24 Thoughtful and Useful Ideas For Pandemic Gift Giving

November 21, 2020November 21, 2020 deb@bluewillowlaneLeave a comment

Connecting with loved ones is the most important part of the holidays. Unfortunately, the global pandemic shows no signs of slowing before the Christmas season. The reality is setting in that many of us will not be spending the holidays with extended family. Certainly a lot of older relatives may be in situations where visitors may not be possible. And kids may very well be at home most of the time with a desperate need for meaningful, engaging activities.

I’m looking for ways to safely make the season special. Admittedly, it’s been rough. We won’t be getting together with extended family for Thanksgiving, although we are still seeing each other on the occasional warm day when we can get together outside. Like everyone else, we have also been connecting by video call.

This year, I’m also going to need to get creative with gift-giving. I plan to order a lot of my gifts on Amazon and have them delivered to loved ones I won’t be seeing. I’m also looking for gifts that will make the winter at home more comfortable.Some great ideas for pandemic gift giving are family games, activities, crafts, home entertainment, and special, personalized items.

Here are my top Amazon picks for pandemic gift-giving:

Family Games

Board games are a great way to spend time together as a family. Setting aside one evening a week as game night can help add structure and fun to time at home.

Trekking The National Parks: The Award-Winning Family Board Game

Latice Hawaii Strategy Board Game -Award-Winning Smart Family Game

Trekking The World: A Globetrotting Family Board Game

Ravensburger World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game

Home Comfort

For people on your list who have to spend more time inside the four walls of home, help them make their home a haven by giving gifts that promote health, relaxation, and stress-relief.

6-Piece Love You Miss You Message Throw Blanket and Heart Bracelet Combo Gift Pack

Core Max Smart Abs and Total Body Workout Cardio Home Gym

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Gift Set

Weighted bamboo blanket

Cooking At Home

Help loved ones increase convenience and variety in home cooking. Fewer trips to the coffee shop and deli mean more at-home options are appreciated.

Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker NOW ON BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven 7 in 1 with Rotisserie

Betty Crocker Pizza Maker

Home Technology

Home technology and entertainment provide a welcome diversion during this challenging time as well as a way to connect with loved ones.

Facebook Portal – Smart Video Calling 10” Touch Screen Display with Alexa

Digital Picture Frame WiFi Music Player, Share Photos and Videos via APP, Cloud, Email

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player; High Performance, Dolby Vision, Google Assistant Built-In, Works with Alexa

Home Activities

Learning something new or engaging in a creative project is a great idea in 2020. Here are some fun picks.

Premium Needle Felting Kit for Beginners, 20 Colors Wool, Pure Wool Felting Pad, 6 Needles Various Sizes, Leather Finger Guards, Storage Case

CubicFun 3D Puzzle for Adults LED Pirate Ship

Wood Carving Kit Comfort Bird DIY – Complete Starter Whittling Knife Kit for Beginners Adults and Teens

DIY Handbag Macrame Kit

Other Fun Gifts for People We Wish We Could See

For people on your list who you will not be able to see, remind them that you’re thinking about them over the Christmas season with thoughtful and creative gifts.

English Tea Shop 2020 Organic Tea Advent Calendar

Nativity Magnetic Advent Calendar with a Daily Family Activity Booklet

Stonewall Kitchen New England Breakfast Gift (6 Piece Gift Basket)

Personalized Printed Wood Family Name Sign With Rustic Pallet Monogram 15×18

Gifts

Fabulous Gifts for the All the Guys In Your Life and All Available on Amazon

November 2, 2020December 16, 2020 deb@bluewillowlaneLeave a comment

Hi there! I hope you’re hanging in there as 2020 inches closer and closer to an end. One thing I can truly, honestly look forward to no matter what the circumstances are the year-end holiday celebrations. We have tons of traditions that go along with the Christmas season, and cooking and decorating also add to the joy of the season.

We don’t go overboard in our family with enormous gifts, but I do love finding something really unique and special for everyone on my list. I have come to rely more and more on Amazon for my shopping because we have a high risk family member so we avoid covid exposure if at all possible. Home shopping has really been a great service for our family.

