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The Best Birthday Gifts for Your Wife

Your wife’s birthday is coming up, and this is the year you’ll make her smile with the best birthday present ever. If your heart is in the right place, but your gift ideas are lacking, we’ve got you covered. No matter what your wife likes to do, we’ve got the perfect presents that will score you major points and make her day as special as she deserves.

Whether you’re sending birthday wishes to a friend, family member, or coworker, you can choose from a variety of images ranging from humorous to heartfelt.

Happy Birthday to my Wife

For the Sommelier Spirit

If your wife loves a good bottle of red wine and can’t attend a picnic without the perfect Pinot Grigio, you’re in luck. Show her how much you care with a personalized bottle of birthday wine. You can inscribe her name and a special message on the bottle’s label, and make for a gift she’ll never see coming! With a variety of beverage options, you can select from merlots, sparkling wines, cabernets, beer, and even liquor to ensure she receives her favorite libation.

Flowers with a twist

What about flowers? If you’re thinking that this might be a bit too cliche or unoriginal, we have the perfect solution. Instead of the standard bunch of her favorite red roses why not bacon and Mid-Day Squares’ gluten free chocolate? Yes, that’s right you can get a whole bouquet of beef jerky expertly crafted by awesome gifts. Please visit awesomegifts.com to know more about it.

For the Health Connoisseur

For the wife who is a gym regular, loves to cook healthy meals, and is constantly trying to find ways to make your family healthier and happier, we’ve got a variety of gift ideas that will make her day and show her you appreciate her interests and efforts. Wrap up a make-your-own kombucha kit so she can whip up the fermented probiotic elixir in the comfort of her own kitchen. If she loves to craft delicious meals using only the freshest of ingredients, purchase a subscription to HelloFresh and get ready-made, nutritious ingredients for a meal delivered to your door every week. This will save you both a trip to the grocery store and keep healthy foods on the table, plus it’s a weekly gift that keeps on giving.

For the Fashionista

If your wife has a shoe collection that takes up the majority of the closet, and you find it strange when she doesn’t have any shopping bags in hand when she comes home, chances are she’s a fashionista. There are plenty of gifts that will make her day, and you don’t have to stick with clothing. Gorgeous accessories that provide a little bit of glam are a good choice, or a coffee table book filled with works from designers she loves can do the trick. If you can’t decide, buy your wife a subscription to a fashion rental service where she can trade and try new accessories.

The Best Birthday Gifts for Your Wife

For the Adventurer

If your wife is a daredevil, plan an experience she won’t soon forget. Experience presents are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason—they give you the chance to do something you never thought possible. Whether you book her a skydiving adventure, arrange a session for her to meet a lion, or put her in the driver’s seat of a racecar, your wife will be impressed. She’ll love that you took the time to find something out of the ordinary, and you’ll be able to create a memory together she won’t soon forget.

For the Sentimental Sweetheart

If your wife loves nothing more than tangible expressions of love, and is a sucker for all things sentimental, the sky is the limit for homemade presents. Fill a jar with colorful scraps of paper or print off a few Happy Birthday Images. On each, write down a sweet memory you have together. Drop into the jar, and sit with her while she reads each. It will summon up memories of wonderful times and make for a new memory she won’t forget. If you’re a great writer, sit down and pen a good old-fashioned love letter. Collect pictures from the past and make a simple scrapbook that will bring a tear to her eye. The more time and thought you put in, the more impressed she will be. This also serves as a wonderful idea for households working on tight budgets.

The Best Birthday Gifts for Your Wife

Can you use visa gift cards anywhere

Your wife is a luxury lover, so a pampering weekend serves as the perfect gift. Groupon often offers massage deals at a variety of price points, and she’ll love the chance to unwind. If you’ve never had the amazing experience, you’ll want to change that, stat. Make it a couple’s massage so you can spend time destressing together. If you’d like to go all out, plan a weekend at a resort and partake in various treatments, or send her on a weekend alone to spend some time regrouping and feeling her best.

