Category: planning

Gift Guide

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

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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!

crafting

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

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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.
Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gifts to Get Moving

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Oh my Loves!

How are you?

My prayer is that these guides aren’t causing you stress or pressure to buy, just giving you ideas. Feel free to tuck these away for another time or send them to someone else who may need them. If you can still hang with me today, and five more days, I do have some good things coming! Today’s ideas are all to get those little bodies moving!

**Just a note, headbands, small exercise equipment, fitness watches and new running shoes are great gifts for teens and adults! Now to the kids/tween gift ideas!**

  1. Balance/Wobble Board- These range in price. We got a $50 one from amazon that was well made! Two years later with my two kids, it is well-used and still in great condition. Awesome for core work and sensory regulation too!
  2. New Bike/Trike- I didn’t even know this kind of joy was possible until my kids unwrapped a bike on Christmas! Be fully prepared to go outside like right away though and put the new wheels on the sidewalk.
  3. Sports Equipment/Lessons- Bats, gloves, cleats, all the balls to enjoy at home, with an already established team or club or lessons for something new- these are always welcome and exciting!
  4. Roller Skates- From experience, I would get these size-adjustable, and from consignment or on super sale because they get beat up fast. I would also suggest some padding because falls are real and they can be hard.
  5. Ninja Line-  These range from like $60-$120 depending on what you want and how much of it. We really enjoy ours!
  6. SkateBoard- This is on my kids list! Thank God we already have padding and helmets but at least this is one I am willing to try with them!
Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Neighbors and Friends

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Hiya Loves!

We are half-way through these gift guides and don’t be shocked if you see them again next year! These gifts are kind of timeless, especially today’s gift guide for neighbors and friends!

  1. Baked Treats: Understanding we are still in a pandemic, maybe you opt for store bought, maybe you still bake. It is the thought that counts!
  2. Wine Subscription: My mom sent me one and it was so fun trying brands you can’t find in local stores and broadening your pallet.
  3. Personalized or Sentimental Ornament: If you know me, you know annual ornaments are my jam! I also love sharing this tradition with friends!
  4. Family Movie Night: This can be done many ways. Redbox codes, Amazon prime gift card to rent a movie, popcorn, candy and snacks, or even a movie projector or some or all of the above.
  5. Donation In Their Name: For those you know well, donating to a community cause, organization or charity in their name is the way to have a gift make a resounding impact.
  6. Family Game Night: Similar to the movie night above, this can be done several ways- just snacks, inexpensive card games, board games or classic family games. Of course you could mix and match some of these!
Family Activities

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

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Day 5 is here my Loves!

We are nearly at the half-way point and I figured this would be the best time to share some investment gifts. These run from the low to high $$$ and are an investment financially but also in space and care. 

So, don’t just jump into these all willy-nilly. Think carefully and consider all the pros and cons.

1. Nugget Comfort-Full disclosure, we have two and my whole family, even grandparents, have used and love them.  We use them everyday and they truly add to our lives.

2. Sensory Table- Note, not all of these are created equally. My friends who have the one from Ikea raved about it.

3. Play House- Oh what joy and fun from imaginative play in a playhouse! Not to mention, you can dress these up for each season and holiday!

4. Pretend Kitchen- Similar to above but inside-all the imaginative play and seasonsale decor! I’ve had both wood and plastic and prefer wood.

5. Light table- We don’t have the space for this but it is a cool learning tool!

6. Bunk Beds- Hands down, best gift my kids ever got. My kids now sleep in the same bunk so we want to make the top bunk themed for adventure and play.

Bonus: A market stand or cart is the cutest addition to any dramatic play set up and cultivates so much learning!

Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gifts for Gaming, Gadgets, Tech & Stem

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We are moving full-steam ahead into Day 4 and if you have a  gamer, techie and gadget collector in your life, this is for you!

