Holidays

Disclosure: For this post, I teamed up with The Hopping Bloggers for this Father’s Day Gift Guide! I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine. Read full Disclosure Policy here. Thank you.

Whether he’s the man who raised you or the father of your children, each dad in your life is a special being. Truly deserving of adoration, appreciation, and a little swag too! So with Father’s Day quickly approaching on Sunday, June 18, it’s currently time to think about getting all those dads in your life something sensational on their special day! Now, since your dad, husband, or significant other has probably given you years of sage advice, I’m here with some sage advice of my own for you: it’s time to trade in that tie you get him every year for some out-of-the-box gift ideas.

Here are a few tips to help you in choosing the right Father’s Day Gift:

• Budget: If you’re stumped on what to get your favorite guy for Father’s Day, remember that showing appreciation doesn’t have to have to break the bank. It really is the thought that counts. Be realistic and stay within your means. Especially important should you if you find yourself celebrating several exceptional men Father’s Day.
• Type Of Dad: What does your Dad love? This is the type of question you need to be exploring. Is he a music buff? Consider getting him a pair of hip new headphones. Is he an avid runner? He may very well enjoy a fitness tracker. Whatever it is, make sure you take his interests into account while you shop. Think of what he likes, not yourself.
• Personalized: Consider a personalized gift to make it extra special. Whether it’s with an engraving or a monogram, personalizing a gift can help make him feel exclusive on Father’s Day.
• Last Minute: We get it. Life gets hectic. So consider shopping online to save time over shopping in-store for Father’s Day this year.

Now with these tips in mind, I’d love to share with you a few of my personal favorite Father’s Day gift ideas for the men in your life at home. I’ve put together a list of need-to-buy Father’s Day gift giving ideas to help get you started. 

Here’s are just awesome new Father’s Day gift giving ideas: 

Homesick Father’s Day Gift Baskets:

Homesick Gift Baskets, featuring city and state scented candles that smell like dad’s hometown, cutting boards shaped like your home state, and a special Father’s Day gift basket. The basket retails for $69.95 and is filled with locally sourced products from small businesses that Dad will love, such as charcoal soap, Thompson Prohibition Popcorn, and NutButter Nation Packets. Each item is made in the USA, naturally derived and uses premium local ingredients. Purchase at: www.homesick.com!

Tasting Room Wine Profile Kit:

Tasting Room offers 6 sample sized bottles all neatly packaged in a kit so Dad can try a few multiple wines without committing to drinking a full sized bottle. Once he’s sampled all the bottles, he’s able to rate each one through Tasting Room, thus creating his own personalized Wine Profile, which will help identify his likes and dislikes. Available as a subscription service or a one-time shipment for Father’s Day, this is the gift that’ll make wine fun and accessible for everyone, whether they have basic wine knowledge or they’re a sommelier at heart. Purchase at The Tasting Room online. 

Edifier Powered Bookshelf (R980T):

Dollar Shave Club:

This Father’s Day, give Dad a gift he can use: the Dollar Shave Club Father’s Day Shave Set. It includes everything he’ll need for a fresh-from-the-barber shave from start to finish. It’s got the 6-blade Executive Razor, Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter, and Dr. Carver’s Post-Shave Cream. Choose a 3, 6, or 12-month Membership and they’ll keep the fresh blades coming, so Dad can shave with a fresh blade any time he wants. Purchase at DollarShaveClub.com.

Trunk Club:

For the sharp dressing daddio in your life, a Trunk Club gift card will certainly up his style game. The service will set him up with a personal stylist who will take care of packing and shipping for a trunk full of premium clothing to his doorstep. Upon arrival, he’ll get 10 days to try on the goods and send back anything he doesn’t want (shipping is free both ways). Purchase at Trunkclub.com.

