Tuesday, August 28, 2012

TOP TEN GIFTS FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY


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

                                                                 Unleaded

                                                                  Leaded

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

                                                        Margaritaville Machine

                                                                Travel Bag     

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




















































































































































































                                                           Happy Shopping!
                                                                ~ Debbie ~                                                          

Friday, August 3, 2012

ROYAL PURPLE SILK TOPIARY


Although red and green are the traditional Christmas colors for decorating, why not consider the color purple?    It is a wonderful alternative to red especially if your existing home decor lends itself to burgundy and cranberry hues.


This arrangement is incredibly versatile.  Being tall and narrow it can be displayed just about anywhere from a corner of a room to center stage book ending a dining or side table.   Although a bit time consuming to make it is well worth the "wow" impact it adds to a room!

                                                       MATERIALS NEEDED


Styrofoam Ball 6" - Michael's

Floral Wire (Clear) or Beading Wire (Clear) - Michael's

Plastic Ring 1/4" - Fabric Store (Drapery Accessories Section)

Metal Shish Kabob Skewer - WalMart

Silk Flowers (**See below for more detailed description) -  Michael's (Check Michael's website each week for 40-50% floral sales)

Tall Glass Vase - *Amazon,  Home Goods, TJMaxx, Marshall's, Michael's, Ross

Ornament to suspend from Styrofoam Ball to Middle of Vase - Michael's, Home Goods

Tape

Paper Clip

Scissors

Flameless Timer Candles - *Amazon

Rose Petals - *Amazon, Michael's

*I bought most of the materials needed at discount stores like Home Goods or Michael's.   But, if you aren't near one of these stores or need convenience, Amazon (which I love) sells almost everything you need to make these.  I've included Amazon links below for vases, rose petals and flameless candles.

AMAZON LINK BELOW - 26" TALL CLEAR CYLINDER VASE

Cylinder Vase (Tall), H-26" D-6" (1 pc)

AMAZON LINK BELOW - PURPLE SILK ROSE PETALS (200)

200 Purple Rose Petals

AMAZON LINK BELOW - 6" WHITE FLAMELESS TIMER CANDLES

Inglow CGT54600WH01 6-Inch Flameless Round Pillar Vanilla Scented Candle with Timer, White

                               **See pictures below for flowers I used in arrangement

                                                   5 - 8" wide purple hydrangea

                                                     5 - 9" long fuschia wisteria

                                            10 - 4" wide purple queen anne's lace

                                              12 - 4" wide purple chrysanthemum

                                                    6 - 4" wide green carnation

                         5 - 12" tall pink larkspur (cut in 1/2 to make 2 - 6" length flowers)

                       5 - 12" tall green larkspur (cut in 1/2 to make 2 - 6" length flowers)

                                                  2 - 8" wide mauve hydrangea

                                                 4 - 4" wide peach cabbage rose

                                                       3 - 6" wide fuschia lilac

                                                   24 - 1" wide pink small daisy

                                         4 - 6" long sugar coated grape ornament

PLEASE NOTE:  You will probably not be able to duplicate the exact flowers I used because Michael's vary their product line.  The picture descriptions are simply to give you an idea of what flower sizes, colors and shapes to use.  Overall, I used...

24 - 1" wide pink flowers
32 - 4" wide purple, green & peach flowers
10 - 12" tall pink & green flowers (cut in 1/2 to make a total of 20)
  3 - 6" wide fuschia flowers
  2 - 8" wide mauve flowers
  5 - 8" wide purple flowers
  5 - 9" long fuschia flowers
  4 - 6" wide mauve ornaments

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1:  To suspend ornament midway in vase, cut a 36" length of floral or beading wire.

STEP 2:  Bring both ends of wire together and tie a knot about 2 inches from beginning of each end.
 
STEP 3:  Tape the wire where the knot has been tied securely to pointed end of skewer.


STEP 4:  Then insert pointed end of skewer straight through styrofoam ball until skewer end pokes out opposite side of styrofoam ball. 

STEP 5:  Place a 1/4" plastic ring through one end of the wire and then knot the two ends together holding the plastic ring securely in place.  Now the wire cannot be pulled out of the styrofoam ball.   Gently cut away tape careful not to cut wire


STEP 6:  Attach an ornament on the other end of the wire that is not knotted with the plastic ring. 

STEP 7:  Gently lower attached ornament into glass vase so it is suspended.  Then sit styrofoam ball on top of glass vase and adjust ball until ornament is suspended mid vase.

 
STEP 8:  To adjust suspended ornament to height desired, pull up on plastic ring until desired height has been reached.  Then place a paper clip end through ring and attach it to styrofoam ball.  Although plastic ring was originally at opposite end of styrofoam ball from ornament end, when you pull up ring to adjust string height of ornament you will be bringing ring down alongside of ball to paper clip it securely in place.


STEP 9:  Using the 5 - 8" wide flowers, cut the stems to 6" long and insert 1 flower stem on the very top of the styrofoam ball 2" deep leaving 4" of stem visible.  Insert the remaining 4 flower stems around middle of ball spaced evenly, again 2" deep leaving 4" of stem visible.


STEP 10:  Using 5 - 9" long flowers, insert along base of styrofoam ball evenly spaced.  They will drape down along side of vase for a wispy look.


STEP 11:  Using 6 or 7 - 4" flowers, insert them making a row around the flower on very top of styrofoam ball

STEP 12:  Insert a 2nd row of flowers below the 1st row of flowers.


STEP 13:  Insert the 4 ornaments around the middle of the styrofoam ball spacing evenly.


STEP 14:  Using the remaining flowers fill in around the ornaments and the middle of styrofoam ball.  Continue to fill in lower portion of styrofoam ball with flowers until styrofoam is no longer visible.


STEP 15:  Gently remove arrangement from vase and clean out vase of any styrofoam debris that may have fallen down into it.  Then place flameless candle in bottom of vase and surround it with rose petals.  Then replace arrangement on top of vase.



                                                                    Enjoy
                                                                ~ Debbie ~ 

Want more decorating ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees