Busy Mommy Media» Gift Guides

Last Minute Gift Idea: Lakeshore Learning

Rachel — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:31:56 +0000

We are rapidly running out of time to grab any last minute holiday gifts. I’ve ventured out a few times to try and brave my local stores and the toy selection has been a been less than impressive. One of the first places I try and hit for holidays and birthdays is usually Lakeshore Learning. You can order online (well, not if you want it here by Christmas) but I love visiting the store in person so if you have a Lakeshore Learning store locally, you’ll definitely want to check it out.

We homeschool and several of our favorite educational toys have come from Lakeshore, but it’s a really great place to find gift ideas if you are looking for something that’s a bit unique and has some value to it (as opposed to the cheap character toys that mostly line the toy shelves).

A Few Lakeshore Favorites

Washable Dress-Up Masks

My 4 year old loves to dress up. I’ve been trying to pack away our Halloween costumes for months now but he’ll have none of it. The habit is adorable, but it drives me a bit nuts when I spend half my day helping him get in and out of costumes, which sometimes rotate several times an hour.

The Washable Dress-Up Masks from Lakeshore are a perfect solution and he’s going to be thrilled when he finds them under the tree this year. These soft, stuffing filled masks are super easy for preschoolers to get on and off by themselves and you can throw them in the washing machine to keep them clean – that’s a lot more than some of our old Halloween costumes can claim.

People Colors Crayons

If you have a budding artist on your holiday shopping list, the People Color Crayons from Lakeshore are a perfect choice.

Most crayon sets don’t come with many choices when it comes to skin color. This set has nearly every skin colored crayon you can think of.

Bamboo Building Blocks

My boys love any sort of building toy so we’re always on the hunt for something a bit different. These Bamboo Building Blocks from Lakeshore are not only environmentally friendly, they are also a whole lot of fun.

The styling is really nice on these so you can create some really unique looking structures.

Turn & Learn Magnetic Gears

Most kids love learning how things work and this magnetic gear set from Lakeshore is a really fun way to explore the way things move. Stick these on your fridge or any other magnetic surface and you’ve got a sure way to keep kids engaged in something educational.

Buy One Get One 50% Off Coupon

Lakeshore has a great coupon available right now as part of their after-holiday sale, but you can take advantage of it now and still get gifts in time for Christmas if you visit a store locally. You can print the coupon here and it will allow you to buy one get one 50% off. Great deal!

Holiday Gift Guide – Best Board Games

Rachel — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:52:21 +0000

Board games are a great go-to gift for family members and friends. I’d much rather my kids immerse themselves in a game and spend some quality time together than be parked in front of the TV.

There are some fantastic game choices available that are perfect for the whole family and would be a wonderful addition under your Christmas tree this year. If you have any favorites, feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

Blokus

This game has been around for a bit but it’s still one of my family’s favorites. It’s a strategy game that has a lot in common with tetras except that you are matching corners of your pieces rather than trying to fit everything together. The pieces of the game are really fun to manipulate and kids as young as 6 or 7 can play with a bit of adult supervision.

This game can be either a 2 or 4 player game so a great game to have on hand if you are enjoying a night at home with another couple or spending some time together as a family.

Amazon: ~~$25.99~~, on sale for $17.60

Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game from Educational Insights has been getting attention all over the place in the last few months. This game is super simple so even the youngest kids can play and it’s a great way to teach important skills like cooperation, small motor skills, and color matching.

My 4 and 5 year old absolutely love this game and they can play it on their own. The artwork is fantastic on this game and the squirrel pinching tool is a great way to enhance small motor skills.

Price: $19.99 at Educational Insights

Scrabble Flash

Scrabble is an old favorite and Scrabble Flash gives the game a fun new twist. My 8 year old loves playing this game and it’s great for his spelling and vocabulary skills.

I have to warn you though – this game can be a bit addicting.

Amazon: ~~$29.99~~, on sale for $19.89

Angry Birds: Knock on Wood Game

Angry Birds is a big hit around our house and this game is a great way to take the game play off the iPhone and allow for some great cooperative play. I saw this game in person when I attended Toy Fair earlier this year and it’s just as addicting as the mobile version.

My kids would go nuts for this!

Amazon: $31.95

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition

Monopoly is one of our favorite games but I have to admit, as much as I love the money counting practice my kids get with the original version, all the set up and cleanup drives me a bit nuts. The new Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition gives you the same fun of the original but without all the mess.

Kids growing up in the digital age will love the twist on this classic.

