Good & Perfect Gifts: 2017

Friday, September 1, 2017

A Few Fun Facts For Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is seen by many people as the unofficial end of summer. They use this 3-day holiday to enjoy one last blast of summertime activities. Labor Day didn't originate as a last chance to enjoy the season, but as a day to honor hard-working Americans. Here are a few interesting facts that we found out at Good & Perfect Gifts about how this holiday came about.

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City before it was a legal holiday. The Central Labor Union planned a parade to honor union workers on Tuesday, September 5, 1882.
About 10,000 workers marched in that parade from City Hall to 42nd Street, then on to Wendel's Elm Park where their families joined them for picnics, a concert, and speeches.
No one is exactly sure who came up with the idea of Labor Day. It was either Peter McGuire, a carpenter, or Matthew MacGuire, a machinist. Over the years people confused the two due to the similarity of their last names, so now the real story is unclear.
Back then, people really were in need of a day off. Many Americans worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week. The Adamson Act was passed on September 3, 1916 requiring a work day to be no more than 8 hours long.
Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a legal holiday in 1887. That same year, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey did the same. By 1894, 23 states were officially celebrating Labor Day.
It was approved as a legal national holiday on June 28, 1894 to be celebrated the first Monday in September every year.
Canada also celebrates this holiday at the same time as the United States, but they spell it "Labour" Day. Many other countries choose to celebrate on May 1 instead for International Workers Day.

Now that you know the origin of Labor Day, how will you be celebrating yours? In honor of the original reason for the holiday in the first place, make sure to avoid work if at all possible. It is supposed to be a day off from work, so if you have the chance to do that, enjoy it!

Get together with your family or a few friends and savor summer while you still can. Fall is just around the corner. However you decide to spend your Labor Day weekend, all of us at Good & Perfect Gifts wish you a very happy and very safe holiday.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Friday, August 25, 2017

Another Awesome Event - The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

Living in mid-Missouri gives you the chance to take advantage of everything the Lake of the Ozarks has to offer. This includes many annual events that bring people to our neck of the woods from all over the country, and in some cases, from even farther away! One of these events happening just a short drive from Good & Perfect Gifts is the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.

photo from www.LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com

What is the Shootout?
The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout brings the top powerboat racers and off-shore racing boats to our lake to compete for the title of "Top Gun," meaning they are faster than all the rest. It is the largest unsanctioned boat race in the Midwest, boasting over 100 racers and more than 100,000 spectators! Many may come to watch the excitement of the boats speeding across the water, which can reach over 200 MPH, but underneath it all, money is being raised for some very worthwhile local causes. After the 2016 races, $195,000 was donated to 34 different charities and local fire departments in the lake area.

Some Shootout History

It all started back in 1988 as a friendly race to find out which local boats were the fastest, plus raise funds for the Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Lake Ozark Fire Districts. The name "Shootout" comes from the fact that the races took place at Shooters 21 in Osage Beach. After a few name changes, the event became the "Lake Fire Rescue Shootout in 1997. In 2007, Shooters 21 was demolished the day after their final Shootout race.

Captain Ron's Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach became the new Shootout home base the following year on the event's 20th anniversary. To this day, the Shootout has remained in this location, but many other spin-off events have been added to make the entire celebration a week-long event. There are poker runs, mini-shootouts, treasure hunts, and much more, including a meet & greet with racers and their boats on the Bagnell Dam Strip prior to the races. All of that fun leads up to 2 days full of the fastest boats you've ever seen on the lake!

photo from www.LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com

The Races
On Saturday & Sunday, August 26 & 27, the races take place. You can view them from Captain Ron's, where there will also be a vendor village set up. The best views to be had are from the water, though. Boats filled with excited spectators will line the course, thrilled to watch each racer take their turn against the clock. You can catch a shuttle from Captain Ron's to the Celebration Cruise Boat to watch all the action from there if you don't have a boat of your own.

