Ten Under $20 Gift Ideas for Children {2017 Gift Guide Series}

I know that for many of you, it's the time of year when you are grabbing gifts for family and friends--and you are hoping to find great gifts that won't break the bank. Whether it comes to shopping for kids, sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't have to spend a lot of money on. In fact, I know that with my boys, they would rather get several smaller things than just a single big thing! So today, I'm going to share 10 Ideas for Children's Gifts that are under $20 as part of my Gift Guide Series.

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

*Note: All pricing current as of the date of this post 12/6/2017*

1. Magic Stix 12-pk Washable Markers (retails $9.99)
New from the makers of Kwik Stix comes Magic Stix! Washable markers with a 7 day cap off guarantee! Seriously. These should be musts for the kiddos. We have gone 3 days already with the cap off on purpose--still works! Let's not forget they are also washable and non-toxic! And they come in a handy clear snap case. My son is loving having them for church and I love that even if he decides to get creative on his fingers, I can easily wash it off!

My Top 10 Favorite Kitchen Tools {2016 Gift Guide Series}

Welcome back to another post in my 2016 Gift Guide series! Today I'm going to be sharing with you some of my absolute FAVORITE items for my kitchen. Some will be big, some will be small--but all have my stamp of approval! As you know, cooking is one of my hobbies, so I am in the kitchen all the time. I also have a thing for kitchen gadgets. Fortunately, I have found some great ones which have saved me a LOT of time in my kitchen prep--or I just love to use them. I hope that this list will help you, if you are figuring out what to get a friend or family member who loves to cook!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

1. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

When my grandmother (maternal) died in 2004, I was offered her KitchenAid Stand Mixer. We took it home and I put it on my counter. And there it sat. Not getting used much. But I was working full time and just wasn't doing a lot of cooking. So we ended up passing it on. Flash forward to 2014 when my paternal grandma died, bequeathing me her stack of favorite cookbooks, the old family recipes and her...KitchenAid Stand Mixer. THIS time, I was ready for it. And let me tell you, I have given that baby a workout! I use it for everything from dough to batter to making creamy mashed potatoes. I LOVE that I can get it set up and just walk away. I also love that I have a pasta attachment and sausage attachment. No extra machines needed. This baby gets used at least 3-4 times a week and it has well earned it's place on my counter. I highly recommend one of these for any home where there is someone who cooks a LOT. 

2. Ninja Ultra Kitchen Pro Performance Power Blender

People, let me tell you. BEST PURCHASE FOR 2016 in my kitchen. I have been so happy to have this baby. It does EVERYTHING and more. And all the issues I had with my other Oster run of the mill normal blender--gone. This baby can crush ice in record time. It can turn whole apples into a smoothie without any bits. Horseradish, ginger, garlic--whirled together and nothing left behind. Even frozen fruit--it doesn't bog it down nor stay chunky. Adding leafy and stem herbs? No worries. NO tangles around the blade. AND it has a 96 oz pitcher! Let's not forget the food processing attachment and the single serving smoothie travel cups. Oh man. I LOVE those! If I'm making a smoothie for me, I don't need the pitcher! Just put it in my cup, give it a whirl, put on a lid and go! Seriously. I can't say enough about this thing. Even my mom is trying to figure out how to justify replacing her "works perfectly fine" blender, in order to get one like mine. She has fallen in love with it. If your family is a smoothie family and your normal blender gets bogged down--or you have issues with frozen fruits not getting chopped--you need this. Unlike a "juicer" you can put the whole fruit or veggie in and get it completely chopped! Not wasting anything. Go for it. Even if you go for a smaller Ninja. It's worth it.

3. Kitchen Digital Scale

With our beef business, I needed a good scale so we could check on our various packaged meat weights. I also use it in cooking for weighted recipes, but not usually. One of the things I absolutely wanted, was a scale that went over 10lbs. Fortunately there are quite a few selections out there. One of my favorites is this 11lb Food Kitchen Scale with Removable Bowl. I love the sleek design, and that I wouldn't need a separate bowl. This Slim Stainless Multifunction Scale also goes to 11lbs, but is flat for the more bulky objects. It's more like the one I have (that I can't find anymore). Either of these is a good option for someone who needs to know weights in their business or cooking. I also like to use it to figure out shipping costs when I'm sending something. 