 

The BioLite BaseCamp:

 

If you can think of a cooler marriage between the future and the past, we’d like to see it. The BioLite BaseCamp is a portable cookstove that transforms the heat from its fire into energy you can use to charge your phone. With a 138 square inch grill surface that easily fits 8 burgers. Safe and energy efficient outdoor and off-grid cooking and heating. Uses solid biomass (twigs, firewood, wood chunks, etc.) to fuel all the BaseCamps’ fun! Purchase here on Amazon.com.

Aer Drone:

A man-powered vehicle for his GoPro camera: Dad can throw this lightweight launcher to get aerial images on hikes, at soccer practice, or even while lounging by the pool. The drone comes packaged in it own convenient drawstring bag so it’s easy for Dad to transport it wherever he goes. Purchase at: aervideo.com

I grew up a Christmas Eve person. Some of my most joyful memories of this celebration happened on that very night. I first realized my love of the spoken word during a church holiday pageant. My Uncle Danny’s yearly vow to be well from his cold-weather bought of bronchitis, which thankfully he always come Christmas morning. How my grandmother loved to create a new wreath for her home each year, which she laid out for the world to see each Christmas eve. and I took turns studying each beautifully wrapped package under the tree, trying to guess its contents.

As a child, I also loved Christmas eve for the opportunity it gave me to hone my spidey senses. I liked to studying each beautifully wrapped package under our family tree, trying to guess its contents. The house was filled with the delicious aroma of fresh baked cookies set out for Santa Claus, fancy buttery cookies from local bakeries, and even a few janky, but lovingly decorated cut out cookies created by yours truly. 

I even loved the simple joys of the season. As the only child in the home, I had the tasks of both eating the last piece of advent calendar chocolate and placing the porcelain baby Jesus in the nativity scene by the Christmas tree.

But despite this joy, my home life was often far from happy. I remember fondly each Christmas eve, as we opened our presents, that instead of sharing in the pure joy of being together as a family, the laughing and oohing and ahhing over the best gifts we each received, we were busy passing around bags. Bags to collect torn wrapping paper and bags to collect back the toys and presents we had just opened. These bags contained the holiday facade of our home, the veneer of purchasing gifts to keep up with appearances for the rest of the world to see, so we could purchase gifts that were never destined to stay within our home.

You see, my grandmother didn’t believe in allowing children to keep more than a one holiday toy each year, which generally left me with one gift, generally a book, and without fail each Christmas morning all my gifts were taken with us to mass, where the presents were given to children less fortunate than myself. This was of course coupled with her impulses to overspend each holiday season, so in lieu of buying fewer gifts for colleagues, co-workers, and neighbors, and instead of allocating those funds to purchase gifts for those less fortunate, those needed gifts came from those in her own home. We lived and gave like that of the Pharisees.

While I always seemed to get exactly what I hoped for, I never remembered feeling the tactile nature of the day. The one toy I was able to keep was generally a collectible. Generally an American Girl doll or holiday Barbie, and though lovely and incredibly generous gifts, these were toys to be seen and not used, gifts that remained encased on high away shelves, never to be loved. The same toys that cemented to me a feeling of  Christmas mornings in my home being very bittersweet, at least that’s how I remember it. 

Then later, even as an adult, when recanting these experiences to my newly found birth mother, who upon asking me how my childhood holidays occurred, discounted my memories and relished in believing that my memories were nothing more than childish lies. And so it’s for those two reasons that I’ve always held a small bit of guilt for not being one of those merry-makers who love Christmas morning. The same memories of Christmas mornings that to this day always leave a small pang of disappointment in my heart each year.

Now friends, don’t think this story to be one of sadness and despair. It was because of these events that I was able to make a great Christmas eve revelation even from an early age, that the hours leading up to Christmas Eve each year were some of the happiest times in my life. Times when business was replaced with purpose. Where talents were put before the world to see. Where holiday music played and when hearing my home wrapped up in the sounds of my uncle’s laughter meant more to me than any present that could be unwrapped beneath the tree. 

