Posts Tagged: "thoughtful"

14 Days of Love Notes for Valentine’s Day

- - Valentine's Day

Do you know what makes a holiday better? The anticipation and excitement leading up to it!

14-days-love-notes-valentines-day

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Here is a fun way to use the first 14 days in February to show someone how much you love, cherish and appreciate them. Do this for children and adults!

The Many Reasons Why I Love You

People often say “I love you” but they often don’t go into specifics about what exactly it is about the person that they love. Telling someone the many reasons why you love them is much more powerful and meaningful.

So here’s what you do that I call 14 Days of Love Notes.

Instructions:

Cut out 14 paper hearts. Starting February 1, write a love note or affirmation on a heart every day and tape it where your Valentine will be sure to see it. It could be on their bedroom door, on their bathroom mirror, or different places around the home. Continue writing on a paper heart every day for 14 days.

Tip: I used red and pink construction paper and taped it to my son’s bedroom door with painter’s tape so it wouldn’t damage the paint.

Your loved ones will enjoy reading your daily expressions of love!

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Jumbo College Mug | Graduation Gift

We’ve had several graduations in our family this year, and it reminded me of one of my favorite graduation gifts.

The funny thing is… I gave the gift to myself in celebration of earning my Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

I wanted a gift with my alma mater’s logo that I would use for years and years to remind me of my college experience.

I bought myself a jumbo college mug with the OU logo and name. The size was perfect for soup, cereal and coffee!

It was thick, heavy and durable, and I knew it would last forever.

As I grew older, my OU shot glasses stopped getting used as much, and my OU shirts competed for wear time with my Oklahoma City Thunder basketball shirts.

I continued to use my beautiful crimson jumbo mug. When I brought it to work people would comment on it. Who would have thought it would make a great conversation starter?!

If you are looking for a graduation gift with a lot of staying power, give a jumbo college mug to a graduate from the school they will be attending or the school where they graduated.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

– Dr. Seuss

Changeable Felt Letter Board

Everyone has favorite quotes or sayings they absolutely love.

changeable-felt-letter-board-quoteThey could be inspiring, funny or motivational, and almost always elicit positive and powerful emotions from within us.

This one I probably say the most…

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU
MAKES YOU STRONGER

It reminds me to see the positive side to something I’ve experienced that was hard, negative, or hurtful.

This one has changed my behavior…

WHAT WOULD YOU DO
IF YOU WEREN’T AFRAID?

Want to know my new favorite?

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Mouthwatering Truffle Oil

- - Food & Drinks

The aroma of truffle oil seriously makes my mouth water. I’m in love with it!

white-truffle-oil-culinary-giftThe rich, decadent flavor of the golden oil on my tongue takes me to heaven every time.

A drizzle of truffle oil takes a dish from good to gourmet!

It recently gave my homemade pizza that “Wow!” factor. After it came out of the oven, I drizzled the top with white truffle oil and strawberry fig balsamic reduction.

You should have seen my husband’s face after his first bite. His eyes actually got bigger! The dish really impressed him.

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School Lunchbox Love Notes for Kids

- - Kids

It’s back to school – meaning kids will once again spend the majority of their time at school. Although you’ll be apart, I have a simple and thoughtful way to connect with your child every day during the school week!

Use lunchbox love notes to put a smile on their face while they’re at school because you’ve let them know you’re thinking of them.

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Lunchbox Love Notes

What are lunch box love notes?
They are small cards or slips of paper that share a positive, uplifting message.

Here are some examples but the possibilities are endless!

  • I’m your #1 fan
  • You are sooo AWESOME
  • I love you more than ________. (fill in the blank cards)
  • Have lots of fun today!
  • I can’t wait to hear about your day! XOXO
  • Good luck on your test today.
  • An extra special treat for an extra special kid. Love you!
  • Why fit in when you can stand out?

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Compact Car Jump Starter | Road Safety

My car battery died after work one day, and thankfully a co-worker came to my rescue.

compact-car-jump-starter-giftHe didn’t use jumper cables.

He used something even better called a compact car jump starter.

It’s better than jumper cables because you don’t need another car to jump you!

Peace of Mind on the Road

Think about it, your battery could die when no other car is around. Or you’re parked in a spot where another car can’t pull up close enough for the jumper cable to reach. In both situations you’re out of luck.

Every car should seriously have one of these! It gives you peace of mind on the road that a dead battery won’t leave you stranded.

A compact car jump starter is so small it can fit in your glove compartment, and it can be used as a USB charger to charge a phone or anything else with a USB cord.

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Clever First Birthday Gift

- - 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-thoughtful-gift

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!

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Honor Someone With a Charitable Gift of Purpose

A local charity I support, Sunbeam Family Services, offers meaningful holiday gifts with purpose. They’re perfect if someone you know has everything and doesn’t need any material things.

By purchasing one of their gifts, a person honors the gift recipient while donating to a worthy cause. It’s a gift you can both feel good about!charitable-gift-purpose-donation-thoughtful-gift

The charity offers a wide variety of gifts at a range of prices that support different programs for the needy. Other charities sell similar “gifts” that fund their own cause.

For $15 you can buy school lunches. For $75 you can purchase a backpack filled with school supplies. For $30 you can purchase meals for homeless seniors. For $50 you can provide shelter for one homeless senior. For $500 you can provide shelter for 10 seniors.

By giving friends and family gifts that have a positive social impact, you’ll be making a difference in people’s lives.  Continue Reading

7 Gifts to Give Children at Christmas

- - Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Have you ever heard of toy hangover? Kids may not recognize it, but parents sure will.

7-gifts-give-children-christmas-presentsToy hangover occurs the day after Christmas or a birthday when kids are walking around dazed and confused after consuming too many toys in a short period of time.

Instead of dazed and confused, parents feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Where is all this stuff going to go?

I came across a toy hangover cure I’m going to start this year. It’s an easy solution to how to shop for children at Christmas (or birthdays) so you end up with quality instead of quantity.

You are limited to seven gifts for each child. Don’t freak out on me. Having a limit is a good thing.

By having a a set limit, it forces you to think very carefully and thoughtfully about what those seven gifts will be.

These seven gifts are from the parent(s)/Santa. If you feel like you’re being Scrooge-ish, just remember your kids will receive additional gifts from family and friends.

There is a more important reason than preventing toy hangovers as to why I want to decrease the amount of Christmas gifts my kids receive. I don’t want the primary focus of Christmas to be gifts. Yes, gift giving is a fun holiday tradition but it’s not the reason for the season.

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