If you’d like to make your wife feel special this year, make her birthday one to remember with the perfect present.




Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything

Each year I struggle with some of the same few people on my shopping list; Rob and my Dad. Both of them need nothing. Both of them get the things they want and need througout the year so gift giving ends up being a game of frivolous versus tear jerker. So how do you look for gifts for dad who has everything?

My dad is sentimental so anything that can possibly make him cry is a win. It’s often a contest between me and my sister on who can make him cry on Father’s Day.
Rob has a sentimental streak too but he loves more useful items too. He likes to tinker and game and have great shoes and loves watches.
Here is a list of my best gift giving ideas for every man in your lifeUnique and Special Gifts for the Man who has Everything
Cufflinks
Every man deserves at least one pair of cuff links. Regardless if he’s a stock broker or a mechanic the opportunity may arise one day they he needs to wear cuff links.  Make them personal with his initials or special shape.
Even if he isn’t a brew master maybe this is the kick he needs to start a new hobby.
Scarf
Keep it simple. Men don’t need chunky knits or bold patterns or embellishments. Gift something soft and neutral to go with jeans or a suit jacket. Find something that will last and remind him of who gave it to him each time he wears it.
The Perfect Mug
Whether he needs it for his desk or on the go find the perfect mug for his coffee, tea or bourbon to complete his drinking ritual.
Need I say more?  Everything is better with bacon and these spreads, these specific spreads are delicious. We buy them and add it to grilled bread, burgers and baked potatoes. The Black Pepper is MY favorite.
Charging Station
With all the tech at our disposal it’s only smart that we help him keep everything neat and tidy. A charging station keeps phones, tablets, cords and wallet at his fingertips ready for use.
Help him tame his facial hair with the Philips Norelco Shaver 9000. Smooth skin can be achieved with the right shaver and this one works at home or on the go.
Netflix Subscription
We use Netflix on a daily basis. It’s a great way to catch up on favorite shows or discover new ones.
Heated De-Icer
This only applies for those that live in areas that get snow.  But for those that DO get ice and snow this is a miracle. Make his job of cleaning off the cars easier.
Personalized Keychain
For the sentimental guy, gift something that he’ll treasure and use daily. Engrave anything from a guitar pic, cross to dog tog with a message of your choice. My shopping advice for this is Etsy.
These are just a few ideas of my own that the guys in my life would enjoy.  Take them and spin them into something that fits for the men you love.  What’s on your shopping list for those special men.
Please know that some of these ideas are my very own, some are recommended by brands that I work with and some are items we actually pay for all on our own. This post is my opinion 100%.



34 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Each year as the holidays roll around I rack my brain to come up with great gift ideas for my friends and family.  I like giving things that mean something. It could be an personalized ornament or sentimental piece of art or home decor.  Whatever the gift it I try to put lots of thought into it so that it’s special and they know I thought about them.  This year I really want to give completely handmade gifts for my closest friends and siblings.  I need some ideas since each of them are so different.

In the past I’ve given my sister handmade jewelry and best friend a heart embroidered map like one I made for my own home. This year I want to expand my creativity and have hit up my favorite blogs and websites for inspiration.

What speaks to you from this list?  What would you love to receive as a handmade gift?

Kitchen

Personalized Cutting Board Upcycle

Stenciled Party Tray

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Three Tiered Tray

DIY Sharpie Mugs

Handpainted Tea Towels

Handmade Gift Ideas for the Kitchen

For the Home

Heart Embroidered Map

Glitter Dipped Vase

Jewel Coasters

Gold Colorblock Mug

Key Artwork

Chunky Crocheted Throw Blanket

DIY Photo Canvas

Custom Pillowcases

Pallet Board Coat Rack

Tin Can Planter

Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas for the Home

Personal & Accessories

Fabric Flower Rings

Beaded and Floral Hair Pins

DIY Photo Pendants

DIY Animal Ring Holder

Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Customized Wooden Storage Box

DIY Tote Bag

Leather Wrap Bracelet

Handmade Gift Ideas for Friends and FamilyHoliday Decor & Gifts

Clay Star Garland

Winter Wreath

Fabric Pine Cones

Twine Spiral Tree

Snowflake Embroidered Ornament

Handmade Gift Ideas for the Holidays and Christmas

For Kids

Superhero Mason Jar Bank

Child Size Apron

Kid’s Tent or Reading Nook

DIY Stick Horse

Headband HolderHandmade Gift Ideas for KidsDid you see something you’d love to make for someone else?  Are you making any gifts this holiday season?

