Search Results for: blog the gift not on your list

Your Presence is the Best Present

Forget about the fancy triple chocolate cookie pops, the pricey heart covered Build-a-Bear, and the massive red and white mylar balloon bouquet you were planning to gift your child with this Valentine’s Day.  Save your money and present your son or daughter with your presence on February 14th and in the days, weeks and months that follow. While candy, stuffed animals and shiny inflatables typically rank high on a child’s Valentine’s Day gift wish list, most kids would likely trade in the treats for one-on-one time with mom and dad. Life is hard enough for youngsters, so knowing that they … Continue reading →

Did You Go Overboard with Gifts?

Now that the gift wrap is off and the gifts are spread around under the Christmas tree, there might be a sense that you went a little bit overboard. If it isn’t the sheer number of gifts, perhaps it is the credit card bill or the drain on your bank account that tells you that  you might have done a little too much. For me, it is usually the couple of extra gifts that I have left in the closet, too embarrassed or overwhelmed to bring them out. Ah, isn’t it so easy to be Santa these days. Still, it … Continue reading →

Creative Ways to Tip This Season: Free Gift Cards and More

How many people do you have in your life who are on your tipping list for the holidays? The hair stylist, school bus drivers, teachers, the trash man, the postal clerk or delivery person (there are rules on type and amount), the baby sitter or nanny, the coffee barista and anyone else who provides you a regular service, may all be expecting a holiday tip. At least one service provider of ours actually leaves an envelope just for the purpose. Most of us forget to add tipping expenses into our budgets and may be left with a surprise when we … Continue reading →

Give Yourself the Gift of Fitness

I love to give gifts, especially to my children.  Although it’s not as fun anymore, now that they prefer money or gift cards. In this season of giving, it’s important to remember our own needs.  Not necessarily the material ones but our health.  So how about giving yourself the gift of fitness? Maybe you are the person who has never been very active.  It could be that you don’t even really struggle with your weight, so what’s the point. Too often we look at exercise as a way to lose weight or tone up.  But it’s good for your heart … Continue reading →

9 Holiday Gift Ideas for Dieters

  This holiday season you may have some dieters on your Christmas list. You may want to reward or encourage the fitness efforts of your friend or loved one by purchasing jug the right gift. The last thing you want to do is sign her up for a cheesecake of the month club. But every dieter could use some encouragement over the holiday season. MP3 Player: A great gift for anyone but a dieter looking to spice up a routine walk or run would really appreciate this gift. iTunes card: If she already has an iPod then an iTunes card … Continue reading →

Gift Giving for Teens

Black Friday…Cyber Monday.  It’s that time of year, the purchasing of Christmas gifts.  As a parent it can either be a stressful experience or easy-going. Here is something I have come to realize through the years.  You buy more when they are younger.  So that means more thought needs to be put into your children’s gifts.  You buy less as they get older.  But they also tend to be more expensive gifts. There is a part of me that misses shopping for toys.  It has become sort of boring, since the majority of the time my children want money.  Sure, … Continue reading →

Get Your Holiday Game On

  Tis the season to party. The holidays are a time for festive family fun.  However, the key successful entertaining is to have a host of activities on hand for guests of all ages. The following Christmas-themed games and projects are sure to keep your guests in the holiday spirit long after they leave your home: Christmas Sing-Off:  Instead of bundling up to go caroling outdoors, host a karaoke contest inside using holiday-themed tunes.  Or, you could have your guests split into groups and sing favorite songs a cappella. Trivia:  Go online to retrieve a bunch of holiday-themed trivia questions, … Continue reading →

Holiday Gifts from the Heart

The holiday season is an ideal time to teach kids about the importance of giving.  This year, though, consider doing one better by giving your children the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to gift-giving. There’s no need to break the bank purchasing expensive holiday presents for loved ones when you can use your creativity and other talents to craft a slew of special treats.  Show kids that by putting their heart into making a personal present for a loved one they will be giving a giving a gift you can’t put a price tag on. Some simple ideas include: … Continue reading →

Christmas Gifts for Your Irish Relatives

This year, give your family members a gift that reflects their heritage. A gift that reminds people of their heritage, and the country that their ancestors came from, will be more meaningful than a gift card could ever be! Here are some great gift suggestions that genealogists can give to their Irish relatives. Christmas is closer than you might think! Now is the time to plan out the gifts that you intend to give to relatives. Get started on the handmade gifts right away! Keep in mind that gifts that you purchase online will require time for shipping. Here are … Continue reading →

The Gift of Peace for Less

If being forced to listen to your uncle defend Donald Trump’s inane Twitter feed, watch your brother’s kids destroy your mom’s porcelain tchotchke collection, and sleep on your dad’s old recliner is not your idea of a pleasant Thanksgiving, then consider the following Turkey Day travel packages that will ensure a peaceful holiday. The sale-priced escapes provide all the comforts of home minus the dysfunction: South Carolina: You can save big on this Turkey Day Sampler package offered by the Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston. The property will do all of the Thanksgiving cooking while you enjoy luxurious accommodations and … Continue reading →