I learned that the true message of Christmas Eve was simple: You are loved. Loved by God. Loved by your family of choice, and even for a few moments, loved by the world. Everything that I remember and hold dear to in those childhood memories tells me that.

For me, the greatest value in being a Christmas eve person, including you all my dearest readers, should be the same: Christmas eve is a splendid time of year because of the birth of Jesus Christ, and that is the kind of good news and great joy that no amount of conspicuous consumerism, bittersweet memories, nor the longing to see loved one’s long since passed, can ever take away. 

As you are reading this I am spending time with my own family, with those who make tomorrow’s sorrows seems so small in comparison to the memories I will be making on this day. So friends, take heart. I have always been a Christmas eve kind of person, and I hope in some small way you all will be too! Today is a celebration of joy. A day of peace. A moment of great jubilation. A time when presents simply don’t matter. 

Take time today for yourself, for self-care, for reflection, and above all else, for laughter. Remember to find moments of joy. To be enamored with hope, for this is what being a Christmas eve person is all about. 

Please note, all music herein the property of their respective artists, record labels, and Youtube uploaders. 

Though you’re busy baking cookies and trimming the tree, you may find yourself in need of a little downtime this season with your family. Why not use that time to gather up your loved ones and enjoy some classic and festive holiday music? These 25 timeless classics are favorites in our home each year and we’re sure your entire family will enjoy too!

Hawaiian Christmas: Jimmy Buffett Mele Kalikimaka (1980)

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, by Gayla Peevey (1953)

Feliz Navidad, by Jose Feliciano (1970)

“Dónde Está Santa Claus” (Metro Records), by Augie Rios (1958)

The Grinch Song, sung by Boris Karloff (1966)

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Christmas Time is Here Song, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (1965)

Judy Garland – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Meet Me In St. Louis, 1944)

“The Christmas Song,” by Nat King Cole (1961)

“Santa Baby!,” by Eartha Kitt (1953)

“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Dean Martin & Doris Day Duet (1959)

“White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby (1954)

“Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms (Decca Records) (1957)

“Blue Christmas,” Live by Elvis Presley (1968)

HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over) – John Lennon & Yoko Ono & The PLASTIC ONO BAND with The Harlem Community Choir (1971)

“Rebel Jesus,” by The Chieftains, featuring Jackson Browne (1991)

“Mary, did you know,” by Kenny Rogers, featuring Wynonna Judd (1996)

“Run Rudolph Run,” by Chuck Berry (1958)

“Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”-Brenda Lee (1958)

“I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus,” performed by The Jackson Five (1971)

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” performed by The Temptations (1970)

“The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth),” performed by Bing Crosby & David Bowie (1977)

“Little Saint Nick”- The Beach Boys (1964)

“Christmas in New Orleans,” by Louis Armstrong (1954)

“Holly Jolly Christmas,” by Burl Ives (1965)

“A Saints Christmas,” by Kermit Ruffins (2000)

So that’s it everyone, my family’s 25 favorite holiday songs. I encourage you all to take some time this season to let loose and enjoy a few of these favorite songs with your loved ones at home. So now I have to ask, do you have any family favorite songs at Christmas? I’d love to hear about them below!

Is it just me or has Christmas come a little too soon this year! It’s hard to believe that it’s less than 2 weeks away! While I how tempting it can be to go overboard on spending when it comes to last minute touches and the need to deck the halls this time year, and though we are inching ever closer to the Christmas Day, there is still plenty of time left to get in a few last-minute holiday-inspired home DIYs! 

One of my go-to DIY’s each year is to make Christmas Scene Jars. This project is uber affordable and can be made in minutes, and what I really love about this project is how truly versatile it is! While I usually go for a homey and retro vibe in my home, which is reflected in my own jars and cloches seen in this project, you could easily swap out the trim and little decorations for something that fits your particular style or colors.

