Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

Outside-the-Box, Delightful Gift Ideas for 2022

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It’s easy to get into a rut with gift-giving, so today’s post will help you break out of the mold and discover some fun and different ideas for everyone in the family!

 

Sweet Chaos Popcorn

I hope you will find a place under the tree for this decadent treat! Sweet Chaos drizzled popcorn is the best ever, and it tastes as good as it looks. Seasonable varieties this year include Pumpkin Spice, Maple Brown Sugar, Black-and-White and Vanilla Chai.

It’s also a crowd-pleaser, being gluten free and

Click here to learn more about Sweet Chaos popcorn

Pen Heaven

Designed to please the readers, writers and lovers-of-luxury in your circle of friends and family, Pen Heaven is aptly named. They have beautiful stocking stuffers for under $25, and gifts especially curated for men and women in a variety of colors, textures and styles. Many of their pens, journals, etc. can be custom engraved for a more personal touch.

The more tailored pen collection for men focuses on classic finishes with a weighty feel; for women, the designs are slim and elegant. Pair this with Crown Mill paper or a practical Filofax planner and you’ve got a classy gift that will bring enjoyment all year long.

Click here to shop for gifts at Pen Heaven
Hint: use code IM15 to get 15% off all Parker pens

The Brown Rabbit Studio

Winter journals, original oil landscapes, watercolor bookmark sets,

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1108186852/journal-winter-journal-notebook
https://www.etsy.com/listing/690086753/winter-landscape-painting-prairie

Buy a set of original watercolor bookmarks and you get 5 stocking stuffers!

Click here to shop for art-inspired gifts at The Brown Rabbit.

The Natori Congo Robe

This lovely rayon-blend robe might be the only one you’ll ever wear. This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever! I received the teal robe and wear it almost daily. The fabric drapes beautifully and it’s lightweight yet warm. The longer length looks very elegant and it’s easy to wash and dry. Four years later, my robe still looks great.

You can choose from 13 different colors and some are on sale for just $27.00 this year – that’s almost 50% off!

Click here to shop Natori robes with free shipping.

 

Happy Head

There are lots of thoughtful things you can give those you care about for Christmas, and TLC can be one of the best gifts. A beautiful and healthy head of hair starts with just the right shampoo, conditioner and supplements. You can get all of this in a neatly packaged gift with Happy Head’s Holiday Pack. It also includes $50 off a new subscription to their Topical Hair Growth Solution.

This bundles delivers a myriad of results: cleansing, moisturizing and growth. Designed by experts, the shampoo and conditioner are infused with argan oil, biotin, collagen, keratin, and saw palmetto to support healthy hair. And you can help the process from within with daily supplements containing nourishing ingredients like biotin, collagen, keratin, saw palmetto, probiotics, ashwagandha, and vitamins A & D.

The value is amazing, considering what most treatment plans and products cost these days, so if you’ve been putting it off because of cost, now’s the time to act!

Click here to shop for the Holiday Pack

DoubleTake Bags

My family got into pickle ball last year and even entered the local tournament. It was low stress and a fun way to get exercise! Having the perfect bag to carry all your essentials is a must. DoubleTake has the bags and totes that players rely on.

Whether pickle ball or tennis is your game, the Melbourne is a medium-sized, tote-to backpack convertible bag designed to carry an average amount of gear in a lightweight, comfortable style. It comes in a variety of sporty fade-resistant colors, and is water-resistant. The Melbourne Backpack will be your new best buddy. I love the comfy straps, premium materials and all the bright colors you get to pick from!

Click here to shop sport bags and totes at DoubleTake

New Cooking Tools

I really love the festive red color of this workhorse slow cooker by Hamilton Beach.

With an 8-quart capacity, it can feed a crowd. Use it for Christmas and New Year gatherings, or quick weeknight meals during the busy Advent season. You can even fit a chicken up to 8 pounds inside. There are three basic settings for Warm, Low and High, and the durable stoneware is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Get it with free shipping if you have a Walmart+ membership!