If you aren't able to get yourself on a boat for the day, the races will be streaming live online from www.LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com. That site also has all of the additional information you could possibly wish to know about this incredible event, including times for last year's winners. You will be amazed by what you see!

photo from www.LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com

So if you are lucky enough to be in the lake area this weekend like we are at Good & Perfect Gifts, take part in some of that Lake of the Ozarks fun. Summer's nearly over. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and awesome weather while you still can!

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Friday, August 18, 2017

Total Eclipse at the Park - A Family Fun Event!

A very popular subject that is on everyone's minds lately is the total solar eclipse happening on Monday, August 21. The city of Eldon has put together an event for everyone in town to gather and enjoy this incredible phenomena together. Good & Perfect Gifts has those details for you today, plus a few safety tips to keep in mind while you are viewing this spectacular sight.

Total Eclipse at the Park
The Eldon Chamber of Commerce is hosting their "Total Eclipse at the Park" for anyone and everyone that would like to come out and join the fun.

Monday, August 21, 2017

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Rock Island City Park

The Chamber will be selling special Eclipse "Sun"-daes complete with "Moon" Pies for $2 each. (Very clever!) You can also purchase a commemorative t-shirt from them for $10 each.

This will be the first total solar eclipse on the continental U.S.A. since 1979, and the first one to cross the entire continent from ocean to ocean since 1918. We are very lucky in this area of the country. The path of the eclipse will put the sun close to its highest point as it travels over Missouri, meaning we will have an incredible view.

There is a total solar eclipse about once a year that happens somewhere on the planet, but it does not always occur in a spot that is easily visible, such as over a large body of water. This is the first total solar eclipse that is only visible from the U.S.A. since before 1776. Just another reason that you don't want to miss out on seeing this amazing natural occurrence while you have the chance.

Eclipse Viewing Safety
There are a few safety guidelines that you will want to keep in mind so that you don't do any permanent damage to your eyes viewing the solar eclipse. Even while the sun is partially covered by the moon, it is still dangerous to look directly at it without protection.

Wear approved solar eclipse glasses.
The only safe way to look at the uncovered or even partially covered solar eclipse is by wearing special solar eclipse glasses. These have special-purpose solar filters that meet international standard ISO 12312-2. If your glasses do not contain that label, they may not be safe to use. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not offer enough protection to look directly at the sun. If you wear eyeglasses, place the solar eclipse glasses on over them.
Cover your eyes BEFORE looking at the sun.
Put your solar eclipse glasses on while looking away from the sky, and make sure they are in place before looking up. The only safe time to remove them is when the sun is totally eclipsed, with just a very slight halo of light surrounding the moon. This may last less than a minute. Once the moon moves away from the sun again, you should replace your eclipse glasses, and only remove them after looking away from the sky.
Be cautious watching through telescopes, cameras, etc...
If you will be looking at the solar eclipse through anything like a telescope, camera, binoculars, or any other optical device, it will need to have its own solar filter made especially for this. The concentrated rays coming through the lens without a filter can damage your eyes, even through the eclipse glasses.

If you notice any problems with your eyesight after the eclipse, it's a good idea to have an eye doctor take a look at them. You should only take wonderful memories from this experience, not eye problems!

All of us here at Good & Perfect Gifts hope that you each have a wonderful viewing experience for this, very possibly, once in a lifetime event. Enjoy it, and keep those eyes safe!

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Friday, August 11, 2017

A Few Of Our Favorite Gift Ideas

The name "Good & Perfect Gifts" makes perfect sense for us because we offer the best gifts in mid-Missouri. Among our incredible selection of gifts, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. Here are a few "Good & Perfect" ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Home Decor
You can always find room in your home for something new and pretty. Candles are always an excellent fit, and they not only add beauty but also incredible scents to any room. It's an easy way to add incredible ambiance.

Our wall hangings come in a variety of subjects with lots of different styles to choose from. Some have funny or inspirational sayings. It can be fun to pick out one of those as a gift that fits the person you have in mind. We also have a wonderful variety of art for your walls. You'll find everything from religious to animals to beautiful landscapes and more.

