To be honest, I stole this idea from my Mom. Thanks, Mom!
I love giving tool kits for wedding shower gifts, especially if she is a young bride and isn't likely to have many tools yet.
Stereotypically, men get upset when someone else uses their tools. Well, if the bride wants to hang a picture or install something, she now has the right tools to do so, without waiting until her husband comes home or for his help.
Brides say they love and use them.
Jen
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Kid's Kitchen Supplies
I got this idea from organize.com and changed it a little.
If you are shopping for a little one who loves to help in the kitchen, think about getting an apron with some "tools" and a cookbook. You can get a whisk, spatula and a wooden spoon. Pick a kid's cookbook that includes easy-to-make recipes.
The one on Organize.com includes a sand timer, mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons etc.
Jen
If you are shopping for a little one who loves to help in the kitchen, think about getting an apron with some "tools" and a cookbook. You can get a whisk, spatula and a wooden spoon. Pick a kid's cookbook that includes easy-to-make recipes.
The one on Organize.com includes a sand timer, mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons etc.
Jen
Photo Books
I love making scrapbooks but they take a lot of time, supplies and patience. That's why I'm now in love with photo books from Shutterfly.com.
I made one for myself after my wedding. I had about 500 digital pictures and I needed a way to sort, organize and display my favorites. So, I turned to a website that could do that for me easily. My first book took a long time as I figured out how it worked, picked out pictures, arranged them and added captions.
When all was said and done, I loved my new book. My mom and mother-in-law also loved my book so I made one for each. Each book became easier and easier as I mastered the tools and tricks of creating them.
Both moms loved their book. My mom showed off hers to our family during her cross-country trek with my dad.
Shutterfly has new "embellishments" or "stickers" that are captions and decals. They are have huge variety of them that come in different lettering, colors and designs.
Be creative!
Jen
I made one for myself after my wedding. I had about 500 digital pictures and I needed a way to sort, organize and display my favorites. So, I turned to a website that could do that for me easily. My first book took a long time as I figured out how it worked, picked out pictures, arranged them and added captions.
When all was said and done, I loved my new book. My mom and mother-in-law also loved my book so I made one for each. Each book became easier and easier as I mastered the tools and tricks of creating them.
Both moms loved their book. My mom showed off hers to our family during her cross-country trek with my dad.
Shutterfly has new "embellishments" or "stickers" that are captions and decals. They are have huge variety of them that come in different lettering, colors and designs.
Be creative!
Jen
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Boon Frog Pod
A fun, cute gift to give at a baby shower is a Boon Frog Pod. It scoops up all of the toys, the water drains out and it suctions to the wall. Of course, it is shaped like a big, adorable frog.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Experiences
My husband and I try to give experiences for birthdays - not just traditional gifts. However, we don't usually just get a gift certificate we actually do the experiences on the day. For example, one year, he took me to the M's game and made an appointment for me to get a massage - he didn't just get me a massage gift certificate.
I took him on the Rides the Duck tour in Seattle and took him hiking. Both things he loved.
Take a tour in your city, go to a sporting event, take a day trip to somewhere you've never been or somewhere you have been a million times and do something new. Do some research into the "experience" to make it more fun and meaningful. Maybe there is a great Italian place and they love Italian food.
Enjoy the experience - these are usually better than traditional gifts!
Jen
I took him on the Rides the Duck tour in Seattle and took him hiking. Both things he loved.
Take a tour in your city, go to a sporting event, take a day trip to somewhere you've never been or somewhere you have been a million times and do something new. Do some research into the "experience" to make it more fun and meaningful. Maybe there is a great Italian place and they love Italian food.
Enjoy the experience - these are usually better than traditional gifts!
Jen
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Fun is in the Wrapping!
My in-laws are very sneaky wrappers. Just when you think you have unwrapped your present and found a box of photo coasters, you still need to look farther. My sister-in-law forgot and almost missed out on some cash and postage stamps that were wrapped around the coasters.
It can be a lot of fun just opening the present. I found a present from my husband in my work bag. I had to unwrap about 5 layers of wrapping just to get to the M&Ms inside a jar. Sometimes you have to hunt through a box of tissue paper and bags to find a special treasure inside.
My two favorites are ones from my husband. He put my wedding band inside a tiny bag and slipped it into a bag of M&Ms. Then taped the bag up. When I opened the bag to enjoy, out popped the ring!
The other favorite is when we bought real casino chips for his mom. He stacked them, put two fake poker chips on each end of the stack and wrapped them tightly in saran wrap. It looked like a new roll of store-bought poker chips. She was completely fooled.
Sometimes, the present doesn't have to be "the best ever," put some thought into how it is wrapped and the mediocre present can be the one they talk about most.
Be creative!
Jen
It can be a lot of fun just opening the present. I found a present from my husband in my work bag. I had to unwrap about 5 layers of wrapping just to get to the M&Ms inside a jar. Sometimes you have to hunt through a box of tissue paper and bags to find a special treasure inside.
My two favorites are ones from my husband. He put my wedding band inside a tiny bag and slipped it into a bag of M&Ms. Then taped the bag up. When I opened the bag to enjoy, out popped the ring!
The other favorite is when we bought real casino chips for his mom. He stacked them, put two fake poker chips on each end of the stack and wrapped them tightly in saran wrap. It looked like a new roll of store-bought poker chips. She was completely fooled.
Sometimes, the present doesn't have to be "the best ever," put some thought into how it is wrapped and the mediocre present can be the one they talk about most.
Be creative!
Jen
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sentimental But Not Emotional Gifts
Getting sentimental but not emotional gifts that will make people cry are difficult. What I mean is something that is important to you, and another person will like, but won't necessarily make them cry.
For example, one of my favorite things about going to my Grandma's was the cookie jar was always full. Now that mom is a Grandma and my nephew is old enough to enjoy cookies, I figured she needed one. My mom also LOVES Santas, so I got her a Santa cookie jar and, of course, some cookies.
I see this as a sentimental gift, something that is important to me, but she didn't get overly emotional. She loved the gift and so does my nephew!
Jen
For example, one of my favorite things about going to my Grandma's was the cookie jar was always full. Now that mom is a Grandma and my nephew is old enough to enjoy cookies, I figured she needed one. My mom also LOVES Santas, so I got her a Santa cookie jar and, of course, some cookies.
I see this as a sentimental gift, something that is important to me, but she didn't get overly emotional. She loved the gift and so does my nephew!
Jen
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