The gift ideas that I have included on this Top Ten list are favorites of my family that have withstood the test of time. They are not the newest or hottest Christmas must-have's. Instead they are items that continue to be well used year after year, rather than forgotten or discarded. I have ranked them in order by price, least expensive to most. Many of these gifts can be found in local stores. But for your shopping convenience, I have also added links including my favorite one-stop shop Amazon.
TOP TEN FAVORITE GIFTS
1. The Sweet Smell of Christmas (A Scratch & Sniff Children's Book) - $9
Nicknamed "Smelly Bear" by my children, this was and still is their favorite Christmas book. The story is timeless as Little Bear delights in the various smells of Christmas - apple pie, pine cone, candy cane, gingerbread boy cookie, hot chocolate and orange. Eventually my children scratched off the sweet smells and one year, as adults, complained when they couldn't sniff them anymore. So the following Christmas, they each found a brand new Smelly Bear in their stocking.
I usually purchase my books through Amazon for convenience. But, I've bought this book at local book stores and got lucky once at Marshall's. If you would like to purchase this book from Amazon please click below...
The Sweet Smell of Christmas (Scented Storybook)
2. Loaded Questions Board Game - $23
How well do you really know your family and friends? My family has had more fun and belly laughs trying to find that out. The goal of the game is to guess who said what in order to advance on the board. You can play with as many players as you like and it really is the more the merrier. The age recommendation is for teens to adult. This version is not the Junior version nor the Adult version.
Most local toy stores should carry this game but for convenience can be bought online at Amazon. Please click below if you would like to purchase from Amazon...
Loaded Questions
3. Snow Cone Machine - $25
This was one of the most utilized presents I think I ever bought my daughter. When her friends would come over, they would spend hours having fun in the kitchen concocting different flavor snow cone combinations. The best part is it's not just for kids anymore in our house. Now that my daughter is grown and has a home of her own, I inherited it and we use it when entertaining to make Margaritas and Daiquiris. Same concept, just as much fun!
I have only found this through Amazon, but if you've found it elsewhere, please add a comment! If you would like to purchase or read more about it, please click below...
Hawaiian Snow Cone Machine - Ice Shaver #S700
4. Heated Car Seat Cushion - $30
This heated car seat cushion was one of the best presents I received this past Christmas as I get cold easily and do not have heated seats in my car. It's extremely easy to install, plugging into the cigarette lighter and heating within seconds. While you can buy several types, this one has a velour cover which is really soft and the way to go in my opinion. This is a great gift for those on your list that have everything except a new luxury car with a seat heater!
I have found this at automotive stores (ex., AutoZone), but it can also be found online at Amazon. The price changes online constantly depending on the season. I have seen it as cheap as $16 (August) and as expensive as $40 (December). If you would like to purchase or read more about it please click below...
Wagan IN9438 Black 12V Velour Heated Seat Cushion with Lumbar Support
5. Commemorative Wallace Silver Ball - $35
Wallace makes an annual Silver Ball commemorating Christmas with the year imprinted on the ball. My mother-in-law started a new tradition when she gave my sister-in-law a Silver Ball to commemorate the first year she was married. I thought it was a wonderful idea and was looking forward to becoming a proud recipient the next year when I married her son. But, lo and behold, while there was a Silver Ball under the tree for my sister-in-law to commemorate her second year of wedded bliss, there was none for us to commemorate our first! Upon questioning my mother-in-law as to why, she looked blankly at us and replied, "I'm waiting a year to make sure you all 'take' "!!!!! Each Christmas ever since, upon receiving our Silver Ball, we tease her asking if she thinks we have 'taken' yet? Our daughter and son-in-law were married on New Year's Eve 2008. I did not wait for their marriage to 'take'. Their first Silver Ball was sitting under the Christmas tree, days before they were married.
I have seen this Wallace Ball at Macy's in their fine china/silver department for about $50. But, have found it cheaper online at Amazon for about $35+shipping. Both stock it from October-December each year.