Boots for All Seasons

From author Lisl H. Detlefsen and illustrator Renée Kurilla comes a beautiful farm book that’s all about the boots. Follow children and their families as they care for crops and animals through all four seasons of the year, and enjoy the colorful artwork that highlights all of the different boots they wear.

Young children will love this richly illustrated hardback with easy-to-read and understand rhyming verses. Each season brings its own joys and tasks.

If you have a little one, you already know how much they love footwear! Whether it’s a new pair for themselves, or the fun of trying on Mama and Daddy’s big shoes, they sure seem to have a fascination with boots. My toddler has picked up Farm Boots over and over again this December to marvel at all the fun colors and styles. Available soon at Amazon; and please visit the author and illustrator online!

Wiley Wallaby

Here’s another unique Christmas treat for the licorice-lovers in your life. Soft and chewy Wiley Wallaby comes in surprisingly different flavors – Classic Red (strawberry), Classic Black, Watermelon, Blasted Berry, Huckleberry, Green Apple and Blueberry Pomegranate.

With less sugar than other brands, and naturally fat-free and gluten-free, you can enjoy this gourmet licorice with only a small twinge of guilt 😉

Click here to find out where to buy Wiley Wallaby licorice

 

Blue Orange Games

My family is a HUGE fan of Blue Orange Games, and with a tagline like “hot games for a cool planet,” it’s easy to see why. The sheer variety of games that they make is staggering. Games for every age, every stage and every interest.

Where else can you find an adorable pug dog game for toddlers and also a 3D planet ecosystem game for teens and adults? Blue Orange games is a fun place to shop for Christmas, year after year. Here are some of their newest games for little ones:

Tongues Out! I was so glad to find this game at Blue Orange because our family dog is a pug. Designed for ages 4 and up, this adorable memory game features squishy fidget-like pug dogs who have apparently eaten all the lollipops up! To find the culprit, gently squeeze the pug and his tongue pops out – and you must pay attention to what color his tongue is. Here’s a video of this unique little game in action!

Junk Jumble is a cute little observation game that’s very tactile and appealing to ages 6 and up. It consists of a small chest of drawers which players peek into, looking for all the items on their checklist. An engaging game that’s quick to learn and play, children will love all of the colorful little pieces and strengthen their memory and focusing skills while playing.

My boys were given the chance to try Planet and Kingdomino, which have long been on their wish list.

Kingdomino is an award-winning kingdom building strategy game which loosely follows the domino concept of lining up tiles with like terrains. Players place tiles one by one, and then game ends when each has completed a 5×5 grid. Extra points are awarded for crown tiles. It’s quick to play and quite addictive, actually! Each game is completely different with a range of strategies to choose from. And the artwork is very beautiful, giving it a really nice aesthetic.

This game is so popular that Blue Orange has created a couple of spin-offs including Queendomino and Dragomino.

Planet is truly one of the coolest games we’ve played in a while. The star of the show is a 3D 12-sided planet core, which players will fill with magnetic pentagon-shaped tiles throughout the game. The goal is to connect as many habitats (ice, water, mountain, etc.) as possible to attract certain wildlife, and thereby gain those animal cards in your hand. Each animal prefers a certain eco-system, so players have to be very careful to place the magnetic tiles in just the right way on their planet core.

With gorgeous, realistic artwork and the tactile magnetic planet in your hand, this game is a feast for the senses as well as a strategic challenge. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up and 2-4 can play.

TextNow Phone Service

Did you know that your family can have access to wireless service FOR FREE? With TextNow, you get free calls and texts with no strings attached. Whether you need an emergency cell phone, a basic phone for your teen, or just find yourself struggling to make ends meet these days, TextNow helps you to get connected and enjoy totally free wireless service.

