From the category archives:

Gift Guide

Weekend Project Made Easy

December 9, 2009 in Gift Guide

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Punch!. All opinions are 100% mine.

Although my mom still works full time in the corporate world my dad has retired. Every year for Christmas my sisters and I usually get my dad a Home Depot gift card or something within the same category. He is one of the hardest men to buy for that I know. He usually buys whatever he wants but he always has new projects going on so Home Depot has always been a safe bet.

My mom has requested now that he is retired that he finishes up some home projects that she wants done to their house. He has started one of them which is enclosing their back patio but he hasn’t completed it yet. He always has lots of ideas and can’t ever decide which he wants to go with. Inside their house their living room is a step down from the kitchen and is very large. My mom has always wanted him to cut the living room in half and make a larger dining room by leveling the floor to go smooth with the kitchen, adding a island in the old dining area and placing tile down replacing the carpet. It is a very large project and would take several steps to complete.

I was recently introduced to the software Weekend Project by Punch! This will make the perfect gift for my father. He has started using the computer at home more often now and I believe this software would be easy enough for him to use. Plus it’s the perfect gift for a person who has most everything yet enjoys working new projects. He could start working towards the things my mom wants done without jumping in head first. This software will allow him to actually plan it out and show my mom several different layouts to approve before moving forward. He can actually change the color tile, the layout of where the island would go and show as many setups as he wants while playing with all his ideas before they become permanent. Plus while he is using the software he will be given great tips from TV personality Kristian Cunningham.

I am including a video in this post that shows a little more about the software I plan to purchase my father for Christmas. It looks like a lot of fun and I think I’d even enjoy using it!

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Personalized Stocking Stuffers – myJones Soda

December 8, 2009 in Gift Guide

: Image by Basurasaurus_Rex via Flickr

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Jones Soda. All opinions are 100% mine.

In previous years the adults in my family would draw names to exchange gifts but for the past few years we have started a new tradition. During our family Christmas party on Christmas Eve all the adults bring their large stocking to the party empty and we all buy a stocking stuffer for each adult and go around stuffing each others stockings. I love this new tradition. It is a lot of fun to be an adult and still empty your stocking full of goodies but it’s even more fun searching out reasonably priced small size gifts for adults. This can at times even become a challenge.

Today I was introduced to Jones Soda and the options of having them personalized. I love it! This is such a great idea to purchase and have our family photos placed on them with our last name as the title to hand out as stocking stuffers. I know my gift will now be the most unique. Have you seen the myJones custom soda creations? They have several flavors and I can’t decided if I will order the Vanilla, Cream Soda or one of the Holiday flavors to add an extra touch for Christmas time. I also can’t decide if I want to try and use a photo of all the grandkids from last family get together or if I should go with just my family’s photo to make it from us. I won’t be surprised if all the adults want to keep the soda bottle as a keepsake rather than throw it out.

I highly recommend that you check out myJones custom soda and let me know what you think. Got suggestions on what flavor I should go with?

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Holiday Gift Guide – Books, Stationery and Planners, Oh My!

December 1, 2009 in Gift Guide

Right now with New Moon just coming out I can’t forget to include the Twilight Series in my gift guide. T already has read and owns each book from last year but my niece is asking for this collection for Christmas so it’s on our shopping list again this Holiday season. Retail Value: $83.00

Every time Gab goes into the hospital for any surgery or procedure she always reads the I Spy books. Child Life works with her and while they are starting her IVs they occupy her with these books. Having her search for the different items on each page is a great distraction. She just loves the whole I Spy series, especially the Disney ones. Retail Value: $13.99

This is a favorite book in our home. When Make-a-Wish sent us to Disney World for Gab’s Wish Trip this was the one item she got with her money. Out of all the souvenirs at Disney World the only thing she wanted was this book. She still to this day, two years later, looks at the pages and has me read her stories daily out of it. I must say this is one item we would replace if something happened to it. It is a family must have in our home. Retail Value: $19.99

