Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost for you, and commissions earned help support my small business. You can learn more here.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost to you, and helps support my small business. You can learn more here.
Sometimes getting our loved ones gifts is easy; they may want the hottest toy or the latest gadget. But what do you get the person who has everything? What do you get someone who is hard to shop for? And, what if you want the convenience of secure purchases and shipping while supporting small businesses? These highly rated products are sure to delight people on your list, while having a convenient purchase process and letting you shop small.
Jewelry and Accessories
Jewelry and accessories are a classic gift sure to make your loved ones smile this holiday. Here are some highly rated ideas to inspire you!
FOR HIM
FOR HER
 
For Her: Stud earrings, American Made and Handmade (these come in a variety of metals and shapes, including sterling silver)
 
This particularly small business has tons of cute holiday designs, stylish everyday options, and more. You can find the entire storefront here.
AND EVEN MORE!!
For the Spiritualist in Your Life: Palo Santo Bracelet Negative Energy Protection
 
For the Gardener or Bee Fanatic: Little Gold Bee Necklace • 24k Vermeil Honeybee/Bumblebee Charm
    
Personalized Gifts
There is no more unique of a gift than a personalized one! Here are some highly rated idea your family and friends are sure to love!
 
For the Home Chef: Custom Engraved Monogrammed Cutting Board
 
For the Home Chef or Beloved Baker: Wooden Blank Recipe Book Binder (Personalized)
 
For the Loved One Far from Home (or, far from you, who lives far from home): Custom Quote Long Distance State Mug
 
For the person who never has enough space in their bag: Personalized Tote
 
For the Writer: Personalized Leather Journal
 
For the Traveler: Personalized Leather Luggage Tags
  
Home and Kitchen
Fun gifts for the home cooks and home bodies in your life.
              
Bath and Body
Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season with these highly rated, US crafted products.
          Looking for other great gift ideas? Check out my Christmas Guide for links to even more inspiration to help with your holiday shopping, as well as other amazing season content.
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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost to you, and commissions help support my small business. You can learn more here.
Looking for great toys and games at a great price? Here are some deals I think you will love, on products I think your kids will! The deals found here could change at any time, so grab them while you can (a secondary benefit for shopping early is ensuring holiday gifts arrive by the time you need them)
T​hese products are all from brands my family loves, and each has tons of high ratings.
Note: Prices are current as of publication date, and may vary. Efforts will be made to periodically update deals to reflect the latest pricing and deals.
AWESOME DEAL!!!
Save 63% on this Melissa and Doug Fresh Mart Grocery Store Companion Kit. It is normally $56.28, but buy soon and you can get it for $20.51!
 
SAVE 17% List Price - $10.79 Sale Price - $8.99
My little one loves Melissa and Doug puzzles, and this safari one is on sale! Educational and fun, you can't go wrong!
   
We love Kid Kraft products in our home, and I found this great set available for a good price (at the moment they are listed at $15.51, but that price may change).
 
Nearly 42,000 reviews, 4.5 stars, and 10% off the list price? You can't go wrong with this toddler slide!
 
Another great toy for toddlers, this garage set is 9% off.
 
This arts and crafts kit has a bit of everything for your budding creator, and has 4.8 Stars with nearly 3500 reviews. While my family hasn't tested the brand, it looks like an amazing option... and deal!
 
I was obsessed with all things Polly Pocket as a kid, so I *wish* my kid was both old enough and interested in Polly Pocket. To sweeten the deal, you can get this set for 25% off!!
 
Perfect for your little star, this karaoke kit is adorable and has 4.4. stars!!
 
If the number of commercials for her new movie while my child watches Paw Patrol and her appearance on Dancing with the Stars is any indication, this is the season of Jojo. And, this Jojo Siwa doll with 4.7 stars is 42% off right now!
 
My husband has a more advanced version of this drone, and loves it. We've now had it for years, and it is still in great shape. If your child loves electronics and drones, I highly recommend this brand!
 
The dinosaur version of this coding toy was one of the items we got for my son..... unfortunately it was before it went on sale! My loss is your gain; you can grab this doggy coding toy from Learning Resources for 44% off! You can also get the dinosaur version for 43% off.
My son has had these blocks for 2 years now, and still loves them. You can get them 40% off for a limited time!
 
