A Children's Gift Guide So You Don't Just Have To Randomly Pick Something Off The Shelf At The Store

rain boots // playhouse // cash register // sleep suit

coffee maker // paper roll // book // bean bag // 

fidget cube // nightlight // dartboard // cleaning kit

I have learned over the years, I like things for my kids that are either useful or toys that can spur on imaginative play. Here is a list of things we either have and love or are wishing for. It covers a wide range of gift ideas for kids all the way up to age 10. These presents are all over the price spectrum, many of them very budget friendly. 

Books are always a good idea. Perhaps The Watermelon Seed board book or Little Dinos Don't Bite for the little one in your life. 

How To Train A Train or Diary of A Fly for the slightly older one. 

And Nancy Clancy, Captain Underpants or Diary of A Wimpy Kid for the older reader. 

In fact, Captain Underpants the movie will make the whole family laugh. 

So will classics like Home Alone and Ernest Goes to Camp. 

Wood toys are timeless.

This wood coffee maker is cool. 

What kid doesn't want to make their own candy?

This diy charm bracelet kit was a favorite of Isla's. 

This cash register is a huge hit in our home. 

Melissa & Doug dress up outfits are awesome too. 

This cleaning set is played with by my kids and their friends all the time. 

This astronaut helmet is a favorite in our home. 

What baby wouldn't look cute in this beanie?

And what mom wouldn't be happy if her kid was gifted a pair of hunter rain boots?

Playhouses, especially ones that easily come apart for storage, are always a good idea. 

As are outdoor ones.

How about a fun sleep suit for the little girl in your life?

Or a cool umbrella?

How about a magnetic dartboard for the older kid in your life?

And let us not forget fidget cubes. Those are all the rage right now.

Or even something for their room, like a cool nightlight.

Or perhaps a safe for their prized posessions. 

Or even a comfy bean bag chair. 

Craft items are always a win. This paper roll is cheap and cool. 

And these dot paints are fun. 

If you are going for something unique, a venus fly trap is sure to intrigue them.

And if all else fails, games are always a winner and the classics are still a big hit - monopoly, battleship and scrabble junior. 

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A christmas gift guide with more than just candles and scented lotions

house plant // pour over coffee // shirt

calendar // chocolate // scratch map

shirt // calendar // bread gift cards

I tend to not like buying gifts unless I think they are cool. I literally find it pointless to give a gift unless it is something someone would truly enjoy. Giving something just to give something isn't my style. But sometimes it is hard to come up with the perfect gift that just screams that person's name. The next best thing? Something unique or practical. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

A Stendig calendar for the hipster in your life. 

Or a modern picture calendar for the grandparent in your life. 

This shirt for the Office fan in your life. 

Or this shirt for the adventurer in your life. 

A cool pour over for the coffee snob in your life. 

Or just a bag of coffee from your local coffee roaster for the person that likes to support small and local. 

A scratch map for the world traveler in your life.
Or a national parks poster. It's a fun piece for anyone's wall.

An inspirational book for anyone in your life that needs to take a moment to breathe.
Or an easy to make photo book for just about anyone, though I think moms and grandparents love them the most. 

Handmade body frosting for the woman in your life...I know I said no scented lotions, but this stuff is amazing. 

All natural face wash for the crunchy lady in your life. 

A house plant for the introvert in your life...because we totally dig house plants over people. #itsthetruth

Or a fake house plant for the person that can't keep the real ones alive. 

A bead subscription to your favorite local bread maker for the foodie in your life. 

Or perhaps just a few bars of chocolate, because who doesn't like chocolate?!

And for those that do like their house smelling good, this room spray is just so good. 

So, do you have any gift ideas you would like to share? I am always looking for something new and unique to give and would love to hear. 

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Father's Day Gift Guide

With father's day quickly approaching, I thought I would share some of the ideas I have rounded up for father's day. So, uh, Ian, go ahead and not read this post. Thankyouverymuch.

Now I should say, I am partial to father's and mother's day gifts actually reflecting the children giving them. Maybe that means that I am a sap and want to be given something that reminds me of my children on mother's day. Either way, Ian chose to marry me and procreate with me, so my ideas for father's day are what he ends up with. And while I am picking out and paying for the presents, those ideas will include our children...and probably be a little sappy. Now I am not saying I won't get him anything else, but part of the gift must reflect/represent our children. I digress.

A few sappy fun, kid friendly father's day gift ideas:

1. Printable questionnaire about dad // 2. Printable hand tree // 3. "My dad rocks" painted rock // 4. Photo mug // 5. Cute father's day photo

And because I totally know Ian read this anyway, I may or may not be doing one of these ideas, but won't be sharing until later...just in case. Heck, one of the ideas is what I did last year! And if you have any cute kid father's day ideas, do share. I always wait until the last minute to do anything anyway!