Holiday Gift Guide 2017

Who is ready?  Here is what everyone has been waiting for.  My 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.  Lots of awesome gift ideas for all ages.  Please check out all of them before planning your shopping.  Shopping online can be easy too if you shop with good stores.

 

Women:

My best friend loves Precious Moments.  They have always been a favorite of hers.  When we were little she had a big collection of them in her house.  They were destroyed in the Northridge Earthquake.  Now she is moving away to Arizona and I thought these would be a perfect Christmas give for her.  I remember them since I was a little kid and it is neat how they have never changed.  They are just as beautiful as ever.  They are hand-painted and every one is unique in its own way.  The one on the left is called ‘When I count My Blessings, I Count Your Twice.’  The one on the right is called ‘Our Friendship Is the Perfect Blend.’

I love 7th Heaven Facial products (my kids steal them from me too).  They come in all sorts of masks, peels, scrubs and strips.  They would be great to tape on top of a gift or to put in a gift basket with a robe, slipper and some candles.  I love how they meet vegetarian standards and have natural, man made ingredients.

Hair products are great for someone with thinning hair.  Put them in a git basket with a bow on top and you have the perfect gift.  These products by Macadamia Professionals are great for all hair types.  Their line includes shampoo, conditioner, tousled texture finishing spray, foaming volumizer mousse and moisture hair masque for baby fine-to-fine hair.   Most of their products are for baby fine-to-fine hair.  Try them to see how they will transform straight and thin strands into bouncy, voluminous locks that you are going to love.   All of their products have no added sulfates, are gluten-free, color free and cruelty-free.

I love the kids of this Quilted Air Bath Pillow.  I’m not one for baths (always feel too tall for a bathtub) but I got this one for my BFF for Christmas.  I’m going to be adding some floating candles, shower gel and lotion with it.  It has 6 extra strength suction cups and is anti-mildew and quick drying too.

I love candles.  They are a great for all occasions.  Good gifts for someone you aren’t really close with.  I also love the lightening a candle leaves in a room for a relaxing evening.  These two from Untamed Supply came in Hay Ride and Chai & Spice.  The second one is a cute travel candle.  They are soy candles and have a very long burning life.  With Vellabox you can sign up for a monthly candle subscription box and get new candles every month.

 

If you wear makeup then check out EndureLash, a line of organic makeup removal cloths. These are great if you happen to get eyelash extensions, they wont pull or snag at the adhesive as you remove eye makeup. The cleansing cloths are also wonderful for natural lashes as they are safe around the delicate eye area.

 

Static Schmatic is a line of organic, plant-based mists that function as a useful and simple way to manage static electricity while leaving no residue. Static Schmatic has personalized sprays to meet anyone’s needs. This mist is perfect as a dryer sheet alternative or as an environmentally-friendly static eliminator on clothes, hair, pets, and more!

This box by Glossybox is a monthly subscription box with all sorts of beauty products.  YOu can sign up for one month, three months, six or 12 at a time.  Each box is different.  This one has:

C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, liquid eyeliner, a scented candle in sugar cookie scent, Big Tease Plumping mascara, So Rich cuticle oil for nails, Smokey treatment eye-shadow palette and bright red poutmud we lip balm (color is called Starlet).  I love that each box is different and it is a great way to try out different beauty products.

Indoor plants buy Silk Plants Direct.  Great for decorations indoor.  No mess, no watering, no worries of dead plants, no worries of allergies.

Relax and let your honey give you a massage with AIROSPA Pillow.  This awesome pillow gives you a hole to lay face down with a fan on your face and refreshing aromatherapy essential oils in six scents.  It is easy to inflate too.

 

 

Men:

Beer Bucket (awesome gift basket) from Gourmet Gift Baskets.  This is great for the ‘dad that has everything’ and the beer connoisseur.  It comes with six bottles of beer, cheese, crackers, popcorn and sausage all in a reusable bucket.  They have gift baskets (and buckets) for all occasions.

Get a flask from J.T. Spencer.  I got this super cute one with an American flag on it.  It is a 6oz stainless steel flask with waxed canvas and full grain leather wrap permanently fixed around the flask.  Fits perfectly into a pocket or a purse.  It comes in a drawstring bag too.

 

Men & Women:

Great gift ideas for spouses, parents, some of the ‘could be either gender’ gifts and more.

Degusta monthly subscription box.  This is an awesome box full of all sorts of food treats most foodies would love.  Jerky, chocolate,shortbread crackers, salsa, tea, etc.  Each box has between 9-14 items in each box. You can sign up for a distant relative or for someone that you know that is a foodie.  Great gift for so many.

