gifts Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Whimsical Girl Gifts for Christmas

Paula — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:02:14 +0000

This is a collab with my daughter Payton, the queen of whimsy in my house. As a member of the oldest daughter’s club and someone who is chronically online, I feel it is my duty to help those who don’t know what to buy for the girl in their life. Stick with me and I will help you find the perfect Christmas gift. You’re welcome in advance. But also, if you hate anything here on this roundup of whimsical girl gifts I abdicate all responsibility. I broke this out into shopper personas, so if you know anyone your daughter, sister, bestie or girlfriend, who fits these categories then please dig in. The Collector Girl, you know who you are. Your room or living space is covered in TikTok vines and cherry blossoms. You adore whimsical girl gifts and you live the vibe. Chefy Chef Homebody The Music Girlie Makeup and Beauty Lover Outdoorswoman The Host or Hostess Pin this post for later: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! There are so many great ideas here. Hope you find one that fits the girl in your life. If you do, come back and let me know!

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My 2020 Christmas Gift Guide – Celebrate With Me

Paula — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:48:52 +0000

Happy Holidays! My 2020 Christmas Gift Guide is ready to share. I couldn’t be happier to spread some joy this year and share a few of my favourite things with you. My 2020 Christmas Gift guide contains affiliate links. At no extra fee to you, I receive a small commission off of purchases made via qualifying links. I received product and compensation in some cases for features in this guide. Well, here we are almost at Christmas and this year I am doing a few things differently. One thing I am doing is shopping slowly and in chunks to spread out the cost. We definitely have a budget to stick to this year. Welcome to the 2020 Christmas Gift Guide I am launching my holiday content this week with a great building toy/ craft kit that’s perfect for teens or tweens. The price is amazing so add this one to your list. Better yet order now directly from my Christmas gift guide. Gifts for Teens Creatto 4 in 1 Light Up Crafting Kit Ever since she was a preschooler, my youngest child Ainsley has been fascinated by sharks and dinosaurs. She also loves puzzles, has freakish superhuman strength (could lift a ten pound bag of potatoes when she was not even two) and enjoys building things. Creatto Building Toys/ Craft Kits When this craft kit, stem building toy arrived here recently I was excited to see how she’d react. Immediately after school one night she opened it and tore into the plastic pieces. For a minute she looked at me and considered asking for help and I broke into a cold sweat. Following written manuals and video tutorials is her strength and not mine. This came in from Creatto recently by @thamesandkosmos and by dinner it was done. She patiently built it while I was writing, editing, proofing and helping her sister with remote learning. It was a busy day and I was ripping my hair out at some points. But then this charming package of building toys and memory games showed up. And at least one of the kids was hyper focused. What I Like: The Creatto 4 in 1 by Thames and Kosmos is just right for your kids 9 and up who love to build things. Any younger and it would be frustrating. It’s a 4 in 1 kit. We love toys that keep my builder busy and can actually be kept afterwards. Amazing gift which makes it perfect for my Christmas gift guide and frankly this price is shocking to me. Super affordable. I would actually buy all of these, one for everyone on my list. Now You Can BUY it here – > Creatto 4 in 1 Craft and Building Set Other Notes: It is challenging, so be patient and also use the Youtube tutorial link. Shimmer Shark & Ocean Pals includes 140 Creatto pieces, a string of 100 LED lights, and assembly instructions to build a shark, octopus, seagull, and fish, but the possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Lights powered by USB cable; USB power adapter not included. Suitable for ages 9 and up. Buy It Here – > Creatto Craft and Building Set Brainwaves The Wise Whale is a busy memory game from Thames & Kosmos. $14.95 or $14.26 (not a bad price for a game that will last.) Brainwaves is a series of games developed by game designers and neuroscientists with which players can challenge their episodic memory — their recent memory of autobiographical events. These compact, card based games are scientifically proven to exercise the brain to improve memory functions. These innovative memory games place demands on three types of brain functions: fluid intelligence, working memory, and long-term memory. I thought this one would be great for all of us because memory games are as relevant to young people with executive functioning challenges as they are to people who are middle aged. This Christmas gift guide item is great for anyone with memory impairments. What I Like: Easy to play and cute. Brainwaves was a fun game and we will keep it around. Other Notes This memory game was almost too simple. My daughter thought it could have used a deck with more cards. In fairness, I think it would be perfect for someone 7-8 years old. There are several versions of Brainwaves including, Brainwaves: The Astute Goose (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95), Brainwaves: The Brilliant Boar (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95), and Brainwaves: The Wise Whale (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95). Buy it Here: -> Brainwaves Pensilly Get ready to laugh yourself silly this holiday season with the crazy shaking pen, PenSilly! PENSILLY™ is the super, silly drawing and guessing game! It takes creativity, teamwork and imagination to play! Grab your friends, select your cards and sketch out the clues. The team who collects the most points, WINS! But it’s not that simple, you see, PENSILLY™ makes drawing CRAZY! It shakes and moves as you sketch out the clues. There are over 5,500 clue combinations with 2 Levels of play! Are you ready for the challenge? Recommended for age 6 +. This is a game for the entire family which is why it made the cut for my Christmas gift guide. What I Like Lots of variety in the drawings that you get to make as inscribed on the cards. Very funny and works for every member of the family. Pen is not heavy at all even though it looks like it might be. Other Notes Pencil takes three AAA batteries. Buy it Here: -> Pensilly Books to Gift You’re Pulling My Leg Is it a game or a book? This cute activity book/ family game reminds me a bit of charades or Mad-Libs. You’re Pulling My Leg! and You’re Pulling My Leg! Junior, created by award-winning game creator Allen Wolf, lets you test your bluffing skills with entirely new questions that range from thought-provoking to zany. How You Play During the game, players choose a question from the cards within the book. The secret flip of the coin tells them if their answer should be true or made up. When players hear a story, they vote on whether they think a player is telling the truth or pulling their leg. Players win points if you’re right but lose them if you’re wrong. They also try to bluff others and not be fooled. The first player to 21 points wins. You’ll be surprised how much you learn about other players in a short amount of time. What I Like The game can be played in person or remotely. That’s why it is perfect for the Pandemic and the 2020 Christmas gift guide. There are two versions: one for younger kids and one for older kids. From MorningStar Games this book/ game is simple and requires no extras like batteries. Just old fashioned creativity. $12.99 is an excellent price for this game/ book. 2 or more players. Other Notes: I can’t really think of anything negative about this although you are meant to write in the book and I know some people in my home are triggered when people write in books. To circumvent wrecking that and keep it in great shape for years I’d just add a handy scratch pad to keep notes. Get it Here: – > Amazon You’re Pulling My Leg book set MorningStar Games – You’re Pulling My Leg Endless hours of entertainment and a chance to know your family members better. That’s what makes this a great choice for my gift guide. Family Is….by Katya Longhi Alright, originally I wondered why I got this book. It arrived here one day and I was thinking wow this is a really young board book and then I opened it and was enthralled. This adorable board book is a brilliant example of a diverse and inclusive book that shares various examples that reflect how families look today in 2020. What I Like I love it. Period. This book is a keepsake and it is one I would buy for every single baby shower. It fits my vision of diverse families, including foster families, adoptive families, the disabled community (child in a wheelchair), and LGBTQ+ community with examples of two Dads and two Moms. Family is by Clever Publishing is super sweet and it also encourages a bit of counting as well. $8.99 US and $11.99 Canadian. Sturdy construction. Great illustrations. Other