Holiday Gifts for the Family That Won’t Break the Bank
December 9, 2014
I’ll admit that I spent dozens of hours in November browsing online, forcing my kids to nail down specific items they’d like for the holidays, and shopping for the best discounts and deals! I thought Black Friday/Cyber Monday would’ve been the perfect time to finish my shopping, but sadly many of the gifts weren’t on sale. I’m still tackling the purchases and wanted to share some of the things I’ll be buying this year for the family, all at less than $100.
For Mom:
I think sometimes moms (and women friends) are the easiest to shop for because there are a wealth of items to choose from From beauty supplies to clothing to jewelry, you really can’t go wrong. My suggestion is to really key in on those activities near and dear to mom’s heart. The more specific you can get, the better. Here are of a couple of ideas on my list:
- Linge Ballet Flats ($59). I have worn my Linge shoes nearly every day this past week! Granted it doesn’t snow here in San Diego, but these ballet flats are versatile and keep my toes warm as the temperatures start to dip. And yes, I wear them outside! These high quality, all leather shoes are perfect for the mom who wants a casual look to wear with her skinny jeans, or needs an extra pair of shoes to keep in her bag for when her heels are killing her feet. Available in colors from charcoal to caramel, turquoise to pink – you can pick a different color for every woman (or little girl) on your list.
- The Mother’s Wisdom Deck ($17.95). I’m not really a horoscope, tarot card, fortune cookie kind of girl. Sure, I read them in the occasional magazine, but it’s not a daily thing. But I do love my Mother’s Wisdom Deck, mainly because it’s a great excuse for me to get grounded and inspired. The kit features a full-color book plus a deck of 52 cards whimsically illustrated with universal symbols of empowered motherhood. When I feel like I’m struggling with the kids, or my temper is getting the best of me, I just grab a card and read the description for some quick inspiration and wisdom. And several of the cards are propped against my computer monitor for a constant reminder!
For Dad:
While moms are easy to shop for, I feel the opposite holds true for dads! Everyone keeps asking what to get my husband and I shrug and mention a gift certificate. Again, the key here is to focus on what the dad really likes to do during his time off (whether that’s from work or taking care of the kids). Here’s what I’m getting this year:
- Copper Mugs ($25.95). I love the idea of giving something for the kitchen, even if it’s just a copper mug to hold a great Moscow Mule recipe. Paired with a bottle of good vodka and some ginger beer, it’s a great gift. If that’s not the thing for the dad on your list, perhaps he’d like some accessories for the grill.
- The Art of Shaving Carry On Kit ($60). Even if the dads in your life have a beard and a mustache, I’m guessing they still use a razor to keep it neat and trim. The Art of Shaving has a variety of packages that allow for the perfect shave. I got the carry on kit for my husband last year and wrapped up the items individually for stocking stuffers. They also offer a $25 starter kit and a more expensive gift set. The only difference really is the amount of product you get. They all contain Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, a Badger Shaving Brush, and After-Shave Balm.
For the Kids:
The kids should be the easiest to shop for. They certainly have enough ideas of what they want. Until they hit about 10 years old that is! My tween girls only seem to want clothes (very specific clothes) or gift certificates, which isn’t very fun for mom to go shopping. Luckily my 7 year old boy still wants every toy imaginable. It’s hard to rein him in sometimes. Here are my top affordable gifts for kids.
- ClickN KIDS Tablet 2 (retails $129.99 but on sale as low as $59.99). My kids have asked for iPads for the past few years. I’m not quite ready for that investment, but the ClickN2 tablet seems like the perfect step for learning responsibility and still having fun with games and a built-in camera. This is the only kids tablet preloaded with award-winning mobile apps for children and adults such as Looney Tunes Phonics™, SmartRunner™ Series, Learn2Write: Start2Finish™, Google Play ™, and much more. The ClickN KIDS Tablet 2 is powered by the Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2520 to provide lightning fast performance and long battery life. It’s also the first of its kind to offer DPI (Dual Purpose Interface) technology™, which allows both parents and kids to enjoy the tablet. It’s a win win!
- Kendama ($17.99 and up). I know the ball in cup toys have been around forever, but the Kendama version is certainly gaining in popularity where I live! With three cups and a spike, users can work through an array of tricks and movements to catch the ball. Even the middle schoolers bring them and show off at lunch. I think it’s a great gift for all ages, even adults.
Those are my top picks. Now it’s time to share yours! Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re buying for the family this year.
Disclosure: I was sent the Linge ballet shoes and Camelio Tablet for review purposes. I was not paid for any endorsements and my opinions remain my own. All other products have been purchased and used directly by me.
