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.

30 Best Gifts for College Students (They’ll Really Appreciate These)

October 6, 2023November 15, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Do you know a college student in need of a gift?

Whether it’s leaving a little something behind with them when you help them move into the dorm (sniff, snarf, weeping, gnashing of teeth), mailing a care package to your niece, or sending a birthday present to the undergrad in your life, gifts are a great way to show college students how much you care.

But not just any gift. You want something they’ll really and truly appreciate during this stage of life. We have some great ideas to fill your noggin, so scroll on, dear reader!

13+ Best Gifts for a 13 Year Old Girl

February 15, 2024November 4, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Perfect for the tween headed into her teen years, this sweet list of the best gift ideas is sure to please!

We don’t know about you, but it seems to us that 13-year-old girls are as eclectic as ever these days. Which begs the question, what do you get a 13 year old for her birthday?

35 Best Secret Santa Gifts

September 21, 2023November 3, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Secret Santa games and Christmas gift exchange parties are so fun, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to bring!

Do you go ridiculous, sentimental, whimsical, practical? And what about the budget? You don’t want to bring a $50 gift to a $10 party! (Or vice versa…)

Well, we’ve got you covered. Scroll on for some great Secret Santa gifts that anyone will happy to receive!

50 Warm & Cozy Gifts for the Best Snuggles

November 7, 2023October 30, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

If you know someone who craves and adores snuggly warmth, then you know that warm and cozy gifts are the way to go for any gift-giving occasion.

You know how it goes… Cool weather swoops in with a crisp frost. Hot cider steams from a fall-themed mug. Fluffy socks are pulled out from the back of the drawer and onto waiting feet. The meet-cute holiday movie is queued up.

If this is your snuggle bunny’s idea of the perfect birthday (or Christmas… or Thanksgiving… or Tuesday…) then read on for the very best warm & cozy gift ideas.

14 Year Old Gifts: 30 Great Gift Ideas for 14th Birthdays & Holidays

February 8, 2024October 25, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

14-year-olds are the coolest! They’ve outgrown (mostly) the awkward phase, still want to hang out with the old fogies (sometimes), don’t drive yet (to my knowledge!), and still want to snuggle on the couch and watch cartoons (if they’re in the right mood).

But what types of things make really great gifts for 14 year olds? They’re clearly too big for Tonka trucks and Barbies, but too young to appreciate something practical like a really big pack of socks or a stand mixer.

Top 50 Kitchen Gifts for Every Chef, Baker, & Cooking Hobbyist

July 21, 2023October 22, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Whether it’s the perfect gift for the professional chef in your life, your neighborhood baker who sets aside those scrumptious cinnamon rolls for you on Tuesdays, your spouse who yells frantically at the television every time someone puts too much truffle oil in their Top Chef episode, or yourself (the next nominee for Worst Cooks In America), we’ve got some great kitchen gift ideas for you.

25 Gifts for Writers that Won’t Cramp Their Writing Style

August 20, 2024October 18, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Writers are a funny breed, aren’t we?

Getting one of us a gift isn’t as easy as it seems, either.

First of all, if the gift is remotely distracting, we’ll just procrastinate our deadlines away and you’ll be in hot water. Secondly, we’re a bundle of witty, funny, romantic, tragic nerves. So don’t get us anything that we’ll be too attached to.

50 Most Hilariously Funny Graduation Gifts

July 21, 2023October 15, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

When you’re hunting down the perfect graduation gift, sure, you can go the sappy and sentimental route. (Cheesy.) Or useful and practical. (Boring.)

But graduation is a time to let loose and laugh after all that studying, right?

While those other types of graduation gifts have their place, a goofy and hilarious one will be even more spot on. Read on for some knee-slapping, guffaw-inducing suggestions for your grad!

8 Year Old Gift Ideas: 21 Best Gifts for Birthdays, Holidays & More

February 8, 2024October 11, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

8 year olds are the best. They’re still hilariously pint-sized, and say and do funny things, but are trying to be more grown up. All of this is a recipe for the most squeezable, hysterical, moody, pesky, questionable, loving, embarrassing, kissable, sticky, THING ever. And we think that thing deserves a great gift.

Here are our favorite gifts for 8 year olds, for birthdays, for Christmas, or just because!

80th Birthday Gifts to Celebrate an Amazing Milestone

February 8, 2024October 8, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

To say that an 80th birthday is a milestone is really an understatement. This whopper of a birthday is a huuuuuuge reason to celebrate, and the perfect excuse to give some thoughtful 80th birthday gifts or throw a memorable party.