Plumfare

Dear Friends,

Today we are excited to announce that we’ve been acquired by Groupon!

Plumfare set out to make it easy to find the best local gifts and experiences and we’re looking forward to continuing that mission at our new home.

For the next few weeks we’re going to have to rebuild a bit with new technology, so we won’t be ready for new gifts. Think of it as house cleaning. In time for the holiday season 2013, we’ll let you know about some cool new gift options developed with our new friends.

We’re incredibly excited to continue our mission. For us, it’s an opportunity to take the work we’ve done and apply it more broadly. For our users, it means tons of new merchants and gifts!

While we're rebuilding, all of your outstanding Plumfare gifts are good to use, and support will be open, just as normal.

Questions not answered in our FAQ? Email us at [email protected].

Time to get excited, and see you soon!

— Team Plumfare

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still be able to buy gifts?

Absolutely yes! This change will give you more gifting options. However, we’re going to have to rebuild a bit with new technology. So, for the next few weeks while we do this, we won’t be ready for new gifts. Think of it like a bit of house cleaning. In time for the holiday season 2013, we’ll let you know about some cool new gift options developed with our new friends.

What about my outstanding Plumfare gifts? Will they still be usable?

Well, of course! All outstanding gifts will be good to use, and support will be open, just as normal.

What if I have a question about an existing gift?

Don’t be shy! Just ask. We’re still here to help. Email [email protected]. for all your customer support questions. And of course, you can always reach us at (855) 239-5324

Aside from under the hood, what else will change about available gifts?

In Brooklyn, New York, two very inventive ladies named Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow are hard at work crafting a treasure trove of “mossy little worlds.”  In a word?  Terrariums. Moss, mulch, dirt, and rocks which, if combined in a just-so fashion, yield a sum greater than their parts. These portable mini landscapes, encased in glass, are certainly the perfect gift for a few pals you've probably already got in mind.

And get this. There's one very special thing that makes Twig Terrariums different from all the other domed worlds out there.  In each of their terrariums is a trademark figurine--a different one for every world, whether it’s a zombie (in the terrarium aptly titled “Zombie-ararium”), a fairy (“Enchanted”) or a “feisty flashing” woman showin’ the world what she’s got (“Boobies!).

“We create tiny vignettes, capturing an animated moment in miniature, and to this day each tiny little person charms the socks off us,” says Maslow.

“Terrariums are unique gifts that provide much needed greenery in someone’s life,” she adds. “Everyone can use a little more nature, right?”

We've all got that poor sap of a friend with the pitch-black thumb. Her latest attempt at plant parenting resulted in a sad pile of droopy, yellow leaves.  Or that kid in the family with the crazy imagination. He's the one who likes hanging out in the clouds. 

Whoever the lucky giftee, givers should all take peace of mind in knowing that terrariums are positively guaranteed to make people happier. “The best thing we’ve ever heard after a terrarium-making workshop was, ‘This was just...happy. Pure happy,’” says Maslow. “And that’s pretty much the response across the board, which in turn makes us Twig chicks very happy!”

As for these chicks, they started making terrariums together in 2010 and have since been sweeping in the accolades from press such as the New York Times, Real Simple, New York magazine, and Apartment Therapy.

In love with terrariums yet?

**From now through Monday, July 22, 2013, use Plumfare to give friends a funky air plant statue (the "Living Locks Planter") or a $12 Twig gift card for free. It's on us! Get gifting.

Whether you call it a boulangerie, bakery, or cafe full of delicious doughiness, we've all got our favorites. But if you're looking to send just the right gift to your carbaholic New Yorker pals, sifting through all those baked goods and sweets in the city can get overwhelming.  That's why it's best to rely on a trusted hometown guide with respectable dining chops. We turned to blogger Yvo Sin of Feisty Foodie for a crumb-by-crumb run-down of her favorite bakeries. Maybe you'll luck out and get thanks back in loaves droves!

1. Bouchon Bakery at Columbus Circle "The first of the Bouchon Bakeries to open in the NYC area, there's no denying that the seated portion boasts an amazing view over the Columbus Circle fountain. On a nice spring day, eating pastries as you people watch from above, all of life's little problems just melt away. I am partial to the little chocolate Bouchon cakes - dense, fudgy, and perfectly balanced sweetness."

2. Francois Payard Bakery "I almost don't need to say anything beyond "macaron ice cream sandwiches" (pictured above) in the summertime, but the almond croissants are a personal favorite of mine. The pastries at his patisserie are phenomenal, with rotating flavor focuses based on season, and the bakeries boast some incredible lunch deals. If you're lucky, you'll happen to stop by while Francois himself is in the house (try the UES patisserie), and he'll regale you with tales of being a French chef in his lovely accent with his wonderful sense of humor."

