Friends & Family Gifts Under $100

Holy cats, it’s December.  And it’s the last week to link up with April, Elise, Katie, and Zelle and their A Few of My Favorite Things linkup.  Today’s about gifts under $100.  So many things I’d love to give.  One of my favorite ideas are subscriptions – the gift that keeps on giving!

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..1.. Uncommon Goods: Elwood The Rainbown Unicorn Mug
I told you this was going to show up again.  It’s so silly, but so amazing.  I’d love to be able to show this off on my desk – so obviously, I’d love to give a girlfriend the same opportunity!

..2.. Subscription: Magazine
Again, one of my favorite gifts I’ve received was a Women’s Health subscription.  It’s magically continued to renew for over 2 years now (and my friend isn’t being charged…?!).  But, even so, I thought it was such a clever idea.  Up to that point, I hadn’t subscribed to any magazine.  Earlier this year, Taste of Home was on mega-sale, so I treated myself to a 2-year subscription to that.  It’s awesome.  What I especially love about this gift is that it’s so versatile – there is a magazine out there for just about any interest!

..3.. Spa: Manicure and/or Pedicure
How much would you love your girlfriend/sister/mom if they treated you to a spa treatment?  …That’s what I thought.

..4.. lululemon: Think Fast Pullover
Oh, lululemon.  The brand I hate spending the money for, but get giddy over receiving.  I know every single one of my girlfriends would love to receive something like this!

..5..Subscription: Blue Apron
Another thing that I would love to try.  I’ve read some pretty awesome reviews about them on various blogs, but just haven’t taken the plunge.  If you have a foodie or someone that loves to cook on your Christmas list, I think this would be a super unique, much appreciated gift!

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..1.. NFL Shop: On Field Apparel
If you are my husband, you love Packereverything.  EVERYTHING.  Whenever I get “stuck” on what to get him, I head to the NFL shop for something.  He’s a big lover of polos and pullovers like this.  They’re a little bit dressier than a regular sweatshirt.

..2.. Spa: Massage
Another thing my husband loves – massages.  I introduced him to the wonderment of them (pedicures, too!) and he’s always a happy camper when I have share news of a scheduled appointment for him.  I especially love this because it forces him to take a step back and simply relax for a period of time.

..3.. Target: JBL Flip Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
As of November 16th, this bad boy was on sale for $80.  Craig has one and loves it.  It’s portable and easy to use.  He’s had it on the deck, in his bathroom, while tailgating.  It’s small, so it’s easy to transport and it’s held up great!

..4.. Subscription: Beer of the Month
Any big beer men in your life?  I don’t have any in mine, but again, I love the ideas of a subscription gift.  I haven’t heard anything specific about the company I’ve linked to, so I can’t vouch for them.  However, with a simple Google search, I found a number of different companies to choose from.

..5.. Ticketmaster: Concert Tickets
Another of my favorite gifts to give are experiences.  I’ve surprised Craig with hockey tickets, Packer tickets, concert tickets, etc.  Granted, it’s usually with the caveat that I am his “plus-one,” but I love that it gives us the chance to do something a little out of the ordinary.  He’s returned the favor by buying me gifts to theatre.  I don’t particularly LOVE many concert venues and he doesn’t love many theatre productions, but that’s what’s fun about it – we’re doing something the other individual thoroughly enjoys and expanding our own horizons.  This would also be a great gift for a dad or grandpa – let him treat his partner to a night out!

What are some of your favorite gifts to give or receive?

For Stocking Stuffers

A Few of My Favorite Things

I’m more than ready for Christmas to come around – because it means the little guy will finally be here!  Patience has never been a strong suit of mine.

In the holiday spirit, I’m linking up with April, Elise, Katie, and Zelle!

This week is all about what’s on my Christmas list – and in the coming weeks I’ll share suggestions for stocking stuffers and friends/family gifts under $100.  If you’re looking for a place to gather some ideas, this linkup is it!

My mom asked Craig and I for lists a few weeks ago already – she wanted to make sure it wasn’t “all about the baby.”  Which, let’s face it – it will be all about the baby.  And I’m totes okay with that!  Since she asked me I didn’t give it much thought, I mean, I couldn’t come up with something that I was dying to have.