Notes None. More PLEASE!! More books should strive to be this open and inclusive. Get it Here – > Family Is by Katya Longhi Great Gifts for Booklovers So, I still love to give people books as gifts. I also love to receive books as gifts. That just makes me happy. Random Acts of Kindness This good-humored guide to being the change you want to see in the world is filled with suggestions for making a real difference. From improving someone’s life with just one penny to ensuring all children are well fed, the day-by-day positive proposals of Random Acts of Kindness combine inspiration with action. We can all make an impact on the environment, throughout out local community, and within our own hearts. This book of inspired ideas and good deeds conveys how you can make a better world, starting today! What I Like Sometimes the smallest gesture makes the biggest difference. This little book shows how to start. True stories about acts of kindness and generosity of spirit. Suggestions for living more compassionately and inspirational quotes. Other Notes BUY IT Now – > Random Acts of Kindness ISBN: 978-1642504798Price: $15.95 The Declutter Challenge: A Guided Journal for Getting your Home Organized in 30 Quick Steps by Cassandra Aarssen From the Host of HGTV’s HOT MESS HOUSE A guided decluttering journal. Life happens to the best of us, whether we were born with messy tendencies or not. Messes find their way into our homes and lives and we can’t seem to find the strength or time to tackle them. That’s where this motivational guided journal by decluttering guru Cassandra Aarssen comes in. MY older daughter is all over this. At the start of the pandemic she embraced the Marie Kondo decluttering philosophy. Let me just say it’s time to revisit some decluttering in her room. School plus home life all in a bedroom makes for one messy living space. Tested methods that work. Cas Aarssen wasn’t always an organization expert. She climbed out of years of cluttered living and transformed her home and her life through organization. In this self-help journal, Cas guides you through favourite tips and tricks that she used to declutter her home. What I Like It’s the perfect time of year for a decluttering exercise. Most people enjoy a good cleanup and decluttering experience. Get this for your Mom, or best friend, maybe your teenage daughter. Other Notes: Get it here….Buy Now – > Declutter Challenge Books for Mental Health and Self Care Any of you who read our posts or my content over on CBC Parents know we have had our share of mental health struggles and illnesses. So, I was thrilled to get these books which arrived at just the right time. In my world books make great gifts, so here’s a roundup of several that touch on mental health too. Hey! It’s Your Day: Inspirational Quotes and Affirmations to Live By June Cotner Ready to change your life today? Best-selling anthologist June Cotner returns with Hey, It’s Your Day, a collection of her favourite quotes to start the day and delight any friend or relative. Inspiration at your fingertips in minutes. June Cotner has been gathering her favorite quotes for more than two decades. Now, she shares these specially curated words of wisdom to guide readers on their personal journeys of positive thinking. Featuring an eclectic selection of figures like Edward Abbey, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Oprah Winfrey, this positive thinking book captivates readers with fresh, insightful, and engaging motivational quotes. What I Like Everyone can benefit from positive affirmations and we definitely use them here. My mantra when the kids were younger was: I am the adult here. What is yours? Other Notes You should order it now and make it your New Year’s self improvement goal. That works too. Depending on where you live this might not be available again until January but order it now because you can use it in the new year. BUY IT NOW – > Hey It’s Your Day I Believe in Me I Believe in Me: Finding Joy with Heartwarming Affirmations by Chi Sing Cheng A little world of positive mental attitude. No one is all darkness or all light. But sometimes it can feel like we’re walking with a dark cloud over our heads. So, how can we find a spark of joy? Follow author Soolooka through 150 hopeful illustrations to help you overcome bad days and negative thoughts. Cool cartoons that cheer you on. Featuring old and new comics from Reiki master and Instagram illustrator Cheng Chi Sing (a.k.a Soolooka), this short and sweet guidebook is here to help you find joy when you are feeling lonely or anxious. Self-help manuals are often overwhelming and intimidating for someone who just needs a boost during stress. What I Like PERFECT for Teens with Anxiety or any other Pandemic related stress. Other Notes This is ideal for any kid who is old enough to be all in over on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok. Buy It Now – > I Believe in Me You’re Strong, Smart, and You Got This: Drawings, Affirmations, and Comfort to Help with Anxiety and Depression by Kate Allan It’s not easy to discuss mental health, even though it affects everyone. We want to believe we can handle anything that comes at us, but the reality is we all have good days and bad days. Because of this, it is important to check in with our mental health. Through guided illustrations, author Kate Allan opens the door to discussion about mental health in an approachable and unassuming manner. What I Like Any book that helps people who are living with mental illness to feel less alone is a worthy addition to my Christmas gift guide and to your home. Other Notes Cute cover and the notes are accompanied by adorable animal illustrations that we love. Buy it Now – > You’re Strong, Smart and You Got This! Start Here, Start Now…Start Anywhere: A Fill-in Journal to Discover Your Best Year Yet! by Ronnie Walter Mindful Journaling and Self-Care Strategies for a Better You(Part coloring book, part guided journal Start Here, Start Now…Start Anywhere!) is specially made to help you accomplish your ambitions, meet your goals, and enjoy moments of mindfulness. Personal growth starts here. With not enough time in the day, it’s hard to find room for self-reflection and short-term goals. From best-selling author and illustrator Ronnie Walter comes an eye-catching, guided, fill-in journal that will produce some clarity on your goals. Buy It Now – > Start Here Awe Factor: How a Little Bit of Wonder Can Make a Big Difference in Your Life by Allen Klein How to Find Awe, Meaning, and Wonder in Everyday Life Bestselling author and TEDx presenter Allen Klein returns to find and define awe. In his latest book, he shows readers how to escape the everyday ruts of life by opening their eyes to the wonder around them. Exploring the human ability to be in awe. What does it mean to be awestruck? Or more simply, what is awe? Backed by the latest scientific research, Klein sets out to define awe and its effects on health and happiness. With a sprinkling of the spiritual and scientific, The Awe Factor takes readers on an exploration of a human phenomenon. From research to first-hand awe-inspiring stories, Klein reflects on feelings of awe, meaning and purpose. This is simply uplifting. Buy It Now – > The Awe Factor Be True To Yourself: Daily Affirmations and Awesome Advice for Teen Girls by Amanda Ford In this book of short daily meditations and essays, Amanda Ford, a young adult herself, offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-respect, self-love, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Support for young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. When Amanda Ford emerged from her tumultuous teenage years, she saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Be True To Yourself is the big sister Amanda never had. It provides the encouragement and guidance she wished, as a teenage girl, that an older sister had given her, as well as stories and advice that she would have loved to share with a younger sister during her own teen years. What I Like This is very much needed Other Notes A very positive book for young women. BUY IT Now – > Be True to Yourself The 7 Habits on the Go by Stephen R. Covey A Condensed Guide to Improving Personal and Business Health and Reducing Stress Everyone has heard of the original 7 Habits book by now. Here’s a followup to that. Check it out. For the Home What good is a Christmas gift guide without gifts for the home? This gorgeous collection of furniture is something you need to look closer at. We are redoing our living room soon. Oh, I know I have been saying that since we moved in five, no six years ago. But, this is not something that can wait any longer. Here’s some of my inspiration this year. Eternity Modern There are several gorgeous stylish pieces at Eternity Modern. My favourite is the stunning Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa, available in numerous rich shades. The turquoise shade is my favourite and frankly I am swooning over that right now. Sofa Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa : Provides endless flexible solutions for any project or living room. It’s a sectional that you can configure many different ways. The sectional elements of Camaleonda sofa can be used freely and apart...