I’ve personally worked with the folks at TextNow and they are prompt, friendly and knowledgeable. They helped set me up using a phone my friend gave me. My 99 cent SIM card arrived in the mail within days and I even got to pick my new number. We now have a phone my children can use at home to contact me when I’m out. And it costs me nothing!

If you’d like to add on data, TextNow offers that, but I just think it’s pretty amazing that they offer mobile service for FREE to those who need it. With its ad-supported free service, TextNow is committed to keeping people connected.

Give the gift of communication this Christmas and free yourself from the worry and hassle of monthly phone bills.

Click here to get free wireless service from TextNow

Two Rivers Coffee K-Cup Assortment

The huge coffee assortment my husband got me for Christmas last year was a gift that kept on giving, for weeks and weeks! The Two Rivers assortment contains 40 coffee pods in   and costs less than $20! It arrives on your doorstep within just a few days with FREE Amazon Prime shipping.

Compatible with Keurig coffee machines, this variety pack contains maple, chocolate, cinnamon, chocolate vanilla, vanilla, hazelnut and other flavored coffees.

Click here to buy the 40-Count Coffee Assortment from Two Rivers

 

Semper Smart Games

If you’d like to put some educational games under the tree this Christmas, I have two very whimsical suggestions – Blobby’s Pizza and Full of Bull from Semper Smart Games!

Blobby’s Piece teaches and reinforces fractions, decimals and percentages as monsters eat their way to victory. We love the game components which include a realistic guest check book (just like they use at restaurants), vibrant monster cards and a box with magnetic closure to hold everything. There are varying skill levels which means nearly everyone in the family can play this game. The goal is to build pizzas out of fraction cards and get the highest total bill.

If you love bluffing games, Full of Bull is for you. Test your mental math skills by using multiplication, and a little bit of guessing and bluffing, to come out on top of the betting. All of the pieces, including dice and chips and writing instruments, are neatly contained in a bright red cup. Any child who’s learning the time tables, or already has them mastered, will really like this fast-paced, high stakes game!

Grab Blobby’s Pizza and Full of Bull
with free Prime shipping!

Let’s Play House Cleaning Set

Every Saturday we do a big family clean-up, and I’ve noticed that our toddler loves to imitate what everyone is doing. So this Christmas, she’s getting the Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Cleaning Set. What really sold me on this cute and sturdy set was that everything stores neatly on the wooden hanging rack.

Get the Let’s Play House Cleaning Set for 56% off!

Give Cloth Diapers a Try

This Christmas you can nurture someone’s pioneer spirit with a full set of cloth diapers. Nicki’s has budget-friendly options that include covers and inserts and all-in-ones. You can also shop diaper bags and other essential baby gear.

There’s also an amazing deal from Cotton Babies right now – get the Elemental Joy all-in-one diapers for just $5.00 each!

Click here to shop cloth diapers at Nicki’s.
Click here for the $5 diaper at Cotton Babies.

Rising Sun Baby Care

From the islands of Japan come a very unique gift indeed – gentle exfoliating washcloths and body towels made from a finely textured fabric that won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. It gently cleans, exfoliates and rejuvenates, and is machine washable. Elevate your bath and enjoy a Japanese spa-like experience! Everyone can enjoy Rising Sun cleansing towels – babies, toddlers, teens and parents. They are individually packaged and make nice stocking stuffers or a unique addition to personal care gift baskets. I’m gifting one to my teenage daughter this year!

Click here to shop at Rising Sun

Saint Nicholas Book Sale at TAN

Books are always welcome at Christmas – or any other time, for that matter! I want to share with you a couple of beautiful titles that TAN has published which are apropos for this time of year.

Meditations on the Holy Angels is a luminous spiritual classic by Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.
The Imitation of Saint Joseph focuses on the quiet presence that led the Holy Family. Learn more about this “just man” who was privileged to die with Mary and Jesus at his side, and who is revered as the protector of the Universal Church. The green deluxe leatherette binding makes this book an extra special gift at Christmas.
The Sermons of Saint Francis de Sales for Advent serve as perfect daily devotional in the days leading up to Christmas, and beyond.

