Category "Birthday"

Surprise Someone By Hiding Gifts Inside a Balloon

Queen Darlene - July 24, 2014 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Baby Shower, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Family, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Graduation, Kids, Money, Mother's Day, Thank You, Valentine's Day, Wedding

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Presentation! Presentation! Presentation! We are always trying to find new ways to be creative in gift giving, right? Here is one that is easy, inexpensive, colorful and makes a noise that goes POP! Gifts inside a balloon!

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Hiding an engagement ring inside a balloon is a creative way to “pop the question!”

In a previous post, I talked about a unique wedding proposal idea. Get a decorative box that has an attached lid that will perfectly fit a blown up balloon. Write or type a note that says “POP ME” and attach it by using a stick pin to the inside of the lid.

She can use the pin to pop the balloon. Place the engagement ring inside a blown up balloon, put it inside the box and close the lid. When she opens the box, pops the balloon and sees her beautiful engagement ring, that’s when you get on bended knee to “pop the question.”

Gift cards have become a common way to give a gift. Usually it is placed in a card, an envelope or a gift bag. BOOOORING!

Make a Trip Unforgettable With Gift of Cologne or Perfume

Princess Diana - July 22, 2014 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day

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When my husband and I visited Las Vegas for one of his work conferences, I spent the day entertaining myself by shopping. One of my purchases that day happened to be a bottle of cologne. My husband wore it that night and everyday for the rest of our trip.

We enjoyed many wonderful memories on that vacation because it seemed like we did it all – gambling, fine dining, all-you-can-eat-crab, clubbing, shows and a pool party.

What happened when we got back was really cool. Every time I smelled the cologne on my husband, I immediately thought of that trip to Vegas and all of the things we did.

It made me feel happy all over!

It’s no secret that research has proven that scents and smells can trigger powerful and vivid memories.

Lottery Ticket Bouquet | 40th Birthday Gift

Princess Diana - July 17, 2014 - Birthday, Gift Baskets

I hate it when people say that turning 40 (or any other age) sucks or blows. My thinking is that if we don’t get older, WE’RE DEAD!

A bouquet made of 40 scratch-off lottery tickets makes a great 40th birthday gift.

So I never regret turning a year older. Like fine wine, women just get better with age.

My boss Holley turned 40 this year so I wanted to put a positive spin to her new age. For her birthday gift, I made her a lottery ticket bouquet made of 40 $1 lottery tickets.

I added a gift tag that reads, “Some people say that turning 40 sucks. Here’s 40 chances that this year brings you good luck!”

Worth Every Penny | Pennies From Birth Year

Queen Darlene - July 11, 2014 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Money

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On my 50th birthday, my dear friend, Susan, gave me 50 pennies all made in 1952 – my birth year!

The pennies came in a small heart box. I cherish that gift because it was so unique and thoughtful.

I have used the penny idea many times for birthdays and anniversaries. I use the pennies on significant birthday years such as 30 – 40 – 50 – 60 year old and up.

By the time a couple has been married for 50 years or more, what can you give that they do not already have or that is unique? Fifty pennies from the year of their wedding placed in a heart box is a for-sure-keepsake gift! Especially seeing and remembering those wheat pennies! They bring back the memories of simpler times. Continue Reading

Papa Bear, Mama Bear & Baby Bear Folding Chairs

Queen Darlene - June 26, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Kids

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When Princess Diana’s son, Aiden, turned one year old, I set out on a mission to give him something that most boys his age would not normally receive for their birthday.

Of all places, I found it in a Hallmark store – a crimson University of Oklahoma toddler folding chair. (Princess Diana and her husband both went to OU.)

With the chair, I also gave Aiden an OU “Start ’em Young, Raise ’em Right” toddler t-shirt and a teddy bear. A large stuffed bear wearing an OU t-shirt and sitting in the OU chair is so stinkin’ cute!

Since Aiden’s parents already have their own folding chairs, Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear now can all sit in a chair that is juuuust right for them whether they’re tailgating, camping, RVing, fishing or just hanging out in their backyard.

OK, I have to tell you prior to writing this post, I researched the correct name for the folding bag chair. I found out there’s not just one name for it because there are so many variations! Continue Reading

Gift for Him | Personalized Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

Princess Diana - June 12, 2014 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day

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Personalize golf balls with someone’s last name, initials, or a special message.

When it comes to golfing, Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are the best brand out there.

I know this because my husband plays golf. But they do cost a pretty penny so my husband doesn’t buy them for himself even though he’s a better than average golfer.

(I’m pretty much the same way with massages and pedicures. I love getting them, but I don’t like paying for them.)

Kevin has a few Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls in his golf bag though because his friends have given him some of theirs or he happened to find some on the golf course. (He says it’s amazing how many really bad golfers play with expensive golf balls that they just end up losing.)