Let me start with this; if your child is as obsessed with Paw Patrol as my son is..... I'm sorry. That said, my son's Marshall light up toy has really helped ease bedtime stress. You can grab this Pillow Pet Chase for 22% off right now!
 
Barbie is forever popular, and there are tons of great deals of Barbie products this holiday season. Be sure to check them out!
 
2021 has been the year of renewed space travel. Bring that excitement home with this LEGO kit! Or, find other great deals on LEGO toys this year (there are TONS of them). This set is currently 20% off.
  Didn't find inspiration here? Check out some of my other kids gift guides here:
And find even more toy gifting inspiration here!Be sure to share these ideas with other parents, and help them save money on the hottest toys this season!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost for you, and commissions earned help support my small business. You can learn more here.
While Halloween has yet to arrive, Christmas is already on many parents' minds. With supply chain issues prominent, and experts recommending starting your shopping early, many of us have already started preparing for the holidays. But staying organized this far in advance is TOUGH. What are the best holiday shopping tips for getting deals this year? How can you get the best deals on Christmas toys? When should you ideally be shopping to ensure you get that hot toy? Here are some tips for how to keep yourself on track and get everything on your family's wish list this holiday season!
SHOP EARLY
Many experts are recommending to start your shopping now. It may seem early, but high demand and supply shortages may mean that hot toy won't be around later. While it may feel more advisable to wait for Black Friday deals, there are plenty available now (and no guarantee those deals will be around later, since high demand often means higher cost). ABC News offers some great tips for getting you the best deals, now, and recommends not waiting until Black Friday.
START A HOLIDAY WISHLIST ONLINE
Online wishlists, like this one on Amazon, function a lot like gift registries. They are sharable, track gifting so there are no redundant gifts (and kids get exactly what they want from everyone), and even offer the option to send thank you cards. We have been using Amazon to put together gifting lists since I was pregnant with my first, and continue to use them for essentials, Christmas, and birthdays.
SHOP UNIQUE GIFTS
Hot gifts fly off the shelf fast because everyone is searching for them. But handmade and unique gifts are an excellent option because they are special and you may be able to find great deals on beautiful products without the competition. You are also supporting small businesses, and who doesn't love doing that!
DON'T JUST FOCUS ON SHOPPING FOR GIFTS
Supply chain issues aren't just impacting gift supply. They are impacting everything, and that includes decorations, cooking supplies, holiday fashion, and more. Be sure to stock up on these items early to make sure that you have everything you need for your holiday celebrations.
GIVE EXPERIENCES, NOT JUST THINGS
Experiences are a great way to bypass supply chain issues while also giving a meaningful and desirable gift! Some great ideas your children, partners, family, and friends are listed below:
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DEALS ALL THE TIME!
Deals come and go quickly in today's market. Many companies have been offering early Black Friday deals for some time, so you don't have to wait to grab great products at a great price. To help all you busy parents, I'll be sharing lists of deals periodically, so keep an eye on my blog and social feeds!! (I've been sharing early Black Friday Deals that stick out to me pretty regularly).
Below are a few deals I've found; I'll keep this section updated as much as possible with highly rated products! Sales may vary, and deals may not last, so I can't make guarantees about pricing, but I'll be rotating products based on what is currently hot and on sale!
You can find even more early Black Friday deals here!
Looking for more Holiday Inspiration?
Visit my Christmas Guide for gift guides, crafts, activities, printables, and more! Plus, grab your instant download Letter to Santa!
Save and Share!!
Ghost Themed Activities, Free Printables, Crafts, and More!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. My participation in the program supports my small business, and comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more here.
 
