Adorable Gift Ideas for Baby Showers & First Birthday Celebrations

New babies are reasons to celebrate, as are first birthdays. These times allow you to show your support to new parents, while helping to shower their little one with love and gifts. However, the prospect of shopping for a baby leaves some people at a loss. Luckily, the following list has you covered with 4 adorable gift ideas that would be big hits at a baby shower or first birthday celebration.

• Customized Keepsakes for Later in Life
  From personalized piggy banks with a few dollars to add to, or beautiful silver frames for a picture of the new little family, or even a first teddy bear, there are hundreds of customizable keepsakes that make awesome baby shower or birthday gifts. Be sweet, kind, and sincere in your choice of keepsake. Because these are items that could last throughout a baby’s childhood, and even well into adulthood. They are sentimental for a reason.
• DIY Blankets & Snuggly, Plush Animals
  If you are the crafty kind, invest in some fabrics and stuffing to make your own baby-friendly, kid-safe stuffed animals. Or, opt for a woven blanket, with tight loops to keep a kiddo warm, secure, and protected through the night. You can go with the traditional colors: pink for girl or blue for boy. Or, make your own blend with colors that the parents love, like a beautiful green and red blanket.
• Books, Books, & More Books (this is my favorite!)
  No kiddo can have enough, or too many, books. And it's never too early to instill a love for reading with books galore. Pick your childhood favorites, like Little Golden Books, and bestow them on the parents-to-be. You can bet mom and dad will read these stories often. They are sure to become before-bedtime classics in their household.
• The Necessities—And Then Some
  If you would rather go the practical route, diapers, bottles, or even gift cards to baby stores, are always winning presents. They aren’t quite as personal, but their association with the baby-to-be makes them adorable. To make these necessities a little more…memorable, consider adding on a customized gift for a combo of fun and sentimental with functional and must-have.

The above-mentioned gift ideas are things that any parent-to-be will love for their baby. Whether you are going to a baby shower, or a first birthday celebration, use them aforementioned ideas as a guide to picking the perfect presents.

Holiday Shopping with Less Stress

I used to work retail, so maybe that's why I don't really like shopping.  Any time.  At this time of year I especially want to avoid stores at any cost and only go out if I absolutely need something.  You know I like to save money, but are any of those holiday sales actually worth braving the crowds?

For those of you with mile-long gift lists, the question is - Is it possible to still get something for everyone on your list, without actually having to brave the insanity of holiday shopping?  Nowadays the answer is a great big YES!   Here are some ways to get all of your holiday shopping done with as little stress as possible:
 

• Shop online.  I know this is probably the most obvious one, but oh, what did we do before we had the Internet?  Not only can you shop at the obvious online retailers like Amazon and Rakuten (formerly Buy.com), you can also order online from most of your favorite stores.  While you're shopping, be sure to check for extra savings, like extra savings with an online coupon code and cash back on your purchase, and you can get an even better deal than you would have if you'd gone to the store.  Most retailers will ship your order for free, whether to you or to your recipient, if your order is over a certain dollar amount, or you can order online and pick it up in the store.  A lot of stores have special parking for customers who order online, and all you'll have to do is run in and get your order.  An advantage to ordering from a physical store is that, should your recipient need to return or exchange the gift, they can do it right at their local store.  No messing with shipping it back and waiting.
• Make something.  In my case I'd probably bake something.  My daughter Beth loves to crochet, and people love getting a handmade blanket, hat, or scarf.  The key is to use your talents and skills to give someone something they can't, or won't, actually make themselves.  If you're looking for inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to look, and if your gift recipient is also on Pinterest, check to see what he or she is pinning to get an idea of what they might like or want.  I personally pin lots of things I like but would never be able to make myself, and I have a friend who has made me several of them!  There are also sites like Etsy where you can buy handmade items online.  If you don't have the skills or time to make something yourself, you can still give a unique gift, and support the real people who make the things they sell.
• Buy gift cards.  This may sound a bit impersonal, but as long as you know what restaurant your gift recipient likes to eat in or what store he shops at, you have a gift that is guaranteed to please, and you won't have to brave the crowded retail stores.  Right now many places are offering some special bonuses when you buy gift cards, so not only will you get a gift to give, you'll also get a little something for yourself.  Olive Garden and Steak & Shake are two restaurants that are giving an extra $5 or $10 to you when you buy a certain dollar amount in gift cards.  Our local grocery store sells many different gift cards, and they're giving 4x the fuel points on gift card purchases now, making it really easy to save extra money on gas when purchasing gifts.  There aren't a lot of people buying holiday gifts at the grocery store, so it's pretty safe.

