Easy Rudolph Ornaments

These easy Rudolph ornaments are fun to make and share this holiday season. These come together with the most basic supplies and are perfect for making with the kids.

I got everything for this project at Dollar Tree. So, you know it is going to be a cheap and easy project that is perfect for the kids!

Supplies

Gold Pipe Cleaner

Clear Bauble

Red Button

Craft Eyes

Brown Paper Bag

Scissors

Glue

Directions

Attach the gold pipe cleaner o the top of the ornament and form Rudolph's antlers.

Have the kids cut or tear the brown bag into bits.

Fill the ornament with bits of the brown bag

Glue the eyes and button nose on the ornament.  Allow it to dry overnight then hang on your tree or share with someone special.

You can find all of my ornament crafts here

Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Ornaments 

Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich

There is no shame in my game. I get way too excited about Thanksgiving! The actual meal is pretty wonderful, but the days and days of leftovers are what dreams are made of for me!

There are so many ways to serve them, but my favorite is the Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich!

I like to serve this on croissants. The flakiness adds so much yum to this! 

This sandwich can be made anyway you like it, with whatever leftovers you have on hand.
I like to stick to the basics, but my husband adds the veggies to his!

To make the Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich, Sara Style:

Cut a Croissant in half.

Add a layer of stuffing,

a drizzle of gravy,

Then top with turkey and another drizzle of gravy.

Pop in the microwave for about a minute and a half, or better yet, warm in a 350 degree oven for about 13-15 minutes.

This is the way to eat your leftovers on a crusty, flaky open face sandwich! You will need a knife and fork for this one!

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Gift Guide For Seniors

Image

Now that we are in the tail end of November and December looms around the corner, it is time for us to
think about Christmas once again. Christmas is a time of year for fun and cheer, and when we think
about celebrating the special day we think about treating our family to gifts. 

Whole buying gifts for children and younger members of the family might be easier; when reaching over
65 years old it can be difficult to choose the right gift to give. This is why today we have come up with a
handy list of gifts you can get for your older family members at Christmas. 

Neck Massager 

Often when we get older we start to develop aches and pains that we didn’t have when we were young
and spritely. As a result this can lead to issues with mobility as well as pain. If your relative suffers from
neck pain or back pain frequently, the ideal gift would be a neck massager to help ease the pain and
allow them to move around more independently. 

Afternoon Tea

Often the older members of the family will be more grateful for a gift that involves spending time with
their loved ones that a material thing. This is why an afternoon tea booked in a nice hotel or restaurant
can be the ideal day out and gift for them. You’ll be able to spend the afternoon out in a warm place
eating cakes and drinking tea. 

Spa Trip 

A spa trip could be a wonderful chance for you all to let your hair down and enjoy some much needed
TLC. You could choose to buy a few treatments for yourself and your senior family member or simply
hang out at the spa for the day and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. 

Vineyard Tour 

Who doesn’t love a good bottle of wine? If your senior relatives like a good tipple, a fun and unique gift
would be to take a tour of a vineyard and go for wine tasting. This is a great way to spend a day out in
a sunny place and learn how wine is actually taken from grape to bottle. 

Pajamas

If you are thinking of something simple to buy for your senior relatives this year, nothing could be easier
than pajamas. Pajamas are always a great gift at this time of the year and you’ll be able to find some
thick cozy ones at your local store that are sure to be used and loved. 

Photo Album 

The older generation always tend to be more sentimental than us and as a result it is important for us
to give them amazing memories to enjoy at Christmas. This is why the ideal gift for a senior family
member is a photo album. You can also print off some of your favorite family snaps and put them
inside to allow your senior relative to enjoy seeing their family and reminisce. They can then keep
adding to the album over time as the family grows. 

OurPact vs Screen Time - What Do You Really Need to Keep Your Child Protected?

If you own an Apple device, it is probably you’re using Screen Time feature to control and manage the time
spent on the device. But if you’re a big fan of parental controls, it is likely you already know about
OurPact.

