Showing posts with label holiday gift guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday gift guide. Show all posts

Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to show your loved ones how much you care than with a homemade gift?

Homemade gifts are personal, thoughtful, and often more meaningful than store-bought gifts. They also show that you put time and effort into creating something special for the recipient.



If you're looking for some inspiration for homemade Christmas gifts, look no further! Here are 15 ideas to get you started:

Soy Lotion Bars by Bitz N Giggles

Crochet Cats by Red Ted Art

Painted Mason Jars by Mommy Made That

Bacon and Whisky Maple Syrup by A Country Girl’s Life




Lavender Loofah Soaps by Earth Friendly Tips

Wine Cork Snowman by Then It Dawned on Me

Mickey Mouse Rope Baskets by The Everyday Mouse

Easy Knitted Blanket by The Frugal Family

Chocolate Mug Cakes by In the Kitch



Honey Roasted Cashews by The Home Intent

Marble Tiled Coasters by Making it Manzanita

Infinity Scarf by Swoodson Says

Reading Pillows by The Happiest Camper

White Chocolate Liquor by Aubrey’s Kitchen

Vanilla honey Lip Scrub by The Soccer Mom


Find more DIY gift ideas here

Ribbon Charm Bookmarks

Ipad Stands

Finding Boys’ Gifts to Match Your Child’s Interests

 

If you’re low on inspiration when buying presents for the boys in your family, it’s not as difficult as it seems. By basing the gifts around their interests and the latest trending gifts, you can get them something they’ll love.

Finding Inspiration

Before you choose a gift, looking online can help. You can make sure your gift is right for your child’s age. So, if you search for toys for 8 year old boys, you will find suggestions, from fashionable odd socks and interactive glow t-shirts to logic-based games such as Dog Crimes. This presents the players with ‘crimes’ such as who ate the homework and lets them work out which dog is the culprit.

Science gifts

Science has become more popular with boys, so recent gift recommendations can reflect that. Kidzlabs Kitchen Science has six child-friendly experiments which can be carried out at home. Alternatively, if your child prefers to read about science, The Science and Inventions Creativity Book still has plenty of activities to help him learn and be creative at the same time.

Science gifts can spark an interest that stays with your child as they get older and have to decide what subjects they want to pursue. If nothing else, they can show him science doesn’t have to be boring and can cover a variety of topics. So, he will enjoy learning about or trying out different things.

Drawing or Crafting gifts

If your child prefers to focus on being creative, How to Draw Animals – Made Easy, does what the name suggests and can help him draw animals by following simple instructions. It’s also a fun activity for the whole family to try.

Or you could combine science and creativity, with Archi.Tech Smart House. This lets your child use his creativity to carry out experiments and design a house, equipped with various gadgets and accessories.

It’s important for your child to explore his creativity and for you to encourage any educational interests he has. These can benefit his education, or help with problem-solving skills later in life. Creativity may not always be encouraged in schools, but it’s important to develop.

Outdoor gifts

For outdoor and sporty types, the ideal gift is something that encourages them to pursue their favorite activities outside. Dodgetag is a less aggressive version of dodgeball. Wearing vests with a target on, players have to try to dodge the soft balls from the other players. These are much smaller than those used in dodgeball.

Alternatively, Smart Ball is great if your child wants to practice his skills and improve his sporting stamina and skill.

These and other sporting gifts can help your child improve social skills. Many sports are team games, so by practicing they’re more likely to build up their skills and get chosen for school sports teams if they want to try out. If not, it’s still a good way for him to get exercise and spend time with friends.

If you find the right gift, your child can learn to improve his social skills or learn something useful from it, while having fun at the same time.


Holiday Gifts for Guys That They Will Love

What are you getting the guys in your life this holiday season? I don't know about you, but shopping for my husband and my father is tough. When asked, they respond that they don't really want anything, and let me tell you, that is no help when trying to shop. I gathered up some of my favorite ideas for men this holiday season and I hope this list helps you find a great gift for the special guys in your life.

