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“Thinking Outside the Gift Box” is Officially Released!

Thinking Outside the Gift Box eBook by Lauren from ThinkingCloset.com - Chock FULL of frugal yet meaningful gift ideas to get your creative juices flowing!Am I dreaming?  Or did I just self-publish my first book?  {Shakes head, pinches self.}  Ack!  I most definitely did.

It’s true, it’s true.  The virtual shelves are stacked with copies of Thinking Outside the Gift Box all ready to be shipped to your email inboxes and downloaded to your computer or favorite eReader.  Here’s the sales page to prove it!

Wait, what?!  You wrote a book?

For those who may just now be tuning in, over a year ago was got inspired to channel my passions for writing and gift-giving into an eBook.  You see, it has always been a dream of mine to be published; and it turns out, you don’t have to wait around for a publisher.  You can do it yourself!

The book is called Thinking Outside the Gift Box: 21 Money-Saving & Meaningful Gift Ideas.  And while some of you Thinking Closet regulars may be thinking that it will be a book of craft tutorials, it’s actually not that at all.

Rather, it’s a collection of stories from my own life about the meaningful gifts I have received and given.  I didn’t want to simply tell you what to do, step by step, but rather ignite a fire within you to unlock your own creative potential.

I like to think that this eBook is like a practice coach, cheering you on as you develop your own gift-giving confidence–helping you to see how very easy it is to give meaningful gifts when they come straight from the heart.

The Reviews Are In!

I was fortunate to have so many friends offer to read my early drafts to offer feedback as well as share reviews.  As their responses came rolling in, it was truly one of the most humbling experiences of my life.  (Thank you, dear ones.)  You’ll get to see 6 of those reviews on the sales page as well as many more on the first few pages of the book itself.

But I thought I’d highlight one of them right here now, by Jackie Hernandez from School of Decorating.  (Because there are probably a few of you out there who are feeling like she was.)

Jackie's Review of Thinking Outside the Gift Box eBook.

I love how she put it: “like creative training wheels.”  And that really was my high hope when working on this eBook.  To help support you along the way in your journey toward leading a life of giving, I also created a slew of bonus resources that will come with the various packages available.  For instance…

  • a printables appendix
  • a birthday & anniversary calendar
  • a gift-giving brainstorming worksheet
  • 3 expert video interviews
  • an audio book
  • and so much more….

You’ll just have to click HERE to see ’em all.

My Village

One of the many Gift-Giving Supply Kits up for grabs!  Check out some of the other sites sharing reviews of Thinking Outside the Gift Box in order to enter!I have to give a huge thank you to the many people who helped me get here today.  You’ll see me rattle off literally hundreds of names in my Acknowledgements page because it turns out, it really does take a village to write an eBook!  And I was somehow fortunate enough to end up in the best village of them all.

Actually, speaking of my awesome village, throughout the coming weeks, various blog buddies will be sharing about the book on their blogs and hosting a giveaway that includes both the premium eBook package as well as a basket of my favorite gift-giving supplies.  So, I’ll add links to their posts down below so you can hear their take on Thinking Outside the Gift Box, as well as “giveaway-hop.”

Final Reflections

And as someone who has studied acting and directing, I can’t help but liken this experience to the process of putting up a production.

The rehearsal process can be a grueling one.  You work and you work and you work.  And sometimes, it feels like you’ll never make it to opening night.  You’ll never be “ready.”  But a small voice within you tells you to press on.  That it’s going to be worth the uphill climb.  And so you do.

And then, one day, you blink, and it’s showtime.  The theatre is abuzz with the audience taking their seats.  As you wait in the wings, the hairs on the back of your neck stand on edge–a cocktail of fear, thrill, and delight.  But this is your favorite part in the journey; it’s the mountaintop view after the endless climb.  It’s the point in the process when it’s time to share the work with others.  To invite them to participate.  And to teach you things, too.

Lauren as Raina in George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man."  Wheaton College.  2005
Lauren as Raina in George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.” Wheaton College. 2005

That’s how I feel about this eBook.  That’s how I feel about today.

It’s showtime.  And I’m so glad you’re here.  Let’s do this!

