Category: Gift Guide

Gift Guide

An Apple for The Teacher

/

Hey Loves!

If you are new here, you should know I Stan a teacher, coach, leader, instructor, etc. I am team, “If you love and nurture my babies”, you get a token of appreciation.

You should also know that a themed gift and custom gift tag make my heart sing. They truly delight me.

So, all of my OG friends would not be shocked to know I did exactly that for all of the teachers/leaders, etc in our lives. Here’s how!

For context, I watch lots of manicure and pedicure videos for design inspiration and it occurred to me that people really don’t care for their appendages as they should. Not on my watch! Armed creativity and a mission, I grabbed some cute 5-piece pedicure sets. I also grabbed some apple cases from Target in the Bullseye Playground. I couldn’t resist grabbing notepads, pens and binder clips. Did I mention I also love practical gifts? 

Then, I went to work. Using my cricut, I was able to easily personalize them. I also used the cricut to cut some adorable cards. 

I grabbed some yarn and ribbon to attach the gift tag and add some flare.

crafting

Pool Days Teacher Appreciation Gift

/

Hey Loves!

To know me is to know I love celebrating and although gifting is not my ministry, I love to show appreciation. This year my two most precious gifts have been loved,prayed over, protected and taught by some amazing people and I am so glad to show our appreciation to them.

As always, budget was a concern. nWhile teachers are worth all the dollars, I am not rich. I also needed to find a gift that would work for both genders and/or those not specifically identifying as female. I also really wanted my kids involved. They loved putting together the Christmas gifts for teachers and coaches so I knew they would love this too.

Once we narrowed down a theme, with lots of guidance, we decided on some items to help make summer time at the beach or pool more enjoyable. I ordered drink floats, cookies, hair ties and chair clips from amazon. You can find everything here.

Then, with my silhouette, I quickly the names of their teachers and applied them to the cookies.

Next, I designed these cute gift tags to to add.

After combing all the items in a Dollar tree cellophane bag and finishing with ribbon and tags, my kids and I wrote quick thank-you notes.

That’s it! To see how I put it together, check it out here.

crafting

Easy DIY Lego Trays

/

Hey Loves!

You ready for the easiest DIY ever? This one is for the parent over the lego “disagreements”. This is also for those who have spent entirely too much time for one very specific lego brick. Enter, lego trays. 

Supplies 

Everything is liked here

  1. Plastic or wooden large tray
  2. Lego plates
  3. Carpet tape
  4. Small storage Container 

Method

  1. If you found the tray and containers in your house line I did, clean thoroughly and let dry
  2. Using carpet tape, adhere the lego plate to the tray. To secure, place heavy items on lego plate for 15-20 minutes. 
  3. Do the same for the small trays. 

Voila! There you have it! A portable, light- weight, multi-storage lego tray with plenty of room for creating! 

about me

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Mom Stocking Stuffers

/

My dearest Loves,

We made it! Can you hear the bells ringing? Day 12 is here and I love that I am ending this series with my people-my biggest supporters, best friends and target audience, MAMAS. Whether you fill your own stocking or wake up to it filled, here are some ideas you can buy or ask Santa for.

  1. Spa Treatment- CAN NOT GO WRONG! anything from a manicure to a massage without kids will suffice.
  2. Quality Pens/Stationery- I feel like this is a staple.
  3. Devotional- Again, a staple for me but you will have to do some research here Not all are created equal. This one is everything.
  4. New book or Audiobook- Because moms deserve it. Also, I am famous for pre-ordering or spending $20 on a book for my kids but will go without or wait 7-14 weeks for the library loan to be available for a book I want.
  5. Personalized necklace- Her name, monogram, initial, kids’ names, mama- they all work!
  6. Kindle unlimited gift card- One month, three months, 40 months-again, mama deserves it.
Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Kids Stocking Stuffers

/

Oh my Loves!

I can’t thank you enough for hanging with me these last 11 days. I sure hope these helped you, if only a tiny bit. Today and tomorrow are all about stocking stuffers. Let’s see what kids of all ages can get!

