Christmas Gift Guide For Teen Girls

We’ve started shopping for Christmas. Many retailers are having Black Friday-ish sales right now, and we are trying to check off our long list of to do’s and people to buy for. We have more shopping lists headed your way, but for now, it’s all about the teen girls. We are blessed with a teen and tween girl, and they have been VERY vocal about what they are eyeing for Christmas this year.

Belt Bag, LuLu, $38: This belt bag is a teen and adult favorite. Just the right size for a phone, money, lip gloss, gum, etc. Great price point, too.

Ice flow, Stanley – We love our Stanley’s. This style is great for school, sports, etc. The Stanley’s with the straw are not ideal for travel with the straw, so this one comes in clutch when on-the-go.

Marshmallow blanket, $169 from Urban Outfitters – I can see teen girls using this all the time, plus its fun texture on the bed. Looks so cozy and fluffy just like a marshmallow.

Colorful pom pom beanie, North Face $32: If you ask us, a beanie is just not complete with the pom pom. This is a cute style. Several colors available.

FujiFilk Instax Mini Photo Printer, Amazon $100: Teens love their photos, and we seem to develop less and less photos. This is a fun way the teens can print their photos in-house and hang them to display. This light set comes with clips – cute room decor and perfect spot for all those photo memories.

Stuff bag, Amazon $12: Such a cute bag for all the little things.

Ugg Mini, Nordstrom $150: This is on my list, and my daughters, Nordstrom. They are a high-sell out risk, so best to gran now and return if you need later. Also, shop around other retailers if Nordy’s doesn’t have the one you’re looking for.

High rise boyfriend joggers, Gap $50 (extra 40% off right now, so run): I have these and love them. And…my daughter steals them on a regular basis, which means it is teen-approved.

Bear Hug Sherpa Jacket, $35 (on sale from $60): This is so cozy, and on it’s SALE!! Teens will wear this all the time. We may add one to our list as well. Cozy every day, all day for us.

High rise relaxed jean, Abercrombie $90: High-rise relaxed or wide leg jeans are the look right now. We like these because there are no holes, so they can be worn more places. Abercrombie often has sales for jeans, so we will look out for that.

Rare beauty liquid blush, Sephora $24 – Teen girls are into this. I love my blush stick, so I’ll stick with that for now. But the girls are into Selena Gomez blush at the moment. Good price point, and an great stocking stuffer.

Laneige lip butter – Yep, just like the name, it feels like butter on your lips. Grapefruit is our favorite scent. There’s not much color, just good shine.

Sol de Janeiro perfume, Sephora – This scent is my daughter’s favorite. You can get all the products in this limited edition kit, which is $42 ($60 value)

Disco Ball Diffuser, Amazon $30: We love our diffusers and use them daily. Teens will love the twinkle of the disco ball. Plus, they can bring a little Taylor Swift mirrorball vibes into their bedroom, while breathing in Lavender, or any beneficial essential oils.

Heart Hands, Amazon $25: If you have a swiftie fan this is a bonus because this is one of her things, and girls can wrap their bracelets around the base of the hands + plus it serves as cute room decor.

Shopping for Christmas: Mens Gift Guide

holiday shopping, mens gift guide

The holidays are our favorite time of the year. Being together with loved ones around good food, and making precious memories are what we hold most dear. Our family has beautiful traditions, and we want our children to hold those close to their hearts (just like we have), more than the presents and all the “excess” the media and retail outlets prioritize.

Having said that, we like to give a good gift like anybody, and we are going to get our holiday shopping done early this year. As we run around trying to clean and cook for a lovely holiday, we want to have those shopping items off our list. Plus with all the struggling supply chains, shipping delays and job vacancy woes, there’s not time to waste.

We’ve put together Christmas gift guides to get those ideas flowing for you. We hope it’s helpful and you find something for the man/men in your life.

Men’s Holiday Gift Guide

  1. No Bull Shoes: These are so good looking, and Jessica’s husband loves them. He had them for a year, and they’ve held up great. No bull shoes:
  2. Vuori Joggers: Just like we love being comfortable, the men do too. These feel like butter, and your man will thank you.
  3. G Shock Watch: These watches have such rugged look, which we love. Plus, they are excellent quality. We avoid the apple watch, so this is a perfect go-to for us. Perfect for teens, too.
  4. Theragun: This is actually on our husbands list this year! If he’s extra nice, he will wake up on Christmas morning to this.
  5. Stanley Water Bottle: This is our favorite water bottle, so let’s hydrate the men, too!
  6. Greenlights Book: We absolutely LOVED this book. It’s a wonderful read/gift for any man or woman in your life.
  7. Men’s Cheyanne Sorel Shoes: These almost look like Converse, but they look warm, comfortable and not bulky at all. Plus, they are water bottle for the winter elements.
  8. Huk Waypoint Hoodie: The men in our lives LOVE these shirts. They are so comfortable, they wear them year-round. If your husband loves to fish, they have fantastic fishing shirts, too!
  9. JBL Speaker: We have both big and small JBL speakers, and bring them everywhere. We love them, and the quality of sound. Also, a good gift for the teen in your life (our 13-year-old is getting it this year).
  10. Microspikes: If you live in an area with snow, these are a must. We like snowshoes, but use these way more. They are easy to travel with, quick to put on, and provide great traction. Great for women, too.
  11. Carhartt Beanie: There’s something about a man in a Carhartt beanie that we love.