Unless you count new granite counter tops, which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly a realistic item to put on a Christmas list, is it? 😉

Here’s what I’ve come up with.

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..1.. Hoodie Love: Classic Hoodie – Grey & White Stripe
Now, before anyone has a heart attack over the price – I want to insist these babies are worth every penny.  I ordered an olive green one this summer when JannMarie was selling them through IndiGoGo to kick start her business.  They were discounted at that point and I had read some really awesome reviews from fellow bloggers about them.  It is the softest fabric ever.  Ever.  I can’t wait until baby is born partly so I can wear it without worrying about stretching it out.  I’m coveting this striped version now.  How cute would it be with a pair of leggings and boots!?  …yep, super cute.

..2.. Stella & Dot: Signature Engravable Bar Necklace
Another little sumthin’ sumthin’ I found via a fellow blogger – Stella & Dot.  I’ve never ordered from them, but again, have heard really good things about their stuff.  I’d love to get an engravable necklace with baby’s birthday or my anniversary.  The more I think about it, it’d be smarter to go with a silver version versus gold, because then I could pair it with the necklace Craig gave me for the wedding.

I’m sentimental when it comes to jewelery – I’ve worn the same cuff bracelet I received as a gift from my aunt and her family for high school graduation every day since.  It’s stamped with “Live Your Best Life” and it serves as a daily reminder.  After my wedding day, I’ve worn the necklace Craig gave me that day 98% of the time.

..3.. Uncommon Goods: Elwood the Rainbow Unicorn Mug
What does one even say about this?  It’s pure awesome.  And it’s going to be showing back up on day 3 of this link up.  Because if I don’t receive one, I’m certainly gifting one.  I love this thing!

..4.. Becky Higgins: Project Life
Through high school and part of college, I kept up really well with scrapbooking.  And then with living in apartments and moving frequently, it became less and less conducive to not only moving that stuff from place to place, but finding adequate storage wherever I was living.  If I pulled it out to work on stuff, I would have scraps, stickers, and markers on my dining room table for the next month.  Seriously.  It just became too much of a hassle.

You guessed it – I first learned of these through a blog and have since seen these products popping up and more and more in stores like Michael’s.  I love them because there is little mess, allows you to organize memories, and makes it all so pretty.  AND I just saw that if you order more than $35, you get free shipping!

With a baby coming, I know that my free time will be little and precious, but I still want to be able to put thoughts together.  That’s why I’m wishing for materials to get one of these babies started!

..5.. Spargo Salon & Spa: Massage or Gift Card
Okay, I’ve mentioned Jimmy Johns.  And sushi.  Lastly, I need to mention my desire for a massage after this baby comes.  Yes, I had to prenatals that were amazing, but I don’t think how they felt can come close to how a massage will feel postpartum.  My body is working to do something pretty miraculous and I think it deserves a special treat!

I’d also settle for a gift card to treat myself to some highlights.  Mama is tired of her dirty dishwater blonde hair!

What are some of your wish list items this year? 

 

 

 

Pregnancy Must Haves

Being 33 1/2 weeks along now, I have a pretty good idea of what I’d recommend to future mamas-to-be should they ask for my input.  This is also the kind of post that I read, enjoyed, and referenced when other bloggers have shared.  Reading what has been either helpful or unhelpful for others has certainly helped guide me as I’ve taken on the past 8 months.  Take what I say in stride, though.  What I’ve needed over the past 33 weeks may differ from what your body needs or benefits from!

Vitamins – Gummies or Tablets
I used both.  I started with the tablets because most gummy vitamins taste disgusting to me.  However, when I hit weeks 8-14ish I couldn’t swallow the horse pill.  So, I switched to the gummy version.  Once my gag reflex subsided, I switched back to the tablets.  I’ll be honest and say I haven’t been super diligent in taking my prenatal, but I try super hard!  I’ve used Trader Joe’s Prenatal Once Daily and vitafusion PreNatal.

