Good & Perfect Gifts

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Grilling Season is Here! Great Tastes for Your Next BBQ

One of the joys of the summer season is the glorious taste of food made on the grill. Our Wind & Willow gourmet mixes and dips are excellent for seasoning grilled food, plus they make some incredible side dishes. Good & Perfect Gifts in Eldon has all of your favorite flavors, plus a few new ones to try. Not only do they taste amazing, but they're easy to make.

The Main Dish

The staples of a summer BBQ are most often burgers, chicken, steak, bratwurst, and hot dogs. Any of the Wind & Willow dip mixes that we carry in our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop can be mixed with some olive oil to make an unbelievably delicious marinade for meats.

These dip mixes are great for toppers too. The same dip that you use for your chips and fresh vegetables tastes amazing on top of a juicy burger. There is also a wonderful Farm Stand Pickled Relish that is perfect for grilled hot dogs. Did you know that July is Hot Dog Month? You'll definitely want to cook up a few of those to celebrate.

The Side Dish

If the main dish is the star of the BBQ, then the supporting cast is made up of those incredible side dishes. The "show" just wouldn't be as good without all of those extras to pile on your plate.

An incredible advantage with side dishes made with these mixes is that you can make them the day before serving. That will save you lots of time to get ready for company on BBQ day. For a super-simple potato salad, add a prepared dip mix to cooked potatoes, bacon crumbles, and cheese. Prepared dip mixes can also be combined with pasta and vegetables for a quick and easy pasta salad.

We carry special "Table For 2" pasta mixes, like Roasted Red Pepper and Mushroom Parmesan, that are delicious and even gluten free. You will also love the large variety of pickle mixes. We have Dill-icious, Fire & Spice, Rosemary Bell, and Secret Recipe available in both an adorable mason jar and burlap bag refills.

Wind & Willow's Farm Stand Sweet Dreams Pickle Mix plus a few additional items is all you need to make this amazing side salad.

from WindAndWillow.com

The Atmosphere

Once all of the side dishes are ready and the meat is waiting to be grilled, it's time to get your patio or dining room ready to feed all of those hungry people. If you'll be dining outside, don't forget a few citronella candles around the yard to keep any pesky bugs at bay.

The mason jars that your Farm Stand Pickle Mixes came in make adorable drinking glasses, and those burlap bags from the refills are perfect for storing silverware. There are many adorable home decor items at Good & Perfect Gifts to add to the atmosphere, and also kitchen accessories to serve up all of that yummy food on.

Don't forget yourself. You'll want to look your best when you host a summer BBQ. We have gorgeous clothing items, bags, flip flops, and the jewelry to match. Shop with us on Fashion Wednesday each week and get Buy-1-Get-1 at 50% off on clothing items, plus fashion jewelry discounts.

Good & Perfect Gifts has all you need for a great BBQ!

Stop by our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop soon and see what new things we have in store. You are sure to find something wonderful to prepare for your next get together. With these mixes and just a few other ingredients, you'll have a delicious meal that all of your guests will rave about.

Sample Saturday is happening every weekend this summer at Good & Perfect Gifts, where you can try a few of the gourmet treats that we have to offer. New samples every week, so be sure to come back often and try them all.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

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Friday, July 8, 2016

Shop Local for Independent Retailer Month This July

July is Independent Retailer Month, and our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop fits perfectly into that category. Shopping locally is great for a community, and this month highlights that fact, reminding people of the benefits of shopping smaller stores like Good & Perfect Gifts.

What are those benefits? Here are a few:

Personal Touch

The "big box" stores found all over the country may offer convenience when you shop, but they are so large that they often lack that special, personal touch that you experience at an independent retailer. Larger chains will have great big staffs to handle all of the merchandise that they carry. There is a very good chance that you will be helped by someone different every time that you shop there.

Shopping online is even more convenient than going into a big store, but once again, that personal touch is usually missing. If there is online help, it will most likely be written in email or message form, and if you have to call, you may be on hold for a long time.

At Good & Perfect Gifts, you will always be greeted by a familiar face. Each time that you come in, Jera, Eva, or Bridget will be there with a big smile and welcoming hello. We love being able to learn our customers names and get to know all about them. It starts to feel like an extended family. You are always welcome to come in, join us for a cup of coffee, something tasty from Sugar B's Cakes & Pastries, and a bit of friendly conversation.

Local Flavor

While the big chain stores often carry almost every item you could possibly need, the things that they have for sale are dictated by what people all over the country are wanting to buy. When you shop locally at an independent retailer, a large majority of the pieces available to purchase come from local companies.

