My blog covers education and children’s books. When I cover parenting issues, it usually contains book recommendations. Parenting topics include academic subjects, summer learning, bullying, special needs, fitness and more.
For my part, I am compiling a list of gifts that give back in some way but also have a “present component” to the recipient. They’re gifts that keep on giving: knitting kits from Wool and the Gang and Truffles that benefit Darfur victims from Compartes.
For high tech gifts, I have selected: the Kobo eReader from Borders, and several iPad cases since I am buying one for my husband. I have been reading that the iPad is one of the most requested gift items this year from kids. I believe it because the Apple store was packed when I went in last Friday afternoon!
If I have no idea what to get, my fall back is Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles and/or Target. And honestly, there is no shame in buying them at the grocery store. No one can ever tell where you purchased it from!
Our family tradition since 1997 has been to make a 12 page holiday recipe booklet as our Christmas & New Year’s card. Over the years as each family has grown, we’ve opted for separate cover blurbs and photos specific to each family but the recipe portion is the same. Each of us contributes three or so recipes of what we’ve enjoyed the past year. There are no rules about what type of recipe to provide and somehow my sister, who does the graphic design, manages to merge them into a cohesive theme.
Capability:Mom and I both agree that we get the SAME thing for our own mothers and mother-in-law. In my case, my mom and mother-in-law are friends and live a half hour away from each other. It would not be a stretch to imagine them discussing their gifts during casual conversation and feelings would get hurt, I fear, if the presents differed.
These personalized, “fancy” return address stampers make me so happy. I use them for the return address on envelopes but also for stamping inside of books that I loan out. If your price point is $50 ($40 plus shipping), it also makes great teacher and tutor gifts and/or gifts for family members.
My only contribution for Clove Fruit is this: You can purchase whole cloves at an ethnic grocery store to save money. Indian or Chinese grocery stores will have whole cloves in bulk packaged in plastic bags which is less expensive just because of the utilitarian packaging alone! This makes a great gift for extended family, teachers, and neighbors.