Tag: gift ideas

Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gifts for Teachers and Homeschool Mamas

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Hey Loves!

For me, your favorite enneagram 6 and planner, Today kicks off the most wonderful time of year! Yes! Break out those lights, stocking and garland and get you holiday calendar in order! I was chatting some of you who are IG friends with me and gift guides were a need this year. I get it, I need help too. 

So, today and for the next 11 days, I’ve got some sustainable, no junk, limited parent involvement gift ideas with all budgets in mind. All of these gifts can be given to and from multiple people. Sometimes, a gift is better when it can be shared. Let’s go!

Our teachers, and yes, our homeschool mamas, work incredibly hard and deserve, well, all the things. For the sake of our time and budgets, I’ll keep this one brief but pertinent. Note* Stay tuned for day 2 if books are a favorite thing of your teachers! These also work for our therapists too!

*Note* An awesome way to involve your little one is to have them make an ornament or gift tag!

  1. Their Favorite Things- Seriously, get them what they love and adore and if you don’t know, ask. You can get a questionnaire here!
  2. Cozy Throw Blanket– Cable knit, chenille, microfleece- wrap it in a bow and a bag and boom! Paired with a nice note, coziest gift ever!
  3. Gourmet/Speciality Coffee- If coffee makes their heart sing and brains activate, introduce them to a niche, special or gourmet brand like Black Nerd Coffee.
  4. Gift Card to Their Favorite Retailer– Again, if you don’t know, ask.
  5. Essential Oils– Some staple oils such as lavender, peppermint and stress away are great gifts! Ensure they do not have any harmful additives or toxins. This is what we use.
  6. Quality Stationary- Feel free to personalize it, throw in a 2022 calender and add some great pens!
Family Activities

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

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Hey Loves!

I mean, honestly, didn’t Easter just happen? How is it already time to start prepping for Father’s Day? I feel like Spring crept and tried to take us out with the pollen and then just vanished into Summer. Anyway, your favorite Enneagram 6w5 is here with some ideas to make your ordering easy. (Yes, I know the world is back open but who is actually going to stores to shop for specifics???)

So, I have realized there are 3 types of Dad’s when it comes to gift giving…

Predictable Papa’s: The dad you know like the back of your hand that is easy to shop for and they will love it.

Direct Dada: The dad who will tell you exactly what he wants and where to get it or that he is ordering it himself.

Forgetful Father: The dad who has no idea what they want and forget to look up things to help you shop and celebrate.

I have the first for a dad and the last for a husband. Bless. These are my go-to’s to save time, money and sanity.

Sentimental: These are the tear-jerker gifts. The timeless keepsakes that will always make you remember when they were little and savor how they love without limits. Hand/foot print cards, “All About Dad” fill-in sheets (pinterest has a million and one) and special coupons for fun treats and quality time together seal the deal.

Athletic: Because this is all the rage now. Also, this can span from guns to golf. Like legit any additional sports equipment, special playing/practicing time and some personalized gear can go a very long way.

Pampering: Here me out, I understand most dads will not ask for this, however all dads need this. Call me biased but every dad NEEDS a pedicure and a massage. If they aren’t going willingly now, they will later. I promise! Grab a gift card or book an appointment for them!

Something they want but won’t but pay for: I mean, this is self explanatory. You know the ever reverberating, “I wish I had…” or “I would love…” Find it, order it if you can. This can also be a “group gift” if you and some others wanted to pull finances together tome it happen.

Special note from the dad I live with: “You can always do a good cologne. Men could always use some new underwear-like NICE underwear, upgrade my undergarments. Something in regards to a favorite sports team, some nice fan gear. You can never go wrong with a good bottle. Never. Guys like gadgets.”

Whatever you go with, make sure there is atleast a little effort put into it. That means the most.

DIY

Teacher Gift Ideas- For Everyone from Homeschool to High School!

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Hey Loves!

In case you missed it! It’s almost teacher appreciation week. Honestly, if 2020 showed us anything it’s that our teachers, of all respects, need all the appreciation. I mean, sheesh. 

As a homeschool teacher, I, without shame or guilt, take it upon myself to appreciate myself because, well, I deserve it. Not in a self-righteous way but in a self-care way. I do a whole lot and some stationery, nail polish and flowers help recognize that just a little. This year, I want to take it up a notch. Not just for me but for my homeschool mama friends and for my kids’ teachers at a local homeschool program. So, I thought we could work together and share some teacher gift ideas from DIY to only buy! Here we go!

Flowers: Friends, after you ensure there are no allergies, flowers brighten any person’s day. Even Scrooge and the grinch wouldn’t smite you for a tulip! You can make a bouquet, buy a couple or even craft flowers from yarn!

