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.

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.

100+ Best Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas, Games, Decor & More

January 15, 2024April 15, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

There ain’t no party like a Cinco de Mayo party, and that’s the fun and festive truth! Well, at least we think so.

When it’s your turn to throw a memorable Math 5th bash that will live on in infamy, you want to be organized, prepared, and of course, the host with the most!

None of that “less is more” baloney. When it comes to Cinco, more is more. More food, more decorations, more games, more of all of it! We’re here for it. Scroll on for some ideas to make your Cinco de Mayo party one for the books.

21 Best Cinco de Mayo Gifts for Friends, Coworkers, & Fun

April 9, 2024April 12, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Today we’re going to look at the best Cinco de Mayo gifts. Come May 5th, it’s time to celebrate the incredible heritage of Mexico and Mexican-American culture!

Cinco de Mayo pays tribute to the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France, but no, it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (that’s September 16th. Yay! Another celebration!).

In the beginning of Cinco de Mayo’s history, the party goers would dress in Civil War uniforms and re-enact the Battle of Puebla. Later, in the 1970s, the holiday evolved into more of a civil unrest protest, police brutality against Hispanics, and had a more political lean.

Today, it’s a simpler holiday that reminds us more of St. Patrick’s Day, and the Fourth of July. It’s a time to honor the wonderful Hispanic culture and cuisine.

So… think lots of food, music, friends, and family! We’re here for it. And we’re here for the gifts, too. Whatever your Cinco de Mayo gift needs may be, you’ll find the perfect present on our list.

50 Must-Have Bathroom Gifts for Décor & Organization

November 7, 2023April 11, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Let’s take a look at the best bathroom gifts for your spouse, for housewarming, or for good-old-fashioned potty humor.

When it comes to bathrooms (or the powder room, if you want to get fancy), organization is key!

Then again, the same thing goes for inviting décor.

You want the restroom to be a place of relaxation and comfort. After all, it’s hard to enjoy your bubble bath at the end of a long day if there are shampoo bottles falling on your head, the towels are spilling out of the cupboard, and the lighting makes it looks like a Hollister store in the mall.

And it’s tough to want guests to come over when everything is messy, disorganized, and the décor looks like you thought 2006 never went out of style (but it did and it’s not coming back for a while).

Read on for easy ways to make your bathroom less like a horror show, and more like your very own spa! Plus, any of these will make wonderful housewarming gifts, or as a gift for your favorite shower lover.

12th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

September 2, 2024March 28, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Your beloved deserves the best 12th anniversary gifts. After all, it’s just one more year to a Baker’s Dozen and your marriage’s teen years!

So, you’ve solidly arrived in the pre-teen stage with your marriage. Either that, or your friends have, and you want to celebrate with them. You know the ones: the ones who need a kickin’ gift for making it so long in a world full of divorce.

Whether it’s you and your sweetums, or the couple who makes it look so easy, we’ve done some great digging into the fabulous world of the 12th anniversary. Read on to learn about the traditional anniversary gifts for year 12, plus contemporary and creative ideas as well!

15 Year Old Gifts: 30 Best Gift Ideas for 15th Birthdays, Christmas & More

November 16, 2023March 21, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Let’s talk about the best 15 year old gifts to celebrate a special teen!

Most likely you wound up here because you typed something like, “what to get a 15 year old for their birthday” or Christmas, or something similar into your search bar.

Which also means you might be stumped right now. That’s okay! Teens can be tough to shop for, and we all need a little inspiration from time to time.

10th Anniversary Gifts: Best Ideas (Traditional & Modern)

November 15, 2023March 18, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Today we’re going to reveal to you the best of the best 10th anniversary gifts to help you shower love on your better half.

After all, year ten in your marriage means your spouse deserves an amazing wedding anniversary gift! Whether you choose to go the traditional route or spice it up with something more contemporary, we have the ultimate array of ideas to help you celebrate the love you’ve shared for a decade.

17 Delightful Family Easter Gifts the Whole Fam Will Love

April 12, 2024March 14, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Let’s talk about family Easter gifts! Easter is a time for family – extended, immediate, and those we lovingly call family.

Who remembers Aunt Darla’s marshmallow salad at brunch? Sunrise service in your Sunday best? Hats for the ladies, pastel suits for your little brother? Baskets of eggs and treats, and for some reason, a bunny? It never gets old, right?

25 Flower Gift Ideas for Nature Lovers & Whimsical Types

July 21, 2023March 11, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

When it comes to beautiful flower gifts, it’s hard to compete with the bounty of God’s creation! When the someone you love really, really, really loves flowers, your go-to is always a pretty bouquet.

I’m not knocking that route (because it is an excellent choice), but here are some variations and other options that will let your admiration for the nature-loving whimsical person in your life bloom in full flower.

50 Best Hiking Gifts for Hikers, Walkers, & Nature Lovers

August 20, 2024February 21, 2022 by Melyssa Williams

Hiking is a great hobby. Hikers, walkers, and nature lovers know: it’s cheaper than therapy, less fussy than enrolling in a self-help course, and not as intimidating as a gym membership. You get to go outside, exercise, connect with nature, and see beautiful sights.

This is why hikers are such a fanatical bunch! If someone in your life (or maybe it’s you) needs a most excellent hiking gift, we’ve scoured the globe (from our perch atop a lofty mountaintop) to get you started.

Ready, set, hike!