Fashion
A woman can never have too much jewelry, and we have an amazing selection of the best jewelry in mid-Missouri. You will find name brands you know and love, like Brighton, Kameleon, and LaFonn, plus many brands that may be new to you, but create gorgeous pieces any woman would be thrilled to wear.

It is very unlikely that anyone would mind getting a new purse for a gift. (It's fun to have lots of those too!) We've got wallets and small clutches, handbags, and even large bags perfect for travel. Our Brighton handbags are at the top of the popularity list, and the company will even clean and condition their leather handbags once a year when the new owner sends in the registration card!

Food
It is often said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and we have it on good authority that women love to receive tasty treats as gifts too. Good & Perfect Gifts has our very own line of delicious treats in jars that are always a favorite, as well as our savory spice mixes. Some of the gourmet treats that we carry are ready to eat right out of the package, and we also have an incredible variety of mixes for making dips, marinades, soups, cheeseballs, desserts, and even meals just for two.

The next time that you find yourself searching for that perfect present for someone special, head on over to Good & Perfect Gifts. With the extensive selection of items that we keep on our shelves, you are bound to find exactly what you need. Our inventory changes often, so each time that you visit you will find something new and wonderful.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Brighton - A Perfect Gift For Any Occasion

It can be difficult to try to match the perfect gift with the woman you are wanting to find one for. Luckily, the Brighton products that we carry here at Good & Perfect Gifts can solve that dilemma for you, no matter what the occasion! With the wide selection of beautiful jewelry, handbags, shoes, sunglasses, and more, there's something for everyone.

Jewelry
First of all, let's talk about the gorgeous jewelry that this incredible company creates. Most women are thrilled to add a new piece of jewelry to their collection. All of the designs from Brighton have a classic look that never goes out of style, yet seems perfectly at home next to more modern pieces of jewelry. As a gift, the best thing about buying a piece of jewelry for someone special is that they will think of you every time that they wear it.

Charms
One particular type of Brighton jewelry that gives you the chance to begin a collection for someone is their wonderful selection of charms. They come in a multitude of shapes and colors, and there seems to be a unique charm for every occasion, hobby, and interest. You can wear then on a necklace or bracelet, and even add them to a keychain. The very best part is that once a collection is started, you have a "go-to" gift for that person each time that you need to get something for them.

Good & Perfect Gifts, Brighton, jewelry, handbags, sunglasses, more 3

Handbags
Some women will only buy themselves 1 or 2 purses out of necessity, but it's always nice to have a few more than that to match to outfits and outings. Receiving a beautiful new purse as a gift gives a person the enjoyment of being able to have extras without feeling like they have "splurged" on themselves. After all, some of the most treasured gifts are the ones that someone would love to have but wouldn't normally buy for themselves.

Brighton handbags are made with the finest quality materials in styles that are timeless. All of their Italian leather handbags are hand-stitched and come with a 2-year warranty. In addition to that, once the registration card is mailed back to the company, they will clean and condition that handbag for you every single year! That makes it a gift that will last for many, many years to come.

...and there's more!
You may not realize that Brighton has a lot more to offer than just their very popular jewelry and handbags. Good & Perfect Gifts also has an incredible selection of shoes, sunglasses, watches, phone cases, jewelry boxes, and more from this amazing company.

Summer's not over yet, plus the sun still shines in the winter too, so a fancy pair of sunglasses will get a lot of use. A woman can never have too many shoes, and who doesn't need something pretty to keep all of that jewelry in?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, Brighton products make excellent gifts. Not only do you have a wide variety of gorgeous items to choose from, but they are all made with the brand's high-quality attention to detail and timeless style. Stop by Good & Perfect Gifts this week with someone in mind, even if that special someone is you! After all, you deserve to treat yourself every once in a while!

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Thursday, July 27, 2017

A Family-Fun Local Event - The Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop

The Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop is not only a fun annual event at the Lake of the Ozarks for the entire family, but it also raises much-needed funds for many local charities and organizations. It's quite an amazing sight to see, and there are lots of activities to enjoy surrounding it. Good & Perfect Gifts has the details for you right here.

