Category: Gifts

Do you ever struggle to find a gift for someone special that’s both unique and creative?

With so much choice on the market, sometimes gift-buying is a little overwhelming, and it can be difficult to choose a special present when you’re not sure exactly where to look.

If you struggle to find fun gifts then we’re here to help. Check out these creative gift ideas that are sure to impress. Whether you’re purchasing a gift for someone on Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day, you can’t go wrong with one of these exciting choices.

1. Personalized Jewelry

If you’ve got a special lady in your life, you can’t go wrong with a thoughtful piece of personalized jewelry.

Whether you choose a necklace, ring, bracelet, or any other piece of jewelry, there are so many ways to personalize it to make it a unique gift that’s one of a kind.

For example, you can choose an initial necklace, or you can opt for a charm bracelet and hand-pick each charm that hangs off it. A nice thought is to choose charms that remind you of the person you’ll be gifting the bracelet to. For example, select a daisy charm if that’s their favorite flower.

2. Woven Photo Blankets

Is there a special photo taken of you and a loved one?

For a truly unique gift, why not have the photo made into a woven blanket? That way, every time they snuggle up into bed, they can have a look at your face!

These woven blankets are one of the most creative gifts around, and anyone receiving one would feel touched at the sentimentality of the present. At the very least, you’ll both be able to have a laugh at the gift!

3. Flowers That Last Over a Year

While the gift of flowers is very common, the gift of flowers that last over a year isn’t!

There are plenty of online delivery flower shops that provide such a marvel, with many offering boxes of real roses and hydrangeas that are preserved to last between one to two years.

What’s more, your arrangement and box can usually be customized, depending on which company you go for. Anyone receiving such a gift would be flabbergasted!

4. Roller Skates

Just because a person grows up, doesn’t mean they can’t relive their youth once in a while! If you’re looking for fun gift ideas, then choosing a pair of roller skates for someone is a fabulous idea.

Give the gift of nostalgia with a fun, colorful, and trendy pair of roller skates that anyone would love whizz about in. Roller skates come in various sizes and colors, so it’s a versatile gift that would suit many people.

Why not grab yourself a pair too so you can go skating together?

5. Movie Projector

Linking in with the theme of nostalgia, a movie projector is another thoughtful gift loved by all.

Choose a shiny brand-new option, or you can go old school and have a trawl through the vintage shops and flea markets for an older model. It all depends on the tastes of the person receiving the gift.

Movie night will feel more special and official than ever with the use of a handy movie projector. The question is – what will you watch together first?

6. Popcorn Maker

If you need to double-up with a gift, what could go better with a movie projector?

A popcorn maker, of course!

Not only is popping corn fun, but you’ll also save money by making it yourself. A traditional and quirky fairground-style popcorn maker will look great perched next to the movie projector.

7. Fairy Lights

You can’t go wrong with fairy lights, can you? After all, they give off that romantic ambiance in a room or outdoors that you simply can’t beat.

Play it safe by opting for the classic twinkling fairy lights, and we can guarantee whoever’s receiving them will find a good use for them in the home.

Alternatively, you can experiment with funkier styles and colors depending on how well you know the person you’re gifting them to.

8. Homemade Bath Bombs

If you’re looking for DIY gifts for friends, then making homemade bath bombs is a lovely idea.

After all, who doesn’t love winding down in the bath with a fun, fizzy bath bomb to relax with?

Not only are bath bombs easy to make, but you can customize them when it comes to color and filling. For example, you might want to add some dried flowers for an extra special bath time treat.

A gift that has so much thought and effort put into it is bound to impress!

9. Cork Globe

Do you know a travel-lover? Help them keep track of all the places they’ve visited — and all the places they’re dying to travel to with this clever cork creation.

The soft material allows you to place pins into the surface so you can map your trip and mark off the countries that you’ve visited. This unique cork globe may just be the ticket to impress them!

10. Homesick Candles

Has a loved one recently made a big move across the country? If so, what could be better than the gift of home?

These homesick candles smell like pleasant signature scents from different states, so even if your friend is living in Michigan, you can still remind them of Florida.

Creative Gift Ideas to Impress

No matter what the occasion is or how old your loved one is, these creative gift ideas are sure to impress. You can feel reassured that your gift won’t double up as a repeat gift, that’s for sure.