 

I love this canvas picture of the states.  It is custom made with our last name on the top of it.  As we travel the states we can ‘check off’ the ones we have been to by putting special pushpins into them.  This is a great gift for the whole family, or to give to grandparents.  Instead of the states it can be ordered as a map of the world too.

Here is another great one.  I was able to get a framed canvas of all of the grandkids for my mom for Christmas.  It was easy to do, I just picked the size, uploaded the photo  and chose the type of canvass I wanted. Canvas Factory puts it all together and sends it to me in the mail.  They make collage frames too.

 

Floating Comfort Waterbase Pillow.  This is an amazing pillow! I’ve never seen anything like it.  It comes with a mini-funnel and the pillow is filled with water.  Great to make the softness/hardness to what you are comfortable with.  I fall asleep so fast on mine. I sink right in it.  It is comfortable and soft.  Size is 20×28, regular twin or queen pillow size. Right now on Amazon you can get one for $71 or two for $90.

 

This is an awesome grandparent gift.  The Video Conversion Suite by VIDBOX is a way to convert analog to digital.  Old family movies & photos from VHS to USB.  Good way to keep videos from being lost, losing their color or getting distorted over time.

In the kitchen & in the Garden:

This might seem crazy but this is a fantastic gift for an avid gardener.  Circle M Farms has organic 100% pure earthworm castings (really it is worm poop).  This is absolutely amazing to put in garden planters to help plants get the vitamins and nutrients and grow better.  This is totally the type of gift my dad would love.  Plus, it isn’t like it is likely they got it from someone else for Christmas, right?

 

Zoku has some fun kitchen gadgets.  A great way to get the kids to get off of multi-media, have fun and create some delicious desserts.  This Slush & Shake Maker is a great way to make a slushie or milkshake in about 7 minutes.  Kids can mix ingredients to make their own personal concoction. Zuku also has insulated stainless steel containers.  I like using them so I can fill up with water at home and not use plastic bottles.  It keeps drinks cold for 40 hours (great for California, where drinks get warm quick) and are BPA-free.

 

I love shopping where others benefit too.  World Vision helps people in developing countries with simple things that mean so much.  Chickens, goats, cows and other livestock that benefit the families and their children.  They are a non-profit that accept donations plus have items in their catalog that are made in India, Bali, Jordan, Syria and other places.  World Vision is a Christian Humanitarian Organization dedicated to helping children and families.  I love how beautiful and unique the items are they have to sell too.  I received these four things for a review: Upcycled Artisan Bowl, Reversible Place-mats, Tree of Life Candle Holder and Patricia Heaton Bracelet.

 

Board Games, Games & Toys:

These are mostly for children but some are family fun for all all ages.  I love educational games but some are just entertainment too.

 

Hot on the market are these new Project Mc2 dolls and toys.  It is a brand new series on Netflix too.  Each doll comes with an experiment the kids can do.  McKeyla come with DIY tattoos (temporary, of course).  Adrienne comes with a kit to make your own soap.  All of these are STEAM toys (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) and are get way for kids to have fun and learn.  There is even a Perfume Maker kit (no dolls included) that comes with all the ingredients and bottles, vials,etc to make two scents of perfume and purses that open up to be spy kids and secret labs.

PlayMobil Toys are great for preschool age.  These two are super cute NHL players and more for little hockey fans.  One is a NHL Shootout Carrying Case and the other is a NHL Locker Room Play Box.  I love how the kids can have their own little hockey games with the sticks and scorebook and goal net.

I love Winning Moves games.  They have all board games and card games for ages preschool to adult.  I got a few that I thought would be great gift ideas for my family.  The Rubik’s Cube isn’t a new toy but the ‘Build It Solve It’ is a build your own Rubik’s Cube kit.  Ages 8+ and everything is included in it.  They have some classics like This Game is Bonkers (game from 1978, if you want to feel dated by saying you remember playing it as a kid) and Monopoly Mega, a twist to the classic edition with a speed dice and new twists.   Card games are great for car trips & Christmas stocking stuffers.  I like to bring them when we are traveling to play with in the hotel room too.

Monopoly Mega- Comes with a Speed Dice and new twists and turns to the classic game.

 

Check out the Little Green Men for some military toys for ages 6+.  I love how the cases look like cars and each comes with its own battle pack and some mystery soldiers.  Kids can collect and play The Battle Game.

The Space Adventure card game by LUPO.  This is a fun, ridiculous, galactic space, planet pizza, zoomie adventure… and more. Ages 8+ and a LOT of people can play.  Box says 3-25 players (wow, eh?).  Each round takes about 45 minutes to play.

A new toy on the market is a huge hit.  This little Fingerlings Unicorn can do all sorts of things.  Pet its head, blow it a kiss, put it to sleep and more.  Available exclusively at Toys ‘R Us.  Gigi is a magical companion that comes to life in response to motion, sound and touch with 40+ movements and mystical unicorn noises.