4. Stainless Steel Electric Kettle

Oh man. I use this ALL the time. For cooking and for tea. I love having it ready where I can get boiling water in a matter of a couple minutes. I keep it full. Another item I probably use every week several times. And it doesn't take up room on top of my stove. If you have a tea lover, you definitely need to snag this for them, if they don't have it yet. There are several different versions. I have one similar to this one on the left. There is also a 1.7 litre one that is by the same company, but with a more rounded design.

5. Bread Machine

One of the best things we bought for our home when we were first married was a bread machine. Man, we used the tar out of it. I STILL love them. The only reason we don't still have one, is that our last one broke, and I needed a new place for my Kitchen Aid Standing Mixer! But if I had enough counter space, I would TOTALLY have another one. I really like the 2 lb bread machine because it makes the perfect sized loaves. I really love this Hamilton Beach Programmable Bread Machine. It even has settings for gluten-free if you need this setting. Another one that is popular (#1 actually) is the Oster 2-pound Expressbake Bread Machine. I had one almost identical to this one--I believe it makes a loaf in just 1 1/2 hrs. Did you know most bread machine's also make cheesecake?! 

6. Coffee Grinder

Okay--I know many of you are going "no. I don't do coffee beans." Right? Me neither! But this has still becoming a major tool in my kitchen. Doing what? Spices! I LOVE to have fresh peppercorns and other whole spices at my disposal, and this little baby grinds them up quick as a wink! It is small--about the size of a small 16oz pop bottle--so it's easy to store. It's really fast with a stainless steel blade and inner bowl. Now I also use it for coffee beans, and I can do a normal size bag of beans into ground in about 5 minutes. My sons love using it for me. LOL

7. Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven

This is at the TOP of my list right now. Seriously it is. This is the ONE pan that I don't have yet, that is the top of my wants. The main reason I love it, is for the porcelain enamel. This makes it work fabulously on the top of my flat top stove without me worrying about scratches. Another reason I love it--cast iron handles and a metal top handle. This makes it oven safe. And what is the best thing about it? I can use it for double cooking--starting things on my stovetop and then shifting it to the oven. I have several recipes I would LOVE to do this for, but without this tool, I am out of luck. I'm holding out hope for it as a birthday gift in a couple weeks! LOL. And this comes in a TON of colors. I'm partial to the Caribbean Blue, and the Spice Red.

8. Fruit and Vegetable Chopper

I don't mind shopping vegetables. But when I have to do a TON of vegetables, it gets rather tedious. And when faced with a garbage bag full of green/red peppers, it becomes groan worthy. FORTUNATELY, we had recently purchased the Fruit and Vegetable Chopper from Progressive. We were leery about the fact that it's predominately plastic, but let me tell you. After chopping that GARBAGE BAG--yes I do mean that in every sense of the word--of peppers, we were convinced! What used to take about 2 hrs, took an hour tops. One of us sliced the peppers open and the other chopped. Bam. perfect size. a container to catch them. We filled our freezer bags quick as a wink. I also use this chopper for mashed potatoes. It keeps them uniform and small for boiling. Hard boiled eggs or strawberries? Yes there is a soft food slicer blade as well! It also comes with a piece for cleaning the chopper lid. I am very pleased with my chopper--BUT if you are wanting a smaller version, I have always enjoyed using the smaller chopper for chopping/mincing/dicing.

9. Stainless Steel Cookware Set

About 6 years ago, my husband splurged and bought me a brand new stainless cookware set for our anniversary. We had decided to throw out the non-stick (toxic!) and bring in a new style of pans. Although they were a challenge to get use to at first, we now ADORE them and exclusively use them (other than my lone cast iron skillet). This set is very similar to the set I own--but has even more pieces!! I have never been sorry that we switched, and encourage you to bite the bullet and do it too!