Those are just a few ideas for surviving the holiday shopping season.  I'm sure you have some of your own, so feel free to share.  You might have just the suggestion someone is looking for.  Of course, if you love shopping and the crush of crowds, feel free to disregard all of this and Carry On!

Express Your Feelings With A Gift Of Willow Tree Collectibles

I was recently asked to share this article about Willow Tree Collectibles.  I had never heard of them, but after reading the information, I was eager to check them out.  Then, this evening Jeffrey and I attended an awards gala for Community Shining Star Award Finalists here in town. One of the finalists was sitting at our table, and she was given one of these figurines, appropriately called Shine.

It always amazes me how I can be completely unaware of something, and then when I find out about it - in this case these figurines - I'm suddenly seeing them everywhere.  Well, not everywhere, but what are the odds that I would just learn about them last week and then see someone receive one as a gift this week?

If, like me, you would like to learn more about Willow Tree Collectibles, read on:

If you're searching for a special gift that will really express your feelings, Willow Tree figures from the Demdaco Willow Tree collection could be the perfect choice.

Willow Tree figurines are unique collectibles that portray all of life's most touching moments, from the blissful arrival of a new baby to the happy excitement of holidays, birthdays, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries. They're a beautiful way to mark and remember special days in the lives of people you love.

But the Willow Tree collection goes beyond events and actually celebrates the deeply personal joy of relationships as well. The caring that holds families and friends together comes to life in these collectibles. They're the ideal way to tell someone "I love you" or let them know what they mean to you and how much you appreciate their presence in your life.

The Willow Tree collection is the creation of artist Susan Lordi, who uses her own friends and family for models as she painstakingly sculpts the original for each and every figurine. One of the things that makes this collection so unique is that while the figures are realistic and beautifully detailed, they're carefully crafted to be anonymous. Lordi says this makes it possible for everyone to see themselves and their loved ones in her art, so every figurine is truly personalized by the feelings of the giver and the receiver.

The figures have a lovely natural grace that makes them feel alive, and the way each figure is posed really expresses feelings in a way that's beyond words. The emotion behind each figure, whether it's love, joy, tenderness, or just the close connection you feel with someone special, comes through clearly.

Lordi's original sculptures are used as a pattern for the collectible figurines, which are cast in resin and hand-painted in warm, soft colors. The figures are delicate but durable, and are small enough to fit on a shelf, desk or table where they can be a constant reminder of that special day or relationship. The collection is affordably priced, so each figure is a luxury gift that's within anyone's budget.

The Willow Tree collection is available online at sites like Coppin's Gifts or at select retail stores.

Kind of neat, huh?

What to Buy for Your Boss

Buying a gift for your boss, whether it’s for a holiday or for reaching a milestone at work, can be a difficult task.  While there are tons of different gifts out there, you need to choose based on the occasion, and the relationship you have with your boss.

Here are some tips and suggestions to help you pick out the perfect gift for your boss the next time you need one:

• Pen Sets
  You work with your boss, so getting him or her a work related gift just makes sense, doesn’t it? One of the best work related gifts that you can get anywhere is a pen set or a fine pen.  While your boss may already have a nice pen or two, that doesn’t mean that he couldn’t use one more. Best of all, your boss will think of you every single time he uses that pen, and that could be a subconscious boon for your career. Don’t underestimate the power of a great gift for your boss when it comes to your work life!
• Flowers
  When you buy flowers for your boss the best type are wildflowers or ones that look good in an office setting. Avoid romantic bouquets like roses and go for native flowers that offer a bright pop of color to an office. Examples include sunflowers, lilies or even small plants in pots.
• Alcohol
  Not everybody drinks, so you'll want to first be sure that your boss does.  If he enjoys a good bottle of wine or scotch, that makes for a wonderful gift.
• Cookie Baskets
  Everybody loves cookies, and cookie gift baskets are both personal enough to mean something and impersonal enough that you could give one to pretty much anybody. If you know your boss has a favorite cookie you should obviously pick that type of the gift basket.  If you don’t know his favorite cookie, you can get a mixed cookie gift basket that anybody will love. Even if your boss isn't the world’s biggest cookie fan he'll  enjoy taking them home and sharing with family, or may even choose to share with the entire office. 