 

 




Holiday Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Are you looking for some inexpensive holiday gifts or stocking stuffers?  Do you need some ideas for last minute guests, hostess gifts or even tokens for someone you forgot?  This list is chock full of suggestions for just about anyone on your list.  Kids, grandparents, foodies, teachers or teens would be excited to receive just about anything from this list.

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Harmonica
I’ve never heard a bad note come from a harmonica.  Give the gift of music for all ages.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

YoYo
Release the inner 8 year old with a classic toy.

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Cookie Cutters
Choose from basic shapes as an introductory set for a new baker.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Fork Chops
The best of both worlds; chop sticks on one end and a knife and fork on the other.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

iPhone Button Stickers
Personalize your iPhone even more by adding decoration to your button with these dots.  Choose from hippy, artsy, sporty or more.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Cable Organizer
With the collection of smartphones, laptops, tablets, ereaders, mp3s and everything that has a cord know they are easily accessible with a cord holder.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Astronaut Ice Cream
Who can say no to dessert. This amazing freeze dried ice cream is sure to please palates and make someone smile even if it doesn’t taste good.

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Explanation Bandages
No  need to explain what happened when you sport these self-explanatory bandages on your boo-boo.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Movie Film Sticky Notes
Transform anything into a scene from Hollywood with this transparent movie film sticky note roll.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Dandelion Tote Bag
Carry groceries in pretty style with a hand printed tote.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Hedgehog Dryer Balls
Get the fluffiest towels and less wrinkled jeans with these spiky critters tossed in your dryer.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Toast Coasters
Playful toast shaped coasters come packaged like a loaf of bread.

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Plunger Pencil Holder

Everything in their place and a place for everything like this plunger pencil holder

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Fancy Socks
Everyone wears sock so why not wear cool and funky ones

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Metallic Colored Pencils
Make your doodles and drawings a touch more special with these soft metallic pencils.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Cable Photo Holder
This cable photo holder is a space saver plus a money saver, no more frames to buy.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Owl Hook
Hang your keys, hat, towel or dog leash from this whimsical but sturdy hook.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Photo Props
Make every photo a special one by adding a special touch like a bow tie or mustacheGifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Toothbrush Holder
Help keep toothbrushes clean and out of the way with these adorable holders that suction to the mirror

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Deer Cupcake Picks
Keep the foodie keep the food festive with these picks of deer with antlers.Gifts and Stocking Stuffers under $10

Which of these above gift ideas would be a great match for a special person in your life?




Playing Santa with Personal Creations #pcholiday

Blog Post Disclosure Bannertrackable pixelPersonal Creations is helping me play Santa this year.  With some family members that already have everything shopping can be difficult.  Going the personalized route is always a good choice. It ensures the gift will be unique and a perfect fit.

My parents never need anything but I always want to give them something to show my gratitude for everything thing they do  all year long.  My dad loves anything and everything that has to do with cooking and barbequing. I picked out these 2 items for him knowing he’d love them and knowing they’d become permanent fixtures in his kitchen.

The personalized Pepper Mill is made of eco-freiendly rubberwood and stands at over 13 inches tall.  The wooden carving board will serve as the perfect tool for all of my father’s dinners on the grill.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

The  doggies mean a lot to us and while we provide everything they need throughout the year I wanted to treat to something special for the holidays.  They have overtaken the blankets that sit on the back of the sofa rendering them useless for anyone else to use because they smell like dog.  The Dog Bone Fuzzy Blanket is soft and warm and fit 2 small dogs perfectly.  They’ve been good at avoiding our blankets since giving them their own blanket, I’m guessing because it’s always available to them.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

You didn’t think I forgot about gifting to myself did you?  Personal Creations is a great option for adding special details in my own kitchen.  I also love to cook and bake and like adding to my collection of gadgets and other useful items.  My own cutting board and wooden utensils seemed like an obvious choice.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

The back door was a little bare so I gave it a little style with this personalized door mat.  Coming in from a wet yard or deck just got a little safer in my kitchen.