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Festive Watercolour Christmas Gift Tags

Paula — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:02:00 +0000

Today I am giving you a peek at some of my new Christmas printable content. These Watercolour Christmas gift tags, for instance are a pretty addition to your gift wrapping station. By now you probably know I am a big fan of pretty Christmas tags and embellishments for presents. I love this time of year, especially in 2020. It just seems like Christmas, no matter what that looks like, is even more important than usual right now, this holiday season. All over town we can see it already. People getting ready early this year, putting their trees and lights up. It seems super early, but at the same time I applaud their energy. Print out these gorgeous watercolour Christmas gift tags and use them on your holiday gifts this year. All you really need is a printer, loaded with ink of course and card stock paper. More Christmas Ideas Learning Tools For a high quality print out of the life cycle content do not miss this downloadable Bee Life Cycle activity. Watercolour Christmas Gift Tags Christmas is a great time to get outside and have some fun too. Make a snowman, go for a toboggan ride, strap a pair of skates or skis on and have fun! If at all possible, I will be tubing and skiing outside with my family! Merry Christmas My one daughter has already been wrapping her presents for under the Christmas tree. Do you make or print out your own tags and embellishments?

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Hottest Dinosaur Toys to Give as Gifts This Year

Paula — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:22:00 +0000

It’s no secret that the holidays are right around the corner. My kids have always been fascinated by dinosaurs and dinosaur toys always made impressive gifts for them every year. Just a Few Great Dinosaur Toys Jurassic Park was just the latest of the series of movies to get my youngest daughter reinvested in dinosaurs. She currently has dozens of dinosaur books, mostly from DK Canada. But, this season she’s asking for both Jurassic Park and Harry Potter themed Lego or books. That means dinosaurs are high priority again. A few of these are super young for little people but these Lego kits and robotics are also rewarding for older grade school kids too. So, there’s a little something for everyone here. I actually know many grown adults who love the high level Jurassic Park Lego, Star Wars Lego and Harry Potter Lego too. Remote Control Dinosaur Dinosaur Toys for 3-5 Year Old Boys Girls, Electronic Dinosaur Toy Walking with LED Light Up Roaring Realistic Simulation Sounds Dino Remote Control Dinosaur Toys for Kids Gifts Age 3 -7. https://amzn.to/2SQUdyy Jurassic Branded Remote Control and Robotic Dinosaur Toys Jurassic World Super Colossal T-REX I actually love this one myself. Highly recommend this branded series of toys for any of your Dino loving children. The Mososaur from Jurassic World I cannot get enough of this dinosaur. That scene where it jumps out of the water in the holding tank and eats the caretaker lady??!! LOL. One of my favourite scenes of the entire movie. Also the extremely creepy Indominus Rex is one you need if you are getting the full set of creepiest dinosaurs from the movies. Don’t Miss This…. FYI if your kids love dinosaurs follow this Facebook feed. Field Station Dinosaurs Ride On Dinosaur Toys Power Wheels Jurassic World Jeep Wrangler Okay this one is not cheap. But if you are looking for a great gift that will knock their socks off this year, then this is the ticket. If my kids were younger I’d consider this one. It would probably be the only thing they got though because of the price and also it would be a gift for both of them. Alas, I cannot fit a teenager in one of these. LOL. Dino Egg Dig Toy Digging excavation kinds of toys can be a lot of fun and very hands on as well. Dino Egg Dig Kit Dinosaur Eggs Jumbo Dino Egg with 12 Different Dinosaur Toys Dino Egg Kit for 5 Kids with 6 Digging Tools Party Archaeology Paleontology Educational Science Gift for Age 3-5. https://amzn.to/3jU9Hhi LEGO. Need I Say More? Every child on earth has adored Lego at one time or another. Seven and Up This LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaurs 31058 Build It Yourself Dinosaur Set, Create a Pterodactyl, Triceratops and T Rex Toy (174 Pieces) will be a massive hit for everyone over the age of seven. Remember that Lego always involves a bit of support for the little people in your home. https://amzn.to/3iTHGoD Jurassic Mighty Dino Battle – 700 Plus pieces. Recommended for ages 8 +. Kids can play out epic LEGO Jurassic World battles and a treasure hunt with a posable T. rex, posable Dino-Mech, buildable volcanic rock with an opening function and treasure chest inside, plus a boat with stud shooters and a tranquilizer gun! This LEGO Jurassic World dinosaur toy includes 4 minifigures: Owen Grady, Claire Dearing, Vic Hoskins and Danny Nedermeyer, plus 4 baby velociraptor toy figures. National Geographic Dinosaur Toys and Books This National Geographic Dinosaur Sticker Book is a lot of fun. This is a great learning tool that also allows kids to get fully immersed in the book by finding and placing stickers in appropriate spots. This dinosaur toy/ book is something I would have been very interested in as a child. I loved sticker books. https://amzn.to/3119BNh Dinosaur Toy Cars Have a young boy? Then this is what you need to get and put away now for under the Christmas tree. https://amzn.to/3iSEwSi Bath Bomb Dinosaurs I am getting these bath bombs now because my kids would get a huge kick out of these. Bath bombs are a hoot. The only kids this doesn’t work for are those who have no bathtub. So, know your gift recipient first. We still have bathtubs in our house. Thank goodness. https://amzn.to/3dmNupz Squishmallow Dinosaurs Danny the Dinosaur My daughter was given this one last Christmas and loves it. Also, these are great for camping pillows or even regular old pillows. Super soft and squishy. Tristan the Triceratops Super cute green triceratops. Here’s a note though – if you find these at Costco pick them up because they are often on sale there for much less than on Amazon. I know I could advise you get them here via this link but check Costco first and put them away now for the holidays and for birthdays. We love to give these to all of the kids on our list. Rails and Roads Ralroads and trains are fun for all ages. So, if you love train tracks then check out this dinosaur train track/ railroad toy. Dinosaur Railroad track. https://amzn.to/3lJOiYr DieCast Dinosaur Transporter Truck And this toy above makes a cute truck to cart the dinosaurs around especially if you are reenacting the movie. Puzzles All the puzzles in the world could possibly make my daughter happy. She is a huge puzzle lover. This one is divided into age groups here because we have been doing puzzles for over a decade now and we know how useful they are for all ages. Dinosaur Toys – Puzzles ages 3-5 years old Melissa and Dog Dinosaur Puzzle – 3 in 1 wooden box for keeping in tact. Ravensburger Time Travelling Dinosaurs Puzzle – ages 4 and up Fun and Challenging Dinosaur Puzzles ages 10 and up. Dino Roar Jigsaw Puzzle – 300 pieces and up. Smithsonian Dinosaur Puzzle – 1000 pieces ages ten and up This one is also ideal for framing. It is perfect for a teen or tween. Books Little Kid’s National Geographic First Big Book of Dinosaurs Dinosaur Encyclopedia Okay, so maybe not dinosaur toys exactly, but we have this dinosaur book and it is amazing and so educational. A surefire hit for any budding palaeontologist. Movies 3D Jurassic Park Movie for Blu-Ray Easy Dinosaur Toys Make Great Gifts It’s easy to please kids when they have specific interests like this one. Dinosaur Toys are timeless. Any one of these is a surefire hit with kids who love Dinos.

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Best Educational Fun Steam Toys To Give Right Now