I realize everyone is going all nontraditional with Christmas colors these days, and so this project is easy to adapt to your pink and silver, or whatever crazy not red and green combo you have going on this year. Me personally, I’m sticking with red and green, but hey, if you like it I love it. Do you, boo!

1. Thoroughly clean your containers and let dry.
2. Place 1 cup inch of Epsom salts into each your container.
3. Add decorations.
4. Add more Epsom salts around decorations to mimic snow, as needed.
5. Close your lids and enjoy!

So that’s it, folks! Super simple, right? As you can see, I created a trio of cloches this year. In my first cloche, I used a simple church ornament and snow. In the larger middle cloche, I harvest a few scrubber trees from my Christmas village collection, and along with a small porcelain figurine, was able to recreate a rustic winter walk in the snow, perfect for Christmas week cheer! My final cloche, which was actually a trifle dish, was all my husband’s creation. He chooses Santa on a motorcycle, a new homeowner door ornament, and a mailbox to create a biker-chic holiday scene. Cute, huh? 

I then added two vintage light-up trees, porcelain deer ornaments to the front of the knobs on my antique buffet table, and a string of crochet rope lights to finish this look. I sourced ornaments from around my home and as I had Epsom salts on hand this project was a total freebie for me, and dare I say, I liked it all the more as it was free!

So I hope this project will give you some ideas for non-traditional, zero-waste last minute decor ideas for the holidays. Now if you have any other ideas you would like to share, I’d love for you to comment below and let me know!

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Though you’re busy shopping, attending pageants, and trimming the tree, you may find yourself in need of a little downtime this season with your family. Why not use that time to curl up on the couch with the kids and read some classic family-friendly kids books? So here are our family’s 13 Favorite Kids Books for Christmas. With titles ranging from childhood classics to new culturally-minded titles, this selection of my family’s favorite kids Christmas book list is sure to have a few selections we’re sure your entire family will enjoy!

The Night Before Christmas (2012):
We all know the magical words of Clement C. Moore’s traditional holiday poem. As a family, we love the Rachel Isadora version, which features collages, pastels, and oil paints, and adds a modern twist: Santa wears hipster pants, sports dreadlocks, and leaves the children traditional African gifts. 

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1972)
Remember this one from when you were a kid? I sure do! Children of all ages will love this 1972 classic, in which the six misbehaving Herdman kids—the “worst kids in the entire history of the world”—take over the church pageant and reinterpret the story of Christmas. The mix of outrageous moments and profound heartwarming surprises makes this a read parents will love as much as kids.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Dream Snow
If your family loves of Eric Carle’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar you will love his wintery tale of Dream Snow, as it hosts the same style collage illustrations, and like Caterpillar, the pages hold extra interest for young readers, with learning opportunities with cutouts and counting.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957):
What would Christmas be without the Grinch? Kids love this misfit character, who plots to cancel the holiday, only to find it happens anyway, even without the who hash. This is a family favorite and true story of selfless redemption. 

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Santa Mouse (1996):
This modern classic by Micheal Brown tells the tale of a Santa that is always giving presents but never gets them, so he leaves a gift. His thoughtfulness is rewarded when he becomes Santa’s little helper each and every year himself! A must read!

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

The Polar Express (1986):
This tale by Chris Van Allsburg of children hopping on a night train to visit Santa at the North Pole is pure holiday magic and is ideal for holiday car rides or to help excited kids drift off on Christmas Eve! Also, worth noting, the kindle version of this story is currently free for Amazon Prime members!

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffries (2007):

Caldecott Honor and New York Times bestselling artist Susan Jeffers reimagines this classic take on the Christmas Eve tale of a young girl’s nutcracker doll transforms into a prince who battles an evil Mouse King and escorts the girl to the magical Land of Sweets. Jeffries rendition is unique in its incredibly beautiful illustrations and should not be missed. 