Samples were provided for inclusion.


A great watch never goes out of style. Joycoast makes options that are classy and stylish, and perfect for daily wear. Wood watches are a welcome option from the smartwatch scene for guys who like to do things, like tell the time, the old fashioned way. Find comfortable wood watches for men starting at about $89.



Veppo Vape makes a good gift for someone who wants to quit smoking. Find an assortment of vapes and ecigs, as well as vapor flavors to satisfy the nicotine cravings.  The rum vape is perfect for the holidays!


Detomaso watches are the perfect holiday gift. These watches are gorgeous and make a statement when gifted. From the unique movement to the quality leather strap, this is the gift you give to someone really special. Find this style for about $175.



Gift a reader, film fanatic or traveler a scratch-able poster. These are a fun way to mark items off your to see, read and visit list while displaying them as art. Check out the collection available in the Enno Vatti amazon store. Prices are about $22 a poster.


Beavercraft makes these awesome carving kits that make the perfect gift for guys. They can learn a new skill, like carving, while relaxing and making art. This wizard kit is about $25. The easy to follow instructions make this kit a great introduction to carving.


Yellow Dot Artist makes affordable art prints that are great for gifting! I love the one pictured here. Is it a cat or a dragon? You be the judge. Browse the selection of prints, where prices start at about $15.



Groovy Groomsmen Gifts is my go to for personalized gifts that guys want to get! From money clips to useful knives with their initials, you can find a ton of great gift ideas on site. This altered carbon knife costs about $35 and is really gorgeous.



Do you know what guys need for the holidays? More power access! Accell Power makes having a place for all of your devices and electronics a reality instead of a dream. These are affordable, offer surge protection, a place to plug in cords, and even a place for usb cords, so you can power up anywhere. Find a variety of Accell power series devices to fit his needs for about $30.


CLEAR2O Personal Filters offers dual filtration for fresh and clear water ANYWHERE! This is the perfect gift for active guys who love adventure or guys who dig fresh,clear water. Check out their impressive line of filtration products to find a good fit for the guy on your shopping list.



Kore Classic Fashion belts are the perfect gift because they feature a hidden track with over 40+ sizing points, so you can adjust in 1/4" increments for a perfect fit every time. Shop Men's Casual Belts and Men's Dress Belts for work, play, or out on the town.  Order as a set, or shop buckles & belts separately. Prices start at about $50.


Rawhyde Leather makes some of the best wallets for men. These are awesome for a holiday gift because they will be used daily, and this brand has such beautiful quality and workmanship. As a bonus they are incredibly affordable! Prices start at about $20 for a nice basic wallet.


The Shower Caddy Locker by Schlocker is the perfect gift for college aged men , or any man in a shared living situation, as it gives them a secure place to store their toiletries without having to share with their roommates. This is an easy to install locker, that is affordable too. Order it from Amazon for about $30. 


I love Water to Go bottles for adventurous and active guys because these bottles are personal filtration systems on the go. Basically any water source can become a fresh water source with one of these bottles. Order one for a guy who loves to explore for about $50.


Guys who spend time looking at a screen will appreciate these blue light glasses by Jins. They reduce eye strain and look great too. For a limited time you can order a pair for FREE on their site, or find options for heavy screen users and more.


Gift great style with the V neck Sweater with Collared Shirt from Flying Point Apparel. This is perfect for wearing to holiday parties, or daily use! Order for about $80 for a look that he can rock all winter long.


After a long day at work, any guy can appreciate an on demand shiatsu neck and back massager from  ireliev. This gives a deep massage that feels awesome, anytime he wants one with or without heat. Order for about $80 for year round relief.

 
Bendyfigs make a great gift for guys because they can check out their favorite movie characters and relive old times as they re-enact a few scenes, if they wish too. These highly detailed figures are about $14. Find several favorite lines like Lord of the Rings, Monsters, Star Trek and more.


