Gift Ideas For Families

Notice. None of these are sponsored or affiliates. I'm giving a general idea because brands are something that can be tricky.

Whether you are looking to buy for a special family as a whole, as opposed to individual gifts, or for your own family a special gift, these ideas are sure to be hits!

1. Movie Projector

2. Family Ornament

3. Movie Night Fun Box

4. S'Mores Kit

5. Ticket Display Box

6. Fire Pit

7. Matching Family Mugs

8. Puzzle for the family (some have different sized pieces)

9. Popcorn maker

10. Tent

Gift Ideas For The Man In Your Life

Notice. None of these are sponsored or affiliates. I'm giving a general idea because brands are something that can be tricky. My husband is a brand snob with some things and not others. Yours may be too, so here are just some basic ideas.

1. Subscription to his favorite magazine

2 Survival Stocking

3. Dad/ Husband Devotional

4. Gift Card for gaming (xbox/ playstation/ iTunes/ google play)

5. Funny Socks

6. Subscription Box

7. Battery Pack Keychain

8. New Razor

9. RFID Wallet

10. For a big-ticket item, what about a grill?!?

Meet Allie: Koda's Best Friend & Therapy Doll

Several years ago, for her 3rd Christmas, Koda got an 18-inch doll for Christmas. At first, it was "just a doll," but quickly became her best friend and confidant. Koda actually had conversations with Allie, before the rest of us. I would walk into her room and hear her talk to Allie. Today, Allie is a part of our family. My son even decided he wanted a doll (named him Peter, after Peter Parker) so he could play with his sister.

This was especially amazing because Koda didn't talk at all until after she was 3. Conversations with us didn't happen until much later. She has an expressive communication disorder. She still struggles, but I'm amazed at the progress she has made. 

There are so many stories I could share about how wonderful Allie is for Koda. Like in the photo above, her stomach was hurting bad (she has really bad episodes), so she hung out on the couch and watched a movie with Allie. While her stomach was still hurting, she was in much better spirits. 

Allie goes EVERYWHERE with us. I cannot even imagine if she got lost. Sometimes when we are on an adventure, she is okay with leaving Allie in the hotel room, but there are times it is a struggle, but I don't want her to lose her. I had this custom tag made on Etsy (not sponsored) in case there is ever a real issue. That way, there is less question if she wants to carry her along to a concert. 

If you have followed my Instagram, you have seen many images of Allie- playing, traveling, doing school, and even for her first haircut. You have also seen her pitiful head. However, Koda loves her the way she is. The hair of the doll got so tangled and disgusting that we couldn't do anything with it. My mom was going to attempt to attach a wig, and cut the hair off. The wig didn't work (we didn't know then that you could buy a doll wig for these, so she was going to cut down a regular wig). Koda was upset at first, but then eventually loved it. Now, she refuses to put a wig on her. 

I got the story out of her about this. My son was seeing a hematologist for his ITP (which was at the Children's' cancer clinic). She had Allie with her, of course. A little girl going through Chemo came in and she was bald. Koda was drawn to her because her Nina had just gone through Breast Cancer and her hair was just growing back in. The girl seemed uncomfortable, but looked at Allie and got a huge smile on her face. Seeing Koda's bald doll made her so happy. So, Koda wants Allie to stay bald in case she sees more bald kids- she will make them happy. 

Just the other day, I walked in on Koda teaching Allie sight words. It was an awesome sight! 

I have always known that dolls are wonderful learning toys for kids. I just did not realize how much of a difference they can make, especially with a special needs child. 

A little about Koda: Koda was born at 37 weeks and was breech. That may not seem like a big deal, but I didn't know I was pregnant, so I had no prenatal care and could not breastfeed her because I wasn't prepared. She did great as an infant, with some questions about her hearing. At 3, she was tested for autism, and even though she has many of the traits, she is not (many autism therapies work for her though). She was diagnosed with an expressive language disorder, sensory processing disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also has some hearing loss. Because of her communication disorder, we are having problems with sight testing. She has asthma and an immune deficiency. She is currently being tested to see what is causing extreme stomach pain, chronic constipation, and extreme knee pain. Through all of this, Allie has been her rock. 

Halloween Costumes: Quarantine Edition

 We are huge costume fans. My husband and I, even though we do not wear full costumes, have accessories (my favorites being several beautiful witch hats I've collected over the years), costume makeup, and hats that are fun for Halloween. 

Although we don't trick-or-treat (just doesn't work for our family), we still love getting costumes for the kids. Sometimes we even end up with several costumes in one year because the grandparents and uncles see them and buy them. It's cute and they play dress up in them all year. 

Some years we've bought costumes and some years, we've made costumes. However, in the last few years, I've been enjoying buying costumes that have a dual purpose and are useful to them to use all year. I've bought kid onesies, blankets, hoodies, and hats. 

I've found that this year, these are the perfect costumes since we are spending so much more time at home and finding ways to have fun at home, like hanging out at the fire pit, having family parties, spending a lot of time outside, and so much more. Why not enjoy Halloween all year with a useful costume. 

