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Post by Azar
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Olympic Orchids 2013
How to Give a Gift Set
Giving chocolate, red roses or wreaths of evergreen boughs are popular ways to celebrate the holiday season. This year Olympic Orchids perfumer Ellen Covey has put together her 2013 Holiday Sets featuring fragrances that are reminiscent of these traditional gifts.
Photo Stolen Olympic Orchids
The Standard Olympic Orchids Gift Set includes three of her most popular 5 ml parfum sprays: California Chocolate, Ballets Rouge and Olympic Rainforest. The Deluxe Set comes with these fragrances as well as 1 oz. of Amber-Labdanum All Purpose Oil, a bar of hand made Patchouli Lovers Soap and a $25 coupon good toward the purchase of any 30ml parfum in the new packaging. The Standard Set is priced at $35 (easily a $45 value) and the Deluxe Gift Box at $45 (in my estimation worth at least $100).
Photo Stolen Olympic Orchids
I’m always bargain hunting, especially during the holidays. The Standard Set would make a wonderful surprise for a special individual or couple but I have other plans for the deluxe version. Please don’t think me “cheap”, but I could solve several gifting dilemmas, stuff a few stockings or be ready for any unexpected guests by simply breaking the larger set up into individual gifts. Here is my plan for Olympic Orchids‘s Deluxe Gift Set:
Olympic Rainforest might be for the brother who sails the San Juan Islands and works near the Olympic Rainforest.
California Chocolate would be much appreciated by an adult student, a total chocoholic.
Ballets Rouge could make a lovely gift for the sister with the rose garden.
Patchouli Lovers Soap is a “can’t miss” for my old (my age) activist, hippie friend.
Amber-Labdanum All Purpose Oil is perfect for the son who has totally fallen for the scent of this product.
And the $25 coupon? Well, maybe I’ll just give that one to myself! (I bet you saw that one coming.)
Photo Stolen kbaird
Olympic Orchids GIVEAWAY
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
This week there will be 1 winner who will receive:
1 x 1ml sample of Olympic Orchids Tropic of Capricorn
1 x 1ml sample of Olympic Orchids Seattle Chocolate
1 x 1 mystery sample or decant
P&H Anywhere in the world
HOW DO YOU WIN?
Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.
To be eligible for the draw just mention how you follow APJ. Here are a couple of questions: Do you ever split gift boxes? Have you tried Olympic Orchids Patchouli Lovers Soap or the Amber-Labdanum All Purpose Oil? Comment on either of these questions and be eligible to win my (Azar’s) last give-away for 2013.
Extra Chances?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Olympic Orchids GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-2ex #Giveaway #Perfume @EllenCovey1
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Close Thursday 28th November 2013 10pm Australian EDST and winners will be announced in a separate post
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Sunday 1st December 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.
Happy Holidays!
Azar xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I follow by e-mail, and no…I never split gift boxes. 🙂
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Hey PattyP.,
You sound like the generous giver of wonderful gifts! You are IN!
Azar xx
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All I`ve managed to do is imagine! this house`s scents – need a real crack at them! 🙂 I don`t split sets > just buy separate items. I also love a mystery w/ a good outcome! Very cut and dry!! We follow on blog, e-mail, and FB.
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Hi Hotlanta!
I love a good mystery too. In order to make sure there will be a satisfactory outcome I almost always read the ending first (I’m referring to books, of course). I’m still debating whether or not to label this mystery scent. What do you think? You are IN, of course!
Azar xx
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Hi, I can’t resist a mystery, so I will enter your draw! I split gift boxes whenever I can. The fun of getting extras that you wouldn’t ordinarily have gotten is passing them on.
I haven’t tried the oil or soap that you mention. I have tried Ballets Rouges and like it a lot.
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Hello FeralJasmine.
Yes, it is fun to pass the extras on to friends and relatives! If you like Ballet Rouge I think you might like the Amber-Labdanum oil too. A totally different scent, of course, but with a lot of depth and lasting power. Do you think I should label the mystery fragrance or would it be better left totally mysterious? You are IN!
Azar xx
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Oh, keep it a mystery!
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I usually don’t split gift sets, but I would definitely keep the $25 coupon that you mentioned. 🙂 I follow by email.
