Tag Archives: holiday gifts

Grandparents Not Giving As Much This Christmas

Grandparent Grinches? Not in my family. A new survey says, due to the current state of the economy, grandparents won’t be buying as many gifts for their grandkids this year. This is heartbreaking news for families the world over who rely on grandparents to play Santa. Last year I asked: Who needs Santa when you’ve got generous grandparents? I wasn’t kidding. My daughter and my nephew are blessed beyond words that my parents spoil them rotten. I can’t speak for my brother’s family, but I know for a fact that my daughter’s Christmas would not be nearly as merry and … Continue reading →

Shopping Website Review: Mandy’s Moon

Mandy’s Moon was started by a mom who adopted a two-year-old and a ten-year-old from Vietnam. She began the site the year after her first daughter arrived, when she realized how hard it was to find objects picturing Asian children. She has expanded to carry merchandise featuring all races, and offers a special personalization service in which not only names, but nicely-drawn cartoon faces of different races, can be put together on products. The “My Family” service gives you ability to select images that resemble your family to be printed on your T-shirt, apron, mug, etc. The images can be … Continue reading →

Christmas Gift Ideas for Fitness Fanatics

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the fitness guru on your holiday shopping list? Then, you’ve come to the right place. While many people shy away from getting exercise-related gifts for loved ones because of the high price or lack of knowledge, shopping for fitness gadgets is really not that difficult. Take a look at the following items that can help refresh your loved one’s workouts without breaking the bank: Nike + iPod Sport Kit This inexpensive yet effective gift retails for just $29. If your fitness fanatic friend uses his existing iPod Nano or iPod Touch while running … Continue reading →

More Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Travelers

Believe it or not one of my brothers has not completed a lick of holiday shopping yet. I know this because he called me today asking what he should get my parents for Christmas. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s got a stressful job and very little free time. What’s more, I know he’s not alone… the world is filled with procrastinators and in their eyes they still have almost four full shopping days left before Christmas. With that in mind I offer these last-minute gift ideas for gift buyers looking to fulfill the needs and wants of the … Continue reading →

Affordable Last-Minute Travel Gifts

You can’t afford to give your cousin the $300 22-inch rolling carry-on he wants and you certainly don’t have $250 to drop on the bubble gum pink travel case your son’s latest girlfriend wants for Christmas. So what do you get for the frequent flyers and riders in your life when you are low on cash and short on time? Here are a few ideas: If you can’t afford new luggage get the next best thing—new luggage tags. The Luggage Retriever ($40) clips on to the bag of your choice and emits an electronic beep when activated by a key-chain-like … Continue reading →

Celebrity Inspired Holiday Gifts for New Moms and Others

I suppose if you are going to buy post-pregnancy items from a celebrity mom it might as well be Brooke Burke. The gorgeous former swimsuit model, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, knows all about the challenges associated with returning to pre-baby shape. In fact, it’s the reason she left TV hosting and modeling behind to market her own line of post-pregnancy belly wraps. According to her website (where you can purchase the post-pregnancy items) the belly wraps are believed to reduce the size of the swollen uterus, reduce water retention and help you lose inches, while supporting … Continue reading →

Fashionable Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas

I provided some green gift ideas in a previous blog, but if you are a savvy shopper you know I didn’t even scratch the surface. There are so many environmentally friendly gift options out there… and you don’t have to be a self-professed tree hugger to appreciate them. Take a look: Denim. Levi’s has an entire eco collection. The popular denim designer has 100 percent organic cotton jeans for men and women. The Levi’s eco collection offers several styles—for ladies the most popular is the Eco Midrise Boot 553 Jean ($78) and for men the most desired pair is the … Continue reading →

Thoughtful Gifts for Holiday Guests

When you’re entertaining guests over the holidays, it’s nice to have a little something to give them to help remember the occasion. The Gift that Keeps on Giving You know everybody wants the recipe for your famous cranberry orange muffins or your special oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Make a nice big batch of your specialty to serve, but also wrap up individual servings. As your guests leave, give each person a treat, complete with the recipe. They can make it at home for years to come. Printing up the recipe on pretty paper is a nice touch or use Christmas … Continue reading →

Heirloom Holiday Gifts

This holiday season is presenting some real opportunities, despite the less optimistic appearance of the gift giving season in some regards. The opportunities for getting back to basics, giving simple toys as gifts, is one of those opportunities. Handmade gifts that may well become heirloom pieces is another. Create beautiful elements to go with existing toys. A patchwork quilt or handmade doll furniture are items that can be passed from generation to generation. Baby doll clothes or hand stitched outfits for Barbie may well inspire you to explore your inner fashion designer, while at the same time giving your little … Continue reading →

Last Minute Gift Ideas For Your Co-Workers—Good Eats

In a previous blog I listed some gift ideas you don’t want to bestow upon your office mates. Then I wrote a blog about some gift ideas that may be welcomed with open arms. I received a comment from a reader about one of my favorites—FOOD! The reader and I both agree that when it comes to last minute gift ideas edible treats are the way to go. After all, according to retail analysts, food is a hot commodity this holiday season. What’s more, everybody eats, so how can you go wrong? That said; if you are still hunting for … Continue reading →