Category "Birthday"

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.

Better Designed Inverted Umbrella

Queen Darlene - April 29, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

We’ve all experienced closing an umbrella while getting in and out of a car. What happens? We get wet no matter how fast we can close it.

How about giving someone a better designed umbrella as a gift?

I just happened to come across the video below that shows how an inverted umbrella design folds the reverse way to prevent the splash of rain as you enter or exit your car.

As you can see, your car door only needs to be open a crack for you to be able to open and close your umbrella.

A Better Designed Umbrella

Umbrellas are wonderful to keep you dry while opened but what happens when you close them? They drip rain water all over the floor.

The cool feature of the inverted umbrella is that it folds upward leaving the rain water trapped in the inward folds rather than getting your car floor or any floor wet.

It’s designed to self-stand upside down so it will air dry instead of leaning up against a wall which prevents the mess of rain water all over the floor.

Lotto Ticket Get Well Card

Queen Darlene - April 20, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Get Well, Retirement

Need an easy peasy fun gift idea for someone who is ill or in the hospital? Choose a get well card and insert lotto tickets!

Nothing lifts someone’s mood better than dreaming about how to spend the money if you win!

Gift of Possibly Winning Big

My friend, Dick, had triple bypass heart surgery and I wanted to send a cheerful gift. I wrote in the card “possibility of a winning lotto ticket” because I won just a few weeks before his surgery.

I shared my experience in the card. I explained the whole episode of asking my husband to pull into a gas station as I wanted to check my ticket. My husband did his usual eye rolling thing because I have never won more than a few dollars. Continue Reading

Clever First Birthday Gift

Princess Diana - April 18, 2017 - Birthday, Kids

When my son, Axl, turned one year old, my father arrived to the birthday party with the most clever and thoughtful gift!

It didn’t come wrapped up with a big bow or in a gift bag with tissue paper like the other birthday gifts.

Because it actually wasn’t for my son…

Clever First Birthday Gift

It was for his parents – my husband and me. It was a gift card to a local restaurant with a handwritten message that read:

Happy Birthday from Axl
Thank you for having me!

A gift “from my son” to his parents so we could go on a date night. Talk about a thoughtful twist to a first birthday gift!

Holding Hands Photos | Sentimental Gift

Queen Darlene - April 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Family, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

I’ve known my friend, Sherry, for years and have had the privilege of meeting her parents on many occasions. When I recently attended a reception honoring their daughter’s achievement, I noticed they were holding hands across the table.

I asked if I could take a picture of them holding hands. Her parents smiled and agreed. I thought it was so precious and wanted to capture the sweet, tender embrace for Sherry.

Sherry’s parents are her biggest supporters. Their hands have held her, guided her, hugged her, loved her, and clapped for her and her awesome accomplishments. Continue Reading

Create Photo Art Using American Sign Language

Queen Darlene - April 6, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas

My paternal and maternal grandparents and my mother were deaf so my first language was American Sign Language.

Several years ago, my mother became ill and I took her to the emergency room. It was the beginning of dementia even though we were not aware of it yet.

The wait in the ER was F-O-R-E-V-E-R! and she became extremely restless.

To help keep her calm, I suggested we take pictures of her hand creating individual letters of the ABCs in American Sign Language (ASL).

She loved it and thankfully doing that passed the time.

We later printed out photos of the individual letters to spell out the names of my brothers, my mother’s cousins and her friends. We mailed them in “thinking of you cards.”

My mother enjoyed hearing from each one that they loved her special surprise gift. Sign language is beautiful and you do not have to be deaf to enjoy seeing your name spelled in ASL.

Purse with Pursonality

Queen Darlene - March 30, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day

For my birthday, my sister-in-law gave me a Betsey Johnson purse. Talk about a Purse with Pursonality! It’s definitely a conversation piece!

Everywhere I go, someone will comment, “Is that a smiley face?” I reply, “Yes, it is!” and we both share a wonderful, big smile that turns into laughter.

I’ve never had a purse make me so happy or random strangers! It’s an amazing feeling.

Women for various reasons have a love/hate relationship with their purses. Purses can be too small because many of us carry way to much stuff.

Or too big and we dig around for our ringing cell phone until the caller hangs up! Some purses have too many zippers and you can’t remember which pocket you placed your keys.

Purse With Pursonality

Since I’ve received my purse with pursonality, I’m over any trivial annoyance. It’s funny how things change when you have a different perspective. Continue Reading

Collapsible and Expandable Flower Vase

Queen Darlene - March 23, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Teacher Gifts

Do you like surprises? I do! I received red roses from my friend, Karen. Even though that was a surprise in itself, that wasn’t the BIG surprise. She delivered roses in a gift bag with an collapsible, expandable vase.

What’s an collapsible, expandable vase you ask?

They are folded flower vases that do everything a glass vase can do except collect dust.

The vases are thin, strong, durable and amazingly stable. They will not leak.

Not only are they beautifully designed to display in the home or office, they are ideal for poolside and patio dining because they will never chip, scratch, or break.

I followed the instructions on the back of the package holding the vase.

Speak Out Mouthpiece Challenge Game

Queen Darlene - March 9, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Family, Kids

When was the last time you doubled over, your side hurting and you couldn’t breathe from laughing so much? Do I have the side splitting game for you! Speak Out is the ridiculous mouthpiece challenge game.

The object of the game is to earn cards by successfully guessing phrases. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

Simple enough, but not really. Continue Reading

The Gift of Time Away

Princess Diana - March 9, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

We have so many responsibilities in our lives – working to pay the bills, raising kids, running a household, giving back to our community… The list goes on and on. And on.

When was the last time YOU had 24 hours or an entire weekend just to yourself?

When was the last time YOUR SPOUSE had 24 hours or an entire weekend to himself or herself?

With all of the pressures and stress we face, we all need some “me time” or if you’re a parent you might call it “adult time.” What you or your partner may need is the Gift of Time Away.

The Gift of Time Away

For a thoughtful gift, give your partner one or more days for himself/herself with zero responsibilities. He/she won’t have to do any chores, run any errands, or watch any kids.

You’re essentially giving them the free time and freedom to do what makes them happy!