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27 Comments

  1. woot woot!!!! I totally have been living under a rock so this is brand new information to me. But I’m soooo friggin excited for you, lady!!! I can’t wait to snag a copy for myself! Perfect timing with the holidays! Way to go, Lauren!!

    1. Aw, no worries, friend! There’s WAY too much goin’ on in blogland to keep track of it all. Especially this time of year! Thanks for the fanfare, though. It means so much to me, Chelsea! Hugs!

  2. Lauren!!!! This is so exciting! It makes me so happy to know that you are seeing your dreams come to be fulfilled. I can’t wait to dive into my copy of “Thinking Outside the Gift Box!” Especially since Jonathan was born I don’t think I have gotten myself together enough to give one gift. I’m looking forward to getting back on that bandwagon and doing it in a meaningful way! I’ve always copied your gift-giving ideas anyway… why stop now!?! Also just have to say I love how professional the book and printables look (not that I expected any less), but wow… how do you do it!!!????!!!! Oh, wait, I know… you’re Lauren… that’s how!

    1. Ha ha. This comment made my heart so happy (as ALL words from Gianna do). Although you have TOTALLY given gifts since J-Dog arrived; they’ve probably just been gifts of hospital and home-cooked food (#2) and quality time (#4). JUST as meaningful and sometimes MORE than a wrapped gift. So, don’t you be so hard on yourself, m’kay? Oh, and I’m so glad you like the look of the book and printables. My friend Tori Grant is the genius behind the cover and printables (she’s SO talented) and I just used Mac Pages to help me set up the pdf in a way that looked semi-profesh. Nothing too fancy! Although I’ll certainly take the compliment, my friend. Love ya soooo much! Thanks for all the incredible gifts you have given me over the years — especially your support through this eBook journey. It means the world to me!

  3. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna need a minute to pull the cord, and parachute back to earth!! You have BLOWN ME AWAY!! I am beyond amazed at what you have created. Not only in your AMAZING e-book but the marketing, the graphics, the sales page, the videos, the buzz you have created. Everything about this entire package is immeasurable!! You should be more than proud of your accomplishements. Not only have you written an astounding e-book but you have done all of the hard work to get it in the hands of those who want and need it most! Things like video interviews, audio books, all those printables!! These things take weeks.. months to accomplish. And you have so elloquently done it ALL!! I am so proud of you as so many people are. But you should take a moment, sit back, and be proud of yourself. I know it’s hard. I struggle with being ‘proud’. It’s not boastful. You worked hard for it! And you deserve it!! Much LOVE to you on this very special day!! And here’s to a good night’s rest tonight!! I know you need it!! XOXO

    1. What can make my day more than a comment with a classic Candace-metaphor? NOT MUCH! Thank you for these kind and generous words, my friend. For being my cheerleader throughout this whole process and paving the way yourself with the Rusted Roots shop! Just when I wanted to give up or thought it would never get done, I thought, “If Candace can open a shop, I can certainly publish this eBook!” You are my entrepreneur role model and I’m so honored to call you friend. (You may even receive a lil shout-out or two in the booksie….) Love ya, girlie!

    1. Thank you SO much, sweet Erika! That means a lot coming from you (your eBook and site are so professional-looking, they truly inspired me!). Also…I hear my gal Kirsten is featured on your blog today. Eek! Cannot WAIT to check that out. Hugs!

  4. Congratulations!!!! I am so excited for you!! And excited for me because I grabbed a copy just now — browsed through quickly — love the bonus printables! — and can’t wait to dive into all that creativity and goodness when things are quiet this evening! Thank you!

  5. WOOT! WOOT! Today’s the day!!!! Lauren you have more than delivered on this project, you have knocked it out of the ballpark! Love the book, love the bonus features, love you! Thanks for blessing us all with your creativity and generosity.

  6. Congratulations! What a huge accomplishment and joy!

    Can’t wait to get the premium package!

    Now, at least for a day, rest on your Lauren-Laurels!!

  7. Congratulations my friend!!! I’ve already flipped through my digital copy and each and every page looks utterly amazing!! Your hard work and dedication has clearly paid off! Can’t wait to dive in further and soak up the goodness 😀

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