Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Choose one of our three options of Be My Valentine Grab Bag: $50, $75 or $100.

Step 2: Gather a group of family or friends on February 14.

Step 3: The youngest person in the group reaches into the grab bag and pulls out a gift. Eyes closed!

Step 4: That person who pulled out the gift has to then decide who in the group is most suited for that gift and then give it to that person. (For example, Susie pulls out a chocolate bar and decides that since Aunt Betty is a total chocoholic that she will give the bar to Betty.)

Step 5: The next youngest person in the group takes the next turn and repeats step 3 and 4. Continue until all people have a turn or until all the gifts are handed out.

All Valentine's Day Grab Bags come with this 100% cotton specialty pillowcase packed with goodies to share.

In a recent interview with the website ExpatWomen.com, Ellie revealed the obstacles she faced as an expat and an entrepreneur and how she came up with the idea for the business.

“I started my business because I love pajamas, and the whole business concept fit well with my lifestyle,” Ellie said.

In the interview she credits her experience living overseas for the company’s broad and global appeal.

“Living overseas has made me different from a typical American retailer. I anticipate questions about sizing and shipping before they happen,” she told ExpatWomen.com. “I know the occasional challenges of shopping on U.S. websites from overseas. I know the customers I have in mind are not from a certain state, region, neighborhood or country, but rather are very broad – very international. I think that is how the expat experience defines us. We think more broadly. I know pajamas mean different things to different cultures, but pajamas are all about comfort in any language!”

Read more of the interview with The Pajama Company founder and CEO, Ellie Badanes, at ExpatWomen.com.

For some, taking time to relax is daunting.  For some, life is such a whirl that stepping away even for a moment is stress inducing.  Funny how it’s possible for lounging to be stressful.  For some, it truly is.   For the type A, overstressed we say start the process of relaxing a little slower.  Start by coming home and just doing a quick change from work clothes to pj’s or boxers.  Something so simple can work very well to melt away a few tense muscles. It’s you saying, “I’m home.”  You’ve officially left the office, the playground, the sports field, the “Mom” taxi.  You may still have tons to do but putting on pj’s means you are home.  Many tell us that they do their best work in pajamas and we believe it.

We love to talk about lounging and love lounging in pj’s.  We know grabbing a little quiet time is so healthy and rejuvenating.  Find your “Happy Place” and go there, even for just a moment.  You will thank yourself.

Summer is the time to smile a little more, laugh a little more and simply do what you love a little more.

1. You must have one social media fan in your life…and when it is time to rest his/her  internet weary head on something…voila…the perfect pillow.  These gems are truly one of a kind, handmade by Craftsquatch.  We all love unique gifts that capture a smile and these social media pillows do just that.  12″x12″ square and made of the softest fleece around.  Grab yours today before they are gone into cyberspace!

Twitter Bird $28

Google $28

RSS Icon $28

2. We think every Geek has quietly wished for his or her very own warm, snugly pair of Footie Pajamas. Perfect for video gaming, programming, reading, relaxing or just talking to Mom on Skype.  Choose from a fabulous selection here for Geeks of all ages.

Red Fleece $48

Navy Plaid Flannel $44

3. We know Geeks love Tee Shirts with a sense of humor and we have just that in our full of fun Be As You Are collection.

Game Over $24

Call Me Text Me $24

4. It’s quite possible that your Geek has one or two foibles, quirks, dare we say dysfunctions?  Our Inner Truth Journals might be just the thing for those late night scribbles.

My Dysfunctions Inner-Truth Journal $18

5. Is there anything nicer than a bright red snowman print flannel pajama for the holidays?  We think not.

Red Snowman $52

6. After hours of computing or gaming, extreme hunger is inevitable and we have the perfect solution…Chocolate of course.  Our Emergency Chocolate Bar is designed for “Immediate relief of Chocolate Cravings, Lovesickness, Exam Pressure,  Mild Anxiety and Extreme Hunger.”

Emergency Chocolate $10

7. A little bit of Pinstripe can go a long way. Instead of going for the full Pinstripe Suit with polished tasseled loafers, we kind of like the simple Boxer. Made of fine Egyptian cotton, the boxer is  a great look for lounging and doesn’t require much effort for your sometimes slightly disheveled Geek.

Pinstripe Boxer $19.99

8. We hate to stereotype but is it possible  your favorite Geek might just have one or perhaps multiple furry, fluffy roomates who purr and enjoy  a nice saucer of milk?

