Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Traveling for Christmas? Send the Host Family a Gift Before You Arrive!

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Will you be at a loved one’s home over Christmas this year? If so, help with the hosting needs a bit by providing a beautiful centerpiece. You can help with the holiday decor, send a thoughtful gift, and lighten your own packing load all in one simple step by using Teleflora to help you out!

And what if there are folks you love dearly who you won’t be able to see for the holidays? You can let them know you are thinking of them and sending them love and light this season, all the same. And if you aren’t going to be seeing your family with younger kids at home, trust me, you will be missed! Don’t believe me? Watch and see!

Did you catch that 20% off code at the end? Use YOUDELIVERED at checkout to save!

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There are countless possibilities for arrangements, but to make life easier for you, I’m just going to highlight my favorites from the holiday line. I really love (and am currently enjoying!) the Sparkling Star Centerpiece ($69.95). This is a stunning table centerpiece that really helps dress up our dining area, and I love the mercury glass bowl it arrives in because it can be reused as home decor later.

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Also check out the Snow Day Bouquet ($64.95) that is both a floral gift and a cookie jar. This is a great fit for families! Along the same lines, the Gift Wrapped Bouquet ($59.95) is also so pretty and comes in a ceramic jar that can be later used for displaying ornaments or sweets.

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For your friend who loves to sip on hot drinks throughout the winter, consider the Send a Hug® Christmas Cardinal Bouquet ($49.95). I love that pop of red throughout the bouquet and those beautiful red cardinals on the mug.

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And for a more classic look, go for the Silver Christmas Bouquet ($49.95). Notice that it has eucalyptus and white pine! Later, the snowflake vase can serve as a winter candle holder.

Teleflora is designed to make floral arrangements easy for the buyer and the recipient. You don’t have to know who the reputable florists are in your family members’ hometown; Teleflora automatically connects you! And you know the quality you can expect and the price point…no awkward surprises when it’s time to pay or when the arrangement is delivered. Just beautiful blooms and a reminder of your love and friendship.

The Best Holiday Gift to Buy Early (So Parents Can Play With it First!)

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Thanks to Nintendo of America for sending along review products. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

If you are a child of the ’80s, then you surely have more than a few Nintendo anecdotes. I still have a vivid memory of my older brother opening his first Nintendo console on Christmas morning, 1986. He let out a such a perfectly pitched and long-lasting scream that he sounded like a test of the Emergency Broadcast System!

And in the months (and years) to follow, I mostly had to watch him while he played because he didn’t want me to mess up his game. When he was feeling overly generous, he’d let me be Luigi on Mario Bros., but it didn’t happen all that often.

But 30 years later, I’ve finally got my own Nintendo (well, at least for 2 months until Christmas)!

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This is the Nintendo 3DS XL and I am absolutely suggesting that parents buy this device right now so you can play with it before your kids unwrap it at Christmas.

Yeah, I said it. You get first dibs, this time!!!

I’m guessing I’m not the only kid from the ’80s who mostly watched other people playing video games, right? Here’s your change to get to play uninterrupted (even if it’s just in the carpool line, because #adulting) Or maybe you got to play video games all the time but now that’s more of a thing for your kids. The Nintendo 3DS XL is compact enough to easily fit in your purse or your work bag, which makes it so easy to sneak in a few minutes of game play here and there. You’ll have had plenty of fun by the time you need to wrap up the system and put it under the tree. Just think of it as getting everything warmed up for your kids! 🙂

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This is also a great opportunity to go ahead and check out any games you have purchased to ensure that they are appropriate for your kids, and to get the system all set up with user names and parental controls.

I think the parental controls feature might be one of my favorite elements. If you are feeling unsure about unwrapping the device before your kids open it, I promise you that you really do want to set the parental controls up ahead of time. That way if a game is ever put into the device that is too mature for your kid (based on the game’s rating and the boundaries that you set) the game will not play and a note will pop up that a parent will have to override the system using their pin.

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Kids love to swap games with each other and that means that your neighbor’s kid might be allowed to play games that your child isn’t, and vice versa. The parental control provide a way to keep your child safe and to avoid exposure to games that are too graphic.

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Kirby is the game we received that I think my kids are going to enjoy quite a bit. As someone who never got to play video games too much, I appreciate getting tutorials at the beginning about the objective and how to use the controls. This will also help my girls who have been playing iPad games for years but who aren’t used to having controls to use. They are going to love it! 🙂 And I’m already making a list of other games I want to have lined up for the girls to try, a few of which will be under the tree, as well (I’m personally using this guide from Common Sense Media to help me pick).