10. The Pioneer Woman Kitchen/Dining Collection

If you want to lose me in a store (like Walmart), take me to the kitchen section and let it have items from The Pioneer Woman collection. My absolute favorite is the Pioneer Woman Flea Market collection! I already own several pieces from the collection including a tablecloth, measuring cups, measuring spoons, and the adorable stainless steel measuring spoons. My goal is to get a few of the baking dish pieces too. And the towels/washcloths. The beautiful trivet collection. And anything else that jumps into my cart. LOL. I use recipes from The Pioneer Woman cookbook all the time. Her sausage gravy and her meatballs are family favorites! I totally recommend any of the Pioneer Woman line of kitchen and dining products!

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Now there are far more than 10 things that I think are awesome for a kitchen, but THESE ten are items that I personally love and think any cook would love to receive as a gift! I hope that I've given you some new ideas to explore as your going about your gift buying over the upcoming month and throughout the year to come.

15 Gifts for the Doctor Who Fan {2016 Gift Guide Series}

Hello Sweetie! Do you have a Doctor Who fan in your life? Someone who would love to run away in a big blue box and travel through time and space if they had a chance? If so, then I'm sure you will appreciate this next installment in my 2016 Gift Guide Series--15 Fantastic (hehe) Gifts for the Doctor Who Fan!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

I will be honest. I truly wouldn't mind snagging a few of these for myself. I think they are all fun, and speaking on behalf of the Whovians in your life--they will bring a definite smile to a Doctor Who fan's face!

1. Let's start at the beginning. No seriously. Give the gift of the start of it all! Get the Whovian of your life, some Classic Doctor Who DVD's! You can find so many of the early black and white editions of the very first season--even available on Amazon video streaming. They will thank you as you help them start back with the First Doctor who set the foundation for a cult classic!

2. Subtle, but oh so cool--Shine some light in their night, with a Doctor Who Themed Nightlight! I love this Tardis nightlight, but there is also a Weeping Angel (which my husband says would creep him out), and a Dalek to pick from!

3. Got a Whovian who is also a LEGO fan? Oh yeah. You KNOW they will love the new Doctor Who Building Kit! I mean, my boys are really wanting me to get us a set as well! The set includes 4 mini-figures with assorted accessory elements: the Eleventh Doctor, the Twelfth Doctor, Clara Oswald and a Weeping Angel, plus 2 Daleks! I know that your LEGO loving Whovian will have a blast putting this together as soon as they receive it!

4. A Sonic Screwdriver Pen. When we were down in Florida a couple weeks ago, we were invited to a friends condo for dinner. Her son happened to have a sonic screwdriver pen in hand (he'd just gotten it) and was surprised when I said "Love your screwdriver!". He gaped at me and said "You actually know what this is??!" His mom laughed. So then he proceeded to tell me about how marvelous it was, and how it was so cool to write with...so I am absolutely recommending this as a gift for your Whovian! And you can make them even happier if you get them the screwdriver to match their favorite Doctor! Here is the Tenth Doctor's Screwdriver, or the Eleventh Doctor's Screwdriver. Actually, I just like a lot of the Doctor Who themed pens in general.

5. Doctor Who Mugs. There are so many really cool Doctor Who mugs. This Figural Tardis mug is my favorite, but there is a Disappearing Tardis Mug that reacts with heat, a creepy Weeping Angel Mug that has the angel disappear with heat, a Keep Calm I'm the Doctor mug, or for fun a Dalek Caffeniate Coffee Bucks Mug. And don't even get me started on the incredibly awesome Doctor Who TRAVEL Mugs! Oh and don't tell me that this Tardis Teapot isn't the cutest thing ever!

6. Make them smile with a Doctor Who Scarf! Let them give a silent homage to their favorite Fourth Doctor with the iconic Doctor Who Fourth Doctor striped scarf. You could always go with a more generic Tardis Blue Scarf, or for a more feminine look, the Doctor Who Seventh Doctor Lightweight Paisley Scarf. And I am loving this Tardis Exploding Pandorica Opens Scarf. The colors are just gorgeous!

