign up for MyCaldendar Birthdays. You’ll get early notifications, and you can write a birthday message in advance that will be delivered on the right day!

5. If email is your preferred mode of information, sign up for reminders from Punchbowl. Not only can you get email reminders for birthdays, anniversaries, and important dates, you can easily share information with your friends and family, which makes it easier to coordinate that group gift for Aunt Lucy.

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Frosted Hugs & Kisses

Our classic assortment of cookies freckled with sweet hugs and kisses in the form of our new frosted cookies. Adorable!

Heartfelt Gift Box

This super cute gift reminds me of “I Love Lucy” and the gourmet treats inside will remind your sweetheart how much they love you.

Little Bit of Love Book

Everybody loves a great love story. And everybody will love this fantastic gift that opens like a book to reveal an assortment of our favorite cookies and brownies.

I Will "Owl"ways Love You Box

It seems that owls are popping up everywhere, including our catalog. The truly wise will be drawn to this gift because it’s brilliant.

Valentine's Personalized Tin

Immortalize your love on a keepsake tin. Trust me, there is no better way to put that photo of you and your boyfriend in the sombreros to good use!

Valentine's Heart Cookie Cake

Of course, there’s always the classics. Who doesn’t want a giant heart-shaped Mrs. Fields cookie? Nobody, that’s who. Perfection.

Perfect Valentine Basket

Valentine’s Day is all about indulgence and abundance for your sweetheart. Two dozen of our new amazing frosted cookies are both of those things. To the nth degree.

Love Monkey

Our sweet Love Monkey is one of my favorites! He’s so cute and soft, and ready to show up with an armload of cookies for your sweetheart, secret crush, or even your little kidlets.

And just because we love you, we’re offering a 15% discount off your entire order before February 1st. Which means that you can shop now, save 15%, and have your gift delivered on Valentine’s Day! Simply use code 12BEB at checkout. Valentine’s Day has never been sweeter.

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1. Make your own fortune cookies. It’s easier than you think to make these beautiful little cookies, and you can add your own predictions for a prosperous new year!

2. Giant, chocolate-dipped marshmallows with confetti-like sprinkles are so festive! Package them in cellophane bags, but don’t be surprised if your guests tear them open before they get out the door.

3. A chocolate chip cookie packaged in a paper CD sleeve is pretty ingenious, and a great way to send a sweet note with an individual treat. Wrap them in baker’s twine for ultimate presentation.

4. Candy confetti packets can be made with brown paper grocery bags, a sewing machine, and some brightly colored thread. Guests can rip them open to open a colorful spray of sweet candies. Such fun!

Have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve, and may 2012 bring you many sweet surprises!

And don’t forget—this is your last chance to share your favorite Mrs. Fields memory to help us celebrate 35 years in business! You could win Mrs. Fields cookies for an entire year!

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Frosted & Fabulous Basket

“Good enough never is.” That’s been the mantra at Mrs. Fields from the beginning. When it comes to our cookies and gourmet gifts, we’ll never ever settle for good enough because it simply won’t do for us or our loyal customers. We’re always pushing ourselves to create the absolute best, which is why we’re excited to announce the latest greatest cookie to grace our gourmet kitchens, our new frosted cookie. We’ve developed a lighter, softer, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base. It’s buttery goodness will blow you away and have you scrambling for any stray cookie crumbs.

And that’s just the cookie.

Now let’s talk about the frosting. We’ve worked tirelessly to create the perfect consistency of sweet, silky frosting that we lavish on each lucky cookie. It’s like a thick, fluffy blanket of deliciousness that leaves all competitors in the dust. To taste it is to love it, to crave it, to ask Santa for giant vats of it for Christmas.

These cookies are unbelievably fabulous and we’re so proud of them, we want everyone to have a taste. That’s why starting today, we are randomly selecting 5,000 (five thousand!) lucky packages to receive a bonus frosted cookie added to their gift. Absolutely free. So, if you’ve ordered a gourmet gift from Mrs. Fields to be delivered this week (or if you’re still planning to—there’s still time), we’re tucking in an extra frosted cookie to introduce you and your loved ones to our mouth watering new treat. It’s our way of saying we love you. Because we do.