To learn how to make more of your own handmade creative gifts, check out our DIY section under the Frugal Living tab. A homemade gift is sure to make any of your loved ones feel extra special with all the effort you’ve put in!

We all have that one friend or relative who’s incredibly difficult to buy for.

You know the one. She has plenty of money and can afford to buy herself anything she wants. She always tells you not to bother picking out presents for her, but you want to get her something anyway.

Or maybe she is plain old picky and nothing you choose is ever quite right.

Whatever the case, your quirky friend deserves some equally quirky gifts. Read on for some truly unique gift-giving ideas.

1. Give the Gift of an Experience

When your friend already has everything she could possibly need, it can be hard to pick out a good gift. Why not give her an experience instead of another useless object that will only collect dust?

Science says that experiences are more meaningful and make better memories than tangible items. If you choose an experience that you and your friend can share, it will help you bond and become closer.

What kinds of experiences make good gifts? Of course, it depends on your friend, her hobbies, her likes and dislikes. If she’s an adrenaline junkie, try a zipline trip, bungee jumping, skydiving, or driving a race car.

For less adventurous types, choose a cooking course, aerial yoga class, or a meet-and-greet with a favorite author, comedian, or performing artist.

2. A Subscription Box Is a Gift That Keeps on Giving

Subscription boxes are one of the hottest gift-giving trends of the past few years, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

There’s a crazy array of possibilities, too. You can buy subscription boxes of yarn, books, socks, comics, snacks, soap, slime, and even sex toys.

Another plus of gifting such a box? They’re available at just about every price point since you control the length of the subscription.

3. Make It a Membership

Another of the best quirky gifts to give someone who has everything is a membership to a local attraction.

A year-long membership to a zoo, amusement park, museum, science center, nature park, public radio station, or historical site makes a great gift. And it isn’t just good for your friend. It also helps fund programs or helps the organization stay up and running.

Since most memberships come with a certain number of guest passes, chances are your friend will invite you along at least once during the coming year!

4. Consider a Charitable Donation

Find out what causes are near and dear to your friend’s heart. Then make a donation to an appropriate charity.

If your recipient is an animal lover, give a donation to the local humane society or shelter. An avid reader would appreciate a donation made to the local library or a charity that makes books available to low-income families.

To ensure that your dollars go as far as possible, check out Charity Navigator. Here you’ll find objective ratings and in-depth information about which charities you can trust.

5. For the Craft Cocktail Lover

Have a friend who loves bourbon, scotch, or other spirits? Maybe she’s an amateur mixologist who’s ready to take her hobby to the next level?

Either way, surprise her with truly thoughtful and quirky gifts from Red Head Oak Barrels.

Choose from a wide selection of kits that help anyone make whiskey, rum, and other potent potables at home. They even offer the aging barrels themselves, in addition to many accessories and accouterments perfect for anyone who enjoys a stiff drink or a good cigar.

6. Gifts That Give Back

Want to know exactly where your donation dollars are going?

There are several organizations that let you specify what your charity donation will buy. You can fund meals for shelter animals, mammograms for women in need, shoes for children, fruit trees for African villages, or a flock of ducks that will help a family earn a living.

Greater Good is one such organization; another is Heifer International. What’s wonderful about these types of gifts is that they aren’t just handouts. Often, they allow families and individuals to help themselves by earning a living. They empower people and improve lives.

What better way to honor your friendship than by paying it forward?

7. The Gift of Friendship

We’re going to close out this list of quirky gifts by suggesting something that might be the most meaningful of all–the gift of your time.

These days, it seems like our calendars get cluttered up with obligations and errands faster than you can say, “Siri, check to see if I’m free on May 7th.” It can feel impossible to carve out time for our family members, let alone our friends. And the older we get as adults, the easier it is to substitute a “like” on Facebook for a real, in-person interaction.

So tell your friend that you truly value her company by scheduling a regular date to get together and catch up. What you do during this time is up to you, but it would be fun to suggest a special activity.

Maybe it’s monthly mani-pedis with lunch to follow. Make plans to sing karaoke together or embark on a year-long quest to find your city’s best burger. It could be a girls’ night in with facial masks, silly movies, and a big bottle of wine.