OurPact and Screen Time are both used to check and control the amount of time your kids spend on devices. 

You’ll have to pay for subscriptions to use OurPact app on your iPhone, Screen Time, on the other hand,
comes with no additional costs. 

But why will someone prefer to pay subscription while there is a free version of the same?  

Read below to see the difference between Screen Time and OurPact.

How OurPact Compares with Screen Time

Want to know more about OurPact vs Screen Time so you can make an informed decision? The following
points will be helpful.

1.  You’ll have to pay a subscription of $5 per month to enjoy OurPact features on your iPhone, but Apple’s
IOS 12 with Screen Time is free. OurPact has a free version too but will come with limited functions.

2.   For you to manage the device from the parental OurPact app, you’ll have to install the device
management software on each device. On the other hand, Screen Time functionality depends on Apple ID’s
, meaning, provided that the device is logged into your child’s Apple ID, Screen Time will continue with
its job.

3.  With OurPact you can create multiple downtime schedules for your kid’s devices, such as homework,
dinner, bedtime, etc. with Apple’s Screen Time, you can only create one downtime schedule for each child.
If your kids are using different devices, the schedule will apply to them all.

4.  Both OurPact and Screen Time allows you to mark specific apps as “always-on” regardless the downtime
schedule set.

5.   Apple’s Screen Time has the option where kids can send requests to their parents seeking for time
extension for a specific app. Unfortunately, OurPact iPhone does not have this functionality.

6.   With Screen Time, you can set time limits for specific app categories. OurPact does not have this feature.

7.  OurPact gives you the option of setting time allowances for each of the child’s devices. You can use a
different allowance for each day. while using their devices, kids can pause or unpause their time. You can
also set the time allowance just like OurPact on Screen Time but it does not allow kids to pause. 

Screen Time Vs. OurPact – Final Thought

Both the Screen Time and OurPact are good, and you can rely on them to see and control what you
kids do on their devices.

If you are looking forward to multiple schedules and don’t mind about the cost, OurPact can be the
right choice for you. Again if you are looking to have basic restriction over apps on your child’s device,
Screen Time is the right choice.

It all comes down to your needs and preferences.

Why You Need to Manage Your Kids Screen Time

Discussion regarding the amount of time that kids should spend on their devices is an intriguing one.
This is because there is a specific rule to govern this.

Reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that overuse of screen devices can lead to
cyberbullying, sleep difficulties, disengagement from social life and also contribute to negative performance
at school.

For this reason, apps such as OurPact and Screen Time have been developed to help parents limit the
amount of time that they spend on their devices.

Parents in the 21st century must embrace the need to teach their kids the screen time etiquette.

And since parents cannot afford to be always present so they can manage their kids' screen time, apps
such as Screen Time and OurPact are there to help.

The secret to instilling good behavior is consistency and these apps help you to program the way your
kids use their devices without putting any pressure.

Managing your kid’s screen time prevents them from spending many hours on the screens. No parent
would like their children to spend time on their devices, while their rooms are still messy or when they
have homework due.

That’s why you have to set rules that will help your children to balance the time spent on devices as well
as the time to do other chores.

Both OurPact and Screen Time can help you have control over your kids so that they can use technology
responsibly.

Gifts for Boys

I consider myself an expert in toys. I have spent a million hours cleaning them up and organizing them, and I know what kids want to play with. If you need an epic gift for a boy on your holiday shopping list, keep reading, cause I got you covered on the best gifts for boys this year.

Product samples have been provided for photography. Affiliate links may be used.

Give your kids a gift of security with this HD Wifi Camera with Night Vision. Keep an eye on them while they sleep, or let the kids make some epic home video while adding some character to his space with the help of Chase from Paw Patrol. Find this at retailers like Walmart, Amazon or Best Buy for about $30.

Boys appreciate farts like no one else. Get a few of these Fart Ninjas for a silent butt deadly holiday surprise that will keep boys giggling for hours. Find these for about $8 at Target, Amazon, or Walmart.

