GIFT IDEAS FOR DAD

Father's Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June. Remember to do something for your father that shows you know and appreciate him because that is what Dad really wants for his day and/or even his birthday. If you want to add a small physical gift, here are some wonderful and affordable gift ideas for Dad.

On this page we'll review a few great gift ideas for dad including a picture frame, a couple of coffee mugs, a t-shirt, an apron, a keepsake journal and a Hallmark movie. I am sure that you will find something here that is within your budget and that is perfect for your Dad.

Click here to see this Hallmark card for dad on Amazon.

A PICTURE FRAME 

Featuring a contemporary, clean and modern design, this frame suits many household styles. It holds one 4 inch by 6 inch vertically oriented picture of daddy and me. In fact, there are a variety of designs by Malden that read differently. From this one to one that reads, The Boys, Dad, Godfather, Daddy's Girl and more.

Find Malden's Daddy picture frames here on Amazon.

A COFFEE MUG

There's a modern theme on this blue space-themed, camping-style, stoneware mug from Our Name is Mud. The front side reads "Coolest Dad in the Galaxy" and the other, "You're Out of This World." It holds 16 ounces of your dad's favorite steamy hot beverage and is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Find this Coolest Dad mug here on Amazon.

AN ART POTTERY MUG

If you think that the dad in your life is not into the space-themed mug shown above, you might consider something like this personalized, handmade art pottery coffee mug from Laura Lynn Pottery. It is a handsome piece that holds up to two cups of dad's favorite hot drink. It comes with your choice of dad-themed words including dad, daddy, papa or grandpa and you can request others terms of endearment by contacting the artist. Done in an attractive color combination of buff clay and satin black glaze.

Find this dad-themed art pottery coffee mug here on Etsy.

A T-SHIRT

A t-shirt might not seem like a totally original gift idea. However, it surely is a practical one and Life is Good has and has had some fun designs like the one shown above, which reads, "Dad, You're One of My Favorite Parents." Guaranteed to make people smile and perfect for dad all year long.

Click here to buy your Life is Good Dad-themed t-shirt from Amazon.

CUSTOMIZED APRON

I love this personalized apron. Etsy creator By Barva takes a photograph of the father or other individual in your life and transfers a likeness of the image and the name of the individual onto an apron. Perfect for any dad who likes to cook and/or grill.  Of course, aprons are not the only product they produce. You can also have a drinking glass customized in the same fashion or even a t-shirt.

Check out By Barva's apron and their other dad-themed items here on Etsy.

A GUIDED KEEPSAKE JOURNAL

Dad Tell Me Your Story is a thoughtful gift idea. It is a glossy, hardcover book, journal-style that helps guide your father to put his memories and thoughts on paper. When finished, it becomes a treasured memento of dad's life. Features 100 numbered pages and a family tree. Subjects cover a wide variety from childhood to adulthood. It even includes blank pages for photos or illustrations or small paper mementos. It is available in hardcover or paperback though I would think if dad is going to invest time filling out the pages, you might prefer to preserve them in hardcover.

Find this keepsake journal here on Amazon.

A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLMARK MOVIE

Hallmark's Safe Harbor movie (2009) is based on the true story of a married couple who are set to retire and spend their retirement on their sailboat. However, before they manage to leave, a friend asks them to look after two teenagers who have been sentenced to juvenile hall. The hall is at capacity and unable to take them and when it is suggested that the teen boys be put to work getting the boat ready for their trip, the couple agrees. Soon they find themselves with four boys.

The situation brings a set of challenges from attitude to fire but, in the end, there are positive changes in all four boys who decide they do not want to break up their newly created 'family.' The couple questions their own situation, their sailing trip, their choice not to have children and the future.

Starring Treat Williams, Nancy Travis, Reiley McClendon, Myra Turley and Cameron Monaghan, Safe Harbor is a good viewing opportunity for dad to share with the family. 

Click here to order your copy of Safe Harbor from eBay.

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What will you be giving your dad for Father’s Day this year?

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

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Using a Lightbox as an Advent Calendar - Yes or No?

Today I'm going to review an alternative to the usual advent calendars as a way to countdown to Christmas - a lightbox!

Forget the advent calendars and try adding a lightbox underneath your tree for a fun countdown. You can get your own...

