Monthly Archives: May 2017

Plan A Surprise Party on a Holiday

Princess Diana - May 31, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

My husband, Kevin, graduated with this Master’s degree this year. To celebrate such a major accomplishment, I decided to throw him a surprise party.

I schemed with his parents who was hosting the graduation party in their home. After checking with each other, the only date in May that worked with both of our schedules was Mother’s Day. Oh no!

That was my initial reaction. But after thinking about it, I realized there is NO WAY he would see this surprise party coming.

A graduation party on Mother’s Day? Who would do that?!

Planning a surprise party on a holiday provides the perfect cover story.

The Perfect Cover Story

I simply told Kevin we needed to go to his parents’ house because for a Mother’s Day brunch. He easily believed it. I didn’t need to concoct some elaborate story to get him there.

Do you have people coming from out of town? They can say they’re coming into town for the holiday.

Let Kids Camp Out Inside With Indoor Tent

Queen Darlene - May 25, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Kids love camping outdoors but sometimes the weather or temperature just doesn’t cooperate. An indoor tent designed for kids will do the trick!

My son needed a birthday gift for a four-year old boy. He knew little boys never have enough cars, super heroes and Legos, but he wanted to give something a little more imaginative.

Kids Indoor Tent

Dustin found the cutest indoor tent that would fit perfectly anywhere in the house. It’s perfect for play dates and sleepovers!

The Ozark Trail Kids Camping Tent is designed with pictures of the moon, stars, trees, a camp fire and a sign that says “Let’s Go Camping”.

The 5 ft. x 3 ft. tent also comes in a drawstring bag for easy storage. Continue Reading

Indoor Go Kart Racing | Adrenaline Experience

Princess Diana - May 23, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Gifts for Him

If you’ve followed my blog for a little while, you probably know I like to give my nieces experience gifts.

A few years ago, I took them on a limouisine ride to look at Christmas lights. This time when they visited during their spring break, I gave them a thrilling experience that got their adrenaline pumping – indoor go kart racing at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour!

Need for Speed

At Pole Position Raceway, as long as someone’s 48 inches tall they’re allowed to drive, so even my nine year old niece could do it.

My nephew joined my nieces and after receiving the proper safety training, it was go time! They put on their helmets, strapped into their go karts, and put the pedal to the metal!

Spell Child’s Name With Wall Letters

Queen Darlene - May 19, 2017 - Baby Shower, Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Uncategorized

As a child, I remember looking for my name on key chain racks in stores. Not once, did I see DARLENE.

At least I was in good company. My brothers, Harvey and Rodney, didn’t see theirs either. We were all so disappointed.

I was recently invited to a birthday party for a four year old named Evynn. The birthday girl’s name is so beautiful and unique that I decided to give her a personalized gift of her name.

Fortunately, there are many options for creating someone’s name using wall letters from your local craft store or alphabet letters from Amazon.com.

Wall Letters in All Shapes & Sizes

You can find every shape, size, font and color of wall letters to be hung in a room or leaned upright on a shelf. Continue Reading

College Graduation Gifts for Networking in Style

Princess Diana - May 16, 2017 - Business, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Graduation

A college graduate needs to be prepared for networking events.

Networking is often a critical component of career success. Say it with me, “It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.”

When my husband graduated with his Master’s degree, I gave him two gifts that would allow him to network in style.

Thoughtful College Graduation Gifts for Him

His first gift was a watch made of natural wood. Wooden watches look amazing, professional and serve as a conversation piece.

They come in different colors depending on the type of wood you choose, and they’re very lightweight.

No one can show up at a networking event without business cards. So for my husband’s second graduation gift I gave him a wooden business card holder engraved with his initials.

Fancy Flip Flops a Mother’s Day Gift

Queen Darlene - May 12, 2017 - Birthday, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

I have too many Fancy Flip Flops SAID NO ONE EVER! Or at least that’s what my sweet sister-in-law, Nancy, would say.

A few years ago for a Mother’s Day gift, I gave her fancy flip flops with rhinestones. Then again a couple of months later another pair for her birthday.

At the end of the summer, Hallmark had a sale on colorful flip flops so I purchased two more pair just to surprise her! There’s a reason they call her Fancy Nancy! She loves to dress “Jazzy”.

Even though I knew it was the same type of gift over and over again, I also knew without a doubt how much she would enjoy wearing them. Continue Reading

Magical 3D Pop Up Greeting Cards

Princess Diana - May 9, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Baby Shower, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Congratulations, Father's Day, Get Well, Graduation, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Thank You, Valentine's Day, Wedding

3D Pop Up Greeting Cards are so beautiful and mesmerizing, they are almost a gift in itself. And they’re definitely keepsakes!

When you open one of these cards, instead of seeing words, you see the card magically come to life as it POPS UP into a unique design. They are truly miniature works of paper art!

Send Someone a Pop Up Surprise

You can buy 3D Pop Up Greeting Cards in all sorts of designs for all sorts of occasions. Some of them are designed to hold a gift card.

Although, do you even need an occasion to send a 3D greeting card with a pop up dragon, a pop up pirate ship or a pop up rocket? Send them just because the cards are badass and you want to surprise someone!

My Favorite Ergonomic Drinking Mug

Queen Darlene - May 4, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Thank You

OK… my favorite mug is not advertised as being ergonomic. I just gave it that name.

The word ergonomic means well designed, usable, user-friendly and comfortable. All the adjectives that describes my favorite mug!

Several years ago, while visiting friends we made when living in Albuquerque, we played tourist by visiting Old Town. We had fun walking around the Square checking out each gift shop.

In one store, we watched pottery being made directly in front of us by artists. It’s truly amazing how plain brownish clay turns into beautiful colorful pottery. I like to think of it as usable art!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Handle Cover

Princess Diana - May 2, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

Every time I hear of someone graduating school, I think how exciting it is they have their whole life ahead of them.

I’m also reminded of Dr. Seuss’s book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Such as classic and accurate description of this journey we call life.

I have a family member, Sidney, who is graduating from high school. With her graduation gift, I wanted to encourage her to take the opportunity to travel and collect experiences while she is in college.

The college years are well suited for traveling since the school year has built in Spring Break, Summer Break, Fall Break and Christmas Break. Once you’re in the workforce, you only have one or two day holidays and limited vacation days to fit in all your travel plans. Boo.

When I think back to my college years, the highlights include spring break trips to Florida and South Padre and summer trips to China and Costa Rica. I’m so glad I experienced them all!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Luggage Handle Cover

For her graduation gift, I gave Sidney a personalized luggage tag and luggage handle cover for her future travels.