Amazon: $39.99

Ticket to Ride

I haven’t had the chance to play this game but I’m finding more and more of my friends and family members who are obsessed with this game. The story behind this game is fun - 28 years to the day that noted London eccentric, Phileas Fogg accepted and then won a bet that he could travel “Around the World in 80 Days”, his friends gather to make a wager of their own. The object of the game is to travel to the most cities in North America in only 7 days.

This game is geared towards ages 8 and up and is fun for the whole family.

Amazon: ~~$49.99~~, on sale for $39.99

Bananagrams

Another great word game, Bananagrams doesn’t take up a lot of space and it’s a great game to take with you to family gatherings. Played in a similar way to Scrabble, but with simplified rules, this game is a great way to spend time together. The price point makes it a great stocking stuffer for nearly anyone on your holiday shopping list.

Amazon: $14.99

What are your favorite board games?

Last Minute Gift Idea: Seagate GoFlex Slim w/Family Photos

Rachel — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:54:37 +0000

Are you still looking for last minute gift ideas? I know we’re scrambling around our house. Getting to the store and braving the crowds isn’t always appealing and some people are just harder to shop for than others.

I’ve come up with what I think is my all-time favorite gift idea for grandparents (but this would be great for college-aged kids as well). Seagate’s GoFlex Slim is ultra thin and had an anodized case, which gives it a sophisticated look and offers some added protection. On it’s own, the GoFlex Slim is a great gift. Filled with family photos it’s guaranteed to be everyone’s favorite gift!

Make it Personal

Photo gifts are always a huge hit with extended family members, especially if they live further away. You can personalize the Seagate GoFlex Slim by adding family photos.

Create a folder for each month of the year on the Seagate GoFlex Slim. Choose your favorite family photos from each month and add them to the appropriate photo.

If you make a habit of scanning your children’s artwork, add those photos to the GoFlex Slim as well.

What are your favorite personalized gift ideas?

Holiday Gift Guide for Books

Lorie — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:06:23 +0000

When shopping for gifts this holiday season, don’t forget books. Books make great gifts. They are affordable and many books are offered in gift packs. Books also provide hours or entertainment and allow the reader to “escape” to another world.

Another great thing about books as gifts is that they are really easy to wrap. I also like that you can personalize a gift by making an inscription on the inside of the cover. This makes the gift more personal. Books are also great gifts because there is something for every age. Here are a few book ideas as you shop for the perfect gift.

The Help Deluxe Edition

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a book I thought I’d never read. Then one month, my book club picked it for the book of the month. I read it and could not put it down. The Help is about a writer who is trying to expose how the black help are treated in the early 1960′s. The characters really come to life in this book. This hardbook edition can provide hours of entertainment and make a nice book to have in any book collection.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever

My son loves the series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I’ve heard several parents of kids in his class tell me that they are the only books their kids will read. This is the sixth book in the series and is titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever. This time, Greg Heffley is the prime suspect when the school is damaged. He has to wait out his punishment inside when his family is stuck in a snow storm. I love the cartoons that the author uses to get the reader into the story. Kids really like the pictures in the books as well.

The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a triology that has become all the rage. This book has been #1 on several charts including The New York Times Bestseller and USA Today Bestsellers. This is the hardcover collection that makes a perfect keepsake. Teens and adults alike can enjoy this trilogy. There are some violent nature and extreme situations in the book, but many of my friends say don’t let that keep you away. If you start reading the first book you will probably become hooked, so be warned!

The Polar Express

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a 1986 Caldecott Metal winner. The book is beautifully illustrated and takes you away on a train ride. Santa sweeps a little boy and other childern on a train ride to the North Pole. The Polar Express will amaze and entertain your child this holiday season and for many years to come.

If You Give a Dog a Donut

If You Give a Dog a Donut is the latest instalment in Laura Numeroff’s If You Give series. My kids love to read these books. They contain repetition so its easy for the child to get into the story. The dog in this book first appeared in the If You Give a Pig a Party. This book is recommended for children 3 and up. This hardcover book makes a nice addition to any child’s collection.

Magic Tree House Boxed Set 1-4

My son’s second grade teacher introduced him to the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. We have read almost the entire series together. The first four books are my favorite as we meet Jack and Annie from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania as they go on adventures and travel in time in a magic tree house. Jack and Annie get a new book to help them in each new adventure. These books teach your kids about dinosaurs and other themes as Jack and Annie use the book to get through the mission.

Kindle Fire

The Kindle Fire is the newest Kindle available from Amazon. It serves not only as a Kindle reader but also as an android based tablet. This devise would be a great gift because the recipent will be able to buy books they like and read them on the e-reader as well as enjoy other great features, such as a fully functional web browser. There are also thousands of apps available at the Amazon apps store from which to choose. The Kindle Fire also allows you to watch movies. You can buy the Amazon Prime account which will allow you to watch movies for free. This service costs $79 a year. The Kindle Fire is one of the most afordable tablets on the market right now.

