 After conquering Christmas gifts for the entire family, I move on to stocking stuffers. You would think this would be easy, but sometimes I find it hard to find small items that fit in a stocking and do not cost and arm and a leg. I'm also not one to buy trinkets and would prefer to buy items that my kids need, will learn from, or at least an item that will last for longer than a day.
Sometimes we do the normal necessities: socks, deodorant, cologne/perfume, tooth brushes, gift cards, underwear, chapstick, candy, magazine subscription, date night cards, etc. But sometimes I decide to make it a little bit more fun and get them small gifts! Here's one suggestion: When buying for more than one child, look for value packs or sets that you can divide out. This will save you money! These are just a few of my favorites that I've stuffed our stockings with over the years: Babies & Toddlers: Leather Bow Headbands: http://amzn.to/2k6sGLF Wind up Bath Toy: http://amzn.to/2k59L3H Crayola Color Bath Dropz:http://amzn.to/2k4UTSZ Toddler Toothbrush: http://amzn.to/2k8YDmd Sassy Wonder Wheel Suction Toy:http://amzn.to/2AfUJi4 Write & Re-use Labels: http://amzn.to/2hY7Nhn Tommee Tippee Bibs: http://amzn.to/2zurcxo Robeez Boots & Shoes (all kinds):http://amzn.to/2Aa5d1Q Bandana Bibs: http://amzn.to/2k7PkDa Boys & Girls: Jump Rope with counter: http://amzn.to/2jt6oj9 Melissa & Doug Scratch Art:http://amzn.to/2hWZPoH Wikki Stix: http://amzn.to/2BuBBdJ Slinky: http://amzn.to/2k58FVD Mad Libs: http://amzn.to/2AcfRG1 Drum Sticks: http://amzn.to/2Bv7umL Word Search: http://amzn.to/2k7Sff8 Head Massager: http://amzn.to/2hWGAvn Silly Puddy: http://amzn.to/2BqD2df Honey Sticks: http://amzn.to/2idmZLc Harmonica: http://amzn.to/2judGmH Jokes for Kids: http://amzn.to/2BuG6oP Shampoo Brush: http://amzn.to/2k7MNc8 Holiday BeanBoozled Jelly Beans:http://amzn.to/2AeMSRK Tattoo Pen Set: http://amzn.to/2Aiy2aH War Game: http://amzn.to/2k90fN7 Sports Watch: http://amzn.to/2jsktxn Kwik Stix: http://amzn.to/2BpXJ9n Crayola Washable Window Markers:http://amzn.to/2iYbPHj Crayola Bathtub Crayons: http://amzn.to/2Bt6m31 Crayola Scented Crayons:http://amzn.to/2Bs9eNo Solar System Night Light: http://amzn.to/2k5Tnjt Spot it: http://amzn.to/2AckKPn Luggage Tags: http://amzn.to/2idLqbd Sunglasses: http://amzn.to/2idtLkj Binoculars: http://amzn.to/2jtygUm Kid's Apron: http://amzn.to/2AgsFuu Girls: Pony Beads: http://amzn.to/2Addh1T Boutique Hair Clips: http://amzn.to/2BqCjZz Burt's Bees Lip Balm: http://amzn.to/2k59nlL Princess Watch: http://amzn.to/2k6M2QJ Bath Bomb: http://amzn.to/2hYdgER Boys: Spy Glasses: http://amzn.to/2AeC3Pv Wallet: http://amzn.to/2k7LzO4 Flying Gliders: http://amzn.to/2idFzD7 Batman Watch: http://amzn.to/2k5neIS Small Metal Airplanes: ttp://amzn.to/2AcmDee Men: Flavor God's Seasoning: http://amzn.to/2jycq1R Money Clip: http://amzn.to/2i48Xb4 Money Clip/Wallet: http://amzn.to/2i2mWOD Cologna: http://amzn.to/2i3MU4r Meat Thermometer: http://amzn.to/2ByWvZe Meat Flavor Injector: http://amzn.to/2BxWdlH Sonicare Toothbrush: http://amzn.to/2Ag5WyD Thermal Socks: http://amzn.to/2jwl0OC Leather Gloves: http://amzn.to/2AqeVxX Touch Screen Gloves: http://amzn.to/2Aqfec5 Leatherman: http://amzn.to/2BvLU1k Silicone Wedding Ring: http://amzn.to/2i2dr1G Women: Wool Socks: http://amzn.to/2k8BEYx CC Hat: http://amzn.to/2i1jWSy Touch Screen Gloves: http://amzn.to/2Anvubn Winter Headband: http://amzn.to/2AiffxU Essie Gel Nail Polish: http://amzn.to/2Ahvagg Blanket Scarf: http://amzn.to/2BxXbyl Stainless Steel Water bottle:http://amzn.to/2i4wmcw Kitchen Timer: http://amzn.to/2i3U74o Silicone Wedding Ring: http://amzn.to/2jwKxYa Bath Bombs: http://amzn.to/2i4wMQ8 With Full Hands and a Full Heart- Kansas