I’m excited to be giving my own kids a Nintendo game console 30 years after I was introduced to one. And I’m even more excited that I got to play with it first! 😉

Flutterbye Fairies: The Toy I Want to Open Before Christmas

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This post brought to you by Walmart. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

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Surely I’m not the only crazy lady who has already put a dent in her holiday shopping list, right? I’ve got 7 nieces and 1 nephew to shop for, not to mention my own children, husband, siblings and my parents. If I don’t get started on my shopping in August, I’m in trouble!

Ok, so one of the items that I am very strongly contemplating getting for my girls is the Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye™ Fairy Doll. If you are reading this and you own it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye™ Fairy is an electronic toy that floats in the air. Also, she lights up! This makes her a really fun toy even in the evenings outside, which is great for winter because it gets dark so early here.

I was really struck, though, by the fact that the fairy doesn’t just float up in the air and then float back down. She will actually move up and down, guided by your child’s hand underneath her. The child doesn’t even have to touch the fairy; the hand underneath can be sensed. That definitely makes it feel magical, and all things magical are welcomed and wanted in this house.

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My children actually believe that they have a fairy for a mom and that they are fairies in training. I’ve blogged about this before, and while I respect that not everyone would delve so far into the world of make believe becomig reality, I have ZERO regrets. We have SO much fun making fairy rings, casting spells, sprinkling fairy dust and even communicating with animals (Darah is an animal talent fairy, you know). All this is to say that I am particularly drawn to toys that help create a magical vibe in our home.

This season of wonder and belief is so brief, you guys. I’m savoring every second of it, fairies and all.

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My only concern is that if I buy this doll now, I will want to play with her before the holidays. Yes, talking about me. Can you blame me? This toy sounds AWESOME! But it seems like the kind of toy that is going to sell out fast, so if I wait, I might be out of luck. Oh if only one of my fairy talents was patience!

Please let me know if you’ve tried the toy and what you think about it!

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Best Tech Gifts for the “Hard to Shop For” People On Your List! #OneBuyForAll

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I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop for cool gifts at Best Buy has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

 A few days ago I headed over to Best Buy on a very specific mission: I wanted to find the hottest tech gifts for people on my list who are really hard to shop for (that would be my husband, Tim). Best Buy was my tech gift center choice because I really like how their stores are organized, which makes it easy for folks like me who aren’t super tech-savvy to navigate the floor and find what they need. Additionally, there are employees in every section who have specialized knowledge of the products in those sections, and they do a great job of answering questions and showing you what you think you might be looking for, as well as a few alternatives that might also fit the bill.

Before I headed to the store, I checked out what cool gifts are currently trending as the most popular. While the top 10 list did have some fluctuation depending on when I checked it, I definitely noticed that a few different things stood out from the crowd. Let me show you the highlights!

Samsung Galaxy

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So this seems to be a VERY hot ticket product line this holiday season! My Best Buy was offering a KILLER deal on a Samsung Galaxy S4 plus a Samsung Galaxy Tab plus your choice of another accessory. Just $309.98!!! I mean, seriously. I stood there for several minutes trying to figure out if I should go drop my iPhone in the toilet “accidentally.”  I didn’t do it, but I’ve never considered it more seriously than I did in that moment, people! The Samsung Galaxy seems to be the smartest of the smartphones, and one that everyone is loving. So if you’ve got a little more to spend on your “hard to shop for” person and they are due for a phone upgrade, it doesn’t get any sweeter than this. And for the James Bond types out there, definitely check out that sweet Samsung Galaxy Tab watch. It is nuts!

Apple Products

#shop #onebuyfor all apple products at best buy

Even though I debated ending the life of my iPhone, I can’t really hate on Apple, because their products are just so unbelievably amazing. For example, I have the first generation of the iPad, and I think it is fabulous (except for its inability to take photos). One of the helpful Best Buy employees snapped a shot of my shock as I picked up the newest iPad. It is so light! Priced at $499, it would make one showstopper of a Christmas gift under anyone’s tree! I know I’m supposed to be shopping for Tim here, but I can’t help but feel as though I need to start singing, “Santa baby, just slip an iPad Air under the tree, for me!”

Getting back on track and thinking about what my husband would like, I spotted (heck, how could I miss it?) the largest monitor in the store. Tim is a planner by profession, and he is often looking at and making maps. He needs a big screen to get his work done. This would be an absolutely mind-blowing gift for him, and if money were no object, it would have gone home with me on the spot. At $1,799, I had to take a pass on it, so if that’s within your budget, well then, there’s one available at the Best Buy in Chattanooga! Ha!

Ok, so for those of us with more “modest” budgets, you simply can’t go wrong with an iTunes gift card. They fit any budget and allow the recipient to have a HUGE range of options to use it on, from apps to movies and music, or if you are like me, moving up to the next level in Candy Crush. I’m so embarrassed that I just admitted that, so let’s move on!