Posted by Christmas Tree Ideas on Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Now when my daughter was younger I brought a fabric advent calendar that had little pouches I would fill each year - she used the same advent calendar every year and loved it. My friend had a wooden advent calendar that was shaped like a Christmas tree and her kids would take turns opening it - she also used to get them a chocolate advent calendar each so that no one went without something during the countdown!

It was only last year after my daughter moved out that I saw the post that you can see above - a lightbox to countdown the days seemed like a great idea. I'm interested to know what other people think though - a small gift or chocolate every day for the kids or just a countdown display under the Christmas tree?

Let me know if you're a Yes or a No!

If you vote advent calendars then check out a few here:

Farm Advent Calendar

DIY or Reusable Advent Calendars

The Great Christmas Countdown is on

Lego Advent Calendars

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Review of the VTech Turn and Learn Driver Toy

Little Boys and Car-Related Toys

Grandson Tyler with Driver Toy

I have five grandsons who all live over 1,000 miles from me.  Therefore, it is often difficult to know just what toys the boys already have and what they are wishing for.  At birthday and Christmas times I have to rely on the parents (my 'kids') for gift suggestions.

This past Christmas, I asked my youngest son for gift ideas for 6-year-old David and 20 month old Tyler.  David was easy – a Star Wars Lego set.  For toddler boy Tyler, the suggestion was any toy with buttons to push, knobs to turn and NOISES. 

While doing an online search with this criteria in mind, I came across what I thought might be the 'perfect' toy for Tyler.  It's similar to one I bought for my oldest grandson (now 19) when HE was Tyler's age and remembered what a big hit it was, since little boys appear to be 'car crazy' from birth.  I think it's part of their DNA!  

The toy I bought for Tyler was the VTech Turn and Learn Driver Toy

VTech Turn and Learn Driver, Yellow

The VTech Turn and Learn Driver Toy is a steering wheel toy with a cute little dog character that moves back and forth as the wheel is turned.  Across the top of the 'dashboard' are five colorful buttons which introduce different animals and vehicles when pushed.

This toy car has three play modes, so your little driver can learn in animal, driving or music mode. 

There is also a traffic light, a signal lever that makes fun sounds and music, and a gear shifter that pushes and pulls.  Oh, and of course a horn!  Lots of interactive play, making this a wonderful teaching toy.  This Turn and Learn Driver Toy, which also comes in several models and colors, has a fun car design that encourages imaginative play as part of early childhood education.

This toy is from Vtech Kids, a division of Vtech® considered a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children.  The company has been making quality educational toys for children for over 35 years.

Baby Tyler's opinion?  He thought having his own steering wheel was the greatest thing he'd seen.  I watched him open the box Christmas morning over Skype and he virtually ignored the rest of the gifts offered him to open.  All he wanted to do was turn the steering wheel back and forth and honk the horn and push all the buttons! He loved it.  And it was such fun for this grandma to watch his reaction to this toy and know I'd made the best gift choice possible.

The VTech Turn and Learn Driver Toy operates on 2 AA batteries and is recommended for babies and toddlers in the 6 months to 3 year old range.  Tyler, at 20 months, is the perfect age for this cute and colorful interactive toy. It also comes in a variety of colors. I chose the bright Yellow one with the red steering wheel.

Tyler, Age 20 months

 Hey Tyler!  Happy to see you like your new toy!

~Love, Grandma

Quick Links:

VTech Turn & Learn Driver Toy on Amazon

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Marvel Black Panther Gifts Reviewed

Ideas For The Fans Of Marvel's Black Panther

Black Panther image from Pixabay.com

Let's review some gift ideas for the fan on your gift list who loves the Marvel Black Panther movie and story line. My husband and I recently watched the movie and became new fans of this character from Marvel. 

Obviously, if the person you are looking to gift is a fan then I am sure they have seen the movie that was released in February of 2018. If you have not seen it yet; I recommend that you watch it. For one thing, seeing the movie will help you decide on items that your fan will love. Besides, it is really a good movie especially if you are one who enjoys the Marvel line of Superhero movies that are currently available. 

Before I suggest gifts, perhaps I should tell you a little about the movie. Most of the story takes place on the continent of Africa where we become aware of the legend of the Black Panther King. We learn about the advanced civilization of Wakanda that hides itself from the world to protect their source of vibranium from getting into the wrong hands. This metal is only found in the area where the Wakandans live and because it is the result of a meteor strike centuries ago, it has unusual elements. As with any substance that can give an advantage to power, the bad guys want the metal to do harm. The people of Wakanda know the potential danger to mankind and have protected it for centuries.