7. Make it fit them like a Tee(shirt)! There are so many Doctor Who T-shirts out there--some very subtle, some funny, and I really love the ones that do a mix of fandoms--like this one that is a Peanuts Doctor Who, or this Doctor Who Alice in Wonderland. When I was at Hot Topic I fell in love with a tshirt that was just like this Doctor Who Quote Tank Top...I'm kicking myself now that I didn't get it, as I can't find it anywhere! This shirt here was on sale, but sadly they didn't have my size. Sigh.

8. Doctor Who Socks. There are SOOOOOO many super cute socks out there that pay tribute to the Doctor Who fandom. You really can't go wrong. It's the perfect gift for the Whovian who might like to "hide" that part of themselves. LOL. Seriously though. Doctor Who socks are fantastic! Another thing that I chose NOT to get and wish I had. Sigh. 

9. Did you know they have Doctor Who Themed games? Of COURSE they do! You can get Doctor Who Trivial Pursuit, Doctor Who Yatzee, Doctor Who Monopoloy, Doctor Who Clue, Doctor Who Tumbling Tower Game (aka Doctor Who Jenga), and a FREE Doctor Who Legacy game for your favorite device (I have this game and LOVE LOVE LOVE it and play it all the time).

10. The adult coloring fad hasn't left Doctor Who out! Got a friend or family member who loves adult coloring books AND Doctor Who? If so, make sure you snag a copy of Doctor Who Coloring Book and Doctor Who Travels in Time Coloring Book. Grab them a set of nice coloring pencils to go with it and they will be set!

11. Does your Whovian love things for their kitchen? You could make his or her day with things like this Doctor Who cookbook, Doctor Who Silicone Ice Cube Trays (Daleks and Tardis Ice Cubes!!!), Doctor Who Plate Set, this Hello Sweetie Cutting Board (LOVE IT!),  Doctor Who Tardis Apron, or maybe a Dalek Bottle Opener! Any of these would be sure to bring a smile I'm sure. 

12. Doctor Who Footware will give them something to stand up and cheer for! There are Doctor Who Slip Ons, Doctor Who Canvas Shoes. Doctor Who Adult Moccasin Slippers. Doctor Who High Top Police Box Shoes. Doctor Who Loafers. So many fun pair of shoes to look at. And I just love the super colorful ones. I'm sure you could smile if you had a pair of those on your feet!

13. Who doesn't like a new tote bag? There are some simply delightful options if you are wanting to get your Whovian a bag--whether a tote, backpack, satchel, or purse! My personal favorite is this beautiful Doctor Who Van Gogh Starry Night Messenger Bag. The colors are just gorgeous! Go shopping Doctor Who Style with this Trust Me I'm the Doctor bag! Want something less colorful? How about this Splashed Police Box Tardis Doctor Who Messenger Bag? The black and white keeps it more subtle, but ever so snazzy! What about this Doctor Who Mini Satchel? Seriously cute. Here is a smaller Tardis Backpack--wouldn't that be fun to wear to school? Here is a Doctor Who Shouler Purse/Tote that I would totally carry! I love the unique design and it's just the right size! How about a fun Tardis Pen/Pencil/Makeup Case? I've only scratched the surface of the amazing Doctor Who bags out there--so I'm sure you could find your Whovian just the right one for them! 

14. Give them sweet dreams of travelling through space and time with the Doctor, as they wrap themselves up in these Doctor Who themed bedding items! There are some warm fuzzy afghans, Doctor Who sheet sets, pillow of your favorite Doctor, fun pillow covers, and more!

15. And last but none the least, let's not forget Doctor Who inspired jewelry. From the more casual Tardis pendants, to the charming charm bracelets, to the darling dangling earrings. I love this Doctor Who Van Gogh Crescent moon pendant, don't you?

There are so many delightful things out there for you to snag for your Whovian--And I only scratched the surface! There is also a great store called Hot Topic that carries some FABULOUS Doctor Who clothing. One of my friends scored the most awesome Tardis jacket and there are some darling dresses and other paraphernalia for the more classy present.