I was given the opportunity to review this book recently. I have since then put it in my closet to be wrapped for Noah for Christmas. I just love this book and can not wait to play with him! This is the coolest book ever, it was even awarded the 2009 Toy of the Year Award from FamilyFun magazine. Although the book says for ages 8 and up I just couldn’t give it to my nephew, I had to keep it for us. I think the Bristle Bots will be fun for Noah and I to do together, he is not quite four but I know I can help him and he will enjoy it. Retail Value: $19.95

Since T’s main gift this year is an Art Easel set with paints, canvas and paper this book is going to make a great gift for her. The Paper Fashions Fancy book is not just paper dolls. This great book comes with stencils and paper to be used as clothing patterns. T will love using this book along with her ideas to make great creations on her Easel. She doesn’t have to just keep everything inside this book, that’s the beauty of it. She can use it as a template to make full size sketches on her canvas and work towards being a real designer. Retail Value: $21.95

To find more Klutz Books and save this holiday season, use the above coupon code to save 25% off your entire order and have shipped directly to you or the person receiving the gift.

I just love stationery. There is something about a hand written note for any occasion, even if just to say hi. T writes her father quite often so she always loves receiving new stationery. I know in her stocking this year I am including some new note cards for her. Plus I can’t wait to send out our new Thank You cards after Christmas. She’s Got Papers has some lovely stationery and right now you can save 10% off your entire order by using coupon code SGP10.

I can’t wait to order my personalized momAgenda planner this month. I just love these planners and haven’t decided if I want the pink or the green. Tough decisions! I have thought about getting one of these fabulous planners for my mom for Christmas as well, they make great gifts and is something you need right after the Holidays are over and the new year starts. Retail Value: $42.00

Full Disclosure: All the opinions expressed in this post are 100% true and solely the opinions of the blog owner. MommaDJane.com is listed as an affiliate for several companies and therefore some links within this post could be affiliate links. No companies paid to be referenced in this gift guide.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Boys

November 24, 2009 in Gift Guide

For this year’s Holiday Gift Guide I am showcasing products that are on my family’s wish list. The below gift ideas are products I have either already got in preparation for Christmas or items the children in my family are asking for.

This post has gift ideas for boys. My only son is 3 years old. I also have several nephews ranging from 17 to 6 years old which makes for a very large family with a long wish list to go through. Below are some highlights from it.

Noah loves trains. He has the Thomas the Train set and Santa brought him the a whole track setup last year. Went visited Toys R Us last month and he fell in love with this train table. It was perfect height for him and he just loved being able to push the train all around. If he had his way we would have brought it home with us that day but instead he must wait for Christmas. Retail Value: $159.99

Noah loves Spongebob Squarepants. He also loves games. He is always trying to play Gab’s games and it drives her crazy. We have slowly been purchasing him his own games some including Disney Pixar Cars but for Christmas he wants Ants in the Square Pants. I think this will be a very fun game to play together as a family as well. I can only imagine the giggles that will take place while ants are being placed in Spongebob’s pants. Retail Value: $9.99

Gab got her first Leapster when she was four. For the past year Noah has been playing with her old Leapster LMAX. He is finally getting the hang of it and enjoying the games. Since Gab takes her new Leapster 2 with her out in public, especially to doc appts, Noah has started wanting to take her old one around. Since both of Gab’s Leapsters are pink/purple I think it’s about time Noah got his own. I’m not sure if Santa will bring this gift or if I will but we do plan to have the new Leapster 2 in green/blue under the tree on Christmas morning for Noah. Retail Value: $59.99

Noah saw this horse on a TV commercial. He loved it and says he wants it. So from a 3 year old recommendation this horse seems to be on the hot list for Christmas this year. I am not sure if he will actually get it for Christmas or not. His list is getting larger and we will have to eliminate some items. Although this horse sure is cute. The kids bounce up and down on the horse as it goes across the room or down the street. Perfect gift for your little cowgirl or cowboy. Retail Value: $199.99

My nephew is getting The Simpons Scene It? DVD game for Christmas from me. He loves this show and since I am giving two family members the Twilight Scene It DVD game I thought it would be perfect to give him one as well. Maybe all the pre-teens and teens in the family (the cousins) could get together and play the games. I already have this ready to be wrapped. Retail Value: $31.99