I recently also became an Amazon affiliate and this post contains affiliate links, but I am absolutely a real customer too. I very much appreciate you supporting me and my blog. Thank you! 🙂

Now, on to the gift guide for guys. Guys can be really tricky to buy for, but I think I have found some really great items for you today. I like finding the more original items and also putting in a few established brands and old favorites. I hope these ideas help and inspire you as you start shopping for this year’s celebrations!

ENO Eagle’s Nest Outfitters Portable Hammock

This lightweight hammock is portable for all his great adventures! Accomodates 1-2 people. I love this bright tie dye, but the hammock is available in a multitude of color choices.

. Dan the Sausageman’s Sounder Gourmet Gift Box Featuring Smoked Summer Sausage and Wisconsin Cheeses

If you have someone on your list who appreciates food gifts, consider this great gift box. The company was selected as the 2018 U.S. Small Business of the Year for Washington State, this box is rated as “perfect” and “awesome” by Amazon reviewers.

. Personalized Super Mario Brothers leather handmade mens wallet

This wallet combines classy with fun nostalgia. It’s handmade and can also be personalized with a name or initials. What a cool gift!

. Humboldt Hands Original Woodsman Handmade Soap

Humboldt Hands is a luxury goat milk soap for working hands. The soap is made on the farm with fresh goats milk. It is tough on grease, grime, tree sap, barn muck and plant resins.

Tommy Bahama St. Kitts Eau De Cologne for Men

This breezy, classic scent features citrus, cedarwood, musk, and sea salt.

. Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch

Gorgeous stainless water resistant watch from Citizen. Round watch with blue sunray dial featuring three subdials, placed indices, baton hands, and date window at four o’clock.

. Happy Socks Classics Gift Box

These bright, beautiful socks are just so…well, happy! A great gift to put a smile on someone’s face.

. Woodstock Candy ~ 80s Retro Candy Gift Box

Woodstock Candy has retro candy from any decade. Nostalgic and fun, these assortments make a great gift!

. Tommy HilfigerLightweight Puffer Vest

Classic but trendy, Tommy Hilfiger is the perfect choice for any guy on your list. This puffer vest is available is a multitude of colors.

. Complete Wet Shave Set from Mike the Mason

Mike the Mason Gift Set Includes: Hawk Safety Razor, Pure 100% Badger Hair Brush, Organic Honey Oatmeal Shave Bar, 5 Premium Mens Blades, and a Razor Stand

. Nineties Nostalgia Old School Gadgets T Shirt

This fun t shirt is available in several colors and is perfect for any nineties kid.

Oakley Holbrook Polarized Square Sunglasses

Quality sunglasses like a pair of sylish Oakleys make a great gift. Who wouldn’t love these classic shades?

Beard Comb

This engraved wooden beard comb is individually handmade in the Ukraine. The Comb also folds for storage and portability.

. Irish Patchwork Wool Cap

This Irish flat cap is made by one of Ireland’s oldest weavers in Co. Tipperary, using time-honored methods, passed down through generations at John Hanly & Co. The younger generation is making the newsboy cap trendy again, but a man of any age would love this classic.

. Sterling Silver Puzzle Ring

This striking silver ring is also an intricate puzzle, and the mystery of how to take it apart and put it back together has to be solved. How cool is that?

. Callahan’s Gourmet Hot Sauce Gift Set

Poblano, Habanero, & Black Pepper Chipotle. Great gift for the hot sauce lover in your life. Made weekly in small batches by Callahan himself in Seattle, WA.

. Personalized Docking Station, Charging Station, Phone Dock, Cell Phone Stand

This wood docking station can be personalized and is available in 8 wood finishes. The docking station is compatible with all cell phones including iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus, all kind of iPhones and all Android phones, and all kinds of tablets as well.

. SwissGear USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack

A part of the iconic SWISSGEAR ScanSmart series, this pack entails a TSA-friendly, lay-flat tech compartment equipped with a padded 15” laptop sleeve and tablet pocket to scan your devices without taking them out of the pack. Durable zipper closure adds an extra barrier of security for devices and essentials throughout your trip.

An integrated USB port allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet, and laptop wherever you are. Perfect travel backpack for a guy on the go.

. Marmot Retro Snap Back Hat

This cool nostalgic hat is a great gift for the guy who appreciates staying on top of trends while still remaining understated.