I hope are enjoying my gift guide series. I just wanted to give you a jump start on thinking of things that would be good gifts for the loved ones in your life. I have put together another list--this time of my favorite kitchen gadgets that I will be sharing next week--kitchen gadgets are my special weakness, you know! LOL.

CrossTimber: Your Source for Beautiful Name Meaning Gifts {Product Review}

I recently had the pleasure of learning about the personalized gift company CrossTimber. They specialize in creating beautiful products like the Personalized Framed Plaque with Name Meaning and Bible Verse, Personalized Mugs, Music Boxes and more. It was perfect timing to review this company, as my mother-in-law recently had a birthday and I needed the "perfect" gift.

About CrossTimber

CrossTimber is a family run company started by John Dehnart, in an effort to help hundreds of people learn more about their worth, value and purpose before God, through the meaning of their name. Next year marks their 20th anniversary of their very first name meaning gifts! The family works hard to research the various meanings of every name they are given, and to match them with a unique Bible verse.

Their products include:
*Personalized framed plaque with name meaning and bible verse
*Name meaning mugs
*Name Meaning music boxes
*Name Meaning bookmarks
*and more!

CrossTimber loves sharing name meanings, so go ahead and ask them what your name means, no matter how unique!

Got a long list of people you might want to get items for? There is a great quantity discount chart which will provide great savings for big families or long gift lists!

We were given a credit to use on the personalized framed plaque with name meaning and bible verse, or on whatever else caught our eye--I loved the plaque, but decided to order a special music box!

My Thoughts about CrossTimber

I was impressed by the selections that CrossTimber offers when picking out your product. When I was looking at their personalized framed plaque with name meaning and bible verse, I liked that I could change up the background image to customize what I thought would be good for my recipient. Sunsets, oceans, nature, animals. A lot of options. Not only that, but there was a different collection of frames that could be picked as well.

The ordering page with examples of each choice

After looking around and thinking about it for awhile, I decided to use my credit towards the cost of a name meaning music box. My mother-in-law is always making little treasure boxes for others, so I thought this would be the perfect gift for her. The options for the name meaning top was the same as for the plaques, so I opted to get her an ocean scene as she loves the ocean. There were four different box options, but I went with the ornate wood option. Lastly, there were four options for the music the box played: Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, On Eagle's Wings, and "Surprise me". Because I know she loves the song, I picked How Great Thou Art. It would be easy to add on an extra item like a bookmark, pocket card, or mug--even the option to put a message on the inside of the box. I decided to just leave the order as is, and submitted it!

CrossTimber sent me a confirmation shortly thereafter. I found the shipping to be a reasonable cost considering the size of the item and eagerly waited for it to arrive!

When it arrived, I was very happy to see that it was packaged up VERY well and was very protected. There was also a bookmark included with my mother-in-law's name on it, which was a nice bonus! I loved the scripture that was chosen--one of my favorites and felt the box was very beautiful.

The boys really loved watching the music player, as it was encased in a see-thru piece. They enjoyed watching it spin as it made the music--they finally figured out how it was done!

My mother-in-law was surprised, but very pleased with her box and I am glad that we were able to find something unique to give her. She especially liked her name meaning.

All in all, I found the music box to be a very nice gift, although I admit that I was expecting it to be a bit more...sturdy? It didn't have the weight I was expecting in a music/jewelry box (I have a couple of my own that were a bit more heavy wood). I don't think it looked shoddy or anything, just that I guess I was expecting it to be...heavier? LOL. I don't even know if that makes sense. Anyways, I'm very glad I went with the box style that I did, because I think the others might have looked...um...cheap for what I was going for in this gift (as in more elegance and quality). That and I just didn't like the look of the others as much.

If I ever purchase anything again, I think I will go for the framed name meaning or name meaning mugs!

Oh and lest I forget, their customer service is fabulous! As I was leaving for my trip, I still didn't have this product in hand. I was worried it would come while I was gone and it would be hard for me to write a review on it. Fortunately, John responded right away to my concerns and made sure it arrived the day before I was going to leave! This was awesome and I appreciated his quick response.