Send a Kindle Book as a Gift

A couple of weeks ago, I recieved an e-mail saying someone had sent me a Kindle book as a gift. You can send a Kindle book as a gift as long as the recipent has an e-mail address. This option would be great if you know the person you are giving the gift to has a Kindle. I found the process of uploading the book to my Kindle to be easy. If you want more information on gifting Kindle books go here.

Amazon Gift Card

Somtimes you have that person to buy for that you just can’t figure what to give them. Books can sometimes be really hard to pick out that the recipent would read. Amazon has an answer for that. Just give an Amazon gift card and allow the recipent to pick out the book they like.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011:Top Gift Ideas for Girls Ages 5-10

Lorie — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:49:27 +0000

I have a 7 year old daughter and she loves to look online for toy ideas for Christmas. This age group seems to really love making things and being creative. There are a ton of toy ideas to help girls in this age group be creative. They also enjoy dressing up and fixing hair. Many girls like dolls to experiment on with different hair styles and dressing them up.

This is the first Christmas that my daughter has really started asking for expensive electronic items. There seem to also be a lot of robotic toys that are real popular with this age group this year as well. During this age they start asking for those items also.

Here are a few popular items that may help you as you start to shop for a girl in this age group.

Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Doll -Crumbs Sugar Cookie

The Lalaloopsy dolls have been really popular with girls. Now they have come out with the silly hair dolls. These dolls are like a rag doll, but have wacky, wild hair that the child can bend and style. The doll comes with hair styling brush, four clips, and six hair beads. These let girls get creative with the hairstyles and they get to change them and have a totally different look. The dolls pet comes with a bendable tail that is also stylable like the dolls hair.

Age Recommendation: 4 and up

Wowwee Paper Jamz Pro Mic Series

My 7 year old loves singing songs by Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber. The Wowwee Paper Jamz Pro Mic series allows girls to sing their favorite songs in tune with the Perfect Pitch. This will help your little girl sing to her friends and become a “star.” It also has an auto harmony sound so you sound like part of a perfectly harmonized duo. This comes in several colors but the pink is perfect for girls.

Age Recommendation: For ages 8 and older

Bizu TV Style Studio

Bring out the creative side of your little girl with the Bizu TV Style Studio. Girls can create stylish accessories that transform into Bizu characters. The kit comes with beads, Bizu characters and elastic bands for four bracelets. The bracelets can be twisted together to form necklaces. The beads easily slide off so girls can recreate new accessories. The style studio is like a tower with a dial on the top that gives girls a great way to store their beads so they can continue to have hours of fun creating their assessories.

Age Recommendation: 6 -10 years old

Easy Bake Ultimate Oven

Girls in this age group also tend to really enjoy getting creative by helping in the kitchen. My little girl loves cooking in the kitchen with me. This new for 2011 Easy Bake Oven does not need light bulbs to work like the ones in the past. This oven comes with mixes for cake and cookies as well as several pans and a kid sized turner. It also includes a recipe book with great ideas for baking other items. This item is electric and does require some adult supervision.

Age Recomendation: For 8 years and older

Monster High Dawn of the Dance Cleo De Nile Doll

My little girl loves the Monster High dolls. Lots of her friends are collecting them. This Cleo De Nile doll is ready to boogie the night away. Girls enjoy playing and styling the dolls to get them ready for the big dance. Cleo De Nile is 5,842 years old, give or take a few years, and is an Egyptian princess. She is also captain of the fearleading squad. The doll also includes new killer fashions including an iCoffin, purse and dance invitations.

Age Recomendation: 6 years and up

Mattel Password Journal 2011

For over 10 years, these journals have been the leading electronic journals for girls. This new password journal 7 features a whole new look. This electronic journal has a voice activated password and features an intruder alarm when someone tries to break into your personal journal. The new journal also has a secret compartment with a second voice activated password.

Recommended Age: 6-1o years old

Barbie Princess Charm School: School Girl Princess Blair

This Barbie is inspired by the new movie, “Barbie Princess Charm School“. Princess Blair is the main character in the movie. The Barbie doll is dressed in a pink outfit and comes with her laptop. Little girls will enjoy the whole set of Barbie Princess Charm School dolls as they act out scenes from the movie. Little girls also enjoy styling the doll’s hair and fixing their clothes. These Royals rule the school. What little girl does not love playing princess?