3. Corrado Bread and Pastry "Incredible foccacia, delightful little snacks, and yummy sandwiches."

4. La Boulangerie "Forest Hills [Queens] residents were desperately in need of a good boulangerie; good baguette was impossible to acquire locally. With the arrival of La Boulangerie, fresh, delicious baguettes can be had regularly (though they run out occasionally, and are closed on Mondays), but they also offer other breads that are equally delicious. (I cannot speak to personal experience, however, as I can never seem to bring myself to order anything but the wonderfully crisp, chewy, perfect baguettes.) The pastries - particularly the chocolate cakes - are also delicious. YUM."

5. Dominique Ansel Bakery "I was a regular for a while last summer, often visiting 2-3x a week. I've eaten my way clear through the viennoiserie section, and adore the almond croissants when I can get them (yes, I love almond croissants!). Any of the pastries are well-thought, carefully crafted, and individual works of art... however, what gets me every.single.time is the madeleines [pictured above]. As someone lucky enough to have visited Daniel before Dominique Ansel left to open his own bakery, I have incredibly fond memories of opening that basket of freshly-baked madeleines, the lemon scent wafting out, and my intensely Proustian moment - that first bite of madeleine with its crisp exterior and moist, lemony interior... just heaven."

Who’s got plans to celebrate the Fourth of July over grilled meats and gingham tablecloths? Cheers to kicking back with friends and family, picnicware—and toasting the country with a dog piled sky-high! However, for every backyard and rooftop reveler, there’s one in the bunch who’d also go for a dog dished up by the pros! And for the friend who also appreciates a play on words, try sending a gift to one of these 10 ridiculously punny hot dog restaurants across the country. Reblog or Tweet @Plumfare to share your favorite name!

1. Bark Hot Dogs, Brooklyn, N.Y.

2. Cool Dog Cafe, Cherry Hill, N.J.

3. Holy Dog, San Francisco, Calif.

4. The Dog Pit, San Francisco, Calif.

5. Show Dogs, San Francisco, Calif.

6. Doggy-Style, Alameda, Calif.

7. Haute Dogs & Fries, Alexandria, Va.

8. ChiDogO’s, Washington, DC

9. The Haute & the Dog, Chicago, Ill.

Congrats to Mary Walton, winner of our Plumfare Picks List Contest! Her grand prize? A $50 Plumfare gift, i.e.: free reign to eat down the house at one of her favorite restaurants! We got the rundown and what-to-eat picks at Fat Apples in El Cerrito, Calif., from the "full and happy" giftee.

Plumfare: Let's talk dessert first! How does Fat Apples rank in the sweets department?

Mary: Their olallieberry raspberry jam is delicious when spread on their bakery items or just a piece of toast, and their pies are delicious too. I felt like a kid in a candy store, and even bought a couple of jars of their jam to take home.

Right now you’re either cheering because we’ve tapped into the quirky awesomeness of a site you’ve known about for years or you’re wondering, “What the heck is an uncommon good?” Browse through their hilarious knick-knacks, customizable gifts or handmade products and you’ll definitely catch yourself laughing out loud. “We love unique things you’re really not going to find at other places!” says community outreach coordinator Gaby Dolceamore. 

If you have a friend (or dad?) who might love the personality-packed wares at UncommonGoods just as much, we’re thrilled to help by covering the price of the hilarious "Shark Socks"--kicking off this week. Visit the “UncommonGoods” page on Plumfare.com or in the Plumfare iPhone app to send along the gift! Also available for gifting: $20 toward any barware item, $35 toward any garden item, and $50 toward any office item. 

Here are a few products we’re loving right now.

Shark Socks, $10 These aquatic-themed socks are perfect for that goofball in your life who likes to keep a little surprise under his cuffs.

To see more cool gifts...

  Oyster-lovers. Often spotted at $1 happy hours, they're characterized by an ability to slurp down dozens in a single sitting. Beyond the big city dollar deals, however, often the best bivalve-gorging experiences take place when slurpers have to earn their treats!

In a word? We're talking about shucking. For virgins and seasoned professionals alike, we’re giving away 100 free R. Murphy oyster shucking knives, courtesy of Island Creek Oysters from Duxbury, Mass. The offer kicks off this week through Friday, June 21! What could be a more thoughtful gift for an oyster aficionado?  For those of you who haven’t a clue where to start with the shucking, take a look at this helpful how-to video.

