Oh man, seriously?
It's amazing that it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts! My mother has already contacted me weeks ago asking for ideas for myself and the kiddos.
Nope, that's not the Home Alone kid, it's my son - hee,hee.
For some reason this is always SO HARD! I can never think of things I want (or need) I have everything I want :-) When it comes to the kids, all I want for them is something they will use longer than just Christmas day AND that won't just be another sitting "decoration" for their room. (i.e. CLUTTER!)
AS I'm writing this, my son said completely out of the blue (he didn't know what I was writing) "I Can't wait for Christmas! Everyone is going to be so merry and cheery and we'll get to drink egg nog."
(The question is, does he not think I am merry and cheery the rest of the year? - hee,hee......he IS right about the egg nog.)
One of my favorite "merry" pictures of my kids when they were young.
So, I'm hoping for this post I can give you a few gift ideas. These are things I have LOVED getting, or products I have used a lot. (so, sadly, I can't use this post for myself as I already have them!) If you are reading this through your email, be sure and head to the actual live blog post to be able to click the Amazon links I provide. :-)
Gift Idea for ANYONE
The first gift idea is this starbucks coffee cup. (Even though I am not a fan of Starbucks coffee)
Starbucks Stainless Steel White Pearlescent Mug with Lid, 14 fl oz
Alright, does anyone else out there REALLY dislike drinking lukewarm coffee? For me, it's the worst, I won't drink it lukewarm - it has to be hot. It's like paying the bill after an amazing massage....all the stress that just left, came back on - ha! Yes, I view lukewarm coffee and bills one in the same - hee,hee.
I received this as a gift last year and let's just say, it's been used EVERY DAY SINCE. I will never use another mug. (I should buy myself another one just in case I lose it - HEY, I now have a Christmas idea for myself! LOL)
So, if you like coffee that stays HOT for a LONG time (around 3+ hours) this is the coffee cup to get. The one receiving this gift will thank you forever, or you will just thank me forever if you get it for yourself - hee,hee! (Just don't get burned with how HOT the coffee is, then you will hate me forever!) Plus I love that it's stainless steel and has a gripping rubber bottom. I promise, you'll love it. (Read reviews if you don't believe me - hee,hee)
Gift idea for the person who loves GOOD coffee!
Areopress Coffee Maker
I'm not even sure what to say about this next one - maybe that I couldn't live without it - that it gives me morning hope that my life will turn out OK? haha!
Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Honestly, this makes the BEST cup of coffee. Yes, a single cup of coffee :-) So if you are making coffee for 5 people every morning I wouldn't recommend this but if it's just for you or you and your spouse I have not found anything that beats the SMOOTH non bitter flavor. It's very simple to use and a really great gift idea for under $30. (Who needs a 200.00 Keurig?) Just read the reviews off Amazon......I won't have to convince you that it's a pretty awesome gadget. (And you can even TRAVEL with it - woo whoo.....it has accompanied me on many camping trips.)
This next idea is something I decided to try out and now I wouldn't live without one. I really do not like cleaning, BUT I have to say I actually get a little excited when I see a dust bunny dog running around as I can just grab my quick and easy vacuum sweeper!
Nearly my entire first floor is wood and it's always showing the dirt and miscellaneous debris my kids are bringing in so I absolutely love being able to pull out my electronic sweeper instead of a broom. It just goes SO FAST and it works great. NOW, if you needed to do a deep cleaning sweeping job, I would still pull out the broom (to get all the nooks and crannies) but let's just say, I use the "old fashion" broom once a month and the rest of the time the easy electronic sweeper is fantastic. (Especially for picking up the dog and Selina hair! haha.....yes, I shed nearly as much as the dog - I probably should have saved that for my next Fess Up post /-:) You can run this over carpet too and it will pick up surface stuff....but a real vacuum is better over carpet.