Age Recomendation: 5 years and up

Fijit Friends Willa Interactive Toy

Willa is a trend setting Fijit friend with many fun features for girls. Your girl can squeeze Willa and Willa will respond with amazing life like movements and fun surprises. Willa can identify over 30 voice commands and respond with more than 150 built-in phrases
and jokes. Features include voice recognition, beat detection, and dance mode. Girls in this age group will love dancing with Willa who can react to different styles of music. Her belly will glow like a nightlight as she nods to sleep.

Age Recommendation: 6 – 12 years

Health & Fitness Holiday Gift Guide

Pamela — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:43:12 +0000

The holidays are often the time that many people forget about their fitness regimens but come January 1st many of us resolve to get back on track. Why not give a gift that gives them a step in the right directs?

Below you will find a variety of gifts for all the active people on your shopping list.

For the Runner

The Travel Stick Muscle Massager is great for every duffle bag. If you get a tight muscle or cramp, use this great tool for quick relief.

For the Lifter

Kettleballs are all the rage in weight lifting right now. They provide a unique workout and would make any weightlifter happy this holiday!

For the Yoga Master

An excellent stocking stuffer for a Yoga Lover – these great No slip Yoga Socks from Gaiam provide a little extra grip for maintaining those extra hard poses on slick surfaces.
This yoga mat tote – also from Gaiam is a great gift for your yoga enthusiast. It provides a stylish and convenient way for them to carry their mat and other accessories to and from class.

For the Teen Athlete

Teen gotta have their tunes, even while working out. The Sony Walkman MP3 player is a great gift for a great price.

For the Active Kid

Jump Rope is becoming more and more popular – and it really is one of the best exercises for kids because it’s fun and a great cardio workout. This rope from JFit comes with a digital display that counts for the kid – giving them a gadget to engage them!
Yoga is a great workout and one that even kids can do. It promotes strength and flexibilty which are both importanbt for a well-rounded physique. This great Kids Yoga Bundle from Namaste Kids will be a perfect present for any active kid.

For Him

This cool watch by Garmin come with a wireless cadance monitor, and heart monitor. It also has a GPS and a touch screen – perfect for any runner, or cyclist.
P90X is a great program for any man who is ready to once and for all get in shape.

For Her

Cross-Trainers are perfect for an active woman. They let her go from aerobics class to running errands, and these stylish shoes by Puma let her look good while doing it!

The new Striiv is like having a personal trainer in your pocket. It works like a pedometer but with a lot more bells and whistles. Striiv has partnered with organizations to make it easy for you to give to some great charities. The more you walk, the more the sponsors will donate to the charity of your choice. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Keeping track of your progress is a great way to obtain your goals. Help the women on your list start the year off right with this great Diet & Fitness Journal from Claudine Gandolfi

Disclaimer: I was in no way influenced to select these items. I came up with the list on my own and was not compensated to specifically include any items. A Striiv unit was provided as a promotional review unit, however all opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Top Tech Gifts for Kids

Rachel — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:49:44 +0000

My oldest child is only 8 but every single one of them has a long list of tech toys on their wish list. According to a study done by The Nielson Company, most kids are eyeing big ticket tech items like the iPad this year, which is a bit unfortunate considering the state of the economy.

We’ve found some great tech toys for kids that won’t break your budget and are sure to thrill your kids this Christmas.

Vtech InnoTab Interactive Learning Tablet

My 4 year old would like nothing more than to have his own iPad (and it would certainly save me from having to listen to him beg to play on it all day long). I personally think that the price of an iPad is a bit steep to hand over to a 4 year old (although I have known parents who have done it). The Vtech InnoTab is a great alternative and at under $80 it won’t break your budget.

The InnoTab is designed to take whatever abuse your kids can throw at it and with a design similar to all your favorite tablets, your kids will love having their own version. It comes 64 MB of onboard memory and an SD slot for memory expansion. The InnoTab does come with several built in games and you can buy expansion cartridges from a great selection of your favorite characters.

Purchase from Amazon for $79.00

My Phones – Volume Limiting Headphones from Griffin Technology

Kids ears are much more sensitive than most parents imagine they are. Many kids will be getting MP3 players and other devices this Christmas but the headphones that come with those are not safe for young ears. I spoke with an expert on the subject earlier this year and was shocked to hear that most kids graduate high school with some degree of hearing damage.

The My Phones from Griffin Technology are super cool, not only because kids can customize them to fit their own personal taste, but because they are volume limiting to protect kids sensitive ears.

Purchase from Amazon for $39.99

Crayola ColorStudio Digital Stylus

I’m all for going digital but there are some things that just aren’t the same. Until now, coloring has been one of those things. Part of what kids love about coloring is the feel of the crayon as they draw and the ability to create their own masterpiece. the Crayola ColorStudio Digital Stylus may not completely replace your standard coloring book but it comes pretty darn close.