Schedule a weekend getaway when you can put aside the stresses of everyday life and truly connect with one another. Or simply commit to finally going to that spin class she keeps pestering you to try!

What Quirky Gifts Have You Received?

Have you ever been given an experience, a membership, or a charity donation in your name? What quirky gifts have you given others, and how did they react?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, so let us know in the comments!

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments about this post, feel free to reach out and get in touch.

One minute you have all your finances figured out and normalized, and then the holidays slam you.

If you have a history of blowing your holiday budget, you’re among the 74 percent of Americans who blew their Christmas budget in 2017, according to Forbes Magazine.

In January 2018, the majority of Americans were stuck with $1,054 in holiday debt, which was higher by five percent from 2016. You can avoid adding to that number and enjoy the holiday season by following these holiday budgeting tips.

Decide What Your Budget Actually Is

The easiest way to stay on budget for the holidays is to actually have one. An average of over $1,000 of credit card debt after the holidays is scary. And that doesn’t account for the cash purchases so many people make over the holidays before they even put a dent in their plastic.

In a post-holiday debt survey by Magnify Money, just half of the American respondents had a plan to pay off their holiday debt before March of the next calendar year.

Another 29 percent said it would take approximately six months. No wonder the holidays are so stressful!

By the time you pay off that debt, you have only a few more months until the holiday season begins. Then, the budget crunch begins all over again. This is not what the holidays are about.

Decide what your budget actually is, before that happens to you. Start by making a list of every single holiday expense you think you may have.

This includes events, the people you want to buy gifts for, travel expenses, and more. When you’re thinking of events, consider what gifts and attire you’ll need for them.

The biggest reason people go off budget is that they don’t have one. Don’t be embarrassed, nobody needs to know your budget but you.

Start Strategizing the Holiday Budget Early

Once you have your complete list of everything you need to buy this holiday season, be sure you know exactly how much you’ll have for the holidays. After that, you want to begin your strategy. It’s Operation Holiday Shopping time!

Do you really need that new dress or suit? If so, find a budget-friendly way to stay cute AND warm.

An easy way to stay on budget for the holidays is to start your shopping early. Plan that as one of your tactical approaches to Operation Holiday Shopping. The more you spend now, the less you spend later.

Be careful with this one though. Once you finish your shopping, you have to stop.

Look for Savings

Part of Operation Holiday Shopping needs to include realistic savings plans. This includes using things like Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals.

The American Marketing Association reports that Americans spent over $7.9 billion dollars on Black Friday in 2017. Of course, many Americans are using those funds on Christmas gifts.

But all too often the deals are so enticing that we spend a little bit on ourselves. Folks are walking out of Walmart or Best Buy with brand new televisions that they’re going to hang on their own walls.

It’s a good idea to start early on your mission to feed Christmas. But with retailers using Black Friday and Cyber Monday as their biggest cha-ching days of the year, it’s easy to blow your Christmas budget before the month of December even begins.

Use savings events wisely. There are a number of other ways to do so.

Handmade Christmas cards are another invaluable tip that should go on your holiday shopping tips list. You can also use points or cash from rewards programs at Christmas to help you save money.

When you’re making your Christmas budget, in the section where you’re adding up what you are spending, make a list of all of these types of rewards programs. Between cash back on credit cards or points programs, you could have hundreds of dollars of cash money sitting around to spend on the holidays.

That’s literally free money that will never leave your own pocket. Use it for a gift or two, or several!

Make a List and Check it Twice, or, Daily

It’s good to have a budget before you go into your holiday shopping, but it’s also important to stay on top of it every single day of the season. This will eliminate stress after the holidays when everybody is grumpy and feel like they have nothing to celebrate anymore.

Make the same list daily. Make note of what you’re buying today, how much you have to spend, where you’re going to shop and stick to this list. Have a plan on not just a total amount that you are going to spend, but even how much you’ll spend on each person.

Make the list, check it twice. Once before you head out and again when you get home. This keeps yourself accountable at the end of the day to make sure you stayed on point.

It’s okay to slip once in a while. Just be sure that you accommodate those slips the next day or….soon. Track all of it.