We have a new addition to our seasonal library: Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell
This book tells the story of 10 ghosts in their haunted house, and an unwelcome visitor. It is perfect for teaching little ones counting skills, and unlike many number books, counts backwards.
We have enjoyed reading it again and again. To keep the fun going, here are some great activities to pair with the book! Whether your are looking for a homeschool learning unit, a preschool class theme, or just a way to keep your child occupied and learning during days at home, this list has something for everyone! Ghost Crafts
Tissue Paper Ghosts (On Paper)
This activity is simple, easy, and perfect for little hands (though big hands can help make it even flashier of a project). Using construction paper, glue, and white tissue paper, have your child form "ghosts" and glue them to the background. You can also use child friendly paint and more construction paper to put together a background scene!
3D Ghosts (More Coming Soon!)
Using a plastic bottle or milk jug, tissue paper, a hot glue gun, and black paint, you can easily create a spooky ghost! Or, use a milk jug and a permanent marker. You can add battery operated lights to either, making them fun evening decorations for Halloween!
Stay tuned for the entire craft, with detailed instructions! Ghost Sensory Activities
Shaving Cream Ghosts
Print the free instant download (below), laminate it, and grab your shaving cream.... it is the easiest sensory activity you can find!
Ghost Sensory Bin
Use dried black beans, some small toy pumpkins (easy to find at the Dollar Store or online), and add large, stretched cotton balls for your "ghosts" (you can also create more elaborate ghosts by gluing a few together and adding googley eyes). Throw in some cups, mini Halloween buckets, tongs, or serving, and you have a great sensory activity. I also added some pompoms and glitter putty to ours.
Play Dough Ghosts (More Coming Soon!)
Use white and black play dough to create adorable ghosts. Add googley eyes when dry (using a hot glue gun) for even more fun!
10 Timid Ghosts Inspired Activity Book
Grab your 10 Timid Ghosts PDF today!
This activity book has 16 pages of fun and learning for your preschooler! Coloring pages, puzzles, counting activities, same/different activities, vocabulary tracing, and more!
Available for Instant Download
Use this free printable as a coloring page, laminate for use as a sensory mat, or laminate and use to practice tracing and coloring again and again!
More Great Book Recommendations!
If you love 10 Timid Ghosts, check out my list offavorite seasonal books for preschoolers!
More Seasonal Content
Also be sure to check out these great seasonal activities this fall!
SAVE OR SHARE!
Grab my little one's recommendations for awesome fall books for preschoolers (and toddlers/early elementary students), plus corresponding activities,. here!  Grab your free fall color awareness and counting printables on my exclusive parenting group!
What will you find in this latest release?
How can you download these free fall printables?
Simply join The Mindfully Scientific Caregivers Group on Facebook! The group is 100% free, and a great place to connect with other mindful and evidence based parents. Plus, I regularly release new printables there, and it is a great place to stay updated on what is happening on the blog without having to check your emails!
What age are these activities for?
These free fall activities are great for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, though older children may also enjoy the iSpy activities.
Free Instant Download!
Not interested in joining? Check out this mini activity book; 5 pages of free printables for instant download. Your preschooler or kindergartener will love coloring, practicing their writing, or learning to count with these worksheets. They can be used digitally, or printed.
Disclaimer: By downloading the following workbook, you agree to not reproduce without explicit written permission from The Mindfully Scientific Mama.
Find even more fun and educational activities for your toddler, preschooler, or elementary age child!
Check out these great seasonal educational activities, crafts, and printables... all 100% free!
The teacher in me loves creating great activities for kids, and holidays are an amazing opportunity to share them with you! With Father's Day approaching, I have put together a number of printables, all available FOR FREE. Last week I published an exclusive Q&A About Dad activity, for my newsletter subscribers, and now I'm bring more exclusives to the Mindfully Scientific Caregivers Group!
These four coloring pages are great for little kids who aren't able to make their own cards yet. Create beautiful homemade Father's Day Cards by having your child color the pages (make sure to edit your print settings to scale down the size!). Then paste onto coloring sheet onto folded construction paper to create a card. Help them sign the inside, and you are done!
You can also have your children color the sheets and put them inside of a store bought card. Or, use these in your classroom if you are a teacher! However your kids play, these coloring pages are perfect for them!
BE SURE TO HEAD OVER TO THE GROUP AND JOIN NOW TO GRAB YOURS!
Looking for even more Father's Day content? Head over to my Father's Day blog post, with gift and celebration ideas perfect for every family!