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Hey Maya,
It would be really easy to slip that coupon out of the gift box! The set would be perfect without it. Do you have a favorite from Olympic Orchids? Thanks for joining the draw!
Azar xx
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I follow by email. I don’t split gift boxes but I usually am the one giving them so that’d be weird.
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Hi Tsurera,
I see one problem with splitting a gift set. Usually the boxes are beautifully wrapped and I hate spoiling that. Just wondering, do you like receiving gift sets? Thanks for joining in the draw!
Azar xx
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Another giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity. I follow via Bloglovin’.
I split gift boxes when it makes sense. As to Olympic Orchids, I have never tried anything from this line (and I keep telling myself I must rectify but haven’t gotten around to ordering even a sample set!).
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Yes another one, hajusuuri! The postage will eventually do me in, but for now I am having fun. It is like a little holiday for me every other week! Oh, and I misspoke. In addition to this one I believe I will do one more give away before the end of 2013.
You are so IN!
Azar xx
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Email follower here. I think it’s fine to split up gift boxes if you have a real variety of goodies. I agree it can solve the dilemma of buying lots of different gifts. 🙂
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Hi Jaybee,
Yes, another practical mind! I have also purchased individual soaps to give as gifts. At some point I would love to see a boxed soap set from Olympic Orchids, but would not split that one up. Have you tried anything from this line? And of course you are IN the draw!
Azar xx
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I follow by email. I wish I had enough friends who like scented gifts so that I could buy gift boxes. I have not yet tried anything from Olympic Orchids, but I have heard many good things about them. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
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You are welcome, Nemo, and thanks for joining in the draw! Regarding the giveaway: Do you think I should label the mystery fragrance or not?
Azar xx
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I think it’s OK to split gift boxes as long as the items look beautiful without the packaging.
I follow by email (and I love mystery prizes too!)
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Hello JackieB,
I usually pop the gift box splits into pretty individual gift bags, but as I mentioned to Tsurera, I hate to ruin the original packaging. Have you tried any Olympic Orchids fragrances? Do you think I should label the mystery or leave it a mystery? You are IN!
Azar xx
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I follow by email.I never split gift boxes.
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tweet-https://twitter.com/AnnaKulu1/status/404832266762715136
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Hi nushechka!
You are so IN and IN again for the tweet! By the way, do you like to receive gift sets?
Azar xx
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Thanks ! Yes )
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Occasionally I split gift boxes between friends, but only when the gift consists of the same product in different scents or colours (e.g. perfume, hand creams, lipgloss etc.). That way, everyone gets something equal, but hopefully a little more tailored to their personality. I follow by Bloglovin.
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Hi Annamaria,
I guess it might be hard making a split if everyone wanted the same thing! Thank you for joining the draw. You are so IN!
Azar xx
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I follow via newsletter – always looking out for your next update in my inbox . Do I split gift boxes ? No .
I was once on the receiving end of a gift box which was obviously an on gift.. How did I know ? the company went out of business years prior and the person who gave it to her was there as I was unwrapping it …embarrassment for all. But funnily enough not for the person who gave it to me who remained.. Oblivious.
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Hi Katherine!
That must have been a totally strange and embarrassing experience. How did you react?
I would never “re-gift” (recycle) an entire gift box that I had received as a gift myself. If I want to split a box I buy the gift set purposefully to split so it is not a “re-gift” but actually a new purchase (or several new purchases, really) for specific people. That being said, I do recycle gift cards from time to time. I get so many Starbucks gift cards. I don’t drink their bevs or eat their buns but don’t want the gifts to go to waste.
Azar xx
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I need to try more of the Olympic Orchids range but the Patchouli Lovers Soap is to die for xx I follow by WordPress email, Twitter and Facebook.
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Hi Elise,
Yes that soap is gorgeous and long lasting too! I am definitely going to take advantage of Olympic Orchids Black Friday sale. You are IN!
Azar xx
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I follow via email and twitter. I have never split gift boxes, but you have just given me a way to really stretch my dollar so more people can receive gifts this holiday season !
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Hi DKchocoman!