  1. Roblox Bucks- Honestly, I have no idea what these do or where to get them, but every parent who has a child that plays Roblox apparently asks for this.
  2. Snap Circuits- Honestly, if a kid is into STEM, get it!
  3. Gaming Accessories- headphones, controllers, cases, game cards-you name it, the gamer in your life can use it.
  4. Osmo- This company sure knows how to make a good product and littles can have fun while they learn!
  5. Kids Echo Dot- This is one of our favorites, Her skills, stories, jokes and routine settings are such a life saver.
  6. Gamer Gear- We have a thing for jammies in our house but t-shirts, sweatshirts and joggers are a win too.
Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Games and Quiet Activities

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Hey Loves!

Day 3 is here and these are my favorite gifts-Kids can be kids without batteries and sounds and let their imaginations run free!

  1. Marble Maze– Not to be confused with marble run, these wooden planks, trunks and squares allow for so much building, solution solving and engineering.
  2. Logic Games- I mean, let the littles think, get stumped and try again! We have a quite a few from stacking rocks/stones, to Mental Blox to Smart Cookies and I have more I want to add to our collection.
  3. Sumblox– Also on my kids’ list and these are not just for math my friends. These are for fun! They can grow with my kids as well.
  4. Puzzles- One of our favorite activities and they can grow with the child. We love Puzzle Huddle Puzzles.
  5. Magnatiles- Again, our favorites and I love watching their imaginations work. We do stick with the actual brand name because that is what works for us but feel free to try another brand.
  6. Keva Blocks– Can you see a theme? This is also on our list. Let the city building begin! These are different than your traditional building blocks and you can find building challenges!

*Note* Legos are another great one. This year, my kids are getting this and this to add to their collection and skill set.

Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gift Ideas for The Reader

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Hey Loves!

Day 1 was about gifts for the teacher and now to day 2!

I’ve teamed up with my love, Lakeisha from Maya’s Book Nook to share some great gift ideas (for christmas and all year long).

  1. Gift Certificate to Local Bookstore (non-chain), even better if it is Black-owned.: Buying and shopping locally is a great way to support local infrastructures and communities. It is also a great way to experience a place you haven’t been before! Not to mention, the lives you are changing by supporting people and families.
  2. Seasonal Book: Go ahead and add to the seasonal shelfie and add more proverbial doors to the season.
  3. Epic Book Subscription: I only found out this existed several weeks ago but my kids already love it! They have ebooks, read-alouds, audiobooks and read to me options for every interest and phase. You can get an annual family subscription or look into the free educator program.
  4. Kindle Unlimited: This one is on my kids’ list. I can’t keep up with the reading and book demands with my two, so we decided to try this for a year!
  5. Kindle E-reader: If e-books are your thing, these lightweight and light-controlled devices make reading easy and accessible. There are lots of different versions.

6. Addition to Favorite Book Series: In the past year, my family has really gotten into book series so adding the best book or two in that series is a great gift idea!


Subscription Box Ideas

Subscription boxes are perfect for every person on your gift list! There’s something exciting about getting a package in the mail and being surprised at the contents inside. 

  1. Just Like Me! Book Box – Just Like Me! was our first subscription box and it’s been so fun to see the books evolve as my little one gets older! Each box is customized with 2-3 age appropriate books that feature characters of color.
  2. Because of Them We Can Box – If you’re looking for a gift that celebrates Black History 365, this is the subscription for you. Each curated box features a person or iconic moment in Black history and is filled with apparel, worksheets, and other fun swag.
  3. Izzy and Liv Brown Sugar Box for Kids – With boxes for both girls and boys of various ages, Izzy and Liv provide a mixture of melanated swag on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Apparel, stationary, books, and beauty products are just a sample of the items in each box.
  4. Jambo Books – Jambo Books is another great option to build a home library, filled with multicultural children’s books. 2-3 age-appropriate books are sent monthly. 
  5. Bitsbox – Do you have a STEM lover on your hands? If so, Bitsbox is a great gift for kids ages 6-12 to engage in fun coding projects.

Little Global Citizens – This one is on our list because not only is it a book box, it also pairs the book with resources, crafts, and other fun activities about the represented country.