The soft tip of the digital stylus feels very similar to a crayon and the app itself allows you to choose between using crayons, paint, pens, and pencils depending on the look you want to create. This is the perfect toy for occupying kids on a holiday road trip.

Purchase from Amazon for $34.95

Apple iPod Touch 8 GB

If your kids love the apps available on the iPhone and iPad, you may want to consider an iPod Touch. With an iPod Touch you avoid a monthly service charge since they only connect to the internet using wifi (which you can turn off if you don’t want your children to have access to that).

There’s talk that there will be some pretty phenomenal deals on the iPod Touch on Black Friday so keep an eye out for those. Amazon generally matches those prices though so you can keep an eye on Amazon and avoid the Black Friday crowds.

Purchase on Amazon for $199.00

Kindle Fire

I’ve long been a fan of my Kindle and my 8 year old son enjoys using it for reading but it does have some drawbacks for younger kids who prefer the colorful format of regular books. The Kindle Fire is promising to have a great selection of children’s books and at only $199.00 it’s one of the most reasonably priced tablets on the market right now.

While I probably wouldn’t consider giving one of my kids an iPad of their own, I have strongly considered the Kindle Fire. It’s designed to be extremely durable and is a smaller size which is easier for child-sized hands to hold. It does run on the Android operating system, which means your kids can still get some of their favorite apps like Angry Birds, and Android apps are generally a bit cheaper than Apple apps.

Purchase on Amazon for $199.00

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case

If you have a baby or toddler who loves to claim your iPhone but you’re worried about an overly-excited child damaging your phone, this is the gift for you. This child-friendly iPhone holder allows your baby to safely play with all of the great apps you have on your iPhone without risking any damage to the phone itself.

Easy grasp handles make it easy for babies to maintain their grip (and include some great little teething toys). A clear film protects your screen from any scratches (or drool) and a mirror on the back provides extra entertainment.

Purchase from Amazon for $14.99

Kodak PlaySport Waterproof Video Camera

I’m constantly taking photos and video so naturally, my kids want in on the action too. We’ve purchased several cameras that were designed for kids but I was not at all impressed with the quality of the images. The units themselves were indestructible but the quality was honestly so bad that I don’t think we ever bothered pulling the images off the camera after the first time.

You can get such great prices on cameras and video cameras now that I recommend just buying a better quality unit and getting a warrantee on it if you are concerned about any damage your kids will do. The Kodak PlaySport Waterproof Video Camera is loads of fun for kids. Even if you never plan to use it underwater, the waterproof casing makes the camera bit more durable and the functions are extremely easy for kids to use.

Purchase on Amazon ~~for $179.95~~ on sale for $109.99

Ultimate Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Rachel — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:25:40 +0000

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and whether you are rushing around trying to find a gift for your own mother, your mother-in-law or any of the other great moms in your life, it’s time to get moving and find the perfect gift to show your appreciation.

I’m often a last-minute gift buyer but that doesn’t mean I don’t still want to find a great deal. We scoured the internet for great last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas for you in a variety of price ranges.

For the Chocolate-Loving Mom

Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

I first discovered chocolate covered sunflower seeds during one of the trips my kids and I took to Cabela’s to look at the giant fish tank. I’m not normally a huge fan of sunflower seeds but these are tasty. The best part – this comes in an 8 pack from Amazon so you can break it up to use for several gifts or save some for yourself! These ship free with Amazon Prime and will arrive in 2 days but for a really last minute gift, they should have them at Cabela’s if you have a location near you.

Purchase: $18.92 for a pack of 8

Cadbury Flake

If the moms in your life are still swooning over the royal wedding, a few Cadbury Flakes may be the perfect gift. My mom is British so we grew up eating these and they are divine. The chocolate bar is made up of chocolate that is pounded thin then rolled into a log shape giving it the perfect texture. Now that I’ve discovered they sell these on Amazon I may be in trouble.

Purchase: $29.65 for a pack of 24

For the Book-Loving Mom

Kindle with Special Offers

I LOVE my Kindle but I was initially skeptical about the Kindle with Special Offers. I’ve seen a few of the offers that people are getting though and they are good enough that I wish I could take advantage of the deals. A Kindle is a fantastic Mother’s Day gift for the mom in your life that loves to read. Amazon offers tons of free books (including best-sellers) and has great deals on tons of other books. I love being able to fit my entire library in my purse!

Purchase: $114

(Amazon also has a FANTASTIC deal on a Kindle 3G where they are offering a $25 Amazon GC with purchase.)