Pregnancy Pillow
I purchased the Luna Lullaby Bosom Baby Nursing Pillow per recommendation that I received.  I love it because it isn’t too unruly and it fits just fine in our queen sized bed without Craig feeling like I’m intruding on his space.  It’s been a lifesaver – it’s just long enough to rest between my knees and allow me to hug it.  It’s the only reason I’ve continued to sleep how I have.  I have good nights and bad, but I can’t imagine trying to get buy with just a regular pillow.  If you don’t get this pregnancy pillow, get something!

Water Bottle
It’s so important to stay hydrated.  And it’s so hard to stay hydrated.  You’re already peeing all.the.time.  I drink more liquids when I can drink from a straw, so these Contigo Shake and Go Tumblers have been perfect.

Lotions
I know that we are told stretch marks are genetic.  I have them on my legs from growth spurts I went through in my early teenage years, but I have to have any show up during pregnancy. #hallelujah I’ve always been religious about lotion-ing up every single day after I shower – it’s a habit I picked up from my mama.  I think having a moisturizing regiment has helped tremendously.  I’ve added a few moisturizers to my arsenal since becoming pregnant – I use 3 every single day.  It seems as though they’ve been doing their job quite well!  I regularly use Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Lotion (for the summer) or Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion (for the winter) and since becoming pregnant I’ve added Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks and Arbonne SeaSource Detox Spa Renewing Body Gelée.  The Palmer’s goes all over my tummy and I rub gelée where I get round ligament pain, as well as the base of my spine, where I occasionally get sciatic nerve pain.

Prenatal Massages
I treated myself to just two of these.  Well, actually, Craig treated me to one and I promptly scheduled myself a second.  They’re expensive, but if you can swing a couple of ’em, do it.  I left after those hours feeling so good.  It made me realize just how tired and run down pregnancy has made me.  Don’t give me wrong, I feel pretty good day-to-day, but those massages rejuvenated me like you wouldn’t believe.

Trail Mix
I’ve kept a bag of this in my purse for weeks now.  It’s been so helpful on days that I’m running errands or feeling hungrier than usual at work.  A handful or two of this peps me right back up.

Good Shoes
I learned this the hard way.  I have a job that keeps me on my feet for a good portion of the day.  When I hit 30 weeks, my feet and ankles got angry.  Someone had recommended Dansko to me, but after a trip to the Walking Company, I left with a pair of horrendously ugly, ridiculously expensive, but amazing ABEO shoes.  I don’t buy expensive shoes.  I’d rather have a bajillion (cheap) pairs to choose from (hellooooo, girlfriend has to have her shoes match her outfit perfectly).  I died a little on the inside paying for the ABEO‘s, but they’ve honestly made a huge different in my comfort.  The swelling hasn’t changed, but my comfort level has, for sure.

Maternity Clothes
Broad topic.  I know.  And most pregnant women obviously buy them.  My biggest recommendations in this category would be maxi dresses, maternity yoga pants, and a “cute” pair of maternity jeans.  The dresses I’ve bought, I can easily wear post baby.  I live in yoga pants while at home, so investing in a couple pairs to fit my belly was totally worth it.  And the jeans – I bought a pair early on and they were total “mom jeans.”  I hated wearing them.  I felt frumpy and unattractive.  Frumpy and unattractive isn’t how I wanted to feel considering at the time I did not look pregnant – rather, I just looked like I gained a ton of weight! Then, I found a pair at Destination Maternity for only $30 more than the mom jeans – and they look like designer jeans!  Seriously.  Now that I’m clearly pregnant, I’ve had people ask me if they are maternity or if I’m just wearing a pair with a belly band.  I wear them so much more than I thought I would.  Would buy them again in a heartbeat.

Patient Spouse/Partner
Might sound like I’m just trying to be funny.  But, truthfully, there is no doubt in my mind that my pregnancy would not be as enjoyable as it’s been without the patience and understanding of my husband.  I’ve definitely had my moments – tears (happy and sad), raging hormones, you name it – and he’s taken it all in stride.  He’s stepped up when he’s needed to and given me space when I’ve asked for it.  So, whether it’s your husband, partner, mother, friend, whomever – find a support system.  Pregnancy shouldn’t be a solo venture – I can’t imagine going it alone.

Anything you would add?