  1. Body Wash- Everything from EveryKid brand to Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren works here. No matter the age, all children must get clean.
  2. Gift Certificate- Pump your breaks, I’m talking $5-$10 max for coffee, quick bites or dessert.
  3. Activity Book- Again, these work for all ages. Sticker, Magic Painting, Minecraft, Color by Number, Sudoku, Trivia… go for it! 
  4. Toothbrushes- Are you noticing a theme??? My kids get “fancy” spin brushes on holidays. You can take it up a notch by getting a toothbrush (or razor) subscription.
  5. Yummy Treats- Who doesn’t like treats??? Just make sure they follow the diet of the recipient!
  6. Accessories- These are my favorite. Babies can get amber teething necklaces, young kids, older kids and adults can get watches, watch bands, earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, ties or socks!
Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Artsy and Creative

/

We are rounding the corner and in the home stretch, my dears! Today is all about the creatives in your life. While not listed, for older creatives a canva pro membership or gift card, or an adobe creative cloud membership gift card are great gifts for those who are going to use it.

  1. Design Guide Book- Know a budding fashion designer or landscape artist? Help hone those skills with a design guide book where they can practice and learn!
  2. Wonder Crate- Why not learn about a change maker while crafting? You can read my review of this subscription here! I think it is well worth it, even just 1 or 2 of these!
  3. Insa Pix Camera- Call it FOMO, but I want one of these. They are a great way to not only capture and share moments instantly but the printed photos can be gifts. Not to mention, the budding photographer can work on their skills!
  4. Tracing Tablet- James got this last year and talk about great! We both love this. Best part, you can put any image on the screen and you don’t need expensive art supplies!
  5. Quality Art Supplies- Speaking of art supplies, I couldn’t tell you the difference between colored pencil grades if you paid me but some can and it matters to them. Your investing in them with quality art supplies matters to them. They are easy to obtain and not too expensive
  6. Easel– Old to young, finger paint to watercolor on canvas, you can’t go wrong with an easel.

Another one not pictured (because it is pretty niche) are classes to learn a new skill like hand-lettering, or enhance a skill like painting and/or photography.

Happy gifting!

Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Experiences

/

Hey Loves!

Day 9 and I am feeling fine! How about you? Life is what you make it so why not give the gift an experience or 2? These are some of my favorite requests and received gifts. No lie, my mom is the reason my kids are learning to ski for their birthdays. In case that’s a bit much for you, here are some other ideas.

*Note*- magazine subscriptions, theme/subject based subscription kits, and and online classes totally count as an experience!

  1. Play Place Gift Cards- Yes, I know we are still in a pandemic. Most places are practicing Covid-safe guidelines and, well, even pre-Covid, these places were not cheap. So, a gift card for a few hours of play is a great experience whether it is a place you love or a place you’ve been wanting to try!
  2. Museum Membership- Listen, we adore ours. It is by far the most cost effective way to visit and see/do everything, especially in multiple locations. You just can not beat it if you tried. 
  3. Learn a New Skill- Coding, chess, ballet, gymnastics, swim, acting, hockey You name it- you can either pay in advance and print a certificate or get a gift certificate and call it a day!
  4. Spa Treatments- Everyone, regardless of gender or age will enjoy some sort of spa treatment from a manicure to a massage. Spa treatments do not discriminate.
  5. Traveling- This may sound weird but go with me. Family members going to Disney? Get Disney gift cards for those souvenirs. You can also chip in or pay for certain excursions during travel!

Zoo Trip or Membership- Because those fun family friendly places that encourage learning and what not aren’t cheap. You could also gift an animal feeding experience to families with an admission membership.

crafting

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Keepsakes

/

Hey Loves!

Day 8 is GREAT! I love a keepsake gift and these are what we give to our parents for Christmas every year. Each one of them have been loved and appreciated by grandparents and each house guest of theirs admires them as well.

  1. Silhouette Portrait- I mean, is there anything more classic?!?!? I need to update my kids’ silhouette portraits. You can purchase these or do them yourself and pair them with a nice frame.
  2. Photo Ornament- These may be a dime a dozen but they are so cute and it is the gift that keeps on giving! Every Christmas after, you get to remember that little angel’s face!
  3. Digital Photo Frame- This has actually been on my list for a while but I never pull the trigger. I always marvel at them when I see one though! You can sync to your phone just upload them from a USB. I do love how you can update them though
  4. Recordable Story Book- Wanna read a loved one a story but they are far away? What about wanting to hear a story from someone faraway? Well, you can! Recordable stories can be found online or in some stores but the treasure of this gift stays in your heart.
  5. Gift Certificate for Family Photos- I’m not sure who won’t love this gift honestly! It is a winner all around!
  6. Personalized Mug- Ok, so it may seem basic but go with me on this one-parents, grandparents, aunties and dog parents alike are all about a loved one’s picture on something they drink out of. It is a proven fact.