Want to Know More?

I enjoyed looking at the full selection of products that CrossTimber offers, including the personalized framed plaque with name meaning and bible verse, and reviewing the name meaning music box I picked out. There were so many different options for us to choose from, I hope that you will check out what others in our crew picked for their own families!
You can stay up with CrossTimber on Facebook and Pinterest to learn more about their products, promotions, and giveaways!

My 10 Gift Ideas for the Art Lover {2016 Gift Guide Series}

Do you have art lovers in your house? Do you have children who could spend hours drawing? Are you looking for things you could add to your classroom to help promote art? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will appreciate this next post in my 2016 Gift Guide Series! Today I'm going to share Ten Gift Ideas for the Art Lover!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

1. Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint

Price: $8-11

Have you heard about KwikStix yet? They are a fabulous creation from The Pencil Grip, Inc. and designed with kids in mind! They are tempera paint in a tube--just like a glue stick. You twist the bottom to make it come up and your art lover can hold it like a crayon and paint! They are non-toxic and dry in 90 seconds--two MAJOR pros in my book! They come in a variety of colors--we started with the classic set, but recently were given the metallics and neons to try and we love them too! I recommend these 100%. I love using them too. They are especially great for when you want to paint, but don't want to go through the hassle of getting the tubes, brushes, and water!

2. LolliZ Gel Pens
Price: $14

Collection of 48 different gel pen colors, including neon and metallic. A pen lover's dream come true! And this special listing gives you TWO sets for $14! One for you, one for a friend! Or in may case--keep it and replace the ones that run out of ink. LOL. I can also affirm that unlike some gel pens, these start writing as soon as you uncap them! I have only had 2 in the whole set that didn't flow smoothly, which is excellent. I love these pens!

3. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
Price: Varies

Considered to be THE best in the line of colored pencils, your art lover will enjoying diving into the rainbow myriad of colors included in this set of 72 soft core pencils! These are on my wishlist for our classroom. I am making due with the cheaper knockoffs---but they just don't hold a candle to Prismacolor. I would love ANY of the sets--and if your budget needs less expensive ones, go with the smaller sets! They also have Primacolor watercolor pencils which are simply marvelous as well, for the artist taking it up a notch.

4. Ed Emberley's Drawing Books
Price: Varies

One of our favorite authors for anything drawing is Ed Emberley. His books contain easy to replicate steps for drawing anything from machinery to characters to monsters to the natural world. One of our favorites is his Make A World book. The boys LOVE the machinery they can draw. This is a great book to keep in your home or classroom--especially for those kids who aren't necessarily "natural" artists! (ahem. me!)

5. ARTistic Pursuits series
Price: Varies

Do you have a child that wants to learn more about art? To try out different mediums? To have simple lessons with real paintings from the masters as a guide? If you are seeking an art curriculum for your children from Pre-K through High School, make sure you look at ARTistic Pursuits. I have reviewed three of the ARTistic Pursuits books on my blog and my boys have enjoyed the experience every time.

6. Spirograph
Price: $9.99+

Love love love the Spirograph sets. Boy, girl, child, teen, adult...I don't care your gender or age. These are just fun! I love the designs that can be made, and you could even do them on the front of blank white notecards for a custom card creation. They make excellent gifts for children going on road trips, or for quiet toys to take with you to church or when you go out to eat to keep them occupied--especially the Spirograph Tin set!

7. Creative Expressions: Cards to Color and Share
Price: $3.77

If you are looking for a simple way to let someone know you are thinking about them--and enjoy those popular adult coloring books, you may want to check out these Creative Expressions: Cards to Color and Share. These small cards feature 44 cards with ink drawings you can color. These are the perfect little thing to tuck into someone's bag, purse, Bible, book, lunchbox! If you have a coloring book enthusiast, they would probably think these are very cool and enjoy sharing them with others!

8. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
Price: $5.98

Seriously. Do I need to explain why Mr. Sketch Scented Markers are on my list? LOL. Because they take me back to my childhood and all the fun we had using these in school! I just bought a pack for my boys and the moment I uncapped them, I remembered exactly what they were going to smell like. The Cherry and Grape were ALWAYS my favorite. Share this love with your family or friend. There is just something fun about coloring with these markers!