The Activities
You can find exciting activities to enjoy on Friday and Saturday, August 4 & 5, 2017 for this year's event. There's something fun for people of every age.

-The Duck Drop-
The main event for the Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop is, of course, a Duck Drop! This happens at noon on Saturday, August 5. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, basically rubber duckies are dropped from above by Lake Ozark Helicopter into the Osage River, just below Bagnell Dam. People are invited to purchase tickets, which give them claim to a numbered duck. The first 11 ducks to cross the finish line will be the lucky winners of some incredible prizes, including $5,000 in cash! The best place to watch the drop is just past the Lake Ozark Campground & RV Park office.

Local Kiwanis members have tickets available for sale before the event, or you can purchase them during the golf tournament or on Duck Drop day from 10-11 am in the Family Fun Zone. You can also find them at the following locations:

Bank Star One - Lake Ozark & Osage Beach
Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks - Main Branch, Wal-Mary & KK Branches
Hy-Vee Osage Beach
Woods Supermarket - Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, & Sunrise Beach
Lake Ozark Helicopters
Randy's Frozen Custard
Spieler Insurance Group
Blinds & More
Harmy's Cheese Store & More
Golden Rule Insurance

-The Family Fun Zone-
Also on Saturday, August 5, from 10 am - 1 pm there will be an area set up full of fun things to do and see at the Lake Ozark Campground & RV Park below Bagnell Dam. Vendors will be selling refreshments, but the Fun Zone wristbands to participate in the events and games are FREE! Activities taking place both before and after the Duck Drop include:

Games & Prizes
Petting Zoo
Bounce Houses
Face Decorating
Marital Arts & Dance Demonstrations
Live DJ
Dunk Tank
... and more!

-The Golf Tournament-
On Friday, August 4 a one-of-a-kind "quacky" golf tournament will take place at The Ridge Golf Course in conjunction with the Duck Drop. It's a 4-person scramble with bucket holes, regulation holes, nets blocking approach shots, and various other "ducky" hazards and challenges for golfers of every level. Multiple flights will win prizes, plus there are lots of hole prizes too.

All proceeds raised from the golf tournament will benefit the Lake Area Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Ozark Coast Kiwanis. With your paid entry fee, you will get:

10 Duck Drop Tickets per player
Lunch
18 holes of golf
Tournament goody bag
A day full of fun!

The Money Raised
The money raised from all of the events surrounding the Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop remain local. They are distributed to a long list of non-profit organizations via the Ozark Coast Kiwanis Organization. You get to have a couple of days full of fun and excitement, plus the satisfaction of knowing that many wonderful programs in the area are receiving some much-needed assistance.

Good & Perfect Gifts hopes that many of you can find the time to enjoy this incredible annual event at the Lake of the Ozarks. To find out even more details and get registered for the golf tournament, visit www.GreatDamDuckDrop.com. It's definitely an event worth attending!

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

4 Reasons To Burn Candles All Summer Long

There are people out there that consider candles more of a cold-weather thing, but any true candle fanatic knows that they are wonderful to burn, no matter what the weather. They really don't put off a lot of heat when burned alone, and with the amazing scents you'll find at Good & Perfect Gifts, your summer season will be wonderfully enhanced. Here are 4 reasons that you should be lighting your candles all summer long.

To Relax
There is something so soothing about the delicate, entrancing flame of a candle. After a long day at work, sitting beside a lit candle does wonders for helping you unwind. This effect is greatly enhanced if you choose a scented candle in a relaxing fragrance such as bergamot.

To Bring Summer Scents Indoors
On those days that it's just too hot to be outside and much more comfortable to shut the windows and turn on the AC, a scented candle can bring the seasonal aromas inside with you. Fruity scents such as citrus, strawberry, and pears are wonderful. You can even get a little tropical and pick coconut, pineapple, or mango aromas, and even odors reminiscent of warm sand and an ocean mist can be found in candle form. Floral candles always smell incredible, bringing gardenias, roses, jasmine, lavender, and more out of your garden and into your home.