Sleeps With Cats Nightshirt $28

9. We know Geeks are generally task oriented and even a bit on the bossy side so again, we have the perfect Gift in the form of a List just for the Holidays.  Our Things You Must Do For The Holidays Notepad includes these tasks:  “Believe in Santa, Dress up the pets, Max out a credit card, Channel Martha, Wear a Santa Hat, Buy me Everything, Learn to Snowboard.”  (Did we mention sometimes Geeks can be task oriented?)

Things You Must Do For The Holidays $8

10. When it’s 2 am and time for a little shut eye or even 3 pm and time for that power nap, the Midnight Mask is the perfect way to create solitude and reset those creative juices.  We know Geeks have to step away from the keyboard, put down the controller, and close the book every now and then.

Midnight Mask $10

"Doggy Love" Kids Pajama from Papa Bear for Ages 2-14 $34

Big Feet Navy Plaid Flannel Footed Pajama $44

Footzies PJ Pant $24.99 Footzies Tee Shirt $19.99

Munki Munki Women's Flannel "Skater" Pajama in Blue $86

"Carolina Paisley" Ruffle Pajama from Bedhead $142

"Pigs Fly" Flannel Pajama from PJ Salvage $70

"Making the Moose out of Life" Men's Flannel Pajama Pant $34

Kashwere Kids Super Soft Blue Striped Hydranga Robe $50

"STress Gets Better With Wine" Nightshirt in a Bag $28

]]> http://thepajamacompany.com/blog/this-weeks-staff-picks/feed/ 1 http://thepajamacompany.com/blog/everybody-loves-matching-family-pajamas-for-the-holidays/ http://thepajamacompany.com/blog/everybody-loves-matching-family-pajamas-for-the-holidays/#comments Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:13:42 +0000 admin http://thepajamacompany.com/blog/?p=303 This week we launched our “Matching Family Pajamas” category here at www.ThePajamaCompany.com We know there is something about winter and something about the holidays that makes it wonderful to just relax at home together in pajamas. Kids just love, love, love to wear pajamas that match Mom and Dad. It’s fun to see families all in pajamas and all matching.  It’s just happy, and isn’t that what the holidays are all about? We really love our footie pajamas from Big Feet Pajamas for the family and our fabulous collection of matching pj set, pants and sleepshirts from Hatley Nature. How fun for kids to see Mom & Dad in matching footies. We’ve heard our customers tell us that they love footies and love the fun of reclaiming a bit of childhood with footies. We know many families have the “Matching Pajama” tradition for the holidays. For some it’s Thanksgiving, for others it’s Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or the first night of Hanukkah. Always popular are bright red flannel pj’s with snowmen and our Papa Bear flannels are just that and perfect for the entire family. Here are a few of our new matching goodies. Let us know what you think and take a moment to share any of your matching family traditions.

"Bears on Plaid" Flannel Men's PJ Pant from Hatley Nature $34

"Bears on Plaid" Womens Flannel PJ Pant from Hatley Nature $34

"Christmas Animals" Applique Kids Pajama from Hatley Nature $30

"Christmas Animals" Womens Flannel PJ Pant from Hatley Nature $34

"Christmas Animals" Mens Flannel PJ Pant from Hatley Nature $34

"Red Snwoman" Flannel Pajama Set for Adults size S-XXL $52 and Kids size 2-18 $34

Big Feet Adult Red Fleece Footies $48

Big Feet Kids Red Fleece Footy $36

"Making the Moose out of Life" Kids Pajama from Hatley Nature $30

"Making the Moose out of Life" Womens Sleepshirt from Hatley Nature $29

"Making the Moose out of Life" Mens PJ Pant from Hatley Nature $34

Time to get matching!

Put your pajamas on and subscribe to our you tube channel www.youtube.com/thepajamacompany

"Anchors Away" Pajama Pant from PJ Salvage $42

"Rosy Afternoon" Pajama Pant from Hatley Nature $34

"Donuts" from The Cat's Pajamas $86

And for the perfect oversized nightshirt that you want to wear all day, check out a few of our new styles from Emerson Street and Hatley Nature.  Which are your spring favorites?

"Ruff Night" Sleepshirt from Hatley Nature $29

"Bad Hair Day" Sleepshirt from Hatley Nature $29