Some people will tell you, “Absolutely not…never.” Other people will say, “Possibly so.” Then, icks.org buy sildenafil australia there are those who have personal experience with domestic abuse counseling and successful outcome in working with abusive relationships. If you want to acquire Sildenafil tablets you will have to get a prescription from your doctor in viagra in pop over to this store order to complete the purchase of Kamagra, so make sure that you have one ready when you are looking to purchase it from online pharmacies. To overcome these issues, healthcare experts suggest having proper and healthy eating habits which will help you be free from erectile sildenafil tablet dysfunction. How to take icks.org viagra soft tablet Unlike other medicines, levitras also require some attention from their users.
Build your own DIY LED Compass by Thimble.  Each kit comes with the hardware, wires and instructions to build a LED Compass or a different electronic.  You can subscribe to get a different box each month letting kids build a light switch, robot, LED cube and more. Great STEM learning and kids can go online and look at the how-to videos if they don’t know how to do something.  Once they are done building the compass they can program it.  Thimble support is available and forums are too if you get stuck or have a question.

 

Make your own Chewing Gum Kit using natural ingredients.  This is a fun learning experience you get to try when you are done.  This kit by Glee Gum is for ages 8+ and is easy to use.  You need a microwave and a mircorwave-safe container.  You can make two different flavors of gum and make about 50 pieces total using natural gum base, sugar, corn syrup and flavor packets. Glee Gum also has ready to chew gum in  six flavors and Gum Pops (lollipops with gum on the inside) in three flavors.

Craft City’s Slime Kit by Karina Garcia.  This is a fun DIY slime kit with instruction manual and all the ingredients to make 8 different slime creations.  Another great STEM project for kids.  Ages 12+.  Kids can make glitter slime, translucent slime and more. Available exclusively at Target stores.

 

Marbleocity Mini Coaster Maker Kit.  Kids can make their own marble machine and then use kinetic and potential energy to make the marbles run the course.  A Tinkineer creation and made in the USA.  This is a STEM kit for kids to learn about gears and different types of energy.  Kit includes instructions and all the pieces. All you need is some white glue.  You can shop for other Marbleocity kits to expand your collection.  Other kits available are a skate park, Da Vinci clock and dragon coaster.

 

Another building kit is Automoblox.  Great kits for car fans.  Mix and match kits. Build cards to race and have fun with.  This C9 Sportscar is an expansion building set with 19 mix & match components. The more kits you have, the more you can create different cars.  Swap the tires, brakes, middle block, connector, roof and more.

Hedbanz and Hatchy Matchy games are new on the market..  Both are for kids to play with others (friends or family).  Great for family game night.  I play Hatchinmals CollEGGtibles Hatchy Matchy game with a 6-year-old and we had fun.  A bit of rules to follow but once we figured out the rules it was easy.. or at least for her.  She creamed me at the game.  It is kinda like a mix of  a matching game (but with threes instead of twos) and also two lucky Hatchimals to find in the eggs. Both by Spin Master Games.

 

Two-in-one plus ore.  These are double stuffed animals plus can be used as pillows too.  Minnie Mouse flips and becomes Mickey Mouse. Thea Unicorn (looks like a hippo unicorn to me) becomes Daphne Dragon.  These Flip-A-Zoos are so cute.

This Flip Zee Girls changes from a baby girl to a big girl with a ponytail.   The monkey pillow flips inside out and becomes a lion. The smaller ones are great for stocking stuffers and the bigger ones for Christmas gifts.

 

 

Get some card games, especially if you are taking a road trip to visit family.  Bring for the hotel or to play with the family and extended family at the kitchen table.  I love games that are fun and for mixed- ages.  That way a family can play them together.  These two, by Griddly Games, are for ages 10+ and are for 2 or more players.  

Griddly Games also has fun strategy and STEM games.  Both ages 7+ for multiple players.  Rocket Lander has players using algebra, graphing coordinants, computer graphics and engineering to plot a mission.

Get kids headsets that have volume control limits by Kidz Gear.  Great for educational videos, kids that like to listen to music, watch YouTube videos, etc.  Making sure they don’t have to volume too loud, without nagging them or checking on them, isn’t a problem.

 

Fun games by Tactic board games.  Word Rush is a fast-paced word game for ages 8+ and 2-6 players.  Easy rules but challenging game.  Emojito Party Game is a fun emotion game for ages 7+ and 2-7 players.  Average game time is 20 minutes.  This is a ‘guess the emotion’ game based on a drawn card and how well a player can make their face contour into that emotion.  Hardest part of the game is when everyone is cracking up laughing too hard to play.

 

Teens:

It seems like teens always want the latest in technology, more school supplies (and my daughter always wants more clothing and makeup). Here are some great gift ideas for teens.