A box of a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls costs about $50 bucks – which comes out to more than $4 per ball. That’s expensive if you’re just going to hit them into the woods!

Personalized Man Cave Photos for Father’s Day Gift

Queen Darlene - June 10, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

Men love their Man Cave – whether it’s in the garage, basement or a room in the house. When Mom passed away, my brother, Harvey, moved in to help care for our step-father Paul who has been deaf all his life and has macular degeneration.

To talk to Paul, who’s nearly 90, you have to sign real close to his face so he can see. Paul still cooks all of his meals but needs help with mowing the grass and driving to the bank, grocery store and the deaf club.

I’m so very grateful that my brother has taken on this task to help our step-father live his life as close to normal as possible. Paul is grateful too because otherwise he would be living in a nursing home without anyone knowing how to speak to him in sign language.

It has been somewhat challenging for two grown men to live together. They have their own ways! Know what I mean?

Their den sits right in the middle of the house, and you have to walk through it to get to the kitchen from the bedrooms. The den also contains the door to the backyard, which gets used constantly because of their little Chihuahua, Mickey.

Don’t kid yourself to think just because people are deaf that they are quiet. They are NOT. As a matter of fact, they are probably noisier because they cannot hear how loud they are! Well, Paul makes a lot of noise. My brother always has to turn up the volume on the TV to cover the banging and clanging in the kitchen and the slamming of the backdoor.

While Paul is happy to have someone in the home so he doesn’t feel so lonely, both men feel a loss of privacy. So to solve both problems of noise and privacy, my brother and I came up with a plan to convert the front room into Harvey’s Man Cave! Continue Reading

Beers From Around the World Gift Basket

Princess Diana - June 5, 2014 - Birthday, Christmas, Family, Father's Day, Food & Drinks, Gift Baskets, Gifts for Him, Housewarming

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I have to give credit where credit is due. This gift idea came from my husband Kevin. It’s an awesome gift that men will love!

Buy a selection of beers that are made in different countries from around the world. Stick them in a tub, basket or bucket, then use whole-in-shell peanuts as an edible filling.

If you buy a dozen beers, you can create a tag that says, “Around the World in 12 Beers” to go along with the gift.

Here are the beers from around the world (imported beers) that are commonly found:

“Mighty Fine” | Remembering Gramps’ Personal Saying

Queen Darlene - June 3, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

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My father-in-law, Gene Drew, was a very kind and quiet man who would sometimes surprise us with his humorous wit. I always thought my husband got his wit from his mother but he also got it from his dad. Randy even laughs like his dad. There’s no denying it. We are our parents!

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When Gene spoke, the message was plain, simple and always thought through. There was never misunderstanding what he said.

He was a WWII Veteran and like so many of his time, they did not talk about the war. Instead, they got busy workin’, raisin’ families and livin’!

Gene could fix anything. Cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers – you name it, he repaired it! He could make anything out of left over stuff. He made a work table on wheels once out of an old air conditioning unit. In his later years, he helped his grandchildren make science fair projects. He was amazing!

Gramps, as we all fondly called him, passed away in July of 2011 just shy of his 90th birthday. At his funeral, his youngest son Kyle gave the eulogy. He spoke about all of the wonderful things he instilled in his children not by doing so much talking but by his actions.

When he did talk, Gramps had a personal saying he always used for anything good – “Mighty Fine.” Kyle reminded us that when he learned to ride his bike or came home with news of getting on the baseball team, Gramps would always say that’s “Mighty Fine.”

When as a kid he asked, “Dad, what do you think about Jesus returning?” Gramps slowly took his pipe out of his mouth and said, “I think it would be mighty fine!”

Mother’s Day Love From a Special Needs Daughter

Queen Darlene - May 8, 2014 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day

My sister-in-law Nancy is an amazing mother to her daughter, Whitney, who suffered from a brain injury at the age of four months. The doctors did not give much hope on her survival but she lived. She lives by a mother’s pure love for her child.

Then the doctors said she would never walk but she did. Nancy taught Whitney how to walk forward as she walked backwards while holding up her daughter.

The doctors said she would never talk but she communicates in a way her mother understands.

I am in awe of Nancy. She makes me want to be a better mother. I have also never met anyone with as much faith in God as Nancy. She praises Him for her daughter’s gift of life.

When you have a special needs daughter who is legally blind with poor hearing, your life is not considered normal. But Nancy and Whitney have created a life that is normal for them.

Did you know one in every 12 children in America is physically or mentally disabled? Mothers of disabled children earn a particularly special place on Mother’s Day, and disabled children sometimes need a little help in celebrating and expressing their love for their mother. And that’s where you and I can come in!