When You Can’t Decide What to Get Someone

Some of our biggest overspending occurs when we don’t have a plan. CNBC reported in November 2017 that an “alarming number” of Americans were still paying off holiday debt from the previous year.

This happens when folks don’t have a plan, which is the official term for, not knowing what you’re getting someone for Christmas.

When you make your budget, decide ahead of time what you’re going to spend on each person.

It’s very easy to have a holiday party and remember at the last minute you needed a secret Santa gift or a hostess gift. Then, you run into the mall on the way there and snag the first sparkly thing that you see. Unfortunately, it’s usually more than you would normally spend on that person.

But if you have a budget and include everything, you won’t have this problem.

We all have a group of people in our lives that aren’t in our immediate circle, that we desperately want to give a gift to.

The school bus drivers, dance teachers, pastors and priests, guitar lessons, mailmen – the list can go on and on.

When you don’t know what to get them, you’re going to overspend. Find ways to make large group gifts that you can hand out individually to these folks.

A case of wine can cost you less than $100 and covers all of these folks that touch your lives but don’t need a new television for Christmas like maybe your husband does. Little tins of baked goods wrapped in simple ties are even cheaper when you’re only spending money on the baking supplies.

Travel Budget Do’s and Don’ts

It’s difficult to make sure everybody that is special has a special gift, while still staying on budget. Then there’s the travel time and expense. In 2017, 107 million Americans spent Christmas away from home, which means that was a necessary line on their Christmas budget.

Put this in your budget early. From gas costs to hotels and food or flights, chances are you’re undergoing this expense at Christmas. This could be an area you want to check your rewards programs for.

It’s okay to be cheap here, but be wary of cheap deals with airlines at Christmas. Many airlines will offer cheap flights, then ding you an extra $100 for seat selection or an ounce over your luggage requirements.

If possible, plan your travel schedule with some flexibility. You just never know when a winter storm will ground your plane. Book your flights on the less expensive dates. Don’t complain when a storm grounds you, as you may be the first in line for a free hotel or free voucher for the next flight.

You also want to keep every single receipt when you’re undergoing delays at the airport. If you need to touch base with an airline after the fact, let them know the expenses you incurred during that delay. You could get some money back.

You also want to know the exact reason any flight is delayed, as this could help you with compensation issues after the fact as well.

Stop Spending and Enjoy the Season

Holidays are no fun when you’re worrying every single day about what your credit card debt is going to look like in January.

Create a budget, for every single person and gift. Know what you have and start shopping early. There is an abundance of ideas for awesome and affordable gifts for kids too.

Find every savings program or rewards program you can cash in on, and don’t use Cyber Monday events to refurnish the house. Those sales are going to be there after the holidays when retailers are looking to keep the shopping wave flowing.

Your holiday budget shouldn’t be weighing you down every day. Use these holiday shopping tips wisely, and you’ll be able to actually enjoy the season! That’s what it’s there for!

‘Tis the season to spend all of your cash on gifts for your kids, right? But what if you want to economize while still indulging in the holiday spirit with little ones? Then, look no further than these creative and inexpensive gifts for kids.

Whether you’re looking for fun gifts for little boys or inexpensive gifts for girls, we’ve got you covered. Read on for fifteen frugal surprises that your children will love and so will your wallet.

1. Let’s Make Hot Dogs and Hamburgers!

Kids love pretending to cook. So, why not let them make their own hotdogs and hamburgers with all of the fixings? When it comes to gift ideas for children, they’ll love a wooden sandwich-making set for under $25.

Wooden toys represent the best choice for your little ones for many different reasons. When it comes to a fun sandwich making kit, look for a wide variety of ingredients including:

• Cheese
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Hamburgers
• Hotdogs
• Hamburger buns
• Hotdog buns

Because of their durable construction, wooden kits mark a great gift for kids three and up. So, let your kids practice their budding chef skills while learning how to use their hands to organize and manipulate objects–a perfect toy for your preschooler.