Challenge boys this holiday season with a logic game that stretches the mind. Paired with the included Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty this game is sure to be a big hit with kids this year. Finding the Thinking Putty Puzzle online or at retailers like Walmart for about $30.

Animal Planet brings the animal kingdom to life every day. Now you can interact with the mighty T-Rex and control his movements. Includes 6 different sounds activated by motion or touch. Find this interactive dino from Wicked Cool Toys $35.

Sticks n Stones n Dinosaur Bones is a lively and witty book of rhymes plus wonderfully demented illustrations reveal how a paleontologists’ infamous rivalry began, and how—despite making genuine and lasting contributions to the field—their mutual obsession with outdoing one another spun out of control. Give it to a book loving boy this holiday. Find it from Amazon, or from Schiffer Publishing for about $17 this holiday season.

Magformers are perfect for boys who love to pair dramatic play and building. Get this 50 peice set Amazing Rescue STEM kit online to give the gift of dramatic rescue anytime boys car to build the vehicles for about $60.

Hoping for a pet at Christmas is a rite of passage for loads of kids. This year give them a pet hedgehog that they can construct with the Tumbling Hedgehog kit from Thames & Kosmos. This is a great STEM kit that will engage and delight kids with an introduction to robotics. This is great for ages 7 to 12. Buy it online or from retailers like Walmart and Target for under $40.

Give kids the gift of a safe internet experience, all of their favorite PBS characters and apps and a portable dvd player in one device with this 7" HD Tablet DVD combo from PBS Kids. This is a durable option for eager little ones. It is easy to use, and can with stand eager hands. Find it at retailers like Walmart, or from Amazon for about $100.

Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is a gift for the senses and the thought process. This fun to touch and work with the hands putty comes in an assortment of varieties and sizes. Thinking putty never dries out, making it a favorite among parents. Get a large tin for at home, and a small travel tin for the backpack to give the gift of sensory delight. Find it at a variety of stores like Target,  Walmart and Hallmark, or buy online. Prices start around $4 for a mini thinking putty.

On the coldest days of winter, it is easy for boys to grow restless with the extra indoor time. This year gift them an assortment of games from Amigo Games to give an invitation for family game night and a break from cabin fever.  Ring a Ding Ding, No Thanks and Clack are great for multi-player games and are sure to have everyone ready to play another game. Buy them online from Amazon or from retailers like Michael's.

Disney fans are going to love the challenge this Villainous Wicked to the Core board game presents. This game is strategy for Disney fans and can be combined with the other Villainous game from Ravensburger to let more friends or family join in the fun. Get it online or from retailers like Target or Barnes and Noble for under $25.

Bath time can be fun and spooky too with these awesome options from Not Another Rubber Ducky. Available in 4 designs that cover all of your favorite classic horror movie monsters. These make a great gift idea for kids who love Halloween, or maybe just need to add a little fun to their bath. Get them online for $15 each.

Give the gift of science with this Ooze Labs Chemistry Station. This kit oozes a good time and a healthy dose chemistry in a kid safe manner. The kit includes these irresistible chunky test tubes and an assortment of materials to experiment with. Get this Thames and Kosmos kit for about $30 from retailers like Target, Kohl's or Walmart, or order online.

A furry friend is always a good choice for gifts for boys. This EcoKins 12" Snow Leopard is a gift kids will love to cuddle and everyone can feel good about. These toys are made with 16 water bottles. Talk about from trash to treasure! Order these cute plushies online from the Ecokins store. a 12" animal will cost about $18 but they have other sizes at prices around $6.

Got a kid to buy for that loves to create his own stories and characters? This Character Creator action figure set from Wicked Uncle Gifts makes for a great gift for boys of all ages. They will love the endless possibilities that await them and their blank action figure. Boys will love customizing it. Order from Wicked Uncle Gifts for $20.