The Happiest Mom

I had the great pleasure of meeting Meagan Francis at BlogHer 2010 and her blog, The Happiest Mom, has some wonderful tips for enjoying motherhood and making the best of even the hardest days. I don’t always feel like I’m THE happiest mom but I try to be and I’m always open to tips. Meagan has a great new book out called The Happiest Mom and would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

Purchase: $8.22 (or purchase the Kindle edition)

For the Gadget-Loving Mom

Eton Soulra Solar Powered Speaker Dock

We featured the Eton Soulra Solar Powered Speaker Dock not too long ago so it’s still fresh on our minds but this great solar powered speaker works with an iPhone or iPod (or any mp3 player using the auxiliary port) and the sound quality is fantastic. This is admittedly on the higher end of most people’s price range but the quality and durable build of this mean it’s going to be around for a while, no matter what your kids try and do to it.

Purchase: $168.68

XO Skins Custom Protectors

If you’re a mom with a gadget, chances are your kids like to steal it from you. My kids use the iPad almost as much as my husband does (and they are actually a bit better on it than I am). The problem is, kids and gadgets don’t always mix so you need something to protect your pricey little toy. XO Skins makes custom skin protectors for nearly every gadget you can think of and they have a fantastic Mother’s Day promotion going on. You can save 15% off any screen protector with the code “iheartmom11″

Purchase: Price varies by device

Jawbone ERA Headset

We’ve always been impressed with Jawbone bluetooth headsets in the past but their current noise assassin 3.0 technology is like nothing else on the market. This headset is perfectly suited to work at home moms because it filters out all background noise – includes loud kids while you’re trying to make a business call.

Purchase: $123.00

For the Stylish Mom

Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag

Just because you need to carry around a diaper bag doesn’t mean you have to give up your sense of style! This stylish diaper bag from Skip Hop looks great dressed up or dressed down and it has an expandable center for those days when you need a little extra room. This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for a new mom or a mom who’s been there done that and needs to get rid of a worn out diaper bag.

Purchase: $69.99

Aerosoles Women’s Benefit Open-Toe Pump

I won these shoes in a Dr. Oz giveaway promotion earlier this year and I am now hooked on Aerosoles. These shoes are so comfortable you feel like you are wearing tennis shoes but you definitely aren’t sacrificing any style. These would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for a working mom or a mom who needs a really great date night.

Purchase: price varies by size

For the Mom Who Needs to be Pampered

Spa Week Gift Cards

Spa Week may be over but Spa Week gift cards can be used 365 days a year at Spas all over the country and they are a fantastic way to discover new spas and get a gentle introduction to the spa lifestyle if it isn’t something you normally take the time for. Spa Week is offering 10% off Spa Week gift cards for Mother’s Day. These would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift (although Dads, if you really want to get on mom’s good list you should really consider offering to clean the house while she’s at the spa).

Purchase: $25 and up

Flowers

Flowers are a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day but I really love giving them for gifts when someone lives out of town. 1-800-Flowers delivers fresh flowers all over the country and it’s so much fun for someone to be surprised by a box of fresh flowers. If you need a great gift for your mom, mother-in-law or any other mom who may live out of the area, having flowers delivered is a great option.

Purchase: price varies

For the Camera Happy Mom

Sony 3D Bloggie Video Camera

The new and improved Bloggie video camera now records in 3D and makes it super simple for mom to upload video to Facebook or YouTube. This uncomplicated, pocket-sized video packs a lot of punch and would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift for the camera happy mom (and Grandma would love all the great shots she’d get of the kids as well).Whether mom is a blogger or not, this is sure to be a hit with the social media savvy mom.

Purchase: $249.00

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition

For the mom who wants to take her photography skills to the next level, Understanding Exposure is a must have. The newly updated 3rd edition has some wonderful tips on how to get the perfect creative exposure using any camera. I’ve used the older edition of this book for several years and it does a fantastic job explaining how exposure works and how you can manipulate it to get the image that you want.

Purchase: $15.84

Nikon Coolpix with Built-In Projector

Most moms take A LOT of pictures, but few of us get around to actually printing our photos. Many moms share their photos during an event or holiday by passing around the camera so everyone can look at the screen. This camera has a cool feature that turns the camera into a projector so you can share your pictures anytime, anywhere. That sure beats squinting to see the screen when you want to share the shots you got!

Purchase: $149.99

So the real question is, what do YOU want for Mother’s Day?

Holiday Gift Guide 2010 – Healthy Choices

Pamela — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:47:43 +0000

As you are checking items off your holiday shopping list are checking it twice to make sure that you are not going to be stuffing the underside of your tree with presents that will only promote a sedentary lifestyle? It is important that you are buying items that will help keep your family healthy as well as entertained. I have come up with some great items that will really help your family stay fit and still feel festive!

