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From the category archives:
Humor
Happy Friday. You deserve a serious LOL. Can’t say much to introduce this except, enjoy!
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Ok, so many people have asked “how did you come up with the idea for inlu.com?” and we say, well, it kind of found us. As busy moms we found ourselves in a trap. A trap that felt something like this:
TRAP 1: Receive invitation to party. Forget to RSVP on time. Run around at the last minute. Buy some plastic thing “just because.” Spend $5 on wrapping paper, bow and card. Add gift to pile. REPEAT.
Then, the roles would flip-flop and the trap would feel like this:
TRAP 2: Plan kids birthday party (or holiday party or mother’s bday or husband’s party or offce party, etc). Invite 20 friends. Prepare for 20 gifts to pile up. Get stressed over too much stuff. Feel bad throwing away all wrapping paper, bows and excess packaging etc. REPEAT.
The cycle had us caught in both directions! One day we decided to try and change that.
We thought, dang, if we created an invitation service that let you RSVP, contribute and leave a note on the spot, we’d make life SO much easier for everyone.
Plus, we thought that $5/per gift on wrapping paper (x20 people @$100 in wasted money) would surely be useful elsewhere- to a cause, charity or community effort. We wanted to offer an easier way that didn’t lose any of the meaningful experience. So, that’s how it started and here’s our low budget lowdown of what we do and how we got the idea:
If you could use some comedic timing, do not hesitate to see our investor pitch outtakes. This video is like, waaay stupid.
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inlu style…
College Humor’s ’5 Worst Gifts You Got’ blog entry pointed out some universal truths about crappy gifts: they suck.
At Inlu HQ, our hands went up in the ayer and we were yellin, “holla” across the meeting (kitchen) table. Why? Because this CH blog entry proves why we exist. We’re all about GREAT gifts (read our mantra)- we help people round up funds for anything through a streamlined collection and allocation process. Our goal here today? To prove even the crappiest gifts can be redeemed with our savvy, inlu service.
Here’s our shot at reversing the GIFT FAIL.
College Humor Worst Gift #5: Handmade…Anything.
Inlu says…
Oooh, let’s admit it. Handmade items created by people who have no business operating a glue gun are pretty much hopeless. In fact, long after the gesture fades, the judgement lingers. You’d have been better off not giving a gift at all than leaving a shoddy reminder that you’ve got no clue how to get artsy. That’s where Inlu and a certain site, Etsy, can come in and save the day. Thanks to a BUY LOCAL search tool, COLOR and THEME search, and a frickin’ endless choice of funky items that are in fact, handmade, you can order something off-beat in the eleventh hour and have it shipped from a nearby destination. Seriously.
BONUS: You support a local artist, save $ on shipping, and skip the runaround for you and all your friends – I mean, this WACKY PeeWee Herman I Love MY Bicycle DiY Necklace is Handmade, Hooked-Up.
College Humor Worst Gift #4: Candles.
Inlu Says…
We agree that candles can leave you feeling fizzled and flat. Honestly, though, they may be a gift you hate to get but they’re also…an item you hate to buy (seriously, $20 for this?). If you’re destined to a candle-related gift, there’s still hope. Remember, celebs like candles and there’s always a plethora of trendy scents you’ve never imagined. Oprah, she digs Barbara Barry Home Fragrance Candles. Vera Wang has her own designer candle for the bride/groom. Check out Sandra Bullock’s Bessence Line. Better yet? Score these Beeswax Rock Candles (set of 3). All are a solid choice from the classroom for the teacher, coach or gift swap. Pair them with a charity collection, and you’re on fire.
BONUS: Each lead-free, soy-based Bessence wax candle “is hand-poured and packaged in recycled materials.” VIVATERRA is dedicated to artisan-made, ecologically sustainable gifts and products. Good stuff. Good stuff. (Even if they are candle-related).
College Humor Worst Gift #3: Cassette of a Band You Liked in High School.
Inlu says…
The mere fact that the college humor writers used the word cassette makes us feel better over here in Inlu-land. PHEW! Anyway, ok, so perhaps Grandma comes up short on her effort and Britney Spears is no longer in your style. Perhaps, she never was your style but OMG… MUSE is on tour! Use inlu to ask all 2, 4, 6- sets of grandparents (hey, it’s messy these days) to pitch in for LIVE tickets. Just think, they get out of asking the ladies at bingo “what the kids are into these days” and your gift will still-be-ringing long after the new year has come and gone.
BONUS: No need to send a card, grandma. When you paid online, you left a note. Remember?
College Humor Worst Gift #2: Type of underwear you wore in JR High.
Inlu says…
The posse at inlu had a crack up over this. First off, we couldn’t even remember what undies we rocked in Jr. High so we started to chuckle…then a few minutes later, we remembered and we started to cry. Then, we imagined ourselves in those underwear now and started laughing again. It was pure off-task entertainment.
Then (and only then) did an underwear-driven-inlu seem like a GREAT idea. We’d never even thought of this (or heard of it in Kev’s case): La Perla. Now we’re talking. Ok, JR High skivvys = OUT. However, L.A. fashionista-fave, LA PERLA bustier = IN. “Normal” people rarely get to spend that much on a BRAZIER! However, a good old group of gals throwing down for a bridal shower? You betcha. It’s like the Rolex (great inlu idea too!) of underwire and if we can help any suburbanite-to-be feel sexy one last time in a sinfully expensive strapless, well then, (as Chelsea Handler would say) you go…girl.
BONUS: Um…well, there are probably many. So many we don’t even need to mention. 
DRUMROLL….
College Humor’s #1 Worst Gift:
1. DONATION IN YOUR NAME
+ 
Inlu Says…
Ok, so technically, based on the mere fact that we play off “in lieu of gifts” we should disagree with College Humor’s worst gift. BUT…surprise, Inlu is right there there with you! Why? Because plenty of people, for good reason, DON’T WANT a COW in a far off land. It’s just not a wishlist topper.
How to avoid this downer? Ask for what you REALLY want (could be a Heifer, a Woody Jackson painting or both!). Then, go about life with less clutter or the “meh” feeling of getting something you just didn’t want (including a donation in your name). But, for the record, many inlu-users are happily forgoing gifts and giving to causes…but we recognize- if it ain’t your style, it ain’t your style (same goes for cow decor). Get creative. Be real.
PSST…if heifers and commissioned artwork are out of your pals’ price range- a flock of chickens can run about $20 (giftwrap is how much these days?). Pair that with a gift certificate at a local bistro and it’s go time.
BONUS: An appreciated gift you’ll enjoy for a longtime. An easy shopping scenario for your friends. PLUS, in lieu of wrapping paper, pooling donations to a cause can make EVERYONE feel good. Inlu is in-win-win down the line.
Ready to check it out? GO to INLU!
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