 

 

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Gift Guide: Game Night For Everyone On Your List

family game night - christmas gift guide for everyone

Some of our favorite gifts to give (and receive) are games. This year, we are spending more time indoors with our families than (perhaps ever) before, so it’s the perfect year to give the gift of an entertaining “Game Night.” It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long. Get the whole family together for night full of laughter and friendly competition. It’s budget-friendly fun, and we more of that this year! You don’t need to spend an enormous amount of money on the newest video gaming box to entertain your kids. Instead, spend time together playing a game. Those memories are often the most priceless ones.

We’ve rounded up some of our personal favorites*. We hope you enjoy them, too!

christmas gift guide, game night for the whole family

1. Flipside: This is one of our favorite gifts to give, and one of our kids favorite’s to play. It’s awesome! It can go anywhere, and all ages can play. Sometimes we get addicted as adults, and want to get to that next level. Think rubix cube meets fast-paced lights and a timer. You can play individually or as a team. There are a couple game modes to choose from.

2. Crazy 8’s, Go Fish: Sometimes a deck of cards is all you need for good old-fashioned fun. This set has something for everyone, and you can stuff the decks into stockings.

3. Uno: You can’t go wrong with this classic card game. Try to be the first to get rid of your cards before your opponents try to pin you with a Wild card or a +4. The more players you have, the longer it lasts. Ages 7 and up will like to play this one.  This UNO Attack takes it up a notch if you are ready to mix it up.

4. Yahtzee: This is a classic. We played when we were young. This is a great price at under $10, and fun for the entire family. See if your lucky, or have dice skill to get a Full House, three of a kind, or the ultimate 5-of-a-kind, known as Yahtzee. Kids have the opportunity work on their math skills as they count dice, too. Our kids, ranging from age 7 to 12 love this game.

5. Star Wars Monopoly, Mandalorian: Our boys are big Star Wars fans. We have a Star Wars Monopoly that is either unavailable online, or more than $75. So, if we can’t get that same version, this Mandalorian version will work. Who can resist that adorable baby Yoda, the Child?

6. Kanoodle: This is an all-time favorite. It can travel anywhere, requires zero wi-fi, kids have to use their brains and it’s so much fun for ages 7-99. This makes an excellent stocking stuffer, or birthday party gift. We always like to have extras of these on hand to give as gifts. The price is right on this game, too, for under $10! With just 12 puzzle pieces, challenge yourself to follow the puzzle book (with 200 challenges) with a couple pieces shown, then complete the puzzle.

7. Guesstures: This is another Christmas gift for our family this year.  It’s a fast game of charades the whole family can play. We played it when we were younger, and hope our kids love it like we did. Get ready for lots of laughs.

8. Guess Who: This game is good fun! Our kids have loved this since age 4! The object of the game is to ask Yes or No questions to determine who the opponents person is. Kids will learn strategy with this one.

9. Code Names: Spy agents on opposing teams provide their team with code words to guess words on the board. It’s engaging, and fun for ages 10 and up. The rules seem somewhat overwhelming at first, but the more you play, the more fun it is. There is a Disney variation of this game, which our kids really liked.

10. Clean Slate: This is a new discovery for us. We like to get our kids a new game every Christmas, so shhh, our kids are getting this one for Christmas, along with Taboo, Kids vs. Parents.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means we may make a tiny commission with purchases, at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family blog. 

Merry Schittsmas: Gift Guide For All The Schitts Creek Fans On Your List

schitts creek

Ew, 2020! Are we right?? Ok, there was definitely some amazing #silverlinings in this crappy year. More time with our family. Longer vacations. Appreciation for fresh air. Good books that gave us an escape from everyday reality. And, yes binging on Schitt’s Creek. We LOVE this show. Moira speaks Jenna’s love language with all the hats, and black and white everything. Jodi loves all things Alexis (ew, David!) and of course, David. Jessica loves them all. It’s light and funny – definitely belly laughs and humor at the end of our day.

We know this gift guide is ridiculously early – hello, it’s only October. However, as a general rule of thumb, if we see something we like for a gift, we get it, no matter what month it is. We hear shipping is going to be somewhat of a hassle this year, and lately, we don’t know what each day will bring. So, we hope to take away some of the stress from December and start shopping now. If you’re unable to spend money on people this year, because, well, it’s been a very difficult year for many…that’s more than ok. A card, a letter, a hug, time (time is the biggest gift we have) is sometimes the best gift of all.

