From AmericasMart: ‘Girlfriend gifts’ lead trends

ATLANTA – If you’re not stocking up on ‘girlfriend gifts,” you’re missing a hot category.

Several vendors at AmericasMart’s July market told us that this category sprung up almost overnight, and shows no signs of slowing.

Just what is a girlfriend gift? “It’s something a woman would give to another woman who she’s close to,” explained Midwest of Cannon Falls’ Shelli Lissick. The most obvious exchanges are for birthdays and anniversaries, or just to celebrate a special friendship.

“But then there are times in life, like when someone is going through a divorce or has been diagnosed with cancer, and you want to give a little gift that shows you’re thinking about them,” Shelli said.

Midwest introduced several lines in Atlanta geared toward the girlfriend market:

After the Rain are porcelain angel figures that combine inspiration and aromatherapy with scented oil that can be added to the angels. The angels have inspirational text such as “Believe in Yourself.” Suggested retail: $20.

Whispering Wings are elegant porcelain, hinged butterfly ornaments with words like “Faith,” “Dream,” “Hope” and “Remember.” Suggested retail: $15 for small, $20 for larger.

New designs in the Serenity collection include pewter angel ornaments in two sizes, a magnet set and a token set featuring quotes and text to touch women’s lives. Suggested retail: $5-$18.

-- Kevin