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This past month I was able to enjoy a night out with my daughter, Baylic. It's not too often that we get to have one-on-one girl time, so I wanted to surprise her with something fun, but also something she would remember forever. I'm a sentimental person. (I think it's a mom thing!) If you'd come to my home, you would see that I love to cover every wall of my house in biblical truth or the story of our family. I want people to get an idea of who our family is, before getting to know us. I also want to remind my kids daily of God's faithfulness and how He orchestrated our family. When I first heard about the new AR Workshop that opened up in town, I could not wait to check it out! The first time I went, was with my girl friends and I fell in love with how each project was customizable. They have so many projects to offer, and there is something for everyone! Even better, I loved how each project was SO simple to make. I'm not an overly crafty person but am a perfectionist, so I've would have never been one to make one of these projects on my own because of the fear of it looking like a child's project. Having someone walk me through each step of the process and my project turning out beautifully, gave me hope! When I was planning the date night with my daughter, I knew this would be the perfect place to take her because she loves to craft. I didn't want to create one of the standard pieces though, I wanted to create something personal that would be special to the both of us. That's when an idea came to mind and I emailed AR to start designing our secret project.  She was so excited to get started! We each made our own projects, which made her feel really grown up. She was ale to be creative, pick out her colors, and do it all by herself! She caught on really fast and loved every step of the process.
The best part of the AR workshops, are they walk you through every step in the process, offering help along the way, but you are the one that paints, stains, nails, peels, and adds hardware.
When we arrived, Baylic had no idea the project she would be making until we started getting to work. I surprised her with a customized saying that was special for the two of us. Whenever I tell her I love her, our conversation goes like this: Me: I love you Baylic: I love you too Me: I love you more Baylic: I love you more than never ending It's become our special phrase and those precious 5-year-old words are ones I want to remember forever. I wanted both of us to have a piece that would remind us of our special relationship. That is why I love AR workshops, you can make special stories and memories come to life and display them in your home.
My favorite part was seeing how proud Baylic was as she picked out the paint that would match her bedroom, added glitter, and peeled back the lettering to revel her final project. She did SO good even at the age of 5! That is why I think the gift of an AR workshop is great for ANY age!  We plan to go back for another girl's day around Mother's day, and hopefully next time take some family members along too! If you are looking for a last minute Christmas, birthday, or Mother's day gift for this coming year, this is your answer! You can get a gift-card online and bless someone with the gift of time and making memories together. In the end you will BOTH go home with something you love! Make sure to check out some of their standard projects or design you own!   As a daycare, homeschool and mom of 5, I've learned a lot about what toys and crafts are worth buying and which are not. I often get asked which are my favorites, so here are just a few of our daycare and family favorites (including a few of my mom favorites and family devotional ideas!)