Our gift shop in Eldon is proud to offer many products made from companies that are very close to home. Some of these include:

Good & Perfect Gifts - Eldon, MO
Sugar B's Cakes & Pastries - Eldon, MO
Wind & Willow - Mt. Vernon, MO
Swan Creek Candle Co. - Swanton, Ohio
molly & drew - Sac City, Iowa

Community Support

Spending money at a local retailer ends up supporting the community it is located in. For example, the money that you use to purchase an item at an independent retailer will usually be spent again up to 15 times before leaving the area. Most of the money spent at a large chain will leave that town immediately. Shopping locally allows you to support a neighbor, and in turn that neighbor's business supports the community you live in.

In July in particular, everyone is encouraged to support local businesses, but we hope to see you all year long at our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks, and also at the many other wonderful independent retailers in the area. Shopping locally helps to keep our incredible community the great place to live that it is. Good & Perfect Gifts thanks you for helping us to become a part of your community.

A popular destination gift shop near the

Lake of the Ozarks

1603 Business Hwy 54,

Eldon, Missouri 65026

573-392-7900

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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Fun, Fireworks, & Fairs This Fourth of July!

Our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop is located in Eldon, the Gateway to the Lake. While most people will be heading to areas that are closer to the water this holiday weekend, the town of Eldon is offering some good old, classic family fun this 4th of July.

This year's annual 4th of July parade has been combined with the annual Miller Country Fair parade. The holiday will kick off a week's worth of fun for everyone in the area. Good & Perfect Gifts has the home decor, tasty foods, and fantastic fashions that you need to celebrate, and this blog has a list of places you can go to have an eventful holiday.

The Parade & Fireworks

This year's parade will take place on Monday, July 4, and the theme is "Show us your Red, White, and Blue...The Miller County Fair is for you!" The parade will start at 10:00 am, beginning at the Eldon Career Center and continuing downtown, finishing up back where it began.

The floats will be decked out in their best red, white, & blue, and everyone attending the parade is encouraged to do the same. In addition to the community floats, be prepared to see vintage cars, horse-drawn wagons, and much more. Don't forget to bring a bag to hold all of that candy being thrown too!

Be sure to make your way back to town at dusk. The City of Eldon will be putting on a spectacular fireworks display once the sun goes down.

photo from Funlake.com

Other Lake Area Fireworks Displays

Since the 4th of July falls on a Monday this year, the lake area is hosting a variety of fireworks displays and celebrations all weekend long. Funlake.com has a complete list of all of the events happening Friday-Monday over the holiday weekend.

The Miller County Fair

July 5-9, the fair will be filled with all of the excitement and fun that you have come to expect from this type of event: carnival rides, games, food, pageants, livestock shows, 4-H & FFA exhibits, a rodeo, truck & tractor pull, and a demolition derby! You can find a full schedule of events on the Miller County Fair website.

Fair admission is $2 for children ages 6-12, and $10 for ages 13 and up each night except Wednesday evening. Wednesday is an "open gate" night, and it is absolutely free to attend the fair. There is a separate admission fee for all events taking place at the EHS Performing Arts Center. You can purchase nightly armbands for unlimited carnival rides from 6-10:30 pm for $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Prepare for the 4th of July at Good & Perfect Gifts

You will find many adorable home decor and accent items at Good & Perfect Gifts to dress your home in red, white, & blue this holiday. We also carry some excellent fashion pieces to help you look your patriotic best.

Don't forget about the picnics and gatherings of family and friends that you will be attending, or hosting, over the weekend. You can pick up something pre-made and delicious from Sugar B's Cakes & Pastries, or grab a few of our gourmet mixes to whip up some treats of your own for those hungry crowds.

Everyone here at our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop want to wish all of you a very happy 4th of July weekend, and a county fair experience full of amazing memories.

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, June 23, 2016

Redecorate Your Home for Summer

Summer is officially here, and a great way to celebrate this fantastic season is to let your home decor reflect it. You will find a wide variety of the best home decor at the Lake of the Ozarks in our Eldon gift shop. If you are ready to bring the look and feel of summer inside your house, Good & Perfect Gifts has a few ideas to help you do this.

Bright, summery colors

Adding pops of color all around the rooms in your home is a wonderful way to bring in a cheery feel. Bright greens like a freshly mowed lawn, vibrant yellows and oranges like a sunny day, or the refreshing blue of a clear afternoon sky. Each of these embodies summer.

Refreshing, summery scents

It's time to trade out those warm, wintry scents for lighter ones. Freshly washed linens, fruity citrus and melons, or a salty ocean breeze. Smelling those aromas will put your mind and spirit on a mental vacation. Our Swan Creek Candle Co. soybean wax candles are excellent for this. Also, don't forget that every Thursday we offer an incredible special on all of our wonderfully scented Tyler products for Fragrant Thursday.

Bring the outside in

Nature is gorgeous, so don't hesitate to bring some of that beauty indoors. If you don't have a green thumb, the artificial flower arrangements in our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop are a fantastic substitute that requires no special care. Simply put it in place and enjoy.

Another easy way to bring the outdoors in is to open the curtains and bathe your home in natural light. As long as the weather permits, open those windows too.

Don't forget to decorate the outside

After you bring some of nature's beauty indoors, go back outside and decorate the front of your home, plus any areas that you will utilize often this season, like back porches and decks. Curb appeal adds a lot to the look of a house. Wreaths and banners on doors, decorative flags hanging from poles, and pretty flower pots at the entrance will all make your home warm and inviting.

Utilize fresh fruit

Summer is the time when many of the most colorful fruits are in season. Fill bowls with your favorites. The added bonus to looking beautiful is that they are also edible. Once you enjoy the flavors, you'll need to buy more, so this look can be changed up often.

Switch out your art and tchotchkes

A quick way to change the look of a room is to replace the art on your walls every season. That doesn't mean that you have to buy new art every few months (although we do have an amazing collection of wall art in the store!) Rotate your favorite pieces instead. The same goes for all of those knick-knacks on the shelves. Switching them out, or simply moving them to another area, will refresh the decor.

When you are ready to update one, or all of the rooms in your house, visit us at Good & Perfect Gifts. You will find a little bit of everything within our constantly changing merchandise. Right now our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks is full of fabulous items that are perfect for helping your home reflect this marvelous new season we have entered. Stop in often and see what's new each week.

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, June 17, 2016

Good & Perfect Treats

Our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks has a gigantic variety of wonderful items to give away or pick up for yourself. Among these, we feature many gourmet treats. All summer long, Good & Perfect Gifts in Eldon will be hosting our brand new Sample Saturdays, allowing you to taste many of these mixes, dips, and more!

Every Saturday this season, from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, stop by and try a few of our most popular foods, plus a few brand new ones that are sure to become favorites. There are lots of different mixes for dips, cheeseballs, soups, pastas, pickles, bread, slow cookers, and more. We even carry our very own Good & Perfect Gifts brand for you to enjoy. Here are a few foods that we may offer on Sample Saturday.

The Good & Perfect label Tropical Chicken Salad Mix is full of flavor, and it is extremely simple to make. The mix itself contains dried cranberries, onions, pecans, and bell peppers. You simply add fresh pineapple and Miracle Whip and it’s ready to serve up to your hungry crowd.

Wind & Willow is a very well-known brand that many of our customers have come to love. We feature local companies whenever we can, and this one is based out of the beautiful Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. Their Loaded Cheddar Hot Dip Mix is served hot, and is perfect for dipping pita chips or even drizzling over a baked potato.

A sweet treat from Wind & Willow is their Lemon Cheesecake Cheeseball & Dessert Mix. Not only a great dip, it makes an incredible cheesecake. All you have to do is add cream cheese and Cool Whip, then place it in a graham cracker crust.

Market-To Market is another one that we will occasionally feature on Sample Saturday. They offer more than 30 different gourmet spice blends that are handcrafted for party dips, spreads, cheese balls, and gifts. They always make sure to use healthy and nutritious ingredients. We love the clever names, too: Garlic of Eatin’, Popeye’s Passion, Thrill of a Dill, Jack & the Bean Dip, and Just Horsin’ Around.

Add a trip to our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop to your weekend plans and join us for Sample Saturday each week from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Try something new and maybe even find a brand new kitchen favorite. While you are at Good & Perfect Gifts, you are sure to find something perfect, not only for gift-giving, but to treat yourself with too.

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, June 8, 2016

Dads Love Our Jack Black Products

Sunday June 19 is Father's Day this year. Our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop is a great place to find a wonderful Father's Day gift for the men in your life. One particular brand that we highly recommend here at Good & Perfect Gifts is Jack Black. They have excellent products made especially for a man's skin and hair.

Jack Black - Authentic & Original

This company was created due to the lake of premium-quality skincare available for men. Emily Dalton and Curran and Jeff Dandurand created the Jack Black line in 2000, before the popular comic actor of the same name became a household name. They were quickly able to convince the most distinguished prestige retailers to carry their product. Good & Perfect Gifts is thrilled to be one of these retailers.