It’s great fun to give beautiful, high quality gifts without breaking the bank. All of your perfumista friends will love gifts like these. I have even made a few converts to the perfume habit with split gift box goodies. You are so IN!
Azar xx
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I follow by email. I don’t usually split gift sets,but never say never! I love Ballets Rouge. Great red rose freshly cut from the garden.
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Hi Nancysg,
Thanks for joining the draw! I love red roses for the holidays. It doesn’t matter if they arrive from the florist or are part of a fragrance. Like you, I especially love Ballets Rouge.
Azar xx
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Don’t split gift boxes ever and follow by e mail.Have tweeted the competition @ReneGroyer
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Hello Rene,
You have to be a careful and generous gift giver. You are in TWICE!
Azar xx
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Splitting gift boxes was my standard practice as a kid who celebrated Christmas with a large extended family. Once I felt I was too old to give presents of the construction-paper-and-glue variety, my limited budget made the split gift box a very practical option. When I was a little older, and had a slightly larger budget, but also a larger family (the cousins just kept coming), everyone got used books.
I think you should keep the mystery vial a mystery, but eventually (after they’ve tried it) let the recipient know what it was. A lot of the readers here could probably make very educated guesses, and it would be fun. Oh, and I follow with Bloglovin.
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Laurels! Great memories of your Christmas past. I’m also from a large family. Presents were exciting but the real memories revolve around siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, friends… Also, thank you for the great suggestion about how to present the little mystery. I think I will give it a try.
Azar xx
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I’m another gift box splitter. Sometimes it just makes getting those little extra somethings for people a whole lot easier and affordable. I’m an Olympic Orchids fangirl so I really want one of these sets. I will most likely order one if I’m not lucky enough to win. Last year Santa gave me one of their gift sets and got me hooked.
I’m stalking by wordpress.
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Hi there Poodle! I love splitting and love sales and coupons so I will definitely be shopping Ellen’s Black Friday sale. If you win I hope you will satisfied with my little offering. Its not the full gift box or even a split but two samples and a mystery something or other.
Azar xx
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I tend to split boxes, miniature perfume ones, for instance.
Thank’s for the giveaway, Azar! (By the way, I live right at the Capricorn Tropic. Great latitude for a gardener.) Follow you PJs by email.
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Hi Solanace! You are so IN! See below!
Azar
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You are welcome, solanace. And I agree that miniature perfume collections make great splits!
I imagine you must be a gardener from your gravatar. By the way, what is that flower? Some sort of solanum?
Azar xx
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I follow through email. I often send sample packs to friends and posse members. This keeps the fumes moving and the gift certificates are a great way to explore a line.
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Hello Jan. Great ideas! I am trying to keep things moving here too. You are IN!
Azar xx
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I follow by email and haven’t been into perfume long enough to have had a gift box to split. 🙂 I haven’t tried any of these, but Ballets Rouges in particular looks right up my alley.
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Hi Connie!
Welcome to perfume madness. I find the trouble with this “hobby” (or whatever people call it) is that the number of available fragrances is so vast and the “danger” of uncontrolled collecting so very real. I tried to limit my collecting to vintage fragrances but was soon lured into indies, celebs and whatever was reviewed on my favorite blogs. Only the fact that I don’t have unlimited funds to spend on fragrance has kept me from purchasing everything that shows up with a glowing review on APJ. You are so IN!
Azar xx
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Great giveaway! I follow APJ via email. Last year I did split a gift box of several scented soaps.
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Hello Fleurdelys.
Scented soaps are such a great gift. I haven’t split a box of lovely soap yet but will consider it. You are IN! Also, what do you think about the mystery scent in this draw? Should I label it or leave it mysterious?
Azar xx
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I follow via mail, RSS, WordPress,FB,tweeter. I haven’t split any gift box yet. Also haven’t tried afforedmentioned products. However, I believe in the highest quality of Olympic Orchids perfumes and other perfumed products
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*aforementioned*, I’m sorry
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Hello Damir and welcome to the draw!
Yes, Olympic Orchids has very high quality and carefully made products. I always look forward to Ellen Covey’s newest creations and find I am quickly using what I already have purchased. Oh, and by the way, I wouldn’t have noticed that spelling if you had not pointed it out. I’m afraid I’ll never make much of an editor!