Do you have any other gift ideas?  Feel free to share them in the comments.

Gift Ideas for Men

When it comes to shopping for gifts, I either know exactly what to buy for someone, or I'm at a complete loss.  Some people are just easy to buy for; I'll see something in the store or online, and it has their name written in capital letters all over it.  For others, gift giving takes a little more thought and planning.

Thankfully, most of my gift-giving involves that kind of see it, grab it, give it process.  If I had to make a list of everyone I should buy a gift for and find something for all of them - all for the same occasion - I'd be in huge trouble.  I do not envy those of you who are just beginning to think about Christmas shopping.  Better you than me!  I hear it is never too early to start planning, though I'd probably leave it to the last minute because once I buy a gift, I need to give it to that person NOW.  How do you stand waiting?

If you are starting to think about gifts for the men in your life, the following list of gift ideas may be handy.  Wait, or don't; it's up to you.

Monthly Gifts
Subscription boxes have become extremely popular in the last few years. Your recipient will receive one box a month filled with goodies.  There are many different subscription options with boxes available for gamers, golfers, cat lovers, bakers, and pretty much anyone else you can think of.  Subscriptions really are the gift that keeps on giving.  They may not be the cheapest gifts available, but your gift recipient will remember you every month when that box comes in the mail!

Practical Gifts
I tend to think that practical gifts make some of the best gifts. Think about something that your gift recipient does, or likes to do, on a regular basis, and give him something to help him with that.  If your guy likes to cook, perhaps get him that new kitchen gadget you've seen advertised, something he might enjoy but not actually buy for himself. If he likes to keep his facial hair to a minimum, consider some high quality shaving supplies nicely arranged in a basket.  The key is to tailor the gift specifically to your recipient and think of something he will actually use, instead of just putting it away somewhere (after saying "Thank You" of course) never to see the light of day.

Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts are the most personal of all gifts.  Anyone can go out and buy something at the store, but it takes immense time, dedication and consideration to handcraft a gift.   Homemade gifts can also be a great way to stick to a tight budget.  Think about where your talents lie and give something that uses those talents.  If you're a baker, bake some cookies or banana bread or something you know he really likes.  If you can crochet or knit, a scarf or hat might be really appreciated.  Making something yourself is a great way to show someone you care about him without spending a ton of money.

Do you have any other great gift ideas?

The Perfect Gift

What exactly is the perfect gift?  According to the commercials it has to be a Chia Pet.  Or the Ove Glove.  Or maybe it's the Clapper or the Pogo Whisk.  Seriously?  Are those really the perfect gifts for anybody?  My husband says that they're still selling them, so somebody must be buying them.

I'm guessing most people would rather get something like an iPad Air, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or a nice Samsung Galaxy S4.  U.S. Cellular customers can even get some of those phones for 5000 Belief points through the end of December, so now is definitely the time to think about getting a new phone if you or someone in your family is eligible for an upgrade.  Belief points can be used to accelerate that upgrade, too.

There are also plenty of accessories like phone cases, headphones, car chargers, Bluetooth speakers and headsets, etc. that would most likely be appreciated more than that Hello Kitty Chia Pet.  I'm thinking of getting some of those Bluetooth speakers myself.  Accessory  prices start under $25.

A tablet or smartphone has to be more useful for creating Better Moments and for keeping families in touch.  Sometimes it's as simple as using Instagram or Facebook to upload pictures of the food and desserts we'll share when we get together.  That's one I'm quite guilty of!  Then, of course, I have people asking for the recipes and wishing they could be joining us.  Speaking of recipes, Pinterest is a great app to have for storing all those amazing recipes from all over the web!  You can never have too many recipes, now can you?  That Chia herb garden might come in handy for recipes, but I'm still thinking smartphone.

What I like about having a mobile device like my smartphone, is that it's so easy to capture and share even the little things - pictures with Instagram, videos with Vine...  OK, so I haven't actually shared any videos with Vine, or Instagram, mostly because I usually forget that I have video on my phone.  Just being able to share the pictures (and video when I remember) is a good way to keep in touch with friends and family, even if we don't get to see each other all that often.