Gift from Personal Creations #pcholiday

There’s still time to shop  for your own personalized gifts, ornaments and in time for the holidays. Personal Creations is offering 20% off all of your purchases through the end of December. Click here to start shopping and the 20% will be applied in your shopping cart.

Follow Personal Creations Blogger Board: Christmas Ideas on Pinterest




Unique Ornaments for Gifts

Gift giving for the holidays can often become a chore especially when the receiver is hard to shop for.  I know many of people like this in my life and the end result tends to be gift cards.  I don’t know about you but gift cards are my least favorite gift to buy.  I know they are practical and perfect for any situation but they are boring.  Here is a collection of gorgeous  and unique ornaments that don’t have to go on a Christmas tree.  They would work hanging in a window or from a shelf.  Take gift giving an extra step and use an ornament along with a gift tag for a spectacular presentation.

All of these choices come from Etsy and are handmade. This guarantees their individuality from big box store purchases.

Burlap Rag Ornament

Key Ornament

Hot Air Balloon

Button in Resin Ornament

Sparkling Starfish Ornament

Sequin Cupcake Ornament

Quilled Snowflake Ornament

Paper Flower Ornament

Christmas Tree Stained Glass Ornament

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New Way To Pick Gifts With pickURgift

**This post is brought to you by PickURGift on behalf of Brandfluential.  All opinions stated are my own.

Today there is a gift registry for everything from bridal gifts to house warming gifts to even birthday gifts.  I understand the point of gift registries because people want what they want and what easier way to let everyone know what they really want.

Recently I was approached by Brandfluential to do a review of a site called pickURgift.  When I first looked over the site the first thing I thought was reverse wish list.  The concept behind pickURgift is you create an account, set up a gift page, select a bunch of gifts for a certain person, send the list over to the person for them to select what gifts they want then you go and purchase the gift or gifts the person selected.

Bradfluential paired us with another awesome blogger and I was paired with Andrew Kardon from Mom’s Busy…Go Ask Dad.  My first task was to figure out what Andrew was interested in.  I read somewhere in the past that he loved video games and comics.  I must admit that selecting gifts for other people especially for people that you don’t know very well isn’t as easy as you would think.  I did had to contact Andrew via Facebook and dig a little further into what his interests were so that I could have a nice selection of gifts for him to choose from.  When it was all said and done I feel like I chose a nice array of gifts for Andrew to select from and in the end he selected Injustice for Xbox 360 and an awesome set of headphones for the Xbox 360 and computer.

The process wasn’t to bad once I actually read how the process works.

First I signed up for a free account:

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Then I added Andrew and set up a gift page for him:

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Added the UR button which you use when you go to any site like Amazon, Macy’s, etc.  All you do once you find the gift you are looking for is hit the UR button that you will have installed on your tool bar and the gift is added on your gift page.

Once you are finished shopping you can then send your gift page over to the recipient for them to select what gift or gifts they would like to receive.

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Once they have selected everything they want you will get a notification letting you know they are done and then you can go to the site where you found the gift and purchase it and have it sent right to the recipient.

In the end after I went back and looked at everything it’s a pretty easy process.  Just in case you were wondering what Andrew selected for me he picked a Tennessee Titans BBQ set, Tattoo Bible Book for my Kindle, rapid charger for my Kindle and an awesome set of Rubik cube coasters.

If you are looking for a new way to give gifts head over to pickURgifts.

