Category "$20 or Less"

Elephant & Piggie Books

Princess Diana - June 28, 2019 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower, Kids

When my son, Aiden, turned either one or two years old, he received Elephant & Piggie books for his birthday.

Before then, I had never heard of Elephant, Piggie or their author and illustrator–Mo Willems.

Well, Mo Willems is a children’s book genius and his books contain a unique style!

It wasn’t long before I ordered more books to add to our new collection.

Mo Willem’s Elephant & Piggie books are filled with simple drawings that allow the words, facial expressions and body languages to stand out and make the story come alive.

The books also touch on important life lessons that children should know such as how to be a good friend, how to be kind, how to be patient, how to share, and how to work together to solve problems.

Award Winning Book Series

Several of Mo Willems’ books have won prestigious awards, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal. Before he wrote children’s books, he worked as a writer on Sesame Street.

3-D Mirascope Hologram Maker

Queen Darlene - February 28, 2019 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Kids, Teacher Gifts

I’m always looking for a unique, fun gifts for kids and adults to enjoy. It’s like one-stop shopping and if it includes magic or illusion… BAM! I get excited!

The 3-D Mirascope Illusion Maker is a 2019 Toy of The Year Award Winner. It creates a holographic image from small objects placed inside, such as the plastic frog that is included.

3-D-mirascope-hologram-thoughtful-gift-idea

How Does the 3-D Mirascope Hologram Work?

The 3-D illusion maker uses special parabola mirrors to capture the light of an object and then projects it as a three-dimensional image.

The frog seems to be sitting on the top of the dome and looks like you can touch it but you can’t. It’s an illusion!

Ever heard of parabola? Me neither! They are mirrors that have a special shape and reflect light in a very unique way.

Extreme Rock-Paper-Scissors

Queen Darlene - September 19, 2018 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Business, Family

Remember playing rock, paper scissors? How about playing the game in a group setting to the extreme?

My office of 90+ employees meet quarterly for awards, updates and training and just for fun, we incorporate “not your usual” team building activities.

In this game, employees battle it out to see who is the Rock-Paper-Scissors champion of the group, as losers of each mini-round cheer the remaining winners on!

How to Play Extreme Rock-Paper-Scissors

Have each member of the group pair up for the first round of rock, paper, scissors. If there is an odd number, add the odd person out to another pair for a quick knock-out match.
Play 3 games and the best 2 out of 3 will be the winner.
The losers of the first match start cheering the name of the winner for their next game.
All winners pair up and face off against each other while the ones they beat are cheering for them. When one winner beats the other, all the people behind the losing player start cheering for the winning player.
Repeat this process in elimination until there are only two players left. Each should have a large group of people cheering them on from their previous wins. The game is over after one player wins the final match.

Win or lose, everyone participates to the very end. Continue Reading

Creative T-Shirts for New Dad & Uncle

Queen Darlene - September 5, 2018 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower, Father's Day

I’ve known my friend Jody’s two boys since the day they were born. I have watched them grow up to become wonderful young men!

I can’t believe her oldest, Austin, is going to be a first-time dad and his brother, Camden, a first-time uncle.

What an exciting times for these young men!

Jody invited me to her future grandbaby’s baby shower and both “Dad” and “Uncle “ were going to be in attendance.

I’ve witnessed throughout their lives how the brothers have always had a close relationship. I wanted to commemorate them both as they experience their new life titles together!

Creative T-Shirts

There are hundreds of creative t-shirts to choose from for such an occasion.

I chose “Top Dad” a replica of the Top Gun movie logo. Austin is patriotic and the red, white and blue was perfect for him! Continue Reading

Jump & Stomp Rockets | STEM Toy Gift

Princess Diana - August 15, 2018 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Toys that get kids active outside grab my attention. They are a double whammy because they combine fun and physical activity.

The latest ones I’ve found are called Jump Rockets & Stomp Rockets, and they’re 100% kid powered!

Run, Jump & Stomp to Launch Rockets

Kids run, jump, and stomp to launch foam rockets up to 400 feet in the air!

