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.

17 Best Pediatrician Gifts for All Occasions

July 21, 2023May 10, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Maybe your pediatrician went above and beyond by saving your offspring’s life. Or maybe they are simply a member of your family. Either way, it can really stump your noggin trying to come up with that perfect pediatrician gift!

After all, your pediatrician is way intelligent (and will see through a less-than-thoughtful gift), super busy (and won’t have time to ever redeem that gift certificate for a mani/pedi), and may even seem like they have everything already.

When you’re frantic over what to get them, we’re here to help. Scroll down for 17 of the best pediatrician gifts we’ve ever seen!

23 Inspirational & Encouraging Gifts for Breast Cancer Patients

July 21, 2023April 30, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Gift Guide to Find the Best Gifts for Breast Cancer Patients

If anyone ever needed a good gift, it’s a breast cancer patient. They are, after all, superheroes.

And we want to acknowledge their fight for a cure, be there when they need someone to talk to, and give them a gift that says, ‘You’re special, you’re loved, and you’ve got this!’

But it’s hard to know what they would like and/or need, and who wants to bother them by asking? They’ll likely demure that they don’t need a gift (but we know better).

So we’ve done some shopping for you; all you need to do is scroll, click, and maybe giftwrap.

10 Useful Gifts for Mom (What She Really Wants)

April 1, 2024April 29, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

It’s hard to find the perfect gift for the woman who raised you into the magnificent specimen you are today, but we’ve scoured the internet for some wonderful suggestions.

Short of tattooing “I love my mama” on your bicep (which is always a good idea BTW), one of these useful gifts for mom will be sure to please your mama bear.

You’re going to catapult into Favorite Offspring Territory in no time!

How to Give Someone a Gift Without Being Awkward

February 23, 2024April 26, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Waitress: “Thanks for coming in!”

Me: “You too!”

Dagnabbit.

If awkward moments like this are your life in a nutshell, don’t fret. There’s nothing wrong with being a little awkward! It’s endearing. Lovable. Sweet.

I mean, that’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Needless to say, though, if you’ve wound up on this page, most likely gift giving isn’t one of your love languages.

21 Best Librarian Gifts for Book Lovers and Bibliothecaries

February 8, 2024April 23, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Best Gifts for Book Lovers and Bobliothecaries

Maybe they can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but librarians pretty much are super heroes in our book. (Get it? Book? Yup. That happened.)

These delightful bibliothecaries are full of mysterious knowledge, know how to work the Dewey decimal system blindfolded, and we’re convinced they actually do keep the streets safe at night when we’re sleeping.

People who adore, love, swoon over, and drool over, books in general, well, they’re our kind of people, and we think they deserve a wonderful gift.

5 Year Old Gift Ideas: 21 Creative, Fun, and Educational Gifts

July 21, 2023April 9, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Five is a milestone birthday. The little goober has made it past infancy, and toddlerhood, and is ready for the big leagues! Just ask them, right?

But when it comes to 5 year old gift ideas, well….. they can be a little picky.

Too babyish and they’ll look at you with a foreshadowing of their teen years, too grown-up and they’ll toss it and play with the box instead.

Then there’s the parents! Too tech-oriented and their kid’s brain will turn to mush, but too hippie-granola and they’ll think you’re trying to guilt trip them about… something.

Read on for some great gift ideas that hit just the right note of creativity, fun, and educational aspects too.

50 Elegant Gifts for Minimalists

April 10, 2024April 5, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

It’s not just trendy or hip; minimalism is one thing that is gaining popularity in recent years.

Gone are the days of wanting to live like the Kardashians or in Versailles. Nowadays, it’s all the rage (and with good reason) to sell your trinkets and dust-gatherers, pack up that RV, bicycle through France, buy a tiny house, journal, meditate, and blog about your adventures!

Okay, okay, if that is a bit too extreme, there’s still backyard chickens, composting, decluttering, Marie Kondo, and downsizing. But what to do when the minimalist in your life has a big day coming up and you don’t want to arrive empty-handed?

In other words, what are the best gifts for minimalists?

No worries, we’ve got some ideas.

10 Bird Feeder Gifts for Backyard Bird Watchers

July 21, 2023March 29, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Let’s talk about the best bird feeder gifts for bird watchers.

Don’t you just love it when someone you love has found their niche? Their very most favorite hobby? Their THING?

It makes narrowing down a gift so much easier! Now that you have discovered their secret (or not so secret) passion for all things aviary, you can tailor make a present that will get their jaws dropping.

Get ready to be their favorite friend/family member EVER when you pick one of these backyard bird watching gifts.

Introvert Gifts: 21 Best Antisocial Butterfly Gift Ideas

February 8, 2024March 26, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Ah, the introvert. Thoughtful, pensive, reserved. Perhaps even brooding.

They might not go to (their own) party with you, they may linger behind the potted plants if they do, and they will almost certainly avoid all eye contact and small talk, but hey, even introverts love a good gift!

Show them you love them despite or because of their shy, awkward ways, with one of these awesome introvert gifts tailored made for your very own antisocial butterfly.

21 Great Veterinarian Gifts for All Occasions

October 26, 2023March 22, 2021 by Melyssa Williams

Veterinarians: They’re needed, they’re essential, they’re so very loved by those of us with fur babies! They give us so much for our beloved pets; so, when it’s time to find that perfect veterinarian gift, what do you do?

From the nail clippings to the teeth cleanings to the full-on “you just saved Buster’s life” moments, your favorite vet needs to know just how much they’re loved and appreciated by you. How to show them? Read on.