Paula — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 17:34:54 +0000

STEAM toys are toys related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. As technology advances rapidly, knowledge of related topics will become more and more important. Most parents and professionals already know that. I received product in the form of Steam toys for consideration here. Post may contain affiliate links. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. But did you also know that learning about STEAM can enhance experiences in other fields; it’s not just about academic subjects, but rather advancing skills like creativity and logical thinking that apply to countless future careers. So What’s Trending in Stem and Steam Toys Right Now? Here are three Stem and Steam toys and kits we loved this month. They are perfect right now when kids are still waiting for school to resume, and they’d also make great birthday or holiday gifts. These unique and amazing STEAM toys from Nat Geo and SmartLab guarantee a fun learning opportunity. Mini Robots and Robotic Toys This might be the hardest of all the kits we received. Don’t get me wrong: this robot toy is educational and fun but I definitely wouldn’t give to anyone under eight. My teen and I put this together. There are numerous configurations and this cute little toy makes me happy. I mean successfully making it work makes me happy. These are tiny pieces to negotiate. SmartLab Toys Tiny Robots The Tiny Robot is an exciting intro to mini machines and robotics. A mini robotics kit with everything kids need to design and build miniature working machines from an assortment of real mechanical parts; travels easily for hours of play. Learn basic mechanical engineering–how to assemble robots, what makes them work; same content taught in beginning robotics STEM clubs. Includes 26 pieces and batteries. There are also Tiny Baking and Tiny Science kits. It’s the tiny part that I find adorable. Also, you can’t deny that robotics is a field everyone should be giving serious thought to right now. Ages: 8+Price: $27.99 Availability: Independent Stores Grow Your Own Crystals Okay, I knew this amazing National Geographic Stem and Steam Toys Kit would appeal to everyone here and I was not wrong. Even my older daughter who starts university soon was interested. Crystals are having their day! National Geographic Glow In Dark Crystal Green Grow amazing glowing crystals in your own home with the National Geographic’s Glow-in-the-Dark Crystal Growing Kit! With a learning guide packed full of interesting crystal facts and a real fluorite specimen included, you get the most comprehensive crystal growing kit on the market! Includes:- Growing powder- Seed rock- Stir stick- Real fluorite crystal- National Geographic’s learning guide with instructions Ages: 8+Price: $16.99 Availability: Mastermind, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys R Us, independent You grow this one for seven to 10 days, so that’s great value. You might consider any of the other Crystal kits too. Dig up a Fossil My youngest is all about dinosaurs and sharks, so on movie night one evening recently I gave her this kit. She hates sitting still to watch or learn and she fidgets a lot so doing something while watching TV or movies works for her. So, she uncovered the dinosaur fossils while we all watched something on Disney +. I’m sure it was a Marvel movie, but who knows anymore. National Geographic Dinosaur Dig Kit Spark your child’s love of history and science, and teach them all about dinosaurs with National Geographic’s Dinosaur Dig Kit, an exciting hands-on experience to discover 3 real dinosaur fossils! Dig up a dinosaur bone, mosasaur tooth, and dinosaur poop for your rock collection. Includes: One digging brick containing 3 ancient fossils (dino bone, mosasaur tooth, dino poop). Archeological digging tools.- Full-colour learning guide and a small magnifying glass. Most of these Steam toys come with a small magnifying glass. Several of these kits also include an educational booklet. (That part appeals to me.) Ages: 8+Price: $16.99 Availability: Mastermind, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys R Us Independent Stores and Amazon of course. Stem and Steam Toys to Give These Stem and Steam toys are a hit here and I highly recommend any of the above. If you have a dinosaur lover then the dig up a dino fossil kit will have them captivated for a few hours. Science loving crystal kind of student? Get the National Geographic Grow Your Own Crystals Kits.

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103 + PRIDE Gifts and Decorations