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski (1995):

This story centers on Grumpy Jonathan Toomey, known to children as “Mr. Gloomy,” who is the best woodcarver in the valley but is always alone, hiding a tragic age-old secret. When a widow and her son move to town and ask him to carve a Nativity manger scene for them, the woodcutter’s life is forever changed. This story is told through the healing power of friendship and the magic of Christmas, but make sure you have plenty of kleenexes ready when you read this tale!

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day (1990):

When Carl the dog is tasked with taking care of his family’s baby on Christmas Eve, a charming tale of Carl and his little charge’s Christmas Eve adventures is unfolded in an easy-to-understand and extremely adorable book. 

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston (1996):

In the Appalachian town of Spruce Pine, one family is responsible for providing the town with a Christmas tree each year, and this year it’s Ruthie’s family’s turn. Ruthie and her father choose the tree early in the spring, but by the time winter comes, he’s in Europe, as the Great War has just ended. Through sacrifice and the magic of Christmas, the village gets its perfect tree and Ruthie gets a perfect holiday. 

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (1977):

This classic picture book story revolves around a  little boy builds a snowman on a wintry day, only to find later that night that his creation has come alive…and can fly! While a wordless book it’s a perfect story to share with children of all ages this holiday season. 

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola (1997):

This story revolves around the profound Mexican legend, in which a young girl, named Lucinda and her mother, who when asked to weave a new blanket to cover the church’s statue of baby Jesus, who falls ill, and Lucinda accidentally ruins the work while trying to finish it. Ashamed, the little girl is afraid to go to the church on Christmas Eve because she hasn’t a gift until a kind stranger reminds her that the baby Jesus will love anything that she gives with love. Lucinda’s humble gift of weeds and her prayers cause a miracle to take place within the church. Tomie dePaola’s gorgeous illustrations bring the story to life and is a must read for our family each year.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by Francis P. Church (1897):

 In 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon asked her father if Santa Claus was real. Caught off guard, Mr. O’Hanlon advised his daughter to send the question to The Sun newspaper, telling her, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” The paper’s beautiful response to the child’s question would eventually become the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the English language. This story is the perfect reminder of the immortal spirit of Father Christmas and which is why we read it aloud as a family each year.

Recommended for ages 3 and up. 

So that’s it everyone, my family’s 13 favorite holiday books. I encourage you all to take some time this season to let loose, curl up, and enjoy a few of these favorite stories with your loved ones at home. So friends, do you have any family favorite books at Christmas? If so, I’d love to hear about them below! 

Though you’re busy baking cookies and trimming the tree, you may find yourself in need of a little downtime this season with your family. Why not use that time to curl up on the couch with the kids and watch some festive films? So here are our family’s 13 favorite holiday movies. With titles ranging from childhood classics to new animated features, this selection of my family’s favorite Christmas movies is sure to have a few selections we’re sure your entire family will enjoy!

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965):
A perennial fave that addresses both conspicuous consumption and spiritual aspects of the holiday season. A Charlie Brown Christmas storyline follows the ups and downs of Charlie Brown, a young boy initially depressed by the commercialism of Christmas, but ultimately is persuaded to enjoy the season after directing the school pageant, received a  pep talk from his friend Linus, garners strength from “a sad little fir tree,” and your kids will enjoy the timeless Vince Guaraldi’s iconic musical score.

Run time: 30 minutes; recommended for ages 3 and up.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1947):
This beloved classic is still ever as popular more than 60 years after its release and is our family’s go-to Christmas Eve family movie. This classic, directed by Frank Capra, stars Jimmy Stewart as a frustrated businessman, George Bailey, who has been tethered to his hometown of Bedford Falls for years, instead of living a life of adventure he longs for. When events take a turn for the worse, George considers ending his life, but his guardian angel, Clarence, intervenes and steps in to show him what life would be life without him and all of his good deeds would look like for his family and town. This movie is a must-see!