 Ridge Merino  wool flannel shirt jackets make the perfect gift for guys who live in cold climates because they are so toasty! They look great for regular wear and is so durable and well made it will last for years. Order for about $150.






Hawaiian Hookum: Tiki Style Ring Toss Game and Decoration makes for a great gift idea for guys because it looks awesome, and is really fun to play too. Find it on amazon for about $20, for a gift he will love to show off!


Motorola 3 in 1 smart true wireless earbuds are a fantastic gift that will get a lot of use. They are alexa/siri/google assistant enabled, produce quality sound and will set you back less than $100 for a gift that is going to get daily use. 




A laptop is always a nice gift, especially if your guy doesn’t own one or has an old machine he’s been using since forever. Get a good quality laptop with decent specs if your guy isn’t a heavy user. If he plays games or edits videos, choose a model with higher specifications. If uses his computer for work, better get him a business laptop that can keep up with his pace and work demands. 
 

I hope these gift ideas help you find something awesome for the men in your life this holiday season. While you are here, check out some of my favorite DIY ornaments?



 

Best Gifts for Boys

The holidays are near, and I have been looking for great gift ideas for boys. I have found some unique options that work for all budgets, and cover a variety of interests. I know you will find a gift or two on this list that would delight the boys on your shopping list.
Samples have been provided for inclusion.


Boys that like to build will be into this tool set from Stanley Jr. This set has safety glasses, a hammer, a functional tape measure and screwdrivers to get little ones started. Order from Amazon.


Laser Pegs are awesome for holiday gifting. They take a favorite activity for boys, like building and combine lights for a really fun experience. Laser Peg kits start at $8 so this is a gift that works for even the tightest budget. They offer a variety of kits so you are bound to find one that matches the boy on your lists interest.


The Mega Cyborg Hand from Thames & Kosmos is an awesome stem kit that kids will want to get a grip on! They can build this hydraulic hand and then wear it for a giant dose of fun. Order it online for about $40.

Clixo offers an open-ended play system that combines the magic of paper origami, the ease of classic building blocks, and the power of magnets. This unique toy brings building to a modern level. Order a pack or two for curious boys on your list starting at about $24.


Snap Ships are awesome gifts because it combines building and battling which are two things that most boys dig. Parents will love that this creative building toy  adds dramatic play to the table and that all parts are interchangeable, so that the building fun continues into new creations. Check out the line of options from Play Monster, or find some of the exclusive kits at Target. Kits start at $12,


Molotow Mini Subwayz are unique and fun. These little train cars fold and are ready to graffiti for a fun activity. Boys will love to collect these, and in some way fulfill a fantasy of what it would be like to be a graffiti artist, in a safe way. Order the cars starting at about $13.


K'nex is always a great gift idea. These kits are challenging to build and absolutely impressive to admire! The Eiffel Tower Kit stands over 29 inches high and is the perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon. Order this awesome option from the Basic Fun amazon store for about $50.



Boys will love this table tennis set from Pro Spin. It will give them a chance to get some active play in, anytime, anywhere. The set contains a retractable net, balls, 2 paddles and a carry case. Order for about $35.


Blinks by Move38 is a incredibly unique gift option for game loving boys. Each Blink is a game cartridge and a game tile. Blinks connect to other Blinks. Together they become an interactive board game. You can get the three pack which has 18 games for about $300.


Tifosi Optics makes stylish and useful sunglasses that will protect their eyes this winter. We usually equate sunglasses with summer, but make no mistake, kids need eye protection in the winter too, as it can be so bright when it snows.  Check out the assortment of swanky styles and find styles starting around $25.



Boys will love Flipover Frog the game. This strategy game is loads of fun for kids and only takes about 15 minutes to play, for a quick game anytime boys need a dose of fun! Order this option from Hub Games for about $13.