All excited to forge a new career at an oyster farm? Island Creek’s vice president and all-around oyster whisperer Chris Sherman shares insights straight from the bay.

These warm temps have us excited about outdoor get-togethers complete with--what else?--a juicy all-American steak on the grill! Thankfully, renowned Mill Valley, Calif., butcher Bryan Flannery of Flannery Beef is stepping up to quell our red meat cravings. For three weeks starting Monday, June 3, gift a FREE high-end ribeye steak (a $20 value!) using Plumfare.com or the Plumfare app. And if you're feeling meat-happy, gift a friend an amazing $17 filet mignon, a $25 sausage sampler, or $45 toward a build-your-own-burger experience! (The value you send your friend can be deducted from any Flannery Beef items in the cart at check-out.)

Now--what's on the table is certainly not your everyday grocery store cut. Flannery works with only all-natural prime beef, treating it through a controlled 30-day dry-aging process that unlocks a rich flavor chefs absolutely die over. The butcher has so much pride in his product that he tells first-time customers: “You’re about to have the best steak you’ve ever had in your life.” Sound like a challenge your favorite meat-lover pal would be thrilled to take on? If so, get gifting--and be sure to post taste test verdicts on Facebook and Twitter!

And if you're lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a divinely marbled ribeye, beef aficionado Bryan Flannery shares his tips on how to cook the perfect steak.

  Happy graduation season! Grads, we feel your pain. You’ve busted your butts for 4 (or 6, but who’s counting?) years. To achieve a higher earning power, you’ve also suffered through caffeine-fueled all-nighters even you can’t remember.

You deserve a rainfall of accolades!  But let’s face it. What you’ll get in real life is a “first interview” tie from Uncle John and “Class of ‘13” plush creature from Aunt Josephina. Thankfully, we’ve made it easier to erase the gifting guesswork for the well-intentioned folks in your life.

Here’s where we come in: the Plumfare Picks List is a helpful new feature on Plumfare.com that allows you to build a wish list in your profile of all the restaurants and businesses you love. Add to your list by selecting the heart icon on your favorite business pages. Even better, you can send out your personalized Picks List to friends and family. (Call it a subtle hint!)

So, grads (and anyone who deserves congratulating!), start building your Picks lists now—and email them to us at [email protected] by Wednesday, May 22, 2013.  The creator of one list, chosen at random, will win a $50 credit to a restaurant on the list, courtesy of Plumfare.

Send this story along to your graduating pals. Good luck!

Team Plumfare

Sometimes, a divinely fluffy, sugar-coated doughnut just plain deserves a moment of silence. Add a hit of warm raspberry jam filling and your sweet tooth might give us a high five. Now, we aren't talking about the “buy ‘em by the dozen,” grab-n-go kind of do-nuts, but gourmet beignets worthy only of sending to your mother for a special occasion.

Food Network chef and mom, Alex Guarnaschelli, shares a killer doughnut recipe straight from the menu of her famed restaurant, Butter, and from the pages of her new cookbook, Old-School Comfort Food.

Dear Plumfare Gifters, No more keeping exciting news under wraps! Plumfare isn’t only for lucky iPhone users anymore. Starting today you can send gifts straight from our website—Plumfare.com—whether you've got an Android, flip phone or curly-corded landline.                          Explore the new Plumfare.com On the website you’ll find fantastic new features, including: Personalized recommendations for friends: Log in with Facebook and you’ll be able to type in a friend’s name for tailor-made gift suggestions. An open-minded search tool: Does your friend love Italian? Or a place that’s lively? Pop in those search terms and whittle your way to a thoughtful gift. Save your fave places: Click the heart icon on a business listing to save it to your personal Picks (or, wish list!) in your Plumfare profile. We know—giving a present can be a beast when you don’t know what to give. Our goal? To make the whole process way easier and a lot more fun. Happy Gifting,

Who knows what meal moms are craving for Mother's Day?

According to this trusty infographic, a glass of wine & filet takes the cake.

Hey, Plumfare Gifters!

THANK YOU for the simple fact that you get what we're doing. You know that giving your friends a novel present they'll love doesn't have to drain your wallet. You guys are on board with gifting something small that's just right—and only takes you 30 seconds to send. 

So, our gift to you?  It's in the app, waiting to be snatched up by the first 100 people who claim! Log into Plumfare now to send a FREE Blue Bottle French press coffee from Maven, a restaurant in San Francisco known for its innovative small plates & cocktail pairings. 

Why not keep the gift train moving? Today we raise a purple flag in honor of the first Thank You Thursday [#thankyouthurs]. Today, use Plumfare to send a token of thanks to the people in your life who deserve it!

The Plumfare Lab