 

Get them a new backpack from Sydney Paige and they’ll give one to someone needed.  Their Buy One-Give One is a great way to help donate to children in American in poverty.  Plus their backpacks are cute.  Not only do they donate one for each one sold, but it is filled with school supplies before going to a needy child.  We got a gray and black one for my son.  They have all sorts, green orange plaid, purple with a dinosaur, etc.  Since it is about 1/2 way through the school year their backpack is probably worn and this is the perfect way to replace it, so you are helping someone else get one too.

Pinky Petals Makeup.  I have just learned about this company but they have an amazing variety of makeup and nail polish.  Glitter, iridescent polish, Unicorn lip gloss, face paint colors (great for Halloween and costume parties), and lipstick.

Star Wars fans will love Star Wars Rebels dvd.  The complete season three dvd with bonus features. The total movies running time is 485 minutes and it comes in BluRay.

Zebra Pens has all sorts of pens for budding artists.  Fountain pens for fancy writing.  Durable stainless steel, fineliner pens and more.  I love the vibrant colors and durability.  These will all be going to my daughter for Christmas since she loves drawing.  Products range in variety but all are high quality.

 

Pens, colored pencils, fine point colored pens and more.  I love this mix-match pile.  Perfect for a Christmas stocking. They are acid-free, fade proof, water resistant and archival quality.

 

If you are thinking of getting your kids an Nintendo Switch or an XBox One than you have to save money and shop for games online from UBISoft.  Plus this way the games will be at the house before Christmas.  I got a nice variety of games so that the whole family can play them and same when company comes over.

XBox Games: Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Just Dance 2018 andSouth Park The Fractured But Whole.

I also got some games for the Nintendo Switch. These are for my nephew, since my sister is buying him the system for Christmas.  The Switch is a system that can be played multi-player at home and on the go too.

Nintendo Switch Games: Mario Rabbids Kingdon Battle, Rayman legends: Definitive Edition, Monopoly (with 3D boards).

 

Hook up cell phones to listen to music anywhere.  Backyard, by the pool or with friends over. The Wonderboom UE offers 360 degrees sound, waterproof case and 100 foot range.  It can pair up with smart phones via BlueTooth.  The sound quality is amazing too.

Younger Kids Toys:

Little kids love pretend play.  My kids favorite thing when they were preschool-age was dress-up.  I love these boxes from Learning Resources.  Pretend & Play Fishing and Doctor Set.  The fishing set has something for little fishers everywhere. Includes: Tackle Box, Vest, Fishing Pole, 3 fish, 3 worms, Net, and an Activity Guide.  I love the little cell phone the doctor has too. Both have a cute carrying case for storage with a handle for carrying around.  Both can be played with a few kids at the same time.  Ages 3+.

Magnaflex is a new toy I’ve never played with.  They are bendable, colorful magnetic strips.  This kit includes a ‘beach set’ that makes a crab, octopus, palm tree, boat, basket and a beach ball.  Good for ages 2+.  Great for creative play and hands-eye coordination.

 

Stocking Stuffers:

I love these socks by Sock Problems.  They have all sorts of socks (different designs for different causes) and 25%of each purchase goes to ‘#SockHate.’  Great way to spread the word on creating equality, justice and protection for our earth. On top of that, the socks are super cute.  These ones, Love is Color Blind, are the ones I picked out from Sock Problems.

 

Giant Microbes are these crazy-adorable-educational stuffed toy.  They are viruses, bacteria, body organs, medicine, cells, etc.  each are cute with eyes and a little bit of a personality.  They some in regular size and mini-sized ones.  Right now they even have some Christmas shaped boxes just for the holiday season.  You can find anything from a heart to a booger and so much in between.  Great for nurses, scientists and kids interested in biology plus so much more.

 

 

My daughter has been asking for one of these for a while.  This can be used to track sleep, exercise and other activities.  This Tracker by Vivitar runs $50 on Amazon.  It connects to cell phones via BlueTooth.  It can track daily, weekly, monthly and annual data via the mobile app.

 

Awesome lip products by Chapstick.  Seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Pie, Candy Cane, Holiday Cinnamon and more.  Plus Total Hydration 3-in-1 lip care and lip tint.  Great for dry lips when winter air dries skin and lips.

 

Pets:

We have stockings for our pets too.  Silly but the kids like doing it.  with four cats we need supplies a lot. Especially food and cat litter but treats too.  I love being able to order from Chewy.com and get things delivered to my front door.  Recently I received Temptations ‘holiday dinner’ treats.  Turkey and sweet potato flavor.  I also got a favorite of our cats, Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels by Stella & Chewy’s.  It is freeze-dried food just for cats.  Just add water and serve.