NEW TO THE RESOURCE LIBRARY!!!!
Free Fun Father's Day Question and Answer Printable for Kids, plus 15 more fun questions to ask kids about their Dad!
Grab your copy of this question and answer activity for Father's Day! Guaranteed to get some laughs from Dad, this Q&A for kids is perfect to include in a scrapbook, picture book, card, picture frame, or on its own. Want to see how your child grows? Have them do one every year! "Kids say the darnedest things", am I right?!
You can get yours by subscribing to my mailing list here. There are loads of other great, free printables available on my subscriber's library, too. I'm always adding new content, so once you sign up, check back regularly. Also follow me on social media for updates (my newsletter will be coming out soon with updates as well). 
Are you looking for great gift or celebration ideas for Father's Day? I have you covered with this Father's Day post (more ideas are being added regularly). There are also free cards available for immediate download there.
If you do this activity with your child, be sure to tag me on my social media accounts! I'd love to see what creative thoughts they have about their fathers.
Want to elaborate on this activity? Try some of these questions out:
Have other fun questions to ask the Dads in your life? Comment below to share!
Be sure to share this article!
Find the perfect gift for dad, or way to celebrate the fathers in your life! I'll be adding to this post periodically with new lists, resources, and printables, so check back regularly!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions earned help support my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more here.
Great Father's Day Gifts
Free Printables - Great for Gifts, DIY Cards, and More!
FATHER'S DAY "ABOUT MY DAD PRINTABLE"
Sign up for my email list to get access to this printable, and loads more great free content in my subscriber's library!
Free Father's Day Cards - Printables for Instant Download
You can also download one of two Father's Day cards instantly below! No strings attached!
FREE FATHER'S DAY COLORING PAGES!!!
Grab your free Father's Day coloring pages over on the Facebook group! While I share many exclusives with my email subscribers, I also offer Facebook group only exclusives such as these:
Make Memories: The Best Father's Day Activities
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost to you, and helps support my small business. You can learn more here.
Make the moms in your life feel extra special by finding the perfect gift for mom (or any woman you want to celebrate)! Whether you have a large budget or are looking for a special homemade mother's day gift, there are ideas for mother's day that work for every family on this list!
PS. We all know preparing for mother's day can be a scramble. Luckily, almost everything on this list is perfect for last minute mother's day gifts!!!
Here are some of the best gifts you can get for mom this year!Spa Day at Home
Make mom feel extra special by giving her the gift of relaxation and time to her self. Start the set off with a luxurious bath pillow, add some shower steamers or other aromatherapy for bath and body options, and round it off with the most comfortable bath robe you can find! Make sure to upgrade the locks on the bathroom to ensure the kids leave her alone!
​Here are a few of my favorite at home spa products:
And, here are some highly rated product recommendations, to help give mom the perfect at home spa experience!
And don't forget a basket to put it all in!
Personalized Jewelry and Gifts for Mom
Okay, so jewelry is cliche, but it is popular for a reason! Give mom a special personalized jewelry gift from the kids, so she can have an everyday reminder of how much she is appreciated. Here are a few recommendations of top rated items for mother's day jewelry that she will love (some of these options are even small artisans, so you also get to support a small business).
Pro tip: Personalized gifts can take awhile to ship. If they won't be to your home in time for mother's day, don't panic! Print a picture of the gift, and put it in a card. This has been a way that my husband has dealt with the issue, and I am always super excited about the gift that is on it's way!
Homemade Gifts for Mom
What mom doesn't love a homemade mother's day gift?! Here is some inspiration to help you find the perfect handmade gift for mom this year!
From Baby/For Mom on Her First Mother's Day: Footprint Flower Art
Ideas for homemade gifts from older children:
Left: Jewelry box w/ photo Right: Photo jewelry box on left, gratitude tree on right (sans tags)
From the Entire Family:
Give Mom Memories and Experiences
This is my favorite way to celebrate Mother's Day! Every year my husband and child bring me breakfast in bed. We then go to the local nursery and pick out the perfect new perennials, bushes, or a new tree, which my husband plants for me. Sometimes we go out for a nice dinner, other times my husband cooks (he is a chef, so I can't complain about staying in!!). Here are some other ways to show mom you appreciate her this Mother's Day!
Didn't find what you were looking for on this list? Amazon has a great mother's day gift guide full of unique, handmade items! Or, check out my holiday gift guide for her for even more inspiration!
Don't forget to pin this to reference later!
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