Shop the Saint Nicholas sale
with books as low as $1 and $2

 

 

 

 

2021 Gift Guide for Everyone in the Family!

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There are lots of NEW and wonderful gift ideas in today’s post! I love introducing you to new brands, especially smaller family-owned businesses. Let me know in a comment what catches your eye, and if you have any small businesses favorites to share as well.

I’ll start with pets since animals had a special place in the Nativity story!

Gift Ideas for Pets

Chippin Natural Pet Food – I’d like to introduce you to pet nutrition “powered by planet-friendly proteins.” Chippin’s unique dog food contains highly-digestible, wholesome ingredients like silver carp, pumpkin and flax seed to deliver omega-3 support and optimum nutrition. Try the holiday bundle – a limited edition box of delicious, planet friendly treats sure to have tails wagging. Get free shipping over $50 and score $5 off when you sign up for emails.

We’re teaching our pug, Spartacus, to sit and stay this winter with the help of Chippin’s training treats. Choose from Smokehouse BBQ, Spirulina Dailies and Antioxidant, all kept fresh in a signature Chippin treat tin!

Kooltail – It’s cute, it’s cozy and it might become your dog’s best friend (besides you) this Christmas. Kooltail fleece dog vests are less than $15.00 on Amazon and ship free if you have Prime. Available in sizes small to large, these vests even include pockets and a leash attachment.

Wild Earth – When it comes to feeding dogs. Wild Earth knows everything your dog needs, and nothing he doesn’t! Every bag of premium-quality Wild Earth dog food is packed with super clean “superfood” ingredients. Here’s the rundown!

Yeast: Our not-so-secret ingredient, a protein powerhouse that is sustainably sourced and even used to make lesser dog foods taste better. Yeast is the future.
Sweet Potato: You know how tasty sweet potatoes are and so does your pup. Plus, they’re high in fiber and easy to digest.
Chickpeas: A small pea with big-time, superfood nutrition. Calories, protein, iron, fiber and a simple carbohydrate. What’s not to love about chickpeas?
Spinach: Another superfood? Yes! Spinach is loaded with iron and vitamin E and magnesium. Not your average leafy green.

Get started today with 20% off!

SquarePet – A lot of dogs face skin issues and winter weather can sometimes make it worse. Thank goodness for the team of veterinary professionals at SquarePet, who have designed the VFS Skin & Digestive Support formula to support food sensitivities and/or ingredient intolerances.  This unique, limited ingredient, hydrolyzed protein dog food has been broken down into smaller components, resulting in an exceptionally digestible protein source to benefit your beloved dog.

SquarePet benefits:

  • Novel single source protein featuring hydrolyzed pork
  • Essential omega 3 & 6 fatty acids including DHA & EPA
  • Complete and balanced nutrition for any adult dog
  • Promotes healthy skin and a shiny hair coat
  • All-natural nutrition – no artificial ingredients

And it’s made in the USA! Get FREE shipping on orders over $50 and save 5% on the subscribe and save option.

SwedencareUSA – There are two ways you can give your pet some extra care this Christmas – introduce a tasty treat that provides dental benefits and bathe him in a soothing, hypoallergenic shampoo.

Swedencare’s dental bones are packed with tasty peanut butter and banana flavors and use the PlaqueOff System, which helps clean plaque and tartar by using abrasive action. Given daily, these natural dog bones can complement your dog’s ordinary dental hygiene. 

Winter baths can dry and irritate your dog’s skin if you’re using a typical mainstream formula; try Swedencare’s Lyxvara Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo instead! It provides relief from itchy, scaling, and sensitive skin and contains emollients to restore natural moisture. It’s even compatible with topical flea and tick control products. It’s lightly fragranced and will leave your dog feeling and smelling nice and fresh during the holidays!