To show our love even more, please take 20% off either of these frosted cookie gifts—our Frosted & Fabulous Basket or our Frosted Cookies Seasons Greetings Tin.  Simply use code 11ZEH at checkout.

Frosted Cookies Seasons Greetings Tin

When will we know that we’ve adequately spread the word about our fabulous new frosted cookies? When visions of sugar plums are replaced with visions of Mrs. Fields frosted cookies. Aren’t sugar plums good enough, you might ask? Well, yes, they are. But you know how we feel about that.

Merry Frosted Christmas!

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Happy Hanukkah Platter

Our beautiful Happy Hanukkah Platter arrives with fresh cookies for sharing. It’s a fabulous gift that will last for years.

Embossed Silver Tin

A fresh tin of cookies features a Hanukkah greeting with our special Embossed Silver Tin.

Deluxe Basket of Treats

Looking for a gift that will last for the eight beautiful nights of Hanukkah? How about our Deluxe Basket of Treats? It’s abundant in size and variety.

Check out our entire line of Hannukah gifts (all kosher certified) on our website for even more inspiration!

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Best Bites Boxes by the Case

For example, I love our Best Bites Box by the case. These beauties arrive ready to give out with a variety of 24 bite-sized cookies in each package. And each case comes with 24 boxes each, driving the cost of each individual gift down by 50%!

Bulk Snowflake Ribbon Boxes

Our Bulk Snowflake Ribbon Boxes are another popular gift during the holidays. They’re perfectly sized for individual gift giving. The presentation is perfect, as are the goodies inside! Available in cases of 12.

Bounty of Bites Boxes by the Case

The Bounty of Bites Boxes come in cases of 12 and feature a bounteous 48 bite-sized cookies per box. Yowza! Now that says “thank you!”

Santa's Goodie Bags by the Case

You’ll have a great time playing Santa with this gift. Full of whimsy and flavor, our Santa’s Goodie Bags come in a case of 12 and each bag contains 24 bite-sized cookies.

Check out our entire line of bulk gifts on our website. They’re also great for business gifts, ready to hand out to employees or clients alike!

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We’ve all got that person on our list who is difficult to buy for, who already has everything they want. There’s no need to pull your hair out this season, because I’ve got fabulous solutions that are going to wow your gift recipient and earn you a billion brownie points this Christmas with our line of personalized gifts.

It used to be that personalized gifts had to be homemade, which is great for the crafty folk out there, but leaves the less-crafty or time-limited people in a lurch. However, times have changed. Personalized gifts are now incredibly affordable and can be combined with your favorite gourmet treats from Mrs. Fields to make unforgettable gifts! All you have to do is pick a few details and you’re done. It’s as easy as that. Take a look at this season’s best offerings.

Personalized Stocking

Our Personalized Stocking is ideal for young or old, bearing a beautifully embroidered name and filled with gourmet goodies. (Is it wrong that I want a pair of these stockings for myself?)

Holiday Personalized Cookie Jar

Our Personalized Cookie Jar is a great way to commemorate any important moment, from baby’s first year to a favorite family vacation. This cookie jar has become a bestseller, because it’s so easy to create a totally unique gift for anybody who loves cookies and heartwarming memories.

Holiday Personalized Tins

A tin filled with cookies is a holiday staple, but a Personalized Tin filled with Mrs. Fields cookies is a holiday show-stopper.

Winter Personalized Platter

I love our Personalized Platter for the holiday hostess on your list. Customize it with her family name and she’s got a gorgeous serving tray (filled with our finest) that she’ll use over and over again in her entertaining.

Winter Delights Customized Basket

Our Customized Basket filled with holiday goodies is on its way to becoming an instant classic. Bearing an embroidered name and snowflakes over a sturdy wicker basket. It will be a holiday treasure that will find a million different uses over the years to come.

You can check out our incredible line of personalized products on our website. Keep in mind that personalized orders require a 3-day window before shipment, so orders should be placed before December 15 to ensure delivery before Christmas.

One more thing—we’re offering free personalization for our blog readers! Use code 11XDB at checkout to get free personalization on these gifts. Happy (Personalized) Holidays from me to you!