For Kids:

Street Surfing Whiplash Wave Scooter

Scooters are great outdoor activity to keep kids active. This particular scooter features a wider platform for more stability, and also features a wave motion which adds a twisting motion, which provides core workout. Don’t forget the helmet and pads if you get this present!

Price: $49.99

Thermos Kids Color Change Hydrations Bottle 24oz.

Water intake is extremely important when exercising, especially for kids. There are a number of reasons for a child to have a reusable water bottle of their own – one it is better for the environment as it eliminates waster, and two it lessens the chance that s/he will drink from someone else’s bottle or cup by mistake, exposing them to germs. This cleaver bottle changes color with the temperature of the water. It is also dishwasher safe and comes in a variety of patterns

Price: $15.99

Redmon Rene Ribaud Instructional DVD and Jump Rope Set

Jump Roping is becoming something of a lost art. It is truly one of the best full body exercises as it requires strength, stamina, and coordination. It also requires a very small space and only one piece of equipment, can be done alone or with others. This great kit includes a jump rope and video to help teach your child basics and tricks with skill levels from beginner through advanced.

Price: $19.99

For Teens:

Discraft Beginner Box Disc Golf Set

Disc Golf is sweeping the nation. And actually requires quite a bit of physical fitness as most courses do not have carts to take you from hole to hole requiring quite a bit of walking, over rather rugged terrain. It also requires a bit of upper body strength and tone to both throw the disc the distant and with accuracy. With a little bit of research, you are bound to find a disc golf course close by, as they are popping up all over , especially in college towns.

Price: $25.00

New Balance True Balance Toning Shoes

What better way to work out than when you are doing something else? The new trend in shoes that help shape and tone your lower body every time you walk, is wonderful! And these shoes from New Balance do not look quite as crazy as some of the other brands, but mostly just look like any other sneaker, while providing the extra spring system to tone muscles and lose weight.

Price: $79.99

For Him:

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Lot of times people wish they could have their own free weight system at home, but just don’t have the space. These unique dumbbells provide all the benefits of having a free weight system (with weight selection from 5 -52.5 pounds per dumbbell), while only taking up the space that a weight rack or full set of weight in that range would need. Dumbbells are an incredibly versatile piece of fitness equipment that allow for a wide range of exercises.

Price: $329.99

Timex Personal Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Heart Monitors because increasingly important with age, especially for men, as a spike in heart rate can mean trouble, but if noticed early, can be easily treated. But who wants to wear a separate heart rate device and watch? No one, that’s who – so get him this very nice Timex watch and Heart Rate Monitor. It is water resistant for the swimmers, and keeps track of your heart rate throughout your workout for later analysis.

Price: $39.99

For Her:

Living Arts Beginners Yoga Kit

Having your own Yoga mat is important for both home and gym participation. Yoga mats are also great for other types of exercise – like Pilate’s or even general floor aerobics – also. This kit includes a mat, brick (used in certain poses) strap (to help with stretching) and DVD.

Price: $29.99

Danskin Yoga Pant

You gotta have the right gear to workout, which means that woman headed to yoga or any other fitness class, needs a really great pair of yoga pants. A good yoga pant is snug but not tight, and allows plenty of free movement to bend stretch and move with the rest of class. And Danskin is a top supplier of quality fitness and exercise apparel.

Price: $36.00

For the Whole Family:

If you have a Wii Console go for the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Price: $79.96). If you have the Xbox go for the Kinect (Price $199.99). Both of these allow your family to get their video game fix without parking it on the couch, as both of them require actual movement to play the game! There are a number of different games and feature that are all great family fun night activities.

Merit Fitness Treadmill

A treadmill is something that benefit everyone in the family. It allows cardio work out any time of day or year, regardless of weather. It is a great way to get your 20 minutes of walking in each day, or your one hour marathon training done. This model offers speed ranges from 0.1 to 10 mph and adjusts up to a 10% grade. It also has an extra wide belt to give more room for movement, as not everyone runs on a straight and narrow track for the duration of their exercise.

Price: $499.00

I also hope that you will reconsider all of the candy that usually comes with the holidays. Sweet treats can be good for your too! Like did you know that oranges are a traditional Christmas treat? So please don’t stuff the stocking with sugar filled treats, and look for some healthier options.

Holiday Gift Guide 2010 – Gift for Dads

Darren Lister — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:15:50 +0000

Dad’s are notoriously hard to shop for. We typically buy the things we are interested in and complicate just about everything. We don’t usually just want the simple stuff, we want it because it does this, and this, and this. It is often not about what it is but rather what it does.

