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.

22nd Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

March 21, 2024May 30, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

You’re here because you’re looking for the best of the best 22nd anniversary gifts.

Each year after your marriage has a conventional gift theme. Year one is paper, year five is wood, year ten is aluminum, and so on. (You can read our article on all the anniversary gifts by year for more details.)

For year twenty-two, there are traditional gift themes that have rich meaning, and then there’s the contemporary themes that provide another option. Or you could eschew tradition and go with something unique. Below, we’ve curated beautiful gift ideas for all of those approaches and more.

But before we go any further, we want to tell you: Congratulations on 22 wonderful years! That’s an amazing feat. Sure, it isn’t as round of a number as your 20th anniversary, or as thrilling as the upcoming 25th will be, but 22 years of marriage is definitely a reason to celebrate.

So we’re here to help you celebrate with the perfect gift! First up, let’s take a look at those traditional and modern 22nd anniversary themes.

50 Fun Vintage Gifts for a Retro Aesthetic

February 5, 2024May 23, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Vintage gifts are just the thing for the person in your life who lives and breathes a countercultural retro aesthetic. But giving something that is old-school is a little… different.

After all, it’s traditional to give a gift that is new, contemporary in style, and still in the shrink wrap. But some of us just simply adore all things old-fashioned.

For this type, the idea of getting Target’s latest home accent just doesn’t make any sense – after walking through the beaded curtain into their kitchen, that farmhouse cake display is going to go where, exactly?

Nowhere, that’s where. Less Joanna Gaines and more geometric wallpaper, please.

If the words trendy, modern, or of-the-moment definitely do NOT apply to your friend’s retro aesthetic beauty, you know it can be tricky to find the perfect vintage gift.

Fret not, we have done the legwork for you! When it comes to all things throwback and groovy, we’ve compiled a list to make their old-fashioned heart smile. Here are our favorite gifts that hearken back to the 60s all the way up to the early aughts.

21st Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

November 14, 2023May 16, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Turning 21 is a big deal when it comes to birthdays, but we think your marriage turning 21 is even bigger!

Now your marriage is a grown adult, one who can lift a glass of champagne for a toast to true and everlasting love! And we think you’ll agree that that is a must this year.

Another “must” on this anniversary is finding the perfect gift to give your better half. But never fear, we’ve done the legwork for you. We have the traditional gift themes, gemstones, flowers, and colors, plus contemporary and creative options to boot.

So pour yourself an early glass of champagne, sit back, and scroll on: These are the very best traditional and modern 21st anniversary gifts.

101 Happy Birthday Wishes for a Friend or BFF

February 23, 2024May 13, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Happy Birthday Wishes for Friends - Feature Image

You know what I said to my BFF on her birthday this year?

You actually don’t want to know. It’s weird and won’t make much sense to you Muggles.

And that’s the beauty of friendship.

When it comes to friends, especially those of the BFF variety, a birthday is a must-have celebration time. But when you think about it, parties come and go. The birthday cake gets consumed. Gifts may get some mileage, but they’ll get used or forgotten.

The things that last the longest and mean the most to me are always going to be the unique birthday wishes. Something along the lines of a well-written birthday card, sentimental wishes, nostalgic memories, and even the occasional roast and toast.

When it’s YOUR friend’s birthday, you want to be prepared. Full stop. Here are some fabulous ways to say Happy Birthday (that aren’t your generic “Happy Birthday”).

I’m going to help you create one card that won’t end up in the trash tomorrow – in fact, don’t be surprised to find your little card framed and hung on the wall.

50 Best Wedding Gifts for No Registry (or Off-Registry Magic!)

November 14, 2023May 9, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

What do you do about wedding gifts when there’s no registry?

Wedding gifts are so important to the bride and groom – especially if they’re just now setting up house! That’s why most wedding invitations include a gift registry where you can pick out the perfect gift for the two lovebirds.

But what’s a guest to do when the couple doesn’t do a registry? Or maybe you want to give something extra-special to show how much they mean to you, and nothing on the superstore’s shelves sings to you.

What’s the way to give a gift that is more personal than an Instant Pot?

Here are some fabulous gift ideas for the beaming couple – whether or not they filled out a registry as a guideline.

20th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

November 15, 2023May 6, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Today is a big day, because you’re looking for 20th anniversary gifts. This means your marriage is fully adult! No more teenage angst, and just one more year till you can drink!

Okay, we’re being silly, but in all seriousness, 20 years of marriage to the one you love is a big deal.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your sweetums of two decades, or a gift for your friend’s anniversary party, we’ve scoured the globe to find some incredible options.

19th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

December 7, 2023May 2, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Congrats to the happy couple on 19 years of marriage! And nineteen years of wedded bliss! We say that this special occasion calls for a gesture of epic proportions. Maybe a romantic weekend getaway, a well-thought-out date night, or at the very least, some really grand and perfect 19th anniversary gifts.

Friday the 13th Party Ideas for Birthday, Anniversary, & Just Because

November 29, 2023April 29, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Friday the 13th Party Ideas - Feat Image

Let’s explore the best of the best Friday the 13th party ideas!

Is your upcoming birthday going to fall on that fabulously ominous day this year? Then you’ll need some great Friday the 13th birthday party ideas!

Do you love the thrills and chills of Halloween, horror movies, and creepy mysteries, and can’t wait to snuggle up to your hunny on your anniversary to take it all in?

100 Best 18th Birthday Wishes

April 12, 2024April 22, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Turning eighteen is a big deal, y’all! Anyone who has crossed that threshold into young adulthood can tell you it’s much more than just another revolution around the sun.

It hails more responsibility, usually signals their high school years waning to a close, and let’s not forget the the fact that society recognizes that they are a child no longer.

13th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

July 21, 2023April 18, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

It’s time to explore the best 13th anniversary gifts. Lucky #13! Well… it’s lucky for some anyway. This year, it’s you! You and your spouse, having spent 12 years together, are just the ones to consider year 13 the best yet.

You’ve made it this far – you deserve a party (or at least a hot date) along with some fabulous anniversary gifts to give one another.

We’ve done the digging for you, so sit back and scroll to your heart’s content. Whether you’re looking for something traditional (year 13 is your “lace” anniversary) or something modern, creative, and unique, we have ideas for even the most discriminate of tastes.