They quickly learn that the higher they jump and the harder they stomp, the higher the rockets fly into the air.

Sounds like a blast, right?

This toy gift has an ADDED BONUS.

STEM = Stomp Rockets

It’s a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) toy that teaches kids about force, gravity, trajectory, and power of air.

This gift can inspire children to go into a STEM career building rockets or becoming an astronaut!

Hershey’s Candy Bar Baby Birth Announcement

Queen Darlene - July 25, 2018 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower

After 14 years, we have a new baby born in the family July 4, 2018. Announcing my great-nephew, Rogan Charles!

And… GREAT it is!

It’s been so long since we’ve had a newborn in our family that when he was born on Independence Day, we definitely felt the parades, fireworks, and the whole nation celebrating was appropriate!

I wanted to take a celebratory gift to the hospital when we visited the new Mom, Dad and baby.

Easy Peasy DIY Baby Birth Announcement

I purchased 24 Hershey candy bars (12 plain and 12 almonds). Then I took a blue permanent magic marker and colored in the HE in HERSHEY.

It’s easy peasy! All you have to do is color within the lines! Continue Reading

Affirmators! | Funny, Uplifting Affirmation Cards

Princess Diana - July 5, 2018 - $20 or Less, Catch All, Gifts for Me

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

I call BS! That sentence is one of the biggest lies told to children.

Negative words can tear someone apart, especially if they’re in the form of negative self-talk. We’ve all been guilty of that.

Affirmations Boost Self-Esteem & Well-Being

On the flip side, positive words and uplifting messages can boost a person’s self-esteem and and well-being.

Positive affirmations are powerful statements that are spoken aloud in order to encourage and uplift the person speaking them.

They can inspire people to overcome the negative thoughts holding them back so they feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

Affirmation cards are a deck of cards containing positive affirmations. They’re small but powerful, and they make for a thoughtful gift.

Best Pop Ever | Father’s Day Popcorn Gift

Princess Diana - June 12, 2018 - $20 or Less, Father's Day, Food & Drinks

Have you ever faced this dilemma? Father’s Day is coming up but you can’t think of a single “thing” Dad needs or wants?

In this scenario, the solution is giving the gift of food, drink, or experience.

I’m here to talk about a delicious and popular snack food–popcorn! It’s the perfect gift!

Who doesn’t love popcorn that’s salty or sweet or both?

Gourmet popcorn is sold in many different flavors these days so you can really wow his taste buds! Continue Reading

Talking Hamster Repeats What You Say

Queen Darlene - April 5, 2018 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

A talking hamster that repeats everything you say? Yes! I couldn’t believe how amazing this little soft plush toy worked!

I was searching for a birthday gift for Princess Diana’s two-year old son Axl. He has a five-year old brother, Aiden, who shares his toys so my mission was to find something totally new and different.

Talking Hamster Mimics Any Language

I found it! This hamster’s talk back function allows it to mimic everything you say in ANY language no matter if you talk, sing, laugh, grunt, babble, or scream.

When I say everything, I mean everything!

The electronic hamster will even repeat a cat’s meow, a dog’s bark or a squeak of a chair. Continue Reading

I’ve Loved You Since Forever

Queen Darlene - March 14, 2018 - $20 or Less, Baby Shower, Birthday, Kids

I enjoy giving children’s books for gifts. So I’m always on the look out for special books that touch my heart and I’ve found a favorite!

I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a beautiful picture book inspired by New York Times bestselling author and NBC TODAY show co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s heartwarming adoption of her baby girl, Haley Joy.

Hoda and her celebrity friends bring the book to life in this adorable video she produced.

“I’ve Loved You Since Forever”

Before birds flew over rainbows
And monkeys swung on trees
There was you, and there was me

Before the sun set in the sky
And honey came from bees
There was you, and there was me

Before the moon lit up the night
Elephants wandered free
There was you, and there was me

Before otters swam together
And rivers reached the sea
There was you, and there was me

Waiting for the day our paths would cross
And you and I turned into we
Oh, I’ve loved you since forever
And forever’s how long you’ll be loved by me Continue Reading