 Best “Bang for your Buck”

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Y’all, forgive the crazy faces I make. What can I say? I get overly excited when I see a great deal! I was super impressed with the Windows Tablet that Best Buy currently has for $299. It detaches from the keyboard, so you can use it like a traditional laptop or like a tablet, and it comes with Windows Office. Let me tell you, this is not something I need, but it is most definitely something I want! And if we didn’t already have a Chromebook (purchased earlier this year at…wait for it…Best Buy!) I would have come home with this and put it under the tree for myself Tim.

 Small Appliances

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If your loved one likes coffee, even just a little, then you can’t go wrong with a Keurig! My machine is one of my BFFs throughout the day, as it makes me cup after cup of perfectly perfect coffee. Best Buy even has a holiday K-cup package you can purchase to go along with it. I’ve already got the coffee maker, but I don’t have all those yummy holiday flavors! Jeez…I CAN’T stop shopping for myself!!!!

Stocking Stuffers

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I thought these gloves were the perfect thing to go in Tim’s stocking this year. They’re actually perfect for anyone who has to live through a few cold months each year, and who is glued to their smartphone, as you can operate your devices without taking these gloves off!

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I also picked up a pair of ear buds for Tim. He seems to lose track of his from time to time, and Best Buy had a fantastic selection at a variety of price points. These were under $15!

And you can never go wrong with a Best Buy gift card! I found a really nice selection right by the front register. In fact, there’s never been a better time to purchase one, thanks to the Give It To Win It gift card promotion. Best Buy is rewarding the gift-giver every day starting today through December 24th. If you purchase a $25 or higher gift card, in-store or online, you can scan/enter your gift card number through the Best Buy app or by going to www.bestbuy.com/givetowin/ref=70&loc=12.  Entering your number gets you a chance to win a sweet daily prize! They are giving away (5) $500 Best Buy gift cards, (10) $100 Best Buy gift cards, (40) $50 Best Buy gift cards, and best of all, (1) $10,000 Best Buy gift card (!!!!!!!).

Best Buy is my go-to gift center because has so many great ways to help you shop for something awesome this holiday season. From the trending products site to the great in-store customer service, you are sure to find something that will fit the bill for the person who is so hard to buy for. Best Buy is even partnering with Google on December 17th for a Google+ “shoppable hangout” that you can view through YouTube or Google+. It’s going to be all about last minute shopping, and is sure to be helpful!

Conducting a Trial Run for Santa’s Cookies: We Have a Winner! #HolidayGuide

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When I was growing up, it was an annual tradition to leave out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. My older brother and I were convinced that the quality of the cookie would have a direct influence on the quality of presents Santa would leave.

So we always insisted that we had something from Pepperidge Farm to leave him. Those cookies were considered EXTREMELY indulgent and were saved for the most special occasions in our home. I’m not quite sure why, since they are readily available at grocery stores! But they were super duper special treats. And that’s exactly why we wanted them for Santa every year. We would beg and plead, but looking back on it now, I can’t imagine that my parents felt disappointed in our request. After all, they were the ones who got to sample the goodies after we went to bed on Christmas Eve!

The tradition continues in my house. Darah knows that Santa has a lot of work to do on Christmas Eve, and that it is polite to leave him a little snack. I didn’t give a second thought to the brand of holiday cookie I, er, I mean, Santa would be enjoying that evening. Naturally it would be the super special Pepperidge Farm brand.

But which cookie to select? Well, the Party Blu Prints Holiday E-Guide gave me my answer! Target has an exclusive Pepperidge Farm cookie for the holidays!

We headed straight to Target after seeing this scrumptiousness featured above. I knew I needed to try these out for myself and see if they would make the cut as the perfect cookies for Santa.

After a bit of searching, we found the cookies in the holiday snack section (NOT in the regular cookie section).

We then headed back to the house and really got into the holiday spirit. Earlier that morning I created a Christmas Countdown paper chain for Darah. Each link had a fun, Christmas-y activity to complete. We opened the first one to see what we were going to to that day.

Hooray! We were going to buy a tree and decorate it!

After a quick trip over to Ace Hardware for a tree, we got down our ornaments, put on the Christmas music, and got to work. And I supplied the refreshments with ease by putting those delicious cookies on the Santa plate. All part of the trial run, of course. Choosing Santa’s cookie is VERY serious business and we had to make sure every element made sense.

They passed the test for looking nice on the official Santa cookie plate. Now for the taste test. I’ll let you decide what we must have thought about the cookies, because here’s what I found when I reached into the Milano Minis bag just 15 minutes after first opening it:

Saddest part of my day, folks. But then I remembered that Target will be carrying these throughout the holidays. Next time, I’ll buy 3 or 4 bags (seriously) and will probably have to write “Hands off!” on one bag so that poor Santa will get his fill Christmas Eve!