9. Adult Coloring Books
Price: $2.99+

I would be remiss, if I didn't include the current love of adult coloring books on this list. There are soooooo many versions out there, from the simple florals, to fairy tale worlds, to Bible themed books. There are even ones that coordinate with popular TV shows or movies--Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings, and many more! You can find these in almost every store--even Costco carries a wide variety of them. I have picked up a few for me to enjoy in the quiet moments when I just need to relax from a hectic day. It is very peaceful to work through a page.

10. US Art Supply 82 Piece Deluxe Art Creativity Set in Wooden Case with BONUS 20 additional pieces - Deluxe Art Set
Price: $29.96

If you want to make your art lover's day...you can always just go for the gold with this complete art kit! Containing 4 different mediums, the supplies for applying them, and the paper to put it on...it's going to be a winner for sure! It's an all-in-one art set for the young or old!

***

I am sure that choosing any of these items will be sure to make your art lover smile! Many of them would be ideal for the home arts n crafts, or homeschool too. I hope that I have sparked some ideas for you to explore! Make sure you check out my guide next week--a collection of some of my favorite Doctor Who themed gifts! (Doo-we-dooo!)

5 Educational (but FUN!) Gift Ideas for Under $20 {2016 Gift Guide Series}

This is the time of year when most of you are starting to think really hard about gifts. Perhaps it's for the upcoming holy day or holiday season, or for all those end of the year birthdays that roll around. Maybe you just want to start stashing some goodies for next year! If you are like me, you like gifts that aren't just frivolous, but actually have a benefit to the child's brain. Another plus might be a game where ALL the family can enjoy playing, even the kiddos under age 10. Instead of just reaching for the always a winner choice of books or LEGOS, why don't you give these Top 5 Educational (but FUN!) Gift Ideas for Under $20 a look over, and see if one might be just right for you!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

Let me begin by saying that all of these items are things that are what my own family uses and loves, I don't just recommend things that haven't been tried and loved yet! :)

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Pumpkins. Sweaters. Hoodies. Jeans. Boots. Football. Cinnamon. Apples. Crisp mornings. Cool nights. Red. Gold. Rust. All of these things a part of my favorite season of the year...Autumn! I have so many friends who are obsessed with Pumpkin Spice everything, that I felt the need to make them this graphic.

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

Here are some delightful items paying homage to the favorite flavor of the season:

For the hard core lover, perhaps they need to warn everyone they are coming with this My Blood Type is Pumpkin Spice Latte T-shirt. LOL. I know more than a few friends who should be sporting this the whole season!

Maybe keep it more generic with this darling shirt giving homage to the real autumn Power Couple! I think it's darling and it comes in several different colors. 

One of my most favorite colors is Pumpkin, so you can imagine how excited I get about fall colors and all things pumpkin. And I just love ALL the fall colors together. My mother-in-law is a serious crocheter, and I love it when she pulls out fall colors like this chunky Pumpkin Spice yarn to start a new afghan or scarf with. Put that with a delightful olive green, or school bus yellow, or racecar red and I would be wearing it all season!

Should I even mention all the specialty scents exclusive to autumn that companies bring in? While I am not a fan of EATING pumpkin spice, I ADORE the smell! I would happily lather up with this Pumpkin Spice Herbal Soap from Plantlife. Yum!

You know you want this mug! I mean seriously. If Loving Pumpkin Spice Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right is the motto for so many people this time of year! LOL! Your PS loving friend will thank you with a smile for gifting this to them! 

Do you love pumpkin spice everything? I love the spice, but I'm actually not the biggest pumpkin fan. I do love APPLE everything which is also found abundantly this time of year. I just ADORE the Cinnamon Apple doughnuts at the local Tim Horton's coffee. Oh man. Delicious! And cinnamon and cloves--oh my. Those scents just can't be beat. My favorite cooking spices too!