To Add Evening Outdoor Ambiance
Enjoying a quiet evening outside by candlelight allows you to really take in a gorgeous, starry sky. Turn off all of the electric lights and light a few candles instead. You'll want to make sure that the flame is protected from being blown out by wind. The jar candles we carry at Good & Perfect Gifts are the perfect solution for that.

To Keep Bugs Away
There will be lots of times this summer that you will be outside, but so will those annoying bugs! Citronella candles help to keep them away from where you want to be. You can add a few drops of citronella essential oil (NOT the citronella fuel used for tiki torches) to an unscented candle to keep bugs under control.

We have an incredible candle store at the Lake of the Ozarks. A great time to stock up is every week on "Tyler Thursday" when we offer bonus gifts for spending $15 or more on all of the Tyler Candle Company's amazing scented items we carry. They make a lot more than candles!

You'll also find a wonderful variety of other exceptionally well-made candles from trusted companies on the shelves at Good & Perfect Gifts. These make excellent gifts, but don't forget to pick up a few for yourself too! It's always easy to find a spot in your home or office for a new candle.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Shop Local! It's Independent Retailer Month

The month of July is also known as Independent Retailer Month, and our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks happens to fall into that category. There are many benefits when you "Shop Local" at small businesses in your town, not only for the store, but also for the community in which you live. Good & Perfect Gifts pulled together a little information about this month to share with you.

How It All Began
Independent Retailer Month is celebrated each July across the United States. While consumers are encouraged to shop locally all year long, this month highlights it. The first time that something like this happened was in 2003 when Tom Shay, principal of Profits Plus, created "National Independent Retailer Week." A few years later in 2009, Kerry Bannigan, co-founder of Nolcha Shows, did a similar type of week to encourage people to buy from independent fashion retailers. Her event was city-wide in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Jersey and was featured on many national television networks.

In 2011, Shay and Bannigan came together and began discussing an idea that would include all types of businesses. "Independent Retailer Month USA" was born that July, 2011, with the goal of becoming a global campaign. It expanded to the United Kingdom too, and in 2012, Canada jumped on board.

Why You Should Shop Local
Shopping at small, independent retailers in your city or town has a very positive impact on both the social and economic development of a community. Some of the benefits that come with it are:

Personal Touch
"Big box" stores may offer the convenience of having nearly everything in one place, but they are so large they often lack that special, personal touch you get at an independent retailer. There are numerous people on staff at the larger chains, you may never see the same person twice, and often they only know a little bit about one specific area of the store.

The same goes for online shopping. It's convenient, but it has even less of a personal touch. Smaller retailers know everything about all of their products, and you're very likely to see the same smiling faces every time that you visit. This makes for a much more pleasant and personalized shopping experience.
Local Flavor
Large retailers buy everything in bulk and send the same products out to all of their stores all over the country. Independent retailers may not have the ability or the space to make the large orders that the big stores do, but they do have the time and ability to find local companies that offer incredible products that people in that area are truly interested in. Some of the companies on the shelves at Good & Perfect Gifts that are "close to home" include

Good & Perfect Gifts - Eldon, MO
Wind & Willow - Mt. Vernon, MO
molly & drew - Sac City, IA
Swan Creek Candle Co. - Swanton, Ohio

Community Support
Last, but certainly not least, spending money at a local retailer keeps that money in your community. Studies have shown that an item purchased at a small, local store will usually be spent again up to 15 times before leaving the area. Most money spent at larger chain stores will leave that town immediately. When you support one of your neighbors by shopping locally, that neighbor's business in turn supports the community in which you both live. Win-win!

Independent retailers at the Lake of the Ozarks cover a large area of many small towns filled with creative and talented people. This July, as well as the rest of the year, make an effort to visit some of the small businesses in your area and see what they are all about. You may just discover a brand new favorite store! We hope that Good & Perfect Gifts will become one of your favorites.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

Like us on Facebook