Paula — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 14:12:00 +0000

This year, kind of got shorted as far as PRIDE is concerned. I have felt a bit sad about that for a few weeks now. June is typically a month that is synonymous with Pride gifts and Pride celebrations. Pride parades are commonplace in many major cities. But Coronavirus has made that less possible this year. I mean a few of the Pride celebrations went virtual and I love that they were that creative with their approach, but at the same time, I still want a bit more. After all celebrating diversity is a thing that I value here in my home. We are raising allies and because we love our kids we accept who they love and we embrace who they choose to spend their time with. This Pride Gifts Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission via qualifying purchases. PRIDE Flags Cute LGBTQ Over the Shoulder Pride Flags by CQ Essentials. Perfect for Instagram or Snapchat. TikTok, perhaps? 3 by 5 Pride Flag Love Always Wins Decorative Flag This is one of my favourite pieces actually. The Love Always Wins Rainbow garden flag is pretty and I love the sentiment. Add some colour to your garden, even if you don’t have a green thumb! Stickers 50 Pack Gay Pride Party Decoration Flags Water Bottle Gay Pride Stickers 500 Piece LGBTQ stickers More 500 Piece Gay Pride Stickers Clothing Mostly Marketed to Men Take it up a notch with this super cute Zestie’s Pride Romper More Zestie’s Pride Rompers – Colourful, labelled as Men’s romper. MORE ZESTIE’s – This one has a cute Gingko pattern. Kind of love it. Born this Gay Men’s Tank – Kind of love the slogan. American Flag Zestie’s Romper Saucony Men’s Performance No Show Socks with Rainbow detail. These have decent reviews and are a reputable brand name. Flag Meaning T-shirt – Love the explanation and philosophy on the flag across the basic black t-shirt Polar Bear Rainbow Shirt LOVETERNAL Men’s Pride Tank Top Funky Junque Dad Hat Calvin Klein Lowrise Men’s Underwear with Rainbow Waist decoration. Hawaiian Shirt – Men’s Colourful Rainbow Hawaiian Shirt Kiss Me Bro, Gay Pride Tank Top for Men Unisex Hella Gay Baseball Shirt Be You T-Shirt Adidas Unisex Fanny Pack Unisex Rainbow Vans – I have a pair of Vans and love them. These are not the ones I own but the brand is good quality. Lesbian Pride Clothing WE Out Here Women’s Tank Top SUNNY G’s – Rainbow Pride Sunglasses Let’s Get One Thing Straight Shirt Opaque Thigh High Rainbow Pride Stockings Random Accessories Gay Pride Folding Fan Decorations Military Rainbow Belt – Build Your Own Style Armband Temporary Tattoos iPhone Phone Case NEW!! PRIDE Face Masks OH MY GOSH, how much do I love these. I am ordering a few Pride Face Masks for our family. These make me happy and they keep you healthy as well. FYDELITY – Rainbow breathable Pride Face Masks Langhu Outdoor Face Mask – PRIDE Rainbow LTrotted Gay Pride Face Mask with dust cover and room for filters! Already in my cart actually. Might not arrive until August but I am getting this one asap. More by Fydelity – Tie Dye Pride Masks Gay Pride Rainbow Colours Gaitor. (Also can be used as a mask.) This one is more of a dust mask/ bandana kind of thing but can definitely be used as a facial covering too. Basically, it’s multipurpose and shows a cat throwing up a rainbow. Home Related Rainbow Stripes Gay Pride Comforter Love Gay Rainbow Banner Pride – Decoration Ornament Garden Flag Vertical Double Sided Spring Summer Yard Outdoor 12 X 18 Inch at just $7.79 with shipping extra that’s a beauty of a deal. Sweet Tang Mandala Hippie Tapestry for the Wall Tapestry Rainbow Flag for Indoors on Your Wall – decorative rainbow paint splotches look as if they are dripping. Lunarable Rainbow Tapestry, Rainbow Flag Pattern Support Pride Lifestyle – Color Splashes Print, Fabric Wall Hanging Decor for Bedroom Living Room Dorm, 45″ X 30″ Proud Tapestry for the Wall – Hippie Hippy Wall Tapestry Pride Lips Black Large Mysterious Tapestry Wall Hanging Tapestry for Bedroom or Dorm Could also be for a picnic mat. Cute Gift Mugs – Mrs Right and Mrs. Always Right Books about Pride and Other Educational Resources Add some diversity to your library with these books. Several will make amazing Pride gifts for the month of June or simply for a birthday. Colouring Books For Adults How Lesbians Swear Colouring Book Gay Pride Colouring Book for Adults Empty Notebook with Rainbow Bucket List Theme – All the Things We Want to Do Together Gift Pride Books for Kids: Early Years Pride Books for Young Kids Here’s one for the very young set – > A Family is a Family is a Family! Pink is For Boys Julian is a Mermaid Why We Fly the Rainbow – I wish we’d had this one when my kids were younger. Never too soon to start teaching kids about diversity and the simple fact that families come in all shapes and sizes. Rainbow – My First Pride Book Our Rainbow Love Makes a Family Pride Books for Elementary School Kids The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag – Kid’s book. An easy read, on an important topic. Good for Grades 1-3. Annie’s Plaid Shirt about a girl who isn’t necessarily conforming to gender roles. Sweet story and Mom’s Choice award winner. Rick – Fictional book for tweens – middle school years student questioning a few things told through the eyes of his best friend, who is a bully. …and Up Through Teen Years Gay and Lesbian History for Kids – Book The Book of Pride – LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World – What an excellent historical story available as an ebook. Pride and Joy – LGBTQ Artists, Icons and Everyday Heroes – I recognize several of these famous authors and artists! If you are here browsing this post, then I am sure I don’t need to tell you the value of providing kids with cultural experiences, books and art that illustrates to them examples of themselves. My kids are both very clear on the fact that they need to see more books and TV shows with diversity, period. So, I am working on that here. You can add a wider range of books and products for your kids by shopping through this post. Stay Gold – Fictional Story about a Transgender Boy and. Cisgender Girl. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, very popular volume that many friends I know have in their home library. The ABCs of LGBTQ+1, (Gender Identity Book for Teens also available as an Ebook) Like a Love Story – ebook Fiction – Lily and Dunkin – My daughters both enjoyed this story. I read a very small bit of it and found it well written. Books for Adults Too For Grownups, 18 + – PRIDE The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement PRIDE – Celebrating Diversity The Gay Revolution – The Story of the Struggle Queer – A Graphic History Bring that same diversity into your kitchen! Love that idea too. I am very aware of spending my money on things that actually have impact and celebrating the LGBTQ+1 community via purchasing cookbooks and books that support the community is important to me. Tasty Pride Cookbook – 75 Recipes from the Queer Food Community Transgender History Book A Guide to Living and Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Child – Book for Parents of a Gay Child, Transgender, Coming Out, and Readers of Always My Child) Kindle. This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids – A Question and Answer Book to Everyday Life. These types of resources are relevant to many families and useful to keep on hand. When Your Child is Gay – What You Need to Know Parade Gear LGBTQ Gay Lesbian Pride headband, sunglasses and decorative flag Amazon Print at Home Gift Card Perfect Pride Gifts for Teens Tie Dye Pride Shirt by Koloa Adorable Halter and Shorts Set for Women by Sweaty Rocks SweatyRocks Women’s Drawstring Waist Striped Joggers Krazy Tees Tie Dye Unisex Choose Equality Ice Cream T-Shirt. LOVE this one so much that I suspect I will buy one for one of my kids, or both of them. Brilliant Pride gift in my opinion. Into the AM, Vibrant Men’s Tank Jazzed About Jewelry These Rainbow themed Pride gifts deliver just the right amount of bling. There’s nothing understated about Pride gifts. These however are tiny jewelry accessories, so they are mostly affordable and make great presents for someone you love. Moon and Gay Pride Heart Pendant Necklace Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces that fit together necklace – Gay Boyfriend Pride rainbow Apple iWatch band. Love this. I am still planning to get an Apple iWatch and this looks like a cute and colourful Pride Watch band. Perfect for me. Seven Chakra Healing bracelet with rainbow details. Sweet Love Stone Bead Bracelets – Super pretty bracelets made of stone beads. Fits a wrist of 7-8 inches. Some people believe these stone beads carry a spiritual meaning. Gorgeous thoughtful gift for LGBTQ+1. Variation on the above Sweet Love bracelet. With more leather braiding and slightly different look. Amazing Nanafest Rainbow bracelet Bandmax Rainbow Wristband Silicone Pride Wristband Love is Love Gay Pride Pins Gay Pride Wedding Rings Headbands with a Boho Feel These are super cute and colourful. This is more of an old school Rainbow boho headband with petite rosette kind of flowers. Bondi Band Moisture wicking headband. Gorgeous. Earrings I LOVE earrings, so several of these are appealing to me. My one daughter who is most likely to wear Gay Pride earrings has crazy sensitive ears so not sure if these will work. But they make a great gift for someone. Cute Lego style Gay Pride dangly earrings. Stud earrings – Gay Pride theme. Key Chains This is perfect if you want something simple that is just a token of affection, or a small memento for the occasion. Love the message on this cute key chain. These make simple stocking stuffers too. I can”t even think straight key chain. LOL. Games, Puzzles.. Cards Against Humanity Pride Pack How about the 90s Nostalgia Pack too? Cards Against Humanity 90s Nostalgia. Bear that Glows in the Dark – The Noodley Glow Teddy Bear Stuffed Animal LED Plush Night Light for Kids Battery Operated Gift Toy for Valentines, Easter, Baby, Girlfriends, Rainbow 16 inch Cuddly Soft Rainbow Bear Teddy Bears make great Pride gifts – This one is super cute. Treats Kudos to Skittles for their amazing product this year. This snack is shareable by the way. Would you have it any other way? Check them out and buy them here. Pride Skittles. Ball Caps and Hats Baseball hat Pride Distressed Unisex Baseball Hat – PROUD Most of these items are available on Amazon. We have a gorgeous Pride Flag here in our house. One of my daughters chose it and bought it for her sister. She was thrilled with that as a gift last year. I recognize that not all of these Pride gifts appeal to everyone, but I am certain you can find at least one thing here that makes an impact. Nobody can complain about receiving a book, well nobody over the age of ten anyways. Be Proud.