Full Disclosure: All the opinions expressed in this post are 100% true and solely the opinions of the blog owner. MommaDJane.com is listed as an affiliate for Amazon and therefore some links within this post could be affiliate links. No companies paid to be referenced in this gift guide.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Girls

November 21, 2009 in Gift Guide, Resources

This post has gift ideas for girls. My oldest, T, is 12 years old and Gab, my middle child, is 7 years old. I also have several nieces ranging from adult to newborn which makes for a very large family with a long wish list to go through. Below are some highlights from it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk-W4Ief1ec

T’s Wish List for Christmas

Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery is one item T is asking for as a Christmas gift. I will admit this product looks really neat. We have seen the commercials and even visited Toys R Us to check it out. The suggested age on the box is 8-12 and although T is already 12 1/2 she wants it. I know this is something that the two of us could do together and have lots of fun, plus it is one of those products that Gab could share as well. Retail Value: $34.99

T purchased an Apple iPod Touch for her birthday in July so one main gift she is asking for is iTunes gift cards. She has downloaded so many iPod Touch apps for free but she has created a list of some that costs money for when she gets some credit in her account. She also loves to download music to her iPod Touch instead of buying CDs since her iPod plugs into her stereo. iTunes Gift Cards come in a variety of values.

These beautiful Disney inspired designed netbooks make a perfect gift for any Disney lover. My children are huge Disney fans as well as I am. The custom desktops on the computer come in several different Disney character themes. The Disney Netpal by ASUS has an 8.9-Inch screen and a 5 Hour Battery Life. This makes perfect size for carrying around and children of all ages. T wants a new computer and would rather have a small netbook over a large laptop any day. However these computers would make a great gift for Gab too. Retail Value: $349.99

For all you Twilight lovers out there, Twilight scene it? The DVD Game will make a great gift. T has read all the books and owns the first movie. She can’t wait to go see New Moon this week. I already have this game put up in the top of the closet ready to wrap for her for Christmas. I know she will love it. I also got the game for my 13 year old niece as well since she loves the movie. Retail Value: $37.99

T has been taking art class this year and loves it. She has added a Full Box French Style Easel to her wish list and also would love some canvas, paint set, brushes and regular paper for drawing as well. She has already learned a lot in art this year alone and wants to practice at home. This item she will most likely receive from Santa under the tree. She has even cleared room in her bedroom to set it up. Retail Value: $59.99

Gab’s Wish List for Christmas

During the summer Gab and T’s Nintendo DS systems got stolen. Unfortunately it wasn’t within the budget to replace. They both still have most of their games (only missing the ones that were in the game system). For Christmas Gab is asking for the Nintendo DSi Matte – Black. Gab is a total game playing guru and this portable game system has been a life saver during all her doctor appointments and hospital stays. Retail Value: $169.99

Since Gab is asking for a new Nintendo DS system for Christmas I know she will love to have at least a few new games to go with it. Winter’s Tail is the perfect game for Gab. She loves going to Sea World and feeding the dolphins. This game let’s her read along with the story and interact in the game. Gab loves playing games so much that she could spend hours doing it, so learning games are very important in our home. Retail Value: $29.99

Gab loves playing her Leapster 2. She got the Leapster L-MAX when she was four years old and literally played it regularly until last Christmas when she got the Leapster 2. Like I mentioned above learning games are important in our home. I love just about everything Leap Frog puts out. My family just loved the movie Up and for Christmas Gab is asking for the Leapster game to go with it. Retail Value: $24.99

Gab plays the Wii the most in our house although at times we use it for family fun. I just love playing tennis and using my Wii Fit. Gab also loves horses. She was raised around horses at her grandma’s house and visits often. This is a game she is excited to ask for. This fun interactive game let’s the child learn how to care for a horse while continuing through levels to unlock new outfits for Barbie. What more could a horse lover like Gab ask for out of a game? Retail Value: $19.99