Gift Ideas for Children

Blue Orange Games

With a tagline like “hot games for a cool planet,” you know that Blue Orange games is going to be a fun place to shop for Christmas! In my family, we always end up with at least a few new games under the tree because game nights are a weekly (if not more) thing. Take a look at some of these fun and visually appealing games that we recently got to try:

Blue Lagoon – My eight-year-old son, Erik, told me “I’ve never really had a board game of my very own,” so Blue Lagoon is now his, and boy did he learn it fast! Us adults love resource-building games but they can be admittedly complicated. Not so with Blue Lagoon. The lush tropical setting works well with the simple concepts of claiming new lands and gathering up valuable resources to become the dominant tribe. Top-quality game pieces include settlers and villagers and various island resources that are come into play in two phases – exploration and settlement.

Erik plays this a lot with his older brothers now and is a force to be reckoned with in the lagoon!

Snip Snap!  This is a great little stocker stuff for anyone aged 7 and older. Snip Snap is quick-to-learn dice matching game that moves quickly so it will especially appeal to adolescents. My children love the brightly colored picture dice! After rolling, players race to be the first one to find a match, and when they do yell “Shark Snap!” and snatch them up. Snip Snap! includes a little mesh travel bag so you can take it anywhere.

Photosynthesis – This “green” strategy game is a feast for the eyes as well as a fun lesson in life cycles in the ever-changing forest. Your trees will progress from seed to full size to rebirth as they earn you energy points from the sun. Strategy hinges on carefully picking where you sow and when you plant. This gets 5 stars from my boys for the gorgeous artwork, realistic theme and versatile gameplay.  The stunning Under the Moonlight Expansion pack allows players to collect lunar points for their forest animals and unleash new powers to help grow more trees and save light points. Use the Great Elder Tree and the Moon Stones to charge your animals’ powers!

Our boys love the unique concepts of growing a forest, scoring sun points and using those points to buy more seeds and trees.

I think one of the neatest things about this game is the 3D game pieces. It looks so cool when set up!

Starling Skincare

Starling’s family cleanser bundle includes two safe and gentle cleansers at an irresistible price: Fresh Kid’s Cleanser is formulated for tweens and teens. It helps them develop good habits while avoiding breakouts. Improve texture and lock in moisture with a foaming gel that youngsters will love.

Nurture Cleanser is targeted to tone and moisturize sensitive and allergen-prone skin. Any age can enjoy the benefits! Enriched with Dead Sea clay and healing minerals, a little Nurture goes a long way.

Tuck these in your teenagers’ stockings and introduce them to the world of natural, effective skincare.

 

Quarto Kids Sticker Books

These jumbo stickers are just the right size for young children, who often have trouble with a typical sticker book. They can enjoy placing the 75 stickers on colorful scenes, and they can easily be moved. The whimsical characters and fun designs will fire your little one’s imagination and provide hours of enjoyment this Christmas.

With many new releases for 2021, Quarto’s sticker books are just $7.99 each and are available on Amazon with FREE Prime delivery.

Jelly Belly Gum

Here’s a new – and sugar-free – stocking stuffer idea for your children this year. Jelly Belly gum comes in four iconic jelly bean flavors: Very Cherry, Watermelon, Island Punch, and Berry Blue.  I love surprising my children with different candies each year in their stocking. With a hard outer coating and insides bursting with flavor, Jelly Belly gum is going to be an enjoyable new treat, and no one has to worry about extra sugar! Shop for Jelly Belly Sugar-Free Gum nationwide at Party City and Speedway locations. It’s also available on Amazon with free shipping!

Librio Personalized Books – You can make your child the hero of a story with a personalized book from Librio! Choose the book and then personalize it by adding your child’s name throughout the story, as well as a character that looks like him. All Librio books are made of sturdy materials and printed on 100% recycled paper. We chose the Globi storybook for our son, Erik, this Christmas, and it features a little lynx and a popular Swiss character bird named Globi. Order your child’s book by December 12th for Christmas delivery and use this code – ANN197388 – to get 20% off!

