Melyssa Williams

Melyssa Williams has been writing since she could hold a pen (or a quill, as she was an odd little duck).

Sadly, she was born to two loving parents who fed her broccoli, taught her manners, and raised her with love and affection – this was a striking blow to someone who wanted desperately to adventure like only an orphan can.

Once she got over this terrible malady, Melyssa wrote several novels. These include The Lost Trilogy, a young adult sci-fi/fantasy saga, and Once Upon a Winter, a steampunk retelling of the The Nutcracker.

Melyssa has been on staff for magazines such as Mary Jane’s Farm and Home Educating Family, she has ghostwritten several popular books, and her work has been featured on Crosswalk, Farm Girl Sisterhood, Well Planned Gal, and more.

When she’s not writing fiction, you'll find her blogging, thrift store shopping, or annoying her children (who also wish they were orphans).

She was a professional ballerina back in the day, has taught ballet for over 30 years, and currently pours wine at the most darling tasting room in Southern Oregon.

50+ Great Thanksgiving Gifts for Your Favorite People

November 11, 2024October 17, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Sometimes it feels like Thanksgiving doesn’t get the love it deserves, being all (turkey) sandwiched in-between the oh-so popular Halloween and Christmas.

But Thanksgiving is a wonderful day in which we celebrate our loved ones — whether that’s family, friends, or even strangers — and all that we are grateful for.

Waxing sentimental over a huge feast is a language we can all understand, isn’t it? So, when you’re invited to a Thanksgiving meal, don’t arrive empty-handed. Show your host and hostess just how truly grateful you are for their invitation by bringing a lovely gift.

50 Best Bridal Shower Gifts for the Glowing Bride-to-Be

September 2, 2024October 10, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Finding the best bridal shower gift is so much fun! But it can also be a little intimidating. What is the bride-to-be going to want or like? What kind of bridal gift is everyone else bringing?

I mean, you don’t want to bring a copy of the same gift, but at the same time you don’t want it to be wildly different.

True story: I once attended a bridal shower and, no joke, every other guest brought kitchen items while I brought lingerie… Read the invite! That there is a helpful hint from me to you.

100 Best 50th Birthday Wishes

April 3, 2024October 3, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

A half a century?! Why, you’re better than two 25 year olds put together!

We love birthdays, and one is a huge milestone that deserves an epic party, some rad gifts, and some really thoughtful wishes. Help your friends or loved ones celebrate their golden year with a sweet sentiment or a funny message.

Graduation Wishes: 101 Congratulations for Graduation

July 21, 2023September 26, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Today we’re going to give you 101 graduation wishes to help you celebrate with a recent graduate.

Whether they just graduated from middle school, high school, college, trade school, or got that unbelievable set of initials after their name, graduations are totally a reason to give a card.

Hard work deserves some recognition! Your local shopping mall is full of graduation cards, but what to say inside? We’ve got some ideas for you to say congratulations to your grad.

150 Best Men’s Stocking Stuffers for Christmas 2024

November 8, 2024September 23, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

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The clock is ticking and that stocking is still looking awfully empty — it hits you and you realize you’ve completely spaced the stocking stuffers. It’s okay. We’ve all been there…

Sometimes we get so preoccupied with the “main” gift, the big present, the brand new car with the giant bow on it (okay, no one we know has ever pulled that off), that we forget all about the stocking stuffers until zero hour.

150 Best Women’s Stocking Stuffers for Christmas

November 11, 2024September 22, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

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Let’s face it, stocking stuffers are usually an afterthought. Most often it’s the main present, the big one, the coup de grâce, that gets all the love and attention — not to mention all the pre-planning and forethought. But honestly, we’re here to tell you that stocking stuffers are really where it’s all at!

And let’s confront a tragic truth: women everywhere, especially moms, have been stuffing their own stockings for years because no one else remembers to! So, this year? Blow her mind with some clever, sweet, romantic, and/or silly items that she will absolutely love.

The Spooky History of Halloween (& How to Celebrate It)

July 21, 2023September 21, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Halloween! It’s here, it’s here, it’s practically here! Us spooksters love this time of year: hot cider, pumpkin spice, sweater weather, trick or treaters, corn mazes — all things eerie and spine-tingling come to mind!

But how did it all begin? Sit tight, because we’re about to unleash the history of Halloween and all its spookiness. Oh, and, don’t forget to draw the curtains and douse the lights.

“AMUCK, AMUCK, AMUCK!” — Hocus Pocus

Will You Be My Bridesmaid? 55 Best Proposal Boxes & Ideas

July 21, 2023September 20, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Bridesmaid proposal boxes are totally in right now.

Of all the trends that have popped up over the last few years, some are better than others. But “proposing” to your bridal party? We kinda love that.

How wonderful to make your favorite people feel special and valued like that! So, when you’re ready to pop the question to your bridesmaids-to-be, here are our 55 best proposal boxes and ideas to get you started.

50 ‘Just Because’ Gifts & Quotes for Everyone You Love

November 11, 2024September 19, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

If you’re going to send someone a “just because” gift, you want to make sure it carries with it the gratitude and sentiment you’re intending.

There’s nothing sweeter than receiving the perfect gift out of the blue for no apparent reason… unless it’s YOU doing the gifting! After all, “tis better to give than to receive.”

Brighten someone’s day when they’re feeling down. Send a thank you gesture for someone who is always there for you. Overflow with a sudden burst of kindness. These things can really lift both of your spirits!

When you have someone in mind, it’s good to be prepared for those opportunities with a fitting, thoughtful, and beautiful gift. Let us help you out with these 50 ‘Just Because’ Gifts & quotes that are sure to fit the bill.

45th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

November 7, 2023September 19, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Your 45th Anniversary is such a huge milestone! You’ve been through all the ups and downs and learned not only to persevere, but to thrive.

You know that the secret of rich, graceful, joyful, lifelong love is to give to your spouse. Give your time and focus to engage in meaningful conversations. Give up your preferences to please your spouse. Instead of taking advantage of every moment for your own comfort, you’ve learned to give that up and serve instead.