Boys who love trains will want to play with the Action Tunnel Circle Set by Brio all day long. This train set is perfect for the youngest conductors to explore. This set is comparable with all of the Brio train gear, so that the set can grow with your child. Order from amazon for about $100.



Smarty Pad is one of my favorite gifts for preschool and kindergarten aged boys because it combines play, education, technology and sensory all in one portable, engaging package. Order one for a boy who loves to learn from Amazon for about $35.



City Spies makes a great gift for boys who love to read. This book has excitement, suspense and a chance at redemption. It makes for an enjoyable read for elementary aged kids. Order from Amazon starting at $11.





Little Justice Leaders is a monthly subscription for kids that will inspire them to make changes to the social justice system while empowering! This subscription includes goodies like books and colored pencils, among other fun items that kids will get excited about receiving monthly. Prices start at $45 a month.



My kids love Little Learning Hands boxes, because they are fun! I love them because while we are not traveling this year, we can still explore the world while learning from home. These 3d Puzzles are awesome for a snow day activity, or a chance to make learning hands on. Check out the puzzles on amazon where they start at about $17. Check out the subscription boxes on the Little Learning Hands site.



If your kids love Ryan on Youtube, then run to Walmart to get this epic Vending Surprise! This has 16 surprises inside and makes such fun sounds! You even get to build your own Ryan from this vending surprise machine, which is bound to be a lot of fun for kids. Get this offering from Just Play Toys at Walmart for about $40.


Relay makes for a great gift for kids who want a little independence, and parents who want a little peace of mind. This device keeps tabs on where the kids are, and gives them a way to call for help if needed. Order a Relay device for a boy on your shopping list for about $35. 


Upbrainery Technologies offers kids a hands on chance to learn! These kits include everything kids need to build something epic, like a digital photo frame, or a bluetooth speaker to name a few. Check out the site to find something epic for your kids to create.





Brushing teeth doesn't have to be a bore. This year gift an awesome boy a way to turn brushing his teeth into a fun game with Brite Brush. Find this interactive toothbrush at Walmart or Amazon for about $20. Chances are you won't need to argue about brushing anymore!


Learn together how to solve the Rubik’s in a fun and interactive way, play games and battle online with other cubers around the world. This is the perfect STEM toy, it is educating and fun and adds tons of value to screen time. Order Go Cube Edge for about $80.


A great sports watch never goes out of style, and this Fila watch is handsome and durable making it a perfect watch for a school aged boy. They have a ton of options so finding the perfect watch is fuss free. Plus you can find some awesome options for about $30.


Give boys ages 3 to 9 a hands on lesson in coding with Osmo. The starter pack breaks down coding into a fun play session so that kids can start learning something super useful in a very kid friendly way. Order the Osmo Coding Starter Kit for about $80.

The Powerup Paper Airplane Kit is awesome for boys this holiday season! This unique idea takes the art of folding paper planes to a whole new level, powered up, of course! Build 10 awesome planes and give them a boost of flying power thanks to technology! This kit costs about $115.


Boys who love space will love building the Mars Space Base from Goju Adventures Toys. This kit has everything needed to build a space station, including some astronauts! This creative building set costs about $45 and can be found on Amazon.


If you are shopping for a dinosaur loving boy this year, look no further than the Egg Mazing Dinomazing Egg Decorator. Find this really fun art kit on Amazon for about $28 for a roaring good time!


Pizza Party Throwdown is an awesome game for boys who like pizza and fun! This game has you tossing and hopefully landing toppings to create pizzas! Order it for about $20 from Amazon or find it at Target.


 Go Noodle offers mindful videos for kids and they have a shop filled with fun! I love the Cookie Decorating Class which includes cookie cutters, an apron and the online lesson on how to make the cookies! Order for about $75 or check out the other goodies in their shop.


I hope these gift ideas help you find some epic gifts for the boys in your life.
While you are here why not check out all of my gift guides?