The Milano Mini Candy Cane cookies from Pepperidge Farm were a most excellent suggestion from the Party Blu Prints #HolidayGuide. Have you gotten a chance to look at it, yet? It gave me several good ideas for my holiday shopping. Suggestions are practical, affordable and fun!

Do you leave special holiday gifts for Santa, be it cookies, or a note, or anything else? Any other fun Christmas Eve traditions? I’d love to hear!

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Pepperidge Farm #CBias #SocialFabric. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Finding the Perfect Gift (and the Perfect Cookies for Santa!): #HolidayGuide Made Easy

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I’ve mentioned before that I have 25 people to buy for on my guest list. TWENTY FIVE!!! Just when I start to get a little grouchy about having to do this much shopping I step back and remember two important things:

1. Giving gifts is my love language. It is a joy to be able to give.

2. What amazing gifts I have been given simply by having each and every one of these people in my life. I am overwhelmed by how awesome they each are.

It’s good to take a moment to remember those things, because then it keeps me from being a Grinch and turns me into more of a Santa, feeling downright jolly about the task ahead of me.

Yesterday morning we had our fourth intensive wrapping session. We wrapped and labeled gifts for about 2 hours. And I spent a good deal of time pouring over the list for everyone and determining who I was finished shopping for, and who was left. I then wrote down each person’s name and a budget for each person on a separate list, along with some initial gift ideas I have. This list will live in my purse and go with me everywhere until every last name is crossed off! My hope is to be done by Thanksgiving, but I predict a serious shopping session on Cyber Monday to finish things off.

Now that I know exactly WHO I’m shopping for, I can more easily search for ideas about WHAT to get these fine folks. Party Blu Prints has JUST (as in maybe an hour ago!) released a fantastic holiday gift guide and I want to share with you some ideas it has generated for me!

First up, the gents. Guys are the hardest to shop for, in my experience. I was really excited to see the OtterBox case featured in this #HolidayGuide. Just last week Tim and I broke down and replaced our ancient iPhone 3s with the iPhone 4S. What a difference that upgrade made! And since we have young kids, protecting the phone is a must. My own independent research indicated that the OtterBox was the very best case, and that research is validated by this gift guide. I’ll take one in black, please. Oh yes, this is going under the tree!

Next, I’m looking for a small gift for my mother-in-law. When I saw Nivea lotion in the gift guide, I was reminded of the test I recently conducted where I compared bargain-priced Nivea lotion to my favorite moisturizer. I was genuinely surprised to see that Nivea had much better lasting power. My mother-in-law lives in a desert climate, so a moisturizer that REALLY works is a necessity. This will fit the bill just perfectly.

I’m also looking for a hostess gift for a holiday party we’ll be attending. The holiday e-guide reminded me that a gift doesn’t have to be store-bought to be fabulous. There’s a great recipe for homemade sangria. That happens to be one of my very favorite adult beverages, so giving it as a gift will make it extra special. And it will be extra EXTRA special if my gift gets served at the party! 😉

Finally, I’m looking for some ideas for fun ways to entertain guests in my own home for the holidays. During the first two weeks of December, we will have several family members coming at various times to stay and visit with us. I want our home to be very inviting and festive, but I also have to be realistic about what I can do on my own and what might require some outside help. When I saw the Pepperidge Farm Candy Cane cookies in the guide, I knew that they were going straight on my shopping list.

Pepperidge Farm is something I very much associate with the holidays. Santa Claus always expected this brand to be on the plate we left out for him on Christmas Eve. We made sure to grant his wish every year, in the hopes that he would grant ours! I love that the Milano line has a mini cookie which will be perfect to keep on the kitchen counter for snacking on-the-go. And the fact that it has a candy cane flavor is just too perfect.

I noticed in the guide that these cookies are exclusive to Target. My closest Target is 25 minutes away, so I don’t go all that often. But I’m making a special trip this afternoon to go get those holiday cookies! In addition to having them on hand for guests, I also need a few weeks to taste-test them and make sure they are the right choice for Santa. Mothers have so many tough jobs, and this is just another one of them. But I’ll do it out of love and dedication to my family. 😉

Are you working on your holiday gifts list and figuring out exactly  how much shopping remains? Definitely flip through the Party Blu Prints holiday e-guide. You’ll get some great ideas for gifts to buy, gifts to make, and tips to remember to keep the next few weeks festive, fun and light on the stress.

After I’m back home with my Pepperidge Farm cookies this afternoon, I may just whip up the mocktail recipe in the guide. Anyone case to join me? 🙂

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Pepperidge Farm  #CBias #SocialFabric. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.