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1. Santa’s Suspender’s Tote –  $19.99
2. Winter Wishes Mini Ribbon Box – $19.99
3. Santa’s Goodie Bag – $19.99
4.  Chocolate Covered Cookie Extravaganza – $24.99

1. Holiday Wreath Tin – $25.99
2. Merriest Mailbox – $34.99
3. Winter Moose – $34.99
4. Happy Holidays Book Box – $32.99
5. Teddy Elf & Cookies – $29.99

1. Winter Flurry Tin – $39.99
2. Alpine Polar Bear Cookie Jar – $49.99
3. Decadent Dream Box – $44.99
4. Traditional Polka Dot Bundle – $49.99
5. Winter Delights Customizable Basket – $49.99
6. Holiday Hand-Out Tins – $49.99

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1. Do your homework. Gather Thanksgiving Day newspaper ads and visit retailer’s home pages to research the deals that will be offered. Don’t forget to read the fine print, especially concerning quantities and availability. You don’t want to stand in line for a $99 HDTV if there’s only actually one for sale! If you’re unsure about terms of an offer, call the store manager in advance to clarify.

2. Be a scout. Knowing the layout of a store can help you nab the deal you want. The crowds can cause confusion, so know where you want to go beforehand.

3. Set your priorities. Unless you’ve recruited an army of shoppers, you’re not likely to get every early bird, door-busting deal offered, so decide which deals are at the top of your wish list and work down.

4. Pack a snack. Keep a bottle of water and a healthy snack in your purse to keep energy high and irritability low during the shopping frenzy.

5. Review the return policy. Before you ring up, make sure you know the store’s policy on returns and exchanges. You’ll avoid any frustrating surprises if you ask questions before you swipe your card.

6. Know your budget. There will be even more “deals” than you’re expecting, so avoid buyer’s remorse by creating a budget that allows for a little wiggle room, but won’t break the bank.

7. Consider your transportation. Be sure that your car, van, truck, or bus will fit the items that you purchase. Your friend with the pickup truck will probably not appreciate a 6:00 a.m. call for help.

8. Dress in layers. It’s cold outside the doors and warm inside, so be prepared to adjust to the temperatures with layered clothing. It can make all the difference in your experience.

9. Carry a calculator. Don’t rely on your own math skills to make the calculations that morning, especially when some stores will offer an additional percentage off a sale price. Use a calculator to figure out the cost before tossing things in your cart. It’s also a great way to keep a running total of your entire purchase.

10. Shop online. The Internet age has changed Black Friday shopping, which means that unless you enjoy the adventure of a 4:00 a.m. shopping trip, most deals are available online, at home, in the comfort of your pajamas. Several retailers will be offering free shipping as well to entice online shoppers. Don’t forget to check out Mrs. Fields Friday morning, as well as our blog and our Facebook page for special Black Friday deals!

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Fall Leaves Box

If you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving, you know that it involves a lot of work—often days of work—to prepare the feast and the accommodations too. That’s why a thoughtful hostess gift is so important to remember when you are a guest. It’s a generous way of saying, “Thank you for sacrificing your time and home to make this possible.” Here are my top five gift ideas for your Thanksgiving host.

My go-to offering is always a beautiful cookie gift, like our Fall Leaves Box. You can arrive with it in hand, or have it sent the day after with a thoughtful note. It can be opened up and shared with the crowd, or savored as an individual gift. I know I’m biased, but you really can’t go wrong with cookies.

A scented candle is another favorite of mine. As a general rule, I’m not a fan of decorative gifts. It can be stressful for a host to feel like she needs to display it right away. (Remember, she’s got a lot on her mind.) But a candle is easy to incorporate anywhere. The host can light it up immediately for ambiance.

A set of pretty tea towels is always welcome, especially when wrapped around a home baked loaf of bread. And if her kitchen is anything like mine on Thanksgiving, those towels will be put to immediate use!

You could also show up with bubble bath or bath salts for your host. He or she will likely need a long, relaxing soak in a tub after the festivities are over.

Finally, I think a fabulous new music CD is a great gift. Think about your host and his/her taste in music, then select a new album that they’ll likely enjoy. Or, better yet, create a mellow mix of your own favorites that you’ll think they will like. Your host will appreciate the time you took to create it and it can be used as background music for the get together.

What are your favorite hostess gift ideas? Share them in the comments section!

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