. Custom Personalized Art Made From Real License Plates

All custom signs are made from real license plates and can be personalized with a name, team, birthday, anniversary, etc.

. Skullcandy Bluetooth Noise Isolation Wireless In-Ear Headphones With Mic and Volume Control

Most guys need a good set of headphones. These feature Bluetooth wireless technology, Rapid Charge: 10 Minutes = 3 Hours; 40 Hours of Total Battery Life, Adjustable Sensory Bass, and Noise Isolating Fit.

I hope this Amazon gift guide gives you a little inspiration to get started on your holiday gift shopping list!

Have a beautiful day, and happy shopping! 🙂

Gifts

Great Ideas For Holiday Shopping: Classic Gifts in Sophisticated Neutrals

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020 deb@bluewillowlaneLeave a comment

Now is a great time to begin to think about holiday shopping and get started on finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. When I’m shopping for myself, I look for a good quality item at a great price. But when it comes to gift giving, the focus shifts a little more to the quality side. After all, there are only a couple of gift-giving occasions throughout the year, and I want to give my loved ones a gift as special as they are. Don’t get me wrong, the budget isn’t thrown out the window with these Amazon finds, but I’m also looking for some other qualities. What is the star rating on Amazon? What reputation does the brand have? What kind of materials is the item made of? How unique and original is the gift? Is it special, for example artisan made or made in a country known for that product?

This gift guide is for the person on your list who appreciates the classics. Nothing super flashy, but beautiful, understated, high-quality gifts that are sure to be appreciated.

Here are some of my favorite Amazon picks, delivered straight to you!

First on my list is the mulberry silk sleep pillow. Silk pillows have become a top gift item this year because of the gentle treatment they provide for your hair and skin as you sleep, and because of the emphasis on the comforts of home. I love the deep steel gray color of this pure silk pillow.

The traditional tartan plaid scarf is made of a high quality cashmere wool from Scotland. These neutral tones will complement any look, from a blazer to a denim jacket.

Vera Bradley is an immensely popular brand for all kinds of beautiful bags. I love this soft and sophisticated Vera Tote in teddy fleece. Unlike the colorful prints, this bag is incredibly versatile and goes with a multitude of looks.

You can’t go wrong with a leather messenger bag. Anyone on your list will appreciate this classic and beautiful handcrafted bag in a warm brown leather.

The artisan Aleppo soap is made in Syria from an ancient recipe that is known to help alleviate skin problems. I think its distinctive look and packaging will make it a great addition to a holiday gift.

These attractive Turkish cotton hand towels are perfect anywhere in your home, equally useful in the kitchen, bath, or even gym bag. Made in Turkey from 100% fine cotton.

The sterling silver ring is just stunning, featuring multicolored genuine quartz stones channel set in the band and a large central gemstone.

The frosted faux fur blanket is so soft and pretty. What a beautiful gift!

Wristlets are a great little bag to add to the recipient’s collection, perfect for holding a cell phone and cards. This one is from Sakroots, one of my favorite brands.

Noise isolating blue tooth headphones from Skull Candy are a great gift for someone who spends a lot of time on a computer. This is especially true with so many of us trying to optimize all our online time neccessitated by 2020.

The tortoiseshell finish watch by Anne Klein is classic and fun.

These gorgeous earrings are the real deal: 14 karat gold fittings and Tahitian Black South Sea pearls. This is truly a special gift sure to be treasured.

The Dionis goat milk body and hand cream is made by a small company and would be perfect combined with other thoughtful gifts or as a stocking stuffer.

If you want a classic gift, a signature Coach logo wallet in khaki is a terrific option.

Scented candles are always a nice gift idea, and this set is pretty and versatile in neutral tones. The candles are hand-poured soy with an embossed design.

This s’well water bottle keeps drinks cold for an incredibly long time. I love the teak finish on this little beauty.

Finally, these custom made bracelets can be ordered in your choice of metal, stamping, and with an engraved message. They are so pretty and thoughtful. What a wonderful gift!

