A Gift Idea That's Creative, Thrifty and Fun

     This gift idea can be used for just about anybody for just about any occasion.  I think you will agree.  With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.  It's an easy way to tell someone how much you care, and can be a lot of fun too. 

      Purchase a small gift bag and fill with some items listed below along with a label explaining each token.  I've listed several, but I bet you can think of other things to add a personal touch to your gift.  I'd love to know what you have come up with.  Leaving a comment would be great, or if you would rather, send me an email and I'll make sure it gets added to the list.

Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.

Gum - Reminder that friends stick together.

Life Savers - Remember that sometimes our friends need our help.

Cotton Ball - Cushion for the bumpy roads ahead.

Eraser - You should always start each day with a clean slate.

Happy Face - Smiling is contagious.

Candle - Share your light with others.

Sticky Tape - When you have nothing good to say, use this for your mouth.

Rock - Represents the stability of your relationship.

Rubber Band - Be flexible when dealing with others.

           

Ribbon - To tie around your finger so you'll never forget...

Mint - Because I "mint" to call, write or ... whatever.

Four Leaf Clover - For good luck.

Sunglasses - For a bright future.

Snickers candy bar - snicker, snicker

Pen or Pencil - Don't forget to write.

Red Heart - Love  

Map - You would be lost without them.

Eyeglasses - Can't wait to see you.

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Tips For Age Appropriate Toys From Birth To Twelve

Image via Wikipedia

This list will help you find the perfect gift for the little ones when you don't have a clue what to get.  You might check with the parents first, if you can, for other possibilities.  There might be a particular hobby  of interest or possibly something of need.  Kids aren't usually worried about the price of the gift.  They want to be entertained and feel loved when they aren't forgotten.

BIRTH TO SIX MONTHS

     Go for toys that make noise.  Look for brightly colored images or have high-contrast like black and white.  Babies use their eyes and ears to experience play.

SIX TO TWELVE MONTHS

     They enjoy toys they can bang, stack, put in and take out and open and shut.  This age group is learning to use their motor skills and are able to sit up.  Find toys to move along with then once they start moving.

Image via Wikipedia  

ONE TO TWO YEARS

     Active toddlers need toys for physical play:  walking, climbing, pushing, and riding.  Imaginative and educational toys would also be a great choice.  They are very curious and incredibly active.

TWO TO THREE YEARS

Image via Wikipedia     This age group loves jumping, climbing, and throwing.  Toys for active play would be a great choice.  Arts and crafts, puppets, blocks and simple puzzles make sense with their good hand and finger coordination.

THREE TO SIX YEARS

     Materials for arts and crafts are popular with this group.  Preschoolers and kindergartners are masters of make-believe.  They like to act out grown-up roles and enjoy costumes and props to help bring their imaginations to life.

SIX TO NINE YEARS

     Board games and tabletop sports are perfect picks for school-age kids.  They like toys that require strategy and skill.  Age-appropriate sporting equipment is also enjoyed.  Another idea would be fashion dolls or action figures that allows them to explore grown-up worlds.

Image by Canadian Veggie via FlickrNINE TO TWELVE YEARS

     This age group enjoys crafts, model kits, magic sets, construction sets, science kits, and jigsaw puzzles.  Also popular at this age are team sports.

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I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks

Image via Wikipedia I Just Won 10 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

Follow this link to join me at Swagbucks.

     HEADS UP!!!
     If you join now and let your swagbucks accumulate until Christmas, you won't be sorry.  I joined about this time last year and I remember getting some really good deals on gift cards.  I had just joined and didn't have a lot in my account, but it was Christmas time and Swagbucks was offering huge discounts on everything.  I purchased several $5 PayPal gift cards for $20 in swagbucks and less.
      Get signed up now and let your account grow.  Then you can join me when I scoop up the bargains later.  Your Christmas list recipients will be shocked not to mention grateful.  I bet there are other programs this will work for too.  I think my MyPoints balance is getting up their pretty high.  Although, I'm not familiar with their offers at Christmas time.  Does anyone have suggestions, of this type, we should be on the look out for?  Maybe you wouldn't mind leaving a comment letting the rest of us know.  For now get started building your Swagbucks account here.  I'll let you know what else I find.

     I know Halloween has not come and gone yet.  If it was up to me, I would get rid of Halloween all together.  I don't like it, but I know some do enjoy being scared out of their wits and I don't want to begrudge them of their fun. 

Image via Wikipedia

     Thank goodness Thanksgiving and Christmas come along to help us forget.

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Bubble Gum or Butt Naked Scented Hand Sanitizer

     Mix 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel, 1/4 cup 99% rubbing alcohol and 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon bubble gum fragrance oil together.  Pour into a pump-style bottle or a squeeze bottle.  Use a quarter sized dollop and rub hands together.  Wipe residue off of hands with a paper towel.
     You might not want to add any fragrance at all.  Or, maybe you have a favorite scent you would like to try.  This would be a great addition to a baby shower gift basket or a gift for a deserving teacher.  Teachers love hand sanitizer.

    

     I found this fragrance oil for sale at amazon.com.  I am just wondering if the crafts-n-more-store would send a sample.  I'd really like to know what "butt naked" smells like.  I wonder what other scents they carry.  Might have to check this one out for myself.    

Butt Naked Fragrance Oil Candle Soap 1oz
It's only $1.29, but the shipping is $4.95.

Rock Candy Coffee Stir Sticks

  The sugar sticks are a great way to stir in sugar to coffee and tea and make a great gift idea.  After bringing 2 cups of  water to a boil, add 5 cups sugar.  Stir with wooden spoon.    Continue to boil until the temperature reads above 260 degrees on your candy thermometer.  Let the sugar mixture cool for five minutes and then poor into a glass jar.  Add food coloring.  Punch the wooden coffee stirs (bamboo skewer or popsicle sticks) through the plastic coffee can lid and place on top of jar.  The wooden stirs should not touch the bottom of the jar.  Wait seven days to lift the lid.  Your guests will be impressed.