Run time: 130 minutes; recommended for ages 9 and up.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993):
This stop-motion animated classic, based on a poem by Tim Burton, features Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloweentown. Bored with life, Jack discovers Christmastown, and decides to try to bring a bit of the holiday season to Halloweentown, even kidnapping Santa Claus to make that happen. What happens next is a delightful combo of the two holidays.

Run time: 76 minutes; recommended for ages 7 and up. 

Original Christmas Classics (1967-1972):
This collection includes most of my favorite childhood holiday movie favorites in one awesome box! With titles including the classic stop-motion animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Special, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, and Cricket on the Hearth. This collection is a must-see for your little ones!

Run time: 275 minutes; recommended for ages 3 and up.

The Polar Express (2004):
As fans of Chris Van Allsburg’s Caldecott award-winning The Polar Express book, we love this animated version. Tom Hanks voices multiple roles in this tale about a train trip to the North Pole and the wonder of Christmas, as seen through the eyes of a fearless young boy.

Run time: 100 minutes; recommended for ages 6 and up.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947):
This classic story about a six-year-old girl, Susan (Natalie Wood), who has doubts about the existence of Santa Claus and a department store Santa (Edmund Gwenn) who attempts to convince Susan and her mother (Maureen O’Hara) that he’s the real deal, Holyfield. 

Run time: 96 minutes; recommended for ages 6 and up.

Shrek the Halls (2008):
Fans of the Shrek movies will be delighted by this holiday-themed special. Starring the usual cast of characters, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) struggles to make his family’s first Christmas special, but doesn’t have any experience with the holiday. As he attempts to follow a Christmas for Village Idiots guidebook, the festivities go on around him and great lessons are learned.

Run time: 22 minutes; recommended for ages 6 and up.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966):
This animated version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) is a line-by-line reading by Boris Karloff of the classic children’s tale, and each year we enjoy seeing the Grinch in motion as he attempts to stop Christmas from coming and learns to follow his heart all on the Eve if Christmas!

Run time: 26 minutes; recommended for ages 4 and up.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992):
In this version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, directed by Brian Henson (son of the late Jim Henson), Kermit plays the role of Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as his wife and Michael Caine as his miserly employer, Ebenezer Scrooge. Gonzo appears as Charles Dickens, to help narrate the tale. This is one of our favorite versions of this classic tale!

Run time: 85 minutes; recommended for ages 5 and up.

The Santa Clause Collection (1994-2002):

When a single dad picks up the reins of Christmas Eve when he startles Santa off the roof—and accidentally kills him. With a lot of work, and weight, Tim Allen helps to again make the worldtakes a lot more jolly during the holiday season.

Run time: 85 minutes; recommended for ages 8 and up.

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977):

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas tells the story of Emmet Otter and his Ma, a widow who scrapes by on the small amount of money she gets from doing laundry and that Emmet gets from doing odd jobs around their home in the town of Frogtown Hollow. This movie shows how compassion and the Christmas spirit can be worth more than gold! 

Run time: 85 minutes; recommended for ages 8 and up.

The Snowman (1982):

The Snowman, a children’s picture book without words by English author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978, is one of our favorite winter stories and it’s animated video version made in 1982, is equally amazing. The story centers on a one-night meeting between a young boy and his friend, a snowman. This is an animated tale that should not be missed!

Run time: 85 minutes; recommended for ages 4 and up.

A Garfield Christmas SpecialGenres (1987): 

In this animated tale, Garfield, Jon, and Odie go to Jon’s grandmother’s house for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma. This tale is so touching and heartwarming, and is one of my own favorite holiday specials each year!

So that’s it everyone, my family’s 13 favroite holiday family movies. I encourage you all to take some time this season to let loose, curl up, and enjoy watching a few of these favorite movies with your loved ones at home. So now I have to ask, do you have any family favorite movies at Christmas? If so, I’d love to hear about them below!