So, be honest - have you ever bought somebody one of those 'perfect gifts' from the commercials?  Or received one of them?  Is there some other crazy 'perfect gift' idea I haven't mentioned here?   Am I crazy to think anyone would rather get a smartphone full of useful apps and/or some accessories than The Clapper or one of the many Chia Pets?

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my participation in the U.S. Cellular Better Moments Blogger Brigade as well as receiving a new phone.  My experiences with and opinions of U.S. Cellular are 100% mine.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my participation in the U.S. Cellular Better Moments Blogger Brigade as well as receiving a new phone.  My experiences with and opinions of

A Prime Gift Idea

Give the gift of Prime

It's that time of year - the time when everybody is scrambling to find that perfect gift for everyone on their list.  I'll be honest with you.  I am extremely thankful that I don't have to get all caught up in that!  Shopping is just not my thing, and to have someone tell me that I must buy something for everyone, and I must have it all done by a certain time would just make me crazy.  I'd probably curl up in a corner with no idea how to even get started, let alone get it all done.

That being said, here's a gift idea even I could get behind - a gift of Amazon Prime.  First of all, this is a gift you can buy, and send (Amazon will send your gift recipient an email on the day you choose, along with redemption instructions) without ever leaving the comfort of your own home or having to fight the crowds.  Second, it's a gift that would definitely be useful.

Prime includes:

• FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items
• No minimum order size
• Unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Instant Video
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library

The gift of Prime is $79 for a one-year membership. If your recipient is already a Prime member, the gift can be exchanged for an Amazon.com Gift Card.  Either way, something everyone can appreciate.

Baby Gifts for the Sports Fan

I've noticed that people like to dress their kids and babies up in cute little outfits that support their favorite sports teams.  The babies have no choice - they're born fans!  In our family that always meant University of Illinois Fighting Illini clothes.  (Basketball; not football)  You should see how many Illini outfits Jason has!

Here in Wisconsin, most babies wear Green Bay Packers outfits, and in Texas I bet they all wear Dallas Cowboys Baby Clothes. You have to admit, they're really cute.  Onesies, sleepers, sweatsuits, all kinds of adorable fan clothes are available as well as things like hats, bottles, bibs, and even a storage unit for baby's room.  And, of course, those cheerleader sets for little girls.  Nothing is cuter than that!  Nothing.  I don't care what team it is.

They'd make great gifts for all the sports fans in your life and their new little fans.  According to this site, baby fans - "Once a fan, always a fan." - so you know they want to get them started off right!  The site has baby and toddler clothing for the littlest fans of not only professional football, baseball and basketball teams, but college teams, too.  They'll even wrap your gift in team-colored tissue!

If you're shopping for the holidays, be sure to order by December 18th for guaranteed delivery.

Flowers for that Special Occasion

Flowers and special occasions just seem to go together.  Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations - somebody is bound to send flowers.  I'm probably one of the few people that doesn't really appreciate flowers. I'm not saying I haven't gotten and appreciated flowers once or twice in my life and probably even sent some.  I mean, I like them, it just seems like they cost so much and you only get to enjoy them for such a short time.  Maybe that's what makes them so special?

I think it's really important to get your flowers from a local florist, in order to get the freshest flowers that will last as long as possible - as well as supporting local business.  You'll also save the extra delivery/processing fee your florist will charge for delivery outside the local area - which is probably just them contacting the florist in the delivery area and arranging delivery through them.  We've got a local florist here in town we've used a few times, for things like prom flowers.  If we wanted to send flowers to someone here locally, we'd go through the local florist.

Of course, for sending flowers to someone who lives in another town, the Internet makes it easy to find a local florist in their area.  For instance, if you want to send birthday flowers to someone in the Roanoke, Salem or Vinton, VA area, you'd visit the website for George's Flowers and either order online, use their smart phone app, or call to get the perfect gift delivered.  They really do have some gorgeous flower arrangements, and they use the latest methods for long-lasting freshness. George's Flowers has been the Roanoke Valley's premier florist since 1981, and they pride themselves on excellent floral design and outstanding customer service.  Besides flowers, they also have balloons, candy, and special banners. 

I did send balloons and candy once - for Jeffrey's 30th birthday!  Oh wow, that was a day or two ago... back when 30 seemed old, or at least when I could give him a hard time about turning 30. 

Send a Greeting and a Gift with Western Union

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Western Union for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This post is being paid for by my sponsor Western Union.
 