2. Ready to Bake Pizza?

Another great toy is the wooden pizza playset by Juguear, which comes in under $25. It lets your little ones bake their own pizzas with a variety of toppings. In fact, it comes with:

• A pizza baking “stone”
• Crust
• Sauce
• Bell pepper slices
• Red onion slices
• Mushroom slices
• Pepperoni
• A pizza cutter
• A spatula to serve slices

Your children will spend hours crafting their own unique pizza combinations and pretending to bake them. Like the hamburger and hotdog set, the wooden construction makes for a durable toy suitable for kids ages three and up.

3. Handyman Time!

Kids will love Liberty Import’s realistic-looking mini toy drill set with three interchangeable drill bits. It comes in under $12 and will keep your kids entertained with its realistic drilling sounds and motion.

It requires 2 “AA” batteries, so keep this in mind when you purchase this gift. And because of small pieces, keep it away from children under three years of age.

4. Night Vision

What kid doesn’t want to strap a headlamp to their forehead and explore the world at night? A headlamp’s also a super handy gift for kids who camp, like to read in bed, feel afraid of the dark, or find themselves in a power outage.

When it comes to purchasing the perfect headlamp for your little one, look for an adjustable strap like TOTOBAY Direct’s Waterproof LED Headlamp. It requires three “AAA” batteries and comes in under $10.

5. Magnetic Letters

For under $20, you can purchase a gorgeous magnetic alphabet set that your little ones will love playing with on the refrigerator. Opt for a set with the letters in a brilliant rainbow of jewel colors as a lovely accent to your kitchen decor.

Look for a 57-piece set including both upper and lower cases so that your kids can master their alphabet and work on basic spelling. An ABC set offers a fun way for kids to work on their hand-eye coordination and ability to manipulate objects.

6. Magnify It

For less than $12, you can give the gift of scientific inquiry to your little ones with Backyard Safari’s Magnifying Glass. The magnifying glass lens measures three inches across and offers four times the magnification of the naked eye.

It comes with a no-slip grip and a hanging carabiner for ease of carrying, especially during hikes. Recommended for children six years and up, it provides an exciting introduction to the miniature world we often overlook.

7. Get Knotty

Knot-making represents an ancient art that has helped human beings survive for millennia. Now you can easily introduce your kids to this craft with Backyard Safari’s Survival Knots kit.

Coming in at under $20, it teaches kids how to make and use 12 different knots. These include:

• Alpine Butterfly Loops
• Dropper Loop Knots
• Square Lashing

But the best part remains the fact it teaches kids how to use these knots in real-world survival situations. Recommended for kids six and up, it comes with paracords, plastic clips, reference cards, and more.

8. Launch Time

Toys+ makes some really fun variations on the parachute man toy. Our favorite? A four-pack of glow-in-the-dark parachuters in fluorescent colors.

The bright colors help you keep these parachuters in sight all day long. But it’s also fun and beautiful to give them a toss at night and watch them glow down to the ground.

They glow in different hues and prove 100 percent reusable. Their design avoids tangled strings, and they come in at under $15.

9. Slingshot Wonder

Remember how much fun you and your friends had playing with slingshots as kids? But remember how many things you broke? Luckily, with Monkey Business’s Foam Strike Sling Shot, you get all of the fun of a slingshot without the destruction.

It blasts foam balls upwards of 60 feet and proves easy to reload. Because of the foam ball design, you no longer have to worry about broken windows or injured kids. But you still get all of the fun of slinging objects through the air for under $12.

10. Spirograph Fun

Kahootz Travel’s Spirograph Playset lets your kids enjoy the classic toy on the go. It offers endless design options and includes six spirograph precision wheels and two pens. What’s more, it comes with a 24-page sticky notepad.

Recommended for ages five and up, it’ll keep your little ones busy for hours, and its travel-worthy. So, get ready for quiet kids even on long road trips. Better still, it comes in at under $10.

11. Go Bead Crazy

What kid doesn’t like crafting with beads? Fortunately, Perler beads let your kids (ages six and up) create designs with large plastic beads and pegboards that can then be fused together using a hot iron in 10 seconds.

From cartoon characters to animals and more, your kids will love this easy-to-make craft that lets them get creative. A bucket of 6,000 beads comes in at under $10 making this a thrifty option, too.

12. We Can’t Forget the Play-Doh

Just think about how many hours of entertainment you got out of Play-Doh when you were little. For under $10, your kids can enjoy the same fun.