Quality Ingredients

Only the most superior ingredients are used to create this fine line of men's skincare. Everything is handcrafted, multi-functional, and dermatologist tested. It is also colorant-free and cruelty-free. They pride themselves on the natural ingredients used to create their products. The key 11 ingredients used are:

Eucalyptus
Macadamia Nut Oil
Jojoba Oil
Shea Butter
Peptides
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Rosemary
Sage

photo from GetJackBlack.com

Easy To Use

Most of the men that we know prefer to spend as little time getting ready as possible. Jack Black products are perfect for this because they are not only simple to use, but they are also multi-functional. They are fast-absorbing and allergen free, so they go on quick and clean. One product washes both hair and skin, while another works as a shave cream and moisturizer at the same time.

Healthier Skin

You will notice an immediate improvement in the look and feel of a man's skin that uses Jack Black products, not to mention the exhilarating natural fragrances. There are also long-term effects, giving a person healthier looking skin with anti-aging benefits.

Pick up a few products for Dad.

Good & Perfect Gifts carries many of the fantastic items from Jack Black. Pick up one to test out, or grab a few and make a great gift basket for someone this Father's Day. A few of the selections that we carry are:

Beard Lube
Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser
Face Buff Energizing Scrub
Post Shave Cooling Gel
Clean Cream Body Wash
Lip Balm
Cologne
Cool Moisture Body Lotion

Our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks carries many wonderful things that any Dad would love to receive. Stop by Good & Perfect Gifts in Eldon before Father's Day and take a look around. You are sure to find something perfect to thank your dad for all that he does for you.

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, June 3, 2016

10 Great Excuses to Surprise Someone With a Gift

Everyone loves receiving presents, and most of us even enjoy giving them. Just because there aren't any birthdays or holidays coming up in the near future, that doesn't mean that you can't pay a visit to our Lake of the Ozarks gift shop and pick up something for someone special.

Of course, if you feel like you need a reason to buy something, then Good & Perfect Gifts has come up with ten for you right here. Think about a person in your life, then apply one of these reasons to them. Voila! Time to go shopping.

They are an amazing friend.

This is that person in your life that can always bring a smile to your face, no matter what the situation. Return the favor and surprise them. You can even apply this to an amazing boss, family member, neighbor, etc... If they brighten your day in any way, return the favor.

You are in a great mood.

If you are having the best day ever, pass along those good feelings. Pick up something nice and gift it to someone you come across that looks like they could use a mood boost.

Last week was rough.

Has someone that you know recently had a tough time or a string of bad luck? A gift is a nice way to let them know that not everything is bad, and it will all get better.

The gift was "screaming their name."

We've all had this happen. You are shopping and see something that is perfect for (insert name here.) There is no rule saying you have to come back later to get it or save it until Christmas. Buy it and give it to them now.

The gang's getting together.

Everyone is getting together for a potluck or barbecue, or maybe it's a ladies' weekend out. Find some small, sentimental favor to give to everybody that will always remind them of this incredible time together and their good bunch of friends.

You haven't seen them in a long time.

Occasionally we lose touch with people that we were once very close with due to distance, time, or maybe just everyday life. If they have been on your mind lately, send them something and rekindle that old friendship.

It's your anniversary (sort of.)

You can get incredibly creative with this one. Buy a candle for your spouse because that storm knocked the power out a year ago and you ate dinner by candlelight. Grab a packet of our beer bread mix for that friend that partied with you the year you turned 21. Pick a small moment in life that you shared with someone and celebrate it.

There's too much time between holidays.

If you are a person that always picks up something for everyone not only on the big holidays, like Christmas, but also for the smaller ones, like Arbor Day, then those months with nothing to celebrate are rough for you. Don't wait for a holiday, make up your own! Remember the "Un-birthday Party" from Alice in Wonderland? Give your friends a "Happy No-holiday Day" gift.

They are difficult to surprise.

We all know someone that is impossible to surprise with what you buy them for regular gift-giving occasions. Buy them a present for no reason at all. They won't be expecting that, and they'll have to be surprised.

Just because...

Don't waste time rationalizing the purchase, just get it! You really don't need to come up with a reason to buy something nice for someone, including yourself. You deserve a gift every now and then too.

When you visit our gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are so many wonderful things on display, you will have a hard time not finding something you absolutely have to have. Good & Perfect Gifts in Eldon receives new items weekly, so every time that you shop with us, you will have many new incredible things to browse through, and you're bound to find the perfect item for someone on your list.

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