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The Cutest Baby Yoda Merchandise

Paula — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:30:00 +0000

This Mandalorian and Baby Yoda merchandise post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. I make a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Baby Yoda. Baby Baby Yoda. Catchy, right? My kids are obsessed with that adorable little character. Honestly, I am too. Disney’s Mandalorian show on Disney Plus is a huge hit and frankly how can anyone miss all the memes? They are everywhere right now! My favourite new jingle and character is Baby Yoda. So, I figured I’d offer up a roundup of the best and cutest Baby Yoda merchandise I could find. You are welcome. Baby Yoda Merchandise Silly Goose Valentines Day Cards – Baby Yoda Valentines Coffee Mug Gift – Brew You Will Make Me Coffee Mug Coffee I NEED – Coffee House Style Mug Baby Yoda for President 2020 Poster Book – Star Wars Mandalorian Book Adorable Baby Yoda Toys and Puzzles Baby Yoda Jigsaw Puzzle Stuffed Baby Yoda Toy Yoda Plush Toy Plush Toy Baby Yoda Baby Yoda Plush Ages 3 and Up Yoda Plushed Toy Itty Bitty Star Wars Baby Yoda Star Wars Lego – Yoda Millennial Falcon Star Wars Lego – Just Because it is AMAZING Tiny stuffed Yoda Technology and Geek Gifts Popsockets – Baby Yoda Popsockets – Pop Grip Star Wars The Child. Stickers – Mandalorian. More Popsockets for your Phone Badge Reel – Baby Yoda Star Wars Baby Yoda Clothing and Other Apparel Pink Bubble Letters Mandalorian Sweatshirt V-Neck Baby Yoda Women’s Shirt Floating Pod Mandalorian T-shirt Character Grid Mandalorian T-Shirt Star Wars Long Sleeved Shirt

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Adorable Burrito Surprise Toys for Children

Paula — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:31:13 +0000

I received product for consideration in the gift guide this year. Post may contain affiliate links. Have you heard of CuteTitos? Or Babitos yet? You will. These CuteTitos and Babitos are currently wrapped and under my tree for my niece. She’s too little to read this content, so there’s no chance that she will find out. Anyways, CuteTitos are sweet little stuffed animals and unique creatures that come with their own small blanket burrito. Unroll Something Special So adorable! These are surprise toys because you don’t know what you get until you unroll the burrito pet inside. Unroll to reveal a new soft pet with its own burrito. Each pet has its own personality and level of spiciness. Their personality marking is right on their hip. Each mystery animal is mild, medium, hot or a super spicy chili pepper. They each come with a little blurb about their personality and which one they are in the series of pets. It also tells you their birthday and gender. We received a tiny Babitos giraffe named Giraffito and also Hefftito, the elephant. So cute! Love the baby giraffe. The elephant is just a really sweet gift for any child who loves creative play and collecting toys. Collect Them All There are 12 possible collectible styles. Animals range from moneys, to narwhals and elephants. The surprise is inside the burrito. Babitos are similar versions of the CuteTitos but smaller and their burrito blanket is less soft than CuteTitos. If your kiddo loves mystery stuffed animals and surprise reveals then these surprise toys are going to be a huge hit. Collect each one of the mystery stuffed animals from the three current series. Then don’t forget to start collecting the Babitos as well. Babitos are colourful stuffed animals wrapped in a burrito blanket and stuffed inside a taco shell. Soft Sweet Surprise Toys I spied these at a toy show early this season and fell for them. They have all the elements for a great gift for a child who loves stuffed animals. Soft and sweet and really cute toys that any child would love to collect. Kids who enjoy creative play will also love these for the holidays or for birthdays. Who is This Gift for? These CuteTitos and Babitos are meant for ages 4-5 and up to 12. If your son or daughter enjoys collecting series of toys then these are perfect. If they adore cute cuddly things they will love these CuteTitos surprise toys. I am giving several of these to my niece who is seven. She is away this week but when she returns I will have armloads of Christmas presents for her to unwrap. Fully anticipating that she will adore these! Do not miss these other toys and recommendations this season. I love these Tech Gifts for Teens and Older. If you like these then I highly recommend these WOWEE Fortune Cookie blind bracelet toys too. Also, a similar mystery toy concept. I gave one to my oldest daughter actually, so she could demonstrate it for me and she loved how cute it is.