Merry Schittsmas!

christmas gift guide - schitts creek

  1. Wine glass: This Wine is Awful, Get Me Another Glass: Cheers with this hilarious glass this holiday season, and every season.
  2. Best Wishes, Warmest Regards doormat: Welcome friends with a smile and and ode to David, and send them off with that fuzzy Schitt’s Creek feeling. If your guests don’t know about Schitt’s Creek, first tell them to watch it, and second, they will still think is a welcoming mat, regardless if they are fans or not.
  3. Ew, 2020 David Rose Christmas Ornament: Um, yes to this! It’s a funny gift, and a good reminder to pull out every year to remember that cursed year, 2020.
  4. Schitts Creek Holiday Card Pack: Say Merry Schittsmas to friends and family this year with some hilarious cards.
  5. Simply The Best Stickers: At just $3.50 this gift is not only awesome and simply the best, but affordable.
  6. Rosebud motel key ring: Every time you look for your keys, you’ll find them immediately with this bright red Rosebud Motel keyring. It’s a good reminder to laugh, too.
  7. I’m trying very hard not to connect with people right now face mask: Channel your inner David with all this mask BS, and the mask is enough said.
  8. Sunglasses: Make a David statement in these look-alike glasses he pulled off so well!
  9. Boop tote: No one shops or does a little nose touch (boop) better than Alexis. Carry around essentials, or even better, bottles of wine, to a friends house in this adorable bag.
  10. Bébé, it’s cold outside mug: No one quite says anything better, and with such flair, than Moira. Sip coffee or tea with this holiday mug.
  11. Very uninterested in that opinion, make up pouch: Oh, David. You say the words we want to say, and often don’t. Love this!
  12. Love that journey for you wall banner: Alexis makes us laugh with her quirky hand movements, and expressions. This one is a fave, and it’s actually cute decor. Love that journey for me stickers is a little bit more Alexis on a mug, computer, or anything you want to put it on, and we’re here for it.
  13. Have a blessed day shirt: This shirt will get a good laugh, plus lift your spirits every time you wear it. Pair it with a pair of jeans, or leather pants like David would do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Home Decor: Mini Gingerbread House Village

diy bird house gingerbread houses (2)

I’m not only in a bell phase this Christmas season, I’m having a gingerbread moment, too. First it was our DIY gingerbread paper bag advent calendar, and now it’s a cute mini DIY gingerbread village made from tiny wood bird houses. I’ve never made homemade gingerbread, and I actually don’t like the taste of it. But, I love how festive the houses are, and can’t resist a homemade gingerbread house. This gingerbread house village is so easy, and so cute. You don’t need to worry about candy getting stale, because nothing is edible on these tiny houses. You can give these as gifts, or set them up year after year with your holiday decor. Plus, you can do it this weekend with the kids. It would be really fun to see all the colors and designs the kids come up with.

Stick around for the bottom of the post if REAL gingerbread houses are more your jam. Some really talented pastry chefs, and members of the Vail community displayed some amazing Gingerbread Houses at the Vail Library in November as part of Revely Vail

gingerbread house- christmas decor

DIY Gingerbread House Village Made With Mini Wood Birdhouses

Materials:

  • mini wood bird houses, Walmart or Amazon
  • acrylic paint
  • paint brush
  • Elmer’s white paint pens, fine tip
  • glass cookie jars, Walmart
  • mini bottle brush Christmas trees

Instructions:

Step 1: Paint the houses. I had to do two coats of paint per house. I used a two different colors of brown paint to get a “gingerbread” color.

mini wood gingerbread houses for christmas decor

Step 2: Once the paint is dry, begin to draw/doodle decorations on the house with the paint pen. I drew it free-hand, and it worked out great. Draw swirls, icicles, windows, doors, hearts, candy canes, etc. on the front, back and top of the house. Make each house different.

gingerbread house- christmas decor

gingerbread house- christmas decor

Step 3: Set the houses on a cake stand with bottle brush trees, twinkle lights and fake snow. Or, make a pretty glass jar display with all the fun winter accessories, and twinkle lights, too.

gingerbread house display

gingerbread house display

 

Revely Vail Gingerbread House Competition (just a small snippet of the 30+ entries):

 

Hovey & Harrison

Hovey & Harrison

 

The Arrabelle at Vail

The Arrabelle at Vail

 

The Sebastian Hotel

The Sebastian Hotel

 

Gru's Christmas House, 3rd graders

Gru’s Christmas House, 3rd graders

 

age 6-10 entry, Sweet As Can Be

age 6-10 entry, Sweet As Can Be

 

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