Dino Bars – Here’s a stocking stuffer that’s perfect for those in your family who might have a food allergy or sensitivity. And they come in super cute packaging, too. DINO Bars are a healthy snack wrapped in edible paper, and they feature nutritious ingredients like blueberry, pear, banana, oats, hemp hearts and coconut oil.  There are no artificial flavors, preservatives or refined sugar; they are also gluten-free. Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 to get 20% off through Cyber Monday. You can also shop for DINO Bars with free Prime shipping with plenty of time for Christmas delivery.

Jax’s Original Monster Mix – Here’s another tasty way to stuff your child’s stocking while also avoiding common allergens: Jax’s Monster Snack Mix. It’s a peanut-free, natural & gluten-free, wholesome blend of sesame sticks, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, dried fruit, and coconut chips. Perfect for a school lunch or an on-the-go snack, it keeps your little ones happy and tames the hunger monster between meals!

Subscribe and save 10% on your order!

Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Kyte Blankets – The gorgeous, silky-smooth blankets from Kyte Baby will have you wishing you were a baby again! They sent us the snowflake printed toddler blanket made from bamboo rayon and a bit of spandex. It has a wonderful weight and feel to it, and even a little touch of metallic silver in the fabric. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a big enough size (57×39 inches) that I’ve been very tempted to steal it for myself! Camille loves to cuddle with her new blanket and always asks for it at bedtime.

The toddler blankets come in over 25 color/print choices, so you’re sure to find just what you want for under the tree. Treat your little one, or gift a special baby or toddler in your life with a blanket he will fall in love with.

After also trying their swaddles for newborn Lydia, which are made of the same lovely stretchy bamboo fabric, I’m a Kyte fan for life. I can see now why blankets are limited to one per customer because of the extremely high demand! Browse Kyte baby blankets here.

Cyber Monday Deal – if you purchase a $100 gift card you will receive a $25 gift card for free!

Librio Nursery Print – Many parents want to get something special for their baby at Christmas, but what if they are too young for toys and treats? The adorable personalised art prints are available at Librio for just $18.00 and feature cozy forest babies. Add a quote and birth date to make it truly unique. Order by December 12th for Christmas delivery and use this code – ANN197388 – to get 20% off!

Earth Baby Bath Kit – It’s “good clean fun” for your baby with bath and body essentials from Earth Baby. Treat your child to the Earth Baby Bath Kit this Christmas; it includes natural shampoo and body wash, conditioner and detangler, bubble bath and moisturizing lotion, all kept handy in an organic cotton zipper pouch. I love how gentle and nourishing these products are on Lydia’s delicate baby skin, especially in this harsh winter weather.

All Earth Baby products are:

  • Certified Organic & Natural Ingredients
  • Tear-Free, Hypoallergenic, Non-sensitizing, Non-irritating
  • No Artificial Dyes
  • Preservative Free
  • Clinically Tested and Cruelty-Free
  • Pediatrician & Dermatologist Tested
  • FREE of: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Mineral Oil, Propylene glycol, DEA, MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Triethanolamine, Petrolatum, Lanolin

Shop now and get a FREE sample of Earth Baby’s award-winning lotion with any purchase 💕 No code needed

Dabble and Dollop Christmas box – Whoever thought of this is a genius! With Dabble & Dollop, your children can whip up their own bathtime creations using a mixing bowl and bottles of Strawberry Gel, Honeydew Gel, and Vanilla Whip – all included in this year’s Christmas Box. The festive red, white and green colors were chosen just for the Christmas season. Dabble & Dollop shampoo, bubble baths, and body washes are 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free, and they smell heavenly!

Another great gift idea is the adorable Holiday Bath Bomb Set with 3 vanilla and 3 strawberry scented bombs.  Visit Dabble & Dollop and get 10% off your next order when you sign up for emails, plus 20% off sitewide in the Cyber Week sale!