Royal Talon Fighter

So, the first gift that I suggest for the fan of Marvel's Black Panther is the Lego set that builds the Royal Talon Jet Fighter. The advanced technology that the people of Wakanda have developed from the vibranium has allowed them to have jets of this nature. It is a pretty darned cool machine!

Something that I really loved about the movie and story line was that we have a Superhero of color. There is quite a lot of violence as in any superhero plot so this is not for children under 12 or 13. That being said; I do love that kids can be introduced to a different culture. The people of Wakanda are split into five tribes which have totem or spirit animals that they identify with. Obviously, there is the Black Panter as one. We also see the Rhino who the Border tribe identifies with. The Jabari who have moved up into the mountains see the Gorilla as their spirit animal. Personally, I love that this is a part of the story. I also loved that the warriors for the Royal family are women.

Additional ideas for gifts are:

• Action figures
• T-shirts of several designs
• A really cool jigsaw puzzle
• bedding for a child's bed
• a vibranium power claw glove
• sleepwear for boys
• dvd of the movie

Currently the selection is a little limited. I have a feeling that as we approach the gift giving season that additional items will become available for you to consider for that fan on your list. 

I hope that we see more of this particular Marvel Superhero! He really grabbed my heart! I have been a fan of all of them but the ones that have been introduced or re-introduced in the past few years are so very interesting. As I said earlier, if you have not seen this movie yet; you really should. Perhaps you will also become a fan. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Crafty by Nature

 One of my favorite ways to craft is by using natural materials from the world around us. Every week my daughter and I head off to forest school and then have a wander through the forest afterwards, and invariably she will pick up some bits and bobs to take home and craft with!  

There are lots of gems to be found on the forest floor, from pine cones to twigs, leaves to moss. These can be used in so many ways - leaf printing, glitter pine cones in pots or to use on festive wreaths, nature cards and more! 

Our very own mbgphoto shares this tutorial on How to Make a Pine Cone Angel, which you can adapt to make into angels, fairies or elves with your little ones!

Another great source of natural craft materials is the beach. How many different ways can you get creative with a shell? Lots, I tell you! We've made sculptures and mini mermaids, painted pebble friends and treasure boxes, to name but a few things, out of the shells, pebbles, rocks and driftwood that we've encountered on our meanderings.  

Shells - image from JupiterImages Corporation

 

Scarlettohairy shows us How to Paint Rocks in her craft guide, and for more beach-themed crafts, I put together a few ideas to get you started in my guide to Sea Crafts for Kids. You'll also find plenty of inspiration in Homemade Beach Craft Ideas by studentz, which includes lots of projects from basic to advanced, many of which can be adapted for children. Which reminds me, if you see a craft you like in a book or online, but it's for older kids or adults, don't write it off straight away - can you come up with a toddler or preschooler-friendly version of it?

Natural materials can be so much fun to craft with, and they can be excellent teachers, too! As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, during the Easter break we had a go at a willow weaving workshop at our local zoo, and came home with two lovely birds nests, which we've been using for all kinds of things. Needless to say, we learned a lot about how clever birds are at making their nests, and how they have to make them strong enough to hold the eggs and soft enough for the babies when they hatch! Greenspirit has a wonderful guide to making Bird Nests Crafts, which little ones would love to help with creating. 

Finally, even if you live in the middle of the city or miles from a beach or wood, you can still find nature's bounty on your doorstep! Find sticks and flowers in the garden, leaves from trees in the street or park... or combine nature and crafts by creating a mini indoor garden in a pot or barrel - perfect for small world play, nurturing green fingers and stimulating creativity! Think fairy garden, dinosaur terrain or even a Lego adventure park. There are lots of Miniature Fairy Garden Ideas to be had such as these by LoveEmbroidery.

Elsewhere in the world of nature, seedplanter shows us how to have Fun with Flowers, while vallain reviews these awesome Model Insect Kits, which once built would look great as part of a nature diorama for small world play. And I just love some of the ideas on lbrummer's Outdoor Crafts for Kids, especially the twig frame, garden markers made from sticks and the super cool grass house!

So, next time you are enjoying a walk out in the natural world, why not have a look around and see what treasures lie waiting to be found?

(c) All photos copyright of the author unless otherwise stated

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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