Holiday Gift Guide - Mommy Edition

The hubby is generally pretty good at gift giving, but he has his moments where he honestly sucks (sorry babe you know its true).  So this list is as much of a guide of some great things for the women in your lives, as well as a list to help the husband figure out what he can get me hehe.

1. Reitmans Pajama Set - I love sets like this to lounge around the house in on days when all you do is stay inside, watch movies and drink copious amounts of warm coffee and cocoa.

2. Beanie Hat - I have never been a winter hat kind of person, but I have also never spent this much time outside in the snow as I have been now.  As a mom of an outdoorsy son this is kind of essential for me this year.

3. Roots Side Satchel - Its getting easier to leave the house with Lucas and not have to lug a diaper bag, however there are always a few essentials that need to come with me, and the convenience of a bag that can be slung over the chest and be big enough for mine and his needs is a must.  This particular bag is on the expensive side, so honestly I would prefer a cheaper knock off, but this particular style.

4. Chapters Gift Card - This is always a winning gift for me.  Chapters is my happy place, and I go there with Lucas at least once a week, and he loves it just as much as I do.  This gift would probably be for the two of us hehe.

5. Eos Lip Balms - I have a fetish for lip balms, and I'm pretty sure there is always one at hand in every drawer possible, car and purse.  I'm running low and I have heard great things from this particular brand.

6.  Pandora Studs - I have discovered recently that I cannot wear my beloved hoop earrings for now, since my son finds it amusing to put his fingers through it and then yank.  Yup, lets just say I found that one out the hard way.  I'm in love with these studs right now, so classy and would make any mom on the go outfit look just that much fancier.

Hope all the fellas out there enjoy buying some special gifts for their hard working baby mamas lol.

Holiday Gift Guide - Daddy Edition

The hubby and I are looking into saving for a family vacation this upcoming April, so we decided to keep it low key with gifts for one another.  So here's a wish list of a few things that I know the husband needs, or would make a nice gift for him.

1. Pajama/Casual Lounge wear set - Here's a big confession about my man, he is one hot tamale...meaning the man is always hot hehe.  He gets home and literally lives in no shirt, and I have to beg him to put on shorts over his boxers.  Have you seen the new show The Goldbergs where the dad gets home, and immediately takes his pants off at the front door, yup that's pretty much like Gianni.  They have some nice thin casual wear at Marks Work Warehouse on sale for the holidays that I'm thinking of picking up, hopefully he will get the message.

2. Wool Beanie Hat - Gianni works outside a lot, and the weather has been getting progressively colder, and I feel his ratty one could use a replacement.

3. Under Armour Sweater - These sweaters are amazing for Gianni since they offer just the right amount of insulation without getting too sweaty.  This is great for work under his safety vests, or for quick shopping trips.

4. Batman Trilogy Set - This is on sale at Costco, and he is a huge fan.  I usually get him a DVD for his collection every Christmas, and I think he would love this one.

5. Starbucks Thermo Cup and Tim Hortons Gift Card - Gianni's mug could also use a replacement this year, a lot of Gianni's gear gets banged up on job sites and they need to be replaced every once in a while.  Plus the coffee card is a nice gesture for those mornings when I forget to pre prepare the coffee maker.

Hope everyone else is having a fun time putting thoughtful gifts together for the men in their lives.

Holiday Gift Guide - Toddler Edition

Every year my side of the family has done Kris Kringle for the adults at Christmas time, we are just too many people to buy individual gifts for everyone.  Usually I still give something baked, or framed photos for my parents.  So this year we all decided to forgo that tradition and just spoil all the little ones in the family. 

In the interest of getting things for the kids that they would actually need and appreciate all the moms sent out a list of their kid's likes.  Here's a synthesized version of what Lucas is into this year, and some ideas for gifts for him.

1. Mega Blocks - He recently has taken an interest in building things, and this is a great toy to help enhance motor skills by putting the blocks together and tearing them apart.

2.  Lucas loves to be read to, and its honestly a proud moment when he grabs a book and brings it over to be read.  His favourites are definitely Karen Katz flip and flap books.  They are engaging, interactive, and quite entertaining.  He already has a growing collection, and I just discovered how many more there are!

3. Leap Frog Letter Factory - So I already know he's getting this, and I already know he loves it.  I was running errands at Walmart the other day, and grabbed a toy to keep him entertained while I continued to shop.  He figured out how to use it, and was trying to imitate the sounds of the letters and words while playing with it.  I was already a fan, since I'm a sucker for educational toys, but when I saw how he responded to it I was sold.

4. Little People's Farm - We practice animal sounds and names often when we are doing learning games and exercises, and as a consequence Lucas is pretty fond of animals.  This will be a great addition to our growing animal kingdom.

5. Trucks - I have resigned myself to a life of trucks and dirt!  Lucas loves like any boy his trucks, this is also am ever growing collection, but when he's playing with them and makes his little vroom vroom sounds, well its enough to make this mama smile.

Gianni and I had been debating getting Lucas a play kitchen as his big gift this year, since he loves to be in the kitchen with us, and takes an interest in making food.  However, they can get pricey, and I wasn't too sure how well he would play with one, but then I scored this Little Tikes Gourmet Kitchen set for $50 and I just couldn't say no.

 

Since we saved big time on the kitchen set, I have my eyes on a Little Partners Learning Tower.  I found this little gem from a fellow blogger and have been obsessed with it ever since.  Lucas often hangs with us in the kitchen sitting on the island and its not the most ideal situation since I need to swipe the area completely devoid of anything remotely dangerous from the little guys quick hands.  This learning tower is the ultimate in steeping stools for children, and allows them to participate in activities in the kitchen, and elsewhere.  I just saw that they are on sale, and may be making this purchase for Christmas as well! 

 

Happy Shopping everyone.