Azar xx
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Hey… what about the daughter? Doesn’t she get one… just kidding:)! Pretty cool give away mom!
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Hi Lauren,
Don’t be sad, darling daughter, I think you rate the entire box! To clarify, the draw is for 2 samples and a mystery sample (not the entire box!). You are not entered in the draw (family member exclusion) but I’m going shopping on Ellen’s site on Black Friday for the 15% off sale. If you want me to pick something up for you just let me know.
Mommy Azar xx and x
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I think the giveaway is pretty cool even though you’re not giving away a whole box. I like that you’re doing a mystery sample… those are the best! I don’t think I need anything from Olympic Orchards, but thanks for checking. I am curious though – does the chocolate literally smell like chocolate? I think that would make me want to eat chocolate all day:)!
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Yes, Lauren, it does smell like chocolate. Remember the chocolate covered orange slices I used to like to much?
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Yummy – I do remember those! That really would make me want to eat chocolate…
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Hello Azar, I’m quite new to this wonderful world of elixirs, so I’d never heard of Ellen Covey before your post today. I’m dying to test her products after reading a bit about her and her approach to frangrance making. As for splitting gift boxes, never done it yet. I folllow by email.
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Hi there, Ella!
You are IN the draw. I imagine you are going to have so much fun with fragrances. Maybe go a little crazy for them too.
Azar xx
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Haven’t split gift boxes but think it is a wonderful idea. I haven’t tried this line yet but the Seattle Chocolate sounds wonderful (as I am opening a bar of Theos milk chocolate)! (I follow by e-mail)
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Hi Elizabeth C!
Seattle Chocolate is my favorite of the two chocolate fragrances offered by Olympic Orchids. It is a “cool” but not minty chocolate with hints of silver fir, perfect for the winter holidays or anytime of the year.
Thank you for joining the draw!
Azar xx
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Olympic Orchids sounds really promising! Thank you for the chance to win!
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How do you follow, Angela? Email, WordPress, whatever?
Azar xx
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I follow via email
and would totally split gift boxes! Have not tried the soap or body oil but would love to.
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Hi Mim! I have two little problems with gift boxes. No matter where the gift set comes from it is usually so lovely that I don’t want to break it up and worse I’m so tempted to keep everything for myself. You are IN!
Azar xx
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I follow through email and have unfortunately never tried any of the OO scents. I’d love to! Thanks for the draw.
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Thank you for entering the draw, Elizabeth!
Azar xx
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I follow via bloglovin (Lubica K., email on gmail) but also via email (lubaska at hotmail dot com)
I use to split gift sets and I ve never tried any of above mentioned fragrant items.
I tweeted as @Klubka
Greetings from Slovakia! .:-)
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Hi Lubka K!
You are IN TWICE! How’s the weather in Slovakia? Even though I write for APJ I’m on the west coast of the US. We should be getting snow next week.
Azar xx
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Hi! I follow by email. I’ve never received or given a gift box so I’ve never split one! The Olympic Orchid scents sound wonderful – especially Seattle Chocolate – and I’d love to try some of them.
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Hi Roslyn,
Your comment reminded to wear a little Seattle Chocolate! Yes, it is wonderful. Thank you for joining the draw and you are so IN!
Azar xx
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Wow I hope I’m not too late for the party. I tried following your blog by email for ages but for some reason I never received a confirmation e-mail. So this time I just couldn’t miss this giveaway (been meaning to order a sample pack from OO for ages!) and tried following with bloglovin’ and it worked, yay.
/Do you ever split gift boxes?/
In fact I do! So i can leave something for myself and give away the thing I’m not loving.
/Have you tried Olympic Orchids Patchouli Lovers Soap or the Amber-Labdanum All Purpose Oil? /
No, never, but I’d love to. I only smelled a sample of Blackbird perfume which was lovely!
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You are NOT too late, Olga! Thank you for joining the draw and you are IN!
My first purchase from Olympic Orchids was the Deluxe Sample Pack. It is a real bargain and could be a another candidate for a split.
Have a great Thanksgiving day if you are in the US or a wonderful day wherever you are!
Azar xx
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