Western Union has made it really easy for anyone to send greeting cards and monetary gifts.  Simply visit WUGift.com and choose greeting cards suitable for a variety of occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, congratulations, holidays, thank-you’s and more.  Add a personal greeting to be printed inside the card and load any amount from $5 to $100 onto a Mastercard debit card.  Western Union will even mail it First Class for free.  If you need to get it there faster, you can choose Fed Ex shipping, though that is not free.   After you've completed your purchase you'll also have the option to call 1-866-953-6490 and record a FREE personal voice message which your recipient will hear when they activate their MasterCard.
 
For your recipient, the gift card is really easy to activate - either by visiting WUGift.com or by calling the toll-free number 1-866-953-6489.  I am not sure if they will hear your recorded greeting when activating through the web page, but hopefully Western Union has thought of that, too.  I think the personal recorded greeting is a really nice extra touch.  Your recipient will be able to use the card anywhere debit Mastercard is accepted - in stores and online - and it's really easy to track the balance by going online to WUGift.com or by calling the toll-free number.  The card is fee-friendly - absolutely NO fees unless the card is not used for 12 consecutive months, and that's probably not going to happen.  After all, money is one gift that everyone appreciates!

If you're looking for an easy way to let someone know you're thinking of them or just don't know what to buy for that special occasion, a Western Union gift card may be just the thing.
There's usually a $5 fee for sending a  Western Union gift card, but through 9/1/12 you'll save 25% by entering promo code WUGIFTPROMO8 when you check out:

Receive 25% off the $5 gift card fee when purchasing a gift card at wugift.com. Limit one (1) coupon per transaction. No cash redemption value. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Void where prohibited. Offer expires 9/1/2012.

gift card disclaimer:

• The Western Union® gift card is issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. MetaBank; Member FDIC. A $2.50 per month servicing fee applies after 12 consecutive months of non-use
• Gift Card only for sale and shipment to the 48 contiguous states excluding AZ, PO Boxes, U.S. military bases and correctional facilities

Daily Chances to Win a $10 Subway Gift Card

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 

I don't know about you, but I love Subway.  It's a great place to get something to eat - without the fried foods and grease - and I love all the veggies I can get on my sandwich.  What would be even better?  Winning $10 to spend at Subway - meaning FREE food!
 
Through 12/31, 'Gilbert the Gift Card Machine' will be giving away $10 Subway gift cards daily to Facebook fans.  $10,000 worth of gift cards will be given away in the month of December.  All you have to do is like the gift card giveaway on facebook to get started.  Click the button and fill in your info.  You only have to enter once to be eligible for every drawing in December.  Invite your friends for even more entries!  You get an extra chance to win for every 'like' you influence.  There are also gift cards being given away for tons of other cool places, so be sure to check the page often for more information on those.
 
All this is building up to Gift Card Weekend, a once-a-year event where participating retail partners give featured offers for gift cards purchased during the Holiday season and redeemed from January 6 - January 8, 2012.
 
Here's a list of participating retailers:

• JCPenny
• Regal Cinema
• Subway
• Sephora
• Applebee's
• Bass Pro Shops
• Adidas
• Buca di Beppo
• Lowe's
• Spa Finder
• Marriot
• Giant Eagle

So if you received gift cards to any of these retailers, be sure to use them during Gift Card Weekend (January 6 - January 8, 2012) for even more savings.  Simply click on the retailer name for the gift card you received on the Partners page, and then click "View Offers" to see how your gift card can be even more valuable on Gift Card Weekend!
 

Something for My Mom

I suppose, since I'm visiting my parents you're wondering if I brought any gift baskets for mom. Nope, I didn't.  I guess I'm not a very good daughter, huh?

We did bring some wine and snacks to share.  And I brought a sweatshirt I was planning to get rid of.  I started to donate it to Goodwill like I do most of the things I don't want anymore - and I need to get rid of plenty more things!  But then I looked at the sweatshirt and realized it said Kentucky and had a picture of a horse on it, so I packed it up and brought it for my niece - because she loves horse, and she lives in Kentucky.  I guess she must like it because she's been wearing it today.

My mom said maybe it would have fit her...

I guess it would have, but I didn't give her a sweatshirt either.  I guess I'll have to think of something she'll enjoy and send it to her later - or maybe I'll use that as incentive to get her to visit this next summer since we don't have any graduations or new babies being born this year.  At least, not that I know of.

Who's Your Favorite Sesame Street Character?