KeaBabies Organic Urban Bibs – KeaBabies bibs combine classic design with urban style in their latest collection. Made with smooth organic cotton on the front and a soft water-resistant fleece on the reverse side, you’ll love the way these bibs keep your baby covered and comfortable during mealtimes and snacktimes. Available in 5 modern style options, including Grayscale, Basics, Muted Pastel, Blush and Azure. Perfect for ages 0-24 months and just $22.96 for a package of eight!

Get 20% off in the Black Friday sale using code BFCM20.

KeaBabies Hand and Footprints Ink Pads – Capture baby’s cute little hand and footprints with Inkless Ink Pads from KeaBabies, creating an adorable treasure for years to come! It’s simple to use and takes less than a minute to create your very own unique newborn baby keepsakes. For Christmas memories, Seafoam, Ruby or Sky Blue are available now. Working on your baby’s memory book is a wonderful winter project! 

Gift Ideas for Mothers

Pen Heaven – My new go-to shop to indulge my literary side is Pen Heaven. You’ll find carefully selected pens and journals from luxury brands, which can be engraved with a personalized message and shipped out the same day. It’s the perfect place to shop this Christmas for book lovers, writers, bloggers and note-takers. Check out their seasonal offers and get up to 70% off.

They offer engraving, embossing and giftwrap, too!

Dapple – Give a natural-minded mother the gift of plant-based cleaning and personal care products. Dapple’s line-up includes dish soap, hand soap, shampoos, lotions and more. You can choose between fragrance-free or lightly scented formulas made with essential oils (like lavender) or fruity varieties like apple, mango and citrus!

Christian Books – ChristianBooks.com, where you can also find holiday cards, DVD’s, educational toys and gifts, is doing “8 days and 1000’s of deals” through November 29th. Many items are up to 85% off!

Get FREE shipping on your order of $35 or more using code BLKFRI2021

There are lots of things here for a mother to appreciate: classic novels, inspirational mugs, gift bibles and family-friendly movies.

Click to browse thousands of faith-based gifts!

Sweet Chaos – Drizzled popcorn is the perfect way to spoil a mother at Christmas and the newest seasonal flavors at Sweet Chaos will satisfy any sweet tooth. Kick back and enjoy Iced Gingerbread, Peppermint Crunch, and Black & White Sugar Cookie while you enjoy a Christmas movie or play a board game!

Stash Tea – The seasonal fall collection is here and it’s got me wanting to curl up with a hot beverage and enjoy a period film (or two or three)! Atmospheric flavors like Christmas in Paris, Maple Apple Cider and Golden Turmeric will only be here for a limited time, so get some now and treat your mother to something extra special on a cold day.

My seasonal favorite is Cranberry Pomegranate with its robust berry flavor and a tangy touch of hibiscus. Even better, this herbal blend is caffeine-free so I can enjoy any time of the day. Another eye-opener is spicy sweet Golden Turmeric Chai, which blends cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and clove for a very lively black tea brew.

There’s even a special decaf blend this year – Pumpkin Spice.

Their seasonal gift boxes with six assorted flavors are perfectly package and ready to stick under the tree with a big bow. To find Stash Tea’s Limited Edition flavors at a nearby store, click here.

The Brown Rabbit – The gift of beautiful art is in style all year round, and The Brown Rabbit Studio in Paxico makes it easy to celebrate fall and winter with lined notebooks, notecards, bookmarks and original artwork inspired by scenic Mill Creek and the surrounding Flint Hills of Kansas.

Artist Susan Poitevin (my mother!) branched out into oils after arriving in Kansas and has attracted quite a following. You can see her full portfolio here.

 

Gift Ideas for Fathers

 

Books-a-Million $5 Sale – Add to his reading and game collection without book store sticker shock when you shop the $5 sale at Books-a-Million. You can also save up to 50% online and in stores this Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Ekster – For the man on your list who appreciates time-saving essentials and classic style, Ekster is a great place to go shopping this Christmas. Check out the latest in smart wallets, solar-power trackers, and iPhone accessories. Their flagship Parliament smart wallet with solar-charged tracker is crafted in premium leather with a slim fit and quick card access. With the push a button, the Parliament fans out your cards and protects them from skimming.