 

 

 




Last Minute Mother’s Day

Speaking from a mom’s perspective I’m going to say that gifts don’t need to be expensive or elaborate to be appreciated. Handmade Gifts are number one on my list but I’m never one to turn down a well thought out practical gift that I will love. Here’s a quick list of some last minute and reasonably priced Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Tervis Tumblers – Is mom a runner, dancer, survivor?  Choose a Tervis tumbler in almost any design to hold hot and cold drinks. Made in the USA

tervis tumbler, personalized cup for mom, mothers day gifts

Kitchen Canisters– Give mom’s kitchen a pop of color with these yellow and metal canisters from Pier One.

mothers day gift, kitchen canisters

Beach Bag-With summer right around the corner beach bags that accommodate families with lots of stuff would be very handy.  This vibrant bag from Old Navy is large enough for towels, sunscreen and more.

beach bag for families, mothers day gifts, last minute gifts for mom

Magazine Subscriptions-who doesn’t like to take a few minutes along to leaf through a magazine.  Subscribe to mom’s favorite magazine or one that you know she would love.

Mixed Tape-Long gone are the days of actual mixed tapes but a new playlist could speak volumes. Download mom’s old school favorites, high energy dance tunes or emotional love songs for a gift that lasts forever.

Beauty Products-Women in general love to feel beautiful.  Let them indulge in a fragrant, silky or moisture rich beauty or bath product that they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves like the many choices from Philosophy.

What’s on your wishlist for Mother’s Day this year?  This happened to catch my eye, wonder if I need to give Rob a couple hints.




Last Minute Shopping at Dollar Tree

glitter glue school suppliesDon’t forget about teachers and child care providers for the holidays. We all know teachers and educators are way underpaid for the work that they do so I try to make it a point to show some appreciation during holidays and end of the school year. This year we made homemade gifts to enjoy with the whole family but gifts that are useful like school supplies for teachers are greatly valued.
teachers school supplies dollar tree
Teachers tend spend so much money out of their own pockets for school supplies. As a parent I want my child to get the most out of learning so I want to help in any way that I can. I try to help the teachers stock up on basics like glue sticks and erasers but also make it fun with stickers, stamps, festive pencils and art supplies. Dollar Tree is one of my favorite spots to stock up not just for the classroom but for home. We do workbooks and crafts at home and need lots of the same things they use in schools.

This year I shopped for stocking stuffers at the Dollar Tree. I got Shae coloring books, Shaun is getting a couple animal encyclopedias and Sabreena will be seeing new nail polishes and make-up brushes. Shopping for yourself, your family or others Dollar Tree has a little something for everyone.






I Disclose




Stocking Stuffers for Everyone

Christmas is just a couple days away!  Need ideas to fill those stockings, check out this faves!

Ouchies-boo-boos are a part of everyday but make healing fun with the cute and funky designs on Ouchies bandages. Stuff your kids or your own stockings with designs like Eric Carle, Silly Bandz, Olivia and more.

Recycled China Cuff Bracelet-indulgences don’t have to be precious gems or fancy furs. The Broken Plate has a lovely collection of jewelry and home goods made from recycled broken china. Choose something unique but still fashionable for a woman in your life.

Philip B. Chocolate Milk Body Crème-A rich, happy smell – the finest Chocolate and Vanilla Extracts are blended in this subtle and sophisticated crème. This product makes a great stocking stuffer for your sister or BFF.

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Vanilla Verbena Body Wash & Foam Bath-This fast-foaming body wash is infused with soothing skin conditioners as well as an aromatherapy blend containing Vanilla Essential Oil to soothe body and mind. Add a couple of ounces to warm, running water for a relaxing bubble bath.

Coffee Cup– there is something special about old school diner coffee. No matter how bad it was it was always so good in the classic Greek diner paper cup. Relive those moments each day with the everyday use ceramic version that’s built to last at least past the 1st cup.

Grocery Store Gift Card-For the person who has everything they still need to eat. This is the go-to for my grandfather. He never wants anything but he does hit up the grocery store everyday at lunch to nosh on the hot buffet.  A gift card will get used and will be appreciated! Do you know how much ready made meatloaf is?