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Gifts

Christmas Gift Guide: Going Green

This month will be a month of guide gifts, because no matter how well you know someone, it can still be difficult to find the right gift for them; and I wanted to offer my assistance. For the socially-conscious friend, I present to you my “Going Green Gift Guide.”

Lemon essential oil for cleaning…
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day MultiSurface Concentrate Lemon Verbena

Produce bags…
Purifyou Premium Reusable Mesh Produce Bags

Organic toothpaste…
Earthpaste

Bamboo toothbrush…
WoWE Eco-Friendly and Natural Bamboo Toothbrush for Adults

Ethically made jewellery…
Aida Bangle

Reusable straws…
David’s Tea Straw & Brush Set

Non-toxic face mask…
BeautyCounter No.3 Balancing Face Mask

Vegan leather wallet…
LAF Vegan Long Wallet (Kombucha)

Reusable water bottle…
Stay Hot Keep Cold Bottle (Light Quicksand)

Book…
Clean Green: Tips And Recipes For A Natural Clean And Sustainable Home by Jen Chillingsworth

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Gifts

Christmas Advent Calendar

I absolutely LOVE Christmas! I love everything about it!… giving gifts, being surrounded by family and friends…cooking a huge feast… EVERYTHING! The minute December 1st hits I “get my Christmas on.” Even though I am in my 30s I still get an advent calendar. I wanted to do something special for a friend of mine: make a personalized advent calendar. It is so easy! I bought the wooden calendar from Canadian Tire and on each date I put instructions for a Christmas activity to get her in the spirit as well as a little trinket to help her fulfill her Christmas task. 

DATETASKGIFT
1Set up the Christmas tree.A small ornament for her to add to her tree
2Take a moment to write your Christmas cards.A roll of stamps for her so she could send her cards
3Enjoy a kiss under the mistletoe.A sprig in for her to hang in her home
4Have your photo taken with Santa.A pair of super over the top Christmas earrings for her to wear in the photo
5Listen to Christmas songs and sing along.A personally curated list of songs for her to find on Spotify
6Go Christmas shopping.A folded up blank “Christmas Shopping List” for her to get organized before braving the crowds at the mall
7Drop off a donation to the local food bank or toy drive.$20 to go towards her contribution
8Buy or make yourself a new Christmas decoration.The instructions for making a paper angel ornament
9Write and send a letter to Santa.A Post-It with Santa’s address on it (in case she forgot the address)
10Go ice skating.New festive candy cane laces for her skates
11Wrap presents while enjoying a bottle of wine.A new wine glass charm and a roll of tape
12Have a snowball fight (or throw some snowballs for the puppy).A pair of new gloves to keep her warm
13Make and decorate Christmas cookies.A package of sparkly sprinkles 
14Wear a silly Christmas sweater.A photo of me wearing my silliest one, so she could enjoy a good laugh
15Check out the local Christmas lights display.A glow-in-the-dark Christmas lights necklace for her to wear
16Enjoy a festive Christmas drink of eggnog or apple cider.A pouch of apple cider spice mix
17Build a snowman.Pieces of “coal” for the snowman’s eyes, mouth & buttons
18Watch a Christmas movie.A personally curated list of movies for her to find on Netflix
19Go to the local Christmas craft fair.A printed out a schedule of fairs happening in her area
20Make a snow angel.A tiny small snow globe that has an angel inside
21Relax by the fire or watch the “burning log channel” for an hour WITHOUT the distraction of your phone.A new Christmassy kitchen timer
22Build a gingerbread house.The photo of the one we made together from our first Christmas in university
23Snack on a sweet treat.An individually wrapped cookie for her to eat
24Read ‘Twas The Night Before ChristmasThe poem printed out as a small scroll and fastened with a red ribbon
25Relax with a boozy coffee.A small bottle of Bailey’s for her to add in after brewing
Categories
Gifts

Baby Shower Gifts

I don’t know about you but so many of my friends and coworkers have announced they are expecting; which is so wonderful but also kind of funny… *insert quarantine baby joke here*

Currently, I have four nieces and two nephews, so I know a few things about hosting and shopping for baby showers.

Most expectant moms (and couples) register for gifts however, you can’t always bank on that…so to help you out, we put together a list of items that will be happily received and won’t break the bank.

Qalo Teething Necklace
Halo Sleep Sack
Dock-A-Tot
WubbaNub Infant Pacifier
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
New Baby Journal
Earth Mama Recovery Essentials
Bugaboo Smartphone Holder for stroller
Zoli Buzz B Gentle Nail Trimmer
ErgoBaby 360 All Positions Baby Carrier

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Gifts

Gift Cards: Yay or Nay?

I get a lot of gift cards over the course of a school year and I tend to hoard them. My best friend and I started to pool our gift cards and use them to kick up our girls’ weekends up a notch; in fact sometimes gift cards alone fund our entire weekends.

On one of our weekends, we were able to pick up gin and Prosecco from Liquor Depot to make fancy drinks which we drank along side delicious pizza from Boston Pizza. Then, on the next day we were able to grab coffees from Tim Horton’s and then do a little shopping at Chapters and have lunch at Earl’s

On another weekend we were able to treat ourselves to a deluxe movie experience at Cineplex VIP; we ordered Caesars, deep fried pickles, truffle fries and mini donuts. We finished the weekend with a trip to Cabela’s for me to get new hiking boots.

For our 15th friendaversary we had our make-up done at Sephora

Gift cards are fantastic! I know some people think they are tacky but they allow people to get exactly what they want and share good times with great friends. So the next time you are doubting whether or not you should give someone a gift card… just do it!!

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Gifts

Back To School Teacher Product Box

You have probably heard about the many subscription boxes that exist from FabFitFun to CauseBox and many more. I thought it would be neat to design a version of one of those boxes just for teachers…just in time for them to head back into the classroom this September. The result is a collection of items that are: essential in every teacher’s drawer, fun to enjoy and practical for self-care. 

Pencil Case: “Teaching Is A Work Of The Heart”
Marking Pens: Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens
Hair Products: Invisibobble’s Clicky Bun, Scrunchie & Waver Clip

Chapstick: Bite Beauty Agave+ Daytime Vegan Lip Balm
Gum: Simply Gum (Mint Lovers -Peppermint & Spearmint)

Hand Sanitizer: Art Naturals Hand Sanitizer Set (Coconut, Tea Tree, Lavender & Scent Free)
Supplement: Gaia Herbs Echinacea Supreme
Foot Care: Cloud 7 Foot Pads
Agenda: Teacher Lesson by Erin Condren Planner
Chocolate: Raaka Three Bar Gift Set (Pink Sea Salt, Coconut Milk, Green Tea Crunch)
Desk Ornament: Mint Marble Geo Planter (plant not included)

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Gifts

International Dog Day: A Gift Guide

To celebrate International Dog Day (August 26 2020) I wanted to put together a list of awesome products for us to be able to treat our furry friends. And I included a special treat for us Dog Moms too:)

Treats…
Greenies Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats

Leash…
Leashboss (15 Foot) Leash

Pooh Bags & Dispenser…
Earth Rated Dog Waste Bags

Toy…
Kong Jumbler Disc

Collar…
Lupine Pet Eco Dog Collar

Dog Mom Kitsch…
Dog Mom Pullover

Bandana…
Charcoal Stripe Dog Bandana

Brush…
The FURminator Curry Comb

Bug Spray…
Vet’s Best Pet Mosquito Repellant

Whistle…
Acme English Training Whistle