I HIGHLY recommend checking these out for both Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers: Kids Crafting Supplies: Kwik Stix: These are AMAZING and dry in seconds making "painting easy and fun for all ages! I use these weekly with my daycare kids. Wikki Stix: Re-usable and great for learning! It allows kids to use their imagination and practice fine motor skills! Crayola Washable Window Markers: All my kids love these, and the best part, they are WASHABLE! Crayola Color Bath Dropz: Makes bath time a little more fun! They can mix colors to learn how to make other colors. Crayola Bathtub Crayons: No worries, they wash off tub walls super easy and make bath time even longer (for all my mama's that need a quiet moment!) Crayola Scented Crayons: My kids are obsessed with these and would make for a great stocking stuffer! Top Kids Games: Guess Who: A classic game that helps with memory and recognition. The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game: My daycare toddlers love this game!! Hoot Owl Hoot: All the games by this company are AMAZING! Sequence for Kids: My younger school age kids love this game! Race to the Treasure: Great pre-school game! Feed the Woozle: Perfect for pre-school and kindergarten age kids! Yeti in my Spaghetti: This has been a favorite this past year and doesn't require much set up! Ticket to Ride (for kids): Great strategy for elementary age kids. Catan Junior: Great strategy for elementary age kids and they feel like the grow ups playing Catan! Electronic Battleship: I love that my older boys can play this on their own! MORE EDUCATIONAL GAMES ARE BELOW! Educational & Learning Gifts: Melissa and Doug Alphabet Puzzles: This has helped my kids with learning their letters and associating them with words. Melissa and Doug See & Spell wooden spelling boards: This makes learning to spell fun for pre-school and kindergarten age children. Boogie Board Play & Trace: This has helped my littles learn to write, draw, trace, and work on fine motor skills. They also have stencils that go along with it! Zingo Sight words: Want to make sight words fun? This is it? Zingo Time Telling Game: This has helped my sons with learning time on different clocks. Sequence Letters game: Perfect for learning letters and making it fun! Sequence States & Capitals: Great for learning states and capitals. Even better for this Classical Conversations Homeschool mom! Mad Libs: Any and all of these are great! My elementary boys love them and they make for a great stocking stuffer. Melissa and Doug Play Money: It looks real and comes in a case. It has helped my boys with money skills. Step 2 Easel with Letters & Numbers: My kids love this for EVERYTHING crafty, so much that I let it stay out in my kitchen! Wooden Easel: Another great option for an easel. I love that this one has the roll of paper! Baby Items: Write & Re-use Labels: I use these for baby bottles and water bottles for everyone in my family! Silicone Placemat/Plate: No more plates of food on the floor, AMAZING! Robeez Boots & Shoes (all kinds): These shoes and boots actually stay on! Tommee Tippee Bibs: These bibs stay on and wash off under water! KicKee Pants Swaddle Blankets: The softest and stretchiest blankets ever! Ergo Baby Carrier: My favorite carrier of all times! Boon Frog: Perfect for holding bath toys and allowing them to drain and air out. For Kids of all Ages: Mark my Time Bookmark with Light: This has helped my kids want to spend more time reading and makes it fun! A great stocking stuffer idea! Step 2 Roller Coaster: Toddlers and elementary kids love this! It lasts for YEARS! Fischer Price Code and Learn Code-a-Pillar: My toddlers and big boys love this and it allows them to learn coding and patterns. Zoob Builders: My kids spend hours building with these and they are great for little hands. Easy to snap together and take a part. Magna-Tiles: I don't know anyone that doesn't love these! They provide HOURS of play time and are super educational! Imaginext Toys (all of them): These are HANDS DOWN my boys' favorite toys for the last 6 years. We have a TON of them! They are durable and last forever. KNEX: My older boys love building with these! If you have a creative child, these are great! BeyBlade Battle set: Our boys, ages 8-10, are really into these right now! Devotionals for the Whole Family: Long Story Short: For the WHOLE family to read together. Raising a Young Modern Day Princess Brave Girls, Beautiful You Brave Girls Devotionals Brave Girls Bible Stories Raising a Modern Day Knight: for Fathers as they raise up sons in the Lord. Gotta Have God: Fun devotions for boys ages 2-5 Jesus Calling Adventure Bible Book One Year Book of Devotions for Boys God's Amazing Creatures and Me One Year Devotions for Active Boys: Mom Favorites: Philips Sonicare Toothbrush: They really work better;) Bath Bombs: Every mom needs time to relax. My daughter loves these too! Contigo Auto-seal Chill Stainless Steel water bottle: (Keeps water cool all day long!) Instant Pot: You won't regret it! Mom's Manager Calendar: How I run my life with 5 kids, seriously! Inspire Bible: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bible!!!! Mother & Son, the Respect Effect Book: For all BOY moms, this will change your life and relationship with your boys! CC Hat: I wear this ALL the time! Hunter Boots: These are perfect for living in the midwest and I wear them weekly! Large Micro-Cooker: I use this all the time to steam veggies. Norwex Body Pack: I use these to remove my makeup with just water. I hope this helps! If you have any questions on any of the products, just ask! |
Kansas FergenHi, I'm Kansas! I wish we could be doing this face to face over coffee. Maybe someday, till then this will have to do! Recent Posts
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