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Make Coding Fun with Botzees Now

Paula — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:41:00 +0000

Make coding fun with a toy that combines building and lots of entertaining puzzles alongside simple to understand coding. Botzees is a toy that combines all these elements into one experience that helps to make coding fun for kids. I received product for consideration here. I love that because as any long-time reader knows, I’m a huge supporter of STEM and figuring out ways to introduce it to our kids at an early age. That’s why I’m so excited about Botzees and how they approach coding. Technology is moving so fast these days. A few years ago, apps were an amazing new development. It seemed like we were in the dawn of a new age. Now I have a phone that has as much RAM and processing power as the computer I replaced a few months ago. Make Coding Fun for Kids The driving force behind these advancements is STEM, and the driving force behind that is the workforce that understands it. As our children grow, technology continues to advance. Whether they pursue a career in the sciences or not, it’s important for them to understand STEM. Botzees helps them do that from a young age. Botzees is designed to make coding fun for kids starting at as young as four years old. It combines coding with construction and puzzles to create an engaging platform that gets kids excited about what they’re doing and eager to learn more. Using coding, kids can make Botzee move, drum, dance, make sounds, and light up with a free app. The uniquely shaped, easy to grab coding blocks are designed to make coding easy to do and to understand for youngsters so they actually learn coding concepts as they play. The 30 interactive Augmented Reality puzzles allow for even more fun and learning with visual cues as well, which is important at that age. I had a blast setting this toy up, downloading the app and making my robotic Botzees work. Botzees Highlights Botzees are uniquely designed to capture the imaginations of young children. These incredible robots come with: 130 coding blocks. 6 pre-designed Botzee layouts and the freedom to create their own. 30 interactive Augmented Reality puzzles that teach coding concepts like sequencing, looping, and conditional coding. Make Coding Fun Now for a Better Tomorrow Of course, gifts that promote a love of learning are great in the moment, but even more important is the future that they help build. When you make coding fun now with Botzees, you’re laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning in the future, and that translates to a more successful human being down the line. I’m in love with Botzees, and I think you will be, too. So grab one for the creative child in your life and make coding fun.

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How to Travel with Christmas Presents Now

Paula — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:45:08 +0000

If you’ve ever travelled at Christmas then you have also undoubtedly travelled with Christmas gifts too. I mean Christmas and presents go hand in hand no matter where in the world you are celebrating or spending it. So, how exactly is the best way to do that? Do you wrap them and bring them with you through an airport? Um, probably not the best idea. What about if you are simply driving all the way to a relative’s house? How do you make that work with gifts? Wrap them first or No? Here’s what works for us. Here are tips for flying with Christmas presents: Travel with gifts by airplane can be the most challenging of all the modes of transportation. Airport security is dramatically tougher than it was even a few Christmases ago. Know What is Banned on Airplanes Many common Christmas presents are banned in carry-on luggage. Be sure you know which ones are banned before you go (and yes, this includes unopened packaged gifts). If it is banned, pack it (very securely) in your checked bags (dispersed between a couple bags in case of lost luggage) or ship it. Skip the Wrapping Do not wrap your Christmas presents before you fly. It could be a big waste of time, since security officers might be forced to open them to see what’s inside. If you are flying very close to Christmas and won’t have much time to wrap on arrival, pack several empty gift bags and gift tissue instead for quick assembly. To Ship Ahead or No? Consider shipping the gifts ahead of time, but be sure you pack items very carefully and allow at least twice the estimated shipping time. You don’t want to end up giftless on Christmas Eve. You may even consider splitting up gifts into a few boxes in case one box is lost. Shop When You Get There Consider shopping at your destination. Plan to arrive a couple days early to allow for shopping time. Pack an Extra Empty Bag Pack some empty, collapsed duffel bags. Don’t forget you will probably have extra luggage (as in, new gifts for yourself or your family) to bring home. Be Discreet with Your Own Family If you are traveling with gifts for your fellow travelers (such as a significant other, spouse or children), be sure you keep their gifts out of sight if they will be in luggage and unwrapped. This can be particularly challenging if it’s a gift for a spouse and you’re sharing a suitcase. Consider taking separate suitcases so he or she doesn’t get a sneak peek at Christmas gifts. This works with adults but be warned that kids who are school aged and teens need extra reminders. If they have bought their own gifts for parents or siblings and cousins they need to know what can and cannot be packed. I will never ever forget the famous scissors incident my nine year old experienced at the airport in Toronto one year. She now knows for sure never to pack scissors ink her carryon. Her plan was to make something when we got to our destination and she didn’t want to worry about finding scissors there. Live and learn, right? What about Train Travel? Train travel with gifts is probably the simplest of the modes of transportation. But, that said, suitcases need to be lifted and lugged around, so if you are visiting someone and taking the train you might still be better off shipping presents ahead or shopping when you get to your destination. Road Trips? Well, we love a good family road trip any time of year. But at Christmas you likely already have a vehicle loaded to the brim with boots and huge winter coats. Or maybe you live in the warmer climates and then you are in good shape for trunk space. With road trips and dragging presents along you may still need to take a few things into account. For instance, are you crossing any borders? If so, your car could still be searched and if it’s full of wrapped presents the border patrol could ask to see the items within. So save yourself the hassle and wrap them when you get to your destination. Travel With Christmas Presents Doesn’t Have to Be Daunting Just planning ahead and having a present strategy makes a dramatic impact when traveling this time of year. Whether you drive to your destination or fly you can still surprise loved ones with great presents. Don’t forget your packing cubes. Also for the travel lover on your list these make a great gift – > Packing Cubes. And here’s an extra large Duffel Bag that works well as an extra bag for those presents you need to return with. Actually most hard core travellers I know bring an extra bag always on every single trip no matter the time of year. Happy Holidays! Post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you purchase via the links.

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