Stationary: Find me a teacher that doesn’t need or want proper pens, sharpies, note pads, personalized stationery, or planners and I’ll kiss your feet. (No, I won’t, but you get the gist.) Here’s what you should know, you can go wrong with this. A pack of pens from the Dollar Tree is great for the raffle ticket table, it is not great for teacher gifts. Don’t do it. Add the flair pens, the multi-color sharpie packs and fancy highlighters to your target order. 

Food: This can be tricky but if you know your teacher well enough to know what they do or don’t eat, a catered lunch is sublime!!! Let them know they are all that, and a bag of chips quite literally by getting them a whole combo, extra side and a drink. 

Gift cards: I know lots of people frown upon these-lots of people except moms and teachers. Why? Because we know how to use them!!! I know lots of people fret with the amount of a gift card, but as a former teacher and now homeschool mom, it is the thought that counts. Truly. I know so many still aren’t even on their feet so buying anything that isn’t essential is out of the question and I completely understand so…

A handwritten note or letter: While this can accompany any of the above, it can also walk a mile on its own. From you and/or your child, an expression of gratitude and appreciation is really heart-moving and honestly not heard enough. Feel free to have your child draw a picture too. 

I could go on and on here but I’ll wrap up this blog post with one last sentiment: it isn’t how much you spend or even if you spend anything, it really is about taking the time to appreciate an educator for all they do and set apart something just for them. 

Holiday Activities

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Pandemic Edition

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Hey Loves!

How goes it? Really, I mean, how are you actually coping? Have you cried? Cursed? Mourned? Released? I’ve absolutely done every one of those more than once so you’re welcome to join me. Here’s thing thing- we are still breathing, still living and still have the great opportunity to embrace this new normal. We also can still celebrate! Albeit, not we like planned to or not like we traditionally have but celebrate we will. We must! 

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and most of us have been logging some serious over-time and gotten some new job titles without any increase in salary,  if you know what I mean,  and some good gifts and/or retail therapy could go a long way to stretch our patience. Am I right? Need some ideas for gifts that will be used both during and post pandemic? I’ve got you!

First up, Loungewear! I mean, we are all home and our pajamas are getting extra miles. Truthfully, it’s a conscious effort to remember I actually own makeup (applying it is a different story). We can still be comfy and cute. These Aerie leggings are the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. I have to actively remember I’m actually wearing pants they are that comfortable. A blogger friend introduced me to those and these Lou & Grey Joggers from Loft aptly known as, “butter pants”. Why? Because they are as smooth as butter!!! My legs were in shock and sent silent praises of gratitude to my brain for the softness surrounding them. If joggers aren’t you’re style, I just ordered two pairs of these wide-leg pants and I’m excited! She also introduced me to these Target joggers that are on my wishlist. 

Next, let’s talk about air quality and aromatherapy. Again, we are all home more than are accustomed to and the earth is loving it. I mean, she is rejuvenating and closing holes in ozone layers. This is great. Let’s join her by investing in some plants, herbs and/or succulents. Plants are a great way to improve the air quality in your home. Support a local florist by ordering bouquets. You can also invest in some Young Living Oils! The premium starter kit got me hooked and the welcome home kit comes with a beautiful bamboo case! These oils offer a seed-to-seal promise so you won’t ever have to worry about nasty ingredients and you can reap the benefits of essentials oils. 

Finding yourself with more free time? Been wanting to maybe get into some books? Or you are actually ore busy and have less time to read and want to get into audiobooks?Audible gift cards to the rescue!  I’ve been listening to audiobooks for about two years now and they are amazing. Hearing prose as a story allows you to experience and really dive deep into the characters and plots. While you’re at, go ahead and add some cordless blue-tooth headphones to your list so you can always listen! (Personally on my list this year.)

Last but most certainly not least, let’s get some cute gear! I’ve been crushing so hard on these Made To Mother tees and sweatshirts. They are actually both on my wishlist right along with this “Support Your Local Mother” tee that will give the net proceeds to an emergency domestic violence shelter. 

A bonus gift that keeps on giving? Time alone. I know you may be craving an MNO right now or a luxuriating spa day but time to be still, breathe, meditate and relax are very necessary and for that, the Shine App is where it’s at. Tons of good meditations, sleep stories (that work great for this insomniac), and good things to fill up with. You can also request alone time as a “gift”. Time with no interruptions to pamper yourself-break our the manicure kit, change up the polish and style your hair. 

That’s all for now. Until next time,

Love you. Mean it.