Thanks for checking out my shopping guide today! This post does contain affiliate links, and I really appreciate you supporting my blog! 🙂

Have a beautiful day, and happy shopping! 🙂

Gifts · Uncategorized

Shopping for Millennials? Here’s A Little On-Trend Gift Guide of 16 Great Ideas

October 14, 2020October 15, 2020 deb@bluewillowlaneLeave a comment

Are you a Millennial? Do you know a Millennial? Millennials are that much-maligned generation of people who are approximately in their twenties and thirties now. While I myself am not in that age range, I have worked with a ton of people who fit this description, and some of my adult kids could be described as Millennials.

From my experience, Millennials actually get a really bad rap. In fact, there are many things to love about this generation. They tend to be very idealistic and care a lot about their chosen causes. They are often resourceful and creative, and they are responsible for a resurgence of handcrafting among younger people. They are often diligent workers, doing difficult work and juggling family responsibilities. They often love the outdoors and are environmentally-conscious. I also find this generation to be very straightforward and authentic.

So, show the Millennials in your life a little love over the holidays or other gift-giving occasions with something special! I’m sharing some on-trend gifts here that are all available on Amazon.

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting my blog! 🙂

Caboodles Caddy in Millenial Pink

Caboodles was the must-have item for tween girls of the 90s. This nostalgic brand has small organizer cases, such as this one, and larger train cases as well. A caboodle case would make a great presentation for other small gift items and is cute, nostalgic, and useful on its own.

Nostalgic Nick Hoodie

Nineties kids grew up with a loveable and sometimes bizarre cast of characters on Nickelodeon. This nostalgic hoodie is sure to bring a smile to the face of any twenty-something.

Highly-rated Turntable for Vinyl

Many Millennials are vinyl record enthusiasts, which is great that those old records are still getting some use. Find some old records that are still in good enough shape to be played, and give your Millennial the gift of a high quality turntable.

The Oregon Trail Game Pack

If you’re not a Millennial, you may not be aware that most of them spent many happy hours in public schools playing a low-tech educational video game entitled The Oregon Trail which had the kids doing things like dying of dysentery. This nostalgic game set includes three separate games and is sure to be a hit.

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

A cold brew coffee maker is the new must-have for the coffee aficionado. This one is simple and elegant.

Nature Travel Journal

This great little journal would be perfect for writing travel notes or making a sketch of the surroundings. The leafy details on the journal add to its appeal.

Folding Portable Craft Caddy

For the artist or crafter on your list, this portable craft caddy is a great gift. It’s understated design doesn’t scream “great-grandma’s knitting basket” so it’s perfect for a younger generation of artisans.

Artisan Valhalla Java for Pod Coffee Maker

If there’s one thing Millennials love, it’s their specialty coffees. They may be the generation responsible for the ubiquitous coffee shop. It’s great having a really special coffee brew at home, and this definitely fits the bill! These are coffee pods designed to work with that type of machine.

Hydroponic Home Garden

Millennials are known for their love of houseplants. Many are also cooking at home and increasing their repertoire of at-home gourmet options. That’s why this hydroponic indoor heirloom herb garden is the perfect gift, especially for a small space or urban gardener.

Cooking With Trader Joe’s Cookbook

Let’s face it, TJ’s does have some of the best food and grocery items out there. Millennials in search of tasty and healthy dinner options are sure to appreciate this cookbook.

Complete Picnic Set in a Backpack

Millenials seem to love hiking around in the great outdoors and spending their weekends finding a new adventure. A picnic set in a backpack is a clever and unique gift. I have given a couple of these myself at bridal showers. to rave reviews.

Galilia Knit Kit

Everything you need to create a beautiful knitted shawl, including high-quality yarn and instructions. This is for an experienced knitter. Knitters love top-quality yarn. Check out the other amazing items from their store while you’re looking!

50 States 5000 Ideas Travel Book

Millenials love to travel, and given the pandemic, many are doing short, responsible car trips rather than jet-setting it around the country. This guide is sure to have some great, do-able ideas for anywhere in the US.

Apple Airpods

For your apple fan, airpods with a charger are the perfect gift. It’s probably wise to try to figure out whether they already have a pair, but otherwise anyone with an iphone will love these!

The Art of Shaving Sandlewood Gift Set

Millennial guys seem to like the old school shaving sets. This is an awesome full-size gift set in a clean fresh scent.

French Roast Coffee Artisan Whole Bean

Another great coffee option is this artisan French Roast whole bean from Fresh Roasted Coffee. Delicious!