I honestly think that Busy Mommy has asked me to do this gift guide as a means of understanding what I really want but I will share it with you as well as I found some really cool stuff.

If you have any gift ideas for dads that we missed, feel free to add them in the comments below.

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Most likely Dad has grown up with Nintendo. I was thrilled when I heard that Nintendo was making a new version of the original SNES game that I fell in love with as a kid. This is a great retro gift that dad can also play with the kids. If you want to be sure that you find this under the tree this year, you could always get it and claim it’s for your kids.

Price: $49.95

Jawbone Bluetooth Headset

I think every dad has a cell phone that he uses every dad. Why not get him a headset that he wants to use with those calls. This is Jawbone’s latest model and we can tell you that from our experience, Jawbones are some of the clearest bluetooth headsets on the market. He will enjoy making calls on this headset.

Price: $99.99

Phosphor Men’s Watch

With the advent of having the time on your cell phone, the wrist watch has had to evolve. It has had to be more than purely functional but rather a masculine addition to his wardrobe. This new watch from Phosphor is unique and handsome in that it is one of the only watches to use an e-ink screen. This is the same type of technology that is used on the Amazon Kindle. It is easy to read, requires very little power and give him something to discuss on those important lunch meetings.

Price: $165.00

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Graphite

Dad likes his music. Since it may not be the same as what the rest of the family likes, why not get him one of the most unique iPod’s ever. This new model has all of the benefits that iPods have always had but it is also very small with a touch screen and it has some great ways to extend its use by using it with the iPod Nano Watch Band.

Price: $149.99

iPod Nano Watch Band

The new iPod Nano is small that some people are even choosing to wear them as a very unique watch.

This gives you a watch with great functionality and if you are worried about losing the iPod Nano because of it’s small size, this is a great way to keep it close and get a lot of use out of it.

Price: $29.95

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Net STAK100

Dads will always have tons of files. This makes it easy for dad to access them from anywhere over the internet. Simply plug in a Seagate GoFlex hard drive or any USB drive and an ethernet cable and dad will never be without his info again. It can also create duplicate copies on the two Seagate drives so as to ensure that that important file doesn’t disappear right before the presentation. Oh, and here is where to buy a hard drive to go with this.

Price: $99.99

Bushnell GPS BackTrack Personal Locator

You probably already know, men won’t ask for directions. That is why we love GPS. As long as we can plug in an address, we can get there. The problem becomes what happens when we are not behind the wheel or we go where there are no roads? That is where this product comes in, simply turn it on when you leave your car or head out into the backcountry. It will then track your path and always guide you back.

Price: $84.95

Diaper Dude Skull and Crossbones Diaper Bag

Dad does not want a pink diaper bag. We hate holding it even when you are only gone for a minute. This is one of many masculine designs from Diaper Dudes.

These dad-friendly diaper bags have all of the traditional features and pockets that you expect in a diaper bag but in a package that you won’t be ashamed to carry around.

Price: $64.99

Kindle Wireless Reading Device

The Kindle invented the ebook reader category. As evidenced by how many different companies have copied the idea in this years Black Friday ads, I would say they have done a pretty good job.

If dad likes to read get him this device. He will never be without a good novel anywhere in the world.

Price: $139.99

GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camera

This is one of my favorite gifts for dad this season. This is a camera for taking both still shots and video of all of dad’s and the boys endeavors. It is designed to be tough like them and catch every memory. To give you an idea, it can mount on a helmet, a bike, a surfboard, or even dad’s car. And if dad is a true techie, they even have a version that can do it all in 3D. I would highly recommend this little camera.

Price: $299.00

Boxee Box by D-Link

This year is the year of video and this is one of the best devices on the market to make all of that video easily accessible on your TV wirelessly.

It is also one of the few devices on the market that will do Hulu Plus.

Price: $229.99

Apple iPad MC497LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + 3G)

Let me be clear…DAD NEEDS AN IPAD. When this device launched about 6 months ago, I honestly was not sure what I thought of the concept of basically a larger iPhone. Now, I have seen the light and mine goes with me everywhere.

It is simply so much quicker and easier to use than either my smart phone or my laptop. Mine goes with me everywhere and it will definitely get used for everything from email to videos and GPS.

Solar Charging Orange Backpack

Dad always needs power for all of his gadgets. This solar powered backpack charges AA batteries without even plugging it in. There are also models that can charge smart phones and GPS units so you don’t have to worry about being without power, whether you are camping or just trekking through the city.

Price: $69.99

iCarta iPod Stereo Dock and Bath Tissue Holder

And finally for the dad who has everything . . .

Price: $55.00