My favorite one is the Electrolux:
Electrolux 2-in-1 Stick Vacuum 12V Cordless
My crazy cleaning girl always crack me up - yes, we play music loudly when we clean as a family :-)
Best Gift for Kids (ages 4 - 12 ish)
Quadrilla Basic Set -
Quality Wooden Marble Run!
Finally, a quality toy you could give them that they would want to save for their OWN kids. This is a ton of fun. It comes with a booklet of all different templates of marble run ideas. My kids have had this for years and STILL like pulling it out. (my kids are 7,11 and 13 now)Best Gift for Older Kids (ages 7 - 16 ish)
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes [BOX SET]
My children ADORE this collection (it has three large hardbound books in one case) and has entertained them for HOURS. They never tired of it and sit by the fire and just laugh and laugh. They quote me entire comic stripes and will tell me how Calvin would have reacted had HE been in a similar family situation This is such a classic gift to get a child. My daughter (13) just told me again, "Ya, that was an AWESOME gift!" They are all hardbound and definitely something that could be passed down. :-)
Also as a side note, superhero COMIC books (xmen,marvel characters etc) are HUGE with this age group. I have a feeling you might become the "cool" aunt/uncle if you got your niece/nephew one of these.
My kids FAVORITE card games!Tons of family fun. Adults will love these games too :-)
SKIP BO Card Game
Pit Card Game
This game will have everyone on the edge of their seat! Fast pace and vocal :-) My 7 year old just saw me writing this and was jumping up and down saying "I want to play pit!" Adults will enjoy this game too. (Hey, has anyone notice I haven't put ONE electronic gadget on this kid list LOL, yes, that is on purpose! - You're welcome mom ;-)
Best Stocking Stuffer for a woman
Other than chocolate (Frango MINT being a GREAT option, :-)
Frango Dark Mint Chocolate Truffles
Try this fun sugar scrub for your lips :-) Ha, okay, that's not really how the lip exfoliator looks!
I have LOVED using this elf lip exfoliator, it really makes your chapped lips soft.
e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator
I always enjoy getting smelly things like bubble bath and candles in my stocking too.
Best Stocking Stuffer for a man
Alright, let's get REAL here. Men are SO HARD to get things for.....in general, I can't seem to find anything my husband would like under $50.00. Men don't seem to like little trinket stuff like us woman do (am I right about this?)
So I'm at a LOSS of giving you lots of ideas on stocking stuffers for the significant other in your life BUT I know my husband loves Quest Bars. He doesn't buy them very much because they aren't cheap so this year I'll be adding a few of his favorite ones to his stocking. He's also on an "eating right" kick so getting an amazing yummy COOKIES AND CREAM protein bars instead of his normal fancy licorice, mints and toffee will probably make him happy. :-)
betterwithcake
(If anyone is laughing at me, I'd politely ask them to stop - hee,hee)Alright, if the bars were "odd" - how about making him these DIY comic book coasters that he can put his new "everlasting hot" coffee cup on!
A few other MEN gift ideas are:
Gift Cards (For his favorite hobby - Fishing shop? Scuba shop? Hunting shop?)
Movie Tickets (You kind of score on that gift too.....hopefully - haha :-)
Event Tickets.(The sky is the limit! There are so many fun events to go too)
A Planned Romantic Getaway (If you have little kids, this gift might be the best present he ever got - ha)
Lesson/Classes (What would he enjoy? Cooking? Dancing? Brewing? Instrument?)
A Massage (My husband would like that....oh wait, not from ME, from this amazing Russian gal I found that is not afraid to actually WORK your back!)
PS - Anyone notices all those listed above are CLUTTER FREE! That was just an extra bonus for ya :-)
That's it my friends!!! I hope I have given you a FEW ideas for Christmas this year. At least you know they are things that are USEFUL and fun.
I'd love to hear what your favorite gifts have been - Although a mouse with a pink cage sounds delightful (hee,hee) I need ideas for ME! Just leave a comment!
ENJOY the season my friends!
The links to Amazon are my affiliate links - if you have any questions please see my full disclosure page. Thanks you friends!!!