Here is a list of useful Halloween costumes that are perfect for Quarantine- dress up, watch a movie, and enjoy your family. (By the way, for most of these, I've bought Spider-Man, Dinos, Unicorns, and Minnie Mouse)

1. Onesies for kids

2. Hooded Blankets/ Blankets

3. Hoodies

4. Beanies

5. Pajamas

6. Costume that they will play dress up in all year

7. Have fun and buy a cheesy costume anyway

8. Have a craft night and make costumes

9. Just buy fun accessories that they can add to their outfits all year

10. If you have a preteen or teen, add some fun makeup or hair chalk to their collection

10+ Social Distancing Halloween Ideas

 I think back to March and cannot believe that we are still in this boat. Well, in our family, we aren't going to slack now. We've seen social distancing, masks, quarantining, and all through and we'll keep doing it, to keep those we love safe. We are in a different situation- both kids have immune issues, my MIL is a cancer patient, my husband's grandfather has a lot of health problems, my dad is diabetic, and my mom has asthma. We want to keep them all safe, so we do what we need to. 

Well, my favorite holiday is looming. I love Halloween and everything about it. We don't take the kids trick-or-treating, but we usually let them dress up and go do something fun. Not this year- we are just going to have a fun movie night with them. However, I've been thinking about those that are used to trick-or-treating. My heart breaks for those kids that have been looking forward to it. 

Well, I have some ideas that will make this year just as fun. Just remember, that will just make 2021 even better! 

1. Stay at home and have a family party of movie night

2. Porch drop-offs and pick-ups have been very fun this year!

3. Have a neighborhood Halloween parade in costume while keeping a safe distance (you can even camo the mask easier in a costume).

4. Give the kids bags of candy and drive around looking for Halloween lights

5. Candy slides (I've seen these all over the net made out of PVC pipes)

6. Have the kids make happy Halloween cards and drop them at the local children's' hospital for those stuck in a hospital bed. (be sure to call ahead of time to see about regulations). 

7. I've seen that some are just skipping it this year, but what's the fun in that. However, if Halloween is not a big deal in your family, it might be the right choice for you. 

8. Contact a local assisted living or nursing home to see if you can arrange for the kids to dress up in costumes and walk around and see the patients through the windows. Think about how much it would brighten the patients' days!

9. Plan to have your normal errand day (grocery shopping, etc) on Halloween. Put costumes on the kids and let them tag along, while still practicing what you've been doing all along. 

10. Do it up like Christmas. Decorate the house for Halloween like you would Christmas, we even put up a Halloween tree!

11. Go trick-or-treating as normal, but keep a safe distance and get people to throw the candy- why not? 

12. Have family fun all month long and close October with the best Halloween Movie- Hocus Pocus!!

Some ideas for fun all month long are:

Halloween Countdown Calendar

Watch a movie each night

Decorate Pumpkins

Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Visit a pumpkin patch that is equipped for safety

Find Halloween Recipes and make them each Saturday

Read Scary stories

Tell Ghost Stories (or Bigfoot stories) by the fire pit

Go Goblin Hunting (they come out in October after 5pm)

Start new traditions

Halloween Crafts

Halloween Bucket List

The ideas are endless

Have fun with your family- that is the most important

Our DIY Travel Art Kits

 I've had several people ask me about the kids "travel art kits," especially in doctors' offices while we are waiting. Well, they really are very simple. I made them from things we had laying around, but I thought I'd go ahead and share. 

I'll share some ideas of other containers to use as well. 

This is what is in the kits:

1. Melissa & Doug Triangle Crayons

2. Crayola Dry Erase Colored Pencils (I actually broke these to the correct length and then sharpened the rough end)

3. Dry Erase Eraser (The Kids also have dry erase spiral books in their backpacks)

4. Pretty Sticky Notes (I actually got these on clearance at Walmart, but any will do)

5. Mini Gel Pens

6. Multicolored pencil sharpened down

Other things you could include:

1. Mini pencil sharpener

2. Mini notebook

3. Tiny clipboard

4. Washi Tape

5. Stencils (look for party favors)

6. Party Favor sized play-doh

The container I used was from a Hatchimals lip gloss set (yes, both kids got one) and it was a perfect size, but there are so many more options:

1. travel soap dish (perfect size for crayons)

2. sandwich container

3. I've seen some cute ones with DVD cases (then you even have a dry erase cover!)

4. Storage clipboard 

5. I used to use a binder pencil case

Be sure to take a good look around your house for a container- I'm sure you have something that will work!!

I love the kids having these little kits in their backpacks. Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons. Not only do they always have something to do (besides tablets) in their backpacks, but sometimes I have them write or draw something about what we did so I can include it in our school records. 

Another good thing is that if we are doing school on the go, they always have crayons, and even have writing items, in case mom goes ditzy and forgets to pack them. 

They always have their backpacks with them, so no matter where we are, they have these art kits- even if they are spending the night somewhere else, being babysat, or on vacation, they have art materials. 

Plus, the backpacks stay packed, so its one less thing for mom to worry about!