Give the gift of kid safe entertainment this year with a made just for kids and loaded full of fun. Plug & Play by PBS Kids is like roku for kids that is loaded with videos, games and more. No subscription is needed to enjoy the hours upon hours of content that is loaded. Order from the PBS Kids shop for under $60. This will be handy this winter during snow days. Parents will love that everything on the Plug & Play is kid friendly, parent approved.

Leap Start Go by Leapfrog makes for a fun way to play and learn for kids this holiday season.  Bring books to life with audio and video for an immersive learning experience that is a lot of fun for kids.  Add new books to keep kids learning or let them enjoy the over 750+ activities that can be completed time and time again. Find this online from Leapfrog or at retailers like Walmart for under $40.

When I asked my 9 year old what he wanted for Christmas he looked at me with dreamiest look in his eyes. He said "All the Nerf things mom..." and he proceeded to go back to his video games. I found something better than Nerf. The Adventure Force Max Morpher foam dart gun blows Nerf out of the water with the long distance firing power this impressively sized gun has. Give him the ability to shoot his targets from 100 feet away with accuracy, in a safe for kids way. Best of all, you can find this gun in shops like Walmart, for about $17. These are economical and are going to be one of the most loved toys for boys this year. Check out all of the options including Walking Dead Foam dart guns from Buzzbee Toys.

Boys love to shoot foam darts at any and everything, so take his breath away this year with the biggest foam dart gun I have ever seen. The Mutator from Air Warriors is incredible. This is so much gun for any nerf loving kid. This gun is huge. It can go the distance or offer precision accuracy. Looking at this gun you probably are thinking how much is it? I couldn't believe these are under $100. The look on any boys face when he opens this is worth more than that! Get it from Buzzbee Toys or from retailers like Walmart or Target. (It is like $27 at Target right now which is a STEAL, and under $75 at Walmart.)

If you have a boy to buy for that loves to ride his scooter and is ready for a little more responsibility, the One K E-Motion electric scooter from Globber is perfect for a beginner. The scooter goes about 12 mph and can hold about 110 pounds making it great for kids 8 to tween. These are easy to ride, easy to stop and tons of fun. But, parents, they do require supervision, so be prepared to get the adult version for yourself!

Board games are the bomb for Christmas. Give boys on your shopping list a really fun opportunity to bring back family game night with Let It Fly by Maya Toys. Who will splat the fly first in this active and zany game for kids 8 and older. Get it online for about $20.

The long days of winter are upon us, so that means the boys are stuck indoors more than ever. Offer a little variety to their daily play with this fun and easy shooting game. Glowstriker naturally glows in the dark to make it more of a challenge, or shoot at the levitating targets with the lights on for practice. Get this from Wicked Uncle Gifts for under $35.

Give kids a chance to plug, link and count with this Stem Challenge. The Plugo link and count works with your ipad to bring puzzles to life. This is a great tool for at home learning via hands on play. Find it at Amazon for about $50 this holiday season.

Give the gift of hands on play with this Thames and Kosmos Engineering Makers Off Road Rovers kit. Build ten wild off-road vehicles and other machines while learning about belt drives, wheels, and tank tread and STEM. Get it from Walmart, Target and other nationwide retailers, or order online for under $30.

Brik Buster is a fun game for kids of all ages that are into brick building. Brik Buster lets you build a tower and then try to bust it up! Kids love this game and adults might get a kick out of it too. Find it online from Strictly Briks. Order it from Amazon for under $30 and keep boys building and busting down brick creations all winter long.

If you need a gift for a boy who digs slime and dinosaurs, the Discovery Prehistoric Slimy Goop Dig kit by Horizon is perfect for gifting this holiday season. Boys can get their hands into some slimy goop to uncover some epic dinosaur finds. Get this from Walmart, Michael's or from Amazon for about $13.

Give the gift of music is a friendly portable manner with Wicked Uncle Gifts. This real Hawaiian Ukulele looks awesome and gives boys an affordable introduction to stringed instruments. Boys will love strumming away on this ukulele while parents are grateful it doesn't require an amp. Find it and so many more excellent gift options from the Wicked Uncle Gifts site for under $40.