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeI haven't actually watched Sesame Street in ages.  After all, my kids are all grown up.  I still love the Muppets, though.  Jeffrey and I stopped at a gift shop about a week ago.  They had a little bit of everything - it was a huge gift shop.  We didn't buy anything, because it was a gift shop, and that always seems to mean outrageous prices.  But I did have to look, and they had some really cute little stuffed Sesame Street characters.

Most people like Elmo or Cookie Monster.  Me, I've always loved Oscar.  Yeah, I know he's a grouch, but I just relate to him somehow.  It's probably the way he has a hard time getting along with others or just would sometimes like to be left alone.  I understand that completely - interacting with people is sometimes more than I can take, and I just need to be left alone for a bit.  Maybe I'm a grouch, too!?  Not really, just introverted enough that it takes effort for me to interact with people sometimes.  Depends on the people, though.  There are some people I just click with.  I guess that's true for everyone...

I think my little grandson is going to be a really outgoing little guy, at least he is now.  Takes after his Uncle Cory, I guess.  It probably won't make much sense to buy him a personalized oscar the grouch. I'll probably have to get him an Elmo - and get Oscar for myself - just not at the gift shop.  Does anybody really ever outgrow stuffed animals and Sesame Street?

Who's your favorite Sesame Street character?

The Price Does Not Make the Gift

Speaking of Mother's Day, several of my friends on facebook mentioned getting chocolate covered strawberries.  I wouldn't have turned those down.  They sound yummy.  I probably would have worried that they cost too much, though.  I'm cheap like that.

I'm absolutely positive that those strawberries taste better if the giver uses a shari's berries coupon instead of paying full price.  Spending more money does not make a gift better.  Understanding the person you are giving the gift to and giving something she'd really appreciate - even if it doesn't cost anything - is what matters.

Related articles

• 5 Homemade Mother's Day Gifts Ideas Mom will Love (savings.com)

Beth's Baby Shower

Tim's sister hosted a baby shower for Beth this weekend.  I got to meet quite a few people from Tim's family, people Beth has talked about, so it was nice to finally be able to put faces to the names.  We had food, played games, and Beth got a lot of nice things for the baby.

With all the stuff she's gotten from the people she works for - she's been working as a nanny for a couple with two kids, and they've given her all their old baby stuff that she wants - and all the stuff she got from the shower, she should be pretty well set with baby stuff.  The only thing they'll end up needing is diapers, lots and lots of diapers.

I didn't take a gift.  Mostly I figured that everything she got at the shower would end up in our basement anyway, with all the rest of the stuff.  They really need to get a bigger apartment, soon.  Also, I figure since I'm her mom, I can always get something later - once we know what she actually needs.  But then, while Beth and I were talking at the shower, I realized something I can and should be giving her - food!  We were talking about the gorgeous hand-made quilt that she got for the baby, and I said I thought about making something for the baby, but I didn't because I just don't sew - so it wouldn't be very nice, if it ever even got finished, and I'd just end up frustrated.  And that's when I realized there is something I can make, (my business cards will have to say Cook and Baker on them.  Definitely not Seamstress!) and we decided I should start making and freezing meals now, so they'll have something to eat for the first few weeks.  Beth was trying for 3 months or something ridiculous like that, but I think she and Tim will have it figured out by then or at least have to start fixing dinner for themselves.  Thankfully, Tim cooks, too!

I just need to get to the store and buy some of those aluminum pans, and decide on some dinners that will freeze nicely.  Leave your suggestions in the comments.  Thanks!

Send Cookies to Our Troops

I just found out about this today, and I think it's an awesome idea.

Kenmore and The Food Network’s Sunny Anderson have launched Kenmore “Baking for the Troops” to send up to 250,000 cookies to deployed troops along with messages of support from Americans. Kenmore recognizes the holidays are a time loved ones gather, share meals and make memories. With that in mind, the company has created a means for Americans to share warm thoughts and delicious treats with troops away from home. Americans can participate by visiting the Kenmore Facebook page and asking Kenmore to bake and ship a dozen cookies on their behalf. Even sweeter – when the 250,000 cookies are sent to the troops, the company will donate $50,000 to Heroes at Home Wish Registry*  to assist military families in need stateside.