Interestingly enough, although the weather for this weekend is very fall-ish with the warm/hot days and the cool nights, we are supposed to be back into summer again next week with 5+ days of 90 degrees. I think we will definitely be having an "Indian summer". I really don't mind because I know my "real" fall will be here before I know it. And then I can bask in all my favorite scents, colors, and flavors!

Ten Gifts Under $25 for the Star Wars Fan

It's that time of year. The time when the sounds of the light sabers, the Imperial March, adorable robot whistles, and "May the Force be with you!" fill the air! Yep, the newest installment of the Star Wars movie franchise is around the corner and the atmosphere is fandom filled to be sure! If you are looking for gifts for that Star Wars fan in your life, here is a collection that I have put together sure to bring a smile to their face--and they are all $25 or less!!

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Star Wars Classic Peel and Stick Wall Decals

Admit it. These are cool. And talk about easy to use for decorating a room! Whether for a bedroom or office, these decals are sure to put your wookie into a good mood! There are 31 decals in the set AND it's a USA made product!

Star Wars Silicone Ice Tray-Set of 6

Cookies, candies, soaps, crayons and even just basic ice. You could make them all with these silicone trays! The set of six trays comes with one tray each of: Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Millenium Falcon, X-Wing Fighter, R2-D2 and Han Solo Carbiner. Seriously. Who WOULDN'T want to float the Millenium Falcon in their glass? 

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Star Wars: Darth Tater Toy

The perfect gift for the younger Star Wars fan (okay, who am I kidding? ANY fan!) is this adorable Mr. Potato Head that is garbed with Darth Vader's attire. Wouldn't this be fun to have on your shelf at work? Prefer to avoid the dark side or go for a different character? Then make sure you check out Luke Frywalker, Spudtrooper, and Mr. Potato Head R2D2!

Star Wars Yoda Golf Club Driver Head Cover

Got someone who loves golf and Star Wars? Why not let them add this darling little Yoda to their golf bag?! It's sure to start a conversation out on the course! Yoda may remind them of this darling catch phrase as they line up their ball: "Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." 

Star Wars Episode 7 The Force Awakens Backpack and Blanket

What school-aged Star Wars fan wouldn't enjoy this delightful bundle? A backpack, cup, and fleece blanket is sure to bring a smile to the face of your young Jedi! 

LEGO Star Wars Stormtrooper Figurine Alarm Clock

Wake up your sleepy Jedi or Resistance Fighter with this Stormtrooper alarm clock. The clock features a digital, lighted display and alarm clock. The snooze and backlight functions are activated by pushing down on the minifigures head. At 8" it's perfect for the shelf or bedside table! You could also go for a Yoda or Darth Vader version too!

Battleship: Star Wars Edition Game

I always loved playing Battleship when I was younger--I still do! Here is the latest Star Wars Edition for your game night! It has a portable storage case and you can choose to play as the light side or the dark side. It also includes ships from Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

RISK: Star Wars Edition Game

When I was little, we always had a crowd of family gathered around the table at Thanksgiving. Around another table, was the group of cousins and uncles ready to conquer the world in their annual RISK challenge. If you love the game, you might consider taking it to the next level of "world domination" with this Star Wars edition! Available with three theaters of combat, you can play it as two players or two teams--choosing to be either the light side or the dark side!

Star Wars Darth Vader Talking Money Bank

Seriously. It looks cool, and when you put money in it, you activate the trademark breathing sound effect. Totally cool! Stands 5" tall, so it's perfect for on top of a dresser or shelf. 

Star Wars Character Apron

May the Force be with You as you create a meal for your family! These Star Wars Character Aprons are very fun, and are sure to be a conversation starter the next time you invite friends over for a cookout! Cotton and Machine Washable. Available in Boba Fett, Hans Solo, Darth Vader, C-3PO, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot, Stormtrooper and Yoda.
I hope that gives you an idea on some good inexpensive ideas for gifts perfect for the Star Wars fan in your life---even if it's you!
**As of the publishing of this post, all the above items were $25 or less. Price is obviously subject to change. Please let me know if you discover it is no longer available for under $25!