If you prefer to purchase online, please click link below...
Wallace 2012 Silver Plated Sleigh Bell Ornament, 42nd Edition
6. Settlers of Catan Board Game - $50
This is another fun family board game for upper elementary school children to adults. The goal is to expand your territory to become the largest and most dominant as the island of Catan is settled. It involves enough strategy and negotiation to challenge teens and adults, but some luck to keep it interesting and level the playing field for children.
P.S. This one comes with an "addiction warning" as I have witnessed my son and son-in-law play up to 3 games in one day at the beach (and it wasn't even raining)!!
Most local toy stores should carry this game. But, it you prefer to purchase online please click the logo below. The original game (pictured above) is for up to 4 players which my son quickly learned was not enough. For up to 6 players you will need an Expansion Pack. The link below is the game and the expansion pack bundled and sold together...
Settlers Of Catan 4th Edition Bundle
7. Gumball Machine - $65
A picture is worth a thousand words! Doesn't it just bring a smile to your face? We have a basement filled with nostalgia and this gumball machine fits right in and adds a little bit of a "WOW" factor as it greets people with a sweet treat as they walk downstairs. This replica looks so authentic you would think that it came right out of an ice cream parlor or drug store with one of those old-timey soda fountain counters! All I can say is, "FUN, FUN, FUN"!
I actually bought my daughter the gumball machine (plus a refill pack of gumballs) pictured above at Kohl's a few years ago at Christmastime. I have not seen them stocked recently there, but Amazon sells the same replica and don't forget to buy a refill pack of gumballs! Please click links below...
Great Northern 15-Inch Vintage Candy Gumball Machine and Bank with Stand, Everyone Loves Gumballs
Dubble Bubble Gumball Refill 53oz Jar
8. Cornhole/Tailgate Toss - $100
This is a great outdoor game for all ages. My 30 year old son brings this along on our family beach vacations. While everyone enjoys it, I think my 90 year old mother-in-law enjoys it more than anyone. She teams up with my son and they defeat just about everyone they play against!
To play the game, the two boards are spaced 7-10 yards apart facing one another. There are two teams consisting of 1-2 people each. Each team stands by a board and the object is to throw the most bean bags into the hole of the opposite board.
Pictured above is a Virginia Tech Tailgate Toss which was bought online. Most colleges are represented as well as professional teams online. You can also buy boards without logos on them. There are so many varieties and prices that I have not included a link. When researching look for a sturdy board with high reviews since it will receive a lot of wear and tear over the years.
9. People Magazine Subscription - $110
One summer at the beach, my mother-in-law was having so much fun reading People magazine that my son suggested we give her a subscription for Christmas. I thought it was such a great idea that I added my mom's name as well to the gift order. It was such a hit with both my mom and mother-in-law that I have continued to renew their subscriptions each Christmas since then. And it is a gift that keeps on giving! Not only do they love receiving it each week. But, my mother-in-law passes them on to my sister-in-law and my mom saves her copies and passes them on to my aunt. Although I'm not sure who enjoys them the most in my aunt's household. The last time we visited her my uncle's eyes lit up when he saw the magazines come through the door!
To subscribe please click Here.
10. Margaritaville "Cordless" Margarita Maker - $299
Take the party with you with this 9V cordless margarita maker! It is great for outdoor gatherings, tailgates and trips. My son-in-law takes this on our family beach vacations as well as other outdoor activities such as tailgating.When he adds the Tailgate Toss which is #8 on this list, he becomes the most popular tailgater in the parking lot!
The most inexpensive website I can currently find to purchase the Margaritaville Maker is Frontgate. To purchase or read more about it please click Here.
My son-in-law also has a Margaritaville travel bag for convenient carrying. Frontgate does not carry the travel bag so I have included an Amazon link. Click below if you would like to purchase or learn more about it...
Margaritaville AD1200 Universal Travel Bag Fits DM0500, NBMGDM0900, DM1000 & DM2000 Series
Want more gift ideas? Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees
~ Debbie ~