You can find more gift ideas in the newly published guide and shop the biggest sale of the year!

Cyber Monday: November 29th – December 5th
Offer: 25% off all orders | 35% off + Free Cash Clip above $200

Christmas Sale: December 6th – December 26th
Offer: 25% off all orders | 35% off + Free Gift Bag above $200

TAN Books – Does your husband or father love books? Here some suggestions for winter spiritual reading!

  • TAN Classics – set of 12 spiritual books like the Imitation of Christ, Dark Night of the Soul and Dialogues of St. Catherine  (pictured below)
  • Heroic Catholic Chaplains – a collection of stories honoring those who worked to save souls whilte dodging bullets!
  • The Saint Joseph Prayerbook – a small book of devotions and intercessions, perfect for the head of the family
  • The Life of Father DeSmet – apostle to the Rocky Mountains
  • Still Amidst the Storm – a family man’s search for peace in an anxiou world

Get 20% off your first purchase with code NEWTAN20 and free shipping on orders over $50!

 

Thanks to all our sponsors who sent complimentary products
in exchange for honest feedback! 

Why Music Makes an Amazing Gift + a Guitar Giveaway

by 19 Comments

Thank you Fender for sponsoring this post. Learn guitar at home with Fender Play!

If you’ve found that as your children get older, gift-giving is trickier, then you’re not alone. Years ago, Joseph spent hours enjoying his toy cars, coloring books and blocks. But at age 14, he’s entered a completely different stage in his life; he needs bigger challenges and broader horizons.

Several months ago, Joseph started taking advantage of online guitar lessons with Fender play. He learns at his own pace, squeezing in video lessons between school and basketball and yard work for family and friends.

I was given the gift of piano lessons as a child; now I’m watching as my own child reaps the benefits of music lessons.

Here are three reasons you should consider giving music as a gift:

It keeps on giving: Learning an instrument opens all kinds of musical doors. Whether that’s deciding to pick up a second instrument (or a third, or a fourth) or joining a band, planting a musical seed will blossom in ways you can’t even imagine.

It builds more than just musical skills: Studies show that our learning goes beyond plucking strings and reading sheet music. It boosts confidence, encourages discipline and teaches us new and creative ways to connect with other people.

It makes us happy: Meaningful experiences in life, and not our material possessions, bring real happiness. Once you learn to play and sing, music is a way to spread joy! At my house, we often get together for “music nights.” It could be karaoke, piano, guitar, or maybe even a visit from our parish priest who plays the concertina. The best things in life truly are FREE.

Why choose Fender Play? Fender Play is guitar-learning platform that allows you to take guitar lessons from virtually anywhere. Learn from experienced teachers in short 10-12 minute videos. It’s completely flexible and fits your schedule. Having no prior experience is NO problem. Fender’s “Hear It, Learn It, Play It” methodology is a structured, low-pressure approach that breaks down songs into easy-to-learn chunks.

And since Fender knows that your gift recipient will be eager to play right away, their “song first” approach will really be appreciated.

Speaking of songs, guitar players get to choose their own path (country, rock, folk, blues, etc.) to further customize the online learning experience.

You can start a FREE 30-Day Trial now at play.fender.com. (Their 50% Black Friday sale has been extended!)

Giveaway: My readers can enter to win a guitar starter pack, courtesy of the wonderful folks at Fender. There will be 15 winners! The Squier® Strat® Pack has everything you need to begin and includes a 24″ Stratocaster guitar and a Frontman® 10G amplifier. Strap, cable and picks are also in the box, so really can get started right away! Retail value of this prize is $199.99. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by December 12, 2017.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Use the entry form below. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.