The program kicked off last Friday Dec. 2 in Chicago. Chicagoans and local tourists were given the opportunity to be among the first to send their thanks and support to the troops by creating personalized messages in the Kenmore Live Studio at 678 N. Wells Street, where they also got to sample cookies fresh from the new, onsite Kenmore Elite ovens.
 

“Kenmore is proud of our continued commitment to the troops and this program serves as a means to show a small token of our gratitude,” said Guenther Trieb, president, Sears Brands. “Our ‘Baking for the Troops’ program ships cookies and messages of thanks throughout the holiday and into January, for a post-holiday pick-me-up to let them know we think of them year round.”

With the help of Operation Support Our Troops Illinois (OSOTIL) and the USO, all of the cookies will be shipped to individual members of our overseas troops throughout the holiday season. To learn more about the program or to send your own message with a dozen cookies, visit Kenmore on Facebook.

*Donations made to the Heroes at Home Wish Registry are not tax deductible and will be used to purchase Sears gift cards for registered families.

Give the Gift of Adventure

It's that time of year when everyone is thinking about Christmas Presents and trying to find something for everyone on their lists.   I can't imagine how hard that must be!  I'm the kind of person who will buy something for someone when I see something that makes me think of him or her.  What happens if you have a whole list of gifts you just have to buy, but you just can't find that perfect thing?  I'll tell you what - RETURNS!  I used to work the Return Desk on the day after Christmas, and it always amazed me how many gifts were being returned.  Obviously a lot of people had trouble picking out that perfect gift.

That being said, if you're looking for some great Gifts for men, I'm pretty sure the man (or men) in your life would have a hard time returning any of these.  Seriously, check these out!  What man wouldn't want the chance to drive a race car, take flying lessons, attend stunt driving school, go sky diving, or enjoy a full day of pizza and paintball?  There are 62 pages of amazing adventures for men to choose from, so if none of those sound like the perfect gift for your man, keep looking.  I'd like to try some of these myself.  Just browse through them and tell me that some (A LOT) of these don't sound like so much fun!

Better than any old sweater or tie. huh?

And for the Single Guy...

When I first read this following link, I thought it said "Christmas gift wine" which made perfect sense to me.  I may not do Christmas, so I don't know a lot about picking out gifts for everybody on your list, but I think wine sounds like a fine gift.

But what the link really says is "christmas gift wife", which wouldn't be a good gift for just anybody, but might be just what you're looking for for the single guy on your list.  It would be awfully hard to pick out the right one, and I'm not sure what the return policy would be, but if you've got a single guy on your Christmas list...

Anniversary Gifts

Jeffrey and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary next summer, hopefully in a better way than we celebrated our 24th this summer. For those of you who don't know, we had a tornado come through our neighborhood on the evening of our anniversary. We certainly won't forget that particular anniversary anytime soon. When looking through a list of anniversary gifts by year, you do not see tornado listed next to 24th anniversary.  Actually, they don't list 24th anniversary, so maybe that can be added!? 

Seriously, I really don't recommend a tornado as a great way to celebrate. The dinner and glass of wine on the deck beforehand was rather nice, though.

Speaking of that list of anniversary gifts, I'd heard that the 25th anniversary is silver and 50th is gold, but I didn't know what the traditional gifts were for other years. For instance, did you know that 3rd year anniversary gifts are supposed to be leather? And 9th anniversary gifts should be pottery?  Or what about just being totally untraditional and giving Anniversary Toilet Paper? (seriously)  Or I suppose 1st anniversary is paper, so that would be appropriate.

The list is rather fun and a good way to get some ideas for anniversary gifts. There's something for every year 1-20, then it skips to 25 and then to 50. I guess they figure once you've been married for at least 20 years you should be pretty good at coming up with anniversary presents on your own.

So here's my question for you: What kind of traditional or NONtraditional anniversary presents have you gotten or given? And what were your favorites? Anybody get that toilet paper?

Special Offer

Remember that gift basket I got from ProFlowers last month?  If you're thinking of ordering something, either for yourself or someone you love, now is the perfect time.  I just found a coupon for 20% off any gift from ProFlowers.  Just use this link - www.ProFlowers.com/Clipper - and the discount will be automatically applied.

Fine print:

Minimum purchase of  $29.99.  Does not apply to gift cards or certificates, same-day or international delivery, shipping & handling, taxes, or third-party hosted products (e.g. wine, wedding flowers).  Discount will appear upon checkout and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.  Offer expires 12/31/10

 What will you choose?