For example, the Play-Doh Basic Fun Factory Shape Making Machine comes with two colors of non-toxic Play-Doh, and a Play-Doh squeeze machine that lets you press the clay into a variety of fun shapes.

13. I Spy Books

I Spy books never get old. They also offer kids a fun way to learn how to read while practicing their observational skills.

Known for their rhythm, rhyme, and fun picture clues, I Spy books will captivate your kids. And at under $12 each, your wallet will thank you.

14. Find Your Story

Rory’s Story Cubes teach kids to let their imaginations run free for under $10. Each game represents a pocket-sized creative story generator, which reinforces children’s natural artistic abilities.

The game comes with nine one-inch cubes containing one of six different images on each side for a total of 54 images. When rolled, the images on the cubes combine in over 10 million different ways creating the basis for one-of-a-kind stories.

15. Puppet Theater Time

Aurora’s line of hand puppets prove well-made and beautifully detailed, and they come in at under $10 apiece. These hand puppets range from dinosaurs to wolves and horses and feature realistic styling and plush fabric.

They’re a great way to let kids explore their imaginations and get creative. They also feel cuddly and soft, offering a more expressive alternative to run-of-the-mill stuffed animals.

The Best Inexpensive Gifts for Kids

While the holiday season symbolizes family, togetherness, and tradition, consumerism definitely gets in the way. In fact, this time of year may make you want to curl up in a ball and stay home, far from the mad rush to the store.

Fortunately, inexpensive gifts for kids abound. Some of our favorites come in at under $25 or less. Yet, they offer kids the opportunity to build tactile skills while exploring their imaginations.

At Mommy Ramblings, we understand how important staying on budget can be. Yet, you still want to bring the magic of childhood to life for your little ones. Follow our blog for more nifty ways to economize while still enjoying your best life.

Did you know that most birthday parties spend around $500 on an average? And that’s just for kids’ parties!

Do you have to spend that much money on a gift for your mom? Is it necessary to go big and extravagant?

For some, it’s a great way of telling their mom how much they love them. Sometimes, it’s not about a physical gift.

Still wondering what to get mom for her birthday? If they have a successful home business, they could want something practical. They might want to spend time with you instead of having an elaborate party.

Read on to know things to do for mom’s birthday:

1. Remembrance

Moms always say that they aren’t bothered when you forget her birthday, but the truth of the matter is that they do. After all, they’re usually the ones who go for the extra mile to make their husband and kids’ birthdays feel special.

Most moms will appreciate simple gestures of remembrance, with them often getting teary-eyed with simple wake-up greetings or songs. This is the least you can do to make her feel appreciated.

2. Presents

Giving a birthday present goes a long way, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy to mean something great for your mom. There are a lot of birthday gifts out there that will let her know the affection and appreciation you feel for her.

If you want to get fancy, the best birthday gift ideas for mom are oval diamond jewelry, so put a big smile on her face by giving her something valuable and beautiful. You can visit www.jacobmercari.com to browse the best present for your beloved mom.

3. A Great Dinner

A mom birthday celebration only succeeds when moms get the time off from their household roles. As her day goes by, make sure she doesn’t do any chores since she needs to have this time to relax and stop worrying about what she needs to do to make the house livable.

If you plan to give her a grand dinner, make sure she gets break from the chores. Get her to eat her birthday meal without interruptions. Make her feel like a queen in her special day.

4. Simple Wishes

If you want to show your love to your mom on her birthday, make sure to call her at least. You might get tempted to post on her Facebook wall instead. After all, the social media network has 2.2 billion active users and that’s a big audience to showcase your love.

However, you should go beyond the superficial.

The ideal situation is to greet her in a personal manner, but if you can’t, send your love through phone calls. Let her hear your voice–she’ll love it!

Learn What to Get Mom for Her Birthday Today!

Your mom’s birthday is something that you celebrate no matter what your age is, so if you don’t know what to get mom for her birthday, you can follow these tips. Always remember that they want to get some time off from their mom role and get pampered.

Looking for more great ideas for your mom’s birthday?

Why not visit us today and read our other guides? Here’s one about picking a purse that best suits your mom’s tastes. It will help you get one that’s comfortable, useful, and most of all authentic.