This 4 pack of insects in resin makes a gift curious boys will go creepy crawly for. The set includes identifying info, a magnifying glass to inspire future bug hunts and 4 awesome insects to check out and collect. Get it on Amazon for about $15.

This is an awesome and unique gift for boys who haven't lost their baby teeth just yet. This The Toothless Monster box includes a book, a friend and some teeth that parents can attach later. It is incredibly creative and adds a lot to the typical tooth fairy routine. Get it online for under $40.

Gifts for Men

Guys need great gifts, but finding a gift he will love and not toss in a closet and forget about is a challenge. Lucky for you, I did the shopping to simplify the holiday season for you. Check out some of my favorite gift ideas for the men in your life. Be sure to check back over the next few weeks as I will update this list daily with new finds.

Samples were provided for photography. Affiliate links may be used.

If you need the ultimate gift for an angler on your shopping list, Get him the Go Fish cam. This is awesome because it gives him a glimpse of what is below the surface without interfering with his casting off. He can also live stream his fishing trips for new found stardom in the fishing world. Get it online for  $240.

Coffee is life, but it is not always convenient to brew a pot. Give him the gift of a great cup of coffee, anytime with Waka Decaf Instant Coffee. This is a really good cup of instant coffee. Get it online for about $12 for 8 cups.

Save a special guys back this winter from all of the shoveling he is bound to do this winter with the Back EZ tool. This takes the strain off of the back during shoveling and can be added to most shovels, rakes and more. Get it online for about $10.

If your special guy has a fondness for luxury watchers, he needs a really great watch winder. Check out this single winder from Barrington. The motor is super quiet and this is a great gift for the guy who has everything. Get it online for about $180.

Give a guy that you wouldn't mind gazing upon poolside some awesome swimwear that leaves little too the imagination with Hunk2 underwear and swimwear. They have some great styles available starting at about $60. Order online.

Give the gift of confidence and odor free feet with deodorizer spray from Solemates. I love that you can also use this in gym bags.  For $20, you can keep his shoes funk free with ease. Order online.

We expect so much from the guys in our lives. Why not give them a chance to show their extra side with Extra Extra Socks. These are sized for bigger feet and bring a lot of personality to any outfit. Grab a few pairs to keep his feet cozy this holiday season. Find them online.

The Exact Golf Tool is the gotta get gift for any golfer in your life. It functions as a ball marker, divot repairer, cigar holder, groove cleaner and club grip holder. This little package packs quite a punch and is a must have for his golf bag. By it online for a golfer on your shopping list.

Give the gift of more storage with the Seagate One Touch SSD. This portable storage option fits in his wallet or backpack to allow him access to his photos, media and more with one touch. I like the fabric feel of this external storage option making transfers less mundane. Find it online at retailers like Amazon for about $85.

If you are shopping for a youtuber, the Nextbase Dash Cam is a must get gift for the holidays. The 522GW is an impressive dash cam option. It has Alexa built in, can easily sync videos and even has cool safety features. If someone bumps your car, it will be activated and will also alert emergency personnel if there is an accident. Retailing at under $260, this is the perfect gift for a techie or a youtuber. Buy online at the NextBase site. 

Axe is always a safe bet for the holiday season. Guys from 12 to 102 can appreciate the range of manly fragrances Axe brings to personal care. Grab a gift set this year, or just head to the drug store and buy a range of Axe body wash, hair products and antiperspirant/ deodorants and make a gift basket of your own for a really great smelling guy this Christmas.

Add the ultimate pint glass to his home bar with these really stunning muffin top pint glasses from Brewing America. These are visually appealing ways to serve a cold brew while the design insures a proper head in every glass. Order these online at Brewing America. Add a farewell message to boss and make it even more special for him.

Guys like to snack, so adding beef jerky to his gift is brilliant. But, any old jerky will not do. Get the Old Trapper Brand. There are several delectable flavors available and this stuff is so tender it is unreal. Big bags are about $14, but you can save on recurring subscriptions. Order online from Old Trapper.

If you are married to a really active guy, you can give him a safe ring that he never needs to take off. Groove rings are made of silicone and are perfect for the guy who likes action. These rings are comfortable, fit well, and look great. Order online from Groove Life. Rings start around $30 and can be customized with your own message.

Winter days were made for binge watching favorite shows. If you gift a guy on your shopping list the complete series of Gotham on BluRay, he will have weeks worth of entertainment at his fingertips. This the perfect time to grab this series and celebrate 80 years of Batman.  Find this set at Walmart, Best Buy or from Amazon for under $80.

Shaving is a regular part of life for guys, but that doesn't mean it has to be a boring part of life. Super fans are going to love bringing their favorite team into the mix with some awesome shaving power. Gilette is making these funtastic NFL handles just in time for Christmas. For $25 you can get his favorite team on a razor and  4 5-bladed ProShield cartridge refills. Gilette is also offering the same deal with Nascar if racing is more his thing. Order from Gilette.com.

If you need a useful gift for a frequent traveler, the Airhook is the ultimate. This gadget holds your drink and your device over the head rest for easy entertainment and increased comfort on a plane ride. I love that it gives users a hands free experience for under $30. Order online from the Airhook website or Amazon.

Shopping for the guy who has everything? A space pen makes for a gift that is useful and timeless. These pens can write in any circumstances. Greasy receipt from a burger bag all you have handy? No sweat, you can take the note and keep the pen. These pens write at any angle, under water and even in zero gravity. Buy one online for about $30 from the Fischer Space Pen company.

Add a handsome waiters corkscrew to his home bar. The next time he is ready to open a bottle of wine, he can rely on this premium waiters corkscrew to get the cork out with ease. This is an affordable gift option for a sophisticated man. Get it from Hicoup on Amazon for about $10.

When the weekend rolls around your favorite guy wants to ditch the work wear and chill. This Brooklyn street sign shirt will help him do just that. Check out the selection of thought provoking tees that are perfect for weekend wear for your favorite guy from the Sticks and Stones website. Prices start around $25 for shirts.

Got a guy with a great beard on your to buy for list? Then you need to get him some goodies for his gorgeous beard. My husband loves the Mountaineer Brand of beard care products. They have some really great kits available for under $50 that have everything a guy needs for a well groomed beard. Mountaineer products are all natural and smell really nice. Buy online and get free shipping on orders over $35.

Why not give a gift that is practical and is super kind to the earth? Epic Water has bottles and pitchers that are perfect for gifting. A pitcher will filter the equivalent of 1000 plastic bottles worth of water on one nano filter. Get one for about $55, or get a bottle which can handle about 4 months of filtering for $35. Stop back after Thanksgiving for your chance to win a prize pack of Epic Water Filter products.
Order these earth friendly epic filters online.

Gifting a guy who loves to grill? This BBQ apron puts the recipes and a lot of info on an apron to keep dirty hands off of cook books. Get the full length version for $25, or a half waist apron from Suck Uk.

If you want a gift that will be useful but is budget friendly, the G Clamp Bottle Opener adds a cool feature to his work bench; a place to pop off a top when he is ready to unwind a little. Get this online from Suck UK for $12.

Headphones make a great gift for anyone, of any age or gender. But, this pair is perfect for men because it is durable and can handle their workouts, adventures and down time too. This neckband wireless headset by iJazz is available on amazon for about $35. It is bluetooth compatible and produces a good quality of sound for an affordable price.

Make a Big Bang this holiday season with the complete season of The Big Bang Theory on Bluray. This special limited edition set has 279 episodes with so much binus content that fans might be binging for weeks to see all these discs have to offer. Find it at Walmart, Best Buy or on Amazon for about $180.


You can find all of my gift guides here.